# Sign Regulations in Adams Township, Pennsylvania

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Adams Township, Pennsylvania, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Adams Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/adams-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12753977#12753977)

## At a glance

Adams Township, Pennsylvania regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. On-premises Ground Signs in the C Commercial District, B Business District, I Industrial Districts, Overlay Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 10 ft (overall including base) tall, 60 sq ft per sign face, and 15 ft (sign face); overall length with base 20 ft wide, with a 10 ft from property line/ROW setback (Sec. § 192-63E(3)(b)[1]-[8]). Most commercial signs in Adams Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 3 ft including support | 4 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Residential Districts, Rural Conservation District | 12 | 6 ft (for construction sign) | 32 sq ft (for construction sign) | — |
| C Commercial District, B Business District, I Industrial Districts, Overlay Zoning Districts | 8 | 10 ft (overall including base) | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (in Public Interest) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed in accordance with the requirements for a period not to exceed 60 days. | — | § 192-63B(6), (8) |
| Sign in Municipal/State Road Right-of-way | 3 ft including support | 4 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft from road/edge of pavement; 25 ft from intersection | — | In municipal/state road right-of-way | — | § 192-63F(1)-(2) |

### Residential Districts, Rural Conservation District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Sign (Public Service/Safety) | — | — | — | — | — | Any | — | § 192-63C(1)(a) |
| Property Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | § 192-63C(1)(b) |
| For Sale or Rent Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | § 192-63C(1)(d) |
| Public/Semipublic Institution Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property of institution | — | § 192-63C(1)(e) |
| Roadside Stand Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Property with stand | — | § 192-63C(1)(f) |
| Wall Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot/principal structure | Affixed to principal structure, substantially parallel | — | § 192-63C(3)(a)[1]-[4] |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft (general), 15 ft (residential development entry) | — | — | — | — | On-premises; entry sign must be in an easement | — | § 192-63C(3)(b)[1]-[3] |
| Temporary Sign (including Temp Construction Sign) | 6 ft (for construction sign) | 32 sq ft (for construction sign) | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 192-63C(3)(c) |

### C Commercial District, B Business District, I Industrial Districts, Overlay Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Wall Sign | 5 ft (vertical dimension) | 60 sq ft | — | — | See overall max (E(4)) | Affixed to the wall of principal structure, substantially parallel | — | § 192-63E(3)(a)[1]-[5], (4)(c) |
| On-premises Ground Sign | 10 ft (overall including base) | 60 sq ft per sign face | 15 ft (sign face); overall length with base 20 ft | 10 ft from property line/ROW | See overall max (E(4)) | On-premises, ground mounted, must use brick, stone, or stucco for base; property address must be at top (not counted in area) | — | § 192-63E(3)(b)[1]-[8] |
| On-premises Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | See overall max (E(4)) | Canopy, only one side | — | § 192-63E(3)(c)[1]-[3] |
| On-premises Illuminated Sign | 10 ft (overall including base) | 12 sq ft (illuminated sign area), total 24-32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line/ROW | See overall max (E(4)) | On-premises, ground or wall mounted | — | § 192-63E(3)(d)[1]-[11] |
| On-premises Temporary Construction Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | § 192-63E(3)(e) |
| On-premises Window/Door Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Canopy/awning | — | § 192-63E(3)(f) |
| On-premises Window Sign | — | 33% of total window area | — | — | — | Affixed to inside of window | — | § 192-63E(3)(g) |
| Off-premises Freestanding Sign | 8 ft (can be up to 15 ft by Zoning Hearing Board) | 32 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | 8 ft | 10 ft (general); 50 ft from Mars-Evans City or Mars-Valencia Rd rights-of-way | See overall max. If off-premises sign present, lot may have no other principal/accessory use | Off-premises; base per Figures—stone/metal truss; must be principal use on lot | — | § 192-63E(3)(h)[1]-[7]; (4)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Adams Township

- All signs must be constructed of durable, non-flammable materials and maintained in good repair, free of rust, rolling, illegibility, or deterioration. Broken or missing parts must be promptly replaced.
- Freestanding signs may only occur in yards abutting a street, must be set back at least 10 feet from side property lines, and no part may extend into the street right-of-way or block driver sight distances.
- No signs may be placed upon the roof or project above the cornice line of a flat-roofed building or above the gutter line of a sloped-roofed building.
- Animated signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs illuminated by a flashing, pulsating, or intermittent source, except official traffic signs, are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs lighted so as to create glare on adjacent properties or roadways are not permitted.
- Signs affixed to trees, utility poles, or equipment are not permitted.
- Banners, pennants, and similar attention-getting devices are not permitted for a period exceeding 30 days.
- Separate permits are required for all signs including new construction, maintenance, or replacement.
- No freestanding sign shall have more than two sides.
- Signs must be removed within 60 days after the reasons for their placement are no longer present (e.g., event completed, business closed).
- Temporary signs in the public interest require approval and are limited to a maximum of 60 days.
- No sign shall be lighted that faces or partially faces residentially zoned or used property or property across a street unless completely screened from the dwelling.
- No sign shall be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except during business hours.
- Persons desiring to erect a sign must obtain a permit and adhere to placement, dimension, and construction requirements specified.

## Signs exempt from permit in Adams Township

- Holiday signs or decorations displayed for recognized holidays or other community events.
- Memorial plaques, historic markers, or other similar signs.
- Official government signs owned and maintained by a governmental entity, including traffic signs, public notices, government flags, and other hazard warnings.
- Street number signs indicating the address of a building or establishment.
- Vehicle signs attached to operative vehicles related to the function of the vehicle (e.g., taxi signs, delivery vehicles) provided the vehicle is registered, insured, and operational.
- Noncommercial signs, including but not limited to public service or safety signs installed by a public agency in residential districts, are unrestricted and do not require a permit.
- The sign restrictions of this section do not apply to municipal authorities, municipal corporations, or federal, state, or local government entities upon approval by the Board of Supervisors and Code Enforcement Officer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Persons desiring to erect a sign must apply to the Code Enforcement Officer and submit a plan indicating location, dimensions to property lines, sign dimensions (including height above ground), and construction/attachment details. Approval is required before issuance of a permit.
- Where an establishment is part of a larger retail, commercial, or industrial development, shopping center, or similar multi-tenant use, only one freestanding on-premises sign is allowed per lot for the development, provided that a uniform sign plan and permit has been submitted and approved for the entire development.
- No individual freestanding on-premises signs are permitted for establishments within a larger shopping center, commercial, or industrial development with multiple occupants unless an alternative master sign plan is recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
- Permits are required for all signs including new construction, maintenance, or replacement.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Adams Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Adams+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-adams-township

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