# Sign Regulations in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/gettysburg
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-16
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/GE2335)

## At a glance

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania regulates 76 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Portable Sign (All Zones, includes Sandwich Board)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Minimum 3 ft; maximum 4 ft overall height (§19-109.3A). tall and Max 12 sq ft of sign area (§19-109.3B)., with a Cannot be placed so as to obstruct or be within Borough/PennDOT rights-of-way or tree wells/planting strips without authorization (§19-106.5J; §19-107.13). setback (Sec. §19-103 (Portable Sign); §19-106.5A; §19-107.12–13; §19-109.3A–G). Most commercial signs in Gettysburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 30 | Max 35 ft (§19-109.7E). | 100 sq ft of area per building (§19-109.1E). | — |
| Old Town District (OT) | 3 | Max 12 ft outside Historic District and IND unless otherwise allowed (§19-106.4C). If OT parcel is also within Historic District overlay, 9 ft max applies (§19-106.4B). | — | — |
| Industrial District (IND) | 2 | Max 35 ft (§19-109.7E). | 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides; total both sides ≤200 sq ft (§19-109.7B). | — |
| Historic District | 5 | Freestanding signs max 9 ft (§19-106.4B). | Max 50 sq ft of area per building (§19-109.1D). | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-1A, R-2) | 5 | — | Max 12 sq ft per sign (§19-105.6A). | — |
| Institutional-1 District (INS-1) | 6 | Freestanding max 12 ft (outside Historic District) unless otherwise allowed (§19-106.4C). | Max 100 sq ft (§19-105.14). | — |
| Residential Office District (RO) | 4 | Freestanding signs max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | Nonresidential allowable sign area: 50 sq ft per building side (single-tenant) or per tenant entrance (multi-tenant) (§19-106.3). | — |
| Residential Office Redevelopment District (ROR) | 4 | Freestanding max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | Nonresidential 50 sq ft per building side or tenant entrance (§19-106.3). | — |
| Tourist Commercial District (TC) | 4 | Freestanding max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | Nonresidential 50 sq ft per building side or tenant entrance (§19-106.3). | — |
| General Commercial District (GC) | 12 | Freestanding max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | 100 sq ft of area per building (§19-109.1E). | — |
| Health Care District (HC) | 5 | Freestanding max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | 50 sq ft per building side or tenant entrance (§19-106.3). | — |
| Historic Overlay District (H) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (FP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Streetscape Enhancement Overlay District (SE) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Elm Street Overlay District (ES) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign - Wall Sign (All Zones) | — | — | May not extend more than 8 inches from building face (§19-109.1A). | May not project over adjacent lot or property line (§19-106.5C). | — | Affixed to any building, fence, wall or structural support member (§19-103, Wall Sign definition). | — | §19-103 (Building Sign; Wall Sign); §19-109.1A, C; §19-106.2; §19-106.5; §19-104; §19-110 |
| Building Sign - Projecting Sign (All Zones) | — | — | May not extend more than 4 ft from the building or structure to which attached (§19-109.1B). | Prohibited from extending into streets, alleys, drives (§19-109.1B) and may not project over adjacent lot line (§19-106.5C). | — | Attached to building or structure and extending more than 8 inches beyond building line (projecting sign definition, §19-103). | — | §19-103 (Projecting Sign); §19-109.1B, C; §19-106.5B; §19-104; §19-110 |
| Freestanding Sign - General (All Zones) | Outside Historic District and Industrial District (IND): not to exceed 12 ft unless otherwise allowed (§19-106.4C). Within Historic District: max 9 ft (§19-106.4B). | — | — | General setback exemptions for front yard/build-to-line (§19-106.5H); must not create unsafe traffic conditions (§19-106.5D). | — | Permanently affixed in or upon the ground, supported by structural members, independent of building (§19-103, Freestanding Sign). | — | §19-103 (Freestanding Sign); §19-106.4B–C; §19-109.2A–C; §19-106.5J |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Sign | Max 12 ft (§19-109.2D(1)). | Sign area calculated using sign cabinet alone; poles/covers excluded (§19-109.2D(3)). | — | — | — | Freestanding on poles; when within public right-of-way must meet minimum ground clearance. | — | §19-103 (Pole Sign); §19-109.2C–D |
| Portable Sign (All Zones, includes Sandwich Board) | Minimum 3 ft; maximum 4 ft overall height (§19-109.3A). | Max 12 sq ft of sign area (§19-109.3B). | — | Cannot be placed so as to obstruct or be within Borough/PennDOT rights-of-way or tree wells/planting strips without authorization (§19-106.5J; §19-107.13). | No more than one portable sign per business (§19-109.3G). | Movable, not permanently attached to structure or ground; may be on private property or in public right-of-way subject to ROW rules (§19-103, Portable Sign; §19-109.3D). Must allow at least 5 ft of unobstructed pedestrian width when on/near sidewalk (§19-106.5A). | — | §19-103 (Portable Sign); §19-106.5A; §19-107.12–13; §19-109.3A–G |
| Banner - On-Premises Business Advertising (All Zones) | — | 10% of facade area (§19-109.6A). For exempt institutional interior campus banners, max 100 sq ft (§19-105.14). | — | Street banners across roads must maintain min 16 ft clearance above vehicular ROW (§19-109.6D). | — | On structure facade (on‑premises) or as street banner across/along ROW, subject to additional approvals (§19-109.6C–D). | — | §19-103 (Banner; Street Banner); §19-105.14; §19-109.6A–F |
| Billboard (All Zones - General Requirements) | Max 35 ft (§19-109.7E). | Max 100 sq ft per side; max 2 sides; total both sides not to exceed 200 sq ft (§19-109.7B). | — | Min 30 ft from street ROW; min 10 ft from side or rear lot line; min 500 ft from other billboards and residential districts/uses (§19-109.7C–D). | — | Freestanding outdoor advertising device; generally only permitted in Industrial District (IND) per district limitation (§19-108.2). | — | §19-103 (Billboard); §19-108.2; §19-109.7A–H; §19-111.2 |
| Temporary Contractor / Architect / Mechanic / Craftsman Signs | — | Residential districts: each sign up to 12 sq ft; no more than two signs. Nonresidential districts: each sign up to 32 sq ft; no more than two signs (§19-105.6A–B). | — | — | Max 2 per property (§19-105.6A–B). | On properties where such work is being performed; not specified further. | — | §19-105.6A–B |

### Institutional-1 District (INS-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Noncommercial Signs (INS-1) | — | Nonresidential rules apply: up to 16 sq ft (§19-105.5B). | — | — | — | On private property in nonresidential district (§19-105.5B). | — | §19-105.5B |
| Temporary Contractor Signs (INS-1) | — | Max 32 sq ft per sign (§19-105.6B). | — | — | Max 2 (§19-105.6B). | Institutional properties with such work underway (§19-105.6B). | — | §19-105.6B |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (INS-1 – Institutional Use District) | — | Max 6 sq ft per street frontage (§19-105.8A, “institutional use zoning district”). | — | — | — | At premises in institutional use zoning district (INS-1) being sold/rented/auctioned (§19-105.8A). | — | §19-105.8A |
| Interior Campus Temporary Banners (INS-1 – College/University) | — | Max 100 sq ft (§19-105.14). | — | — | — | Interior to the campus of a college or university located within an institutional use zoning district (§19-105.14). | — | §19-105.14 |
| Off-Premises Business Signs (INS-1) | — | — | — | — | — | In INS-1 district, exception allows some off-premises business signs (§19-106.5I(ii)). | — | §19-106.5I(ii) |
| All Other Sign Types (INS-1) | Freestanding max 12 ft (outside Historic District) unless otherwise allowed (§19-106.4C). | Nonresidential general limit 50 sq ft per building side or per tenant entrance (§19-106.3). | — | — | — | Institutional-1 zone generally follows nonresidential rules for wall, freestanding, portable, etc. | — | §19-106.3–4; §19-104; §19-110; §19-108.2 |

### General Commercial District (GC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types (GC – Nonresidential Rules) | Freestanding max 12 ft outside Historic District (§19-106.4C). | 50 sq ft per building side or tenant entrance (§19-106.3). | — | General placement rules (§19-106.5). | — | Within GC subject to Zoning uses. | — | §19-106.3–4; §19-109.1C; §19-107.3–4; §19-104; §19-110 |
| Building Sign - Wall Sign (All Zones) | — | — | May not extend more than 8 inches from building face (§19-109.1A). | May not project over adjacent lot or property line (§19-106.5C). | — | Affixed to any building, fence, wall or structural support member (§19-103, Wall Sign definition). | — | §19-103 (Building Sign; Wall Sign); §19-109.1A, C; §19-106.2; §19-106.5; §19-104; §19-110 |
| Building Sign - Projecting Sign (All Zones) | — | — | May not extend more than 4 ft from the building or structure to which attached (§19-109.1B). | Prohibited from extending into streets, alleys, drives (§19-109.1B) and may not project over adjacent lot line (§19-106.5C). | — | Attached to building or structure and extending more than 8 inches beyond building line (projecting sign definition, §19-103). | — | §19-103 (Projecting Sign); §19-109.1B, C; §19-106.5B; §19-104; §19-110 |
| Building Sign - Mural (Outside Historic District) | — | 100 sq ft of area per building (§19-109.1E). | — | — | — | On exterior surface of structure/building, not considered public art (§19-109.1E). | — | §19-103 (Mural; Public Art); §19-109.1E |
| Freestanding Sign - General (All Zones) | Outside Historic District and Industrial District (IND): not to exceed 12 ft unless otherwise allowed (§19-106.4C). Within Historic District: max 9 ft (§19-106.4B). | — | — | General setback exemptions for front yard/build-to-line (§19-106.5H); must not create unsafe traffic conditions (§19-106.5D). | — | Permanently affixed in or upon the ground, supported by structural members, independent of building (§19-103, Freestanding Sign). | — | §19-103 (Freestanding Sign); §19-106.4B–C; §19-109.2A–C; §19-106.5J |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Sign | Max 12 ft (§19-109.2D(1)). | Sign area calculated using sign cabinet alone; poles/covers excluded (§19-109.2D(3)). | — | — | — | Freestanding on poles; when within public right-of-way must meet minimum ground clearance. | — | §19-103 (Pole Sign); §19-109.2C–D |
| Portable Sign (All Zones, includes Sandwich Board) | Minimum 3 ft; maximum 4 ft overall height (§19-109.3A). | Max 12 sq ft of sign area (§19-109.3B). | — | Cannot be placed so as to obstruct or be within Borough/PennDOT rights-of-way or tree wells/planting strips without authorization (§19-106.5J; §19-107.13). | No more than one portable sign per business (§19-109.3G). | Movable, not permanently attached to structure or ground; may be on private property or in public right-of-way subject to ROW rules (§19-103, Portable Sign; §19-109.3D). Must allow at least 5 ft of unobstructed pedestrian width when on/near sidewalk (§19-106.5A). | — | §19-103 (Portable Sign); §19-106.5A; §19-107.12–13; §19-109.3A–G |
| Temporary Contractor Signs (GC) | — | Up to 32 sq ft; max 2; up to 60 days (§19-105.6B). | — | — | Max 2 (§19-105.6B). | GC properties under work. | — | §19-105.6B |

## Prohibited signs in Gettysburg

- No sign may be displayed without the consent of the legal owner or other person holding a present legal right to possession, control or use of the property on which the sign is mounted or displayed, except as required by state law (§19-102.5).
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except as required by state law or otherwise permitted by the ordinance, is deemed illegal, forfeited to the public, subject to confiscation, and the Borough may recover the cost of removal and disposal from the owner or person placing the sign (§19-102.6).
- No person shall erect, place, alter, locate or relocate a sign anywhere in the Borough without a Borough sign permit, except as otherwise provided in §19-105 (signs not requiring a permit) (§19-104.1).
- All signs must be located and constructed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code and this Part; where there is a conflict, the more restrictive provision applies (§19-106.2A).
- All signs must be structurally safe, constructed of durable materials, kept in good condition and repair, and any glass used in a sign must be safety glass (§19-106.2B–C).
- No roof signs are permitted (§19-107.1).
- Razor banners are prohibited (§19-107.2).
- Electric signs located on the exterior of a structure that rotate or have motorized moving parts, and signs containing reflective elements that sparkle or twinkle in sunlight, are prohibited, except barber poles at barbershops (§19-107.3).
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated or moving electric signs of any type located on the exterior of a structure, including window signs, signs on mobile stands, and computer‑controlled variable message changeable signs, are prohibited, except temporary holiday lighting or displays (§19-107.4).
- Exterior signs that utilize strings of electrical bulbs are prohibited (§19-107.5).
- Signs that include words or images that are obscene, pornographic or highly offensive to public decency are prohibited (§19-107.6).
- Signs affixed or displayed upon a tree, utility pole, street sign, light pole, public flagpole or similar public property are prohibited, except signs placed by the Borough or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (§19-107.7).
- Inflatable signs and any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes (whether or not it contains a message) are prohibited (§19-107.8).
- Any sign attached to or placed or painted on a vehicle or trailer that is parked on a public right‑of‑way or on public or private property so as to be visible from the public right‑of‑way, where the sign is used primarily as a static display for advertising or directing persons to a business or activity, is prohibited; this does not prohibit temporary “for sale” signs on vehicles or trailers being offered for sale (§19-107.9).
- In the Historic District, signs and murals painted directly on non‑painted exterior building siding or any surface that is not a separate sign substrate are prohibited, except for sign or lettering on a door or store window identifying the occupant or activity (§19-107.10).
- Unsafe, illegal and abandoned signs, as defined and regulated in §19‑111, are prohibited and subject to removal and enforcement (§19-107.11; §19-111).
- Signs placed within the public right‑of‑way that violate sidewalk access requirements in §19‑109(3) are prohibited (§19-107.12).
- Signs placed within the public right‑of‑way that interact with tree wells, planting strips, or other non‑pedestrian public infrastructure are prohibited (§19-107.13).
- No sign shall project or extend over any pedestrian walkway except for theater marquees (§19-106.5B).
- No sign or portion of a sign shall project over an adjacent lot or property line (§19-106.5C).
- No sign shall be erected or placed in a manner that creates an unsafe condition for motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic, or that could be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device (§19-106.5D).
- No sign shall obstruct free ingress or egress to or from any door, window, fire escape or other exit, obstruct any opening providing light or air, or interfere with the normal functioning of a building (§19-106.5E).
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape (§19-106.5F).
- No sign shall be painted or mounted on rocks, trees, or other natural objects (§19-106.5G).
- No sign or sign‑related items shall obstruct or be placed within Borough or PennDOT rights‑of‑way or within any tree well or planting strip unless authorized by the Borough and/or PennDOT (§19-106.5J).
- All signs must be located on the same commercial property as the business, except for specified alley‑access and certain industrial/institutional exceptions (§19-106.5I).
- Exterior‑based electric signs are not permitted in the Historic District, except marquee signs (§19-109.9A).
- The total square footage, height, and placement of signs must comply with the general size and height limits in §19‑106 and any more specific sign‑type and district regulations (§19-106.3–4; §19-108; §19-109).

## Signs exempt from permit in Gettysburg

- Exemption from the sign‑permit requirement does not exempt a sign from compliance with all other ordinance provisions, but the following sign types do not require a Borough sign permit (§19-105): public service signs and signs authorized, required or erected by federal, state or Borough government (§19-105.1).
- Metal signs affixed to a structure not exceeding one square foot do not require a sign permit (§19-105.2).
- Street address numbers or street address signs not exceeding one square foot do not require a sign permit (§19-105.3).
- One sign attached to a building or structure not exceeding 2.5 square feet per business does not require a sign permit (§19-105.4).
- Noncommercial signs placed on private property by, or with consent of, the property owner, not exceeding eight square feet in residential districts or 16 square feet in nonresidential districts, do not require a sign permit; private property for this exemption excludes public sidewalks, tree wells, planting strips, and any area within the public right‑of‑way (§19-105.5).
- Temporary commercial signs of contractors, architects, mechanics or craftsmen, limited to no more than two temporary signs per site and subject to area and 60‑day time limits by district, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.6).
- Signs indicating the private nature of a driveway, parking area or other property feature, or “no trespassing” or similar warning signs, placed only on the relevant property and not in the public right‑of‑way, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.7).
- Temporary real estate signs advertising sale, rental, or auction of premises where located, within specified size limits by zoning district, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.8A).
- Temporary real estate signs indicating the location of premises in the process of development, limited to 32 square feet and to one sign per 500 feet of street frontage, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.8B).
- Temporary non‑exterior signs inside store display windows concerning special sales, displayed for no more than 30 days, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.9).
- Temporary special event signs, including non‑exterior signs advertising special events, up to 32 square feet per side and displayed for no more than 30 days, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.10).
- Temporary signs advertising garage and yard sales, limited to two signs with maximum area of five square feet each and displayed for no more than 30 days, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.11).
- Signs containing political, religious or personal messages placed on private property by, or with consent of, the property owner do not require a sign permit (§19-105.12).
- Minor sign changes to an existing permitted sign, limited to minor repairs, repainting or touch‑ups, minor information updates (e.g., phone number or business hours), and changes in the message of a manually activated bulletin board, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.13).
- Temporary banners interior to the campus of a college or university in an institutional zoning district, not exceeding 100 square feet, do not require a sign permit (§19-105.14).
- Interior signs (as defined) do not require a sign permit (§19-105.15).
- Signage associated with and located on properties used as an emergency services station or hospital, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance, does not require a sign permit (§19-105.16).
- Historic markers are not considered signs for purposes of this Part, though they are subject to HARB review under the Historic District Ordinance (§19-121.2).
- Any legal sign structure may display a protected noncommercial message instead of a commercial message without additional approval, permitting, registration or notice to the Borough, provided no change is made to size, height, setback or spacing (§19-102.3; §19-115).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Borough sign permit is required before any person erects, places, alters, locates or relocates a sign in the Borough, unless the sign is specifically exempted in §19‑105 (§19-104.1).
- Permit applications must include owner consent, site and location information, scaled sign design (dimensions, materials, lighting, weight, construction and attachment method), installer information, evidence of required UCC permits, PennDOT highway occupancy permits (if applicable), Borough sidewalk permits (if erecting within the right‑of‑way), liability insurance for signs in a public right‑of‑way (excluding portable signs), and any other information needed to demonstrate compliance (§19-110.1).
- The Borough issues sign permits once it determines that the application is complete, the fee paid, the proposed sign complies with all sign regulations and other Borough codes, and any applicable external approvals (e.g., UCC, PennDOT) have been obtained; the Borough may conduct an on‑site inspection as part of this review (§19-110.2).
- Except for exempt signs, all banners require a sign permit and must follow the application procedures in §19‑110; each banner installation requires a separate permit, although a set of consistent banners on one parcel is treated as a single banner for permit purposes (§19-109.6B, §19-109.6E–F).
- Street banners affixed to Borough decorative light standards require prior authorization by the Borough; such banners may only be erected and removed by the Borough, and the permittee must reimburse Borough costs (§19-109.6C).
- Any banner crossing a state road, street, or highway requires Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approval, and proof of that approval must be submitted with the Borough sign permit application (§19-109.6D).
- Within the Historic District, signs must undergo Borough design review for conformity with the Gettysburg Design Guide; the Borough may require Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) review pursuant to the Historic District Ordinance, and upon a HARB recommendation for approval, the Borough must issue the sign permit within 10 business days (§19-121.1, §19-121.4C).
- Signs within the Historic District are reviewed for conformity to the Gettysburg Design Guide as part of the permit approval process (§19-110.2).
- The Borough Manager and Planning Director administer and enforce the sign regulations and may issue permits with reasonable de minimis adjustments to the regulations (§19-112).
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, added to, or replaced by another nonconforming sign; structural changes that increase gross surface area are restricted, so any such work generally triggers the need to bring the sign into conformity and obtain appropriate permitting (§19-113).
- There is no separate master sign plan requirement, but general size and allocation rules for total allowable sign area per building side or per business entrance function as the framework governing property‑wide sign layouts (§19-106.3).

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

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