# Sign Regulations in Wantage Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wantage Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/wantage-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36123300#36123300)

## At a glance

Wantage Township, New Jersey regulates 26 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Limited Industrial zoning district are capped at 18 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 50 ft setback (Sec. § 13-17.14 Schedule of Sign Regulation). Most commercial signs in Wantage Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AH-airport hazard district | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport hazard zone district (highway commercial uses) | 2 | 18 ft | 40 square feet per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Airport hazard zone district (industrial uses), Industrial Zone District | 2 | 18 ft | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-2, R-5), Residential Zone | 10 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| Single-family residential | 1 | 8 ft | 2 sq ft | — |
| Farmer's roadside | 1 | 12 ft | 32 sq ft (total area of sign) | — |
| Apartment/Townhouse Multiple-Family | 2 | 18 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial Zone District, Highway Commercial (single establishment) | 2 | 18 ft | 40 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Highway Commercial (2 or more Establishments) | 3 | 18 ft | 40 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shopping Village | 2 | 18 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (industrial park abutting arterial or Collector road) | 2 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Limited Industrial | 4 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District | 2 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Residential District (R-2, R-5), Residential Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | At least 10 ft from all street lines | — | § 13-17.7.a.1, § 13-17.8.a |
| Temporary Real Estate Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 plus main real estate sign | On subject property | — | § 13-17.7.a.2 |
| Announcement Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Indicating practice/permitted occupancy | — | § 13-17.8.c |
| Ground or Wall Sign (Apartment/Farm/Condo/Townhouse Name) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Identifying property | — | § 13-17.8.d |
| House of Worship/Charitable Organization Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 13-17.8.e |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | At principal entrance | — | § 13-17.7.d, § 13-17.8.g |
| Name Plate Sign | — | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per family | For each family in residence | — | § 13-17.8.i |
| Home Occupation/Professional Occupation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 (plus 1 for professional occupations) | Minimum 10 ft from street line | — | § 13-17.8.k |

### Limited Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 50 ft | 1 | — | — | § 13-17.14 Schedule of Sign Regulation |
| Facade Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Front facade | — | § 13-17.14 (Limited Industrial), c* note |
| Freestanding Sign | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 50 ft | 1 | — | — | § 13-17.14 Limited Industrial |
| Facade Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Front facade | — | § 13-17.14, c* and d* note |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate for Sale/Lease/Sold Sign | — | 8 sq ft (residential zones), 16 sq ft (all other districts) | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | At least 10 ft from all street lines | — | § 13-17.7.a.1 |
| Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 in addition to main sign | On subject property | — | § 13-17.7.a.2 |
| Removal/New Occupancy Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 13-17.7.b |
| Charitable Organization Drive Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 13-17.7.c |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | At principal entrance to building | — | § 13-17.7.d |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 15% of total window area | — | — | — | Window | — | § 13-17.7.e |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per property | — | — | § 13-17.7.g |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | § 13-17.7.h |

## Prohibited signs in Wantage Township

- No nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered to increase its nonconformity.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed or altered to conform when changed or modified in shape, size, illumination, or structure.
- A nonconforming sign damaged by more than 50% of its replacement cost or structural elements may not be reconstructed except in conformity with sign regulations.
- Political signs may not constitute a safety hazard by blocking sight distance, pedestrian, or vehicular traffic.
- Sandwich signs may not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No wall sign shall project more than eight inches from the facade of the building nor project higher than the highest point of the facade.
- No projecting sign shall project beyond the building line more than four feet, or beyond any property line into public rights-of-way.
- The bottom of any projecting sign must be at least eight feet clear above the walk or ground.
- Wall signs shall be placed in the front of the building only.
- Only one wall sign per face of a building which fronts on a street is permitted per business occupancy.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wantage Township

- Nothing in this section restricts or prohibits the erection, construction, or maintenance of signs or markers for use in policing, directing, or controlling traffic or parking when legally authorized by the State of New Jersey, the County of Sussex, or the Township of Wantage.
- Signs lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of the sign ordinance may be continued, provided they are regularly maintained and kept in good repair.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan or plat (eight copies), and three copies of an application for a special permit sign, together with all other required drawings and documentation, must be filed at least 21 days before the next regular meeting of the land use board.
- A public hearing after proper notice and publication is required for all sign applications.
- All applications for site plan approval for signs on a county road must be submitted to the county planning board for review and recommendation and, where applicable, approval. Proof of submission must be furnished within 10 days.
- A complete application for a special permit sign includes a map or plat with lot boundaries, existing structures, dimensions, and a sketch of the proposed sign design and materials.
- Applicants must submit an affidavit of ownership and owner's consent if the applicant is not the property owner.
- A written narrative specifying the necessity for the sign, possible obstruction of motorists’ view, and the nature of the sign is required.
- The board may require a property survey showing road rights-of-way, sign location, and dimensions, prepared and certified by a licensed New Jersey surveyor or engineer.
- All details of sign applications are subject to review by the land use board engineer.
- Approval for a sign on an awning, marquee, or canopy must be made by the land use board.

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

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