Mercer County, NJ Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Advertising signs banned in county ROW
- Citation
- § 5.03.040, Mercer County Code
- Penalty
- Up to 90 days jail or $500 fine
- Enforcement
- Mercer County Sheriff
- Scope
- County roads and rights-of-way only
Summary
Mercer County prohibits placing advertising signs and structures, including digital billboards, along any county road, street, or right-of-way it controls, under the county's right-of-way construction and occupancy code.
Placement of advertising signs and/or structures along any County road, street, or right-of-way, or other road, street, or right-of-way under jurisdiction of the County of Mercer shall not be permitted.
(3) A County right-of-way occupancy permit shall be required for the permanent placement of utilities, signs, mailboxes and any other appurtenances that are permitted to exist within public rights-of-way under applicable federal and state laws along any County road, street, or right-of-way, or other road, street, or right-of-way under jurisdiction of the County of Mercer. Applicant shall obtain approval by the County Engineer for signs placed within the County right-of-way shall comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, latest edition and all applicable Mercer County standards.
B. Applicant's responsibilities.
(1) The County RCP/ROWOP shall describe the materials or equipment desiring to be placed or stored in detail, giving the quantity, weight, or other dimensions and particulars thereof.
(2) No materials may be stored or placed on any County road, street or right-of-way.
(3)
Full Breakdown
Under § 5.03.040 of the county right-of-way code, Mercer County bars placement of advertising signs and structures, a category that includes digital and electronic billboards, along any county road, street, or right-of-way it controls. The same section lets the County Engineer permit certain fixed appurtenances (utilities, traffic signs, mailboxes) via a right-of-way occupancy permit, but commercial advertising displays get no such path. The rule reaches only county-controlled roads and rights-of-way; it does not reach municipal streets or private property, since NJ counties have no general zoning power.
Violations & Fines
Violating this right-of-way rule is a county code offense: conviction brings up to 90 days in county jail, a fine up to $500, or both, enforced by the County Sheriff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this ban digital billboards specifically?
Can I get a permit for a billboard on a county road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mercer County
Compare Mercer County to another location·View the New Jersey sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.