# Sign Regulations in Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Canonsburg Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/canonsburg-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13837349#13837349)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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) | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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) | — | §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 | — | §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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per authorized use | On building frontage | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §170-911C(3), Table 9.2 |
| Construction & Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot under construction/development | — | §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 | — | §170-911A, Table 9.2 |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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).

## 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 4 zoning districts in Canonsburg Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Canonsburg+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-canonsburg-borough

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