# Sign Regulations in East Fallowfield Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Fallowfield Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/east-fallowfield-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31345572#31345572)

## At a glance

East Fallowfield Township, Pennsylvania regulates 36 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Signs Relating To Historic Resources in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 6 sq ft, and 3 ft wide (Sec. §27-2408). Most commercial signs in East Fallowfield 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 | 13 | Barbershop pole: 36 inches; others not specified | 12 sq ft (residential districts), 24 sq ft (all other districts) | — |
| Residential Districts (RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP), RA Rural Agricultural, R-1, R-2 Low Density Residential, R-2 Medium Density Residential, R-3 High Density Residential, MHP Mobile Home Park | 8 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial and Office/Industrial Districts (PF, MU, O-I), PF Public Facilities, MU Multi-use, O-I Office Industrial | 4 | Freestanding sign: 12 ft max (bottom edge min 6 ft above ground); Portable sign: 4 ft max | 50 sq ft overall (side/rear cannot exceed front) | — |
| VC Village Commercial District | 9 | Bottom edge minimum 10 ft, top edge maximum 20 ft above grade | 10 sq ft | — |
| MU Multi-use | 2 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft (max 300 sq ft by exception) | — |
| PF Public Facilities | 1 | 12 ft | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Contractor/Artisan) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per trade | On-premises during active work | — | §27-1605.1B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Yard/Garage Sale) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Up to three off-premises | — | — | §27-1605.1B(2) |
| Temporary Window Sign (Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Event) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Placed in store or office window | — | §27-1605.1B(4) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | — | 6 sq ft (residential districts), 24 sq ft (all other districts) | — | — | One per street frontage | On property being advertised. Corner lots: one per street frontage. | — | §27-1605.1B(5) |
| Temporary Sign (Construction/Development) | — | 12 sq ft (residential districts), 24 sq ft (all other districts) | — | — | One per street frontage | On property to which the sign relates. Corner lots: one per street frontage. | — | §27-1605.1B(6) |
| Portable Sign | As per permanent ground sign in the district; 4 ft height maximum for portable signs | — | — | — | 1 per premises | Permitted in commercial zones; one per premises; temporary only. | — | §27-1605.1C(2) |
| Exempt Sign (various types) | Barbershop pole: 36 inches; others not specified | Specified per type (e.g. Directional/public service 4 sq ft; trespassing/ownership signs 3 sq ft; occupant name/address 1 sq ft; window credit/hrs 2 sq ft; religious/civic 4 sq ft; memorial/historical 4 sq ft; revolving barbershop pole 36 in. high; governmental flags/insignias 80 sq ft) | — | — | Specified per type | As appropriate (e.g. window, freestanding, attached) | — | §27-1603 |
| Signs Relating To Historic Resources | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | One per street frontage | On or within 100 feet of exterior walls of historic resource | — | §27-2408 |

### Residential Districts (RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP), RA Rural Agricultural, R-1, R-2 Low Density Residential, R-2 Medium Density Residential, R-3 High Density Residential, MHP Mobile Home Park

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Accessory Sign / Home Occupation Sign / Name Plate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street or property line | One per use/unit | Minimum 10 ft from street line or property line | — | §27-1606.1A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per premises (one per frontage if corner lot) | On premises | — | §27-1606.1B |
| Sign for Permitted Nonresidential Use | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | Max two per premises (one per 200' frontage), with additional for extra street frontage | — | — | §27-1606.1C |
| Temporary Professional Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where services performed | — | §27-1606.1D |
| Temporary Nonprofessional Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1606.1E |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1606.1F |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | Maximum 2 per street | Over street or way | — | §27-1606.1G |
| Identification of Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | At development entrance(s) | — | §27-1606.1H |

### VC Village Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 1, Commercial Use) | 8 ft max; up to 12 ft if multiple uses on single structure (see Option 1a) | 10 sq ft | — | — | One | One per commercial use | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(a), (f) |
| Wall Sign (VC, Option 1, flush) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per commercial use (per Option 1) | Flush on wall | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(a)[1] |
| Wall Sign (VC, Option 1, individual letters/symbols) | — | — | — | — | One per commercial use (per Option 1) | As part of architectural design | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(a)[2] |
| Window Sign (VC, Option 1) | — | — | — | — | One per commercial use (per Option 1) | Building front window | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(a)[3] |
| Projecting Sign (VC, Option 2, Commercial Use) | Bottom edge minimum 10 ft, top edge maximum 20 ft above grade | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per commercial use (per Option 2 plus one additional per frontage if applicable) | One per commercial use | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(b) and (d) |
| Wall Sign (VC, Option 2, flush) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One (per Option 2 and per frontage if applicable) | Flush on wall | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(b)[1] |
| Wall Sign (VC, Option 2, individual letters/symbols) | — | — | — | — | One (per Option 2 and per frontage if applicable) | As part of architectural design | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(b)[2] |
| Window Sign (VC, Option 2) | — | — | — | — | One (per Option 2 and per frontage if applicable) | Building front window | — | §27-1607.1F(2)(b)[3] |

## Prohibited signs in East Fallowfield Township

- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- No sign located within the direct line of vision of any traffic sign or signal shall have red, green, or amber illumination. No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle as defined by the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
- No sign, other than those authorized by this Part, shall be erected within the right-of-way of any public street or public sidewalk, or be closer to a street line than 10 feet, except for single dwelling real estate signs.
- No illumination of a flashing, intermittent, or moving type is permitted for any sign. Floodlighting must be shielded and aimed so that the light source is not visible from off the lot and only the sign/building/structure is directly illuminated.
- Vehicles displaying a business sign may not be parked in public view in any district when their sole purpose is to serve as a sign or advertisement.
- No sign, except where exempted by these regulations, shall be erected without the issuance of a sign permit by the Zoning Officer.
- A flashing, rotating, animated, or revolving sign is prohibited except for barbershop poles.
- Searchlights or hot air/gas filled balloons used as a means of drawing attention are prohibited.
- Signs suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights are prohibited.
- Signs suspended between poles consisting of pennants or spinners are prohibited except as permitted elsewhere.
- Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree, rock, or other natural feature is prohibited.
- Signs may only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state, utility, and Township regulations.
- No sign that emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor is permitted.
- Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street is prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- Any sign that contains information stating or implying a property may be used for purposes not permitted under the ordinance is prohibited.
- Any sign which uses the words "stop," "look," "danger," or other words or characters that direct traffic movement, or resembles any official traffic sign/signal/device within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, is prohibited.
- Red or green lights that may be mistaken for official traffic lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, except for traffic control signals.
- A truck or vehicle not used for normal day-to-day operations or not regularly moved shall not be used as a sign.
- Roof signs, as defined by the chapter, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Fallowfield Township

- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional, or other official federal, state, county, or Township signs.
- Directional information or public service signs (e.g., advertising availability of restrooms, telephone, public conveniences, meeting times/places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs/organizations), provided such signs do not significantly advertise any commercial establishment, except public utilities. Directional and information signs for public safety/convenience within commercial establishments are also exempt; these signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.
- Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, premises, signs prohibiting or controlling hunting/fishing, and signs indicating ownership of a property, provided the sign area does not exceed three square feet.
- Signs displaying name and address of the occupant of the premises, no more than one per property, sign area not exceeding one square foot (with allowance for one sign per street frontage if property fronts more than one street).
- Governmental flags or insignias not exceeding 80 square feet.
- Legal notices.
- Window signs indicating store hours or names of credit institutions, provided total area does not exceed two square feet.
- Signs or emblems of a religious, civic, philanthropic, historical or educational organization not exceeding four square feet.
- Vending machine signs bearing the brand name or price of the product sold.
- Memorial signs or historical tablets not exceeding four square feet.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure (e.g., cornerstone, identifying letters carved or embossed), provided letters are not made of reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.
- Revolving barbershop pole signs not exceeding 36 inches in height as measured from the ground.
- Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field, which must be removed after the growing season.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, except where exempted, shall be erected without the issuance of a sign permit by the Zoning Officer.
- Permits and plans for certain signs require review by the East Fallowfield Historical Commission if located on or within 100 feet of a historic resource, with review and comment required before a permit is issued.
- For billboards, erection and maintenance are permitted by special exception only, requiring compliance with specific criteria and approval by the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Applicants for billboards must submit a landscaping plan prepared by a landscape architect to screen and buffer the sign, as well as a visual survey supporting the plan.
- Applications for portable sign permits require submittal of a permit fee and an escrow deposit as a guarantee of removal at the end of the authorized period.
- For certain types of banners over state roads, a permit is required from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation prior to installation.
- All sign permits are governed by the procedural requirements in § 27-2103, Subsection 3.
- A sign permit applicant must obtain all necessary outside agency approvals (e.g., PennDOT) prior to erection of a sign, and provide evidence of such approvals to the Township.
- For electronic signs and billboards, compliance with all applicable criteria and acquisition of relevant permits/approvals are required prior to installation.

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

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