# Sign Regulations in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bristol Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/bristol-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9501915#9501915)

## At a glance

Bristol Township, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Billboards in the C, CS zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 200 sq ft per side (max 400 sq ft for V-type), with a 50 ft from ROW, 100 ft from interstate, 50 ft from side/rear lot lines, 24 ft from any building setback (Sec. §205-165A(6)). Most commercial signs in Bristol Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 200 sq in (~1.39 sq ft) | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, EH | 6 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| CN, P-O, MS | 8 | 10 ft | 30 sq ft (max) | — |
| C, CS | 10 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per side (max 400 sq ft for V-type) | — |
| TC (Overlay) | 8 | 10 ft (freestanding) | 60 sq ft (max) | — |
| M-1, M-2, P-I | 7 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per side (max 400 sq ft for V-type) | — |

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

### CN, P-O, MS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft | 30 sq ft (max) | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | §205-164A(1), (4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of front building wall area | — | — | — | On building | — | §205-164A(2), (4) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 10% of front building wall area (shared) | — | — | — | On canopy/awning, building | — | §205-164A(2)(b), (4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | Projecting from building | — | §205-164A(2)(c), (4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | On marquee of building | — | §205-164A(2)(c), (4) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area | — | — | — | On/in window | — | §205-164A(2)(d), (4) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §205-164A(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 4 per year, 2 at one time | — | — | §205-164B |

### C, CS

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 60 sq ft (max) | — | — | 1 per lot (+ 1 under highway provision) | — | — | §205-165A(1),(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of front wall area or 100 sq ft (whichever less) | — | — | — | On building | — | §205-165A(2),(4) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 15% of front building wall area or 100 sq ft (part of total) | — | — | — | On canopy/awning | — | §205-165A(2)(b),(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | Projecting from building | — | §205-165A(2)(c),(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | On marquee of building | — | §205-165A(2)(c),(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Interstate/PA Turnpike) | 25 ft | 60 sq ft (max) | — | — | — | Along I-95 or PA Turnpike | — | §205-165A(5)(a),(b) |
| Billboard | 20 ft | 200 sq ft per side (max 400 sq ft for V-type) | — | 50 ft from ROW, 100 ft from interstate, 50 ft from side/rear lot lines, 24 ft from any building | — | — | — | §205-165A(6) |
| Temporary Sign | 10 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft | — | — | 4 per year, 2 at one time | — | — | §205-165B |

### TC (Overlay)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 60 sq ft (max) | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | §205-166A(1),(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of front wall area or 100 sq ft (whichever less) | — | — | — | On building | — | §205-166A(2),(4) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 15% of front building wall area or 100 sq ft (part of total) | — | — | — | On canopy/awning | — | §205-166A(2)(b),(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | Projecting from building | — | §205-166A(2)(c),(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal building (projecting OR marquee) | On marquee of building | — | §205-166A(2)(c),(4) |
| Window Sign | — | 15% of total window area | — | — | — | On/in window | — | §205-166A(2)(d),(4) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §205-166A(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 10 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft | — | — | 4 per year, 2 at one time | — | — | §205-166B |

## Prohibited signs in Bristol Township

- No sign shall interfere with traffic through glare or through confusion with a traffic control device (by reason of color, location, shape, wording or other characteristic) or through any other means.
- No sign shall lie within the clear sight triangle as specified in §205-128.
- No sign shall lie within a parking space or parking aisle.
- No sign shall obstruct the sight distance of any vehicle leaving a driveway.
- No sign shall block the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares, including sidewalks, walkways, and pathways.
- No sign shall block or obstruct the entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane to a building.
- No sign shall be erected or installed upon any property owned by the Township without the prior, express permission of the Township given by Council at a duly convened public meeting.
- Signs shall not be located within, nor project into, the ultimate right-of-way of a street regardless of location from sidewalks.
- Signs shall be no closer than 15 feet to a side or rear lot line.
- No off-premises signs shall be located nearer than 100 feet from a residential district.
- The following signs are unlawful and prohibited: Animated signs; Beacons; Portable signs for permanent use; Pennants; Signs containing information that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district in which the property to which the sign relates is located; Signs illuminated by a group of incandescent light bulbs hung or strung overhead or used to outline a sign or structure, with the exception of festive lighting; Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, or painted or drawn on a rock or other natural feature; Roof signs and integral roof signs.
- No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means. Electrical devices and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the National Electric Code and certified by an electrical inspection agency approved by the Township.
- All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or leasee of the property or premises on which it is located.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bristol Township

- Official signs which are authorized or erected by a duly constituted governing body including, but not limited to, signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic; street name signs, legal notices; and warnings at railroad crossings, shall be exempt from regulation under this article.
- Incidental signs (not exceeding 2 square feet) are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a permit.
- Flags representing governmental, educational or religious organizations (with a total area not exceeding 60 square feet) are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a permit.
- Identification signs displaying only the name and/or address of the occupant of a premises (one per property or family not exceeding 200 square inches) are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a permit.
- Building markers or historical signs or tablets (not exceeding 4 square feet per building) are permitted in all zoning districts and do not require a permit.
- Temporary street signs may be erected on the approval of Council but shall be made permanent before final offer for dedication of streets.
- Street name plates, standards, installations, and locations are subject to approval and inspection of the Township Engineer.
- Traffic control and safety signs shall be installed at locations reviewed and approved by the Traffic Safety Officer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Before any permit is granted for the erection of a permanent sign or permanent sign structure, plans and specifications shall be filed with the Township showing required details (dimensions, placement, illumination, materials, construction details, existing signs, etc.).
- Plans for signs with a proposed area greater than 100 square feet shall be prepared and sealed by a structural engineer.
- A building permit must be obtained from the Township before erection of any sign greater than two square feet in area, unless specifically exempted.
- Temporary signs require issuance of a temporary sign permit with sufficient information provided to demonstrate compliance with sign regulations; an escrow deposit is required as a guarantee for prompt removal.
- All signs requiring a permit must annually renew the sign permit and pay an annual fee to the Township.

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

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