# Sign Regulations in East Brandywine Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Brandywine Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/east-brandywine-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11883615#11883615)

## At a glance

East Brandywine Township, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Directory Sign - MU (Ground)s in the VC, MU, CS/LI, TND-1, TND-2 zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 125 sq ft (MU); 25 sq ft (other nonresidential), with a 15 ft from street line; 20 ft from access driveway setback (Sec. §399-117B(3)(a–e)). Most commercial signs in East Brandywine Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, I/R | 13 | Minimum 17.5 ft clearance above road surface | 100 sq ft | — |
| VC, MU, CS/LI, TND-1, TND-2 | 7 | 15 ft | 125 sq ft (MU); 25 sq ft (other nonresidential) | — |
| Historic Districts | 2 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 3.5 ft (affixed directly to ground), 15 ft (poly sign) | 100 sq ft (individual); total not to exceed 10% facade area for wall | — |

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

### R-1, R-2, R-3, I/R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Contractor/Architect/Artisan Sign (Ground) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On the individual lot where contracted work is occurring | — | §399-117A(1)(a), §399-117A(1)(a)[2][a][i], §399-117A(1)(a)[2][b][i] |
| Temporary Contractor/Architect/Artisan Sign (Wall) | 12 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On the individual lot where contracted work is occurring (wall) | — | §399-117A(1)(a), §399-117A(1)(a)[2][a][ii], §399-117A(1)(a)[2][b][ii] |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 3.5 ft (ground) / 12 ft (wall) | 6 sq ft (ground) / 10 sq ft (wall) | — | — | 1 per realtor per property | On the property to be sold, rented, or developed | — | §399-117A(1)(b), §399-117A(1)(a)[2] |
| Wall Sign (Professional/Home Occupation/Name) | 10 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Dwelling | — | §399-117A(2)(a) |
| Identification Sign (Schools, Churches, Hospitals, etc.) - Ground | 3.5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per organization/use | At identified institution, one per organization/use | — | §399-117A(2)(b), §399-117A(2)(b)[2][a][i], §399-117A(2)(b)[2][b][i] |
| Identification Sign (Schools, Churches, Hospitals, etc.) - Wall/Projecting | 12 ft (wall) | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per organization/use | At identified institution, one per organization/use | — | §399-117A(2)(b), §399-117A(2)(b)[2][a][ii], §399-117A(2)(b)[2][b][ii] |
| Off-site Directional Sign (Public/Institutional Nature) | 3.5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per establishment/event, 1 per intersection | Off-site, public right-of-way with property owner approval | — | §399-117A(2)(c) |
| Temporary Developer Sign (Ground) | 4.5 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tract | One per approved/undergoing development tract | — | §399-117A(2)(e) |

### VC, MU, CS/LI, TND-1, TND-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any sign permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3, I/R | — | — | — | — | — | Throughout the district | — | §399-117B(1) |
| Business/Commercial/Industrial Sign - Ground/Wall/Projecting | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public street frontage (principal use); exceptions: see directory sign option | At business location, one per public street per principal freestanding use | — | §399-117B(2)(b–d), §399-118B(2) |
| Directory Sign - MU (Ground) | 15 ft | 125 sq ft (MU); 25 sq ft (other nonresidential) | — | 15 ft from street line; 20 ft from access driveway | As allowed by §399-118A(1), typically 1 per street frontage, max 2 per tract | MU: Mixed-use directory ground sign (see citation). Other: Planned village commercial center or multitenant building. | — | §399-117B(3)(a–e) |
| Automobile Accessory Sign (Automobile Service/Dealership) | — | 4 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | 4 | At dealership/service station | — | §399-117B(2)(h) |
| Drive-Through Lane Sign | — | 24 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | 2 | At drive-through lane | — | §399-117B(2)(i) |
| Directional Sign (Commercial Zones) | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | As defined in ordinance | — | §399-117B(2)(j) |
| Billboard (Ground Sign) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 15 ft from street ROW; 300 ft from other billboards/residential districts | — | Only in MU on properties with frontage on Route 322 | — | §399-117B(4) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground (Freestanding) Sign | 3.5 ft (affixed directly to ground), 15 ft (poly sign) | — | — | 5 ft from ROW, VC: from cartway; directory: 15 ft from street, 20 ft from driveway | 1 per street; max 2 per tract | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per tract | — | §399-118A |
| Flat Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (individual); total not to exceed 10% facade area for wall | — | — | — | Parallel to building face; not above wall top or beyond edges | — | §399-118B |
| Window Sign | — | Up to 25% of window area (35% grocery/food/pharmacy), 2 sq ft for store hours/credit institution signs (exemption) | — | — | Multiple permitted | Interior; visible from street | — | §399-115H (exempt), §399-118D |
| Changeable Display Sign (LED) | — | — | — | — | 1 per property | Front yard/facade fronting Horseshoe Pike in CS/LI, TND-1, TND-2, MU, I/R | — | §399-119.1 |

## Prohibited signs in East Brandywine Township

- Signs which use the words 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger,' or any other word, symbol, or character which attempts or appears to attempt to direct the movement of traffic or which interferes with, imitates, or resembles any official traffic sign, signal, or device within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
- Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street or on any private property, except as specifically permitted elsewhere.
- Any suspended sign which is either a pennant or spinner that moves in the wind, except when located inside a stadium, arena, or temporary fairground in conjunction with a special event.
- Except for traffic control signals, use of red or green lights within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or 200 feet of a traffic control signal, whichever is greater.
- Any sign erected or maintained on a tree or utility pole, or painted or drawn on a rock or other natural feature.
- Any sign with flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing, or animated parts, including any sign capable of motion in whole or in part, except for signs that display time and/or temperature exclusively and changeable display signs compliant with §399-119.1.
- Any vulgar, indecent, or obscene advertising matter displayed in any manner.
- Any sign which obscures or interferes with the line of sight at any street intersection or traffic signal, or at any point of vehicular access to a street.
- Any sign erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Any sign on a mobile stand or wheels which can be moved and is not permanently affixed to the ground, except for certain permitted special event signs.
- Any sign with any portion extending above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
- Any off-premises or off-site sign (sign unrelated to the property where situated), except temporary political campaign signs, certain off-site directional signs, permitted billboards, and specific signs on Township parkland recognizing sponsorship (not exceeding 15 square feet).
- Changeable display signs, except as expressly permitted in §399-119.1.
- No sign designated as a billboard may utilize a changeable display.
- No sign may be maintained in such a state of disrepair that it appears neglected, is rotting or falling down, is illegible, or has loose parts separated from original fastenings.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Brandywine Township

- Official highway route number sign, street name sign, directional or other traffic sign erected and maintained on public roads and highways in the interest of public safety or for regulation of traffic.
- Signs indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, trespassing, etc., or signs indicating the private nature of a road, not exceeding four square feet.
- A sign with area not exceeding one square foot bearing only property number, street address, post box numbers, or names of occupants in residential districts, with characters not exceeding three inches in height.
- A legal notice.
- A Christmas tree, other holiday display, or window display of merchandise, except as specifically prohibited and provided duration is limited to the immediate period or season.
- Public service and information signs advertising the availability of rest rooms, telephones, or similar public convenience.
- A vending machine sign not exceeding two square feet bearing the brand name or price of a product when displayed on a vending machine selling such product.
- Signs applied to a windowpane giving store hours or the name(s) of credit or charge institutions when total area does not exceed two square feet.
- A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone.
- Temporary yard sale or garage sale signs not exceeding two square feet in area and removed within 24 hours of conclusion of sale.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for any sign to be erected that is not exempt under §399-115 or §399-117A(1). No such sign shall be erected, altered, or content changed (except directory) until a permit is issued by the Zoning Officer. (See §399-121A)
- Applications for sign permits must be accompanied by scaled plans or diagrams showing lot/building dimensions, sign size/location/type/construction/materials, and other info as required. (See §399-121D)
- Sign permits shall not be issued unless all regulations are met, unless a variance is granted by the Zoning Hearing Board. (See §399-121F)
- A changeable display sign requires a permit. The permit for such signs must be renewed annually while the sign is in operation. (See §399-121H)
- No sign permit for a sign on or within 100 feet of a Class I historic resource shall be issued prior to review and comment by the Historical Commission. (See §399-71.1A)
- Applications for billboards in the MU District require approval as a special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board, with additional standards and review criteria. (See §399-117B(4))
- Projecting signs are only permitted within historic districts and require review by the Township Historical Architectural Review Board. (See §399-118C(1))

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

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