Sign Regulations in Newark, NJ (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for Newark, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Newark bans political campaign signs on streets, sidewalks, curbs, utility poles and any public property outright. On private property they are allowed only with the owner's written consent, capped at four square feet, set back three feet from the street line, and posted no more than 60 days before the event they promote.
Newark Political Campaign Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsNewark, NJ Revised General Ordinances § 29:22-4
It shall be unlawful for any person to post a political campaign and/or promotional sign on private property except in compliance with the following provisions: a. Any person seeking to post any political campaign and/or promotional sign shall obtain the written consent of the owner or tenant of the property. ... d. All political campaign and/or promotional signs shall be set back at least thre...
Garage Sale Signs
Newark garage sale signs cannot exceed two feet by two feet, may only go up two days before the sale, must come down within 24 hours after it ends, and can only sit on the sale property itself, never on government land.
Newark Garage Sale Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Newark Code § 8:24-7
No signs for advertising or directing customers to a garage sale are to be posted on any place other than the premises where the sale is to be held. The sign shall not exceed two feet by two feet in size and shall not be placed on the premises earlier than two days prior to the sale and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale has terminated. ... No signs shall be posted on government pro...
Holiday Displays
Newark exempts seasonal holiday lights and decorations from its sign permit and design rules, but only if they carry no commercial message and are taken down within three months. Leave them up longer and the exemption lapses, subjecting the display to the full Chapter 41:9 sign permit and design standards enforced by the Zoning Officer.
Newark's Three-Month Holiday Light Display Cap
Light RestrictionsNewark City Code § 41:9-2(1)(c)
Seasonally appropriate holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message. However, such lighting can only remain for no more than three months.
Digital Billboards
Newark bans digital billboards outright. Even where a billboard is otherwise allowed as a conditional use, § 41:6-2-11 forbids the digital format, and the citywide sign code's electronic message center provision confirms no electronic or digital display sign is permitted in the city absent a variance.
Newark Prohibits Digital and Electronic Billboards
Heavy RestrictionsNewark City Code § 41:6-2-11(3)(b); § 41:9-7(1)
Visual impact on the surrounding areas shall be minimized through the use of landscaping, berming, and grading at the base of the unit. Dense all-season or evergreen landscaping shall be installed at the base of any freestanding billboard structure, and digital billboards are prohibited.
Window Signs
Newark caps how much of a storefront's glass can carry signage: mixed-use buildings are held to 10% of glazed area per commercial tenant, while detached commercial buildings, schools and similar uses get up to 25% of total glazed area, with upper-floor window signs allowed only on the second and third levels.
Newark Window Sign Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsNewark City Code § 41:9-10, Table 9-1; § 41:9-6(1)(b)
Window: No more than 10% of glazed area for signs. ... Window Sign (above ground level): 25% of the total glazed area of the windows applicable to the use. ... Signs may be located in the windows of the second or third levels of a building. ... Any glazing in doorways shall be considered part of the glazed area. For purposes of calculating window signs, a window shall be considered the glazed a...
Looking for Essex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Newark city rules.
Sign Regulations in Essex County →