# Sign Regulations in Union Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Union Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/union-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/40913367#40913367)

## At a glance

Union Township, New Jersey regulates 34 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the CC District, C/I District zoning district are capped at 10 ft (top above ground) tall and 60 sq ft, with a 15 ft from street/property line; 50 ft from point of intersection of streets setback (Sec. § 170-1407.D). Most commercial signs in Union Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft unless otherwise provided (not for Special Improvement District) | — |
| Special Improvement District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential zone districts | 6 | — | 35 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Districts | 9 | 20 ft max (top above grade); bottom at least 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Core District, Downtown Transition District | 3 | — | 24" x 36" frame, message area within border | — |
| CC District, C/I District | 6 | 20 ft (top); bottom at least 15 ft above ground | 60 sq ft | — |
| OSR District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| C District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | Not allowed in any zone | — | § 170-1403.B |
| Feather Flag Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not permitted in any zone | — | § 170-1403.H(1) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not permitted in any zone | — | § 170-1403.H(7) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not permitted in any zone | — | § 170-1403.H(8) |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale/Lease Sign) | On lots <2 acres: 4 ft; On lots ≥2 acres: 6 ft | On lots <2 acres: 10 sq ft; On lots ≥2 acres: 30 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage; prohibited in public right-of-way | — | § 170-1403.I(6) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential Districts – <5 acres) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign, 24 sq ft total | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-1403.I(8)(b) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential Districts – ≥5 acres) | 8 ft | 8 sq ft per sign, 32 sq ft total | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-1403.I(8)(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Districts) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign, 24 sq ft total | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-1403.I(7) |

### Mixed Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Office Tenant) | 4 ft | 10 sq ft per tenant; not above first story | — | — | One per wall per establishment | On building walls facing street or parking; one per wall per establishment | — | § 170-1405.C(1-5) |
| Wall Sign (Retail Tenant) | 4 ft | 25 sq ft per tenant; not above first story | — | — | One per wall per establishment | On building walls facing street or parking; one per wall per establishment | — | § 170-1405.C(1-5) |
| Wall Sign (Building Name) | 4 ft | — | — | — | One per building | On building wall | — | § 170-1405.C(5) |
| Ground Sign | 4 ft (max top above grade), elevated max 1 ft above grade | — | 4 ft | 15 ft from street/property line | One per building | At least 15 ft from street right-of-way or property line | — | § 170-1405.D |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft max (top above grade); bottom at least 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft | — | — | One principal sign per property, suspended signs per tenant | Freestanding; for eligible commercial properties only | — | § 170-1405.E |
| Suspended Sign (Under Overhang) | 10 in | — | 4 ft | — | One per business establishment | Suspended or attached to ceiling of overhang, in front of establishment, perpendicular to building wall | — | § 170-1405.F |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | One per window | In window | — | § 170-1405.G |
| Directory/Menu Sign (Building Entrance) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per entry | At main entry to building | — | § 170-1405.H |

### CC District, C/I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs as per Residential District regulations | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 170-1407.A |
| Wall Sign (Primary) | 5 ft or 20% of building wall height, whichever is lesser | 50 sq ft or 10% of wall area, whichever is greater | — | — | One per building | Principal facade | — | § 170-1407.C(1-6) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary, on second frontage) | 5 ft or 20% of wall height, whichever is less | 25 sq ft or 5% of wall area, whichever is less | — | — | One per secondary frontage | On building with second public right-of-way frontage | — | § 170-1407.C(7) |
| Ground Sign | 10 ft (top above ground) | 60 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street/property line; 50 ft from point of intersection of streets | One per property | — | — | § 170-1407.D |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft (top); bottom at least 15 ft above ground | 50 sq ft per side; 2 sides permitted | — | — | One principal per property, suspended per tenant | — | — | § 170-1407.E |
| Covered Walk Sign (Under Overhang) | 10 in | — | 4 ft | — | One per business establishment | Suspended from or attached to ceiling of overhang in front of business establishment, perpendicular to wall, not past overhang | — | § 170-1407.F |

## Prohibited signs in Union Township

- Off-site signage, including billboards, are not permitted and shall not be erected in any zoning district within the Township of Union.
- No sign may be placed on or attached to a building or erected independently for any purpose other than to advertise a permitted business or use conducted on the same premises, except as otherwise permitted by ordinance for residential zones.
- No sign shall be permitted to obstruct driving vision, traffic signals, traffic directional and identification signs, other places of business, other signs or windows of the building on which they are located.
- No sign shall be lighted by means of flashing, LED, or intermittent illumination, except backlit signs may use properly shielded LED lighting.
- Use of LED lighting is prohibited from any window or door, and shall not be affixed to other areas of any structure or building, except as properly shielded backlighting for signs.
- No sign shall be attached to trees, fence posts, stumps, utility poles, or other signs, railway or road bridges, bridge supports or abutments, retaining walls, parking meters, or water towers unless approved by the governing body.
- No advertising sign shall be erected or located on, within or over any public right-of-way unless otherwise permitted in this chapter.
- No sign shall extend or project above the highest elevation of the wall to which it is attached, nor shall any sign be erected on or attached to the roof of a building.
- Signage may not be installed on accessory buildings.
- Increasing grade to obtain a higher sign is prohibited.
- The maximum permitted area of any sign located anywhere in the Township shall be 50 square feet, unless otherwise provided. This provision shall not apply to signs in the Special Improvement District.
- Feather flag signs, moving, fluttering or rotating signs, including streamers, pennants and similar displays, are prohibited in all zones.
- Any sign that uses the words 'stop' or 'danger' or otherwise presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or caution or the existence of danger or which is likely to be confused with any sign displayed by public authority is prohibited.
- Signs which display video, simulate the appearance of movement, or have flashing or intermittent lights, are prohibited.
- Signs on which the colors red, amber, or green are used either in direct illumination or high reflection by special preparation such as fluorescent paint or glass, if located within 150 feet of a traffic light, are prohibited.
- No signs, illustrations, or symbols shall be placed so as to interfere with the opening of an exit door of any building, obstruct any window opening, interfere with the use of any fire escape, or create a hazard to pedestrians.
- It is unlawful to use a vehicle or a trailer as a sign in circumvention of the requirements set forth in this chapter; signs painted, attached, or displayed on any vehicle or trailer whose primary purpose is advertisement and directing people to a business or activity are prohibited in all zones, with specific exceptions provided.
- Temporary signs shall not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed or otherwise secured in a manner that will make the sign a permanent sign.
- Temporary signs are prohibited in public rights-of-way.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- No person shall smoke in any properly placarded place nor remove any placard required to be erected by or under the authority of this article.

## Signs exempt from permit in Union Township

- The following signs are exempt only from the requirement for a sign permit; owners remain responsible for good and safe condition: driveway directional signs (no permit fee); temporary or permanent government, regulatory, and safety signs approved by the governing body not exceeding four square feet; signs required by any provision of law; official traffic and directional signs.
- Signs or banners advertising public or quasipublic events posted with Township permission and according to guidelines and time limits.
- Signs inside a building or other enclosed facility, which are not meant to be viewed from the outside, and are located greater than three feet from the window.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations.
- Memorial tablets or signs, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into masonry surface or constructed in bronze or other noncombustible materials.
- Address signs, including names on mailboxes and building numbers.
- Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags, provided they do not exceed three square feet per side, are noncommercial in nature, and not illuminated.
- Any flag, emblem or insignia of a governmental agency of the United States, New Jersey, Union Township, and flags of foreign nations.
- Incidental window signage including credit card logos, open/closed signs, and the like, permitted in one window per establishment, not to exceed 20 square inches.
- Open house directional signs in residential districts are exempt from fees and do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Before any sign, fixed awning, canopy, or projecting object is altered or erected on or in relation to any building or structure, a permit must be obtained from the Construction Department. An application must include two sets of plans showing proposed construction and attachment method.
- Permit applications must be made by the property owner and person responsible for erection; both are responsible for compliance.
- All work authorized under a sign permit must be completed within four months of issue or the permit becomes void.
- Aggregate sign area is calculated as a percentage of the principal structure’s main facade; measurement details and limitations provided.
- If a building contains more than one establishment, signs must be uniform in design, color, and position; responsibility for compliance falls on both the building owner and tenants.
- Permit for signage in the Special Improvement District requires approval of the Special Improvement District's Building Codes Screening Committee.
- In all cases of new signage in preexisting multiuse buildings, signs must follow a uniform pattern or match existing signs to the extent possible.
- Application for a sign permit must be made on forms from the Construction Code Official and accompanied by a fee as established by the Township.
- A permit number assigned by the Construction Department must be prominently displayed on each sign, indicating approval for erection.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Union Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Union+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-union-township

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