# Sign Regulations in Clifton Heights Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clifton Heights Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/clifton-heights-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16214145#16214145)

## At a glance

Clifton Heights Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 11 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Apartment Building Identification)s in the Residential districts, RCZ Districts, RCD Districts zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 12 square feet, with a All portions within lot line setback (Sec. § 340-61A(1), § 340-62). Most commercial signs in Clifton Heights Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts, RCZ Districts, RCD Districts | 4 | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential districts | 2 | 16 feet | 12 square feet (if as permitted in residential districts, per sign); 9 square feet for nonconforming uses | — |
| Business or industrial districts | 3 | 16 feet | 30 square feet (all signs/premises), 20 square feet (if individual letters measured outside) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | Residential: 8 feet; Nonresidential: 16 feet | — | — |

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

### Residential districts, RCZ Districts, RCD Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Apartment Building Identification) | — | 12 square feet | — | All portions within lot line | 1 per building or group of buildings | On building; all portions including overhang must be within lot line | — | § 340-61A(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Apartment Building Identification) | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | All portions within lot line | 1 per building or group of buildings | Within lot line | — | § 340-61A(1), § 340-62 |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use Identification, Valid Nonconforming) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per frontage | On building in accordance with minimal impact to residential character | — | § 340-61A(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use Identification, Valid Nonconforming) | 8 feet | 9 square feet | — | All portions within lot line | 1 per frontage | Within lot line, minimal impact to residential district | — | § 340-61A(2), § 340-62 |

### Nonresidential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Uses Permitted in Nonresidential District) | — | 12 square feet (if as permitted in residential districts, per sign); 9 square feet for nonconforming uses | — | — | 2 per property | On building | — | § 340-61B; refers to § 340-61A |
| Freestanding Sign (Uses Permitted in Nonresidential District) | 16 feet | 12 square feet (if as permitted in residential districts, per sign); 9 square feet for nonconforming uses | — | All portions within lot line | 2 per property | Within lot line; Landscaping base required not less than 2 feet in each direction | — | § 340-61B; refers to § 340-61A; §340-62 |

### Business or industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business or Industrial) | — | 30 square feet (all signs/premises), 20 square feet (if individual letters measured outside) | — | — | — | Facade/fronting on a street | — | § 340-61C(1)-(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business or Industrial) | 16 feet | 30 square feet (per freestanding sign) | — | All portions within lot line | — | Fronting on a street; Landscaping required 2 feet in each direction from base | — | § 340-61C(2), (3), (5), § 340-62 |
| Directional Sign (Business or Industrial) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | — | On premises | — | § 340-61C(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Clifton Heights Borough

- Spinning, twirling, rotating or any other animated signs or objects used for advertising purposes, whether containing a message or not, except for time and temperature signs.
- Signs that emit sound, smoke or steam.
- Signs that direct or reflect light onto adjoining properties.
- Signs which direct or reflect light so as to impair the vision of any motor vehicle driver or otherwise interfere with a driver's operation of his motor vehicle.
- Signs with words or colored lights which attempt or appear to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interfere with or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device.
- Signs with obscene or prurient words, scenes or graphics.
- Signs painted on or attached to trees, buildings, utility poles, fences, outdoor benches or similar natural or man-made features.
- Signs which obscure other signs or obstruct fire escapes, doors or windows.
- Projecting signs and roof signs.
- Advertising cloth, paper or plastic banners or similar signs suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners which may be permitted by special permission granted by the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade of any building or structure.
- Outdoor advertising billboards.
- Mobile signs or signs not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building, including A-frame signs.
- Signs on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the signs, thereby becoming mobile signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clifton Heights Borough

- Governmental signs, including but not limited to route number, street name, traffic and parking, or other signs of the same character.
- Decorations for a recognized, officially designated holiday.
- Temporary directional signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Nonilluminated nameplate signs not exceeding 90 square inches in size, provided that only one such sign per lot shall be exempted.
- Real estate rental or sale signs not exceeding six square feet, provided they are removed within seven days after settlement or agreement for lease. Not more than one such sign may be erected per street frontage, except that real estate 'open house' signs may be placed off the premises but shall be removed within 24 hours of such open house.
- Signs advertising the development, subdivision, major repair or renovation of the property provided they are not more than 12 square feet, not more than one per site, not illuminated, and are removed upon settlement of all lots or within seven days after completion of work.
- Political signs, provided they do not exceed six square feet and are removed within seven days after the election. Not more than two signs with an aggregate size of eight square feet shall be permitted per street frontage.
- A legal notice, which is to be removed when the legal requirements have been met.
- Public service information signs advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephones, or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit service or charitable organizations, not exceeding four square feet.
- A sign which is a permanent architectural feature or is of architectural significance to the building, such as a cornerstone or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided the letters are not made of reflective material or contrast in color with the building.
- Temporary yard sale or garage sale signs which do not exceed six square feet in area and which must be removed within 24 hours after the sale.
- No-trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, and official signs indicating that the premises is protected by burglar alarm, not to exceed two square feet in area.
- Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans which are not illuminated and do not exceed six square feet in area. Not more than one such sign shall be erected on each street frontage, and such signs shall be removed within three days after the completion of the work.
- For sale, for lease or for rent signs on vehicles, boats or trailers.
- One or more signs applied to a windowpane, giving store hours and listing charge cards accepted; the sum of the areas of such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
- Signs and devices such as barber poles, gasoline pricing and car wash signs; changing of prices on pricing signs; business window signs advertising periodic sales and special events.
- Identification signs for churches, schools or similar institutions, provided that the area of one side of such sign does not exceed 12 square feet, and provided that no more than one such sign is erected on each street frontage.
- Menu boards, not exceeding six square feet, relating to and on the premises of eating and/or drinking establishments.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must include a plan showing the location of the sign on the building or on the lot, including lighting details if applicable. The application must provide sufficient detail for the Code Enforcement Officer to determine compliance.
- Except for exempt signs, a permit is required for erection, repair, or replacement of any sign, and replacement, enlargement, or alteration of an existing sign—including submittal of a plan to the Code Enforcement Officer.
- No mention in this article of a required master sign plan or variance meeting as a standard requirement for sign permits, though a variance can be sought following permit denial.

## 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 Clifton Heights Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Clifton+Heights+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-clifton-heights-borough

---

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