# Sign Regulations in Cambria Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cambria Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/cambria-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36980737#36980737)

## At a glance

Cambria Township, Pennsylvania regulates 33 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the I-L, I-H zoning district are capped at Max: building height + 10 ft, but not over 18 ft above grade for freestanding, or 30 ft if attached. tall and No sign over 60 sq ft., with a Same as above. setback (Sec. §27-716, §27-717). Most commercial signs in Cambria Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 60 sq ft per sign (Industrial Districts) | — |
| R-SH | 8 | Bottom of sign max 2 ft above ground grade. | 18 sq ft (for all signs combined) | — |
| R-MH, R-MHP | 9 | Bottom of sign max 2 ft above grade. | 18 sq ft | — |
| MX-VC | 9 | Not to exceed height of building or 28 ft, whichever greater. | 18 sq ft | — |
| C-G, C-H | 7 | Not to exceed building height or 28 ft, whichever higher. | No individual sign over 40 sq ft. | — |
| I-L, I-H | 8 | Max: building height + 10 ft, but not over 18 ft above grade for freestanding, or 30 ft if attached. | No sign over 60 sq ft. | — |
| O-C, AG | 7 | Bottom of sign max 2 ft above grade. | 18 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-MH, R-MHP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Residential dwelling, parks and playgrounds) | — | 6 sq ft (for all signs combined) | — | 4 ft from property line if no sidewalk; 3 ft from sidewalk. | Depends on max area. | No sign shall be closer than 4 ft to a property line if no sidewalk exists; no closer than 3 ft from the inside edge of existing sidewalk. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Residential over 3 units, apartments) | — | 4 sq ft per unit/8 sq ft per building | — | Same as above. | Depends on max area. | Same as above. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Bus shelters, public utility, open spaces) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on max area. | Same as above. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Minor-impact home based businesses and day care) | — | 12 sq ft (includes 6 sq ft for residential use) | — | Same as above. | Depends on max area. | Same as above. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Cemeteries, churches, etc.) | — | 18 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on max area. | Same as above. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Freestanding Sign | Bottom of sign max 2 ft above grade. | — | — | Same as above. | — | On lot, subject to setback. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Projecting/Building Mounted Sign | — | — | Maximum 2 ft extension out, minimum 9 ft above ground/sidewalk. | — | — | From building, at least 9 ft above ground/sidewalk. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |
| Reflective Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted. | — | §27-711, §27-712 |

### MX-VC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Residential dwelling) | — | 6 sq ft per unit (single & duplex) | — | 4 ft from property line if no sidewalk; 3 ft from sidewalk. | Depends on maximum total area. | No closer than 4 ft to property line if no sidewalk, or 3 ft from the inside edge of existing sidewalk. | — | §27-713 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Multi-household/apartments) | — | 4 sq ft per unit / 8 sq ft per building (for parking/exit/entrance) | — | Same as above. | Depends on maximum total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-713 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Bus shelters, essential services, open spaces, parks) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on maximum total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-713 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Parking facilities, minor-impact home based business) | — | 12 sq ft (includes 6 sq ft residential use) | — | Same as above. | Depends on maximum total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-713 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Child day care, funeral homes, health services, retail, boarding/lodging, public use) | — | 18 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on maximum total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-713 |
| Freestanding Sign | Not to exceed height of building or 28 ft, whichever greater. | — | — | Same as above. | — | On lot, subject to setbacks. | — | §27-713 |
| Projecting/Building Mounted Sign | — | — | 2 ft extension out; at least 9 ft above ground/sidewalk. | — | — | From building, at least 9 ft above ground. | — | §27-713 |
| Reflective Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted. | — | §27-713 |

### I-L, I-H

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Bus shelters, essential services, parking facilities, etc.) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 12 ft from property line if no sidewalk; 5 ft from sidewalk. | Depends on max total area. | No sign shall be closer than 12 ft to property line if no sidewalk; or 5 ft from inside edge of sidewalk. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Towers & wireless telecom) | — | 18 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on max total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Automotive services, medical labs, storage, etc.) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Same as above. | Depends on max total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Permanent and Temporary Signs (Assembly, freight, etc.) | — | Lineal feet of building frontage (see §27-706). | — | Same as above. | Depends on max total area. | Same as above. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Freestanding Sign | Max: building height + 10 ft, but not over 18 ft above grade for freestanding, or 30 ft if attached. | No sign over 60 sq ft. | — | Same as above. | — | On lot, subject to setback. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Projecting/Building Mounted Sign | — | 30 sq ft, where permitted. | 4 ft extension out, min 9 ft above sidewalk. May not extend past centerline of sidewalk. | — | — | On building. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Reflective Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |
| Traffic Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As determined by Zoning Officer. | — | §27-716, §27-717 |

## Prohibited signs in Cambria Township

- No person, firm, corporation or organization shall affix any poster, sign, notice, billboard or similar item to any public utility pole, sign pole or post, fire hydrant, tree, public building or any structure in any public place in the Township without first obtaining a permit (unless otherwise exempted).
- All signs that are not expressly permitted under this chapter are prohibited in the Township.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this Part, shall be forfeited to the Township and subject to confiscation.
- No sign may remain affixed beyond the period specified in the permit.
- Payment of a fine for a violation does not grant approval to erect a sign.
- No sign shall be located within a public right-of-way.
- No sign shall extend over onto the public sidewalk or right-of-way.
- No sign shall be located in the 'clear-sight triangle' of a corner lot if exceeding 3½ feet in height above finished paved area at center of roadway.
- No sign may be constructed of non-durable materials, left in disrepair, or allowed to become dilapidated.
- No sign shall be left up when the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply; signs must be removed.
- Signs with moving devices or intermittent or flashing lights are not permitted.
- No sign may impede foot traffic, including temporary displays of business 'sale' or 'specials' signs that may not be set more than 1 foot away from the wall of the building.
- No sign may be located on public property without permission from the owner thereof.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or relocated.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be altered except for safety improvements, maintenance, or to bring into conformance.
- No right to technological upgrades for nonconforming signs; such upgrades are treated as new signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cambria Township

- Signs erected or required by local, State, or Federal government.
- On- or off-site signs erected for public information, safety, or direction by any public utility.
- Temporary signs such as real estate for sale or rent, political candidate signs, auction, yard or item for sale signs, and common temporary residential signs (e.g., birth announcement, graduation party) for a maximum of seven consecutive days within 90 days.
- Temporary signs for retail business establishments running a special sale/event for a very limited time only.
- Holiday signs and decorations with no commercial message.
- Traffic control signs on private property, such as 'stop' or 'yield' and similar signs, provided they meet Pennsylvania DOT standards and contain no commercial message.
- A conforming sign may be repaired, repainted, removed for repair and re-mounted, or replaced with an identical sign without any permits.
- Replacing a temporary nonconforming sign with an identical temporary nonconforming sign does not require a permit.
- A legal, nonconforming sign may be repaired, repainted, or removed for repair and then re-mounted without a zoning permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Application for a sign permit must include the length of time for which the permit is requested, the name of the responsible party, and any other information deemed necessary by the Township.
- Permit applications are to be processed within two weeks upon receipt of a written request and payment, provided the sign conforms to all code provisions.
- A permit is required for any sign unless exempted in § 27-702 or other portions of this Part.
- Replacing a permanent, nonconforming sign with an identical permanent, nonconforming sign does require a zoning permit.
- Replacing a sign with a non-identical sign is considered erecting a new sign and may or may not require a zoning permit, depending on type and location.
- No explicit mention of Master Sign Plans or a required sign plan/variance meeting for all signs across all zones in the provided excerpt.

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

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