# Sign Regulations in Forest Hills Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Forest Hills Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/forest-hills-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31375976#31375976)

## At a glance

Forest Hills Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Business Identification Sign (Wall or Free-standing)s in the B-1 District, S-2 District zoning district are capped at Free-standing: 20 ft; Building-mounted: 25 ft tall and B-1: 80 sq ft max per sign; S-2: 40 sq ft max per sign, with a 15 ft from right-of-way/property line setback (Sec. § 27-803.1.A (1)(a)–(j), (k), (l)). Most commercial signs in Forest Hills 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 | 4 | 6 ft | 35 sq ft | — |
| B-1 District, S-2 District | 6 | 32 in | 200 sq ft per sign face; 400 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Town Center Overlay District | 9 | 32 in | Lesser of 50 sq ft or 40% of window area per window | — |
| S-1 District, S-3 District | 3 | 32 in | 40 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing Sign | — | — | — | 15 feet from any public right-of-way or property line | One per zoning lot | Must be at least 15 feet from any public right-of-way or property line; only one permitted per zoning lot. | — | § 27-801.F |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Church) | — | 35 sq ft | — | — | — | In connection with any church | — | § 27-801.H |
| Bulletin Board Sign (School or Public Building) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | In connection with any school or similar public building | — | § 27-801.H |
| Off-Site Recreation Sign (Athletic Field Fence) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Interior face of any fence enclosing athletic playing field for public and recreation use | — | § 27-801.J |

### B-1 District, S-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Identification Sign (Wall or Free-standing) | Free-standing: 20 ft; Building-mounted: 25 ft | B-1: 80 sq ft max per sign; S-2: 40 sq ft max per sign | — | Free-standing: 15 ft from right-of-way/property line | — | Building facade and display windows; Free-standing signs per lot; Must not obscure architectural features. | — | § 27-803.1.A (1)(a)–(j), (k), (l) |
| Projecting Accessory Wall Sign (Perpendicular to Ardmore Blvd) | — | 4 sq ft per sign face, 8 sq ft aggregate all faces | — | — | One such accessory sign allowed | Allowed where buildings front less than 8 inches from right-of-way; may project max 8 inches over right-of-way. On side street, may extend up to 4 feet or 2/3 of sidewalk width, whichever less, from building; bottom at least 8 ft above sidewalk, top at/below 2nd-floor sill. | — | § 27-803.1.A(1)(b) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign (B-1 only) | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per sign face; 400 sq ft aggregate | — | — | One per shopping center (in lieu of other freestanding signs) | Freestanding, by entrance | — | § 27-803.1.A(1)(m) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 32 in | 24 in wide x 32 in high | 24 in | — | — | On lot or immediately adjacent sidewalk; not in street median | — | § 27-803.1.A(1)(n) |
| Off-site Sign (Billboard) (B-1 only) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Must be attached to ground by two vertical brick/concrete columns, posts or pillars | — | § 27-803.1.A(2) |
| Electronic Variable Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-site only, business identification | — | § 27-803.1.A(1)(o) |

### Town Center Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq ft per occupant | — | — | — | Only on or attached to face of building fronting public right-of-way; cannot cover or obscure significant architectural features; cannot be higher than building cornice. | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(a)-(b), (c)-(d), (g) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 18 sq ft per projecting sign (no face >9 sq ft) | — | — | — | Only on/attached to face of building fronting public right-of-way; see zone for detailed projection/setback rules. | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(a)-(g) |
| Awning, Canopy, or Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Face of building fronting public right-of-way | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(a)-(g) |
| Window Sign | — | Lesser of 50 sq ft or 40% of window area per window | — | — | — | Within a window of a building facing public right-of-way | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(c)(5)(d) |
| Event Marker | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Face of building or as described for event markers (cornerstone, date stone, memorial plaque, or historical marker) | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(c)(6) |
| Flag or Decorative Flag | — | — | — | — | — | Face of building | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(c)(7) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 32 in | 24 in wide x 32 in high | 24 in | — | — | On lot or immediately adjacent sidewalk; not median; must be secured; 3 ft pedestrian clearance | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(a)2(g), (n) (referencing sandwich board details) |
| Free-standing Sign (by special exception) | 8 ft including support | — | — | 8 ft from public right-of-way/property line | One per lot | At least 8 ft from public right-of-way/property line. | — | § 27-803.1.B(1)(d)2(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Forest Hills Borough

- No sign shall be erected, altered, relocated, remodeled or expanded that is not in accordance with the provisions of this Part and all other applicable Borough ordinances.
- No sign shall be erected or displayed within a public right-of-way, except as provided in designated exceptions.
- No sign shall project beyond any property line.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole on public or private property.
- No sign shall be erected upon or applied to any roof or project above the cornice line of a flat roof or above the gutter line of a sloped roof building.
- No sign shall be animated or illuminated by a flashing, pulsating or intermittent source.
- No sign shall be illuminated in such a manner as to create glare conditions on adjacent properties or streets.
- Rotating free-standing signs or swinging signs are prohibited.
- Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to vehicles that are not related to the function of the vehicle are prohibited.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are visible from the public right-of-way and intended to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity are prohibited, except as permitted for certain short-term purposes and districts.
- Signs that obstruct the vision of drivers or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads are prohibited.
- Wind-activated signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required exit way is prohibited.
- Signs that make use of words such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'One Way,' 'Danger,' 'Yield,' or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- No sign shall be created which states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign shall be constructed, located or illuminated in any manner which causes undue glare, distraction, confusion, nuisance or hazard to traffic or adjacent properties, or which obstructs free and clear vision of traffic flow.

## Signs exempt from permit in Forest Hills Borough

- Residential identification sign not exceeding one square foot in area and attached to a wall of the structure, only announcing the name and address of the occupant of the premises.
- Street identification numbers clearly visible from the street right-of-way on all residences.
- Business locations marked with street identification clearly visible from the street right-of-way.
- Flags or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or an advertising device.
- Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays, provided such displays are removed no later than 15 days after the holiday.
- Traffic control signs, as defined and limited in § 27-803.1.D, are not considered signs for business or commercial purposes.
- Certain safety, instructional, and emergency procedure signs required at gasoline dispensers (§13-408) are not counted toward permitted signage under the Zoning Ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application to the Zoning Officer is required prior to the erection, alteration, relocation, remodeling or expansion of any sign, except for exempt signs listed in § 27-802.
- Permit application must include three copies of detailed drawings of the construction, location and design of the proposed sign, including specific information as outlined in § 27-804.1.
- The Zoning Officer shall review applications for compliance and issue permits as appropriate.
- The Zoning Officer may request additional information as deemed necessary for review.
- Any permitted free-standing sign and some other sign types must have landscaping as part of the sign plan and maintained for the duration of the sign’s existence.
- For electronic variable message signs, light levels must be confirmed by the applicant and submitted to the Borough before approval.
- For replacement of damaged or destroyed signs, a sign must conform to all applicable provisions of the chapter when replaced after 90 days or if repairs equal 50% or more of replacement value.
- Special exception may be required for certain types of signs, such as free-standing or ground signs in the Town Center Overlay District.

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

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