New Jersey Statutes Title 27. Highways 27 § 5-8

a. A person shall not erect, maintain or make available to another a roadside sign, or engage in the business of outdoor advertising for profit through the rental or other compensation received for the erection, use or maintenance of signs or other objects upon real property for the display of advertising matter on any stationary object within public view without first obtaining from the commissioner a license to engage in that business, and a permit for the erection, use and maintenance of each sign or other object used for outdoor advertising, except as provided in this act. A permit issued to a person required to obtain a license under this act shall not be valid unless the person has obtained a license which is in full force and effect.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner shall not issue a permit, other than a conditional permit, for a new outdoor advertising sign required to be permitted pursuant to P.L.1991, c. 413 (C.27:5-7 et seq.) unless a public hearing has been held in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1975, c. 291 (C.40:55D-10) and, where the permit applicant is a private entity, all relevant approvals required by the municipality have been received by the private entity seeking the permit.