# Sign Regulations in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bellefonte, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bellefonte
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-20
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16149516)

## At a glance

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania regulates 12 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground/Monument Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall, 25 square feet single face / 50 square feet double faces, and 10 feet in any direction on face wide, with a Behind property line setback (Sec. § 575-124D). Most commercial signs in Bellefonte require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 25 feet | 25 square feet single face / 50 square feet double faces | — |
| Low-Density (Suburban) Residential Zone, Medium-Density (Town) Residential Zone | 1 | — | 1 square foot | — |
| High-Density (Multifamily) Residential Zone | 2 | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — |
| Heavy Industrial District (HI), Village Commercial District (VC), Central Business District (CBD), Waterfront Business District (WBD) | 6 | 25 ft | 25/50 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC) | 7 | 25 ft | 75 sq ft single / 150 double | — |
| Historic District | 8 | 25 ft | 25/50 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | Included in premises limit of 3 (+1 for corners) | Attached directly to or painted on building wall | — | § 575-124C; § 575-123I, H |
| Projecting or Bladed Sign | — | 6 square feet per side | 3 feet horizontal projection | — | 1 per premises (+1 for each public way on corners) | Projects from and supported by building wall; if over sidewalk/ROW, bottom at least 7.5 feet above sidewalk | — | § 575-124A |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 20 feet | 25 square feet single face / 50 square feet double faces | 10 feet in any direction on face | Behind property line | 1 per premises (+1 for corners/public ways) | Behind property line; permitted in building setback area | — | § 575-124D |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 25 feet | 25 square feet single face / 50 square feet double faces | 10 feet in any direction on face | Behind property line | 1 per premises (+1 for corners/public ways) | Behind property line; permitted in building setback area | — | § 575-124E |
| Mural/Public Art | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior wall of building | — | § 575-124B |
| Shopping Center Sign | As per type | As per ground/monument or pole/pylon limits | — | Behind property line | 1 per entrance/public way | For center name only | — | § 575-124J |

### Highway Commercial District (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | Included in 3 | Building wall | — | § 575-124C; § 575-124F(4) |
| Projecting or Bladed Sign | — | 6 sq ft/side | 3 ft | — | 1 (+1) | Wall, min 7.5 ft | — | § 575-124A |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 20 ft | 25/50 sq ft | 10 ft | Behind | 1 | Behind line | — | § 575-124D |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 25 ft | 25/50 sq ft | 10 ft | Behind | 1 | Behind line | — | § 575-124E |
| LED/LCD Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 75 sq ft single / 150 double | 15 feet | Behind line | 1 per premises | Behind property line, in setback ok | — | § 575-124F |
| Mural/Public Art | — | — | — | — | — | Wall | — | § 575-124B |
| Shopping Center Sign | Per type | Per type | — | — | Per | Center areas | — | § 575-124J |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | Included in 3 | Traditional facade locations; not obscuring features | — | § 575-126B; § 575-124C |
| Projecting or Bladed Sign | — | 6 sq ft/side | 3 ft | — | 1 (+1) | Wall, min 7.5 ft over sidewalk; traditional location | — | § 575-126B(2)(g); § 575-124A |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 20 ft | 25/50 sq ft | 10 ft | Behind | 1 | Behind line; traditional if applicable | — | § 575-126A(2); § 575-124D |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 25 ft | 25/50 sq ft | 10 ft | Behind | 1 | Behind line | — | § 575-126; § 575-124E |
| Mural/Public Art | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall; complements design, not obscure features | — | § 575-124B; § 575-126B(2)(h) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Over door/entrance/window | — | § 575-126B(2)(f) |
| Plaque | — | — | — | — | — | Wall or surface | — | § 575-124H; § 575-126B(2)(d) |
| Banner | Min 15 ft above | 4 ft x 65 ft | 65 ft length | — | — | Across streets at approved locations (Spring/W High, etc.) | — | § 575-124K; § 575-126B(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Bellefonte

- Signs that incorporate flashing or moving illumination, varying intensity or color, visible moving parts, or apparent movement, except when not visible from public roadways (hanging signs that swing in wind, clocks, time/temperature signs, and barber poles excepted if compliant)
- Unshielded light sources casting light on signs visible off the property
- Signs or structures hazardous to public health, safety, or welfare, including those impeding sight distance, in public rights-of-way, or obstructing street views from windows
- Signs obstructing drivers' vision or traffic control devices
- Signs obstructing fire escapes, doors, windows, or exits
- Signs using words like 'Stop', 'Danger', etc., that mislead or confuse traffic
- Signs on public property or rights-of-way unless by governmental body, and no commercial advertising allowed
- Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by trees, utility poles, stones, cliffs, or natural objects
- Searchlights, stringed pennants, spinners, and streamers except for grand openings or special events with permission (limited to 15 days)
- Roof signs
- Billboards not permitted in any district

## Signs exempt from permit in Bellefonte

- Property identification signs (name and address of resident, no commercial advertising, ≤1 sq ft single-faced, ≤2 sq ft double-faced)
- Property use signs (e.g., 'no trespassing', ≤2 sq ft, ≤1 per 20 ft lot frontage)
- Real estate signs (≤5 sq ft in residential/CBD, ≤16 sq ft commercial/industrial; remove within 10 days of sale/lease; off-premises ≤10 days for open houses)
- Community bulletin boards for public/charitable/religious institutions (≤25 sq ft single-faced, ≤50 sq ft double-faced)
- Directional/incidental signs (e.g., traffic/parking, <4 sq ft, no commercial advertising)
- Governmental signs (e.g., traffic, safety, no commercial advertising)
- Memorial signs/historic tablets (≤1 sq ft)
- Flags, pennants, insignia of government/religious/charitable/fraternal organizations
- Special events signs (≤25 sq ft, remove within 24 hours after event, erect no sooner than 3 weeks before)
- Residential development subdivision signs at entrances (≤25 sq ft, no commercial advertising)
- Religious institution signs identifying places of worship (≤25 sq ft single-faced, ≤50 sq ft double-faced; off-property ≤6 sq ft, not on trees/utility poles)
- Recreation facility signs (≤25 sq ft, no commercial advertising)
- Garage/yard sale signs (≤5 sq ft, on property only, erect 24 hours before, remove 24 hours after)
- Political signs (≤6 sq ft, not on trees/utility poles)
- Decals (≤24 sq inches)
- Community event signs (≤2 sq ft per entrance, remove after event)
- Temporary signs (≤30% of display window/public entrance area, ≤10 sq ft per sign, ≥10 sq ft minimum; feather signs in commercial outside Historic; daily use allowed if up during business hours; ≤10 ft height; other temporary ≤28 consecutive days, ≤84 days/year, 14-day break)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits required for all signs except those enumerated in § 575-123E; applications must include plans, specifications, and fees
- In Historic District, permanent signs require certificate of appropriateness from HARB/Council before permit issuance; murals/public art subject to HARB review and certificate
- Home occupation, bed-and-breakfast, and historic markers/plaques require HARB/Zoning Administrator approval if in Historic District
- Temporary banners across streets require approval and compliance with specific installation rules
- LED/LCD signs require building permit for new electrical/construction; limited to Highway Commercial District post-adoption
- Appeals, variances, or interpretations handled by Zoning Hearing Board per Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code
- Shopping centers limited to one ground/pole sign for center name; individual businesses follow general provisions, no master sign plan mentioned
- Any unlisted sign reviewed by Zoning Administrator; alterations treated as new signs requiring approval

## 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 Bellefonte — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bellefonte+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bellefonte

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