Sign Regulations in Washington Borough, New Jersey
Washington Borough, New Jersey has specific sign regulations covering 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Off-Premises Informational Sign for Churches/Nonprofits (State Route 57 & 31 right-of-way), Wall Sign (Flat, First Floor, B-2 District), Awning Sign. 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 Washington Borough, New Jersey
Sample Sign Requirements in Washington Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate/Customary Sign for Nonresidential Use | — | 2 sq ft (Residential zone districts); 12 sq ft (OB Zone) | No sign (except nameplate ≤72 sq in) shall be erected nearer than 5 feet back from edge of right-of-way. |
| Off-Premises Informational Sign for Churches/Nonprofits (State Route 57 & 31 right-of-way) | — | 24 in x 30 in (informational); 18 in x 24 in (directional) | — |
| On-Premises Church Event Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
32
- Off-Premises Informational Sign for Churches/Nonprofits (State Route 57 & 31 right-of-way)
- Wall Sign (Flat, First Floor, B-2 District)
- Awning Sign
- Directory Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Washington Borough
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington Borough, regulated sign types include Off-Premises Informational Sign for Churches/Nonprofits (State Route 57 & 31 right-of-way), Wall Sign (Flat, First Floor, B-2 District), Awning Sign, Directory Sign, 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 Washington 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 Washington Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Washington Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Washington Borough, New Jersey Sign Rules at a Glance
Washington Borough, New Jersey regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding/Pylon Sign (Gasoline/Public Garage)s in the B-1 District, B-2 District zoning district are capped at 20 ft max; bottom at least 10 ft above curb tall and 40 sq ft per side, with a ≥5 ft from property/right-of-way; front yard ≥50 ft for main building (B-1) setback (Sec. §94-62C(5)(a), (6)). Most commercial signs in Washington Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Washington Borough, New Jersey
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Washington Borough (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential zone districts, OB Zone | 5 | 4 ft | 24 in x 30 in (informational); 18 in x 24 in (directional) | — |
| B-1 District, B-2 District | 16 | 36 in | 40 sq ft per side | — |
| B-2 Central Business District | 9 | 36 in | ≤20% of window glass | — |
| I Industrial District | 3 | ≤½ sign length, max 10 ft | 24 in x 30 in (informational); 18 in x 24 in (directional) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 64 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Washington Borough(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
B-1 District, B-2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Flat, General regulations) | 5 ft (single sign, see C(3)(b)); See also: 36 in (flat sign on first floor, B-2, §94-62C(7)(a)[1]) | — | — | — | 4 per business max; 2 per wall | Exterior wall; for shopping plazas multi-tenant, see C(1)(d) | — | Unlock | §94-62C(1),(3) |
| Wall Sign (Flat, First Floor, B-2 District) | 36 in | — | — | — | 2 per first-floor establishment; max 1 per exterior wall | First floor of building; attached & parallel to wall | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(a)[1] |
| Directory Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per public access/entry | One per public access to establishment advertised | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(b) |
| Standing Sign (A-frame/Easel, Temporary) | 36 in (sign only); 42 in overall (support + sign) | 6 sq ft per side | 24 in | — | 1 per business | Adjacent to building, in entrance alcove or adjacent to curb; within business' extended property lines | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(d)[1] |
| Second Floor Business Sign (Window) | 18 in (sign), letters ≤8 in high | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | Window of second floor business | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(e) |
| Freestanding/Pylon Sign (Gasoline/Public Garage) | 20 ft max; bottom at least 10 ft above curb | 40 sq ft per side | — | ≥5 ft from property/right-of-way; front yard ≥50 ft for main building (B-1) | 1 per business (see options for garages/service stations, and B-1 Hwy Business District) | Within 5 ft of property line; not closer than 5 ft to property or right-of-way line | — | Unlock | §94-62C(5)(a), (6) |
| Directional Signs (Gas Station/Public Garage) | — | 6 sq ft | Letters ≤12 in high | — | 1 per entrance/bay | Over entrance doors or bays | — | Unlock | §94-62C(5)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (B-1 Highway Business District) | 20 ft | 40 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | ≥5 ft from property/right-of-way, main building front yard ≥50 ft | 1 per business | On property of business being advertised | — | Unlock | §94-62C(6) |
B-2 Central Business 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Flat, First Floor, B-2 District) | 36 in | — | — | — | 2 per first-floor business, 1 per wall | First-floor, attached & parallel to wall | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(a)[1], §94-62C(7)(f) |
| Overhanging Sign (B-2) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall facing abutting street (2 if corner lot) | Perpendicular to wall, abutting street(s) | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(a)[2], §94-62C(7)(f) |
| Awning Sign | 9 in (lettering/graphics on valance) | — | — | — | — | Valance of fabric awning | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(a)[3] |
| Directory Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per public entry | One per public access/entrance | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤20% of window glass | — | — | — | Window | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(c) |
| Standing Sign (A-frame/Easel, Temporary) | 36 in (panel), 42 in overall | 6 sq ft per side | 24 in | — | 1 per business | Adjacent to building/alcove/curb, within extended property lines | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(d)[1] |
| Decorative Flag (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting from façade | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(d)[2] |
| Second Floor Business Sign (Window) | 18 in; letters ≤8 in high | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | Second floor window | — | Unlock | §94-62C(7)(e) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banner/Flag/Bunting (Temporary/Grand Opening) | — | — | — | — | — | Any zone (see B-1 opening restriction) | — | Unlock | §94-62E(1) |
| Temporary Portable Sign (Trailer or Wheeled, Mobile) | — | — | — | — | — | Any zone | — | Unlock | §94-62E(2) |
| Nonprofit Ground Sign (Temporary) | — | 64 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from right-of-way | — | On premises occupied by nonprofit group; ≥5 ft from right-of-way; not impacting visibility | — | Unlock | §94-62E(3) |
| Directional Sign (Driveway, Entrance, Exit, etc.) | — | As specified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) | — | — | — | All nonresidential uses | — | Unlock | §94-62E(4) |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On construction site | — | Unlock | §94-62E(5)(a) |
| Construction Sign (Residential Development) | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft to any street or side lot line | 2 | On residential development site; ≥15 ft to any street or side lot | — | Unlock | §94-62E(5)(b) |
| Prohibited: Curved-face Sign or 3+ Faces | — | — | — | — | — | Any | — | Unlock | §94-62E(6) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Directional Sign | — | 12 in x 12 in | — | — | 3 off-site, 2 on-site | On property of sale/authorized property (freestanding), or municipal right-of-way (not on poles, trees, fences) | — | Unlock | §94-62E(7)(a)-(d) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Washington 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 Washington Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Washington Borough
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, or altered without first obtaining a permit from the Building or Zoning Officer.
- No sign shall have flashing, intermittent, or rotating illumination.
- All lights for sign illumination must be completely shielded from view of vehicular traffic on adjacent roads.
- No banner, flag, bunting, or other sign made of plastic, cloth, or other fabric shall be suspended or affixed on a temporary or permanent basis in any zone, except as an indication of the opening of a business in the B-1 Highway Business District and then only for 30 days.
- No temporary sign or portable roll-about sign constructed on a trailer, wheeled support, skids, or otherwise mobile shall be permitted in any zone, except when erected by the Borough or a political subdivision for political events or holidays.
- No sign with curved faces or more than two faces shall be permitted in any zone.
- No signs shall be posted on telephone poles, street signs, trees, or fences.
- Unsafe, obsolete, and abandoned signs must be removed or repaired as ordered by the Building or Zoning Officer.
Exempt Signs in Washington Borough
- Temporary signs or portable roll-about signs may be erected on a temporary basis by the Borough of Washington or a political subdivision to call attention to political events or holidays.
- Signs indicating driveways, entrances, exits, and similar traffic-directional signs are permitted in all nonresidential uses, subject to standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Garage and yard sale directional signs: no permit shall be required for such signs.
- Nonprofit groups may erect a ground sign on their premises, not exceeding 64 square feet, for up to two weeks, provided it does not create a safety hazard.
- Construction signs as specified: for nonresidential (one sign, up to 64 sq ft, during construction), and for residential (two temporary signs, up to 12 sq ft each, properly placed, removed after sales).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Washington Borough
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan is indicated. Permits are generally required before erecting, displaying, or altering any sign; all signs must have professional design and harmonious graphics/logos and be maintained in good repair.
- Administration and permissible sign types, numbers, and sizes differ by zone and use, and all signs are subject to the zoning and building officer's review.
Source: ecode360 municipal code