# Sign Regulations in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bethel Park, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bethel-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-24
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29464597#29464597)

## At a glance

Bethel Park, Pennsylvania regulates 37 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Multi-Family Dwelling)s in the R-1 One-Family Dwelling District (R-1), R-2 One-Family Dwelling District (R-2), R-3 One-Family Dwelling District (R-3), R-4 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-4), R-5 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-5), Conservation District (CD) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 12 sq ft, and 8 ft length (max overall length of sign structure) wide, with a Not in a required side setback and not within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. setback (Sec. §69.53D.1.1(d), (l), (a)). Most commercial signs in Bethel Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 One-Family Dwelling District (R-1), R-2 One-Family Dwelling District (R-2), R-3 One-Family Dwelling District (R-3), R-4 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-4), R-5 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-5), Conservation District (CD) | 12 | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), Professional-Service District (C-3), Office-Commercial District (C-4) | 10 | 20 ft | No more than 50% of the glazing of any window may be covered. | — |
| General Commercial District (C-2), Manufacturing, Light Industrial District (M) | 5 | 30 ft (measured from ground to top of sign) | 100 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Floodway District (FW), Floodway Fringe (FF), General Floodplain District (FA) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport Hazard District (AD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Highway Overlay Zone (HO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Open Space Overlay District (OS) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Oxford Drive Overlay Zone (ODO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 32 sq ft (where permitted by district/use) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### R-1 One-Family Dwelling District (R-1), R-2 One-Family Dwelling District (R-2), R-3 One-Family Dwelling District (R-3), R-4 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-4), R-5 Multiple-Family Dwelling District (R-5), Conservation District (CD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | Not in a required side setback and not within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. | One wall sign per home occupation. | On the premises; not in required side setback; not within 10 feet of ultimate ROW. | — | §69.53D.1.1(e), (b), (a) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Family Dwelling) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not in a required side setback and not within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. | One wall sign per multi-family dwelling. | On the premises; not in required side setback; not within 10 feet of ultimate ROW. | — | §69.53D.1.1(d), (b), (a) |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Family Dwelling) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | 8 ft length (max overall length of sign structure) | Not in a required side setback and not within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. | One monument sign per multi-family dwelling. | On the premises; not in required side setback; not within 10 feet of ultimate ROW. | — | §69.53D.1.1(d), (l), (a) |
| Monument Sign (Residential Subdivision Entrance) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | 8 ft length (max overall length of sign structure) | Not specified beyond general residential setback prohibition (not in required side setback; not within 10 feet of ultimate ROW). | One monument sign per entrance. | At each entrance in connection with a residential subdivision plan. | — | §69.53D.1.1(f), (l) |
| Bulletin Board (Place of Worship/Assembly) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One bulletin board per street frontage. | One per street, at place of worship/assembly. | — | §69.53D.1.1(g) |
| Monument Sign (Care Facilities/Senior Housing/Day Care) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | 8 ft length (max overall length of sign structure) | Not in a required side setback and not within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. | One monument sign per lot. | Per lot. | — | §69.53D.1.1(i), (l) |
| Monument Sign (Municipal or Bethel Park School District Property) - Non-EMC | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | 8 ft length (max overall length of sign structure) | — | One monument sign per street. | One per street for Municipal or Bethel Park School District property. | — | §69.53D.1.1(j), (l) |
| Monument Sign (Municipal/School/Place of Worship) - EMC/Digital Component | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (maximum area of the monument sign when it includes EMC/digital display) | 8 ft length | — | — | On the premises of places of worship/assembly, Bethel Park School District properties, and municipal properties. | — | §69.53D.1.1(m); §69.53E.1 |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1), Professional-Service District (C-3), Office-Commercial District (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Portable or Inflatable) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises. | — | §69.53D.1.2(b); §69.53E.3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Per Lot) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft | — | Freestanding sign may project to ultimate ROW with required clearances; otherwise not in required side or rear yard. | One freestanding or monument sign per lot. | Anywhere on the premises except as restricted; may project up to the ultimate ROW with clearance and traffic compliance. | — | §69.53D.1.2(c), (h)(3)(b), (j)(1)-(2) |
| Monument Sign (Per Lot) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | Must not be located in a required side yard, rear yard, or within 10 feet of the ultimate ROW. | One freestanding or monument sign per lot. | Anywhere on the premises except as restricted. | — | §69.53D.1.2(c), (i)(1) |
| Pole Sign (Per Lot) - Clearance Standards | 20 ft (freestanding/pole sign height limit) | 48 sq ft (same maximum area as freestanding sign per lot) | — | Not in required side or rear yard; may project to ultimate ROW with required clearances. | One pole or monument sign per lot. | Anywhere on the premises except in required side or rear yards. | — | §69.53D.1.2(h)(2)-(3); §69.53D.1.2(i)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Business Elevation Facing Front or Side Yard) | — | Up to 32 sq ft, but not to exceed 10% of the gross area of the elevation. | — | — | Up to two wall signs per business. | On elevations facing the front or side yard area. | — | §69.53D.1.2(d), (h)(1) |
| Drive-Through Facility Signs | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to two additional signs per permitted drive-through facility. | Attached to a building or freestanding; must be positioned so as not to interfere with or restrict vehicular circulation or visibility. | — | §69.53D.1.2(e) |
| Residential Development/Subdivision Sign - Option 1 | — | 32 sq ft per face (one sign) | — | Ground signs must be located at least 10 feet back from the ultimate ROW. | One sign per entrance. | Placed at the entrance of the development; may be placed at each entrance when more than one entrance exists. | — | §69.53D.1.2(f), (h)(4) |
| Residential Development/Subdivision Sign - Option 2 | — | 16 sq ft per sign (two signs) | — | Ground signs must be located at least 10 feet back from the ultimate ROW. | Two signs (each 16 sq ft). | Placed at the entrance(s) of the development. | — | §69.53D.1.2(f), (h)(4) |

### General Commercial District (C-2), Manufacturing, Light Industrial District (M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business Elevation Facing Front or Side Yard) | — | Up to 32 sq ft, but not to exceed 10% of the gross area of the elevation. | — | — | Up to two wall signs per business. | On elevations facing the front or side yard area. | — | §69.53D.2.3 |
| Wall Sign (No Front/Side Elevation - Smallest Exterior or Interior Wall) | — | — | — | — | Up to two wall signs per business. | On smallest exterior elevation or smallest interior wall elevation when no elevation faces front or side yard. | — | §69.53D.2.3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Per Lot) - Area Scales with First-Floor Building Area | — | — | — | — | One freestanding sign per lot. | Per lot. | — | §69.53D.2.4 |
| Window Signs | — | No more than 50% of the glazing of any window may be covered. | — | — | — | Inside window of nonresidential structures. | — | §69.53D.2.5(a)-(d) |
| Billboard / Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign (Conditional Use) | 30 ft (measured from ground to top of sign) | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | At least 50 ft from road intersections; ≥300 linear ft from residential properties as specified. | — | Must not be within 300 linear feet of the property line of a parcel with a residential land use designation or residential use that adjoins on the same street and is within the line of sight of the billboard face; must be at least 50 feet from all road intersections. | — | §69.53D.2.6(a)-(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Bethel Park

- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered, or maintained except in conformance with this article.
- Signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless authorized under this chapter and constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required.
- Placing signs on public property or within a public right-of-way except in conformance with this article is prohibited (unauthorized signs are subject to confiscation).
- No sign shall be placed so as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic by obscuring views or interfering with official street signs or signals.
- No sign may occupy a sight triangle.
- Signs and their supporting structures may not interfere with surface or underground utility or communications lines or equipment.
- Abandoned signs are unlawful (as regulated elsewhere in the code).
- Snipe signs are prohibited; attaching signs to utility poles is only allowed if in conformance with state/utility regulations and this chapter.
- Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs, are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs, flashing signs, and signs that flash text or graphics are prohibited.
- Pennant strings, streamers, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners, and similar moving devices (including signs that may move or swing from wind) are prohibited unless specifically permitted by other legislation.
- Any sign whose size, location, movement, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or that hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal, is prohibited.
- Signs may not prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor prevent free access across a roof; no sign other than a safety sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or that contain open flames are prohibited.
- Signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating beacon lighting are prohibited.
- Any banner or sign suspended across a street without permission of the owner of the property and the road is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Murals are prohibited.
- Original art displays without the property owner's permission (graffiti) are prohibited.
- Portable signs that do not comply with this chapter’s location, size, or use restrictions are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bethel Park

- Traffic control devices on private or public property erected and maintained to comply with PennDOT Publication 236 (Manual of Approved Signs).
- Up to two address/name signs with no commercial advertising; address numerals must be visible from the public street; size limits: max 3 sq ft in residential districts and 5 sq ft in nonresidential districts; if the building is not visible, place identifier on a mailbox or similar device visible from the street.
- Warning/prohibition signs (e.g., danger, no trespassing): in residential districts max 2 sq ft; in nonresidential districts one sign up to 5 sq ft, any additional warning signs up to 2 sq ft each.
- Signs or emblems of religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organizations up to 4 sq ft.
- One “private drive” sign per driveway entrance, max 2 sq ft.
- Flags: residential—up to 2 flags and 1 flagpole (each flag max 15 sq ft; pole max 25 ft or no higher than the roof peak; meet principal building side/rear setbacks). Nonresidential—1 flag per 25 ft of ROW frontage up to 6 flags/poles (each flag max 24 sq ft; poles max 50 ft or roof height; meet principal building yard setbacks or minimum 10 ft, whichever is more restrictive). Small flags at vehicle sales/service: one per vehicle, max 1 sq ft, no higher than 2 ft above the vehicle height.
- Nonilluminated personal expression signs (including flags) up to 3 sq ft per side.
- One temporary sign on a property during construction by a contractor (max 32 sq ft) or when offered for sale/lease (max 8 sq ft); must be removed within 15 days of sale/lease or upon completion of the work.
- One temporary sign on the owner’s property on days the property is open to the public for events such as garage/yard sales; in residential districts limited to 12 days per year, with no more than 3 consecutive days (rolling 12-month count).
- Holiday and seasonal decorations.
- Military banners and military yard banners purchased through the Bethel Park Military Banner Program.
- Incidental signs, including incidental window signs.
- Vehicle signs, provided they are covered if the vehicle remains parked on the same property for more than 72 hours so the sign is not visible from the ultimate right-of-way.
- Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of public or court officers in the performance of official duties.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before the display, erection, replacement, or modification of any sign, unless specifically exempt.
- Sign permit applications are filed with the Zoning Officer; approval is granted if the application complies with this chapter, the UCC, and other applicable laws; rejections must include written reasons.
- A nonrefundable permit fee is required per the municipal fee schedule.
- Permit duration: installation must occur within 6 months of permit issuance (30 days for temporary signs) or the permit becomes void; permits may be revoked for materially false information, nonconforming installation, legal violations, or if the sign is not properly maintained or is abandoned.
- Illuminated signs require an electrical permit if applicable; power must be concealed/underground; an independent certification of compliance with brightness standards is required as a condition precedent to permit issuance.
- Physical alteration of a sign or its supporting structure is treated as construction of a new sign and requires zoning approval.
- Billboards/off-premises advertising signs require conditional use approval and are allowed only in the C-2 and M districts subject to specific standards.
- No master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is specified in the provided text.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Bethel Park — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bethel+Park+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bethel-park

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bethel-park