# Sign Regulations in College Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** College Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/college-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10702393#10702393)

## At a glance

College Township, Pennsylvania regulates 7 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall, 32 sq ft (single-faced); 64 sq ft (double-faced); up to 48 sq ft (single-faced)/96 sq ft (double-faced) if height <= 8 ft, and 12 ft wide, with a Entirely behind property line; not over public ROW setback (Sec. § 170-10A, B, C, D; § 170-12). Most commercial signs in College Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| University Planned District (UPD) | 3 | 10 feet for maximum area bonus; otherwise not specified | 64 sq ft (single-faced), 128 sq ft (double-faced); up to 96 sq ft (single-faced)/192 sq ft (double-faced) if height <= 10 ft | — |
| Planned Research and Business Park District (PRBD), Medical Campus District (MC) | 2 | No portion higher than 25 ft if mounted on parapet as per § 170-11C(5) | See formula, no area maximum after 30,000 GFA | — |
| Commercial District | 4 | Maximum 25 ft above grade if parapet mount | See formula; up to 150 sq ft (<=4,500 sf GFA), 235 sq ft (30,000 GFA), unlimited after that | — |
| Industrial District | 4 | 25 ft above grade for parapet | Up to 235 sq ft for 30,000 sq ft GFA; no maximum above that | — |
| Residential District | 1 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft (single), 64 sq ft (double), up to 48/96 sq ft if height <= 8 ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 50 sq ft per business | — |

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

### University Planned District (UPD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet for maximum area bonus; otherwise not specified | 64 sq ft (single-faced), 128 sq ft (double-faced); up to 96 sq ft (single-faced)/192 sq ft (double-faced) if height <= 10 ft | — | — | — | Located in UPD | — | § 170-8J(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | See building sign formula (1 sq ft per 30 sq ft GFA up to 150 sq ft, increasing per formula); for UPD, same rule as general unless otherwise specified | — | — | — | Affixed to wall or other building surface in UPD | — | § 170-8J(2), § 170-11C |
| Temporary Sign | — | 3 sq ft (single-faced) or 6 sq ft (double-faced) without permit; greater sizes require a permit | — | — | — | UPD | — | § 170-8J(3) |

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft (single-faced); 64 sq ft (double-faced); up to 48 sq ft (single-faced)/96 sq ft (double-faced) if height <= 8 ft | 12 ft | Entirely behind property line; not over public ROW | One per individual lot; up to three per lot if abuts more than one street, plus extras for intersections and drive-throughs | Behind property line; cannot project over ROW or into neighboring lands | — | § 170-10A, B, C, D; § 170-12 |
| Wall Sign | Maximum 25 ft above grade if parapet mount | See formula; up to 150 sq ft (<=4,500 sf GFA), 235 sq ft (30,000 GFA), unlimited after that | — | No closer than 2 ft to ROW line; see additional mounting rules. | Not limited if sum area does not exceed maximum permitted; see projecting/roof signs per tenant. | Affixed to building/structure, must not project >5 ft from wall, not above roof/parapet. Clearance 8 ft (above sidewalk); 16 ft (above driving surface). No closer than 2 ft to ROW. | — | § 170-11 |
| Electronic or Digital Sign (Freestanding) | Same as freestanding sign | Same as freestanding sign | Same as freestanding sign | See freestanding sign setbacks. | See freestanding sign number. | Commercial or Industrial Districts only | — | § 170-12 |
| Electronic or Digital Sign (Wall) | Same as wall signs | Up to 50% of permissible wall sign area | Same as wall signs | See wall sign setbacks. | See wall sign restrictions in § 170-11 | Wall signs in Commercial and Industrial only | — | § 170-12 |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft (single)/64 sq ft (double); up to 48 sq ft (single)/96 sq ft (double) if height <= 8 ft | 12 ft | Must be behind property line | One per lot, up to three if abutting multiple streets; special rules for intersection and drive-through | Behind property line | — | § 170-10 |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft above grade for parapet | Up to 235 sq ft for 30,000 sq ft GFA; no maximum above that | — | No closer than 2 ft to ROW | Unlimited if total area not exceeded; only one projecting/roof sign per tenant | Affixed to building/structure | — | § 170-11 |
| Electronic or Digital Sign (Freestanding) | Same as Freestanding | Same as Freestanding | Same as Freestanding | See freestanding requirements | See freestanding numbers | Industrial District Only | — | §170-12 |
| Electronic or Digital Sign (Wall) | Same as wall sign | 50% of wall sign area | Same as wall sign | See wall sign requirements | See wall sign limitations | Industrial District Only | — | §170-12 |

## Prohibited signs in College Township

- Signs which incorporate in any manner flashing or moving illumination, or with illumination which varies in intensity or varies in color, and signs which have any visible moving part, visible revolving part, visible mechanical movement of any description or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical pulsation, except those signs with electronic or digital displays as permitted.
- Exterior or interior flashing signs or lights that are distracting to drivers of motor vehicles except as permitted for electronic or digital signs.
- Any sign or structure for which state of disrepair constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
- Any sign which emits sound, smoke, or odor.
- Signs which incorporate elements of flags, banners or other elements designed to move in the wind that are not affixed to permanent flagpoles or flagpoles mounted to buildings unless a temporary sign permit is obtained.
- Signs which obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exitway.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'one-way,' 'danger,' 'yield' or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Any obsolete sign (including the structural members of the sign) which is no longer licensed.
- Signs on public property, public rights-of-way or utility poles that are not erected by a governmental body, utility company or other entity as directed by the governmental body or utility unless approved by the College Township Council.
- Movable signs, except as temporary signs.
- Signs affixed to or otherwise attached to trees or any other living vegetation, except those property use signs exempted.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on any public or private property, except for signs meeting all of the following: the primary purpose of the vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs; the signs are an integral part of the vehicle as originally designed; the vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed (if applicable), and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which the signs relate; or the vehicle or trailer is used as storage, shelter, or distribution points for products or services.

## Signs exempt from permit in College Township

- Any sign which is less than three square feet in area per sign face, provided the property owner has given permission for the placement of such signs and the height of said sign(s) is no greater than 15 feet if freestanding. The total area and number per property is limited as specified.
- Signs erected by a governmental body or under direction of such body to protect the public's health, safety and welfare such as traffic signs, information signs, legal notices, safety signs, etc.
- Property use signs (such as 'no trespassing,' 'no hunting,' 'no fishing,' etc.) of not more than three square feet per sign face.
- Flags that are affixed to a permanent flagpole or flagpoles that are mounted to a building (either temporary or permanent) and contain no commercial advertisement.
- Religious insignias or emblems.
- Interior signs. All signs contained within a building whether visible or not from outside the building.
- Decorative signs that are clearly incidental, customary and commonly associated with a holiday.
- Signs permanently affixed to vending machines, ATMs, gasoline pumps and other similar product vending devices.
- Carried signs that are being carried by people (but not if set down or propped on objects).
- All signs in the University Planned District are exempt provided they meet square footage and other specified requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Developments within the Planned Research and Business Park Zoning District or Medical Campus Zoning District may submit a signage master plan to request an increase in the number and/or area of permitted signs.
- A signage master plan (covering location, type, area, height, material, phasing) is required for such developments to receive regulatory relief and must be approved by the governing body or its designee.
- If more than 50% of the number or area of existing signs is to be changed, a new signage master plan is required.
- All applicants proposing signs with electrical wiring must obtain a building permit through Centre Region Code Administration as applicable.
- No person, group, business, organization or entity may erect or maintain any sign not exempted as described in § 170-8 without first obtaining a sign permit (and subsequent sign license).
- Signs to be placed on public property, rights-of-way, or utility poles require approval from College Township Council, and an application must be submitted prior to a Council meeting.
- All permanent signs in the applicable Zoning Districts may be eligible for additional freestanding sign allowances only if covered by an approved signage master plan.

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

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