# Sign Regulations in Wharton Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wharton Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/wharton-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11908655#11908655)

## At a glance

Wharton Borough, New Jersey regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Hanging Signs in the Central Business District (CBD), B-1 District zoning district are capped at 8 ft (bottom edge not to exceed 8 ft above grade) tall and 8 sq ft, with a 10 ft from street right-of-way line and 10 ft from side lot lines setback (Sec. §165-105A(2)(a), §165-105A(1)). Most commercial signs in Wharton Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central Business District (CBD), B-1 District | 10 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Business Zone | 6 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone | 3 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zone | 10 | — | 16 sq ft | — |
| Gas Station Sites | 3 | 25 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 12 sq ft. Banners may exceed 12 sq ft with mayor/council permit. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Central Business District (CBD), B-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Hanging Sign | 8 ft (bottom edge not to exceed 8 ft above grade) | 8 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way line and 10 ft from side lot lines | 1 per single development/lot | Freestanding, must use attractive/harmonious mounting hardware as integral to sign design. | — | §165-105A(2)(a), §165-105A(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Ground Sign (Option 2) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way line and 10 ft from side lot lines | 1 per single development/lot | Freestanding, supported by two columns, posts, or uprights or have solid footing. | — | §165-105A(2)(b), §165-105A(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | Not to exceed the width of the enframed storefront opening. | — | 1 per business, 2nd allowed if more than one street frontage | Upper portion of storefront within or above enframed storefront opening; parallel to wall, not projecting more than 6 in from wall; at least 8 ft above sidewalk/ground; must not cover doors/windows/fire escapes. | — | §165-105B(1), §165-105B(1)(m) |
| Plaque Sign (Wall Sign addition) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (in addition to main wall sign) | Flat wall surfaces adjacent to front entry | — | §165-105B(1)(j) |
| Restaurant Menu Sign (Wall Sign addition) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying eatery | Weathertight permanently mounted display box adjacent to main entry | — | §165-105B(1)(k) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Extending from building, not lower than 8 ft above ground. | — | §165-105B(1)(l) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Located on roof structure that forms a backdrop for the sign. | — | §165-105B(1)(n) |
| Window Display Sign | — | Aggregate: 15% of window area | — | — | — | Within 12 in of window surface | — | §165-105B(2) |

### Business Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way, 10 ft from side lot lines | 1 per single development or lot | Freestanding, open area at base, 10 ft setback from street right-of-way, 10 ft from side lot lines | — | §165-105A(1), §165-103E(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business, 2nd allowed if more than one street frontage | Upper portion of storefront within or above enframed opening; at least 8 ft above sidewalk/ground, not projecting more than 6 in from wall. | — | §165-105B(1), §165-105B(1)(m), §165-103E(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building wall; min 8 ft above ground | — | §165-105B(1)(l) |
| Awning, Canopy, Marquee (Business Sign) | — | — | — | — | — | Over individual windows/doors, permanently attached, not lower than 8 ft above sidewalk/drive. | — | §165-109G, §165-103E(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 12 sq ft (may be exceeded for banners in public right-of-way with Mayor and Council permit) | — | — | — | — | — | §165-107A, §165-107B, §165-103C |
| Window Display Sign | — | 15% of window area (aggregate) | — | — | — | Within 12 in of window surface, interior | — | §165-105B(2) |

### Residential Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises advertised | — | §165-103C(1)(a), §165-106 |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | On residence | — | §165-103C(1)(b), §165-106 |
| Professional Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §165-103C(1)(c), §165-106 |
| Bulletin Board/Public Institutional Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | §165-103C(1)(d), §165-106 |
| Contractor Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | 15 ft from curb/curbline | — | Upon work site under construction | — | §165-103C(1)(e), §165-106 |
| Memorial/Building Date Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Masonry surface or bronze/incombustible material | — | §165-103C(1)(f), §165-106 |
| Traffic/Directional Sign (nonadvertising) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, as approved by agency | — | §165-103C(1)(j), §165-106 |
| Political/Election Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only | — | §165-103C(1)(k), §165-106 |

## Prohibited signs in Wharton Borough

- No billboard or billboard signs shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be placed or located or displayed upon any sidewalk or area between sidewalk and curb.
- No signs shall be erected or painted or composed of fluorescent or phosphorescent or similar material.
- No sign shall be, in whole or part, moving, mobile or revolving.
- No sign shall have more than two colors, inclusive of its background, frame and decorative parts. (Varying tones or gradients of the two main colors may be used. Black and white are not considered colors.)
- No canopy, awning or marquee shall extend above a sidewalk, doorway, public right-of-way or driveway at a height lower than eight feet.
- Sign lettering and/or logo shall comprise no more than 30% of the total exterior of the canopy, awning or marquee.
- Canopies, awnings and marquees shall be constructed of matte-finish canvas or similar material.
- 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 of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, cause an optical illusion or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of words, phrases, symbols or characters in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No commercial outdoor advertising signs, billboards, or other signs which are not expressly and directly related to the business being conducted on the premises, and which do not conform to the applicable requirements and standards, shall be permitted.
- It is unlawful to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- No sign shall be an illuminated sign except as provided herein.
- Halo-lit signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs, highly reflective glass or fluorescent paint (red or green) and illuminated tubing outlining roofs, doors, windows or wall edges of a building are prohibited.
- No sign shall be artificially illuminated after 11:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. unless said premises are occupied and attended.
- No sign shall be internally illuminated, except a neon sign located in a window, provided that it meets all other requirements.
- No sign shall be erected, altered, located or relocated within the municipality except upon application and the issuance of a permit as provided in the ordinance.
- It is illegal to attach signs of any kind to any utility poles.
- No political signs may be erected or installed upon any pole or tree located on public property or within the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wharton Borough

- Real estate signs not exceeding 12 square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located.
- Residential nameplates identifying a single-family residence and/or street address, not to exceed one square foot in area.
- Professional nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area for lawful occupants of the premises.
- Bulletin boards or signs not over 16 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when located on the premises of said institutions.
- A sign identifying the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon a work site under construction, not to exceed 16 square feet in area, provided the sign is set back at least 15 feet from the curb and curbline, and provided that same are 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 when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and such temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs, or signs of any governmental agency 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 premises, no more than 45 days before or 45 days after the holiday.
- Signs erected to control the movement of traffic on a premise, provided the signs provide traffic directions only and shall not be used for any advertising purpose. (These signs shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall have been approved by the appropriate approving agency.)
- Election or political signs, provided that said signs are placed entirely on private property and do not exceed 12 square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected, altered, located or relocated within the municipality except upon application and the issuance of a permit as provided in the ordinance.
- Application for a sign which does not comply with the sign ordinance shall be submitted to the appropriate approving authority (e.g., Planning Board, Zoning Board), and may require public notice and a public hearing.
- Any nonconforming sign associated with change in occupancy or ownership requires an application to the approving authority.
- Any sign that requires a variance or relief from the ordinance is subject to approval by the appropriate approving authority and may require submission of sketch plats (15 for freestanding signs), building elevations (15 for others), and address information.
- Permit applications require detailed drawings/renderings showing location, dimensions, design, colors, lighting, sign content, and method of securing.
- A permit is not required for signs listed in § 165-103C (general exemptions). All other signs generally require a permit.

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

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