Sign Regulations in Totowa Borough, New Jersey
Totowa Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Street Address Sign, Directory Sign (Upper Floors), Temporary Sign (Other than Business Uses). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Totowa Borough, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Totowa Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate Sign (Residential Use) | — | 72 square inches | — |
| Professional/Home Occupation Sign (Residential Use) | — | 2 square feet | Situated within setback lines |
| Temporary Real Estate/Construction/Permitted Use Sign (Residential Zone) | — | 6 square feet | Situated within setback lines |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
18
- Street Address Sign
- Directory Sign (Upper Floors)
- Temporary Sign (Other than Business Uses)
- Nameplate Sign (Residential Use)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Totowa Borough
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Totowa Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Totowa Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Totowa Borough, regulated sign types include Street Address Sign, Directory Sign (Upper Floors), Temporary Sign (Other than Business Uses), Nameplate Sign (Residential Use), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Totowa Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Totowa Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Totowa Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Totowa Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Totowa Borough, New Jersey regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Use)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 30 feet tall and 50 square feet per side, with a 25 ft from street line, 20 ft from other lot line setback (Sec. § 415-107D(1)). Most commercial signs in Totowa Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Totowa Borough, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Totowa Borough (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential districts | 3 | — | 72 square inches | — |
| B-2 District, B-4 District, B-5 District, B-6 District | 4 | 15 inches | 15 square feet or 15% of front facade area (whichever is less) | — |
| B-3 District | 5 | 30 inches | 30 square feet or 30% of the front facade area (whichever is less) | — |
| I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District, I-3 Industrial District | 2 | 15 feet | 50 square feet per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 30 feet | 90 square feet (total), each component max 50 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Totowa Borough(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
B-2 District, B-4 District, B-5 District, B-6 District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Address Sign | 15 inches | — | — | — | — | Facade or door | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(2), (2)(a)-(b) |
| Wall Sign (Sign Board, Ground Floor) | — | 15 square feet or 15% of front facade area (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per use or activity | Attached to ground floor facade, not more than 15 feet above ground, not projecting over eight inches | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(3), (3)(a)-(d), § 415-107E |
| Directory Sign (Upper Floors) | — | 3 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | Street level at each entrance to upper story establishments; top edge not more than 6 ft above sidewalk | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(4), (4)(a)-(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Other than Business Uses) | — | 15 square feet | — | — | 1 per use or activity | — | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(1); § 415-107F |
B-3 District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Address Sign | 30 inches | — | — | — | — | Facade or door | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(2), (2)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Business and Office Use, Front Facade) | — | 30 square feet or 30% of the front facade area (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per use or activity | Front facade | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(5), § 415-107E |
| Freestanding Sign (In lieu of Wall Sign, Business & Office Use) | 30 feet | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 per use or activity | Within property line, no overhang into right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(6) |
| Directory Sign (Upper Floors) | — | 3 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | Street level at each entrance to upper story establishments; top edge not more than 6 ft above sidewalk | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(4), (4)(a)-(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Other than Business Uses) | — | 15 square feet | — | — | 1 per use or activity | — | — | Unlock | § 415-107B(1); § 415-107F |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Use) | 30 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | 25 ft from street line, 20 ft from other lot line | 1 per shopping center | No closer than 25 feet to street line and 20 feet to any other lot line | — | Unlock | § 415-107D(1) |
| Wall Sign (Individual Store in Shopping Center) | — | Same as B-2, B-4, B-5, B-6 regulations (sign board) | — | — | 1 per store | — | — | Unlock | § 415-107D(1) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (Gasoline Service Station) | — | 90 square feet (total), each component max 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per station | — | — | Unlock | § 415-107D(2) |
| Facade or Canopy Sign (Gasoline Service Station) | — | 15 square feet or 10% of wall area (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per building face | Each building face fronting on a street | — | Unlock | § 415-107D(2) |
| Directional/Customary Pump Signs (Gasoline Service Station) | — | — | — | — | — | Pumps, site | — | Unlock | § 415-107D(2) |
| Wall Sign (Side or Rear Wall) | — | 10 square feet or 2% of the wall area (whichever is less, per separate business use) | — | — | Per separate business use | Side or rear wall adjoining parking area | — | Unlock | § 415-107E(3)-(4) |
| Banner/Temporary Sign/Flag/Similar Advertising Device | 3 feet (banner) | Banner: 20 ft length x 3 ft width (60 sq ft max) | 20 feet (banner) | — | — | Across roadways, driveways, or vehicular traffic locations | — | Unlock | § 415-107E(9), (9)(a)-(g), § 415-107F |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Totowa Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Totowa Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Totowa Borough
- The public posting of signs for garage sales throughout the Borough is prohibited, except on the property registered for the sale.
- All signs must be removed at the end of each sale day (for garage sales).
- The following signs are prohibited in all zones in the Borough: signs using red, yellow and green lights which might be confused with traffic control signals.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting are prohibited.
- Any sign which unreasonably tends to distract drivers or constitutes a traffic hazard, or which uses words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' etc., in a manner that constitutes a traffic hazard or interferes with traffic or pedestrians, is prohibited.
- Roof signs and sidewalk sandwich signs are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways, or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters are prohibited.
- Flags, banners, strings of banners and similar advertising devices used for commercial advertising purposes in excess of 15 days are prohibited.
- Any sign which obscures more than 20% of a glassed window or door area is prohibited.
- The outlining of any window, door, facade or roof with neon lights or other lighting is not permitted (except with restrictions in the B-3 zone).
- No temporary signs, flags, similar advertising devices or structures shall be erected, hung, mounted or placed upon utility poles, lighting structures or the like without a permit.
- All illuminated signs must be either indirectly lighted or of the diffused-light type. No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing, revolving or intermittent illumination.
- Lighting for signs shall not shine onto residential properties or cause glare, and all lights for sign illumination or display must be completely shielded from view of vehicular traffic.
- Except as provided, not more than one sign shall be permitted for each use or activity. No sign shall project more than eight inches beyond the wall nor extend above the height of the vertical wall.
- No awning can be used for signage.
Exempt Signs in Totowa Borough
- Regulatory and warning signs authorized by the Department of Transportation may be erected and maintained.
- Temporary emergency no-parking signs may be posted upon declaration of an emergency by the Mayor or Council President.
- Signs conforming to state law (N.J.S.A. 40:67-16.9) are allowed for street closings.
- Historical or ceremonial event banners, charitable event and bona fide nonprofit organization fund raiser banners, and municipal event banners may be erected by permit and approval.
- Street address signage is required for all buildings containing businesses and offices.
- Required 'NO SMOKING' signs in carnivals, circuses, and certain public venues.
- Required 'EXIT' signs over doors and exits in carnivals and circuses.
- Required signs for identifying massage establishments and required exit identification signage, when posted in accordance with municipal ordinances.
- No Parking signs as required by ordinance, provided they are in conformance with specifications.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Totowa Borough
- No explicit reference to the requirement for a master sign plan, sign plan, or similar coordinated plan for signs is made in the provided ordinance sections.
- Certain types of banners and temporary signage require written application (permit) and in some cases, approval from the Mayor and Council and possibly other authorities.
- A permit is required for any temporary sign, flags, banners, string of banner, similar advertising device, or freestanding structure; the fee for the permit is $25.
- A permit to erect or maintain a sign may be revoked if information used to obtain it is knowingly false or if any provisions of the article are violated.
Source: ecode360 municipal code