# Sign Regulations in Union Beach Borough, New Jersey

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Union Beach Borough, New Jersey, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Union Beach Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/union-beach-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36130218#36130218)

## At a glance

Union Beach Borough, New Jersey regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use Identification)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 12 feet above ground level tall and 25 square feet per side, with a At least 10 feet from edge of street paving, not in sight triangle, not closer to front lot line than the minimum front setback for principal building, but in any event not closer to paving than 10 feet. setback (Sec. §13-8.26a(7), §13-8.26a(3), §13-8.26a(4)). Most commercial signs in Union Beach Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 12 feet above ground level | 25 square feet per side | — |
| Residential Zones | 6 | 8 feet above ground | 50 square feet | — |
| Business Zones | 18 | Fixed awnings: max 48 inches; Lower edge: min 7 feet above ground, framework min 7.5 feet | 35 sq ft per side | — |
| B-1 district | 2 | Bottom: min 10 ft; Top: not above wall or window sill (as per building story) | 30 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Zones | 2 | — | 15 sq ft per sign (3 ft x 5 ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | All districts; as erected by the borough, county, state or federal government. | — | §13-8.26a(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional Use Identification) | 12 feet above ground level | 25 square feet per side | — | At least 10 feet from edge of street paving, not in sight triangle, not closer to front lot line than the minimum front setback for principal building, but in any event not closer to paving than 10 feet. | 1 per institution | On premises (schools, churches, hospitals or similar institutions, clubs, lodges); within the building line. | — | §13-8.26a(7), §13-8.26a(3), §13-8.26a(4) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional Use Identification) | — | 25 square feet total area | — | — | — | On premises (schools, churches, hospitals or similar institutions, clubs, lodges). | — | §13-8.26a(7) |
| Projecting Sign | The top of projecting sign shall not extend above eaves of the roof or first floor ceiling line; the bottom at least 8 feet above ground | — | — | — | — | At right angles to building; outermost point not more than 5 feet from the side of the building. | — | §13-8.26a(12) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window; visible from public view | — | §13-8.26a(11) |
| Flood Light | 12 feet above ground level | — | — | — | — | — | — | §13-8.26a(8) |

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional/Occupant Identification Sign | 4 feet above ground level | 2 square feet per side | — | — | — | Within property lines | — | §13-8.26d(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Rent) | 4 feet above ground level | 3 square feet per side | — | — | 1 | On the premises for sale/rental | — | §13-8.26d(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Major Subdivision) | 8 feet above ground | 20 sq ft per side (while construction ongoing), 4 sq ft per side (after work completed) | — | — | 1 | Major subdivision site, on premises | — | §13-8.26d(3) |
| Permanent Sign per Lot (General) | — | — | — | — | 1 | On each lot | — | §13-8.26d(4) |
| Apartment Identification Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per access drive | Entrance to apartment complex | — | §13-8.26d(5) |
| Sign for Other Permitted Uses | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | §13-8.26d(6) |

### Business Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Frontage) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Front of building | — | §13-8.26e(1) |
| Projecting Sign (B-1 District) | Bottom: min 10 feet; Top: not above wall (1 story) or below 2nd story window sill (multi-story) | 9 sq ft | 4 feet | — | 1 per street address | B-1 district, unlighted, perpendicular to wall, one per street address | — | §13-8.26e(2) |
| Wall-mounted Directory Sign | — | 3 sq ft (max 1 sq ft per tenant) | — | — | 1 per entrance | Next to entrance, projects max 6 inches from wall | — | §13-8.26e(10) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | Fixed awnings: max 48 inches; Lower edge: min 7 feet above ground, framework min 7.5 feet | Lettering/graphics not to exceed 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | Ground floor only, attached to building | — | §13-8.26e(11) |
| Painted Window or Door Sign | — | 4 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | 1 per frontage | On single window or single door per frontage | — | §13-8.26e(14) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Rent) | — | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On the property for sale/rent | — | §13-8.26e(6) |
| Free Standing or Pylon Sign (Gasoline Service Station) | 10-20 feet above ground | 35 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 feet from property line | 1 | Inside property line | — | §13-8.26e(9)(a) |
| Temporary Sign (Gasoline Service Station — Seasonal Servicing) | — | 7 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Inside property line | — | §13-8.26e(9)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Union Beach Borough

- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or intersection.
- No rotating beam of flashing illumination shall be used in connection with any sign.
- Signs with any lighting or control mechanism which may cause radio or television interference.
- Any sign erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct or be attached to any fire escape, door or opening used for egress/ingress, or interfere with ventilation required by law.
- Signs utilizing the colors red or green in their illuminations when placed within 50 feet of a street intersection.
- Any sign with a form, character or shape that confuses or dangerously distracts drivers.
- Advertisements using a series of two or more signs in a line parallel to the street that combine to carry a single message.
- Signs which simulate official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by government bodies or utilities.
- Pennants, multi-color streamers or banners or trading stamps, except during a 10 days' period following the commencement of business by a new owner or tenant.
- Signs which rotate or move or which have rotating or moving parts.
- Signs above the parapet of a building.
- Signs attached to utility poles or trees.
- Signs advertising that real estate has been sold or rented.
- Signs employing mercury vapor, low pressure and high-pressure sodium and metal halide lighting.
- Backlit or internally illuminated signs in the B-1 district.
- Fluorescent signs.
- Neon signs or lighting.
- Marquee signs, except for uses that typically utilize such signs.
- Signs on roofs, dormers or balconies.
- Billboards, billboard signs or outdoor advertising signs.
- Signs mounted upon the exterior side or rear walls of any building or structure, except as otherwise permitted.
- Changeable message signs.
- Signs on vehicles used as signs in circumvention of this section.
- Signs erected, painted or composed of fluorescent, phosphorescent or similar material.
- Banners, string of banners and pinwheels, strings or streamers of flags, pennants, spinners or other similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building.
- Balloons and inflatable signs.
- Sandwich board signs, except as permitted.
- Signs painted on the exterior walls or facade of a building.
- Signs on accessory buildings or structures.
- Posting, erection or maintenance of signs on public utility poles.

## Signs exempt from permit in Union Beach Borough

- Any public notice or warning required by federal, state, county or local law, regulation or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, and not readable from more than three feet beyond the lot line.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, excluding holiday inflatable decorations, which require borough council permission.
- Signs indicating the name, date of construction, or incidental construction information, cut in masonry or bronze or similar permanent material, including historic tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems not exceeding four square feet.
- Traffic control signs on private property that meet Department of Transportation standards and contain no commercial message.
- Flags of the United States, New Jersey, Borough of Union Beach, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, other government-sanctioned flags, provided no flag exceeds 60 square feet, no pole exceeds 40 feet, and not more than three flags per pole.
- Signs or banners advertising public or quasi-public events posted with permission of the borough council or delegated authority.
- Pump-mounted fuel price informational signs: only one per pump, limited to 216 sq. in., affixed firmly to pump and stationary.
- U.S. Postal regulation mailboxes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master signage plan must accompany any application for a sign permit, or any application for development filed with the planning board or zoning board of adjustment that involves installation or modification of any sign.
- The master signage plan must include specific information about each existing and proposed sign, including size, letter style and size, illumination, colors, construction materials, window size (if applicable), location, and a list of requirements relevant to the proposed conditions.
- Applicants must submit a sketch or photograph that shows the dimension and placement of each facade, window, and canopy to which a sign is to be attached, and a plot plan for any proposed freestanding sign.
- If a master signage plan is filed with the planning or zoning board, all plans and drawings must be prepared by a licensed architect, engineer, and/or land surveyor, as appropriate.
- Additional information may be required to determine compliance with the sign regulations.
- Where the planning or zoning board has approved a sign as part of a development application, a sign permit will only issue if the sign is consistent with the board's approval.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Union Beach Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Union+Beach+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-union-beach-borough

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/union-beach-borough