Sign Regulations in Union, New Jersey
Union, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign (Primary Street Frontage), Wall Sign (Multiple Street Frontages). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 26, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Union, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Union
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | Greater of 1 sq ft per 10 linear ft of street frontage or 24 sq ft | 10 ft from street right-of-way and 10 ft from side lot lines |
| Wall Sign (Primary Street Frontage) | — | Lesser of 10% of building face or 32 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Street Frontages) | — | Lesser of 10% of building face or 24 sq ft per frontage | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for UnionFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
25
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign (Primary Street Frontage)
- Wall Sign (Multiple Street Frontages)
- Window Sign (Ground Floor)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
In Union, monument signs are limited to 20 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Union, 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 Union, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign (Primary Street Frontage), Wall Sign (Multiple Street Frontages), Window Sign (Ground Floor), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Union, monument signs typically require a 10 ft from street right-of-way and 10 ft from side lot lines setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Union are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Union has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Union, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Union, New Jersey regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential districts, Business and Industrial Zone zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and Greater of 1 sq ft per 10 linear ft of street frontage or 24 sq ft, with a 10 ft from street right-of-way and 10 ft from side lot lines setback (Sec. §223-45C(1); §223-45A, §223-45F). Most commercial signs in Union require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Union, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Union (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonresidential districts, Business and Industrial Zone | 8 | 20 ft | 25% (primary frontage), 15% (additional frontage) of glass area per window | — |
| Residential districts, R District | 8 | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Union
Nonresidential districts, Business and Industrial Zone
| 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 | 20 ft | Greater of 1 sq ft per 10 linear ft of street frontage or 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way and 10 ft from side lot lines | 1 per single development or lot | Minimum setback of 10 ft from street right-of-way; 10 ft from side lot lines. | — | Unlock | §223-45C(1); §223-45A, §223-45F |
| Wall Sign (Primary Street Frontage) | — | Lesser of 10% of building face or 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Mounted on building face along street frontage; must not extend beyond wall ends/top. | — | Unlock | §223-45C(2)(a)-(e); §223-45A; §223-45F |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Street Frontages) | — | Lesser of 10% of building face or 24 sq ft per frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One wall sign per street frontage | — | Unlock | §223-45C(2)(c)-(d); §223-45A; §223-45F |
| Window Sign (Ground Floor) | — | 10% of window area on which it is located | — | — | — | Windows on ground floor (can be affixed or display signs) | — | Unlock | §223-45C(3)(a), (c) |
| Window Sign (Second Floor Professional Office) | — | 25% (primary frontage), 15% (additional frontage) of glass area per window | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On one window per permitted second-floor office use, per frontage | — | Unlock | §223-45C(3)(b), (c) |
| Announcement/Professional Sign (Second Floor Entrance) | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy per entrance | Main entrance or secondary entrance of second-floor occupancy | — | Unlock | §223-45G(18) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | Max width 25 ft or width of building; projection from building max 3 ft (1st floor), 18 in (2nd floor) | — | — | On awning/canopy/marquee attached to building, max projection as above | — | Unlock | §223-45I |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft unless otherwise permitted | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §223-45E |
Residential districts, R 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign (R District) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On premises for sale/rental/lease | — | Unlock | §223-45D(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential districts - other uses) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On premises for sale/rental/lease | — | Unlock | §223-45D(1) |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On residence | — | Unlock | §223-45D(2) |
| Multifamily Identification Sign | 8 ft | 1 sq ft per 10 linear ft of street frontage, not to exceed 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per frontage | At major traffic entrance of multifamily development | — | Unlock | §223-45D(3) |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy | On premises | — | Unlock | §223-45D(4) |
| Bulletin Board/Institutional Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises of institution | — | Unlock | §223-45D(5) |
| Contractor/Construction Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from curb | 1 | At work site under construction | — | Unlock | §223-45D(6) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet | — | — | — | — | — | On residence/building | — | Unlock | §223-45D(7) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign (Exemption) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises for sale/rental/lease | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[1] |
| Residential Nameplate (Exemption) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On residence | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[2] |
| Contractor/Construction Sign (Exemption) | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 15 ft from curb | — | At a work site under construction | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[3] |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet (Exemption) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[4] |
| Traffic/Municipal/Government Sign (Exemption) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[5] |
| Holiday Decorations or Lights (Exemption) | — | — | — | — | — | Residential/nonresidential premises | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[7] |
| Traffic Directional Sign On Premises | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[8] |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | View of the general public | — | Unlock | §223-45A(3)(i)[9] |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Union are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Union
- No sign shall be erected, altered, located, or relocated without an application and permit, except as otherwise provided.
- No commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards, or other signs not directly related to the business being conducted on the premises and not conforming to the ordinance are permitted; all other such commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards, and other nonconforming signs are specifically prohibited.
- It is unlawful to display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign or advertising structure.
- No billboard or billboard sign shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be placed, located, or displayed upon any sidewalk or area between sidewalk and curb, nor shall they project on or over a sidewalk.
- No sign shall include a silhouetted or three-dimensional design, including signage lacking a background with letters, figures, or objects silhouetted against the sky or open space.
- No roof sign shall be permitted. No sign shall project beyond the side or top of the wall to which it is affixed.
- No sign shall be erected, painted, or composed of fluorescent, phosphorescent, or similar material.
- No sign shall be flashing, intermittent, moving, fluttering, or revolving, in whole or in part.
- No sign shall emit sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or vapor. No sign may contain audio equipment.
- The use of awnings or canopies as signs is prohibited unless there is no facade area available for a wall sign. Internal illumination of awnings or canopies is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Projecting signs perpendicular to a wall or placed at right angles to a facade/building face, and hanging signs are strictly prohibited.
- No signs shall extend more than six inches in depth from a building facade.
- Signs in a state of disrepair or abandoned must be removed within 30 calendar days.
- Permanent signs, awnings, or canopies shall not contain references to the set pricing of products and services.
- Signs must not interfere with architectural details or openings for ventilation.
- No sign shall consist of more than four colors, including the background color.
- Facsimile and telephone numbers are prohibited on all signs.
- No temporary signs made of paper, cardboard, canvas, or similar material are permitted, except as specifically allowed.
- Signs affixed to vehicles, trailers, or automobile windows parked to be visible from a public right-of-way for advertising are prohibited (except for incidental signs, e.g., permanent lettering or pricing related to vehicle sales).
- No sign (or advertising structure) shall be erected at street intersections so as to obstruct free and clear vision or create confusion with traffic signage.
- No sign shall be internally illuminated by neon gas-filled tubes.
- No illuminated sign except as specifically provided.
- No sign shall be externally illuminated by more than one floodlight per sign surface; lighting must be grade-level and shielded to prevent glare.
- No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. unless premises are occupied and attended, except in business and industrial zones.
- No sign may be attached in a way that interferes with ventilation or architectural details.
- No hanging signs permitted (as reaffirmed under nonconforming signs removal).
- No signage is permitted on any canopies or awnings, unless no facade area is available for a wall sign.
- Awnings, canopies, and marquees shall not be permitted above the first floor, except awnings may be permitted on the second floor under specific conditions.
- Awnings shall not be illuminated and shall not display any graphic, logo, or business name.
Exempt Signs in Union
- Real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located.
- Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Signs identifying the architect, engineer, or contractor placed upon a work site under construction, not exceeding 16 square feet, set back at least 15 feet from the curb and removed within 24 hours after final certificate of occupancy.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry surfaces or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs, temporary, emergency, or nonadvertising signs, or signs of any governmental agency as necessary to public welfare.
- Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey, or other governmental or quasi-public agencies, subject to reasonable size and location.
- Holiday decorations and lights on residential and nonresidential premises.
- Signs erected to control movement of traffic on premises, providing only traffic directions, not advertising, maximum four square feet in area, and approved by appropriate authority.
- Political signs, notices, posters, or other devices conveying a pre-election political message or soliciting votes when placed in public view.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Union
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan is stated in this ordinance section.
- Application and permit are required for all signs, except for the listed exemptions.
- For nonresidential signs, an application including site-specific details, renderings, photographs, and other required information must be submitted to the Construction Official for approval.
- Whenever there is a change in occupancy or ownership, an application for a sign permit is required.
- Permit applications must include scaled renderings, photographs showing context, and consent from owners if applicable.
- Temporary signs require prior approval and permit, except as specifically exempted.
- Exception and variance notes: Where an awning or canopy sign is requested due to inadequate façade area, determination is made by the Construction Official; no specific reference to variance meetings or boards.
- The Construction Official has the authority to determine if awning or canopy signs are permitted when no façade area is available for a wall sign.