# Sign Regulations in Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/doylestown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/10731545#10731545)

## At a glance

Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Street Pole Banner Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Industrial District (LI), Quarry District (Q) zoning district are capped at 8 ft above grade, 14 ft if within 18 in of curb tall, 12.5 sq ft per banner; max width 3 ft, and 3 ft wide (Sec. §175-111.2.E, §175-110D). Most commercial signs in Doylestown Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Contained within building height restrictions, except off-premise outdoor advertising | — | — |
| Residential District (R-1a, R-1, R-2, R-2a, R-2b, R-4) | 9 | 8 ft | Per §175-108: e.g., trespassing/incidental signs max 2 sq ft; non-commercial directional signs max 4 sq ft | — |
| Institutional District (I, I-2) | 8 | 20 ft | Per §175-108 | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Industrial District (LI), Quarry District (Q) | 10 | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Commercial Retirement District (CR), Village Center District (VC) | 8 | Building sign: eave line; Freestanding: 20 ft | Per §175-108 | — |
| Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential District (R-1a, R-1, R-2, R-2a, R-2b, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign (Single-Family Detached) | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.B(1), Table (Residential) |
| Permanent Sign (All Other Residential Uses) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit or 1 per street frontage | 1 per dwelling or 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Single-Family Detached) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.B(2) |
| Temporary Sign (All Other Residential Uses) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | — | §175-111.B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Development > 10 units) | 8 ft | 15 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.C |
| Permanent Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.D(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.D(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | Up to 6 sq ft (lots <2 acres), 16 sq ft (lots >2 acres), 24 sq ft (lots >5 acres) | — | — | 1 per property (or 2 for multiple frontages) | 1 per property (or 2 if more than one street frontage) | — | §175-110E, §175-111.E |

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4), Industrial District (LI), Quarry District (Q)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Signs (Nonresidential Uses - Permanent) | To the eave line | 1.5 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage (for each tenant or establishment) subject to max size limits | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, max 2 per tenant | Affixed to building | — | §175-111.2.B(1), Table (C and LI, Q) |
| Building Signs (Nonresidential Uses - Temporary) | Lowest edge of sign at least 8 ft above grade, not above building height | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 2 if >10,000 sq ft | 1 per property; 2 if property >10,000 sq ft | — | §175-111.2.B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Permanent) | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.2.C(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Temporary) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | 1 per property | — | §175-111.2.C(2) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | May be incorporated into permitted wall/freestanding sign | — | — | 1 per property | Wall or freestanding | — | §175-111.2.D, §175-110C |
| Street Pole Banner Sign | 8 ft above grade, 14 ft if within 18 in of curb | 12.5 sq ft per banner; max width 3 ft | 3 ft | — | Up to 2 per pole | Single street pole | — | §175-111.2.E, §175-110D |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center Use on Regional Arterial - Permanent) | 30 ft | 250 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Along each street frontage abutting property on regional arterial | — | §175-111.2.F |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | Up to 6 sq ft (<2 acres), 16 sq ft (>2 acres), 24 sq ft (>5 acres) | — | — | 1 per property; or 2 if two frontages | 1 per property (or 2 if two street frontages) | — | §175-111.2.G, §175-110E |

### Commercial Retirement District (CR), Village Center District (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | — | Per §175-108 | — | — | — | Per §175-108 | — | §175-108, §175-111.3.A |
| Permanent Sign (Single-Family Detached Residential Use) | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.3.B(1) |
| Permanent Sign (All Other Residential Uses) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit or 1 per street frontage | 1 per dwelling unit or 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.3.B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Single-Family Detached) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.3.B(2) |
| Temporary Sign (All Other Residential Uses) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | — | §175-111.3.B(2) |
| Nonresidential Uses (Permanent Sign) | Building sign: eave line; Freestanding: 20 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | §175-111.3.C(1) |
| Nonresidential Uses (Temporary Sign) | Building sign: eave line; Freestanding: 20 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 200 ft of frontage | 1 per 200 ft of street frontage | — | §175-111.3.C(2) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | Up to 6 sq ft (<2 acres), 16 sq ft (>2 acres), 24 sq ft (>5 acres) | — | — | 1 per property, 2 if two street frontages | 1 per property (or 2 for multiple frontages) | — | §175-111.3.D, §175-110E |

## Prohibited signs in Doylestown Township

- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district on which the property to which the sign relates is located. (This does not apply to off-premise, outdoor advertising signs.)
- Any sign which flashes, rotates, spins, revolves or oscillates (with the exception of barber poles).
- Any sign which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
- Any illuminated sign in residential districts, except as specifically provided for.
- No sign shall contain neon or other gases or powders in exposed tubes where the tubes are visible, except for signs located within windows.
- Mobile billboards, if they are parked in such a manner that their primary purpose is for advertising.
- Roof signs.
- Any sign which interferes with an official highway sign.
- Any sign which imitates or attempts to imitate an official traffic sign, signal or device.
- Off-premises outdoor advertising signs shall be permitted only in the Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign Overlay District.
- Signs or any guide, stay or attachment thereto erected, placed, painted, or maintained by any person (other than the Township) on rock, fences or trees or electric light, power, telephone or telegraph, or other pole on any street in the Township, nor affixed to or on any trail in the Township.

## Signs exempt from permit in Doylestown Township

- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, emergency signs, and other official traffic signs which are in the interest of public safety or the regulation of traffic.
- Trespassing signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing or hunting upon a particular premises (maximum two square feet per sign, spaced at least 100 feet apart).
- Incidental signs, such as those advertising the availability of rest rooms, or public conveniences, or those giving store hours or the names of credit or charge institutions, provided such signs do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods or services (maximum two square feet per sign).
- Governmental flag or insignia such as the flag of the United States, the Pennsylvania state flag, and/or other local governmental flags.
- Legal notice.
- Cornerstone, historical plaque or sign affixed to the surface of a building wall and not exceeding two square feet.
- Governmental signs, including safety signs, signs indicating points of interest, signs identifying official governmental buildings or facilities; governmental building, police station or other Township facility signs may be illuminated by exterior lights focused on the sign.
- Directional signs, provided they do not contain any commercial messaging, do not exceed four square feet in area, maximum height of five feet, and are nonilluminated.
- A sign permit shall not be required prior to the erection, structural repair, alteration, moving, removal, or demolition of exempt signs in any zoning district.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All plans and applications for subdivision and land developments shall include on the plans information describing all signs proposed for the subdivision and/or land development, indicating the size, location, style, materials, proposed text, lighting, and colors for all signs to demonstrate compliance with sign regulations.
- A sign permit shall be secured from the Zoning Officer prior to the use, erection, structural repair, alteration, relocation, removal, or demolition of any sign unless listed as exempt.
- Applications for street pole banner sign permits must contain: a diagram or map of specific poles to be used for installation and streets on which poles are located, a proof of banner design with dimensions, bracket installation system specifications, and written consent from the pole owner.

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

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