# Sign Regulations in Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/chadds-ford-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/45321216#45321216)

## At a glance

Chadds Ford Township, Pennsylvania regulates 32 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Residential)s in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-MA, PRD) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 4 sq ft per face, total 8 sq ft, with a Within 10 feet of street/way setback (Sec. §135-170C, §135-172F(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Chadds Ford Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Top of pole must not exceed building or zoning district max height | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-MA, PRD) | 7 | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per face, total 8 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential District, B - Business, B-1 - Business-1, LI - Light Industrial, LI-1 - Light Industrial-1, PBC - Planned Business Center, PBC-1 - Planned Business Center-1, POC - Planned Office Center, CC, MC | 13 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Historic Overlay Districts | 7 | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-MA, PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Neighborhood Entrance | — | — | — | — | 1 per neighborhood | Neighborhood entrance | — | §135-170C |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per face, total 8 sq ft | — | Within 10 feet of street/way | 1 per lot less than 30 days | Front yard within 10 ft of street/way | — | §135-170C, §135-172F(2)(a) |
| Numerical Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face, total 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | §135-170C |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Pole) - Nonresidential Use | — | — | — | — | 1 per business (if no other Parallel Sign) | — | — | §135-170C, §135-172A |
| Parallel Sign (Wall, Awning, Marquee) - Approved Nonresidential Use | — | — | — | — | 1 per business (if no other Parallel Sign) | — | — | §135-170C |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Pole) - R-MA | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | §135-170C |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Pole) - PRD | — | — | — | — | 1 per tract | — | — | §135-170C |

### Nonresidential District, B - Business, B-1 - Business-1, LI - Light Industrial, LI-1 - Light Industrial-1, PBC - Planned Business Center, PBC-1 - Planned Business Center-1, POC - Planned Office Center, CC, MC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning, Canopy or Projecting Sign (≤35 mph Street) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | See §135-171 table - generally 1 per business unless otherwise noted | On awning, canopy, or projecting surface | — | §135-172A(2)(a)-(d), §135-172A(3)(b) |
| Awning, Canopy or Projecting Sign (>35 mph Street) | — | 32 sq ft (20 sq ft in Historic Overlay Districts) | — | — | See §135-171 table - generally 1 per business unless otherwise noted | On awning, canopy, or projecting surface | — | §135-172A(2)(a)-(d), §135-172A(3)(b), §135-172A(4) |
| Ground Sign (≤35 mph Street) | 8 ft (6 ft in Historic Overlay District) | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft min from right-of-way | See §135-171 table | Between property line and setback line; not within required clear sight area; 5 ft min from ROW; not within Historic Overlay unless Certificate of Appropriateness. | — | §135-172D(2)-(4) |
| Ground Sign (>35 mph Street) | 8 ft (6 ft in Historic Overlay District) | 32 sq ft (20 sq ft in Historic Overlay Districts) | — | 5 ft min from right-of-way | See §135-171 table | Between property line and setback line; not within required clear sight area; 5 ft min from ROW; not within Historic Overlay unless Certificate of Appropriateness. | — | §135-172D(2)-(4) |
| Pole Sign (≤35 mph Street) | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft min from right-of-way | See §135-171 table | Between property line and setback line; not over adjacent properties; min 5 ft from ROW. | — | §135-172E(2)-(5) |
| Pole Sign (>35 mph Street) | 15 ft | 32 sq ft (20 sq ft in Historic Overlay Districts) | — | 5 ft min from right-of-way | See §135-171 table | Between property line and setback line; not over adjacent properties; min 5 ft from ROW. | — | §135-172E(2)-(5) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft per face | — | Within 10 ft of street/way | See §135-171 table (max 4 permits per year) | Front yard within 10 ft of street/way | — | §135-172F(2)(b) |
| Billboard Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — | 150% of sign height from all sides; 1000 ft from billboards, 500 ft from intersections/residential/historic overlay | 1 per lot (sole use) | Lot in B-1 or PBC-1 only, oriented toward street | — | §135-172G |

### Historic Overlay Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning, Canopy or Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §135-172A(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On building front | — | §135-172B(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On building front | — | §135-172C(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | §135-172D(4) |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | §135-172E(5) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per face, total 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Front yard within 10 ft of street/way | — | §135-172F(2)(d) |
| Real Estate Development Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On/in subdivision | — | §135-172H(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Chadds Ford Township

- No sign shall be erected unless specifically permitted by Article XXIII. All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- Signs with content not protected by the First Amendment or Article I, Section 7 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, including obscenity, pornography, fighting words, or incitement to imminent lawless action.
- Signs that incorporate flashing or moving illumination, or with illumination that varies in intensity or color; signs with visible moving parts or mechanical movement; except hanging signs that simply swing in the wind and comply with all provisions.
- Signs that incorporate light sources unless shielded by opaque material so the lamps are not visible from neighboring or adjacent properties. All exterior light sources must prevent light and/or glare from interfering with traffic or causing nuisance.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
- Signs that interfere with, mislead, or confuse the normal flow of traffic.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff, or other natural object.
- String lights conveying a message, whether words or logo, that are unshielded from surrounding properties.
- Use of search lights, pennants, spinners, banners, streamers, or any sign with moving parts.
- Three-dimensional signs.
- Exterior and/or free-standing neon signs or similar illuminated signs.
- Novelty signs including balloons, any other inflated items, flashing, blinking, twinkling, oscillating or lighted moving signs of any type, and signs emitting smoke or vapors.
- Signs painted on, applied to, or mounted on vehicles that are not operational and currently registered, licensed, inspected, and permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- Temporary signs directly facing an adjoining residential property.
- Any sign within 40 feet of a side or rear lot line in all residential zoning districts, unless within 10 feet of a street or way.
- Any sign larger than two square feet in area in all residential zoning districts, or five square feet in area in all commercial and industrial zoning districts, unless otherwise permitted.
- Signs may not be erected so that they lie within any clear sight triangle as defined by the Commonwealth or Township ordinance.
- Signs may not obscure or limit views of traffic signals, stop signs, intersections ahead, vehicular traffic, or other warning devices.
- Signs may not lie within a parking space, parking aisle, fire lane; or block or interfere with the movement of motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists on a street or way.
- Signs may not block or interfere with entrances, exits, fire escapes, or fire lanes to a building or structure.
- Signs may not be affixed to any structure owned by the Township.
- Signs may not be affixed to utility poles, traffic lights, street sign posts, light fixtures, trees, posts, or any other pre-existing structure unless otherwise provided.
- Signs may not face an adjoining residential property unless within 10 feet of the street or way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chadds Ford Township

- A sign with face surface not exceeding two square feet per exposed face (total no more than four square feet) setting forth the numerical identity of a residential, business, or institutional property by number, post box number, and/or occupant names.
- Professional and/or professional business signs in a residential zone not exceeding two square feet per exposed face (total four square feet) on any residentially zoned lot with a professional use as an accessory home occupation.
- Signs setting forth regulations for on-premises traffic direction, parking, or other functional requirements (e.g., 'lavatory facilities', 'service area', 'office'), not exceeding two square feet per exposed face (total four square feet).
- Legal notices, warnings, identification information, or other information posted by governmental or legislative authorities (may be illuminated).
- One temporary sign posted on a residential property for less than 30 days as long as it complies with all other provisions; more than one requires a permit. Maximum two temporary signs per residential property within one calendar year.
- Any portable sign on a lot used for a business or institution, provided it is stored inside when the property is not open/operating and does not exceed four square feet per face (total eight square feet).
- Flags attached to freestanding poles or building-attached poles not exceeding four feet by six feet, poles not projecting above the highest part of the building or the zoning district maximum height, whichever is lower.
- Temporary signs totaling less than six square feet, 30 days prior to and until no more than 15 days after a federal, state, or local election, with property owner permission.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Billboard signs require a fully engineered site plan as part of the Special Exception application and must meet all applicable ordinance requirements.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, moved, painted, or structurally altered until a zoning permit application is approved by the Township Zoning Officer.
- Signs erected, altered, or used within any Chadds Ford Township Historic Overlay District require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Township Board of Supervisors, after recommendation from the Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB).

## 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 Chadds Ford Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Chadds+Ford+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-chadds-ford-township

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