# Sign Regulations in Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/buckingham-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.buckinghampa.org/media/2736/zon-ord-final-as-amended-to-092221.pdf#page=219)

## At a glance

Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania regulates 55 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Off Premises Advertising Sign (PC-1 and PI only)s in the PC-1 District; PC-2 District; PI District; PI-2 District zoning district are capped at 30 ft overall (including supporting structure) tall, Up to 100 sq ft face area; max 10 ft height x 15 ft length per face, and 15 ft (face length limit) wide, with a Within buildable area; comply with district area requirements; height measured from natural grade. setback (Sec. Section 3207.E(1)-(11); Section 3202.I(5)). Most commercial signs in Buckingham Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 6 sq ft per side | — |
| Agricultural Districts; Residential Districts (R-1 through R-9); Village Residential Districts; MHP Districts | 15 | Freestanding: 6 ft max height | 24 sq ft | — |
| Planned Business & Residential District; VR-3 District | 2 | Freestanding: 6 ft | — | — |
| I Institutional District | 7 | 12 ft to top of sign from ground level | 20 sq ft per side | — |
| VC-1 District | 6 | Freestanding signs under Section 3203: 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| VC-2 District; VC-3 District; LC District | 14 | Freestanding signs under Section 3203: 6 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — |
| PC-1 District; PC-2 District; PI District; PI-2 District | 11 | Freestanding signs under Section 3203: 6 ft | Up to 100 sq ft face area; max 10 ft height x 15 ft length per face | — |
| NVO Neighborhood Village Office Districts | 5 | 4 ft above surrounding ground | 24 inches by 8 inches (1.33 sq ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Agricultural Districts; Residential Districts (R-1 through R-9); Village Residential Districts; MHP Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sale or Rental Sign (On-Premises) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | — | On the premises being sold or rented. | — | Section 3203.B(1)-(2); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Temporary Development/Sales Sign (Builder/Developer) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | — | On premises under development/sale. | — | Section 3203.C(1)-(2); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Temporary Civic/Social/Political/Fundraising Sign (Not otherwise described) | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | Township-wide cap: 7 per event/cause | As permitted by zoning officer; must comply with setbacks. | — | Section 3203.F(1)-(3); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Professional/Home Occupation/Name Sign (Residential) | — | 3 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 per permitted use or dwelling unit | On the dwelling/property. | — | Section 3203.H(1)-(2); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Temporary Mechanics/Contractors/Artisans Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 per mechanic/contractor/artisan | On premises where work is being performed. | — | Section 3203.I(1)-(3); Section 3213.A.2.d; Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Temporary Agricultural/Horticultural Product Sale Sign (On-Premises) | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 on the lot where sales occur | On the lot where products are sold. | — | Section 3203.K(1)-(3),(6); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Temporary Agricultural/Horticultural Product Sale Sign (Off-Premises) | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | Township-wide cap: 7 off-premises signs per establishment | Off-premises with written permission of the property owner where the sign is placed. | — | Section 3203.K(1)-(5); Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |
| Sign Advertising Nonresidential Uses (Where permitted as principal or valid non-conforming) | Freestanding: 6 ft max height | 12 sq ft per side | — | Freestanding must comply with general setbacks. | As permitted per use; general one-sign rule may be superseded by this allowance. | On the lot of the nonresidential use. | — | Section 3203.L(1)-(3); Section 3203.M; Section 3203 (intro, illumination) |

### VC-2 District; VC-3 District; LC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs permitted by Section 3203 (where the referenced use is permitted) | Freestanding signs under Section 3203: 6 ft | — | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | — | On-premises. | — | Section 3206.A |
| Total Sign Area Allocation (Individual Use on Individual Lot) | — | 20 sq ft total (cap after formula) | — | — | Up to 3 separate signs within total area | On the individual lot; applies only where the use does not share a lot or common building entrance. | — | Section 3206.B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Lot) | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 per lot | On-premises. | — | Section 3206.B(2)(a)-(b) |
| Entrance Signs (Joint Use of a Lot) | 4 ft above surrounding ground | Total of both signs combined: 15 sq ft; each sign no more than 10 ft long and 18 inches high | — | Must comply with general setbacks and visibility. | 2 (one on either side of driveway) | At joint driveway entrance(s). | — | Section 3206.D(1) |
| Directory Sign (Joint Use of a Lot) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 | Freestanding within the development. | — | Section 3206.D(2) |
| Building Directory Sign (Joint Use of a Lot) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 2 per building (front and rear) | Mounted on the building (front and rear). | — | Section 3206.D(3) |
| Freestanding Sign substitution (Uses E28 and E29 only) | 8 ft | Up to 24 sq ft (not to exceed the size of the plaque sign otherwise permitted) | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | Substitution of 1 freestanding for 1 plaque sign | On the individual establishment’s lot/building frontage. | — | Section 3206.D(9)(a)-(b) |
| Building Entrance Directory Sign (LC District only) | — | Up to width 36 inches and height 40 inches | 36 inches | — | Max 2 per front building entrance | Attached to the building at the main entrance to interior offices/establishments (LC only). | — | Section 3206.D(10) |

### PC-1 District; PC-2 District; PI District; PI-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs permitted by Section 3203 (where the referenced use is permitted) | Freestanding signs under Section 3203: 6 ft | — | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | — | On-premises. | — | Section 3207.A |
| Total Sign Area Allocation (Individual Use on Individual Lot) | — | As computed by formula; building sign also capped at 60 sq ft by separate limit. | — | — | Up to 3 separate signs within total area | On the individual lot; applies only where the use does not share occupancy of a lot or a common building entrance. | — | Section 3207.B(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Lot) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 per lot | On-premises. | — | Section 3207.B(2)(a)-(b) |
| Directory Sign (Joint Use of a Lot) | 8 ft | Up to 40 sq ft per side | — | Must comply with general setbacks. | 1 | Freestanding on the lot. | — | Section 3207.D(1) |
| Building Directory Sign (Joint Use of a Lot) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 2 per building (front and rear) | Mounted on the building. | — | Section 3207.D(2) |
| Window or Building Wall Signs (Joint Use of a Lot - per establishment) | — | 15% of wall area | — | — | 2 per individual use | On the wall/window of the individual use. | — | Section 3207.D(3) |
| Directional Signs (Joint Use of a Lot) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | As specified by access/entrances | At every point of access into the lot and at entrances to parking areas. | — | Section 3207.D(4); Section 3213.A.2.e |
| Off Premises Advertising Sign (PC-1 and PI only) | 30 ft overall (including supporting structure) | Up to 100 sq ft face area; max 10 ft height x 15 ft length per face | 15 ft (face length limit) | Within buildable area; comply with district area requirements; height measured from natural grade. | Max 1 structure per zoning lot; up to 2 faces back-to-back | Only in PC-1 and PI Districts; must be within the buildable area of the lot per applicable setbacks. | — | Section 3207.E(1)-(11); Section 3202.I(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Buckingham Township

- No more than one sign shall be placed on any property held in single and separate ownership, unless the property fronts more than one public street, in which case one sign may be erected on each street frontage (Section 3202.A).
- Signs may be placed only on the same lot as the use or establishment to which the sign relates, unless specifically permitted off-premises by this Ordinance (Section 3202.B).
- No sign shall be placed so as to cause danger to traffic, obscure views, interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic control device, or be located in a clear sight triangle (Section 3202.C).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 15 feet of the edge of the cartway or curb or be located within, or project over, the legal right-of-way of any street or road (Section 3202.D.1).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 10 feet of a side lot line, except as specifically permitted (Section 3202.D.2).
- No sign shall be placed on Township property except for signs installed or required by the Township (Section 3202.D.3).
- No sign along a state road or right-of-way may violate PennDOT regulations (Section 3202.D.4).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within a parking space or fire lane (Section 3202.D.5).
- Signs over two square feet are considered structures and must comply with the Zoning Ordinance, Municipal Building Code, and other applicable Township regulations (Section 3202.E).
- Prohibited signs (Section 3202.F): flashing, rotating, or revolving signs (except barber poles); novelty signs including objects such as tires, automobiles, food products, pennants, banners, balloons, bulletin boards, and animated signs; roof signs; any sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights; signs attached to a tree or utility pole, or painted on rocks or natural features; any banner or sign across a public street or on private property unless approved by the Board of Supervisors for general municipal benefit or public convenience/necessity/welfare; any sign suspended between poles that is a pennant or spinner; any sign imitating an official traffic sign, signal, or device; vehicles or trailers parked to display advertising visible from a right-of-way; any sign not conforming to the sign ordinance in effect when erected; any sign implying a property use not permitted by zoning for that property; any sign visible outside a structure containing neon or other gases in exposed tubes; lighting outlining building edges; backlit signs that do not comply with Section 3201.D.2.
- All permanent signs must be professionally lettered and neatly displayed (Section 3202.G).
- Interior neon signs (or similar) shall not be visible from any public road or adjoining property (Section 3202.H, and reinforced by Section 3202.F.12).
- Illumination restrictions applicable to all signs (Sections 3201.D and 3202.I): externally lit signs must use white or clear light only, use fully shielded fixtures, have non-visible light sources, and avoid horizontal or vertical light spill; internally illuminated signs must use white or clear internal light sources; no red, green, or yellow illuminated signs; no flashing, intermittent, or moving lights; internally illuminated signs must use dark backgrounds with light letters; illuminated signs facing an occupied dwelling unit in agricultural or residential districts are prohibited within 200 feet; all signs must comply with Section 3016 Lighting.
- No sign shall be erected containing information that states or implies a property use not permitted by the Zoning Ordinance for the zoning district (Section 3202.F.11).

## Signs exempt from permit in Buckingham Township

- Items not considered signs and therefore outside this Article: merchandise, pictures, or models of products/services in a window display; holiday decorations customarily displayed without business advertising; works of art or constructs that do not promote a product, service, premises, business, location, event, organization, or activity (Section 3201.A, 'A sign does not include').
- Interior signs placed more than 12 inches from the interior surface of a window are not regulated by this Ordinance; however, neon (or similar) signs shall not be visible from any public road or adjoining property (Section 3202.H).
- Permit-exempt sign types (a zoning permit is not required), subject to applicable size and placement regulations in Sections 3202 and 3203 (Section 3213.A.2): official highway, traffic control, and street signs; temporary signs advertising the sale or rental of a property; trespassing signs; temporary signs of mechanics and contractors; directional and public service information signs; signs placed inside a building more than 12 inches from a window or door; temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates for election.
- Changing movable parts of an approved sign designed for such changes, or repainting/reposting display matter, is not deemed an alteration and does not trigger a new permit, provided original approval conditions are not violated (Section 3213.A).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required prior to the erection, structural repair, alteration, or relocation of any sign; applications must include a plot plan (showing all existing structures, including signs), a sketch of design and lettering, and construction plans with loads, stresses, anchorage, and relevant engineering data (Section 3213.A).
- Work authorized by a sign zoning permit must commence within one year of permit issuance or the permit becomes null and void (Section 3213.A.1).
- Detailed plans showing supporting structural members and foundations must be submitted to the Building Inspector for approval before a permit is issued; an engineer’s seal may be required when deemed necessary to public safety (Section 3209.B).
- The Building Inspector will inspect every sign for which a permit is required within 10 days after work is completed (Section 3213.B).
- Any sign intended to be used or included in any development or plan of building or development submitted to the Township must be identified in the plan, including the sign’s location, size, materials, and purpose (Section 3213.D).
- Development entrance signs or walls must have design and location approved with the development plans; removal is required upon project completion and initial sale of units unless the Board of Supervisors approves retention; escrow is required to ensure removal (Section 3202.J).
- No explicit 'Master Sign Plan' terminology or variance meeting requirement is stated in the provided text; however, signs must be shown and detailed within broader development plan submissions per Section 3213.D.

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

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