# Sign Regulations in Athens Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Athens Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/athens-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37474173#37474173)

## At a glance

Athens Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single-family Residential)s in the Residential Zone zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 2 sq ft (one side), 4 sq ft (two sides) (Sec. §540-86H). Most commercial signs in Athens Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone | 11 | 12 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zone | 9 | 30 ft | 50 sq ft (one face), 100 sq ft (two faces) | — |
| Industrial Zone | 9 | 30 ft | 50 sq ft (one face), 100 sq ft (two faces) | — |
| Nonresidential Zone | 5 | 6 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| Business District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft total, 10 sq ft per side (2 sides) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-family or Two-family, Nameplate, Identification, or Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft (one face), 4 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | §540-86E |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-family Residential) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft (one side), 4 sq ft (two sides) | — | — | 1 | 1 per subdivision entrance | — | §540-86H |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple-family Residential) | 12 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 6 units, not to exceed 3 | 1 per driveway | — | §540-86H |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential in Residential Zone) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft (one side), 4 sq ft (two sides) | — | — | 1 | 1 per subdivision entrance | — | §540-86H |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft (single residential lot), 12 sq ft (two faces), 6 sq ft per subdivision entrance | — | — | 1 per lot or subdivision entrance | On lot or at entrance | — | §540-86G |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance; unlimited interior | At lot entrances or interior of lot | — | §540-86D |
| Development or Construction Sign | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot or entrance | On lot or subdivision entrance | — | §540-86I |
| Personal Expression Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (one side), 48 sq ft (two sides) | 4 ft x 6 ft per side | — | — | Private property with owner consent | — | §540-86M(3)(c)-(e) |

### Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (0-300 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone) | — | 40 sq ft (one face), 80 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | §540-86E; §540-86B |
| Wall Sign (over 301 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone) | — | 50 sq ft (one face), 100 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | §540-86E; §540-86B |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 40 sq ft (one face), 80 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | 1 per every 200 ft of frontage | 1 per every 200 ft of frontage | — | §540-86H |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft (building), 18 ft by 24 ft, up to 6 ft (vacant land) | 6 sq ft (in building), 32 sq ft (vacant land ≤10 acres), 100 sq ft (vacant land >10 acres) | — | — | 1 per street front | On building or land for sale/lease | — | §540-86G |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance; unlimited interior | At entrances, interior lots | — | §540-86D |
| Development or Construction Sign | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front for project | — | §540-86I |
| Special Promotion, Event, Grand Opening Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §540-86J |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | On window | — | §540-86Q |

### Industrial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (0-300 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone) | — | 40 sq ft (one face), 80 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | §540-86E; §540-86B |
| Wall Sign (over 301 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone) | — | 50 sq ft (one face), 100 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | §540-86E; §540-86B |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 40 sq ft (one face), 80 sq ft (two faces) | — | — | 3; 1 per every 200 ft of frontage | 1 per every 200 ft of frontage | — | §540-86H |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft (building), 18 ft by 24 ft, up to 6 ft (vacant land) | 6 sq ft (in building), 32 sq ft (vacant land ≤10 acres), 100 sq ft (vacant land >10 acres) | — | — | 1 per street front | On building or land for sale/lease | — | §540-86G |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance; unlimited interior | At entrances, interior lots | — | §540-86D |
| Development or Construction Sign | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front for project | — | §540-86I |
| Special Promotion, Event, Grand Opening Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §540-86J |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | On window | — | §540-86Q |

## Prohibited signs in Athens Borough

- Any sign erected must conform to the provisions of the International Building Code and other applicable local ordinances or regulations.
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of any street line or within any public way, unless specifically authorized.
- Signs projecting over public walkways are only permitted subject to code-defined projection and clearance limits or must have a minimum height of eight feet from grade level to the bottom of the sign.
- Signs, architectural projections, or sign structures projecting over vehicular access areas must conform to minimum height clearance requirements imposed by the jurisdiction.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location where it may interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Every permitted sign must be maintained in good condition and repair. Unsafe or unlawfully installed, erected or maintained signs must be repaired or removed upon written notice by the Code Official.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Except as allowed elsewhere, signs encroaching upon or overhanging public rights-of-way are prohibited. No sign may be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Signs that blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to resemble traffic safety signs/lights or municipal vehicle warnings are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Signs attached to, or placed on, vehicles or trailers parked on public or private property are prohibited unless (a) the vehicle is not primarily for display of signs, (b) the sign is an integral part of the vehicle design, (c) vehicle is operable and used in the daily function of the business, (d) only one 'for sale' sign per vehicle per twelve months, (e) vehicles/trailers are not used primarily as static displays or storage/distribution points.
- Balloons, streamers or pinwheels are prohibited except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event (for not more than 20 days in any calendar year).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain signs (including personal expression signs) on or in public buildings, public parks, public lawns, vehicles, trees, shrubs, fences, walls, traffic signs or fire hydrants.
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any sign on private property without the property owner's consent.
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any sign so as to create a visibility hazard to pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
- No sign shall be posted within a street right-of-way except for government, PennDOT, public utility, or nonprofit organization signs approved by Borough or PennDOT.
- No sign may be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled or otherwise attached to utility poles, trees, fences, rock, fire hydrants, or unauthorized walls without proper authorization.
- No sign may be placed, erected or posted that is not allowed under the current Sign Ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Athens Borough

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs, and building cornerstones when cut or carved into masonry or made of noncombustible material as part of a building or structure.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution (such as a school).
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise, provided there is no direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising and do not exceed six square feet in area.
- Personal expression sign exemptions: flags, pennants, banners; signs for sports teams (including school, college, professional); holiday decorations for secular or religious holidays; artistic expressions in lawn ornaments/monuments (unless political); and government recognition for veterans.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required for all landlord or single-owner-controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding eight acres in size, such as shopping centers or planned industrial parks. The plan must be submitted to the Code Official prior to issuance of new sign permits.
- The master sign plan must address sign locations, materials, illumination type, design of freestanding sign structures, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage.
- All sign permit applications for signage within a multiple-occupancy development complex must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) in the development complex before becoming effective.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Athens Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Athens+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-athens-borough

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