# Sign Regulations in Ben Avon Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ben Avon Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/ben-avon-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31607037#31607037)

## At a glance

Ben Avon Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 21 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Single-family residential zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 20 sq ft (Sec. §2000-420.5.1.2, Table 1008.1.2). Most commercial signs in Ben Avon Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-HC | 2 | — | — | — |
| MV, C-NC | 1 | — | — | — |
| Single-family residential | 8 | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family residential | 8 | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential in a residential zone | 7 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-Use | 16 | 32 ft | 180 sq ft | — |
| Transportation | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 4 sq ft (residential), 16 sq ft (all other zones) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Single-family residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 3 sq ft (aggregate area per street frontage) | — | — | — | Per street frontage of single-family residence | — | §2000-420.5.1.1, Table 1008.1.1(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | See Spacing | 1 per subdivision entrance (spacing per subdivision entrance) | — | §2000-420.5.1.2, Table 1008.1.2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | No more than two per street entrance | Per street entrance and interior | — | §2000-420.5.1.3 |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | One per lot | — | §2000-420.5.2.1, Table |
| Development & Construction Sign | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | One per lot | — | §2000-420.5.2.2, Table |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | One per entrance | — | §2000-420.5.2.1, Table |
| Development & Construction Sign - Subdivision | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | One per entrance, or one on a lot to be built upon | — | §2000-420.5.2.2, Table |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | All districts, including public areas/ROW (unobstructed, not impeding traffic/visibility) | — | §2000-420.5.2.6 |

### Multiple-family residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 5 sq ft (aggregate area per street frontage) | — | — | — | Per street frontage of residential complex | — | §2000-420.5.1.1, Table 1008.1.1(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway | 1 per driveway | — | §2000-420.5.1.2, Table 1008.1.2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | No more than two per street entrance | Per street entrance and interior | — | §2000-420.5.1.3 |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | One per residential lot | — | §2000-420.5.2.1, Table |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | One per entrance | — | §2000-420.5.2.1, Table |
| Development & Construction Sign | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | One per lot | — | §2000-420.5.2.2, Table |
| Development & Construction Sign - Subdivision | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | One per entrance or one lot to be built upon | — | §2000-420.5.2.2, Table |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | All districts, including public areas/ROW (unobstructed, not impeding traffic/visibility) | — | §2000-420.5.2.6 |

### Commercial, Industrial, Mixed-Use

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (0-100 ft Setback) | — | — | — | 0 to 100 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone | — | Building wall per street front | — | §2000-420.5.1.1, Table 1008.1.1(2) |
| Wall Sign (101-300 ft Setback) | — | — | — | 101 to 300 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone | — | Building wall per street front | — | §2000-420.5.1.1, Table 1008.1.1(2) |
| Wall Sign (Over 301 ft Setback) | — | — | — | Over 301 ft from road or adjacent commercial/industrial zone | — | Building wall per street front | — | §2000-420.5.1.1, Table 1008.1.1(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 32 ft | 180 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage, 150 ft spacing | — | §2000-420.5.1.2, Table 1008.1.2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | Not more than 2 per street entrance | Per street entrance/interior | — | §2000-420.5.1.3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | In lieu of freestanding sign on any street frontage | — | §2000-420.5.3.3 |
| Real Estate Sign | 8 ft (building); 12 ft (vacant land) | 6 sq ft (sale/lease in building); 20 sq ft (vacant land ≤10 acres); 100 sq ft (vacant land >10 acres) | — | — | 1 per store/street front | Sale/lease: 1 per store front; Vacant land: 1 per street front | — | §2000-420.5.2.1 Table |
| Development & Construction Sign | 12 ft | 20 sq ft (≤5 acres), 35 sq ft (>5 acres) | — | — | 1 per street front | One per street front | — | §2000-420.5.2.2 Table |

## Prohibited signs in Ben Avon Borough

- No signs may be erected and maintained in any District unless in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance and any and all other ordinances and regulations of joint ordinances or regulations of the Tri-Borough communities.
- No sign shall exist unless kept in good condition and repair, and not allowed to become dilapidated. Each sign shall be removed within 30 days when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply.
- Advertising signs are prohibited except in C-HC, as hereafter regulated.
- Business signs are prohibited except MV, C-NC and C-HC as hereinafter regulated.
- No sign shall be erected closer than five feet from any underground utility line. Underground utilities shall be confirmed through PA-One Call prior to erection.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Except as provided for elsewhere in this code, signs encroaching on or overhanging public right-of-way are prohibited. Signs shall not 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 have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property is prohibited unless the primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs, such signs are magnetic, decals or painted on an integral part of the vehicle as designed by the manufacturer and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle, and the vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed, and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.
- Vehicles and trailers are not to be used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public.
- Balloons, streamers or pinwheels are prohibited except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event, not more than 20 days in any calendar year.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ben Avon Borough

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official are exempt.
- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments are exempt.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones where cut or carved into a masonry surface, or made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure are exempt.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school, is exempt.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations are exempt.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain are exempt.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and that do not exceed six square feet in area are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding eight acres in size, such as shopping centers or planned industrial parks, are required to submit a master sign plan to the code official prior to issuance of new sign permits.
- The master sign plan must establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits and must address, at a minimum: proposed sign locations, materials, type of illumination, design of free-standing sign structures, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage including directional and informational signs.
- Applications for sign permits for signage within a multiple-occupancy development complex must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Any amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) within the development complex before such amendment will become 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 8 zoning districts in Ben Avon Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ben+Avon+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ben-avon-borough

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