# Sign Regulations in Dickson City, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dickson City, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/dickson-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Scd-kdu72CvXyM89TeO1E5XzN_YraE4P)

## At a glance

Dickson City, Pennsylvania regulates 33 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Detached Sign (Freestanding)s in the Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, CMU, C-3, C-3A, C-4) zoning district are capped at 30 feet max above ground tall and 100 square feet, with a Equal to height, min 20 feet setback (Sec. 5.982 a, c, 5.985 d). Most commercial signs in Dickson City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (ROS, R-1, R-2) | 11 | 20 feet or one story (lower) | 20 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, CMU, C-3, C-3A, C-4) | 15 | 36 inches above ground | 672 square feet (individual); 4 times frontage | — |
| Manufacturing Districts (M-1) | 11 | 36 inches above ground | 672 square feet (individual); 4 times frontage | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 30 feet above ground | — | — |

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

### Residential Districts (ROS, R-1, R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit (2 on corner lots) | On dwelling unit, facing street(s) | — | 5.981 a.1 |
| Nameplate Sign (Building) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lots) | On building, facing street(s) | — | 5.981 a.2 |
| Sale or Rental Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 2 (additional 2 per extra frontage) | On premises being sold or rented | — | 5.981 b |
| Institutional Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 (2 on multiple frontages) | On property of school, college, church, hospital, etc., facing street(s) | — | 5.981 c |
| Parking Sign (Entrance/Exit) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit per direction | At entrances/exits to parking areas | — | 5.981 d |
| Parking Sign (Conditions) | — | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lots) | In parking area, facing street(s) | — | 5.981 d |
| Development Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 2 (additional 2 per extra frontage) | On premises being developed | — | 5.981 e |
| Directional Sign (Off-site) | — | 6 square feet | 4 feet in length | — | 1 per 500 feet of street frontage | Off premises, indicating direction to development | — | 5.981 f |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, CMU, C-3, C-3A, C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | Equal to height, minimum 20 feet | Not specified | Free-standing; only in C districts other than C-1 and CMU | — | 5.982 a, c |
| Attached Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | Securely attached to buildings in all districts | — | 5.982 b, 5.985 b, c |
| Flashing Sign | — | — | — | >=250 ft from res/school/intersection | Not specified | Attached to building or free-standing (not in C-1/CMU) | — | 5.982 f |
| Window Sign | — | 1/3 of window gross surface area | — | — | Not specified | In windows of business properties | — | 5.982 g |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | — | 672 square feet (individual); 4 times frontage | — | Height or 25 feet min; 1000 ft spacing | Not specified | C-3 only (not on Commerce Blvd or Viewmont Dr) | — | 5.983 (C-3) |
| Directional Sign (Off-site) | 36 inches above ground | — | — | 10 feet min | Max 2 off-site per premises | On major/secondary streets; >=10 ft setback or on line if needed | — | 5.984 |
| Detached Sign (Freestanding) | 30 feet max above ground | 100 square feet | — | Equal to height, min 20 feet | Not specified | Free-standing; permitted only in C districts other than C-1 and CMU | — | 5.982 a, c, 5.985 d |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) - C-3 Only | — | 672 sq ft individual; 4x frontage total | — | Height or 25 ft min | Spacing 1000 ft | C-3 (not Commerce Blvd/Viewmont Dr) | — | 5.983 a-g |

### Manufacturing Districts (M-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Detached Sign | — | 150 square feet | — | Equal to height, minimum 20 feet | Not specified | Free-standing permitted | — | 5.982 a, c |
| Attached Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | Securely attached to buildings | — | 5.982 b, 5.985 b, c |
| Flashing Sign | — | — | — | >=250 ft from res/school/intersection | Not specified | Attached or free-standing | — | 5.982 f |
| Window Sign | — | 1/3 of window gross surface area | — | — | Not specified | In windows of business properties | — | 5.982 g |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | — | 672 square feet (individual); 4 times frontage | — | Height or 25 feet min; 1000 ft spacing | Not specified | M-1 (not on Commerce Blvd or Viewmont Dr) | — | 5.983, g |
| Directional Sign (Off-site) | 36 inches above ground | — | — | 10 feet min | Max 2 off-site per premises | On major/secondary streets; >=10 ft setback or on line if needed | — | 5.984 |
| Detached Sign (Freestanding) | 30 feet max above ground | 150 square feet | — | Equal to height, min 20 feet | Not specified | Free-standing permitted | — | 5.982 a, c, 5.985 d |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | — | 672 sq ft individual; 4x frontage total | — | Height or 25 ft; 1000 ft spacing | Not specified | M-1 (not Commerce Blvd/Viewmont Dr) | — | 5.983 a-h |

## Prohibited signs in Dickson City

- Signs may only be erected, reconstructed, and maintained in compliance with the ordinance provisions and the Building Code of the Borough of Dickson City.
- All permitted signs, other than temporary signs, shall be of rigid construction and shall not include banners and other signs made of soft fabrics.
- Signs shall be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition; dilapidated signs are not allowed.
- No sign except a free-standing sign shall be higher than the building on which it is located, nor shall any sign be located upon the roof of any building (except a business sign affixed to a parapet).
- No free-standing sign shall extend more than thirty (30) feet above the mean ground level where it is located.
- Wall signs shall not extend more than 15 inches out from the wall surface.
- Projecting signs shall not project from any building more than three (3) feet in the direction of a public street or public walkway area, nor extend over a public street or walkway area; a clear space of not less than ten (10) feet shall be provided below all parts of projecting signs.
- Portable signs, including temporary signs, are prohibited in public rights-of-way.
- No banners containing commercial advertising messages shall be permitted over any public sidewalk or right-of-way areas.
- Hand-carried signs shall be prohibited in Residential zones or in the CMU zone.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dickson City

- Temporary political signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs provided for in Subsection 5.981 (certain non-illuminated, non-advertising signs in Residential Districts, such as nameplates, identification signs, sale/rental signs, institutional signs, parking area signs, development signs, directional signs, artisans' signs, private driveway signs) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Other accessory residential signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- For as-is replacement of damaged signs, no permit is required.
- Signs in the interest of public information and convenience may be issued a temporary permit by the Zoning Officer without standard permit fees.
- No fee shall be charged for the erection of a sign necessary to the public welfare.
- Signs affixed to benches or shelters placed by the Borough in public rights-of-way or other public property are not subject to the portable signs provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Flashing signs are permitted only as Special Exceptions in C or M Districts, requiring application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Outdoor advertising (billboards) are permitted only as Special Exceptions in C-3 and M-1 zones, requiring application to the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Directional signs are permitted only as Special Exceptions in C and M zones (and in all zones for residential developments), requiring application to the Zoning Hearing Board with referral to the Borough Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
- Temporary uses, including certain temporary signs, may require Special Exceptions approved by the Borough Council.

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

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