# Sign Regulations in Carlisle, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carlisle, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/carlisle
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10686313)

## At a glance

Carlisle, Pennsylvania regulates 51 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Identification Sign (Subdivision > 10 lots)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Freestanding max height by district (see § 255-231) tall and 50 sq ft (freestanding), with a may be within required yard but not within required buffer yard or required evergreen screening setback (Sec. § 255-223F; § 255-225A-B; § 255-231A). Most commercial signs in Carlisle require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | Freestanding max height by district (see § 255-231) | 50 sq ft (freestanding) | — |
| Low Density Residential District (R-1); Medium Density Residential District (R-2); High Density Residential District (R-3); Town Center Residential District (R-4); Traditional Residential District (R-5); Office Residential District (OR); Institutional District (INS); Open Space District (OS) | 15 | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding); wall max height equals principal building height | 250 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (C-1) | 8 | Freestanding max height 18 ft (commercial districts) if freestanding | 32 sq ft per side per street frontage (cap for commercial districts) | — |
| Shopping Center/Mixed Use District (C-2); General Commercial District (C-3); Neighborhood Commercial District (C-4); Entranceway Business (C-5) | 11 | 18 ft (freestanding in commercial districts) | 150 sq ft per face | — |
| General Industrial District (I-1); Light Industrial District (I-2); Urban Mixed Use District (UM); Industrial-Commercial District (I-C) | 5 | 35 ft | 312.5 sq ft per face (sign size/area); max 2 sides/faces; absolute maximum 625 sq ft total | — |
| Historic Preservation District (HP) (overlay district) | 3 | Clearance >= 8 ft from grade to lowest portion | 15 sq ft (max 3 ft x 5 ft) (where otherwise permitted in commercial districts) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs (not regulated as signs) | — | < 1 sq ft (memorial plaques/historical tablets); < 1 sq ft (nameplate signs) | — | — | — | — | — | § 255-217B(1)-(7) |
| Parking and Traffic Control Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 255-223A; § 255-225A(2) |
| Special Information Sign (attached to building/equipment) | — | Not counted toward permitted sign area (excluded from calculating permitted areas) | — | — | — | Only where attached to the building or equipment | — | § 255-223C; § 255-225A(2) |
| Garage Sale Sign (auction/yard/garage sale sign) | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | Up to 2 per event | — | — | § 255-223D; § 255-225A(2) |
| Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property; Borough polling place property only on election day timing stated | — | § 255-223E; § 255-225A(2) |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification Sign (Subdivision > 10 lots) | Freestanding max height by district (see § 255-231) | 50 sq ft (freestanding) | — | General: may be within required yard but not within required buffer yard or required evergreen screening | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to a subdivision consisting of more than 10 lots | — | § 255-223F; § 255-225A-B; § 255-231A |
| Temporary Real Estate Lender Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per property (for all lenders) | On the premises securing the loan(s) | — | § 255-223H; § 255-225A(2) |
| General Location Rule | — | — | — | Prohibited in required buffer yard or required evergreen screening | — | May be located within a required yard; may NOT be located within a required buffer yard or required evergreen screening | — | § 255-232 |

### Low Density Residential District (R-1); Medium Density Residential District (R-2); High Density Residential District (R-3); Town Center Residential District (R-4); Traditional Residential District (R-5); Office Residential District (OR); Institutional District (INS); Open Space District (OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional / Accessory Use / Home Occupation / Name Sign | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding); wall max height equals principal building height | 2 sq ft per side | — | General: may be within required yard but not within required buffer yard/required evergreen screening | 1 per permitted use or dwelling | On same lot | — | § 255-219A; § 255-224A; § 255-231A; § 255-225A-B |
| Institutional Sign (primary/secondary school; place of worship; hospital; college/university; nursing home) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding); wall max height equals principal building height | 25 sq ft per side | — | General: may be within required yard but not within required buffer yard/required evergreen screening | 1 per 100 linear ft of street frontage | On same lot | — | § 255-219B(1); § 255-224A; § 255-231A; § 255-225A-B |
| Institutional Direction/Facility Sign (interior to campus) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding) | 6 sq ft per side | — | General: may be within required yard but not within required buffer yard/required evergreen screening | As required | Interior to campus (primary/secondary schools; colleges/universities) | — | § 255-219B(2); § 255-224A; § 255-231A; § 255-225A-B |
| No-Trespassing Sign | — | 1 sq ft per side | — | — | As needed, but spacing >= 50 ft along street frontage | On same premises; indicating private ownership of streets/other property | — | § 255-219B(4); § 255-225A(4); § 255-224A |
| Directional Sign (places of worship) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Directional signs for places of worship | — | § 255-219C; § 255-225A(5); § 255-224A; § 255-231A |
| Subdivision Development Sign (subdivision plan < 10 lots) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding) | 35 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per abutting street | On premises advertising sale/development of homes within a subdivision | — | § 255-219D(2),(4); § 255-225A(1); § 255-224A; § 255-231A |
| Subdivision Development Sign (subdivision plan >= 10 lots) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding) | 35 sq ft per side | — | — | Up to 2 per abutting street | On premises advertising sale/development of homes within a subdivision | — | § 255-219D(3),(4); § 255-225A(1); § 255-224A; § 255-231A |
| Rental Development Sign (garden apartment/rental developments) | Freestanding max height 8 ft (if freestanding) | 16 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft total area | — | — | Max 1 per street serving development | Facing on each street serving the development | — | § 255-219H; § 255-224A; § 255-225A-B; § 255-231A |

### Shopping Center/Mixed Use District (C-2); General Commercial District (C-3); Neighborhood Commercial District (C-4); Entranceway Business (C-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (individual business; not C-1) | 18 ft (freestanding in commercial districts) | 36 sq ft per face; if more than one face, combined total area of all faces <= 72 sq ft | — | General location rule plus any district/yard requirements; may not be within required buffer yard/evergreen screening | 1 per business (single/separate ownership) | On lot; within building setback area; not connected with building | — | § 255-220B(1); § 255-224B-C; § 255-225A-B; § 255-231A; § 255-220C |
| Wall Sign | Equal to height of principal building; may not project above roofline | See formula | — | — | One or more, subject to area limits | Attached/mounted on building front, side, or rear; within 12 inches of wall; not extending beyond any edge of wall (wall sign definition) | — | § 255-220B(2); § 255-216Q; § 255-218C; § 255-224B-C; § 255-225A-B |
| Projecting Sign | Clearance >= 8 ft from grade to bottom of sign/structure; may not extend vertically above highest point of building facade; may not project above roofline | 9 sq ft per sign; if 2 faces, combined area <= 18 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per building front/side/rear (per business) | Building front, side or rear; may project over public walkways if clearance met | — | § 255-220B(3); § 255-218C; § 255-224B-C; § 255-225A-B |
| Temporary Banner (commercial establishment) | Clearance >= 8 ft from grade to lowest portion | 15 sq ft (max 3 ft x 5 ft) | — | — | Each commercial establishment may mount banner subject to limits | Mounted to building front, side, or rear | — | § 255-220B(5)(a)-(e); § 255-224B-C; § 255-225B |
| Flag with Commercial Advertising (Accessory) | Bottom >= 7 ft above public sidewalk/public street | Max 3 ft x 5 ft | — | — | 1 per business establishment | Wall mount affixed to building | — | § 255-220B(6)(a)-(f); § 255-225A(3); § 255-224B-C |
| Portable Freestanding Sign (Sidewalk/A-frame type) | — | 2 ft x 3 ft per sign face | 2 ft (per face width) | — | 1 per business establishment | Private property or public sidewalk meeting conditions (notwithstanding § 255-218A) | — | § 255-220B(7)(a)-(e); § 255-218A; § 255-225A(8); § 255-224B-C |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (center identification) | 18 ft (freestanding in commercial districts) | 150 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per frontage street | On each frontage street of shopping center | — | § 255-220C; § 255-220B(1); § 255-231A; § 255-224B-C; § 255-225A-B |
| Auto Service Station Portable Sign (additional) | — | 8 sq ft per face | — | — | 2 portable signs | On premises | — | § 255-220D; § 255-225A-B |

## Prohibited signs in Carlisle

- Any sign placed on or over a public sidewalk, except as noted hereafter.
- Any sign which flashes, moves, blinks or emits smoke, steam, or other visible particulates or odor (a sign is considered flashing/moving/blinking if the sign/content/display moves or changes more frequently than once every 30 seconds).
- Any sign that projects above the roofline of the building on which it is mounted.
- Spinners, pennants, streamers and any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes (whether or not they contain a message), except that banners and flags are permitted when authorized under other provisions of the article.
- Flashing, electronically changing messages; blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except portions indicating time and temperature changes (does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays).
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except changeable-message signs or scrolling signs in compliance with § 255-224.
- Signs that imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or otherwise are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street.
- Signs that use reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing, blinking, twinkling, or electronically changing messages.
- Balloons greater than five cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure and are primarily intended for advertising purposes.
- Signs permanently affixed/placed/maintained/erected/constructed/displayed upon any public property, public street, public sidewalk, public right-of-way, tree, utility pole, stone, cliff, or other natural objects; except signs erected by a governmental body or placed by order of a governmental body.
- In any residential district, no signs may be illuminated, and no sign shall be a changeable-message sign or scrolling sign.
- In the Historic Preservation District, no sign shall be a changeable-message sign or scrolling sign.
- Any floodlighting of any sign in any district must be shielded so the light source is not directly visible from off-lot and only the sign is directly illuminated (unshielded/nonconforming floodlighting is prohibited).
- For changeable-message signs and scrolling signs: flashing or blinking is prohibited; animated signs are prohibited.
- Changeable-message signs: interval between on/off cycles shall not be less than 30 seconds.
- Scrolling signs: interval between changes of text shall not be less than 30 seconds.
- Signs may not be located within a required buffer yard or required evergreen screening.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carlisle

- The following signs are exempt from the sign regulations (not considered subject to Article XXVI): official traffic signs; memorial plaques and historical tablets under 1 square foot; signs on mailboxes with printing not exceeding 3 inches in height; building cornerstones; nameplate signs under 1 square foot; signs placed in the interior of a building (whether or not visible from a public street); building markers cut into masonry or made of bronze/other permanent material indicating building name/date/incidental construction information.
- Signs not requiring a sign permit: real estate signs in compliance with § 255-219D; signs permitted in all districts in compliance with § 255-223; flags in compliance with § 255-220B(6); no-trespassing signs in compliance with § 255-219B; directional signs in compliance with § 255-219C; contractor's signs in compliance with § 255-219F; special events signs in compliance with § 255-219G; portable freestanding signs in compliance with § 255-220B(7).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit generally required: except as provided, no sign shall be erected or maintained except pursuant to a permit (§ 255-225A).
- Sign permit required prior to erection or alteration of any sign, except as otherwise provided (§ 255-225B(1)).
- Permit applications must be in writing to the Zoning Officer and include information to determine conformity (§ 255-225B(2)); Borough acts within 15 days (§ 255-225B(3)).
- No sign permit may be issued except in conformity with the ordinance, unless after written order from the Zoning Hearing Board or the courts (§ 255-225B(4)).
- All sign permit applications must include plans/diagrams (duplicate, approximately to scale) showing: lot/building dimensions; exact sign size/dimensions/location; and any other lawful information required by the Zoning Officer (§ 255-225B(5)).
- Variance process is available for any provision of the sign article; variance requirements of Act 247 apply (§ 255-229).
- Zoning Hearing Board authorization is referenced for certain signs (e.g., directional signs for places of worship in residential/institutional districts) and for approvals affecting permits via written order (§ 255-225B(4)).
- Certain signs are allowed as conditional uses by Borough Council (e.g., off-premises organizational identification sign in nonresidential districts) subject to § 255-198 (§ 255-222).

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

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