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Sign Regulations in Paterson, NJ (2026)

3 verified sign regulations for Paterson, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Political Signs

Paterson caps yard political signs at 8 square feet and requires a 10-foot setback from the sidewalk, with a 20-square-foot allowance at campaign headquarters.

Paterson Political Sign Size and Setback Limits

Some Restrictions

Paterson City Code § 414-4

Except as provided in Subsection B hereof below, any such political signs shall be a ground sign or a sign placed on or in private property, with the consent of the owner, and no such sign shall exceed eight square feet in total display area nor have a setback less than 10 feet from the inner line of the sidewalk upon which fronts the lot on which such sign is situated or, where no sidewalk exi...

Holiday Displays

Paterson doesn't require a sign permit for holiday lights and decorations, as long as they carry no commercial message: the city's sign code lists them among the exempted signs needing no Division of Community Improvements approval.

Paterson Exempts Holiday Lights From Sign Permits

Few Restrictions

City of Paterson Land Development Ordinance § 500-8.2.C (Municipal Code ch. 483)

§500-8.2 Exempted Signs. No approval shall be required for the signs listed below: ... C. Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Paterson prohibits signs in every district that obstruct views of natural geographic features, particularly views seen by drivers on an interstate or inter-county highway: part of the city's citywide list of prohibited sign types.

Paterson Bans Signs Blocking Highway Scenic Views

Heavy Restrictions

City of Paterson Land Development Ordinance § 500-8.3.Q (Municipal Code ch. 483)

Q. Signs that obstruct the view of any natural geographic feature, especially when viewed by occupants of vehicles traversing an interstate or inter-county highway. �500-8.4 Signs Permitted in all Districts. The following signs are permitted in all districts: Address signs not exceeding 8" x 12" in size; and governmental and public utility signs. �500-8.5 Signs Permitted in all Res...

Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Paterson city rules.

Sign Regulations in Passaic County