# Sign Regulations in Akron Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Akron Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/akron-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32979197#32979197)

## At a glance

Akron Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Low- to Medium-Intensity Residential (R-1, R-2), Medium-Intensity Residential (R-3) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 2 sq ft, with a 10 ft from right-of-way/property line setback (Sec. Table 1, Table 2 Part A, Note (d), §27-1106.6). Most commercial signs in Akron Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Low- to Medium-Intensity Residential (R-1, R-2), Medium-Intensity Residential (R-3) | 15 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (C-1, C-M) | 20 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft per tenant | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 15 sq ft (decorative flag); 35 sq ft (company/US/PA flag); 3 ft x 5 ft for temporary | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Low- to Medium-Intensity Residential (R-1, R-2), Medium-Intensity Residential (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way/property line | 1 per lot | On premises, 10 ft min. setback from right-of-way/property line | — | Table 1, Table 2 Part A, Note (d), §27-1106.6 |
| Incidental Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft (unless ≤30 inches height) | No limit | 10 ft setback required unless sign is 30 inches or less in height, in which case no setback. | — | §27-1106.8, Table 1, Table 2 |
| Nonprofit Organization Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Approved by Borough Council | With Borough Council approval; may be required at community entrances or on common panels. | — | §27-1106.9, Table 2 |
| Issue Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | 10 ft setback | — | §27-1102, Table 2 |
| Contractor Sign | 6 ft (up to 10 ft for combined display) | 6 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft or at building face | 1 per contractor; for multiple signs, see combined display | 10 ft setback or at building face, whichever is less; not in side yard setback, not in clear sight triangle, not off-premises. | — | §27-1106.3, Table 2 |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per lot | 10 ft setback | — | §27-1106.11, Table 2 |
| Special Event Sign (On-premises) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per event per lot | On-premises, 10 ft setback | — | §27-1106.12, Table 2 |
| Special Event Sign (Off-premises) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per event per lot | Off-premises, 10 ft setback | — | §27-1106.12, Table 2 |

### Commercial (C-1, C-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (C-1) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft (or 120 sq ft per additional frontage) | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | 10 ft setback from right-of-way/property line | — | Table 2 Part A Note (a)(b)(c), §27-1104.6 |
| Freestanding Sign (C-M) | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot | 10 ft setback from right-of-way/property line | — | Table 2 Part A |
| Business Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot; 2 per shopping center | On premises, 10 ft setback | — | Table 2 Part B, §27-1106.2 |
| Incidental Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft (unless ≤30 inches tall) | No limit | 10 ft setback unless ≤30 inches tall | — | §27-1106.8, Table 2 |
| Issue Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | 10 ft setback | — | Table 2 Part B, §27-1102 |
| Contractor Sign | 6 ft (10 ft for combined display) | 6 sq ft per sign (up to 32 sq ft combined display if four or more) | — | 10 ft or at building face | 1 per contractor; multiple allowed if combined for 4+ | 10 ft setback or at building face; not in side yard setback or clear sight triangle | — | §27-1106.3, Table 2 |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | 10 ft setback | — | §27-1106.11, Table 2 |
| Special Event Sign (On-premises) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per event per lot | On-premises, 10 ft setback | — | §27-1106.12, Table 2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - General | — | 15 sq ft (decorative flag); 35 sq ft (company/US/PA flag); 3 ft x 5 ft for temporary | 3 ft x 5 ft for temporary | — | 1 per lot | Flags must be on approved flagpole; temporary signs must be within property lines | — | §19-102, §19-103, §19-104, §19-108, §27-1104.23 |
| Special Event Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1104.22, §27-1106.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Akron Borough

- No sign shall be located within a street right-of-way, except a government sign, a public utility sign, a sidewalk sign, a nonprofit organization sign, or another sign approved by the governing body or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- No sign within the clear sight triangle should obstruct vision between the heights of 30 inches and eight feet above the elevation of the center line of the street.
- No signs shall be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled, taped or otherwise attached to utility poles, trees, fences, fire hydrants, speed limit sign posts, signal control boxes, Borough-owned utilities, or in an unauthorized manner to walls or other signs, except as compliant with formal rules.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct any door, stairway, window, fire escape, handicapped-accessible route, or other means of egress or ingress.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct ventilation or light from a building.
- No overhead sign shall have a clearance of less than eight feet between any pedestrian walk and the lowest part of the sign; and less than 17 feet six inches between any roadway and the lowest part of the sign.
- No sign which is parallel to and attached to the face of a building shall project more than 18 inches over a public sidewalk.
- No sign which is perpendicular to and attached to the face of a building shall project more than 48 inches from the building.
- No sign shall have lights or other illuminating devices which constitute a public safety or traffic hazard.
- No sign shall be permitted which imitates or which might be confused with an official traffic sign or signal, such as by containing the words 'stop' or 'danger' or by including red, green, or yellow lights.
- No sign shall include a revolving beam or beacon of light resembling an emergency vehicle or facility.
- No sign shall advertise activities or products which are illegal under federal, state, or local municipal laws or regulations.
- No sign shall include statements, words, or pictures which are considered to be vulgar, obscene, or pornographic.
- No streamers, pennants, spinners, reflectors, ribbons, tinsel, balloons, feather flags, bow flags, wind flags, inflatable flags, air dancer puppets or similar materials shall be displayed outside a building, except as specifically allowed for holiday decorations.
- No animated, sequential, intermittent, flashing, rotating, or oscillating signs shall be permitted except for electronic variable messaging signs in accordance with relevant regulations.
- No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor.
- No signs shall be placed on an automobile, truck, trailer, or other vehicle if that vehicle is being used primarily for displaying such sign. Vehicles used for business purposes may not be parked off-premises in a manner used to exhibit the vehicle as a sign display.
- No inflatable structures shall be permitted on the premises of nonresidential properties.
- No open flames shall be permitted as part of a sign or in any other way to attract attention.
- No signs for permitted nonresidential uses in residential districts shall be illuminated when the nonresidential use is closed.
- All signs shall be removed within three months if the purpose for which they were erected no longer exists.
- No temporary sign shall contain any moving parts, use flashing or intermittent illumination, nor cast light of such intensity or brilliance as to cause noxious glare to be upon any dwelling or mixed use dwelling on a separate lot.
- No more than one temporary sign shall be permitted for each lot (unless otherwise specifically allowed by sign type).
- No temporary sign shall be located outside the property lines of the premises to which it relates.

## Signs exempt from permit in Akron Borough

- Government signs, public utility signs, sidewalk signs, nonprofit organization signs, or other signs approved by the governing body or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are exempt from the prohibition on signs within a street right-of-way.
- Center signs are exempt from the requirement for street address display on permanent freestanding signs.
- Customary holiday decorations are exempt from the prohibition on outlining buildings or structures or architectural elements with exposed skeleton or neon tubing, strings of lights, or other illumination means, provided decorations are installed no more than 30 days before and are removed not later than 21 days after the holiday.
- Government signs placed within rights-of-way are generally not regulated by the sign ordinance.
- Signs displayed on one construction trailer, provided the trailer is used primarily for storage, situated on an active construction site, meets all setback requirements, and is removed when construction activity is completed, are permitted (with banners or other temporary signage not allowed on the trailer).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each property which displays one or more permanent freestanding signs and which is in an area where street addresses have been assigned must prominently display the address on one permanent freestanding sign visible from the street (with specific design requirements).
- Any freestanding sign within a floodplain must receive specific approval as a special exception.
- Billboards may be erected in the C-1 Zoning District only, with location, setback, and spacing requirements, and may require specific review.
- Sign permit requirements for each kind of sign and zoning district are detailed in Table 1, which indicates if a permit is required (P-Y) or not (P-N) or if the sign is not permitted (N); signs in rights-of-way are approved through special processes separate from regular permit procedure.
- Signs not conforming to this Part, including special event signs, require special action or process approval by the governing body.
- Nonconforming signs may be rebuilt or repaired only as permitted and may require permits and/or special exceptions by the Zoning Hearing Board, especially if the sign was damaged by neglect or abandonment.
- Freestanding signs greater than 20 square feet in area must be reviewed, signed, and sealed by a licensed design professional and comply with building code requirements.
- All signs must comply, where applicable, with sign regulations contained in Part 10 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Special approvals are required for freestanding signage within floodplains and for sign location exceptions.

## Full detail

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

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