# Sign Regulations in Bradford, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bradford, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bradford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9028883#9028883)

## At a glance

Bradford, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Identification for public or semipublic buildings)s in the Conservation District (C-D), Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a See §178-23 for ground sign building line/setback/interference rules. setback (Sec. §220-119A(1), §178-23). Most commercial signs in Bradford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Conservation District (C-D), Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 7 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Medical Center District (M-C), Commercial District (C-1, C-2), Industrial District (M-1, M-2) | 12 | 25 ft (see §178-23B(1)) | Cumulative: 300 sq ft (all wall signs) | — |
| Industrial District (M-1, M-2) (Billboards only) | 1 | 40 ft above curb | 600 sq ft per face, 2 faces per billboard structure | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | see §178-27A(1): no more than 4 ft in one dimension | 500 sq ft per wall sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Conservation District (C-D), Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Identification for public or semipublic buildings) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | See §178-23 for ground sign building line/setback/interference rules. | 1 per building | On property of public/semipublic building (church, school, library, etc.) | — | §220-119A(1), §178-23 |
| Ground Sign (Business identification for legal nonconforming or special exception use) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | See §178-23 for ground sign requirements. | 1 per use | On property of legal nonconforming/special exception use | — | §220-119A(2), §178-23 |
| Ground Sign (Real estate, development, contractor) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On property for sale/rent/development or construction | — | §220-119A(3) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary special event - public/nonprofit buildings) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On face of public/nonprofit buildings | — | §220-119A(4) |
| Ground Sign (Home occupation identification) | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On property of approved home occupation | — | §220-119A(5) |
| Wall Sign (Identification for public or semipublic buildings) | — | — | — | — | 1 per wall | On wall of public/semipublic building | — | §220-119B(1), §178-24 |
| Wall Sign (Business identification - legal nonconforming or special exception use) | — | — | — | — | 1 per wall | On wall of nonconforming or special exception use | — | §220-119B(2) |

### Medical Center District (M-C), Commercial District (C-1, C-2), Industrial District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee, Awning, Canopy | — | — | Marquee: entrance width + 5 ft each side; if entrances ≤20 ft apart, marquee may be continuous | See details for each mounting. | — | Marquee: above entrance; Awning/Canopy: attached to building, over sidewalk/street/driveway | — | §220-120A, §178-28, §178-29 |
| Ground Sign (M-C, C-1) | 25 ft (see §178-23B(1)) | 60 sq ft | — | See §178-23 (no part beyond property line or into ROW) | 1 per lot | On premises | — | §220-120B(2), §178-23 |
| Ground Sign (C-2, M-1) | 25 ft (see §178-23B(1)) | 100 sq ft | — | See §178-23 | 1 per lot | On premises | — | §220-120B(3), §178-23 |
| Ground Sign (M-2) | 25 ft (see §178-23B(1)) | 200 sq ft per sign | — | See §178-23 | 1 per entrance | Each entrance to business | — | §220-120B(4), §178-23 |
| Wall Sign (M-C, C-1) | — | Cumulative: 100 sq ft (all wall signs) | — | — | Multiple, as long as cumulative area ≤ 100 sq ft | Building wall | — | §220-120C(1)-(2), §178-24 |
| Wall Sign (C-2, M-1) | — | Cumulative: 150 sq ft (all wall signs) | — | — | Multiple, as long as cumulative area ≤ 150 sq ft | Building wall | — | §220-120C(3), §178-24 |
| Wall Sign (M-2) | — | Cumulative: 300 sq ft (all wall signs) | — | — | Multiple, as long as cumulative area ≤ 300 sq ft | Building wall | — | §220-120C(4), §178-24 |
| Projecting Sign (C-1) | — | Horizontal: 50 sq ft per side; Vertical: 100 sq ft per side | Projection max 2 ft from wall, min 8 ft above sidewalk, min 15 ft above driveways/alleys | No closer than 3 ft to curbline | 1 per building | One per building, C-1 only | — | §220-120E, §178-26 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General construction/safety) | — | 500 sq ft per wall sign | — | No sign to extend beyond wall/ends. | Not specified (see zone limits on area/quantity) | Attached to building exterior front/rear/side wall | — | §178-24 |
| Ground Sign (General construction/safety) | 25 ft | — | — | No part may extend beyond property line or into ROW or street line; min 2 ft from other sign/building/structure | See zone requirements | On ground, not attached to building | — | §178-23 |
| Temporary Sign (General) | see §178-27A(1): no more than 4 ft in one dimension | 100 sq ft | — | — | See applicable zone | On wall/other property; not to obstruct doors, windows, fire escape | — | §178-27 |
| Awning/Canopy (General requirements) | — | — | Awnings: unlimited width; Canopies: max 8 ft wide | Awnings/canopies 12 in inward from curb | — | Attached to building | — | §178-29 |
| Street Clock (General) | Clock on wall or post: 15-20 ft above sidewalk, see §178-30B. On sidewalk: post at least 15 ft high | — | — | On sidewalk: not more than 20 in from curb, at least 20 ft from intersection, 15-20 ft height | 1 per business per location | On sidewalk (with permission) or attached to building at intersection | — | §178-30 |

## Prohibited signs in Bradford

- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain any sign within the City of Bradford without first obtaining a permit, unless exempted.
- No sign shall obstruct free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be located so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached to trees, utility poles, or official traffic control devices or within the public right-of-way.
- No sign that imitates traffic control devices is permitted.
- No sign shall be erected at street intersections in a manner that obstructs free and clear vision or interferes with, obstructs, or is confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices, or uses misleading words or symbols such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger,' etc.
- No sign shall be located in such a position that it will cause a traffic hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic or obscuring a traffic signal or control device.
- No sign, except official traffic signs, shall be erected or hang over or within the right-of-way of any street.
- No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle as defined by the code.
- No sign or advertising structure may display any obscene matter as interpreted under federal or Pennsylvania case law.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from doors, windows, or fire escapes, or be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs attached to or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers parked on a public right-of-way or property other than the site they advertise, if the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business, are not permitted except for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading, or rendering a service.
- No sign shall be secured with wire, strips of wood, or nails, nor hung or secured to any other sign.
- V-shaped projecting signs consisting of two single-faced signs without a roof or ceiling are not permitted.
- It is unlawful to maintain any sign projecting over public property that is illuminated by floodlights or spotlights.
- Flashing or oscillating signs are not permitted.
- No illuminated sign shall be constructed or maintained that exceeds a maximum of 0.2 footcandle at the property line (for general signs); for billboards, not to exceed 1.0 footcandle on adjoining property.
- Billboards are prohibited outside of M-1 and M-2 Districts and subject to special distance and placement requirements.
- No billboard or sign shall flash or emit noise; display lighting for billboards shall not cause distraction, confusion, nuisance, or hazard to traffic, aircraft, or other properties.
- No sign or advertising structure may be erected, constructed, or maintained that creates a menace to public safety or is unsafe or insecure.
- No advertising shall be placed on any awning or canopy except for the name of the owner/business; said marking is restricted to a designated size.
- No sign shall be permitted to contain loose or frayed material protruding from the structure.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bradford

- Temporary signs not exceeding 12 square feet, provided each sign is removed within 60 days of its erection.
- Identification signs not exceeding three square feet denoting only the name and profession of an owner or occupant.
- Signs painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure, provided they do not have raised borders, letters, decorations, or lighting appliances (if so, such signs are subject to further regulations).
- Bulletin boards not exceeding eight square feet in area advertising or informing of a service, business, occupation, or profession on the property.
- Signs cut into masonry surfaces or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials denoting the name or identifying information of a building or its date of construction.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such emergency or nonadvertising signs as approved by the City Council.
- Noncommercial signs not exceeding 12 square feet placed upon private property by the owner or occupant.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An erection permit is required for almost all signs, which involves submitting detailed plans (blueprints or ink drawings, construction methods, stress calculations, etc.) per §178-3 and §178-4.
- All illuminated signs require plan review and approval by the Electrical Inspector before issuance of the erection permit.
- For projecting signs, marquees, and canopies, plans must be designed by a structural engineer and approved by the Building Inspector for compliance with the Building Code.
- Billboards require submission of structural calculations certified by a registered engineer and advance approval from appropriate agencies (FAA, PennDOT if applicable) prior to the issuance of a sign permit.
- A sign permit application must include all information required by §178-4 and is subject to review and approval; denial requires a written statement citing specific requirements not met.
- Failure to obtain a sign permit is a violation subject to penalties (§178-34, §220-146E).
- Signage that exceeds standard limitations, or involves special exceptions (e.g., oversized projecting signs), may require special permission or approval from the City Council.
- Ongoing inspections are permitted at several stages (prior to installation, after installation, subsequent maintenance, response to complaints, upon modification, or cessation of use).
- All signs (unless specifically exempted) are subject to review and compliance review to ensure conformity with all applicable codes, including Chapter 178 (Sign Regulations) and Article XVI of the Zoning Code.
- There is no reference to a 'Master Sign Plan' or a requirement for a unified or master sign plan for multiple-tenant developments, but detailed erection plans/specifications for each sign are required for the permit.

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

---

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