# Sign Regulations in Dublin Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dublin Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/dublin-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32262428#32262428)

## At a glance

Dublin Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 33 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding/Wall Sign - Residential Development or Subdivisions in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft (freestanding) tall and 16 sq ft, with a 25 ft from side line, 15 ft from street setback (Sec. §19-108.1B).

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Must have minimum clearance of 8 ft above ground below sign; cannot extend above roofline or eaves or project more than 4 ft from building. | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2) | 7 | 6 ft (freestanding) | 162 sq in (9 in x 18 in) | — |
| TC-1, TC-2, Planned Village Development District | 15 | Subject to §19-104.6B/C | 30 sq ft | — |
| D4 Mixed Use Properties | 2 | — | — | — |
| D23 Shopping Center | 1 | — | 75 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Ind, Ind-1, Industrial Districts (Ind, Ind-1) | 6 | Freestanding: 5 ft | 40 sq ft (wall); 20 sq ft (freestanding/projecting/window) | — |
| E2 Industrial Park | 1 | — | 75 sq ft per face | — |
| D25 Adult Uses | 1 | — | See §19-108.4C | — |
| R-1 | 7 | 6 ft (freestanding) | 162 sq in (9 in x 18 in) | — |
| R-2 | 7 | 6 ft (freestanding) | 162 sq in (9 in x 18 in) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Property Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit per street frontage | At entrance to lot/dwelling/unit | — | §19-105.1C, §19-108.1A(1) |
| Residential Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use per dwelling; 1 per street frontage | — | — | §19-105.1D, §19-108.1A(1) |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Multiple Dwelling | 5 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 1 extra for corner lot | At building; 1 per building, or 1 per frontage if corner lot | — | §19-108.1A(2) |
| Freestanding/Wall Sign - Residential Development or Subdivision | 6 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | 25 ft from side line, 15 ft from street | 1 per abutting street | At development/subdivision entrance(s) | — | §19-108.1B |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Accessory Home Occupation | 5 ft (freestanding) | 162 sq in (9 in x 18 in) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Not in window | — | §19-108.1C(1) |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Nonresidential Use | 5 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft (>35 ft from ROW), 12 sq ft (<35 ft from ROW) | — | — | 1 per property, 1 per frontage (corner lot) | 1 per property, 1 per frontage if corner | — | §19-108.2 |
| Announcement Board (Institutional Use) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | — | — | §19-108.2F |

### TC-1, TC-2, Planned Village Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Bed & Breakfast | 5 ft (freestanding) | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Not in window; 1 per property (plus id/nameplate sign) | — | §19-108.3B |
| Commercial Nameplate Sign (D4 Mixed Use) | — | 2 sq ft (288 sq in) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | §19-108.4A(1)(a) |
| Window Sign (D4 Mixed Use) | — | 4 sq ft or 30% of window area (whichever smaller) | — | — | 1 per first floor window | Mounted inside/on window | — | §19-108.4A(1)(b) |
| Wall Sign (Individual Use) | Subject to §19-104.6B/C | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property; 1 additional per frontage if multiple frontages | On building facade | — | §19-108.4C(1)(a), (2), (4) |
| Wall Sign + Projecting Sign (Individual Use) | Subject to §19-104.6B | Combined max 30 sq ft; projecting sign 12 sq ft | Projecting sign: projects max 4 ft | — | 1 of each | On building | — | §19-108.4C(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign + Wall Sign (Individual Use) | Freestanding: 5 ft | Wall sign + freestanding sign: max 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 freestanding + 1 wall | See above | — | §19-108.4C(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign + Window Sign (Individual Use) | Freestanding: 5 ft | 12 sq ft each | — | — | 1 freestanding + up to 2 windows | — | — | §19-108.4C(1)(d) |
| Directory Sign (Joint Use Property) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding or wall sign | — | §19-108.4D(2) |

### R-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Property Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit per street frontage | At entrance to lot/dwelling/unit | — | §19-105.1C, §19-108.1A(1) |
| Residential Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use per dwelling; 1 per street frontage | — | — | §19-105.1D, §19-108.1A(1) |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Multiple Dwelling | 5 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 1 extra for corner lot | At building; 1 per building, or 1 per frontage if corner lot | — | §19-108.1A(2) |
| Freestanding/Wall Sign - Residential Development or Subdivision | 6 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | 25 ft from side line, 15 ft from street | 1 per abutting street | At development/subdivision entrance(s) | — | §19-108.1B |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Accessory Home Occupation | 5 ft (freestanding) | 162 sq in (9 in x 18 in) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Not in window | — | §19-108.1C(1) |
| Freestanding/Wall/Projecting Sign - Nonresidential Use | 5 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft (>35 ft from ROW), 12 sq ft (<35 ft from ROW) | — | — | 1 per property, 1 per frontage (corner lot) | 1 per property, 1 per frontage if corner | — | §19-108.2 |
| Announcement Board (Institutional Use) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | — | — | §19-108.2F |

## Prohibited signs in Dublin Borough

- No sign shall be erected or maintained within a distance of 25 feet from the intersection of any street lines or the intersection of a street line with 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 be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reasons of color, location, shape, text such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' or 'Danger,' or other characteristic) or through any other means.
- No sign shall interfere with an official highway sign.
- No sign shall be permitted across a public street, or within a public right-of-way, except for such signs which are approved by the Borough Council to be of general benefit to the municipality or for public convenience, necessity or welfare.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained on a tree, rock, or on utility poles or equipment in such a manner as to interfere with any electric light, power or telephone wires or the supports thereof.
- No sign shall state that a property may be used for a non-permitted use.
- No off-premises sign shall be erected except governmental signs and outdoor advertising signs/billboards in accordance with applicable sections.
- Animated signs are prohibited (any sign which flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates, or has the appearance of movement as defined).
- Banner signs are prohibited on lots of any classification, except lots classified as commercial when erected as a temporary promotion or special event sign, subject to the issuance of a temporary sign permit or as permitted with Borough Council approval.
- Roof signs are prohibited (cannot be placed above roof line of a flat roof or above the lowest point of eaves of a sloping or mansard roof).
- Flags or pennants containing lettering, advertising, company or business logos, and/or names of businesses are prohibited.
- No vehicle or trailer may be used so that carrying a sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose but becomes a primary purpose in itself, except as permitted under mobile billboard or other specified regulations.
- Posted signs (generally of a temporary nature, tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued, or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, light stand, fence, or other object) are prohibited, except official signs designated by the Borough.
- Illegal signs (erected prior to the effective date of this ordinance that did not conform to past or current requirements) are prohibited.
- Any sign which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor is prohibited.
- Portable signs for permanent use are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located closer than five feet from any existing or future right-of-way (unless specifically permitted as a banner with approval).
- Signs shall not be erected or installed in such a way as to block or obstruct any exit or entrance, including emergency exits/entrances, nor be attached to or obstruct any fire escape or fire tower.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in any parking space or any fire lane so as to obstruct, impede, or impair the free use and access of such parking space or fire lane.
- No sign shall be placed in a position that will be a danger to traffic on a street, to traffic entering a street, or to pedestrians on a public sidewalk.
- No sign or part of a sign may extend above the eaves of a sloping roof or above the roofline of a flat roof.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained on any property owned by the Borough except with the express permission of the Borough granted at a public meeting.
- Signs must not obstruct the sight distance from any vehicle leaving a driveway (minimum setback from driveway is 10 feet from the nearest edge of driveway to the sign).
- All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair at all times.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dublin Borough

- Street signs, official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other traffic signs may be erected and maintained on public roads and highways in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of traffic.
- No trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet, indicating prohibition/control of fishing, hunting, trespassing, etc., or a sign indicating a private road.
- Property identification signs not exceeding two square feet, bearing only the property number, street address, and/or names of occupants of the residence or the name of the dwelling, provided characters do not exceed three inches in height and sign is non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated.
- Residential nameplate signs not exceeding two square feet, non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated; not more than one per dwelling unit per street frontage.
- Residential security system signs not exceeding one square foot (one sign per driveway/connection).
- Governmental flag or insignia not exceeding six feet by 10 feet and affixed to a pole no higher than 25 feet, except for flags flown by local, state, or federal governments.
- Legal notice signs required by ordinance or law (on-premises, temporary).
- Public information signs (non-illuminated), up to four square feet per road frontage for all such signs combined.
- Information signs (non-illuminated) applied to window indicating hours, credit institutions, or security services; up to two square feet per road frontage per suite.
- Temporary signs of mechanics, artisans, contractors, or architects (non-illuminated, up to four square feet, during work only).
- Temporary window signs (non-illuminated) for advertising sales, grand opening, new products/services; total four square feet per road frontage or less than 40% of the window area, whichever is more restrictive. Grand opening sign not to exceed 15 days.
- Yard sale signs (on-site), maximum three square feet, non-illuminated; allowed during and for one week prior to sale, removed after sale.
- Official and governmental signs (e.g., safety signs, historical plaques, park signs, public kiosks, directional signage erected by the Borough).
- Decorative flags containing designs marking seasons, holidays, affiliations, or general nature of a business, provided no advertising, logos, commercial text, or business names (max three feet by five feet).
- Holiday displays or window displays of merchandise (except as specifically prohibited elsewhere).
- Signs for property sale or rent (only on property to which it relates, max six square feet, one per property, removed within 20 days of settlement/lease).
- Public monuments, historic identification signs, or plaques erected by a government agency (other than the Borough).
- Corner stones in building exteriors carved with a date.
- Interior signs placed within buildings more than 12 inches from the interior surface of the window are not regulated.
- Temporary political signs erected by the owner/lessee or candidate or authorized agent on property (does not require permit, subject to size and removal timelines).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The design and location of proposed freestanding signs shall be indicated on all preliminary and final plans submitted for development in commercial and industrial districts.
- Any sign which is intended to be used or included in any development or plan of building or development to be submitted and reviewed by the Borough shall be identified in the plan, including location, size, nature of the sign materials and the purpose of the sign.
- Detailed plans showing supporting structural members and foundations must be submitted to the Building Inspector's office for approval before issuance of a permit. The seal of a registered engineer shall be required on all plans in any instance when the Building Inspector or the Borough Engineer deem the approval of a registered engineer necessary to public safety.
- The location of shopping center or industrial park signs shall be designated on or in connection with the required land development plan.
- An engineering certificate under seal of a professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is required for outdoor advertising signs, to be submitted with the application.
- Master sign/uniform sign requirements are not stated directly in the extracted text for all multi-tenant or shopping center scenarios, but uniformity may be enforced via directory sign requirements and plan review.
- Any application for a zoning permit for sign erection, structural repair, alteration, or relocation must include a plot plan, elevation, sketches, and construction plans. The plot plan must indicate all existing structures, including signs.

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

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