# Sign Regulations in Canton Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Canton Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/canton-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/41949019#41949019)

## At a glance

Canton Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 27 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Electronic Message Signs in the Commercial (C1), Central Business (CB) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 12 sq ft per side, with a District Setback setback (Sec. §27-813, Table; §27-811). Most commercial signs in Canton Borough 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 | 9 | 10 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | Up to 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (C1), Central Business (CB), Open Space (OS), Industrial (I) | 3 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial (C1), Central Business (CB) | 8 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Commercial (C1) | 4 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| Central Business (CB) | 1 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Low Density Residential (R1), Medium Density Residential (R2), Mobile Home Park (MHP) | 3 | 10 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 1 | 10 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which sign is attached | Up to 32 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Not restricted | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table (Directional); §27-805.11 (Security and Warning), §27-805.10 (Private Drive) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | Not restricted | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table (Incidental Sign); §27-805.11 |
| Identification Sign | 5 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per property | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table (Identification); §27-805.7 |
| Temporary Sign - Contractors, Architects, Mechanics, Landscapers, Artisans | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per firm | On-Premises | — | §27-814, Table |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Sale, Sold, Rent | 5 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | On lot/unit for sale or rent | — | §27-814, Table |
| Temporary Sign - Proposed Development (Residential or Office) | 10 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | Up to 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage, max 2 | On property | — | §27-814, Table |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event (Businesses) | 10 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | 32 sq ft if freestanding; 48 sq ft if attached to wall | — | — | One per business per event | On-Premises | — | §27-814, Table |
| Temporary Sign - Garage/Yard Sale | 5 ft (freestanding); Height of wall to which attached (wall sign) | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On property conducting sale | — | §27-814, Table |

### Commercial (C1), Central Business (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | District Setback | One per property | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table; §27-811 |
| Menu Board | 5 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | One per property | Ground level entrance | — | §27-813, Table |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | District Setback | One per property | On-premises | — | §27-813, Table (Monument) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | One per property | Extending from building wall | — | §27-813, Table (Projecting Sign) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 5 ft | 10 sq ft per side | — | Within 6 ft of building exterior | One per property | In area of storefront, within 6 ft of building exterior | — | §27-813, Table (Sandwich Board) |
| Time & Temperature Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | District Setback | One per property | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table (Time & Temperature) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per property | Parallel to building face, not extending more than 12 inches | — | §27-813, Table (Wall Sign); §27-804.2 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of gross glass area on any one side of building | — | — | Not restricted | Affixed to internal side of window | — | §27-813, Table (Window Sign) |

### Commercial (C1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 25 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | District setback | One per 1,500 feet | Off-Premises | — | §27-813, Table; §27-809 (Billboard) |
| Digital Billboard | 25 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | District setback, minimum 5 ft from right-of-way | One per 1,500 feet | Off-Premises | — | §27-813, Table; §27-810 |
| Pylon Sign | 12 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | District setback | One per property | On-Premises | — | §27-813, Table (Pylon Sign) |
| Roof Sign | Not exceed top of ridge | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building | Between building eave and top of ridge | — | §27-813, Table (Roof Sign) |

## Prohibited signs in Canton Borough

- No sign shall be maintained in such a state of disrepair as to have the appearance of complete neglect, to be rotting, falling down, illegible, or have loose parts separated from original fastenings.
- No flashing, blinking, strobe, twinkling, animated, streaming, or moving signs of any type are permitted. A sign may only change message once every minute. Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This includes window signs but excludes seasonal holiday lighting or displays.
- No sign or sign structure shall constitute a hazard to public safety or health, including failure to shield its light source and thus causing unacceptable glare to neighbors or public street.
- No sign shall by size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers or detract from the visibility/effectiveness of traffic signs/devices.
- No sign shall imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or have characteristics likely to confuse or distract drivers.
- No commercial ad or sign (unless approved by State DOT) shall use words such as 'stop', 'look', 'one-way', 'danger', 'yield' or similar likely to mislead/confuse traffic.
- No sign within 300 feet of a traffic light shall be illuminated with red, green, or yellow lights.
- No visible sign (internal or external) may display words or images that are obscene or pornographic, or display vulgar, indecent, or obscene advertising matter.
- No sign shall be erected/located so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape.
- No sign shall be permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within the right-of-way of any street.
- No sign shall be painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff, or other natural object (except decorative signage designating the property owner).
- No freestanding sign shall be permitted within a designated floodway.
- Only signs referring directly to services, materials or products made, sold, or displayed on the premises shall be permitted, except as otherwise provided.
- Except for flat wall signs, no point of any sign, including trim, border and supports, shall be within 10 feet of any property line or street right-of-way.
- No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odors.
- No sign shall contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any unauthorized purpose.
- No sign attached to a building shall be placed on the roof, be higher than the wall to which it is attached, or located on a parapet wall.
- No point of a wall projecting sign shall be less than 8.5 feet above the grade below.
- No sign shall be affixed to any motor vehicle or semi-trailer so that carrying such sign is not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose.
- No sign located on public, State, County or Borough property or a public right-of-way shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement.
- No inflatable signs shall be permitted except for special events as determined by the Zoning Officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Canton Borough

- Bulletin boards (≤32 sq ft) for public, charitable, or religious institutions on their premises.
- Decals on windows or door glass panels indicating memberships or accepted credit cards.
- Handicap parking space signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Historic signs memorializing significant places/events/persons, authorized by the Borough, County, State, or Federal Government.
- Holiday decorations commemorating a holiday recognized by the Borough, County, State, or Federal Government and not including advertising.
- Home occupation signs (with requirements) in residential zones, not illuminated and not freestanding.
- Up to two signs indicating address, number and/or name of occupants with no commercial advertising.
- Official signs erected by government or authorized by Borough for public purposes (e.g., transit stops).
- Open house signs (temporary) for sale/rent of a house, with specified time restrictions.
- Private drive signs with specific content and limit of one per driveway entrance.
- Security and warning signs regulating use of premises, such as 'No Trespassing', 'No Hunting', 'No Soliciting', and home security system signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Per §27-803, all permanent signs require an official Borough Sign Permit, except those identified as exempt under §§27-805 (Exemptions) and 27-813 (Permitted Signs Table).
- Per §27-812, a permit application must be submitted and approved by the Zoning Officer before erection of most signs; specific submission requirements and review process apply.
- A variance hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board is required for sign permits not in conformance with ordinance regulations.
- The sign permit process requires a scaled site plan/drawing and construction details as part of the application.
- Temporary signs generally do not require a sign permit unless specifically indicated in the use table (see §27-814).
- Permits are not required for the general exemptions listed in §27-805.

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

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