# Sign Regulations in Brentwood Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Brentwood Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/brentwood-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29426179#29426179)

## At a glance

Brentwood Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the MUN, CRD, I zoning district are capped at 24 ft max tall and 125 sq ft per sign, with a 15 ft from street ROW, 5 ft from building, 10 ft from side property. +1 ft/10 sq ft over 10 sq ft. setback (Sec. § 210-62F). Most commercial signs in Brentwood Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 6 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| MUN, CRD, I | 13 | 24 ft max | 125 sq ft per sign | — |
| I | 1 | 20 ft (max); bottom edge max 8 ft above adjacent roadway | 300 sq ft (12' x 25') | — |
| MU Mixed Use Zoning District | 8 | — | 50 sq ft (or as calculated) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Placed directly against a building wall. | — | § 210-60A, § 210-60E |
| Bulletin Sign (Instructional or Directional for Institutional Use) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 15 ft from sidewalk or street ROW | 1 per institution | Freestanding; on premises of educational, philanthropic or religious institution. | — | § 210-60B, § 210-60E |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property; max 1 per street | On property advertised for sale, lease, or rent. | — | § 210-60C |
| Pole Sign (Institutional Use only) | — | — | — | 15 ft from street line, unless attached to building | — | — | — | § 210-60F |
| Wall or Ground Sign (R-3 Multiple Family or authorized use) | — | 24 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street ROW (ground sign) | 1 per building | On multiple-family dwelling or authorized use in R-3. | — | § 210-60H |
| Directional Sign | — | — | 5 sq ft (per § 210-57O - definition) | — | — | — | — | § 210-60I; § 210-57O |

### MUN, CRD, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | § 210-61A (Permitted in any residential district and subject to conditions there) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (or as calculated) | — | — | — | Front or side wall of building; face projects max 12 in. from wall; if flush, no minimum height. | — | § 210-61B |
| Freestanding Sign (No Building On Property) | — | 40 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street ROW | 1 per property (no building) | At least 15 ft from street right-of-way. | — | § 210-61C |
| Wall Plaque | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Extends max 1.5 in from wall. | — | § 210-61D |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Min. 15 ft from property or ROW lines | — | Min. 15 ft from property or ROW lines, on same lot as use. | — | § 210-61F |
| Window Sign (nonresidential, secondary use) | — | Shall not cover more than 25% of glazing per window. Internally illuminated sign limited to 2 sq ft. | — | — | 1 internally illuminated sign per principal use | Inside window of nonresidential uses only. | — | § 210-61G |
| Ground Sign | 24 ft max | 125 sq ft per sign | — | 15 ft from street ROW, 5 ft from building, 10 ft from side property. +1 ft/10 sq ft over 10 sq ft. | 2 per frontage max | Min 15 ft from street ROW, min 5 ft from any building, min 10 ft from side property line. | — | § 210-62F |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 24 ft max | See ground sign area limits. | — | 15 ft from street ROW, 5 ft from building, 10 ft from side property. +1 ft/10 sq ft over 10 sq ft. | — | Same as ground sign. | — | § 210-62F |

### MU Mixed Use Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | § 210-61A, per residential standards. |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (or as calculated) | — | — | — | Front or side wall of building; face projects max 12 in. from wall; if flush, no minimum height. | — | § 210-61B |
| Wall Plaque | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Extends max 1.5 in from wall. | — | § 210-61D |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Min. 15 ft from property or ROW lines | — | Min. 15 ft from property or ROW lines, on same lot as use. | — | § 210-61F |
| Window Sign (nonresidential, secondary use) | — | Shall not cover more than 25% of glazing per window. Internally illuminated sign limited to 2 sq ft. | — | — | 1 internally illuminated sign per principal use | Inside window of nonresidential uses only. | — | § 210-61G |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On front or side portion of awning/canopy. | — | § 210-61H |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Front or sides of marquee. | — | § 210-61I |
| Directional Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Site drive entrances and/or internal traffic drive aisles. | — | § 210-61J, § 210-57O |

## Prohibited signs in Brentwood Borough

- Signs not expressly permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered or maintained except in conformance with the standards, procedures, regulations and requirements contained in the ordinance.
- Prohibited signs in any zoning district include: pennants, flags, or streamers; signs advertising property for sale or rent that lists a use inconsistent with the Zoning Ordinance; signs that resemble any traffic control device; signs that contain obscene or pornographic material, including nonrepair of illegal acts of vandalism; off-premises signs, other than outdoor advertising; roof signs; signs on trees, utility poles, and traffic devices; and signs that are hazardous to public safety.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or which makes use of words, phrases, symbols or characters that may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Signs may not be illuminated by gooseneck reflectors which are attached to the sign.
- Illuminated signs must be nonflashing and nonglaring and must prevent glare and reflection to public streets or adjacent properties.
- All signs must be nonanimated with no exterior moving parts.
- Signs on public property or within a public right-of-way, except in conformance with the ordinance, are subject to confiscation.
- Signs that are hazardous to public safety are prohibited.
- Signs may not be secured with wire, strips of wood, or nails (for wall signs).
- Signs damaged by inclement weather and proven unsafe may not be restored in kind without required engineering data.
- No exterior sign established before the effective date of the ordinance may be altered or moved unless it is made to conform with current provisions, except as otherwise allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Brentwood Borough

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized state and federal holidays.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Memorial/historical plaques.
- Memorial signs and tablets when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other sculptured materials.
- Flags of a government organization or corporate entity.
- Signs authorized by the Borough such as street signs, safety control signs, and traffic control signs.
- Public notice/public warning signs.
- Auction or garage sale signs.
- Address numbering.
- Construction signs (temporary, only during active construction).
- Signs of any type placed on public or parks property by authorization of Brentwood Borough.
- Real estate signs which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions on their own property.
- A-frame (sandwich board) signs on sidewalks, one per premises, not obstructing pedestrian travel, and removed each evening upon closing.
- Signs announcing candidacy for public office, provided they are not installed on utility poles, are not installed more than 60 days before the relevant election, and are removed within five calendar days following the election day.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All applications for permits for construction, installation, maintenance, repair, and/or modification of signs must be submitted to the Borough Zoning Officer for review and approval or denial prior to commencement of any activity.
- A site plan or sketch, drawn to scale, showing the lot and building, the relationship to the proposed sign, and other required information must be submitted with a sign permit application.
- A permit must be obtained from the Borough Zoning Officer prior to construction, alteration, modification, or moving of any exterior sign (except for exempt signs of certain classes, such as real estate for sale/lease signs, name plates, or temporary signs of 1.5 square feet or less).
- No digital sign permit shall be issued unless the applicant submits a written certification from the sign manufacturer regarding light intensity limits and password-protection from end-user manipulation.
- For outdoor advertising signs, the submission of a land development application (including information, maps, plans, narrative, and graphic materials as set forth in the Brentwood Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance) is required as part of the application process.
- The Zoning Officer may require calculations and certifications from an architect or engineer for sign stability in certain cases (e.g., when a sign is over 25 square feet in area, a ground sign is greater than 10 feet tall, or a sign weighs more than 100 pounds).
- Conditional use approval (a type of special approval, often involving a public hearing or variance process) is required for the installation of any digital sign (other than a static alphanumeric display) in the CRD or I Districts.

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

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