Sign Regulations in Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania
Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Official Traffic Sign, Real Estate Sign, Construction/Development Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Birmingham Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Sign, Home Occupation Sign, Nameplate Sign | — | 200 square inches | — |
| Identification Sign | — | 20 square feet | — |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Birmingham TownshipFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
30
- Official Traffic Sign
- Real Estate Sign
- Construction/Development Sign
- Professional Sign, Home Occupation Sign, Nameplate Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Birmingham Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Birmingham Township vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Birmingham Township, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Birmingham Township, regulated sign types include Official Traffic Sign, Real Estate Sign, Construction/Development Sign, Professional Sign, Home Occupation Sign, Nameplate Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Birmingham Township vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Birmingham Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Birmingham Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding/Ground Sign (Single Use, C-1, C-2, C-2A)s in the Highway-Commercial District (C-1), Heavy Commercial District (C-2), Limited Highway-Commercial District (C-2A), Historic Commercial District (C-H) zoning district are capped at 15 feet tall and 50 square feet per face, with a 15 feet from side/rear boundary, 15 feet from cartway of Route 202. setback (Sec. §122-90(B)(1)(a)-(h)). Most commercial signs in Birmingham Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Birmingham Township (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District (R-A, A-RT), Residential District (R-1, R-2), Historic District (H), Eleemosynary-Institutional District (E-1) | 10 | 6 feet | 200 square inches | — |
| Highway-Commercial District (C-1), Heavy Commercial District (C-2), Limited Highway-Commercial District (C-2A), Historic Commercial District (C-H) | 17 | Top of sign no higher than 35 ft from ground level. | 128 square feet per face (max 2 faces) | — |
| Historic Overlay District | 3 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Bottom of sign 8 feet above curb/grade | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Birmingham Township(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Agricultural District (R-A, A-RT), Residential District (R-1, R-2), Historic District (H), Eleemosynary-Institutional District (E-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Sign, Home Occupation Sign, Nameplate Sign | — | 200 square inches | — | — | 1 per premises or dwelling unit | On premises or dwelling unit. | — | Unlock | §122-89(B) |
| Identification Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises, 1 per street frontage if applicable | On premises for subdivisions, planned residential developments, multifamily developments, farms, schools, churches, hospitals and similar permitted uses (not individual dwellings). | — | Unlock | §122-89(C) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises for sale/lease; one per street frontage if it's a corner lot. | — | Unlock | §122-89(D) |
| Construction/Development Sign | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises undergoing development/subdivision | — | Unlock | §122-89(E) |
| On-Site Directional Sign, 'No Trespassing' Sign, Private Driveway Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | §122-89(F) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Churches, Schools) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | §122-89(G) |
| Off-site Directional Sign (Real Estate) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | Max 2 per use | Not on advertised premises, for real estate direction. | — | Unlock | §122-89(I) |
| Political Sign | 6 feet | 8 square feet total per property (no individual sign >4 sq ft) | — | — | — | Private property; not on public property except polling places (Election Day) | — | Unlock | §122-89(J) |
Highway-Commercial District (C-1), Heavy Commercial District (C-2), Limited Highway-Commercial District (C-2A), Historic Commercial District (C-H)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Single Use, C-1, C-2, C-2A) | 15 feet | 50 square feet per face | — | 15 feet from side/rear boundary, 15 feet from cartway of Route 202. | 1 per structure/use | Along Route 202 or main frontage (see below for shopping center variation) | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(1)(a)-(h) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Shopping Center, 5+ acres) (C-1, C-2, C-2A) | 22 feet | 105 square feet per face, up to 300 sq ft total including structure | — | 15 feet from side/rear boundary, 15 feet from cartway of Route 202. | 1 per shopping center | Along Route 202 or as main development sign | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(1)(c), (e), (f) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Single Use or Shopping Center, C-H) | 15 feet for single use; 22 feet for large shopping center | 20 square feet per face; 50 square feet per face for shopping center 5+ acres | — | 15 feet from side/rear boundary. | 1 per center or use | Main frontage | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(1)(c), (e) |
| Wall Sign (C-1, C-2, C-2A, C-H) | Top of sign no higher than 35 ft from ground level. | — | — | — | 1 per frontage per use | One per street frontage; applies to single-use and each use in multi-use buildings. | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(2)(a)-(f) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign (With Wall Sign) | — | 16 square feet | — | Lowest edge at least 7 feet above ground. | 1 per use/tenant | Affixed to awning or canopy, on premises | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(5) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign (No Wall Sign) | — | 24 square feet | — | Lowest edge at least 7 feet above ground. | 1 per use/tenant | Affixed to awning or canopy, on premises | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(5)(d) |
| Public Service Sign (Conveniences) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 2 per establishment | On lot where public convenience provided | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(7)(a)-(b) |
| Billboard Sign (C-1, C-2, C-2A Only) | 15 feet (6 feet clearance under sign) | 128 square feet per face (max 2 faces) | — | 40 ft side/rear, 30 ft from Route 202 ROW, 500 ft from other billboard, 120 ft from intersecting street ROW. | 1 per lot | On individual lot; not closer than 40 ft from side/rear lines, 30 ft from Route 202 R.O.W, 500 ft from another billboard, 120 ft from intersection; not within clear-sight or safe-stopping zone. | — | Unlock | §122-90(B)(10) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Name Sign | Bottom of sign 8 feet above curb/grade | — | — | — | — | At all intersections, visible from both directions and as close to the cartway or curb as practical without overhanging. | — | Unlock | §103-39 |
| Snow Emergency Route Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Placed along designated highways as required. | — | Unlock | §115-32 |
| Sign (General) | — | — | — | 15 feet from street edge unless otherwise noted | — | All signs must not be closer than 15 ft to edge of a cartway except as specified for residential real estate signs (may be up to 10 ft from cartway if not in legal R.O.W.) | — | Unlock | §122-88A(1)-(7) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Birmingham Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Birmingham Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Birmingham Township
- No poster or sign shall be posted or sign erected on any street sign, traffic control device, structure, shade tree or any public building, property or structure, except as may be required by law.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will endanger traffic on the street by obstructing free and clear vision of motorists or pedestrians. Signs shall be located in a position which allows for a clear sight triangle of at least 75 feet at every intersection of two streets or at the intersection of a street and driveway or accessway.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- Unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of the Township, no sign other than official traffic signs shall be erected within the legal right-of-way lines of any public street or public sidewalk.
- No sign shall project over a public walkway, public street or highway.
- No sign shall project above the lowest edge of a roof of a building.
- A sign shall be erected only on the premises on which the use to which the sign relates is conducted except when permitted as a billboard, off-site directional sign or public service sign.
- No stringing of light bulbs or placing of luminaries which create the same effect, no animated signs, no signs that revolve, swing or have movable parts or have flashing lights or reflectors shall be permitted.
- No sign may be illuminated with flashing, intermittent or moving lights.
- Vehicles shall not be parked in public view in any district when their sole purpose is to serve as a sign or advertisement unless authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
- No sign shall utilize sexually explicit or suggestive language or graphics nor any illustration of a human form in a nude or seminude state or any language or graphics which are otherwise offensive to community standards of civility.
- The following signs are unlawful and shall be prohibited: (1) A flashing, rotating or revolving sign, with the exception of barbershop poles. (2) A sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights. (3) A sign suspended between poles consisting of either pennants or spinners. (4) Any sign erected, painted or drawn on a tree or rock or other natural feature except for the numerals of a residential address. (5) Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street. (6) Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter. (7) Inflatable blimp-type signs which are tethered to the ground and float above the property or building being advertised.
- All such posters or signs posted or erected in conformity with this article shall be tied on securely, and in no event shall any poster or sign having an adhesive backing be posted or erected on any surface.
- All such posters or signs posted or erected in conformity with this article shall be removed before the expiration of the license therefor, unless the license is properly renewed before expiration.
- Each and every sign erected pursuant to this article shall be limited to placement upon the lot where the sale or event is to occur, and not more than one sign shall be placed on each road frontage.
- All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair.
- All signs requiring the use of electricity shall be manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the National Electric Code. Listing or certification of compliance by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc., or other approved testing agency shall be acceptable to demonstrate compliance.
- All signs shall be securely mounted or fastened to the building in which they are erected or, in the case of a freestanding/ground sign, must be securely and safely installed in the ground.
- The installation of all nonexempt signs must be approved by the Township.
- No temporary sign shall be illuminated.
- No temporary sign (except temporary commercial event signs) shall be a banner, poster, flag, pennant, balloon or other similar promotional device.
- Temporary signs must specifically comply with the requirements on sign illumination prohibitions.
Exempt Signs in Birmingham Township
- Official traffic signs, official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other official federal, state, county or Township signs are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided that the sign area does not exceed two square feet, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Signs displaying the name and address of the occupant of the premises, provided that the area of any such sign shall not exceed one square foot and not more than one such sign shall be erected for each property held in single and separate ownership unless such property fronts on more than one street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Government flags or insignias not exceeding 80 square feet are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Legal notices are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Window signs indicating the store hours, provided that the total area of such sign or signs does not exceed two square feet, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Memorial signs or historical tablets, provided that such sign or tablet does not exceed four square feet, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone or identifying letter carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are made of a reflective material and do not contrast in color with the building, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Revolving barbershop pole sign, provided that it does not exceed 36 inches in height, is exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Temporary noncommercial event signs advertising a yard sale, garage sale, or 'open house,' provided that they comply with event sign requirements and for open house off-site signs a permit is obtained from the Police Department, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Political signs, provided that they do not exceed four square feet in area and are removed within seven days after the election or referendum, are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Construction/development signs are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Real estate signs are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a sign permit.
- Organizations or nonprofit corporations exempted from or registered under the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, and recognized political organizations conducting political campaigns, are exempt from the license fee for posters/signs under Article II; all other requirements still apply.
- Any person or individual merely proselytizing for either religious or political purposes, distributing religious or political handbills at no cost, or exercising the right to anonymous religious or political speech without soliciting funds or selling goods or soliciting contributions is exempt from the license fee for posters/signs under Article II.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Birmingham Township
- All signs requiring the use of electricity must demonstrate compliance with the National Electric Code (listing or certification by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. or other approved testing agency is acceptable).
- Unless otherwise provided in this article, the installation of all non-exempt signs must be approved by the Township.
- Certain sign types (e.g., billboard signs) require special exception or conditional use approval (as in the case of billboard signs, shopping center signs exceeding specified height/area) involving the Board of Supervisors or Zoning Hearing Board.
- A landscape plan must be submitted to the Zoning Hearing Board as part of the special exception application for billboard signs.
- Sketches of street nameplates, standards and installation and location shall be submitted for the inspection and approval of the Township.
- The information provided in a sign application (including type, description, and area covered by distribution) is considered by the Township Police Department in determining whether to issue a poster/sign permit.
- Open house signs erected off site must obtain a permit issued by the Birmingham Township Police Department.
- All non-exempt signs require Township approval prior to installation (implied requirement for permit submission/review process, but no explicit mention of a 'Master Sign Plan').
Source: ecode360 municipal code