# Sign Regulations in Chalfont Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chalfont Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/chalfont-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32736671#32736671)

## At a glance

Chalfont Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single Occupant, Option 1)s in the Commercial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC), Industrial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC) zoning district are capped at 8 ft above grade tall, 60 sq ft per face, max 10 ft any dimension, and 10 ft wide, with a Min 5 ft from ROW setback (Sec. §440-119A(1)(a), §440-119C(1)(a), §440-118C). Most commercial signs in Chalfont 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 | 14 | — | 25 sq ft (single face); 50 sq ft (double face) | — |
| Borough of Chalfont Historic Overlay District | 5 | Must be at least 10 ft above grade | 60 sq ft (general); check for further restriction by HARB | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 7 | 7 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC), Industrial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC) | 13 | 20 ft or height of wall parapet (whichever lower) | 60 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial Zoning District (LI) | 1 | 35 ft | 250 sq ft per sign; max 2 sides per billboard | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Resident Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft (residential); 5 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — | — | — | On premises | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[1] |
| No Trespassing/Property Regulation Sign | — | 2 sq ft (residential); 5 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — | — | — | On premises | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[2] |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 9 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — | — | — | On premises being sold or leased | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[3] |
| Bulletin Board (Institutional) | — | 25 sq ft (single face); 50 sq ft (double face) | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[4] |
| On-premises Directional/Traffic/Parking/Functional Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[5] |
| Place of Worship Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[10] |
| Window Decal (Hours/Credit Cards/etc.) | — | 24 sq in | — | — | — | Window/Door pane | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[11] |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | — | 5 sq ft (residential); 25 sq ft (commercial/industrial) | — | — | — | Private property | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[13] |

### Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises for sale/rent/lease | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[3] |
| Bulletin Board (Institutional - e.g., religious/school/charitable) | — | 25 sq ft (single face); 50 sq ft (double face) | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[4] |
| Place of Worship Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[10] |
| Temporary Business Sign | 7 ft | 2 sq ft per face, max 4 sq ft total | — | — | Max 4 permits/year | Lot where activity occurs | — | §440-118E(3)(b), (3)(d) |
| Permanent Residential Development Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per entrance | At each major entrance to residential subdivision | — | §440-118G(7) |
| On-premises Professional Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §440-118H |
| Temporary Event/Yard Sale/Political Signs | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §440-117B(4)(b)[9], [13] |

### Commercial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC), Industrial Zoning Districts (BC, CC, VOC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (Single Occupant, Option 1) | Must be at least 10 ft above grade | 15 sq ft per face (max vertical 6 ft) | — | — | 1 per premises | Projects up to 5 ft beyond building line | — | §440-119A(1)(a), §440-119C(1)(a), §440-118A |
| Projecting Sign (Multiple Occupant, Option 2) | Must be at least 10 ft above grade | 15 sq ft per face (max vertical 6 ft) | — | — | 1 per qualified tenant | Projects up to 5 ft beyond building line | — | §440-119A(2)(b), §440-119C(2)(b), §440-118A |
| Ground Sign (Single Occupant, Option 1) | 8 ft above grade | 60 sq ft per face, max 10 ft any dimension | 10 ft | Min 5 ft from ROW | 1 per premises | Min 5 ft beyond ROW, not in clear sight area | — | §440-119A(1)(a), §440-119C(1)(a), §440-118C |
| Ground Sign - Directory (Multiple Occupant, Option 2) | 8 ft above grade | 60 sq ft per face, max 10 ft any dimension | 10 ft | Min 5 ft from ROW | 1 directory sign per property | Min 5 ft beyond ROW | — | §440-119A(2)(a), §440-119C(2)(a), §440-118C |
| Pole Sign (Single Occupant, Option 1) | 15 ft above grade | 60 sq ft per face, max 10 ft any dimension | 10 ft | Min 5 ft from ROW | 1 per premises | Min 5 ft beyond ROW, not in clear sight area | — | §440-119A(1)(a), §440-119C(1)(a), §440-118D |
| Pole Sign - Directory (Multiple Occupant, Option 2) | 15 ft above grade | 60 sq ft per face, max 10 ft any dimension | 10 ft | Min 5 ft from ROW | 1 directory sign per property | Min 5 ft beyond ROW | — | §440-119A(2)(a), §440-119C(2)(a), §440-118D |
| Temporary Business Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft per face, max 64 sq ft total | — | — | Max 4 permits/year | On lot where activity occurs | — | §440-118E(3)(b), (3)(d) |
| Service Bay Identification Sign (Gas Station) | 20 ft or height of wall parapet (whichever lower) | 10 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per service bay | On outermost wall by service bay entrance | — | §440-119D(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Chalfont Borough

- No sign may be erected unless specifically permitted by the ordinance.
- All signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed so that it lies within the clear sight triangle.
- No sign shall obscure a motorist's view of traffic signals, stop signs, warning devices, the roadway or intersections ahead as viewed from 500 feet along thoroughfares.
- No sign shall limit a pedestrian's view of vehicle traffic to less than 500 feet while standing inside the curbline at an intersection or crossing point.
- No sign shall lie within 10 feet from a property line except 'no trespassing' or 'no hunting' signs.
- No sign shall lie within a parking space, parking aisle, or fire lane.
- No sign shall block the movement of pedestrians on public thoroughfares.
- No sign shall block the entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane to a building.
- No sign shall be affixed by any means to any electric or light pole, facility, or structure of the Borough.
- Signs incorporating flashing or moving illumination or illumination varying in intensity or color are prohibited, as are signs with visible moving/revolving/mechanical parts or apparent movement by electrical pulsation or wind, except when not visible from motor vehicles traveling on public roads.
- Any sign incorporating light sources which cast light on the sign must have the light source shielded by opaque material so the lamps are not visible from off the property.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to public property is prohibited.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required exitway is prohibited.
- Signs using words such as 'stop', 'look', 'one-way', 'yield' or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights, or characters which may mislead or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Obsolete signs not advertising a current, bona fide business or product must be removed within 14 days.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by trees, stones, cliffs, or other natural objects are prohibited (except signs erected by/under direction of a government body and bearing no commercial advertising).
- String lights conveying a message or logo and unshielded from surrounding properties are prohibited.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners, and streamers are prohibited except for occasions like grand openings and then only with Zoning Officer permission; use limited to a 20-day period.
- Signs attached to utility poles, light fixtures, and all off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Three-dimensional signs are prohibited.
- All roof signs are prohibited.
- Exterior and/or freestanding neon signs or similar illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that depicts material relating to specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities, as elsewhere defined, is prohibited.
- Novelty signs are prohibited.
- The largest sign on a premises must not advertise a particular article of merchandise unless it is the principal product sold/manufactured on the premises.
- All signs must be constructed and maintained in compliance with all Borough codes and ordinances or, absent an electrical code, the National Electrical Code.
- All signs and parts must be maintained in good repair and maintenance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chalfont Borough

- A sign showing the name and address of the resident (not commercial advertising, not more than 2 sq. ft.).
- 'No trespassing' signs or similar regulatory signs such as 'no hunting,' 'no fishing,' etc. (not more than 2 sq. ft. in residential and 5 sq. ft. in commercial/industrial districts).
- Real estate signs (not exceeding 9 sq. ft. in residential and 32 sq. ft. in commercial/industrial districts) on the premises advertised, to be removed within 10 days of sale/rent/lease.
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions on-site (max 25 sq. ft. single-faced, 50 sq. ft. double-faced) if used exclusively for noncommercial announcements.
- Signs regulating on-premises traffic, parking, subdivisions, or building sections such as 'lavatory', 'office' (less than 3 sq. ft., no commercial advertising).
- Signs erected by a governmental body or under its direction, bearing no commercial advertising (e.g., traffic, safety, school, playground signs).
- Memorial signs/tablets or signs denoting date of building erection or deemed historical.
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any government or religious, charitable, or fraternal organization used for identification (not event/activity advertising).
- Signs for auctions, garage/yard sales, or charitable/public service events (max 5 sq. ft. in residential, 25 sq. ft. in commercial), to be removed after the event.
- Signs identifying places of worship when located on the premises (max 25 sq. ft.).
- Decals on windows/doors indicating business group membership, credit cards accepted, or hours of operation (max 24 sq. in., affixed to lower corners).
- Temporary signs relating to community activities at each public entrance (removed after event/activity takes place).
- Temporary political signs (max 5 sq. ft. in residential, 25 sq. ft. in commercial/industrial); must be removed within 5 days after election.
- Signs regulated by a governmental agency may not exceed the agency’s minimum requirements.
- Directional signage associated with approved commercial parking areas.
- Signs listed above are permitted in all zoning districts, require no sign permit, and are not counted when calculating the number of signs on a premises (but must comply with other general regulations).
- Any sign in existence at the time the ordinance was adopted and on which a previous fee had been paid is exempt from fees but must still be permitted.
- Historical markers may be authorized by the HARB (not considered signs).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A plan must be submitted with any sign permit application showing the location of the building, structure, or lot and the position of the sign relative to buildings and thoroughfares, to scale.
- A plan must be submitted with any sign permit application showing the design, materials, color, lighting, lettering, construction method, and means of attachment, to scale.
- The written consent of the landowner is required for a sign permit.
- Permit applications may require additional information as requested by the Zoning Officer to show compliance.
- Whenever a sign permit is required (for any non-exempt sign), the above plans, specifications, and requirements apply.
- There is no reference in the provided ordinance text to a Master Sign Plan or coordinated multiple-sign plan for developments or multi-tenant facilities beyond the coordinated design for wall/projecting signs in multi-tenant facilities, which must have uniformity in size, shape, design, color, and material.
- There is no mention of a variance or public meeting requirement for sign permits within the provided 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 Chalfont Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Chalfont+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-chalfont-borough

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/chalfont-borough