# Sign Regulations in Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/charlestown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31264735#31264735)

## At a glance

Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania regulates 20 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Bulletin Board - Institutional Uses in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 24 sq ft, with a At least one-third of any required setback from property line setback (Sec. §27-1402.1B). Most commercial signs in Charlestown Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 8 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts | 9 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts | 3 | 25 ft above the road surface of the Pennsylvania Turnpike | 300 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Limited-Industrial two (LI-2) | 1 | 25 ft above the road surface of the Pennsylvania Turnpike | 300 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 24 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At residence | — | §27-1402.1A, §27-1406.5A |
| Bulletin Board - Institutional Use | — | 24 sq ft | — | At least one-third of any required setback from property line | 1 | For church, school, hospital, or semi-public institution | — | §27-1402.1B |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Rent) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 (2 for corner lots) | At property for sale or rent | — | §27-1402.1C, §27-1406.5D |
| No Trespassing/Private Ownership Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | — | At property boundary | — | §27-1402.1D |
| Subdivision Sale/Development Sign (Fewer than 10 lots) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At subdivision | — | §27-1402.1E |
| Subdivision Sale/Development Sign (10 or more lots) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 2 | At subdivision | — | §27-1402.1E |
| Incidental Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Single family or multi-family dwellings with a permitted business, office or farm | — | §27-1402.1F |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per trade | On premises during period of contractor's work | — | §27-1402.1G |

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At residence | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1406.5A |
| Bulletin Board - Institutional Use | — | 24 sq ft | — | At least one-third of any required setback from property line | 1 | For church, school, hospital or semi-public institution | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1402.1B |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Rent) | — | 6 sq ft (Residential), 12 sq ft (Commercial) | — | — | 1 (2 for corner lots) | At property for sale or rent | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1402.1C, §27-1406.5D |
| No Trespassing/Private Ownership Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | — | At property boundary | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1402.1D |
| Incidental Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Single family or multi-family dwellings with a permitted business, office or farm | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1402.1F |
| Temporary Contractor Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per trade | On premises during period of contractor's work | — | §27-1403.1A, §27-1402.1G, §27-1405.10 |
| Business Sign (Wall or Roof) | Top of sign not more than 2 ft above cornice line | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 maximum | Attached to building wall or roof | — | §27-1403.1B(1)-(2) |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center) | 18 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 (additional for shopping center) | Ground sign for shopping center | — | §27-1403.1B(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | For institutions (town, village, hospital, community center, school, church, civic/service body); on- or off-premises | — | §27-1405.7A, §27-1401, §27-1406.5C |
| Directional Sign (Sample Home/Subdivision Development) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | At locations where a change in direction is involved, within 1 mile of development | — | §27-1405.7B |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (10+ acres) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale or development of 10 or more acres | — | §27-1405.8 |
| Temporary Contractor Sign (All zones except Residential) | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per contractor | On premises during contractor's work | — | §27-1405.10 |
| Temporary Sign - Openings, Special Sales, Product Promotions | — | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | §27-1405.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Charlestown Township

- No flashing sign shall be permitted in any District and any existing one shall not be altered or changed in any way.
- Signs containing illuminated or moving text, video, graphic or animated displays, including LED, electronic scrolling, digital, or video displays are prohibited, except as permitted pursuant to §27-1405(13)(C).
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign shall be attached to a stand-pipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- Illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving type is prohibited.
- Floodlighting must be shielded so the light source is not visible from outside the lot and only the intended sign, building, or structure is illuminated.
- All illumination shall comply with the Charlestown Township Lighting Regulations (§22-517).
- No business sign may be located nearer to a residence or Residential District lot line than permitted for other business or commercial structures. If located nearer than 50 feet and facing into a residence or Residential District, it must not shine or reflect light on such residence or District.
- Projecting signs may not extend more than 42 inches beyond the building line over public property and must be at least 10 feet above the finished grade of the sidewalk.
- Wall signs shall not extend more than 12 inches over public property.
- Any sign, marking, banner, or advertising matter placed within any public street right-of-way, other than specific exemptions in §27-1405(2)(B), is deemed a public nuisance and may be removed by the Township without notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in Charlestown Township

- Traffic, informational, and warning signs (either temporary or permanent) placed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Township, or other governmental agencies having jurisdiction are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Warning signs placed by public utilities, pipeline companies, or contractors doing permitted work within the right-of-way are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Signs placed on bus shelters, provided the shelter is designed to accommodate them and signs do not extend beyond the end wall, are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate holiday season are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Election signs may be displayed not more than 30 days prior to an election and must be removed within two days after; these are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions within those time frames.
- Garage, yard sale, auction, party, or private event signs may be displayed up to 10 days prior and must be removed within two days after; these are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions within those time frames.
- Open house signs for residential real estate may be displayed up to three days in advance and must be removed within two hours after; these are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions within those time frames.
- Real estate 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs must be removed within two days of completion of the advertised activity; these are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions within those time frames.
- Special event signs may be displayed no more than 14 days in advance and removed within two days after; these are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions within those time frames.
- Security system and warning signs (e.g., 'no soliciting', 'beware of dog') are allowed, limited to one per location and one square foot in size, exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Private drive signs (one per entrance, not exceeding two square feet) are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Non-profit organization signs not exceeding four square feet with Township approval are exempt from right-of-way prohibitions.
- All signs described in §27-1401 are exempt as specified from right-of-way prohibitions.
- Signs permitted in Residential Districts, four square feet or less in area, are exempt from permit and fee requirements.
- Official federal, state, or municipal signs are exempt from permit and fee requirements.
- Directional signs of an institutional nature, not exceeding four square feet in area, are exempt from permit and fee requirements.
- Ground sign advertising either sale or rental of the premises, not exceeding six square feet in Residential Districts or 12 square feet in other Districts, are exempt from permit and fee requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits must be filed in duplicate on Township-furnished forms and accompanied by detailed plans and specifications and any other information required by the Zoning Officer to determine sign location and construction details.
- Outdoor advertising billboards require a conditional use permit application with submission of documents and plans necessary to establish compliance with applicable criteria; all plans must be submitted with the application.
- Temporary signs used for openings, special sales, or product productions require a 30-day temporary permit.
- A sign permit is required for all signs exceeding four square feet in area, except as otherwise provided. Such permits are subject to annual inspection.

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

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