# Sign Regulations in Avondale Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Avondale Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/avondale-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37862351#37862351)

## At a glance

Avondale Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. P-1 through P-15 (Permanent Signs)s in the Commercial District zoning district are capped at Sign-type specific; e.g., Freestanding: 16 ft (or eave height); Overhead: bottom at least 8 ft above ground, max top at 35 ft or building height. tall, Max per sign: lesser of zone max (50 sq ft per sign face) or individual sign type limit as per §430-97., and Sign-type specific; e.g., Roof Signs (Flat Roof): 10 feet. wide, with a e.g., Freestanding signs outside all right-of-way lines and within business property lines; projecting sign clearance. setback (Sec. §430-101C(1)-(3), §430-97, §430-98, §430-104). Most commercial signs in Avondale Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 64 square feet (total per business use including all primary, secondary, directional, and temporary signs); individual sign areas as per P-11 and P-3, P-7, etc. | — |
| Residential District | 11 | — | 96 square inches (0.67 sq ft) | — |
| Town Center District (TC) | 1 | — | 6 square feet per sign, per use; consolidated signs may use sum (number of uses x 6 sq ft) | — |
| Commercial District | 2 | Varies by sign type (e.g., overhead banner: bottom at least 20 ft above pavement; sandwich/A-frame: max height based on area, not given in ft/in but max 12 sq ft) | Per §430-98; max 50 sq ft per sign face for all (except stricter limits by sign type) | — |
| Industrial District | 2 | Sign-type specific (see §430-97); e.g., Freestanding 16 ft (or eave height), Roof sign up to height of peak. | Max per sign type (per §430-97); e.g., Billboard: 120 sq ft, Freestanding: 30 sq ft, Window: up to 15 sq ft or 25% of window; Projecting: 15 sq ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| P-1, Traffic Signs | — | — | — | — | — | As needed for traffic control. | — | §430-97A, §430-104C, §430-101A(1) |
| P-3, Nameplates | — | 96 square inches (0.67 sq ft) | 20 inches (max dimension) | — | — | At property entrance/dwelling | — | §430-97C, §430-104C, §430-101A(1), §430-101A(3) |
| P-5, Private Property Signs | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | At driveway/property entrance or premises | — | §430-97E, §430-104C, §430-101A(1) |
| P-6, On-site Directional Signs | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On property | — | §430-97F, §430-104C, §430-101A(1) |
| P-7, Home Occupation Signs | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | Only on property where home occupation is engaged. | — | §430-97G, §430-101A(1), §430-101A(3) |
| P-8, On-Site Identification Signs | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Identifying residential subdivisions or developments | — | §430-97H, §430-101A(1), §430-101A(3) |
| T-1: Construction Signs | — | 6 square feet (over 6 sq ft requires permit) | — | — | — | On site where work is occurring. | — | §430-98A, §430-104D, §430-101A(2) |
| T-2: Real Estate Signs (Individual Lots) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On site of property for sale/rent/lease. | — | §430-98B, §430-104D, §430-101A(2) |

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| P-1 through P-15 (Permanent Signs) | Sign-type specific; e.g., Freestanding: 16 ft (or eave height); Overhead: bottom at least 8 ft above ground, max top at 35 ft or building height. | Max per sign: lesser of zone max (50 sq ft per sign face) or individual sign type limit as per §430-97. | Sign-type specific; e.g., Roof Signs (Flat Roof): 10 feet. | Sign-type specific: e.g., Freestanding signs outside all right-of-way lines and within business property lines; projecting sign clearance. | — | On the applicable place per sign type (e.g., window, wall, projecting, freestanding). | — | §430-101C(1)-(3), §430-97, §430-98, §430-104 |
| Temporary Signs (T-1 to T-10) | Varies by sign type (e.g., overhead banner: bottom at least 20 ft above pavement; sandwich/A-frame: max height based on area, not given in ft/in but max 12 sq ft) | Per §430-98; max 50 sq ft per sign face for all (except stricter limits by sign type) | — | — | — | As per permitted temporary sign type (window/lot/sidewalk/etc). | — | §430-98, §430-101C(3), §430-104 |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Permanent Signs (P-1 through P-16) | Sign-type specific (see §430-97); e.g., Freestanding 16 ft (or eave height), Roof sign up to height of peak. | Max per sign type (per §430-97); e.g., Billboard: 120 sq ft, Freestanding: 30 sq ft, Window: up to 15 sq ft or 25% of window; Projecting: 15 sq ft. | Sign-type specific (see §430-97); e.g., roof sign (flat): 10 ft. | Sign-type specific: e.g., freestanding signs outside all right-of-way lines, not in public ROW, clearance for projecting signs. | — | As specified by sign category (e.g., window, roof, freestanding, projecting, etc.). | — | §430-101D(1)-(3), §430-97, §430-104 |
| Temporary Signs (T-1 to T-10) | Per sign type (e.g. banners min 20 ft above pavement) | Per §430-98 by sign type | — | — | — | As allowed for each temporary sign type. | — | §430-101D(3), §430-98, §430-104 |

## Prohibited signs in Avondale Borough

- Signs near the public right-of-way, of such a design and location that obviously interferes with, resembles, competes with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal or traffic sign.
- Any sign located in or extending into a public right-of-way, except those owned or operated by a duly constituted government, and those identified as P-1 signs.
- Any sign within an area bound by the intersection of two or more rights-of-way that obviously restricts vehicle operators' lines of sight.
- Freestanding signs over a public sidewalk.
- Any sign which prevents free physical ingress to or egress from a window, door or fire escape.
- Illuminated signs in any residential district.
- Flashing or oscillating signs after sunset.
- Animated signs, or signs that emit smoke, vapor or noise.
- No sign, including removable political signs and temporary removable yard or garage sale signs, shall be placed on any telephone, electric light, or public utility pole, or upon rocks or other natural features, without the owner's permission.
- Advertising that is painted on or displayed on any structure shall be regarded as an advertising sign and must comply with all sign regulations.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
- Signs may not be allowed to become dilapidated (where repair cost is at or above 35% of current value, or the disrepair is detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the community).
- Any illuminated sign must use nonglaring lights, and all light shall be shielded so that there is no direct light transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way.
- All signs, unless otherwise specified, are subject to the permit and inspection requirements of this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Avondale Borough

- Signs erected by a duly constituted governmental body are exempt from certain requirements.
- Temporary signs advertising community-related events or erected by charitable, nonprofit, or service organizations to advertise events sponsored by them are exempt.
- Sign types P-1 (traffic/governmental signs), P-3 (nameplates), P-5 (private property), and P-6 (on-site directional) are exempt from permit and fee requirements.
- Sign types T-1 (except those exceeding six square feet), T-2, T-5, T-7, and T-10 are exempt from permit and fee requirements.
- "Open" and "closed" signs (max 2 per business, max 3 sq ft each) do not require permits or fees.
- All signs identified as P-2 (public facility identification) or P-4 (historical/memorial markers) are exempt from the fee schedule per square foot but still require a permit.
- Although exempt from permit and/or fee requirements, all signs must conform to the other requirements of the ordinance.
- Approval from the Zoning Hearing Board is required for any exemption not specifically granted.
- Signs not requiring a permit do not require inspection.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permits are required for the erection of all signs, except where specifically exempted elsewhere within this article.
- All sign permit applications must be signed by the owner of the sign and the owner of the property where the sign is to be placed.
- Permit application for signs in all zones shall be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing the exact wording or logo on the sign and its size and location on the building and/or lots.
- For all signs within the Borough, it is required that an application be filed with the Borough Secretary, and written approval must be received from the Zoning Officer prior to erection.
- All persons filing for a permit are liable for removal costs and subject to penalties for violations.
- Signs requiring a permit issued by the Borough shall require inspection and approval by the Borough Code Official.
- Nonconforming signs are governed by separate regulations (§ 430-127).
- Approval must be obtained from the Zoning Hearing Board for any exemption.
- Before repair of a dilapidated sign, a new sign permit application must be submitted and approved.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Avondale Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Avondale+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-avondale-borough

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