Sign Regulations in Derry Borough, Pennsylvania
Derry Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 36 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, Reflective 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 Derry Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Derry Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign - Combined Wall and Freestanding (Commercial) | — | Total wall sign area for each wall = linear feet of building facing abutting street; total sign area limits for examples given (corner lot example: 50 sq ft (front), 60 sq ft (side), 50 sq ft (rear); up to 160 sq ft total); Freestanding sign max is 40 sq ft (C-CB), 60 sq ft (G-I). | — |
| General Sign (Residential Dwelling Uses) | — | 6 sq ft (Residential Dwelling Use) | 4 ft from lot line if no sidewalk; 3 ft from inside edge of sidewalk. |
| General Sign (Bus shelters, forestry activities, open spaces, minor-impact home-based businesses) | — | 12 sq ft (includes residential 6 sq ft if home-based business) | 4 ft/3 ft, see above. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Derry BoroughFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
36
- Freestanding Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Reflective Sign
- Directional Sign (Non-advertising)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Derry Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Derry 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 Derry 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 Derry Borough, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, Reflective Sign, Directional Sign (Non-advertising), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Derry Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Derry Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Derry Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
AI-Powered Research
Ready to Research Derry Borough Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Derry Borough, Pennsylvania sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Derry Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Derry Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 36 sign types across 7 zoning districts. General Sign (Residential dwelling single/duplex/parks/playgrounds)s in the R-MH District zoning district are capped at 6 sq ft per unit, with a 4 ft/3 ft as above. setback (Sec. § 425-83). Most commercial signs in Derry Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Derry Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Derry Borough (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | Total wall sign area for each wall = linear feet of building facing abutting street; total sign area limits for examples given (corner lot example: 50 sq ft (front), 60 sq ft (side), 50 sq ft (rear); up to 160 sq ft total); Freestanding sign max is 40 sq ft (C-CB), 60 sq ft (G-I). | — |
| R-SH District | 10 | Bottommost part shall not exceed 2 ft above ground grade. | 30% of sign area, or up to 12 sq ft if approved by Zoning Board. | — |
| R-MH District | 12 | Bottommost part not to exceed 2 ft above ground. | 18 sq ft | — |
| MX-VC District | 13 | No sign may exceed the height of the associated building or 28 ft, whichever is greater. | 18 sq ft | — |
| C-CB Central Business Commercial District | 10 | No sign may exceed height of associated building or 28 ft, whichever is greater. | Max 40 sq ft individual sign. | — |
| G-I District | 11 | No sign shall exceed 10 ft above height of associated building, and maximum 18 ft if freestanding or 30 ft if attached. | Max 60 sq ft. | — |
| O-C District | 10 | Bottommost part not to exceed 2 ft above ground. | 18 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Derry Borough(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
R-MH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign (Residential dwelling single/duplex/parks/playgrounds) | — | 6 sq ft per unit | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of max sq ft. | Minimum 4 ft from property line if no sidewalk, 3 ft from inside edge of sidewalk. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| General Sign (Over 3 units/apartments/low-rise dwgs) | — | 4 sq ft per unit; 8 sq ft per building for owner/operator for parking, exit, entrance signage | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of max sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| General Sign (Bus shelters, forestry, open spaces, parks with facilities, essential svc/utilities) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of max sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| General Sign (Minor-impact home-based, day-care in home) | — | 12 sq ft (includes residential 6 sq ft) | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of max sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| General Sign (Cemeteries, churches etc.) | — | 18 sq ft | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of max sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| Freestanding Sign | Bottommost part not to exceed 2 ft above ground. | Included within overall lot max for permitted use. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting from building. | — | Unlock | § 425-83 |
| Illuminated Sign | — | Up to 12 sq ft for electronic if approved. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-83A |
MX-VC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign (Residential dwelling single/duplex) | — | 6 sq ft per unit | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Minimum 4 ft from property line if no sidewalk, 3 ft from inside edge of sidewalk. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| General Sign (Over 3 units/apartments/low-rise, etc.) | — | 4 sq ft per unit; 8 sq ft per bldg for operator; 12 sq ft for certain institutional uses | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| General Sign (Bus shelters, utility/essential svcs, open space, parks w/ facilities, etc.) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| General Sign (Parking facility not onsite, minor-impact home-based) | — | 12 sq ft (includes residential 6 sq ft) | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| General Sign (Day-care, funeral home, health svc, nursing home, etc.) | — | 18 sq ft | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| General Sign (Boarding, churches, hotels, libraries, museums, schools) | — | 18 sq ft | — | 4 ft/3 ft as above. | Depends on division of combined sq ft. | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| Freestanding Sign | No sign may exceed the height of the associated building or 28 ft, whichever is greater. | Included within lot max per permitted use. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting from building. | — | Unlock | § 425-84 |
G-I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign (Bus shelters, essential services, utility buildings, parking not on lot) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft if no sidewalk, 5 ft from sidewalk edge. | — | 10 ft from property if no sidewalk; 5 ft from inside edge of sidewalk | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| General Sign (Adult businesses, agriculture, alt towers, wireless telecom) | — | 18 sq ft | — | 10 ft/5 ft as above. | — | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| General Sign (Automotive srvcs, med labs, storage) | — | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft/5 ft as above. | — | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| General Sign (Automotive assembly, freight, rail, printing, labs, wholesale, woodworking) | — | Max area = building frontage in linear feet. | — | 10 ft/5 ft as above. | — | Same as above. | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| Freestanding Sign | No sign shall exceed 10 ft above height of associated building, and maximum 18 ft if freestanding or 30 ft if attached. | Max 60 sq ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| Projecting Sign | — | Max 30 sq ft. | — | — | — | Projecting from building. | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| Reflective Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-86 |
| Illuminated Sign | — | Electronic portion up to 12 sq ft if approved. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 425-86A |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Derry 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 7 zones for Derry Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Derry Borough
- No sign, poster, notice, billboard or similar item may be affixed to any public utility pole, sign pole or post, fire hydrant, tree, public building or other structure in any public place without first obtaining a permit from the Borough (unless otherwise exempted in the article).
- Signs installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this article, are subject to forfeiture and confiscation.
- All signs that are not expressly permitted under this chapter are prohibited in the Borough.
- Signs must not be located within a public right-of-way (unless otherwise stated), nor extend over or onto the public sidewalk or right-of-way.
- Signs must not be located in the clear-sight triangle of a corner lot if exceeding 3 1/2 feet in height above the finished paved area at the center of the roadway.
- Signs must not impede foot traffic.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, kept in good repair and not permitted to become dilapidated.
- Signs must be removed when the circumstances leading to their erection no longer apply.
- Negligence to apply for a sign permit is punishable by a fine as prescribed by the Derry Borough Council.
- Leaving a sign affixed beyond the length of time specified in the permit constitutes a violation.
- Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or relocated within the Borough.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be altered in any aspect except for safety improvements, normal maintenance, or to bring it into conformance.
- No permanent, temporary or illuminated signs are permitted in residential zones unless the property is used as an educational institution, church or business.
- Signs with moving devices or intermittent or flashing lights are not permitted, except illuminated signs with flashing lights may be permitted subject to Zoning Hearing Board/Zoning Officer approval.
- It is unlawful to willfully or maliciously destroy, remove, deface, obliterate, or cover up any lamp, warning sign, or barricade erected by the Borough authorities or permit holders as a warning of danger on any Borough property.
Exempt Signs in Derry Borough
- Signs erected or required by the local, state, or federal government.
- On or off-site signs erected for public information, safety, or direction by any public utility.
- Temporary signs such as real estate for sale or rent, political candidate signs, auction, yard or item-for-sale signs; common, temporary residential signs (e.g. birth announcement, graduation party or similar type event), but only for a maximum of seven consecutive days within a period of 90 calendar days.
- Temporary signs for retail business establishments running a special sale/event for a very limited time only.
- Holiday signs and decorations with no commercial message.
- Traffic control signs on private property, such as 'stop' or 'yield' and similar signs, the face of which must meet the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation standards and which contain no commercial sign of any sort.
- A conforming sign may be repaired, repainted, removed for repair and then remounted, or replaced with an identical sign without any permits.
- A legal nonconforming sign may be repaired, repainted, or removed for repair and then remounted without obtaining a zoning permit.
- Replacing a temporary nonconforming sign with an identical temporary nonconforming sign does not require any permits.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Derry Borough
- Permit applications must include the length of time for which the permit is desired, the name of the responsible entity, and any other information the Borough deems necessary.
- Application for sign permits must be made to the Zoning Officer and will be processed within two weeks of written request and payment of fee, provided size and design conform to all applicable ordinances.
- If a replacement sign is not identical to the previous sign, such replacement may or may not require a zoning permit, depending on type and location.
- Replacing a permanent nonconforming sign with an identical permanent nonconforming sign requires a zoning permit.
- A sign plan (master sign plan or similar) is not explicitly referenced, but size, design, and placement must conform to provisions and may require additional documents if deemed necessary by the Borough or for special types of signs (such as electronic message boards).
- Electronic message boards and illuminated signs require approval (including possible minor conditional use permit) by the Zoning Board/Zoning Officer in various districts, and permits may have additional conditions imposed or reviewed.
- For replacing an existing sign with a nonidentical sign (including technological upgrades), the process is treated as erecting a new sign, which may trigger a new permit and review process.
Source: ecode360 municipal code