# Sign Regulations in Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/doylestown-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16051662#16051662)

## At a glance

Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Moveable Sidewalk Signs in the RC Retail Commercial, RC-1, Retail Commercial 1, CC Central Commercial, FC Freestanding Commercial zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall, 6 square feet per face, and 2 feet wide, with a No overhang into street; must comply with minimum distances above. setback (Sec. Part 8 §§ 801-809). Most commercial signs in Doylestown Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RC Retail Commercial, RC-1, Retail Commercial 1, CC Central Commercial, FC Freestanding Commercial | 7 | 14 feet | Maximum 20 square feet | — |
| FC Freestanding Commercial, CI, PI, CR-H | 5 | 35 feet | 250 square feet | — |
| CR, O, R1, R2, R2-A, R3, TND-1, TND-2, CR-H, Historical District | 12 | — | 150 square inches | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | Shall not extend above edge of wall, nor project more than 8 inches | — | — |

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

### RC Retail Commercial, RC-1, Retail Commercial 1, CC Central Commercial, FC Freestanding Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Moveable Sidewalk Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet per face | 2 feet | No overhang into street; must comply with minimum distances above. | 1 per establishment; maximum of 10 licenses per zoning district. | Directly abutting and co-extensive with the front of building on public sidewalk, as close as practicable to curb. Must maintain 4 feet of unobstructed sidewalk between sign and building. | — | Part 8 §§ 801-809 |
| Parallel/Wall Sign | May not extend above ground floor ceiling or more than 12 feet above curb (whichever is less) | — | — | — | Unlimited per establishment, provided total area within allowed formula and restrictions | Parallel to wall, not extending beyond wall edge or projecting more than 8 inches. Window signs included. | — | § 711(2), § 710(2) |
| Projecting Sign | May not extend above ground floor ceiling or more than 12 feet above curb (whichever is less) | — | — | — | See Parallel/Wall sign rule | — | — | § 711(2), § 710(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Retail Commercial) | 14 feet | Maximum 20 square feet | — | No closer to lot line than ½ required yard for district. | 1 per property per street frontage | 1 per property per street frontage | — | § 711(3), § 707(5), § 710(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Central Commercial) | 8 feet | Maximum 16 square feet | — | No closer to lot line than ½ required yard for district. | 1 per property per street frontage | 1 per property per street frontage | — | § 711(3), § 707(5), § 710(1) |
| Signs allowed in Residential and Office Districts (for permitted uses) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 711(1) |
| Off-Premises Signs (e.g., Political, Directional, Service Clubs) | — | See specific subsections: e.g., Political sign max 12 sq ft; directional/service club max 4 sq ft; directional event sign max 12 sq ft. | — | — | See § 709 for specific limits. | Not in street, alley, park or public place (except governmental); not within street line. | — | § 712, § 709, § 715 |

### FC Freestanding Commercial, CI, PI, CR-H

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parallel/Wall Sign | May not extend above ground floor ceiling or more than 12 feet above curb (whichever is less) | 50 square feet | — | — | Unlimited, subject to area restriction. | On wall, not exceeding area or height. Window signs included. | — | § 713(2) |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 14 feet | 60 square feet | — | No closer to lot line than ½ required yard for district. | 1 per property per street frontage | 1 per property per street frontage | — | § 713(3); § 707(6); § 710(1) |
| Signs allowed in Residential and Office Districts (for permitted uses) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 713(1) |
| Off-Premises Signs (e.g., Political, Directional, Service Clubs) | — | See specific subsections: e.g., Political sign max 12 sq ft; directional/service club max 4 sq ft; directional event sign max 12 sq ft. | — | — | See § 709 for specific limits. | Not in street, alley, park or public place (except governmental); not within street line. | — | § 714, § 709, § 715 |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard Signs) (PI Only) | 35 feet | 250 square feet | — | Minimum 50 ft from street line. | 1 per qualifying lot | Min 50 ft setback from street line. | — | § 709(5), § 714 |

### CR, O, R1, R2, R2-A, R3, TND-1, TND-2, CR-H, Historical District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Agricultural Produce Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises where produce is raised. | — | § 708(1) |
| Directional/Convenience Sign (Restroom, Parking, etc.) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On premises. | — | § 708(2) |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 150 square inches | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(4) |
| Home Occupation/Accessory Office Sign | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(5) |
| Directory Sign (Nonresidential Building) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(6) |
| Sign for Lawful Nonconforming Use | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(7) |
| For Sale/Rent/Sold Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(8) |
| Builder/Development Sign (Temporary) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | § 708(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Doylestown Borough

- No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, confusion with traffic control devices, or through any other means.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 25 feet from the intersection of any street lines or the intersection of a street line and the edge of a private accessway, unless the location of the sign is situated at least eight feet above the level of the street center line.
- No sign shall overhang any walkway or public right-of-way, except for overhanging signs in the Historical District that meet specified criteria.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair; dilapidated signs shall be removed by the Borough at the property owner’s expense.
- Signs existing at the time of passage of the ordinance which do not conform are considered nonconforming signs and may not be replaced unless with a conforming sign; nonconforming signs may only be repainted or repaired in place and may not exceed existing dimensions.
- No other signs (except government signs and certain parallel signs where no front yard setback is required) shall be permitted within street lines.
- No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district in which it is located.
- Total square footage of all signs on one frontage shall not exceed 100 square feet, excluding nonadvertising directional signs.
- Temporary window signs shall not be displayed for more than 60 days to avoid being considered permanent.
- Directly illuminated signs are prohibited in the Historic District.
- The light source for an indirectly illuminated sign must be shielded so that no direct rays are visible either on or off lot.
- No sign shall hang from awnings, move (nonstationary/moveable signs), have festoon lighting, roof signs, or flashing lighting in any CR, O, R1, R2, R2-A, R3, CR-H, TND-1 or TND-2 District or in the Historical District (except by special exception in other zones and subject to conditions).

## Signs exempt from permit in Doylestown Borough

- Signs erected by a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, are permitted within street lines.
- Signs displayed strictly for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public (such as restrooms, parking area entrances, etc.), provided area is within limits.
- Flags representing governmental, educational, or religious organizations.
- Nonilluminated memorial or historical signs or tablets.
- Temporary political signs erected by a property owner, candidate, or political party on the lot do not require a permit or approval, provided they are removed within 10 days after the election.
- Temporary nonilluminated signs of mechanics or artisans during the period work is performed on premises, within area limitations.
- Nonadvertising, directional signs are not included in computation of total sign area.
- Signs announcing no trespassing, private road, or controlling fishing/hunting (within size limits).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs erected, constructed, or otherwise altered in any zoning district which is also located within the Historical District require prior approval of the Historical and Architectural Review Board.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, or otherwise alter any sign without first filing with the Zoning Officer and obtaining a permit (normal sign maintenance excepted).
- Applications for sign permits must be accompanied by drawings showing details of the sign and structural requirements.
- For temporary signs related to events or development, a permit and a removal escrow may be required (per §709(3) and §715(4)).
- For certain signs (e.g., flashing, moveable, roof, nonstationary, festoon lighting, etc.) in districts where generally prohibited, an application for a special exception to the Zoning Hearing Board may be made, which includes a public hearing.

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

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