# Sign Regulations in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bethlehem-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13352133#13352133)

## At a glance

Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania regulates 19 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use)s in the AG, RR, CR, IN, LDR, MDR, MHDR, Residential Districts (AG, RR, CR, LDR, MDR, MHDR, IN) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 15 sq ft, with a No sign except official, nameplate, public service, and directional signs within 5 ft of or projecting over street ROW; no sign within accessory side/rear setback unless abutting commercial/industrial lot. setback (Sec. § 275-162B(2), § 275-161A). Most commercial signs in Bethlehem Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AG, RR, CR, IN, LDR, MDR, MHDR, Residential Districts (AG, RR, CR, LDR, MDR, MHDR, IN) | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| GC, PC, Commercial Districts (GC, PC) | 9 | 18 ft (GC, PC) | see temporary sign table § 275-156A | — |
| NC | 5 | 10 ft | see temporary sign table § 275-156A | — |
| LI, LI(P), GI, OB, Industrial/Business Districts (LI, LI(P), GI, OB) | 7 | 10 ft | see temporary sign table § 275-156A | — |
| LI | 1 | 80 ft from natural ground | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### AG, RR, CR, IN, LDR, MDR, MHDR, Residential Districts (AG, RR, CR, LDR, MDR, MHDR, IN)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front wall of the structure only | — | § 275-162B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | No sign except official, nameplate, public service, and directional signs within 5 ft of or projecting over street ROW; no sign within accessory side/rear setback unless abutting commercial/industrial lot. | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 275-162B(2), § 275-161A |
| Sign advertising major residential development | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Outside of future right-of-way lines; satisfy sight distance requirements § 275-171C | Up to 3 | At up to three of the major entrances to the development from exterior streets; not within any right-of-way | — | § 275-159B, H |
| Exempt Signs | — | Varies by type (e.g., nameplate/ID 2 sq ft, directional 4 sq ft, public service 2 sq ft, home occupation 2 sq ft) | — | — | see § 275-157 | — | — | § 275-157, § 275-162A(1) |
| Temporary Signs | — | 4 sq ft (most in residential, see table in § 275-156A) | — | — | see § 275-156A | — | — | § 275-156, § 275-162A(2) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 275-157J, § 275-162D |

### GC, PC, Commercial Districts (GC, PC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (One Principal Use, Per Wall) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall | Limited to wall of principal use | — | § 275-163A(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Principal Uses, Per Establishment) | — | — | — | — | 2 per establishment | Each building face | — | § 275-163A(4)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Large Commercial Building Bonus) | — | 80 sq ft each, total per face 15% of bldg face | — | — | — | Commercial buildings >75,000 sq ft | — | § 275-163A(4)(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use) | 18 ft (GC, PC) | 32 sq ft | — | See location requirements § 275-153 | 1 (or 2 if >300 ft road frontage) | Per street frontage | — | § 275-163A(3)(b), § 275-161A |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Principal Uses) | 18 ft (GC, PC) | 50 sq ft (or 80 sq ft for two signs if >300 ft frontage or >10 establishments) | — | — | 1 (or 2 if >300 ft or >10 establishments) | Per street frontage | — | § 275-163A(4)(b), § 275-161A |
| Signs on Mobile Stands | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use or lot | Not within road right-of-way; not creating hazard | — | § 275-163C |
| Exempt Signs | — | Varies by type (see residential districts) | — | — | see § 275-157 | — | — | § 275-157, § 275-163A(1) |
| Temporary Signs | — | see temporary sign table § 275-156A | — | — | see § 275-156A | — | — | § 275-163A(2) |

### LI, LI(P), GI, OB, Industrial/Business Districts (LI, LI(P), GI, OB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 2 per establishment | — | — | § 275-164D |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 275-164E, § 275-161A |
| Sign Identifying Major Development | 8 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Not within right-of-way; must satisfy sight distance requirements | up to 3 | At major entrances | — | § 275-159B, H |
| Directional Business Sign (for projects 100+ acres, within development) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per intersection | At intersections within commercial/industrial/office development | — | § 275-159I |
| Exempt Signs | — | Varies by type (see residential districts) | — | — | see § 275-157 | — | — | § 275-157, § 275-164A |
| Temporary Signs | — | see temporary sign table § 275-156A | — | — | see § 275-156A | — | — | § 275-164B |
| Signs on Mobile Stands | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 275-164F |

## Prohibited signs in Bethlehem Township

- No person shall place or erect any sign on any Township property except as specifically allowed (see § 190-2).
- No sign except official signs, nameplate signs, public service signs and directional signs shall be erected within five feet of or project over any existing and/or future street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with sight distance requirements.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
- No sign shall be located within a required side or rear setback for an accessory structure, except along lot lines that abut a commercially or industrially used or zoned lot (other than a street right-of-way).
- No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner, except for certain temporary exempt signs.
- No sign shall be erected within public rights-of-way unless officially authorized.
- Banners, flags, spinners, pennants or any moving object used for a commercial advertising purpose are prohibited, except as specifically exempted.
- Flashing, electronically changing message, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited, except those portions which indicate only time and temperature changes, with exceptions for digital/electronic signs where permitted.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information stating or implying that property may be used for any unpermitted use are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or likely to confuse or distract drivers are prohibited.
- Outlining rooflines, doors, windows or wall edges by illuminated neon light tubing for advertising is prohibited.
- Signs using reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing, blinking, twinkling or electronically changing messages are prohibited, except as otherwise permitted.
- Signs or displays with words or images that are obscene, pornographic, or highly offensive to public decency are prohibited.
- Balloons tethered to the ground or structure greater than five cubic feet for advertising are prohibited, except as special sale signs.
- Any sign on a mobile stand, other than as provided by specific regulation, is prohibited.
- Floodlights and lasers are permitted only as special sale signs.
- Signs in any district must be constructed of durable materials and be kept in good condition and repair; dilapidated signs may be removed by the Township at the owner's expense.
- Signs advertising a use or product no longer available must be removed or changed within 90 days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bethlehem Township

- Official signs are not regulated in any form by the sign ordinance.
- Nameplate signs: not to exceed two square feet; maximum of one per lot.
- Identification signs: not to exceed two square feet; maximum of one per lot.
- Directional signs: not to exceed four square feet.
- Memorial or historic markers approved by Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, or a state or federal agency.
- Public service signs: not to exceed two square feet; maximum of two per lot.
- Temporary signs as defined in § 275-156, provided they meet timing and size requirements and none may be illuminated.
- Trespassing signs, private road/driveway/premises signs, signs prohibiting or controlling hunting/fishing: not to exceed two square feet and not closer than 25 feet to each other per lot.
- Signs physically carried by a person.
- Home occupation signs: not to exceed two square feet and one per lot or use; illumination limited to residential-type lighting.
- Signs not visible from a public street or exterior property line.
- Officially required signs: those with only government-required information.
- Very small signs: less than one square foot in area, unreadable from public street or property line.
- Window signs not of a permanent nature, provided other requirements are met.
- Decorations for recognized holidays, provided posted not more than 20 (or 60 for Christmas) days prior, and removed within 10 days after event.
- Flags of any nation or government and up to two additional cloth flags per lot up to 10 square feet each.
- Signs within right-of-way of a public street when officially authorized.
- On Township property: official signs, physically carried signs (free speech), polling place election signs (with timing limits), and signs permitted by Parks and Recreation under Chapter 170.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit under this article shall be required for all signs allowed in any zoning district except for exempt signs listed in § 275-157.
- A sign permit is required for signs on mobile stands (§ 275-163C).
- Any signs to be associated with a proposed conditional use or special exception use are reviewed/approved at the time of review of the use (i.e., a sign plan is reviewed as part of conditional/special exception applications; see § 275-165).
- Signs for major developments (see § 275-159) reference the need for approved subdivision/land development plans for certain types of development signs.
- A variance or special exception may be required from the Zoning Hearing Board for peculiar circumstances or signs not otherwise permitted (see § 275-166F regarding off-premises signs by special exception).

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

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