# Sign Regulations in Cheswick Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cheswick Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/cheswick-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36240512#36240512)

## At a glance

Cheswick Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Principal Identification Sign (Multifamily 10+ units or authorized conditional use)s in the R-1, R-2, R-3 zoning district are capped at 6 ft (if freestanding) tall and 12 sq ft, with a 5 ft from street right-of-way, 10 ft from side lot line (for freestanding) setback (Sec. 158-24B(2)(a)-(e)). Most commercial signs in Cheswick Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3 | 1 | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, I-1, CD, SD | 9 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to wall of the structure | — | 158-24B(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises being offered for sale or lease | — | 158-24B(1)(b) |
| Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 158-24B(1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Business Promotions, Nonprofit Events, Openings/Closings) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Only on premises where the special activity is taking place | — | 158-24D(1)-(5) |
| Temporary Sign (Yard Sale/Social Functions) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 158-24D(6) |

### R-1, R-2, R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Principal Identification Sign (Multifamily 10+ units or authorized conditional use) | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | 5 ft from street right-of-way, 10 ft from side lot line (for freestanding) | 1 | Attached to building, freestanding, or awning/canopy | — | 158-24B(2)(a)-(e) |

### C-1, C-2, I-1, CD, SD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (absolute max) | — | — | 1 per business (but see double frontage and multiple occupancy provisions) | Attached to front or side wall of main building, parallel to facade, not projecting more than 12 inches | — | 158-24B(3)(a)[1], 158-24B(3)(b) |
| Identification Sign - Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way and side lot lines; building must be set back at least 20 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per zoning lot | On zoning lot, set back at least 10 ft from street right-of-way and side lot lines | — | 158-24B(3)(a)[2], 158-24B(3)(c), 158-24C(7) |
| Identification Sign - Permanent Window/Door Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On windows or main entrance doors | — | 158-24B(3)(a)[3] |
| Identification Sign - Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | Awning/canopy cannot project within 5 ft of vehicular right-of-way | — | Awning or canopy, may not project to within 5 ft of vehicular right-of-way | — | 158-24B(3)(a)[4], 158-24B(3)(d) |
| Identification Sign - Wall Sign (Double Frontage) | — | 50 sq ft per frontage | — | — | One per street frontage | One on each street frontage | — | 158-24B(3)(e) |
| Shopping Center Principal Identification Sign - Freestanding | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per face | — | 15 ft from street right-of-way | 1 principal sign per shopping center | Freestanding | — | 158-24B(3)(g)[1][a]-[c] |
| Shopping Center Business Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | Wall, awning/canopy or permanent window, in compliance with subsections for each type | — | 158-24B(3)(g)[2] |
| Billboard/Outdoor Advertising Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | Comply with I-1 setback and height standards | 1 per property or lot | Only in I-1, must comply with general I-1 standards | — | 158-24B(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Cheswick Borough

- No sign shall be erected, altered, painted, relocated, remodeled, expanded or maintained that is not in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and all other applicable Borough codes.
- Rotating freestanding signs, swinging signs or signs projecting over a right-of-way are prohibited.
- Banners, pennants, searchlights, twirling signs, sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons or other gas figures shall not be used on a permanent basis.
- Flags are prohibited, except as provided for in § 158-24E.
- Signs that are animated or have flashing illumination are prohibited in all districts.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole on public or private property.
- No sign shall be erected upon or applied to any roof or project above the cornice line of a flat roof or above the gutter line of a sloped-roof building.
- No sign shall project beyond any property line except when the building frontage is on the property line; in that case, no portion of the sign may project within five feet of a vehicular right-of-way.
- No portion of the sign shall be less than eight feet above ground grade.
- No freestanding sign shall obstruct safe, clear sight distance at any street or driveway intersection.
- No freestanding sign shall have more than two faces; sign areas stated in this chapter shall be the maximum for one face.
- All freestanding signs shall be set permanently in concrete to a depth of at least three feet.
- Every authorized sign must be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition and repair.
- Any sign over 60 square feet shall be constructed of noncombustible material.
- If any sign becomes dilapidated to the point that it constitutes an unsightly or hazardous condition, the Zoning Officer shall order it repaired or removed.
- If a use ceases for a period of six months, all signs, including any supporting structures, must be removed.
- No sign shall be painted directly on the surface of a wall.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheswick Borough

- Flags or emblems of a government, philanthropic, educational or religious organization displayed on the property on which the use is located.
- Signs placed by a governmental body, including traffic or directional devices, legal notice and warning, instructional or regulatory signs.
- Signs for political candidates, provided that they are erected no more than six weeks before the election and removed within one week after election day.
- Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental regulation, provided that the content and size of the sign does not exceed the requirements of such law or regulation.
- Small signs, not exceeding five square feet in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, such as signs to identify entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, no trespassing and the like.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit must be obtained from the Zoning Officer prior to the erection or alteration of any sign.
- Temporary outdoor signs advertising special business promotional activities, business openings or closings, or special events require a permit from the Zoning Officer.
- There is no reference in this excerpt to the requirement for a master sign plan, sign plan, or variance meeting; only zoning or temporary sign permits are mentioned.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Cheswick Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cheswick+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cheswick-borough

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