# Sign Regulations in Dover Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dover Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/dover-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Dover Township, Pennsylvania regulates 22 sign types across 1 zoning district. Real Estate Sign (Residential Property)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a Minimum setback per permanent sign requirements on same property setback (Sec. § 27-802.1). Most commercial signs in Dover Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | 35 ft (from natural grade to highest point) | 700 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Property) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum setback per permanent sign requirements on same property | 1 per frontage | On property for sale or rent | — | § 27-802.1 |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Property) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum setback per permanent sign requirements on same property | 1 per frontage | On property for sale or rent | — | § 27-802.1 |
| Temporary Contractor/Construction Sign (Residential) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Same as permanent sign on same property | — | On premises where work is being performed | — | § 27-802.2 |
| Temporary Contractor/Construction Sign (Nonresidential) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Same as permanent sign on same property | — | On premises where work is being performed | — | § 27-802.2 |
| Permanent Freestanding Sign | 15 ft (standard); 18 ft (abutting arterial road) | 50 sq ft (standard); 80 sq ft (abutting arterial road) | — | Per § 27-801 (sight distance, residential proximity, not in right-of-way) | 1 per lot plus conditions | On same lot as business; corner lots: one per street frontage; extra for excess frontage (100 feet over min requirements/district); but no single business > 1 freestanding sign on one lot/contiguous lots | — | § 27-804.1 |
| Roof Sign | Not above roof line or eave | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On roof, not above roof line or eave | — | § 27-804.4 |
| Residential Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Per § 27-801 | 1 per entrance or street frontage | At entrance or on property | — | § 27-804.6 |
| Billboard Sign (Principal Arterial Roads) | 35 ft (from natural grade to highest point) | 700 sq ft | — | Minimum 50 ft from right-of-way | — | Principal Arterial Roads (per Master Plan) | — | § 27-805 |

## Prohibited signs in Dover Township

- Signs shall not be erected within or extend into the public right-of-way, including sidewalks on both sides of every street.
- The base of a freestanding sign shall not be used for any portion of the message, whether verbal or pictorial, nor for the placement of any future signs, whether permanent or temporary.
- Signs must be located so that they do not interfere with proper sight distances.
- No sign exceeding 32 square feet in area may be located within 75 feet of a residential use.
- No sign may project over a public sidewalk area or over a public highway or street unless specifically authorized by other Township or State regulations.
- Projecting signs shall be no less than eight feet high at the lower edge of the sign.
- Flashing, rotating, and intermittent lights are not permitted.
- Illumination must be so screened that it is not directed or reflected toward any residence within 100 feet or so it does not obstruct the vision of motorists.
- Illuminated signs in the colors red, green, or amber, or those highly reflective, may not be located within a radius of 200 feet of a highway traffic light, similar safety device, or street intersection.
- Freestanding internally illuminated signs shall be dimmable at night so as not to cause an objectionable glare to adjacent residential uses or motorists.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials, maintained in good condition, and not allowed to become dilapidated.
- Upon termination or abandonment of a commercial or industrial use, all signs pertaining to the enterprise must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dover Township

- Signs offering the sale or rental of the premises upon which the sign is erected, within specified size and quantity limitations, and constructed of a painted or printed solid surface material (not changeable copy or banner signs).
- Temporary signs of contractors, developers, architects, engineers, builders and artisans on the premises where work is being performed, within size and quantity limitations, and constructed of a painted or printed solid surface material (not changeable copy or banner signs), provided removed upon completion of the work.
- No trespassing, private road, driveway, premises, or hunting/fishing control signs, not exceeding four square feet.
- Plaques not exceeding four square feet which identify a site or structure as registered as a Federal or State historic place.
- Traffic and/or pedestrian safety control signs (e.g., Entrance, Exit, No Parking), containing only traffic control information, not exceeding 6 square feet in area and 5 feet in height, that do not block visibility or create a safety hazard; interior property directional signs up to 12 square feet in area and 6 feet in height; menu-board type signs permitted with a maximum area of 50 square feet and maximum height of 6 feet; such signs not to be constructed of painted, printed, or solid surface material, and not changeable copy or banner signs; illuminated menu-boards must be screened from adjacent residential uses.
- Political signs on private property with property owner's permission, provided they do not create a traffic hazard and are removed within 15 days after the relevant election.
- Banners or signs for Township events or promotions or similar community events that are not placed more than 14 days prior to an event and are removed within 7 days after the event.
- Sponsorship signs at athletic fields and similar settings benefiting a nonprofit organization, and located to be viewed primarily by spectators at events, not from roadways or off the property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit approval for off-premises advertising sign/billboard sign is contingent upon submission of a certified lease agreement and submission of a sketch plan that includes the sign lease area and lease area topographical boundaries.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Dover Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Dover+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-dover-township

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/dover-township