# Sign Regulations in Exeter Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Exeter Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/exeter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8336712#8336712)

## At a glance

Exeter Township, Pennsylvania regulates 7 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Off-Premises Freestanding Signs in the HC Highway Commercial, SCC Shopping Center Commercial, LI Light Industrial, GI General Industrial zoning district are capped at 30 feet (as for freestanding signs; general rule) tall and Maximum 300 square feet per face, with a Min 300 ft from any other off-premises sign, 600 ft from any V-type/back-to-back, min 150 ft from residential district/property, min 500 ft from street intersections. setback (Sec. §390-69D, §390-69F). Most commercial signs in Exeter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RC, AP, R, SR0, SR1, SR2, SR3, UR | 2 | 10 feet (as measured from the edge of the cartway nearest the sign to the highest part of the sign) | — | — |
| HC Highway Commercial, SCC Shopping Center Commercial, LI Light Industrial, GI General Industrial | 4 | 30 feet (as measured from the edge of the cartway nearest the sign to the highest part of the sign) | Maximum 300 square feet per face | — |
| NC Neighborhood Commercial | 2 | No portion of a sign attached to a building shall extend more than 5 feet vertically above the height of the building | — | — |
| Restricted Office Commercial District | 1 | No portion of a sign attached to a building shall extend more than 5 feet vertically above the height of the building | — | — |
| Residential zoning district | 2 | 10 feet (as measured from the edge of the cartway nearest the sign to the highest part of the sign) | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

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

### RC, AP, R, SR0, SR1, SR2, SR3, UR

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet (as measured from the edge of the cartway nearest the sign to the highest part of the sign) | — | — | — | — | — | — | §390-69B(11), (1)-(10), (14)-(28) |
| Wall Sign (Building Sign) | No portion of a sign attached to a building shall extend more than 5 feet vertically above the height of the building | — | — | — | — | Attached to building (or projecting as described) | — | §390-69B(12)-(13), (1)-(10), (14)-(28) |

### HC Highway Commercial, SCC Shopping Center Commercial, LI Light Industrial, GI General Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 feet (as measured from the edge of the cartway nearest the sign to the highest part of the sign) | — | — | — | — | — | — | §390-69B(11), §390-69D |
| Off-Premises Freestanding Sign | 30 feet (as for freestanding signs; general rule) | Maximum 300 square feet per face | — | Min 300 ft from any other off-premises sign, 600 ft from any V-type/back-to-back, min 150 ft from residential district/property, min 500 ft from street intersections. | One per street, highway or driveway frontage, V-type/back-to-back configuration permitted | HC, SCC, LI, GI Zones (not permitted along Business Route 422, specified segment); must be at least 150 ft from any residential zoning district boundary and property with a dwelling unit | — | §390-69D, §390-69F |
| Off-Premises Electronic Sign | 30 feet | Maximum 300 square feet per face (per off-premises sign rules) | — | Min 300 ft from residential district/property, 500 ft from intersections, at least 150 ft from residential zone (see above); see Off-Premises Freestanding requirements. | See Off-Premises Freestanding Sign rules (one per frontage, V-type/back-to-back configuration permitted) | HC, SCC, LI, GI only; not on Business Rt 422 segment; not in Neighborhood Commercial or Restricted Office Commercial | — | §390-69E, §390-69D, §390-69F |
| Wall Sign (Building Sign) | No portion of a sign attached to a building shall extend more than 5 feet vertically above the height of the building | — | — | — | — | Attached to building (or projecting as described) | — | §390-69B(12)-(13), (1)-(10), (14)-(28) |

### NC Neighborhood Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building Sign) | No portion of a sign attached to a building shall extend more than 5 feet vertically above the height of the building | — | — | — | — | Attached to building (or projecting as described) | — | §390-69B(12)-(13), (1)-(10), (14)-(28) |
| Electronic Sign (On-Premises) | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §390-69E(1),(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Exeter Township

- Signs shall not contain moving parts nor use flashing or intermittent illumination, except for traffic control signs, school warning signs, time and/or temperature signs, and certain electronic signs.
- No sign shall be placed or illuminated so as to cause danger to pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
- No sign allowed within a clear sight triangle at intersections, except traffic control or school warning signs.
- No sign, other than permitted traffic or school warning signs, shall be erected within or over street rights-of-way.
- No sign shall create noxious glare, direct beams of light toward adjacent properties or roads, or have unshielded light sources.
- No sign shall block ingress or egress from any window, door, or fire escape.
- No sign may emit smoke, vapors, particulates, sound, or odor.
- No portion of a sign shall project over a lot line.
- The area around signs must be kept clean, sanitary, and free from accumulated debris.
- Signs must be constructed of durable material and kept in good repair; dilapidated or hazardous signs must be removed at owner/lessee's expense.
- No building sign may project more than 12 inches from the building facade, or more than four feet perpendicularly (with exceptions) per specified criteria.
- No vulgar, indecent, or obscene signs may be displayed.
- No signs may be permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within street rights-of-way.
- Provisions apply to silos, smokestacks, water towers, and similar structures used as signs.
- Signs on mobile stands, vehicular signs, or signs affixed to moveable structures are prohibited.
- Signs using words or symbols such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger', 'yield', etc., in a manner to mislead or confuse traffic are prohibited (except traffic control signs).
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited.
- Temporary signs not recognized by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs are prohibited on public property or public rights-of-way unless erected by a governmental body or otherwise permitted by the Code Enforcement Officer, and must bear no commercial advertising.
- Search lights, pennants, spinners, banners, and streamers are prohibited except where noted.
- Electronic signs are only permitted as specified in the ordinance.
- All signs must comply with the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance and Tree Ordinance.
- Appropriate agency approvals are required before sign erection.
- Nonconforming signs, once removed, must be replaced only with conforming signs.
- Nonconforming signs destroyed to 50% or more value must be removed and replaced with conforming signs.
- Nonconforming signs may not be made more nonconforming through repairs or maintenance.
- Nonconforming signs may not be relocated, expanded, or modified to further violate regulations.
- Nonconforming signs inoperative for one year or more shall not be reactivated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Exeter Township

- Traffic control signs, school warning signs, time and/or temperature signs, and certain electronic signs as specified may contain moving parts or special illumination.
- Traffic control signs, school warning signs, and similar signs may be permitted within clear sight triangles and in street rights-of-way.
- Signs erected by a governmental body or as permitted by the Code Enforcement Officer (and bearing no commercial advertising) may be placed on public property or public rights-of-way.
- Electronic signs permitted under specific subsections may be exempt from some general prohibitions.
- Temporary signs recognized by the chapter may be permitted.
- Search lights, pennants, spinners, banners, and streamers may be permitted as otherwise stated in the chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit applicant must obtain all necessary outside agency approvals prior to erection of a sign, including, but not limited to, approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, as may be required.
- Sign permits shall be required in accordance with § 390-69 of this chapter.
- Special exception approval (variance meeting) is required for off-premises freestanding signs or off-premises electronic signs greater than 32 square feet and up to 300 square feet, pursuant to § 390-69F.

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

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