Sign Regulations in Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 28 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Real Estate Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Canonsburg Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not to be located more than 12 feet above ground level (General Regulation §142-19P) | Permitted for authorized nonresidential uses only (see other residential sign types for residential uses); one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall sign permitted | — |
| Ground Sign (Residential Plan Identification) | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)); height not specified for subd/tract sign | 24 sq ft (§170-911D(1)); 32 sq ft for subdivision/tract names (§142-16A(8)) | 25 ft from ROW for ground signs (§142-21D); No closer than 40 ft from side/rear yard (§142-21C) |
| Ground Sign (Authorized Nonresidential Use) | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)) | 30 sq ft max (§170-911C(1)(c)) | 25 ft from ROW (§142-21D), 40 ft from side/rear yard (§142-21C), 10 ft if real estate/church/school board (§142-20B) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Canonsburg BoroughFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
28
- Wall Sign
- Real Estate Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Roof Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Canonsburg Borough
Municipal Code4 permit application links available
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Canonsburg Borough, wall signs can be up to Not to be located more than 12 feet above ground level (General Regulation §142-19P). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Canonsburg Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Canonsburg Borough, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Real Estate Sign, Projecting Sign, Roof Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Canonsburg Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Canonsburg Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Canonsburg Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Billboard (OI District only, Conditional Use)s in the C District, Commercial District (C-1), Central Business District (CBD), Mixed Use District (MU) zoning district are capped at 95 ft (§170-911A(3)) tall, 300 sq ft per face, 2 faces max, 20 ft length, 15 ft width (§170-911A(2)), and 20 ft (§170-911A(2)) wide, with a 20 ft from property line, 25-75 ft from street/ROW, 500 ft from other billboards setback (Sec. §170-911A(1)-(9), Table 9.2). Most commercial signs in Canonsburg Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Canonsburg Borough (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 10 | Flagpole max 30 ft (§170-907E(2)) | 40 sq ft for banner (§142-16B(2)(b)); 20 sq ft for other signs | — |
| C District, Commercial District (C-1), Central Business District (CBD), Mixed Use District (MU) | 16 | 95 ft (§170-911A(3)) | 300 sq ft per face, 2 faces max, 20 ft length, 15 ft width (§170-911A(2)) | — |
| Flex Office/Industrial District (OI), Industrial District (I-1) | 10 | 95 ft | 300 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Canonsburg Borough(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not to be located more than 12 feet above ground level (General Regulation §142-19P) | Permitted for authorized nonresidential uses only (see other residential sign types for residential uses); one nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated wall sign permitted | — | — | 1 per authorized nonresidential use | Mounted parallel or perpendicular on building facades (must face street) | — | Unlock | §170-911B(6)(c)[1], §142-19P, §170-906A |
| Ground Sign (Residential Plan Identification) | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)); height not specified for subd/tract sign | 24 sq ft (§170-911D(1)); 32 sq ft for subdivision/tract names (§142-16A(8)) | — | 25 ft from ROW for ground signs (§142-21D); No closer than 40 ft from side/rear yard (§142-21C) | 1 per entrance | At exclusive entrances to subdivision/tract or at development entrance; must not obstruct visibility | — | Unlock | §142-16A(8), §170-911D(1), §170-911C(1)(g), §170-906A |
| Ground Sign (Authorized Nonresidential Use) | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)) | 30 sq ft max (§170-911C(1)(c)) | — | 25 ft from ROW (§142-21D), 40 ft from side/rear yard (§142-21C), 10 ft if real estate/church/school board (§142-20B) | 1 per authorized nonresidential lot | On lot of nonresidential use; not in ROW | — | Unlock | §170-911C(1)(g), §170-911C(1)(b)-(d) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (§170-911E(1)(a), §142-16A(7)) | — | 10 ft from ROW (§142-20B), not in ROW (§142-20A) | 1 per lot | On lot for sale/rent, within property line | — | Unlock | §170-911E(1)(a), §142-16A(7), §170-907L |
| Construction Sign | — | 6 sq ft (§142-16A(9), §170-911E(3)) | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot under construction | — | Unlock | §142-16A(9), §170-911E(3) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign | — | 40 sq ft for banner (§142-16B(2)(b)); 20 sq ft for other signs | — | — | — | On property with owner’s written permission | — | Unlock | §142-16B(2)(b)-(c), §170-911E(5) |
| Flag | Flagpole max 30 ft (§170-907E(2)) | 40 sq ft for governmental, educational, or religious flags (§142-16A(2)); 24 sq ft in residential if general flags (§170-907E(4)) | — | Not in required yard setbacks | 2 per lot | Not in required yard setbacks | — | Unlock | §142-16A(2), §170-907E |
| Plaque/Building Marker/Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft (§142-16A(3), §142-16A(12)), 2 sq ft for public, noncommercial, address, or ‘no trespassing’ signs | — | — | — | On building or mailbox | — | Unlock | §142-16A(3), (12); §170-907J,F,K |
C District, Commercial District (C-1), Central Business District (CBD), Mixed Use District (MU)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy Sign | Cannot extend above parapet wall; minimum 8 ft clearance from ground (§170-911B(1)(b)) | 25% of canopy surface or 6 sq ft (whichever is less) if primary sign (§170-911B(1)(e)) | No portion may extend more than 5 ft from building façade (§170-911B(1)(c)) | No portion within public right-of-way (§170-911B(1)(d)) | — | On building, securely fastened by metal supports (§170-911B(1)(a)); not within public ROW | — | Unlock | §170-911B(1), Table 9.2 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 10% of area of building wall to which attached; max 100 sq ft (§170-911B(2)(b)) | — | No closer than 2 ft to back of curb (§170-911B(2)(c)) | 1 per lot | Attached to permanent roof-like structure; over public ROW permitted if 2 ft from curb | — | Unlock | §170-911B(2), Table 9.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft (§170-911B(3)(d)) (inclusive within wall sign area allocation) | Can extend up to 3 ft from façade (§170-911B(3)(c)) | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to building/wall. Min 8 ft above ground | — | Unlock | §170-911B(3), Table 9.2 |
| Roof Sign | Combined building and sign height not to exceed district height limit | Aggregate graphic area (roof + bldg signs) ≤100 sq ft if building >40 ft; else roof sign allowed only in lieu of wall sign (§170-911B(4)(a)-(b)) | — | — | 1 per building | On roof, enclosed structural support forming background for copy | — | Unlock | §170-911B(4), Table 9.2 |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)) | 30 sq ft (§170-911C(1)(c)) | — | Minimum 5 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement (§170-908G); not into ROW | 1 per lot | On lot with ≥80 ft street frontage | — | Unlock | §170-911C(1), Table 9.2 |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft (§170-911C(2)(a)) | 30 sq ft (§170-911C(2)(b)) | — | Min 5 ft from back of curb/edge of pavement; not in ROW (§170-908G) | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Unlock | §170-911C(2), Table 9.2 |
| Pylon Sign | 10 ft (§170-911C(3)(a)) | 30 sq ft (§170-911C(3)(b)) | — | Min 5 ft from back of curb; not in ROW | 1 per eligible lot | On lot (in shopping centers/business parks/multi-tenant) | — | Unlock | §170-911C(3), (3)(e)[1], Table 9.2 |
| Billboard (OI District only, Conditional Use) | 95 ft (§170-911A(3)) | 300 sq ft per face, 2 faces max, 20 ft length, 15 ft width (§170-911A(2)) | 20 ft (§170-911A(2)) | 20 ft from property line, 25-75 ft from street/ROW, 500 ft from other billboards | More than one per parcel permitted if 500 ft apart | Within 30 ft of interstate | — | Unlock | §170-911A(1)-(9), Table 9.2 |
Flex Office/Industrial District (OI), Industrial District (I-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per authorized use | On building frontage | — | Unlock | §170-911B(6), Table 9.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | Max 3 ft projection | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to building/wall, min 8 ft above ground | — | Unlock | §170-911B(3), Table 9.2 |
| Roof Sign | Not exceeding district height limit | Aggregate graphic area with building signs ≤100 sq ft if building >40 ft; else in lieu of wall sign (§170-911B(4)(a)-(b)) | — | — | 1 per building | On roof | — | Unlock | §170-911B(4), Table 9.2 |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 5 ft (§170-911C(1)(b)) | 30 sq ft (§170-911C(1)(c)) | — | 5 ft min from curb/pavement; not into ROW | 1 per lot | Min 5 ft from curb/edge of pavement; not in ROW | — | Unlock | §170-911C(1), Table 9.2 |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft | 30 sq ft | — | 5 ft min from curb/pavement; not into ROW | 1 per lot | On lot, min 5 ft from curb | — | Unlock | §170-911C(2), Table 9.2 |
| Pylon Sign | 10 ft | 30 sq ft | — | 5 ft min from curb/pavement; not into ROW | 1 per eligible lot | Business/industrial parks or shopping centers only | — | Unlock | §170-911C(3), Table 9.2 |
| Construction & Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot under construction/development | — | Unlock | §170-911E(2)-(3) |
| Billboard (OI Only, Conditional Use) | 95 ft | 300 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | 20 ft | 20 ft from prop. line; 25-75 ft from ROW; 500 ft from another billboard | More than one per parcel, min 500 ft spacing | Within 30 ft of interstate only | — | Unlock | §170-911A, Table 9.2 |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Canonsburg Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Canonsburg Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Canonsburg Borough
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or altered without first having obtained a permit from the Borough, unless specifically exempted.
- Flashing, animated, or moving signs are not permitted in any district.
- No sign shall be permitted within street rights-of-way except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices.
- Signs may not be attached to utility poles or street trees except for municipal purposes.
- No illuminated signs are permitted in residential districts.
- Freestanding roof signs are prohibited.
- Parallel signs or portions of such signs shall not be located more than 12 feet above ground level.
- Projecting signs or portions of such signs shall not be less than eight feet to the bottom or more than 12 feet above ground level.
- No sign is permitted that constitutes a hazard, obscures light or air from a building, prevents ingress or egress from any window or exit, or interferes with the view of motorists or pedestrians.
- A sign that is not expressly permitted in any given zoning district is prohibited.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles/trailers parked with the apparent purpose of advertising a product or business and visible from the public right-of-way are prohibited, unless for temporary overnight storage or service use.
- Signs painted on walls, chimneys, fences, or walls are prohibited.
- Signs on trees, utility poles, or official traffic control devices or signs are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs (except permitted billboards) are prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices (such as pennants, flags, spinners) are prohibited unless approved as a temporary special event display.
- Signs featuring animation of any kind are prohibited.
- No sign containing information stating or implying an unlawful use of the property is permitted.
- No sign may be erected containing information that implies the property may be used for any purpose not permitted by ordinance.
- No person shall permit a dangerous or defective sign to remain on any premises owned or controlled by them.
- Signs must not interfere with, or be mistaken for, a traffic signal or otherwise cause a detriment to public safety.
- No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used as part of a sign where it could be confused with a traffic signal or otherwise impair safety.
- Signs are not permitted in clear sight triangles at intersections (per code).
- No posting of any notice, poster, or device intended to attract public attention on utility poles, trees, or public structures/buildings, except as authorized or required by law.
- Signs which imitate traffic control devices are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Canonsburg Borough
- Official traffic signs do not require a permit.
- Government/regulatory signs do not require a permit.
- Directional signs do not require a permit.
- Public signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities (including traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and identification signs for public facilities) do not require a permit.
- Flags (meeting setback, height, quantity, and size requirements) do not require a permit.
- Residential identification signs (not exceeding two square feet) do not require a permit.
- Signs inside a building or enclosed facility, not meant to be viewed from outside, do not require a permit.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations do not require a permit.
- Legal notices do not require a permit.
- Building markers do not require a permit.
- "No trespassing," "no hunting," security, warning, and private property signs not exceeding two square feet do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs on residential properties that are noncommercial, not illuminated, contain no offensive/obscene language, and do not exceed six square feet do not require a permit.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Canonsburg Borough
- All applications for sign permits must be accompanied by a scale drawing (sign plan) showing sign dimensions, wall/building dimensions (if applicable), supporting structure details, construction details, materials, lighting information, proposed sign location relative to building and lot boundaries.
- If a proposed sign is presented as part of a new or amended site plan application, the sign permit application shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- When plans require a formal plan check (as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer), a plan check fee (in addition to permit fee) is required.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, enlarged, illuminated, or substantially altered without a sign permit issued by the Zoning Officer and submission of a sign plan drawn to scale showing the sign, lighting plan, and placement.
- Approval of a certificate of occupancy for any new business, facility, or office is contingent upon approval of a sign permit (implying sign plan review).
Source: ecode360 municipal code