# Sign Regulations in Wildwood Crest Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wildwood Crest Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/wildwood-crest-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36120692#36120692)

## At a glance

Wildwood Crest Borough, New Jersey regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (For Sale or For Rent - Residential, One or Two Units)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 5 sq ft or 2 ft x 2.5 ft incl. 2 six-inch riders, and 2.5 ft wide, with a ≥10 ft from curb setback (Sec. § 85-97.C.2.a). Most commercial signs in Wildwood Crest Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft for lots ≤12,000 sq ft; 32 sq ft for lots >12,000 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Zone, MC Zone, Business and Marine Commercial Zones (nonresidential districts) | 14 | ≥10 ft, <20 ft above ground | 30 sq ft per face | — |
| Hotel/Motel and Multi-Family Zones, Motel Zone | 6 | Roof signs: no more than 10 ft above topmost roof point | Total 50 sq ft; max 25 sq ft per sign | — |
| Multi-Family Residential | 4 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts, Residential zones | 8 | — | 25 sq ft per wall, or 2% of wall area (lesser) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional or State-required Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 feet from property line | — | Minimum 5 feet from any property line; must not constitute a hazard | — | § 85-97.A.4 |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft for lots ≤12,000 sq ft; 32 sq ft for lots >12,000 sq ft | — | ≥1/2 required setback from property line | 1 sign per construction site | Not nearer than 1/2 setback from any property line | — | § 85-97.C.1 |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale or For Rent - Residential, One or Two Units) | 4 ft | 5 sq ft or 2 ft x 2.5 ft incl. 2 six-inch riders | 2.5 ft | ≥10 ft from curb | 1 per residential unit | No closer than 10 ft from curb | — | § 85-97.C.2.a |
| Temporary Sign (For Sale or For Rent - Non-residential or Motel zone w/ more than two multifamily units) | 4 ft | 4 ft x 4 ft | 4 ft | ≥20 ft from curb | 1 per unit | No closer than 20 ft from curb on multifamily residential in M Zones | — | § 85-97.C.2.b |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | 4 ft | 5 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from curb | 1 per property | No closer than 10 ft from curb | — | § 85-97.C.3 |
| Temporary Political Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft; no side >6 ft | 6 ft | — | — | — | — | § 85-97.C.4 |
| Open House Sign | — | — | — | — | 2 per property during open house only | On property for sale/rent only during open house. | — | § 85-97.C.2.c-d |
| Awning | — | — | — | See district requirements. | — | Permitted in all zones, subject to specific zone/district requirements. | — | § 85-97.A.15 |

### B-1 Zone, MC Zone, Business and Marine Commercial Zones (nonresidential districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of face of wall area | — | — | 2 per establishment, max 1 per wall | Exterior wall of nonresidential establishment | — | § 85-97.D.2, § 85-97.D.10 |
| Freestanding Sign (Lots ≤40 ft wide) | — | 16 sq ft per face | — | ≥1/2 required setback; not on side bordering residential zone | 1 per property | On property, not on side bordering residential zone. | — | § 85-97.D.3.a-b |
| Freestanding Sign (Lots >40 ft wide) | — | 30 sq ft per face | — | ≥1/2 required setback; not on side bordering residential zone | 1 per property | On property, not on side bordering residential zone. | — | § 85-97.D.3.a-b |
| Awning Sign | — | 16 sq ft on awning (lettering) | — | See requirements for extensions into ROW; up to 5 ft into right-of-way. | — | Retractable awnings of canvas or similar materials supported within property lines; may extend up to 5 ft into public right-of-way. | — | § 85-97.D.6 |
| Gasoline Service Station Freestanding or Pylon Sign | ≥10 ft, <20 ft above ground | 30 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft min from property line | 1 per property | More than 5 ft from any property line | — | § 85-97.D.11.b |
| Gasoline Service Station Temporary Service Sign | — | 7 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per property | Inside property line | — | § 85-97.D.11.a |
| Gasoline Service Station Entrance/Bay Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per entrance or bay | Above each individual entrance or bay | — | § 85-97.D.11.c |
| Gasoline Pump Insignia/Price/Fuel Sign | — | 3 sq ft per pump (aggregate) | — | — | As needed per pump | On each fuel pump | — | § 85-97.D.11.d |

### Residential Districts, Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parking Area Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance or exit | At each entrance or exit to parking area for institutional or public uses | — | § 85-97.F.1 |
| Parking Area Sign (Conditions/Identity) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parking area | At parking area for institutional or public uses | — | § 85-97.F.1 |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Single-Family Dwelling) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | For single-family dwellings, at entrance to property or structure | — | § 85-97.F.2 |
| Institutional Freestanding Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property, or 1 per frontage if multiple street frontages | On property | — | § 85-97.F.3.a |
| Institutional Wall Sign | — | 25 sq ft per wall, or 2% of wall area (lesser) | — | — | Max 2 (one per wall, up to 2 walls) | Affixed to structure | — | § 85-97.F.3.b |
| Public Sign (Government) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 85-97.F.4, § 85-97.H |
| Sign for Protection During Construction | — | — | — | — | — | During construction or repairs | — | § 85-97.F.5 |
| Awning | — | — | — | Up to 2 ft into front/side yard setback; not within 6 ft of rear line | — | Up to 2 ft into front/side setback; not within 6 ft of rear property line | — | § 85-97.F.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Wildwood Crest Borough

- No signs shall be hung, erected, rebuilt or placed upon any building or structure unless a zoning permit and/or construction permit has been obtained by the property owner or an authorized agent of owner.
- Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged, changed, or altered in size, location or appearance unless they are to conform to these regulations.
- No sign shall be located in the sight triangle, as defined as that area outside of the curbline and the straight line connecting 'sight points,' one located on each curbline at a distance of 25 feet from the corner.
- Any lighting associated with a sign shall be arranged and shielded in such a manner as not to create a hazard or nuisance to nearby residential properties or the traveling public.
- Applications shall comply with all applicable County, State and Federal sign regulations.
- Any sign which does not pertain to an occupant, service, or product actually occupying or provided on the premises where such sign is located, except for the placement of temporary signs for sale, for rent or open house.
- Roof signs and signs extending above the wall to which they are attached except as where permitted in the M-1 Zone.
- Signs posted on fences, posts, utility poles or trees.
- Signs posted on Borough property without the consent of the Governing Body.
- Signs standing, installed or painted on sidewalks, curbs or the public right-of-way.
- Exterior moving signs or lights of any nature.
- Signs on abutments, retaining walls, embankments, standpipes, water towers or similar structures unless approved by the Governing Body.
- Advertising signs painted directly on buildings, except in the M-1 and B-1 Zones.
- Advertising signs on accessory buildings.
- Advertising signs which constitute a hazard to the traveling public.
- Pylon signs except as permitted herein.
- Billboard signs.
- Throwaways or handbills on porches, in cars, or distributed in any manner as to permit their being blown and littering the streets.
- Automobile, trailer (attached or unattached) or vehicle of any nature bearing signs or advertisements, parked or left for more than 24 hours upon any vacant land or public street.
- Flashing or illuminating signs that spell or present alternating messages.
- Any lighting or control mechanism which may cause radio or television interference.
- All signs operating between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., with exceptions noted for certain zones and specific sign types.
- Signs where the actual force of illumination is exposed to public view with the exception of neon.
- Pennants and banners, except for open house (with specific restrictions for open house use).
- Flags for the purpose of advertising, except as specified for B-1 and M-1 Zones and open house (with size and time restrictions).
- Signs on balconies or attached to balcony railings.
- All temporary signs shall be prohibited except as outlined in the ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wildwood Crest Borough

- Directional and State-required signs having areas of less than two square feet are exempt from area and location regulations except they shall be located a minimum of five feet from any property line and further provided they do not constitute a hazard to the traveling public.
- Permanent window lettering and window signs as defined and limited in the ordinance are not construed as signs; subject only to rules under window lettering and signs.
- A sign erected by the Borough, County, State or Federal government.
- Signs used for the protection of the public during construction or repairs.
- Nothing in this chapter applies to any sign, freestanding, installed, painted or erected by the Borough on Borough premises, or by any authority or agency created by the Borough, or within any public street or right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications shall be accompanied by a plan showing details of the sign, type of illumination, type of materials, colors, size and location of the sign on the building and/or parcel.
- Any application for site plan review shall include any proposed temporary and permanent signs.
- As part of site plan review by the Planning Board or permit review by the Zoning Officer, proposed temporary signs shall be presented including requests for waivers from the above regulations.
- Murals that meet the definition of a sign must apply for a zoning permit and are subject to wall sign regulations.
- Installation or replacement of awnings in Business and Marine Commercial Zones requires a building permit and written approval from the Zoning Official, addressing specific site and safety criteria.

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

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