# Sign Regulations in East Pittsburgh Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Pittsburgh Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/east-pittsburgh-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35902538#35902538)

## At a glance

East Pittsburgh Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 16 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Zone)s in the Nonresidential zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft from street right-of-way and property lines setback (Sec. §375-44A(2)). Most commercial signs in East Pittsburgh Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 25 sq ft or 50% of sign area, whichever is less | — |
| residential district, Residential zones | 8 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential zones | 7 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| NC Zoning District, C Zoning District, VC Zoning District | 1 | — | 10 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be attached to the same zoning lot as the land use; may project outward no more than 12 inches from building wall except for projecting signs. | — | §375-40, §375-41, §375-47 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Entirely on the same zoning lot as use. Securely fastened to the ground or supportive structure. Not in or over any public right-of-way. | — | §375-40, §375-41, §375-47, §375-50 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May project more than 12 inches from wall. May be in right-of-way if permitted under §375-48. | — | §375-47C(5), §375-41 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 25 sq ft or 50% of sign area, whichever is less | — | — | — | — | — | §375-50E |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Chapter 309-2 to 309-10 |

### residential district, Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Use) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On residential property. | — | §375-43A |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Zone) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale, lease, or rent only. | — | §375-44A(1) |
| Construction Site Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where construction is underway. | — | §375-44B |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the interior of a building window or glass door. | — | §375-44C |
| Institution Bulletin Board/Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | At least 25 ft | 1 | On property of church, school, community or other public/semi-public institution. | — | §375-44D |
| Temporary Artisans Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where work is performed. | — | §375-44E |
| Temporary Sign (General Limit) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §375-44F |
| Political Sign (Residential Zone) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way | — | Set back at least 10 ft from street right-of-way. | — | §375-53, §309 |

### Nonresidential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Zone) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way and property lines | One per lot/site; additional per abutting street | On property for sale, lease, or rent only. | — | §375-44A(2) |
| Construction Site Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where construction is underway. | — | §375-44B |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the interior of a building window or glass door. | — | §375-44C |
| Institution Bulletin Board/Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | At least 25 ft | 1 | On property of church, school, community or other public/semi-public institution. | — | §375-44D |
| Temporary Artisans Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where work is performed. | — | §375-44E |
| Temporary Sign (General Limit) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §375-44F |
| Political Sign (Nonresidential Zone) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way | — | Set back at least 10 ft from street right-of-way. | — | §375-53, §309 |

## Prohibited signs in East Pittsburgh Borough

- All signs not expressly authorized under this chapter or exempt from regulation are prohibited in the Borough.
- Prohibited signs include: beacons; animated or flashing signs; portable signs; advertising vehicles and vehicle signs; marquee signs; roof signs; pennants; strings of lights (except exempt); inflatable signs and tethered balloons; temporary signs (unless exempted elsewhere); any sign or structure constituting a hazard to public safety or health; signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, utility pole, stone, cliff, or other natural object; banners (except as allowed for exempt classification); ban lighting, fascia lighting, striplighting, etc.; novelty signs (such as tires, automobiles, and food products); signs projected onto buildings or structures.
- No sign shall be erected that obstructs the sight-triangle distance at an intersection along a public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected that tends by its location, color, shape, message, or nature to be confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signs or signals by motorists or pedestrians.
- No sign shall use admonitions such as 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' 'danger,' etc., which might be confused with traffic signals.
- No sign attached to a building wall may project outward more than 12 inches, except for projecting signs.
- No sign or supporting structure may be located in or over any public right-of-way, except for specifically listed exemptions.
- No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor.
- No sign shall contain information implying a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district.
- Signs, except governmental or official traffic control devices, shall not be erected within or overhang any approved site easements, nor be located so as to constitute a traffic hazard.
- Advertising signs (except temporary real estate signs and legally nonconforming business signs) are not permitted in any residential district.
- Signs must be erected or placed in conformity with the side and rear yard requirements of the applicable district.
- No sign may be illuminated within 150 feet of a residential zone between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
- Lighting directed toward a sign must be shielded so as not to shine directly into public right-of-way or residential premises.
- Internally illuminated signs are not permissible in residential districts, and where allowed, may not be illuminated when the business is not open, except as specifically exempted.
- Illuminated tubing or strings of lights that outline property lines, sales areas, rooflines, building walls or corners, doors, windows, or similar areas are prohibited, except as exempted for holidays.
- No sign may contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights, except portions indicating time, date, or weather.
- No sign may be located so that it interferes with the view necessary for safe traffic movement.
- Signs that revolve or utilize movement to attract attention are prohibited, except for time/date/weather indications.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message, it would tend to obstruct or be confused with official traffic signs.
- No sign may be located so as to present a hazard; signs in violation may be removed without notice at cost to owner.
- All signs and components must be kept in good repair.
- Abandoned signs (signs advertising businesses no longer in operation) must be removed within 180 days of abandonment.
- If only the message portion of a sign is removed, the remaining structure must be removed or replaced within 180 days.
- Temporary signs are limited to three thirty-day periods per lot in any calendar year.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Pittsburgh Borough

- One residential sign not exceeding two square feet in area that is customarily associated with residential use.
- Signs erected on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a government body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional, or regulatory signs.
- Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.
- Flags or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic on public property, not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays (must be removed within 15 days following the holiday).
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a structure not attached to a window or door that is not legible from more than three feet beyond the lot line.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
- Memorial signs or tablets denoting the date of erection of a building.
- Auctions, garage, or yard sale signs (up to five square feet, only at event site, max seven days prior, remove after event).
- Signs and banners erected by a governmental body or under its direction.
- Temporary event signs and banners for nonprofit civic organizations, noncommercial, up to 32 square feet, max 30 days prior, remove within three days after event.
- Political signs announcing candidates seeking public office.
- No trespassing or no hunting signs, max two square feet, unlimited number/placement.
- Real estate signs stating property is for sale, rent, or lease (size and duration limits by zone); permit not required.
- Construction site identification signs up to 32 square feet, non-illuminated, removed after construction.
- Signs temporarily attached to interior of building windows or glass doors (can cover up to 35% of window/door area).
- One bulletin board or sign for a church, school, community, or other public/semi-public institution (up to 15 square feet, setback at least 25 feet).
- Temporary signs of mechanics, painters, and other artisans (max four square feet, erected only where work is done, removed after completion).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted under §375-43 or §375-44.
- Sign permit applications must include a scale drawing showing design, size, character, color, illumination method, exact location, and construction details.
- A permit (and certificate of insurance) is required for A-frame/sandwich board signs (must be renewed annually).
- Temporary sign permits for events or elections must be obtained from the Building Inspector (with application, fee, and sample of sign/notice); permit/funds refunded upon sign removal.
- No reference to a master sign plan or sign variance meeting requirement was found in the provided text.

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

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