# Sign Regulations in Caln Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Caln Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/caln-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9321748#9321748)

## At a glance

Caln Township, Pennsylvania regulates 32 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding or Ground Sign (Residential Development, 20 or more units)s in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, Residentially Zoned District zoning district are capped at 10 ft for sign; supporting wall/fence: 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft (Sec. § 155-148D). Most commercial signs in Caln Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | Wall sign may extend above roofline no more than 20% of sign height at point of attachment | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, Residentially Zoned District | 5 | 10 ft for sign; supporting wall/fence: 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-2, I-1 | 1 | 20 ft to bottom edge; 40 ft to top edge | 250 sq ft | — |
| Office Park, Business Park, Medical Research Park, Industrial Park | 3 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Mini Mall | 2 | 20 ft | 60 sq ft (all uses) | — |
| Shopping Center, Shopping Mall | 3 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential District, Nonresidential Zoning District | 5 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft (main face) / 50 sq ft (others) | — |
| Municipal, Governmental, Recreational or Institutional Use | 1 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural Use | 1 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Route 30 Overlay District | 1 | — | 10% of building face area per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign Location | — | — | — | — | — | No sign may be attached to utility poles or trees within street right-of-way. No freestanding sign within 5 feet of R/W or 20 feet of property line unless specified otherwise. No location that obstructs visibility or traffic. | — | § 155-146C |
| General Sign Height | Wall sign may extend above roofline no more than 20% of sign height at point of attachment | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 155-146E |
| Freestanding Sign (location/clearance) | — | — | — | — | — | At least 7 feet clear space between sign and ground if within 20 feet of R/W. | — | § 155-146F |
| Projecting Sign | Max 20 feet, min 8 feet from ground | 20 sq ft per side (single side area); double-faced allowed | — | — | — | Must be building-mounted, perpendicular to wall | — | § 155-146G |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property, 200 ft apart | At least 5 feet from street R/W and all other property lines | — | § 155-146K(1), § 155-151A(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At least 5 feet from street R/W, 20 feet from all other property lines | — | § 155-146K(2) |
| Directional Sign (General) | — | Per chart | — | — | — | Must be approved; outside R/W: min 2 ft from R/W, 10 ft from other property line. | — | § 155-146L |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in R/W, only on property with owner's permission | — | § 155-146M |

### R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, Residentially Zoned District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate or Street Address Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | At least 2 feet from R/W and 5 feet from other property lines | — | § 155-148A |
| Property Control or Restriction Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 155-148B |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling/use | Fixed flat on main wall or in front yard (not within 2 feet of R/W or 5 feet of other property lines) | — | § 155-148C |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Residential Development, 20 or more units) | 10 ft for sign; supporting wall/fence: 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | At least 5 ft from R/W and 20 ft from other property lines; not in clear sight triangle; location as approved by Zoning Officer | — | § 155-148D |
| Directional Sign (interior residential development) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street | 1 per street (interior only) | — | § 155-148E |

### Nonresidential District, Nonresidential Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Parallel Sign | — | 100 sq ft (main face) / 50 sq ft (others) | — | — | 6 per use | On building wall | — | § 155-149A |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Nonresidential) | Max 18 ft/8 ft for ground sign | Per matrix chart and sections above; most single-tenant nonresidential = 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 155-149A, § 155-149B(4) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Mounted to building at right angles, min 8 ft above ground | — | § 155-149A, § 155-146G |
| Directional Sign | — | Per chart (commonly 4 per acre, size/height per § 155-147) | — | — | 4 per acre | — | — | § 155-149A |
| Accessory Sign (Nonresidential) | — | — | — | — | 2 per use | — | — | § 155-149A |

## Prohibited signs in Caln Township

- No sign shall be posted, stapled or otherwise permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within a street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be located, placed or arranged in any manner that interferes with vehicular traffic, including the obstruction of sight distance.
- No ground or freestanding sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle of a street intersection.
- The use of red, green or amber lights on any sign within 200 feet of a street intersection is prohibited.
- The use of intermittent, flashing or animated lighting within 50 feet of a street right-of-way line and 200 feet from specific residential zoning districts is prohibited.
- The use of illuminated signs in residential zoning districts is prohibited unless specifically related to certain institutional or emergency management uses.
- Spinning, animated, twirling or any other moving objects used for commercial advertising purposes, with movement in intervals of less than 30 seconds or one complete rotation within a thirty-second interval, are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or other message-changing devices used for commercial advertising purposes, with changes in intervals of less than 30 seconds, are prohibited.
- Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the highest roofline or upon any structure which extends above the highest roofline of any building are prohibited.
- Wall signs that partially extend above the roofline by more than 20% of the sign height are prohibited.
- Roof signs erected on top of a principal or accessory building are prohibited.
- Balloons, streamers, banner and promotion signs exceeding the provisions of the Code (§ 155-151) are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Signs located on parked vehicles within 50 feet of the street right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs containing vulgar messages or depicting any lewd, pornographic, lascivious or other offensive acts are prohibited.
- Any sign exceeding the provisions for location, placement, type, area, height, clearance, visibility, sight distance, projection, quantity and illumination, as specified within the Code, is prohibited.
- Caution tape or crime scene tape that is not utilized for emergency management purposes is prohibited.
- No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be located in any manner that disrupts or distracts the operator of a motor vehicle.
- No off-premises advertising sign or billboard shall be constructed and erected which resembles any official marker, logo and/or insignia of any governmental entity or other organization without written consent.
- Off-premises advertising signs or billboards containing intermittent flashing, color changes made by electrical energy, animated or motion, scintillating, reflective or moving lighting features or scrolling information are prohibited.
- Off-premises advertising signs or billboards must not contain vulgar or offensive messages.

## Signs exempt from permit in Caln Township

- Traffic control signs, directional signs, traffic signals or other similar signs located within a street right-of-way are permitted if approved by Caln Township and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- Artistic murals depicting scenic, historical, cultural, educational or other similar visual scenes may be painted on the side of a building if approved by the Caln Township Board of Commissioners and are aesthetic and socially acceptable.
- Real estate signs for the selling, renting or leasing of residential and nonresidential properties are permitted if they meet size, spacing, location and timing requirements.
- Property control or restriction signs not exceeding two square feet and not containing irrelevant personal messages are permitted.
- Temporary signs may be permitted, provided they are not considered permanent and comply with the Code.
- Special event or promotional signs may be permitted, provided they are not considered permanent and comply with the Code.
- Special use signs may be permitted, provided they are not considered permanent and comply with the Code.
- Political signs are permitted, subject to size, placement, and timing restrictions.
- Business and advertising signs within a sports facility or venue promoting youth sports are permitted with restrictions.
- Directional signs within residential developments are permitted under certain conditions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permits are required for all signs unless otherwise specified in the Code (§ 155-146A).
- Two complete permit applications must be submitted for all signs (§ 155-146A(1)).
- Sign permit applications must include plans and diagrams drawn to scale showing dimensions, locations, type, construction, materials, and installation method (§ 155-146A(2)).
- No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the regulations unless a variance is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board (§ 155-146A(4)).
- If a dispute regarding interpretation arises, an appeal may be filed with the Zoning Hearing Board (§ 155-145B, § 155-147C).
- A sign plan (including plot plan for special event signs) is required as part of certain permit applications (§ 155-146A(2); § 155-151B(5)).
- Permit applications for off-premises advertising signs or billboards must include signed and sealed plans from a licensed engineer (§ 155-150D(1),(4)), and three sets of plans and diagrams (§ 155-150F(2)-(3)).
- A special event sign permit is required for each sign used to advertise any special event, requiring property owner/lessee application and establishment of dates, times and duration (§ 155-151B(11)).
- Banner permit applications for banners across public streets must be submitted at least 45 days in advance and approved by the Board of Commissioners (§ 155-151D(1)).

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

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