# Sign Regulations in Ephrata Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ephrata Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/ephrata-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35086631#35086631)

## At a glance

Ephrata Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Identification Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft if freestanding tall and 2 sq ft (residential lot), 8 sq ft (nonresidential lot) (Sec. §319-51 Table). Most commercial signs in Ephrata Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 ft if freestanding | Not permitted (residential), 50 sq ft for all such signs (nonresidential) | — |
| CD District, LPD District, RLD District, RMD District, RHD District | 5 | To roof top (up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet extension) | 40 sq ft (per sign, each abutting street) | — |
| HCD District, LIC District | 4 | 18 ft | 60 sq ft per side | — |
| GIC District | 4 | 40 ft above street center line (bottom at least 10 ft above ground) | 300 sq ft per side (two sides, only one readable at a time) | — |
| NCD District, CBD District | 5 | 15 ft, 8 ft (CBD) | 40 sq ft (NCD), 16 sq ft (CBD) | — |
| NCD2 District | 3 | 15 ft | 75 sq ft (lots ≥5 acres), otherwise not given per sign, but 1 per street per acre. | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | 8 ft | 20 sq ft (per sign) | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 1 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft (per sign) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Sales or Christmas Tree Sign | — | 12 sq ft per lot (residential), 50 sq ft per lot (nonresidential) | — | — | 2 per lot | On lot where sales are active | — | §319-51 Table |
| Charitable Event Sign | — | 12 sq ft per lot (residential), 50 sq ft per lot (nonresidential) | — | — | 2 per lot | On lot for event | — | §319-51 Table |
| Contractor's Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign (residential), 20 sq ft per sign or 1 shared sign 60 sq ft (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per contractor | On active work site, not place of business of contractor | — | §319-51 Table |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | No maximum | On lot where directional message applies | — | §319-51 Table |
| Flag (Advertising Message) | — | 12 sq ft per lot (residential), 50 sq ft per lot (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | §319-51 Table |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per event | On lot for sale | — | §319-51 Table |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft if freestanding | 2 sq ft (residential lot), 8 sq ft (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On lot | — | §319-51 Table |
| Open House Sign | — | 12 sq ft per lot (residential), 50 sq ft per lot (nonresidential) | — | — | 2 per event | On property for sale | — | §319-51 Table |

### CD District, LPD District, RLD District, RMD District, RHD District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (School or Place of Worship) | To roof top (up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet extension) | 24 sq ft (each side of principal building) | — | — | — | On wall of principal building | — | §319-52 Table (CD, LPD, RLD, RMD, RHD) |
| Wall Sign (Other Nonresidential Principal Uses) | To roof top (up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet extension) | 10 sq ft (each side of principal building) | — | — | — | On wall of principal building | — | §319-52 Table (CD, LPD, RLD, RMD, RHD) |
| Window Sign | — | Nonilluminated not regulated, others as wall signs | — | — | — | Windows of principal building | — | §319-52 Table (CD, LPD, RLD, RMD, RHD) |
| Freestanding Sign (School or Place of Worship) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft (per sign, each abutting street) | — | — | 1 per abutting street | Each abutting street | — | §319-52 Table (CD, LPD, RLD, RMD, RHD) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Nonresidential Principal Uses) | 8 ft | 10 sq ft per abutting street | — | — | 1 per abutting street | Each abutting street | — | §319-52 Table (CD, LPD, RLD, RMD, RHD) |

### NCD District, CBD District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | To roof top (up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet extension) | — | — | — | — | On wall of principal building | — | §319-52 Table (NCD, CBD) |
| Window Sign | — | Nonilluminated not regulated if no more than 25% of window/door area. Others as wall sign. | — | — | — | Windows and doors | — | §319-52 Table (NCD, CBD) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft, 8 ft (CBD) | 40 sq ft (NCD), 16 sq ft (CBD) | — | — | 1 per abutting street | Each abutting street | — | §319-52 Table (NCD, CBD) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Portable Folding Sign) | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per lot | On sidewalk, min 5 ft width for pedestrian/wheelchair access | — | §319-52 Table (NCD, CBD) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side (each of 2 sides) | — | — | Min 1 per principal business | Projecting from building | — | §319-52 Table (Notes: Projecting Sign) |

## Prohibited signs in Ephrata Borough

- A zoning permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted.
- Only types, sizes and heights of signs specifically permitted within the applicable district are allowed.
- Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited (except certain flags and banners as provided).
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, scrolling, rotating or moving signs of any type are prohibited.
- A sign shall not display electronically moving images.
- Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business (except for Christmas-season lighting or displays).
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states that a lot may be used for a purpose not permitted under this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble official traffic control signs, signals or devices or have characteristics likely to confuse or distract motorists are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons of greater than 50 cubic feet tethered to the ground or a structure for periods over a day and primarily intended for advertising are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Portable signs (including signs on mobile stands) are prohibited in all districts except as temporary charitable event signs.
- Signs shall not be located within the existing street right-of-way, except for allowed projecting and sandwich board signs.
- Freestanding illuminated signs shall not be located within 10 feet from an abutting lot line of a principal dwelling in a residential district.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
- No sign shall be posted unless permission has been received from the property owner or lessee.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or street sign post, except by a utility or government agency. A sign shall not be attached to a tree, except allowed temporary signs may be attached with string.
- Signs involving electrical cords laying across parking lots, driveways or sidewalks are prohibited except for temporary Christmas season lighting.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence must be removed within 180 days of cessation of such use.
- Unlawful signs (placed without a required permit and not in compliance) must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ephrata Borough

- No zoning permit is required for signs meeting the requirements of §319-51 (miscellaneous signs not requiring permits), and nonilluminated temporary window signs.
- The following signs are not regulated by this chapter:
- Historic signs specifically authorized by the Borough or a county, state, or federal agency.
- Holiday decorations that commemorate a holiday recognized by the Borough, county, state, or federal government or an individual's own religious holiday, that do not include advertising, and that are posted up to 90 days per calendar year.
- Signs not readable from any public street or exterior lot line.
- Official signs erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough ordinance, motion or resolution, and which exist for public purposes.
- Signs that only include information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough.
- Signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough, the county, or PennDOT, including decorative banners hung from streetlights authorized by the Borough.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required for all signs except for those listed as exempt in §319-51 (miscellaneous signs not requiring permits) and nonilluminated temporary window signs.
- Changes to an existing lawful sign (such as painting, repair, changing logo/message, or replacing a sign face without increasing area/height or otherwise increasing nonconformity) do not require a zoning permit unless converting to a digital sign.
- Permit fees and license fees for various types of signs may be established by Borough Council resolution.
- A conversion of a sign into a digital sign requires a zoning permit.
- No explicit reference to a master sign plan or variance meeting requirement was found in the provided sections.

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

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