Newark, NJ Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

City Code § 29:22-2 makes it unlawful to post a political campaign or promotional sign on any street, sidewalk or curb, or to affix one to a tree, utility pole, light pole or traffic control device in the public easement, and § 29:22-3 separately bars posting on any publicly-owned property such as buildings and parks. Private-property postings are addressed by § 29:22-4, which requires written consent of the property owner or tenant, forbids attaching signs to trees or utility poles, limits placement to a lawn or window, requires a three-foot setback from all street lines, and caps sign size at four square feet; window signage is additionally capped at three-tenths of the window or display area, and the date the sign was first posted must appear on its face.

Every campaign sign must identify who is responsible for it under § 29:22-5, and that person must file a certification with the Director of Engineering giving a home address, phone number and place of business, per § 29:22-6, which also makes it unlawful to post more than 60 days before the election or event and requires removal within 24 hours of written notice of a violation. Financial backers of promotional signs (not political candidates) must post a refundable deposit with the Director under § 29:22-7 ranging from $250 for garage sales to $1,000 for concerts and sporting events; candidates for political office are expressly exempted from this deposit.

Illegally posted signs are declared public nuisances abatable by the City under § 29:22-9, and the deposit requirement does not preclude a separate violation complaint.