Sign Regulations in Denver Borough, Pennsylvania
Denver Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 11 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Denver Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Denver Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | Must be behind property line. |
| Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
11
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Canopy Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Denver Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Denver Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Denver Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Denver Borough, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, Canopy Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Denver Borough, monument signs typically require a Must be behind property line. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Denver Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Denver Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Denver Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Denver Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 11 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 300 sq ft per side, with a 100 ft from ROW, 600 ft from dwellings, 1,000 ft from other signs setback (Sec. § 200-127A-H). Most commercial signs in Denver Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Denver Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Denver Borough (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial District | 5 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District | 6 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Business District (B) | 6 | 4 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Institutional District | 5 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per side | — |
| 1 more zone in PermitPal — start free | ||||
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Denver Borough(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Industrial District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Unlock | § 200-132A-D |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Must be behind property line. | — | Behind property line; not project over right-of-way or adjoining lands. | — | Unlock | § 200-129A-C |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May not project more than 5 ft beyond building line; not closer than 2 ft to curb/curbline. | — | Unlock | § 200-130A-C |
| Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Canopy, building facade | — | Unlock | § 200-131A-E |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Unlock | § 200-136 and Table 9-2 |
| Electronic Message Display (EMD) Sign | — | — | — | Not within 150 ft of residential areas. | — | — | — | Unlock | § 200-137.1B |
Business District (B)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Building wall | — | Unlock | § 200-132A-D |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Must be behind property line. | — | Behind property line; not to project over right-of-way or adjoining lands; not in planned/shopping centers. | — | Unlock | § 200-129A-C |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May not project more than 5 ft beyond building line, not closer than 2 ft to curb/curbline. | — | Unlock | § 200-130A-C |
| Canopy Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | Canopy, building facade | — | Unlock | § 200-131A-E |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Inside window | — | Unlock | § 200-136 and Table 9-2 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 4 ft | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per premises | Sidewalk | — | Unlock | § 200-134A-F |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 200-126A-H |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 25 ft | 300 sq ft per side | — | 100 ft from ROW, 600 ft from dwellings, 1,000 ft from other signs | One two-sided panel per location | Min 100 ft setback from street right-of-way line; min 600 ft from existing dwellings; min 1,000 ft from other billboards. | — | Unlock | § 200-127A-H |
| Bus Shelter Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per bus shelter (both sides ok) | Rear side, parallel to street | — | Unlock | § 200-137A-D |
| Planned Center Entrance/Directory Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per planned center | Frontage on major collector road; on lands of the center | — | Unlock | § 200-135C-E |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Denver Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Denver Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Denver Borough
- All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter or exempt from regulation hereunder are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating flashing or moving illumination, or variable intensity or color illumination, or with any visible moving part, revolving part, or mechanical movement are prohibited. (Exception: signs displaying only weather and time information.)
- Exterior or interior flashing signs or lights such as lasers or floodlights distracting to drivers are prohibited.
- Any sign or structure in disrepair constituting a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct the vision of drivers or detract from visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads are prohibited.
- Any sign obstructing free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required exitway is prohibited.
- Signs using words or symbols such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'one-way', 'danger', 'yield,' or any similar words, phrases, symbols, lights, or characters that interfere with, mislead, confuse, or distract drivers are prohibited.
- Any obsolete sign (including structural members) that is no longer licensed is prohibited.
- Signs on public property, public rights-of-way, or utility poles not erected by a governmental body or utility company are prohibited.
- Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except those exempted for holiday purposes, are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs and tethered balloons, including those larger than two feet in diameter, are prohibited unless allowed as temporary signs under specific limitations.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs specially constructed and erected on motor vehicles for advertising purposes are prohibited, except legally registered public transportation vehicles.
- Signs that include pornographic or obscene words or displays relating to sexual activities are prohibited.
- No sign may be placed in a position causing danger to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- No sign or sign-bearing structure other than official traffic signs and public utility facilities shall be erected within or extend into the right-of-way of a street except as authorized.
- No sign shall be higher than the height limitations of the district in which it is located.
- No sign shall be placed on utility poles except as allowed by Pennsylvania Act 360.
- No sign may be located or maintained in clear sight triangles at driveways or intersections if it exceeds two feet above undisturbed grade.
- No sidewalk sign shall block pedestrian traffic, create a hazard for persons with disabilities, or be placed at any bus stop, loading zone, driveway, or block corner visibility for drivers; nor shall they be fastened to any tree, utility pole, parking meter, street sign or other structure.
- No person may willfully or maliciously destroy, remove, deface, obliterate, or cover up any warning sign or barricade erected by Borough authorities or authorized parties.
Exempt Signs in Denver Borough
- Signs necessary for the direction, regulation and control of traffic, street name signs, warnings at railroad crossings, and other official signs authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body are exempt.
- Any public notice or warning required by valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance is exempt.
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, and not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the property is exempt.
- Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message are exempt.
- Traffic control signs on private property, such as Stop, Yield, and similar signs meeting PennDOT standards and containing no commercial message, are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Denver Borough
- All signs, except where exempted, require a permit; one application and permit may include multiple signs on the same premises.
- A detailed drawing showing dimensions, design, structure, and location is required for permit applications (one application can be for multiple signs on same property).
- No sign permit of any kind shall be issued for any sign unless such sign is consistent with the requirements of this article in every respect.
- It is a violation to install, create, erect, or maintain any sign in a way inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign.
- Modifications to area/dimensional requirements exceeding the code must be sought through variance from the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Temporary signs (except those exempt in §200-113) require a temporary sign permit.
- A permit is required for the erection, placement, establishment, creation, alteration, or maintenance of all signs unless otherwise indicated in this article.
- All off-premises advertising signs require a permit and a registration certificate.
- All existing nonconforming signs must be licensed within 180 days after adoption of this chapter.
- The code references a permit system and standards for all permitted signs; no explicit mention of 'master sign plan' or required sign plan meeting, but permit applications can cover multiple signs on a property and any modification to standards must go through variance.
Source: ecode360 municipal code