# Sign Regulations in Woodcliff Lake Borough, New Jersey

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodcliff Lake Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/woodcliff-lake-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11418797#11418797)

## At a glance

Woodcliff Lake Borough, New Jersey regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Filling/Service Station Brand/Trade Signs in the Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3), Special Office District (S-O) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 30 sq ft, with a Min 5 ft, Max 10 ft setback (Sec. §287-4D(3)(f)[4]). Most commercial signs in Woodcliff Lake Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 60 in to top of sign | 180 sq in | — |
| Residential Districts | 4 | — | 180 sq in | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3), Special Office District (S-O) | 11 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Executive, Administrative and Research Office District (EAO) | 2 | 10 ft (vertical dimension) | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 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' | — | 6 sq ft in residential; 16 sq ft in other districts | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises being advertised | — | §287-4A(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate 'Sold' | — | 6 sq ft in residential; 16 sq ft in other districts | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises being advertised | — | §287-4A(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Major Subdivision | — | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum of 2 | On lots within the subdivision | — | §287-4A(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Building Under Construction (General Regulations) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises under construction | — | §287-4A(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Announcement of Future Events | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; may be on lot other than where event occurs | — | §287-4A(5) |
| Permanent Sign - Professional Nameplate | — | 180 sq in | — | — | 1 per occupant premise | On building | — | §287-4D(1)(b) |
| Permanent Sign - Directory Sign (Four or More Uses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property listed; freestanding or attached | — | §287-4D(1)(c) |
| Permanent Sign - Religious or Charitable Institution Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | §287-4D(1)(d) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign - Professional Nameplate (Residential) | — | 180 sq in | — | — | 1 | On building | — | §287-4D(2)(b) |
| Permanent Sign - Incidental Home Occupation | — | 180 sq in | — | — | 1 | On premises of the business | — | §287-4D(2)(c) |
| Permanent Sign - Farm or Farm Accessory | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises of farm/farm accessory | — | §287-4D(2)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign - Identifying Residential Area | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Identifying the residential area | — | §287-4D(2)(e) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3), Special Office District (S-O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Multi-entrance Building (Front Facade) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per unit of use | Front facade of store/shop with individual entrances | — | §287-4D(3)(b) |
| Wall Sign - Rear Facade (Public Entrance) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying entrance | Rear of building; public entrance | — | §287-4D(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Shopping Center Identification | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | On premises of shopping center | — | §287-4D(3)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option (Alternative to Wall Sign for Businesses) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §287-4D(3)(e) |
| Wall Sign - Option (Identification Only) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §287-4D(3)(e) |
| Permanent Sign - Filling/Service Station (Building Lettering) | Letters max 6 in height | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | Over entrance doors | — | §287-4D(3)(f)[1] |
| Permanent Sign - Filling/Service Station (Credit Card Sign) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building or sign structure | — | §287-4D(3)(f)[3] |
| Filling/Service Station Brand/Trade Sign | 15 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft, Max 10 ft | 1 | Building or freestanding | — | §287-4D(3)(f)[4] |

## Prohibited signs in Woodcliff Lake Borough

- No signs shall be located or displayed upon any sidewalk or public right-of-way.
- No signs shall be permitted on the surface of any roof, and no sign shall project above the parapet or roof ridge.
- Attached signs shall not project beyond 12 inches from the exterior surface of any building.
- No signs shall be, in whole or in part, moving, mobile or revolving, except for signs commonly known as 'barber poles' ordinarily and customarily used in connection with barbershops.
- Strings of streamers, flags, pennants, spinners or other similar devices strung across, upon, over or along any premises or building, whether as part of any sign or not, shall not be allowed except as provided in § 287-4A(6).
- No signs shall be placed or displayed in any manner which will interfere with traffic or traffic control signs or signals or with moving or flashing lights or displays of any kind that create an off-site intrusive illumination and/or nuisance.
- No sky or crowd illuminating searchlights, moving or stationary searchlights of any sort are permitted.
- Permitted advertising signs shall be removed within 30 days after the cessation of the activity or business which the sign advertises, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.
- No billboards or remote signage shall be permitted.
- No freestanding signs shall be permitted, except as otherwise specifically permitted by this chapter.
- Canopies, awnings or similar works shall be of opaque material such that under lighting shall not shine through. They shall consist of earthtone colors or combination of colors so long as the awning or canopy does not constitute a distraction for persons operating vehicles along the public streets.
- No freestanding sign may be erected or installed so as to interfere with line of sight or sight triangle requirements at driveways, cross streets, pedestrian crossings, traffic lights or traffic control signs and may not be erected within five feet of any sidewalk.
- Any sign that is not specifically permitted in any zone throughout the Borough shall be deemed as specifically prohibited.
- No flashing illumination shall be permitted.
- No action or moving illumination shall be permitted.
- No illumination shall be permitted which may cause confusion or interference with traffic control signs or lights or lights of emergency vehicles.
- No illumination shall be permitted which shall cause interference with radio or television signals.
- No uncovered neon or fluorescent bulbs are permitted on any sign. All internally illuminated signs must be shielded or covered in a manner so as to prevent the exposure of an uncovered light source of any sort providing direct glare. Neon window lighting displays of unshielded neon-type displays of any type are prohibited.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Lighting shall not be permitted which requires flashing or intermittent illumination. Lighting which requires change in color, intensity or hue shall likewise be prohibited. Said lighting shall in no way interfere with, detract from or diminish in any way the effectiveness of any traffic signal or similar safety or warning device.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, locate, relocate or maintain any sign which falsely identifies the premises or occupant of the premises or which falsely advertises for sale, on any premises, any product no longer available therein.

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodcliff Lake Borough

- Official signs of any governmental agency are permitted in all zones.
- No permit shall be required for real estate 'For Sale' or 'Sold' signs which comply with the area and duration limitations specified in § 287-4A(1) and (2).
- No permit shall be required for any sign permitted under § 287-4B (temporary signs on Borough property) when approved by the Mayor and Council.
- Signs required by law (such as licenses and permits) are permitted.
- Application fees are not required for: signs permitted under § 287-4A(1), (2), and (5); § 287-4D(1)(a), (d), (e), and (f); signs showing evidence of membership in retail, professional manufacturing or credit associations; legally required licenses; signs of a temporary nature affixed to the interior side of a window; signs specified in § 287-4B.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each site plan application shall include a sign plan showing the specific design, location, size, construction and illumination. If the applicant is unable to provide said details for signs, the approving authority shall condition its approval upon receipt of the same prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. (see §292-28B)
- For freestanding signs, approval of the Planning Board is required, which may act as a whole or through recommendations of a Sign Committee. (see §287-9A, 9C)
- A sign erection permit is generally required for all signs, except certain specified exemptions in §287-9A; permits are issued by the Construction Code Official. The permit application must include plans and information regarding the sign's details and compliance.
- Applications for temporary signs on Borough property must be approved by the Mayor and Council using forms specified in §287-9B. No other sign permits or approvals are required for these.
- Chapter 380 (Zoning), §380-81, requires that no sign is permitted in any zone district unless it conforms to Chapter 287 (Signs).

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

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