Fort Lee's Relaxed Approach to Sign Regulations: What's Allowed

Fort Lee maintains 85 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with sign regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fort Lee falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Political Signs

Fort Lee permits political signs on private property under First Amendment protections, with reasonable size, setback, and post-election removal requirements set in the sign code.

Key details: Residential Max Size: 6 sq ft typical. Permit Required: No. Removal Deadline: 7-10 days post-election. ROW Placement: Prohibited.

Sign violations carry fines from $50 to $500, with the borough authorized to remove signs in the right-of-way without notice.

The rules around political signs in Fort Lee lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Garage Sale Signs

Fort Lee allows garage sale signs on private property only during the sale period, with strict prohibitions against placement on utility poles, street trees, or public rights-of-way.

Key details: Permit Required: Often, check clerk. Allowed Location: Private property only. Utility Poles: Prohibited. Removal: Within 24 hours.

Improperly placed signs can result in fines from $25 to $250, plus removal of the sign by code enforcement at owner expense.

Fort Lee is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage sale signs. That said, there are still limits.

Holiday Displays

Fort Lee permits seasonal holiday displays on private property without permit, subject to property maintenance, electrical safety, light trespass, and timing limits in the borough code.

Key details: Permit Required: No, residential. Display Window: 60 days typical. Light Equipment: UL-listed required. Sight Lines: Must remain clear.

Violations of property maintenance or nuisance provisions can carry fines from $50 to $500, with removal orders for unsafe conditions.

The rules around holiday displays in Fort Lee lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Fort Lee gives residents more room on sign regulations. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Fort Lee's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.