# Sign Regulations in Catasauqua Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Catasauqua Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/catasauqua-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10688874#10688874)

## At a glance

Catasauqua Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the DC District zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 15 sq ft (may be increased to 50 sq ft if 3+ businesses or >100 ft frontage), with a cannot intrude into or project over right-of-way unless specifically authorized. setback (Sec. §280-45A Note 3). Most commercial signs in Catasauqua Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 8 sq ft (all zones except nonresidential), 20 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — |
| Residential District, CN District | 3 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| DC District | 5 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side, max 2 sides of principal building | — |
| TC District | 2 | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| A District | 4 | 35 ft above elevation of adjacent street or highway at center line | 300 sq ft (per face, up to 2 faces, back-to-back) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Christmas Tree Sign | — | 8 sq ft (all zones except nonresidential), 20 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 2 | — | — | §280-44(A) |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Charitable Event Sign | — | 4 sq ft (all zones), 30 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 2 | — | — | §280-44(A) |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Contractor's Sign | — | 8 sq ft (all zones), 20 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 1 per company | — | — | §280-44(A) |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | No maximum | On the same lot as the sign is on | — | §280-44(A) |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Home Occupation Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | May be freestanding, flat on building wall, or within window | — | §280-44(A) |
| Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits - Identification Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 1 sq ft (general), 4 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 1 | — | — | §280-44(A) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | 2 ft | — | 2 per event | On residential property | — | §160-9, §280-44(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft (general), 20 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 1 per street | On the property that is for sale, rent, or lease | — | §280-44(A) |

### DC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 15 sq ft (may be increased to 50 sq ft if 3+ businesses or >100 ft frontage) | — | See §280-47A: cannot intrude into or project over right-of-way unless specifically authorized. | 1 per street | One per street the lot abuts | — | §280-45A Note 3 |
| Wall Sign | To top of structural roof | 50 sq ft per side, max 2 sides of principal building | — | — | Max 2 building sides | On up to 2 sides of a principal building | — | §280-45A,B |
| Window Sign | — | Regulated under wall sign standards | — | — | — | — | — | §280-45A |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | 1 per lot | Attached to building | — | §280-45A Note 1 |
| Sidewalk Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft per side (2 sides) | 3 ft | — | 1 per lot | Outdoor, must not block pedestrian path; as close to building as feasible; may be in right-of-way if no location outside is available | — | §280-45A Note 2 |

### A District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft above elevation of adjacent street or highway at center line | 300 sq ft (per face, up to 2 faces, back-to-back) | — | 25 ft from all lot lines and street rights-of-way; 200 ft from dwelling if over 30 sq ft | 1 per lot | — | — | §280-53D |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 24 sq ft (may be increased to 50 sq ft if 3+ businesses or >100 ft frontage) | — | — | 1 per street | On each street the lot abuts | — | §280-45A, Note 3 |
| Wall Sign | To top of structural roof | Up to 200 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | — | Max 2 building sides | On up to 2 sides of principal building | — | §280-45A,B |
| Window Sign | — | Regulated under wall sign standards | — | — | — | — | — | §280-45A |

## Prohibited signs in Catasauqua Borough

- No sign, poster, or placard shall exceed two square feet in area, nor exceed two feet in any height or width within the public rights-of-way (Chapter 215).
- No sign with a purpose extending beyond 30 days shall be placed in the public right-of-way without permission of the Borough Manager or designee.
- Any unused or abandoned sign must be removed by the responsible party within three days from the time the event or purpose has passed or no longer applies.
- Portable signs (including 'signs on mobile stands') are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event sign complying with § 280-44.
- Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited.
- Banners or flags not meeting ordinance requirements are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, or moving signs of any type are prohibited. A sign may change messages electronically if the message does not flash.
- Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs stating that a lot may be used for a purpose not permitted under the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic signs, signals or devices, or that are likely to confuse or distract operators of motor vehicles, are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Tethered balloons greater than 40 cubic feet for periods of 12 hours are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers used for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Signs must not intrude into or project over a street right-of-way unless authorized by permit or as specified (e.g., certain projecting signs or official signs); unauthorized signs in the right-of-way or attached to a utility pole or tree may be removed by authorities.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or pole without the permission of the owner.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political, or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
- Signs must not interfere with sight clearance requirements at intersections.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence must be removed within 90 days of cessation of such use (with certain exceptions).
- Signs or vehicles functioning as signs over 20 square feet, if not incidental to vehicle use, are treated as freestanding signs and subject to applicable requirements.

## Signs exempt from permit in Catasauqua Borough

- Signs meeting the requirements of § 280-44, such as certain temporary and accessory signs specified, and nonilluminated window signs made of paper, posterboard or similar materials that are not of a permanent nature, do not require a zoning permit.
- Historic signs: a sign memorializing an important historic place, event, or person specifically authorized by the Borough or a county, state, or federal agency.
- Holiday decorations: decorations commemorating a recognized holiday and not including advertising.
- Signs not readable from any public street or exterior lot line.
- Official signs: a sign erected by government or authorized by ordinance or resolution, existing for public purposes.
- Required signs: signs that only include information required by government agency or Borough to be posted outdoors.
- Signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is generally required for all signs except for those specifically exempted under § 280-44 and temporary nonilluminated window signs not of a permanent nature.
- Only signs specifically permitted within the applicable district are allowed.
- Any change to a lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) that increases sign area or increases nonconformity requires a new permit.
- There is no reference to a master sign plan or similar coordinated plan requirement for multiple signs on a lot in this text.

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

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