# Sign Regulations in Westwood Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Westwood Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/westwood-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13849080#13849080)

## At a glance

Westwood Borough, New Jersey regulates 33 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Ground Floor)s in the CBD/SPE District zoning district are capped at 15 ft above ground (min 6 ft), not above parapet/roof tall, 75% of storefront length, 2 ft in height, max 20 ft in length, and Storefront length, not to exceed 20 ft wide (Sec. §195-156C(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Westwood Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| CBD/SPE District | 9 | 30 in | 75% of storefront length, 2 ft in height, max 20 ft in length | — |
| CBD District, CO District, O District | 2 | 5 ft (bottom of sign face max 2 ft above ground) | 24 sq ft | — |
| SC District | 3 | — | 75% of storefront length, 2.5 ft in height, max 20 ft in length | — |
| LB-1 District, LB-2 District, LB-3 District, RW District, LM District | 2 | 5 ft (bottom of sign face max 3 ft above ground) | 30 sq ft | — |
| HSO District | 3 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| H District | 3 | 10 ft (including pedestal) | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| H Hospital Zone | 3 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate For Sale | — | 8 sq ft | — | 15 feet from curbline | 1 per lot | On premises for sale, set back at least 15 feet from the curbline | — | §195-155A(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Open House | — | — | — | 3 feet from curb, where applicable | 1 per lot | On the property for sale, not on paved roadway; at least 3 feet from curb if curbing is present | — | §195-155A(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Major Subdivision Notice | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 2 per major subdivision (on separate lots) | On separate lots within major subdivision with preliminary approval | — | §195-155A(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Site | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot under construction | — | §195-155A(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Announcement of Future Events | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | May relate to off-premises activities | — | §195-155A(5) |
| Permanent Sign - Official Government Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding or attached; as needed by governmental agency | — | §195-156A(1) |
| Permanent Sign - Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft per professional occupant | — | — | 1 per professional occupant | Attached to building | — | §195-156A(2) |
| Permanent Sign - Name/Date Sign on Building | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to building | — | §195-156A(3) |

### CBD/SPE District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Ground Floor) | 15 ft above ground (min 6 ft), not above parapet/roof | 75% of storefront length, 2 ft in height, max 20 ft in length | Storefront length, not to exceed 20 ft | — | 1 per wall abutting street | Attached to wall abutting street | — | §195-156C(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Rear/Side Public Entrance) | — | 25% of façade length, max 1 ft high, max 10 ft in length | 10 ft | — | 1 per rear/side public entrance | Wall on rear or side with public entrance | — | §195-156C(2)(a)[3] |
| Wall Sign (Side Wall Abutting Street) | — | 10% of side facade, max 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying side façade | Side wall abutting public street | — | §195-156C(2)(a)[4] |
| Wall Sign (Second Floor) | No more than 12 ft, no less than 6 ft above ground, not above parapet | 5% of front facade or 24 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per second-floor use | Second floor users, wall | — | §195-156C(2)(b) |
| Hanging Sign (First Floor) | Min 8 ft from grade (bottom), Max 15 ft (top) or not above second floor window, whichever less | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per first-floor business | Perpendicular to building face, first-floor business | — | §195-156C(2)(d) |
| Barbershop Pole Hanging Sign | 30 in | — | 9 in diameter | — | 1 per business | Near main entrance/barbershop location | — | §195-156C(2)(d)[11] |
| LED/Neon-Effect Interior Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 3 per window | Internally in building, min 10 ft from nearest window | — | §195-156C(2)(c) |
| Window Sign (Door) | — | 3 sq ft (max 10% of door area) | — | — | 1 per door | On door serving premises (first/second floor) | — | §195-156C(3)(a) |

### SC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 75% of storefront length, 2.5 ft in height, max 20 ft in length | 20 ft (exception: if storefront wall ≥200 ft, then 100 sq ft, 6 ft max height) | — | 1 per front wall | Building wall | — | §195-156E(1) |
| Wall Sign (Rear Entrances) | — | 25% of rear facade length, 1 ft height, max 10 ft length | 10 ft | — | 1 per qualified rear facade | Rear building facade with public entrance | — | §195-156E(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Identification Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street/right-of-way and property line | 1 | On premises, min 10 ft from street/right-of-way and property line | — | §195-156E(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Westwood Borough

- No sign shall be located or displayed upon any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be permitted on the surface of any principal roof, and no sign shall project above the parapet or roof ridge.
- No sign shall have more than five colors, exclusive of its background, frame or decorative supports. Iridescent or fluorescent colors are prohibited. The color red is limited to accent use and cannot comprise more than 10% of the overall area of color on the sign.
- No sign shall be, in whole or part, moving, mobile or revolving.
- Strings of streamers, flags, pennants, spinners or similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building are not allowed except as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed or displayed in any manner which will interfere with traffic or traffic control signs and signals.
- Window signs shall be painted in gold leaf, blue, cream or white.
- Except as specifically permitted, no sign shall be permitted where the notice, advertisement or other medium relates to the use of premises other than that upon which the sign is located.
- Permitted advertising signs must be removed within 30 days after the cessation of the activity or business which the sign advertises.
- No billboards or roof signs shall be permitted.
- No freestanding signs shall be permitted except as specifically allowed by this article.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- No sign shall be internally illuminated by neon gas-filled tubes or lighting designed to create a visual effect similar to neon, except where specifically permitted.
- Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors, windows or wall edges of a building are prohibited.
- No action or moving illumination is permitted.
- No illumination is permitted which may cause confusion or interference with traffic control signs or emergency vehicles.
- No illumination is permitted which may cause interference with radio or television signals.
- Illumination sources must be shielded to prevent glare beyond lot lines and curbs or road edges adjacent to the property.
- Signs shall not be permitted on telephone poles or trees.
- No awning or canopy shall be illuminated, except for the area of permitted sign text with illumination shielded from view, or made of any material which is not opaque.
- For safety purposes, no awning or canopy shall be red or yellow in color.
- No person shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatsoever, nor erect any sign on any public lands, highways, or roads adjacent to parks or recreation facilities.
- No sign shall be permitted on a canopy over gas pumps.

## Signs exempt from permit in Westwood Borough

- Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not to exceed one square foot in area.
- A sign identifying the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon a work site under construction, not to exceed 16 square feet in area, set back at least 15 feet from the curb, and removed within 24 hours after final certificate of occupancy is issued.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and temporary or emergency signs of governmental agencies deemed necessary to the public welfare.
- Flags of the United States, State of New Jersey or other governmental or quasi-public agencies.
- Holiday decorations and lights on residential properties and temporary seasonal and holiday window paintings on commercial business windows as regulated.
- Signs erected to control traffic movement on premises, provided these signs provide directions only, not used for any advertising purpose, do not exceed 12 square feet in area and four feet in height.
- Election or political signs, placed entirely on private property, set back at least 15 feet from lot lines, not exceeding 12 square feet in area and four feet in height.
- Garage sale signs (and similar casual sale signs), subject to time, size, and duration limits defined in the ordinance.
- Illuminated 'open' signs for permitted commercial establishments, meeting size, location, color, and non-animation requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign which does not comply with the provisions of the ordinance must be submitted to the appropriate approving authority, may require public hearing and submission at least 25 days prior to meeting, including multiple sketch plats or building elevations and detailed renderings.
- Materials and illumination for wall signage should reflect the traditional period style encouraged in the Master Plan, with particular attention to stylized lighting fixtures.
- Any sign associated with a change in occupancy or ownership necessitates an application for a sign permit, and nonconforming signs associated with such change require application to the approving authority.
- Applications for residential and nonresidential sign permits require detailed renderings, site details, and information on dimensions, locations, colors, elevations, and lighting.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Westwood Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Westwood+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-westwood-borough

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