# Sign Regulations in Waterford Township, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Waterford Township, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/waterford-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29326496#29326496)

## At a glance

Waterford Township, New Jersey regulates 33 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary Direction Sign (for Real Estate/Open House)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 30 inches tall, 18 inches height x 24 inches width; no higher than 30 inches, and 24 inches wide, with a Minimum 3 ft from cartway setback (Sec. §176-88L(7)). Most commercial signs in Waterford 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 | 20 | 30 inches | 50 square feet along four-lane state/federal highways; 32 square feet along other roads | — |
| Residential districts | 2 | — | 6 square feet | — |
| All zoning districts, PI, PHB, OC, TC, OP, NB, R1, R2, R3, R4 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Church, School, Lodge, Club, Veterans Organization, Similar Not-for-Profit Properties | 2 | 10 feet | 30 square feet | — |
| PI District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District | 5 | 20 feet | Up to 75 square feet | — |
| All zoning districts | 1 | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign | No higher than the level of a second floor window in a two-or-more story building or the lowest point of the roofline in a single-story building | — | — | — | — | On building exterior, attached to building | — | §176-88B: Attached Sign, §176-88E, §176-88U |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the level of a second floor window; see sign height definition. | — | — | — | — | On wall exterior | — | §176-88B: Wall Sign (part of attached sign definition), §176-88E, §176-88U |
| Roof Sign | Not above main cornice line of building | — | — | — | — | Erected, constructed or maintained upon or over the roof | — | §176-88B: Roof Sign, §176-88C(12), §176-88E, §176-88U |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | Not to exceed 30% of all available window space on the wall on which the window signs are located | — | — | — | In or on window, visible from outside | — | §176-88L(4), §176-88U(5) |
| Temporary Development Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | One | At subdivision entrance; may be moved to different entrances as needed | — | §176-88L(5) |
| Temporary Direction Sign (for Real Estate/Open House) | 30 inches | 18 inches height x 24 inches width; no higher than 30 inches | 24 inches | Minimum 3 ft from cartway | No more than one per lot, or within 500 ft of other such signs | On day of open house, must be set back a minimum of three feet from cartway | — | §176-88L(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet (general); 6 square feet (in residential districts) | — | — | One per lot frontage | On property for sale/lease | — | §176-88J, §176-88U(5) |
| Agricultural Establishment Sign | 15 feet | 50 square feet along four-lane state/federal highways; 32 square feet along other roads | — | — | Max 2 per direction per approach road | On approach roads to agricultural establishment | — | §176-88K |

### Church, School, Lodge, Club, Veterans Organization, Similar Not-for-Profit Properties

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonprofit) | 10 feet | 30 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | — | — | §176-88O |
| Attached Sign (Nonprofit) | — | 10% of the wall surface area of the wall on which said sign is placed | — | — | One per street frontage | On wall of not-for-profit use | — | §176-88O |

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial or Business Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §176-88R(6) |
| Wall Sign (Attached) - Commercial | No higher than second floor window; see general wall sign restriction | Up to 75 square feet | — | — | — | Facade wall | — | §176-88R(2), (3) |
| Ground-Mounted Sign (Commercial) | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — | 20 feet from property line | — | — | — | §176-88R(4) |
| Principal Identification Sign for Shopping Center | 20 feet | 75 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | §176-88R(5) |
| Additional Signs for Multiple Street Frontage | — | Same as principal sign regulations | — | — | — | — | — | §176-88R(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Waterford Township

- Any sign that does not conform to this section shall be removed immediately upon notification from the Department of Planning and Zoning.
- No outdoor, off-site commercial advertising sign or billboard shall be permitted in the Township except lawful off-site commercial advertising signs in existence as of January 14, 1981, in specified zones. All other existing off-site commercial advertising signs shall be immediately removed unless a waiver of strict compliance has been issued.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, moving or projected signs of any type or signs which present an illusion of movement are prohibited. Exception: static time and/or temperature displays on otherwise permitted signs.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained on a lot, tract or parcel, including any improvement thereon, unless the message on the sign directly relates to the use, sale or lease of said lot, tract or parcel. Exception for off-tract signs for churches or fraternal organizations setting forth location and meeting details.
- Banners, flags, pennants, tents and similar devices are prohibited except for business openings, special events or promotions as outlined by time restrictions.
- All mobile signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it causes or is likely to cause danger to vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any street, sidewalk or right-of-way. No sign other than an official sign may be placed within the right-of-way of any Township or county road.
- No sign shall be attached, affixed or painted on trees, fences, rocks, curbs, walks, hydrants, benches or bridges, except for warning signs indicating no trespassing, etc.
- No signs with any lighting or control mechanism that may cause radio or television interference shall be erected.
- No vehicle shall be regularly parked, stopped or located in such a manner as to be used as or considered as a sign.
- Permanent window signs are prohibited except as otherwise permitted.
- No signs which in any way simulate official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by any government, public utility or agency for public safety/protection.
- No signs, except certain required directional signs, shall be placed, inscribed or supported upon a roof or any structure extending above the roof, and no sign shall project above the main cornice line of the building to which it may be affixed.
- No sign shall have a message or logo that in and of itself is lewd and licentious or advocates an act in violation of any municipal, county, state or federal law.
- No signs with red, green, blue or amber illumination in a beam or beacon resembling an emergency light shall be erected or used in any location.
- No sign shall be installed so that it obstructs or obscures visibility at corners or intersections or otherwise causes a traffic safety hazard.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, relocated or otherwise installed without first making application for and obtaining a permit from the Construction Official, except those specifically exempted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Waterford Township

- Any sign inside the structure or building which is not visible from outside is excluded from the requirements.
- No permit is required for residential nameplate and address signs.
- No permit is required for official signs (signs, symbols, or devices erected by or on behalf of federal, state, county, or local government, or their agencies, for informing or guiding the public or protecting public health, safety, welfare).
- No permit is required for warning signs indicating 'no trespassing', 'no fishing', 'no hunting', or indicating an existing legal danger.
- No permit is required for functional signs (directional, informational or public service signs such as restrooms, telephones, entry/exit signs) which do not include business names or other messages.
- No permit is required for temporary signs as defined, if used in accordance with the temporary sign provisions of the ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs may be erected, altered, maintained, used, replaced, removed or moved only in compliance with the provisions of both N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.107 and this section.
- The location of the permanent development sign must be approved by the Planning Board at the time of preliminary subdivision approval. Permanent development signs may be installed at any time after the first construction permit is issued.
- One temporary site sign is permitted only for major site plans in the PI District and must be approved by the Planning Board at the time of final site plan approval.
- The permanent development sign, if desired, can replace the temporary sign after the issue of the last certificate of occupancy or the sale of the last lot, if approved by the Planning Board.
- Upon application for a use variance or other approval to permit a nonconforming use, the sign for said use must be approved by the Planning Board.
- If a proposed sign does not comply with the ordinance, an application for variance may be made to the Planning 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 8 zoning districts in Waterford Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Waterford+Township+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-waterford-township

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