# Sign Regulations in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/cheltenham-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33238727#33238727)

## At a glance

Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania regulates 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Institutional Freestanding Signs in the Residential districts and multiple dwelling districts (R1 Residence Districts, R2 Residence Districts, R3 Residence Districts, R4 Residence Districts, M1 Multiple Dwelling Districts, M2 Multiple Dwelling Districts) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 20 square feet (Sec. 295-2405A(1)(d) Table). Most commercial signs in Cheltenham Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts and multiple dwelling districts (R1 Residence Districts, R2 Residence Districts, R3 Residence Districts, R4 Residence Districts, M1 Multiple Dwelling Districts, M2 Multiple Dwelling Districts) | 5 | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — |
| LI Light Industrial District | 3 | 25 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| Commercial districts (C1 Commercial District, C2 Commercial District, MU1 Mixed Use District, MU2 Mixed Use District, MU3 Mixed Use District) | 24 | 20 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| Commercial enhancement districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| OPAS Off-Premises Advertising Sign Overlay District | 1 | 40 feet 6 inches | 380 square feet per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 4 feet for freestanding | 12 square feet (or two 6 sq ft signs) | — |

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

### Residential districts and multiple dwelling districts (R1 Residence Districts, R2 Residence Districts, R3 Residence Districts, R4 Residence Districts, M1 Multiple Dwelling Districts, M2 Multiple Dwelling Districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Freestanding Sign | 4 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per property or per street frontage | 1 per property or, if applicable, 1 per street frontage | — | 295-2405A(1)(d) Table |
| Subdivision or Development Identification Freestanding Sign | 4 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 sign at main entrance; additional at secondary entrances by approval | At main entrance to the development; additional signs at secondary entrances with approval | — | 295-2405A(1)(b), (d) Table |
| Subdivision or Development Identification Monument Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 sign at main entrance; additional at secondary entrances by approval | At main entrance to the development; additional signs at secondary entrances with approval | — | 295-2405A(1)(b), (d) Table |
| Office Use Freestanding Sign | 4 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | 1 per property | — | 295-2405A(1)(d) Table |
| Office Use Monument Sign | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | 1 per property | — | 295-2405A(1)(d) Table |

### Commercial districts (C1 Commercial District, C2 Commercial District, MU1 Mixed Use District, MU2 Mixed Use District, MU3 Mixed Use District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Use | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | 1 per property (on site) | — | 295-2405A(3)(a)[1] Table |
| Monument Sign - Single Use | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per property | 1 per property (on site) | — | 295-2405A(3)(a)[1] Table |
| Parallel Wall Sign - Multiple Retail Tenants | Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower | 100 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 per retail tenant space (from options) | On building facade directly abutting tenant space, facing street/parking lot/accessway. | — | 295-2405A(3)(a)[2] Table |
| Projecting Wall Sign - Multiple Retail Tenants | Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower | 15 square feet | — | — | Up to 2 per retail tenant space (from options) | On building facade directly abutting tenant space, facing street/parking lot/accessway. | — | 295-2405A(3)(a)[2] Table |
| Freestanding Sign - Shopping Center | 20 feet | 250 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (on site) | — | 295-2405A(3)(b)[1] Table |
| Monument Sign - Shopping Center | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (on site) | — | 295-2405A(3)(b)[1] Table |
| Projecting Wall Sign - Shopping Center Tenant | Not to exceed eaves line or top of parapet wall of principal building, whichever is lower | 15 square feet | — | — | 2 per tenant (from options: parallel wall, projecting wall, awning) | On facade of building facing the street or parking lot or accessway, on portion of building abutting tenant space. | — | 295-2405A(3)(b)[2][a] Table |
| Freestanding Sign - Convenience Store | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per county road frontage | On county road frontage only | — | 295-2405A(3)(c) Table |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal Expression Sign (Wall, Window, or Freestanding) | 4 feet for freestanding | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On private property. Not in ROW except as exempted. | — | 295-2404A(9) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | — | 2.5 feet | — | 1 per business | Adjacent to building or curb; minimum 3 feet of unobstructed sidewalk must be maintained. | — | 295-2404A(12)(g) |
| Directional Sign (Non-Advertising) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On premises; not in public ROW unless approved. | — | 295-2404A(3) |
| For Sale/Real Estate Sign (Residential Use) | — | 12 square feet (or two 6 sq ft signs) | 4 feet length (for non-residential development signs) | — | up to 3 per street frontage for for-sale and open-house | On property for sale/rent. Open-house signs may be on-property or in ROW directly abutting. | — | 295-2404A(12)(b), (c), (d) |
| Temporary Civic Event Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Public or private property. | — | 295-2404A(12)(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Cheltenham Township

- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position or color.
- No sign, except official traffic signs or those approved by Cheltenham Township, is permitted within the cartway of the right-of-way.
- No projecting sign shall extend into the cartway of the right-of-way, or be less than seven feet above a pedestrianway.
- No freestanding sign shall occupy an area designated for parking, loading, walkways, driveways, fire lane, easement, cartway of the right-of-way or other areas required to be unobstructed.
- Signs, not including historical markers and banners approved by the Township, shall not be affixed to a utility pole or structure, lighting standard, parking meter, park bench, tree, shrub, rock or natural object except plaques of a maximum of one square foot.
- Awnings and/or canopies shall not extend into the street right-of-way.
- Animated signs are prohibited except those portions of signs which indicate time and temperature changes, with limited conditions.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited.
- Revolving signs are prohibited except barbershop poles.
- Signs containing beacon lights are prohibited.
- Signs containing festoon lighting are prohibited except in commercial enhancement districts.
- Cabinet signs are prohibited in commercial enhancement districts.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs over the legal cartway of the right-of-way are prohibited except banners as provided.
- Projecting V-shaped signs are prohibited.
- A-frame signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Home business signs in residential districts are prohibited.
- Any sign inconsistent with this article is prohibited.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent are prohibited.
- Signs that create a hazard by obstructing the clear view of vehicles and pedestrian traffic are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a door, window, fire escape or other exitway is prohibited.
- Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by the Township are prohibited.
- No sign shall advertise any adult or sexually oriented businesses or materials, contain any obscene or profane language, emit any sound, or otherwise display any content prohibited by 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 5903.
- Billboards shall not advertise alcohol or tobacco products.
- No part of the billboard shall revolve, rotate, oscillate, or otherwise move.
- Flashing, scrolling, fading, brightening or animated text or video is prohibited on billboards.
- All signs must be kept in good condition and repair as determined by the Township Zoning Officer; deteriorated, abandoned, or unpermitted signs may be required to be removed.
- Neon lighting is not permitted in residential districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheltenham Township

- Government flags, insignia or decorative banners are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Legal notices of a governmental agency are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Directional signs, provided they do not contain advertising (including logos), do not exceed four square feet, and do not obstruct sight triangles at internal intersections on the premises, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Public monument, plaque or historic identification marker erected by a government agency is exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Residential identification sign not exceeding two square feet bearing only property number and/or street address is exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Professional nameplates displaying only the name and occupation (words only) of the practitioner, not exceeding six inches high by 18 inches wide, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Public service and information signs advertising the availability of public restrooms, telephones or similar public conveniences, not exceeding three square feet in area, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Personal expression signs, not illuminated and either freestanding, wall or window signs, not exceeding four square feet (and four feet in height if freestanding), are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Barbershop poles are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Menus and signs indicating business hours not exceeding two square feet are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Civic event signs on public and private property (max 6 square feet, not more than 45 days prior, removed within seven days after) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary and open house signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected, within size and placement limits, are exempt from permits (with details and timing requirements).
- Temporary signs advertising the sale or development of the premises by a developer or builder, within size and quantity restrictions, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs indicating the location and direction of premises available for or in the process of development, with size, number and time limits, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs of artisans during period of work (one per premises, max 12 square feet), removed upon completion, exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs advertising garage or yard sales (max 6 square feet, one per street frontage, only on premises, removed after sale) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Sandwich board signs for restaurant and retail uses, complying with stated limitations (height, width, placement, construction, and removal requirements), are permitted without permits.
- Nonresidential business identification signs, limited to one per street frontage, not to exceed 20 square feet, for not more than 30 days (unless extended), are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Two copies of a plan drawn to scale must be submitted with a sign permit application, depicting the design of each sign face and sign structure (dimensions, area, height, depth, materials, lighting scheme, location), building elevations, and the location and size of all proposed and existing signage.
- In OPAS Off-Premises Advertising Sign Overlay District, a landscaping plan must be submitted at the time of the use application for new or modified billboards requiring new land development application or new zoning relief.
- Applications for billboards in the OPAS Overlay District must include a plan showing location of the billboard with required setbacks, radii distances from the proposed billboard location, and the location and species of existing and removed trees.
- Any sign in the commercial enhancement districts requires a certificate of appropriateness (COA) in addition to the sign permit, issued by the Director of Planning and Zoning based on recommendations from the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF), and compliance with design guidelines of the commercial enhancement districts.
- A master sign plan is not specifically mentioned by name, but a sign plan (detailed, drawn to scale) is required for all sign permit applications and new or modified billboards.
- Permitted signs in all zones require submission of a sign plan with the permit application, regardless of zone.

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

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