Sign Regulations in Girard Borough, Pennsylvania
Girard Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Occupant Identification/Professional Activity Sign, Bulletin Board (Church, School, Public Structure), Business Signs (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting, etc.). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Girard Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Girard Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign (Civic, Philanthropic, Educational, Religious Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Contractor/Developer/Builder/Artisan Sign (Construction Sign) | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Trespassing/Private Road/Fishing/Hunting | — | 4 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
16
- Occupant Identification/Professional Activity Sign
- Bulletin Board (Church, School, Public Structure)
- Business Signs (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting, etc.)
- Freestanding Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Girard Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Girard Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Girard Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Girard Borough, regulated sign types include Occupant Identification/Professional Activity Sign, Bulletin Board (Church, School, Public Structure), Business Signs (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting, etc.), Freestanding Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Girard Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Girard Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Girard Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
Ready to Research Girard Borough Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Girard Borough, Pennsylvania sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Girard Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Girard Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft (Sec. §425-17F(8)). Most commercial signs in Girard Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Girard Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Girard Borough (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3 | 2 | 34 in (vertical); 18 in ground clearance; total structure max 52 in | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3) | 2 | 34 in (vertical); 18 in ground clearance; total structure max 52 in | 24 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, M-1 | 3 | 25 ft | 5 sq ft/ft width of principal structure (total for all signs) | — |
| Commercial and Manufacturing Districts (C-1, C-2, M-1) | 3 | 25 ft | 5 sq ft/ft width of principal structure (total for all signs) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Girard Borough(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs | — | — | — | — | — | No sign may be placed in, upon or over any public right-of-way, alley or other public place, except as permitted. Not to block site distance or interfere with traffic devices. No sign on curb lawns except government signs. No use of light pole or utility pole unless designed and approved. | — | Unlock | §425-17A, §425-17E |
| Temporary Sign (Civic, Philanthropic, Educational, Religious Event) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §425-17D(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Rental) | — | — | — | — | Not more than one per frontage | On-premises; one sign per street frontage. | — | Unlock | §425-17D(1)(b); §425-17F(5) |
| Contractor/Developer/Builder/Artisan Sign (Construction Sign) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where work is being performed | — | Unlock | §425-17D(1)(c); §425-17F(6) |
| Trespassing/Private Road/Fishing/Hunting | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | §425-17D(1)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §425-17F(8) |
| Garage/Estate Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot or parcel | On lot/parcel where sale occurs or on another with permission (cannot be in street ROW) | — | Unlock | §425-17F(9) |
| Message Board/Digital Sign/Electronic Message Board | — | 2.5 ft x 7 ft (30" x 84") | — | — | 1 per lot/parcel | — | — | Unlock | §425-17F(10) |
C-1, C-2, M-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Signs (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting, etc.) | — | 5 sq ft/ft width of principal structure (total for all signs) | — | — | — | On same premises as business/industry | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[1]-[2] |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | — | 20 ft | — | 1 per property | One per property | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[5] |
| Signs Projecting Over Sidewalk | — | — | — | — | — | Over sidewalk (if projecting from building) | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[3] |
Commercial and Manufacturing Districts (C-1, C-2, M-1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Signs (Wall, Freestanding, Projecting, etc.) | — | 5 sq ft/ft width of principal structure (total for all signs) | — | — | — | On same premises as business/industry | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[1]-[2] |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | — | 20 ft | — | 1 per property | One per property | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[5] |
| Signs Projecting Over Sidewalk | — | — | — | — | — | Over sidewalk (if projecting from building) | — | Unlock | §425-17G(3)(a)[3] |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Girard Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Girard Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Girard Borough
- No sign shall be erected, altered, placed or replaced without first obtaining a zoning certificate and building permit, unless otherwise exempted.
- No sign shall be placed in, upon or over any public right-of-way, alley, or other public place, except as may be otherwise permitted.
- No light pole, utility pole, or other supporting member shall be used for the placement of any sign unless specifically designed and approved for such use.
- No sign shall be erected where it may interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be located where it causes a hazard by obstructing visibility or interfere with minimum site distance required by PENNDOT standards from access drives to a street.
- No sign, except official traffic signs and off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street.
- No commercial vehicle acting as a sign shall be parked abutting the street, unless no other parking area is available.
- No sign shall contain any moving or animated parts, or have the appearance thereof (except digital signs, variable time/temperature signs, and electronic message boards per code).
- No wall sign shall extend above the roofline of a building.
- No sign shall be permitted within street lines (curb lawns), except those of a duly constituted governmental body.
- No signs shall contain information or advertising for any product or service not sold on the premises.
- No part of any sign shall emit noise.
- A sign shall bear no more than two faces.
- Obscene signs are prohibited. No sign shall utilize sexually explicit or suggestive language, graphics, or illustrations of specified sexual activities or anatomical areas as defined in code or by applicable law.
- Automatic changeable-copy signs may not advertise establishments or products not located on the premises of the sign.
- Flashing or oscillating signs are not permitted.
- Illumination must be stationary and constant in intensity and color.
- External light bulb fixtures shall project no colors.
- Signs may not cause illumination exceeding 1.0 footcandle at the property line.
- Lighting from signage is subject to general property lighting standards.
- No sign, unless otherwise permitted, may be a billboard, roof sign, or portable/temporary sign.
- No sign not permitted by these regulations may be erected.
- Nonconforming signs may not be altered, expanded, enlarged, or extended, and may not be changed to a digital sign.
- Nonconforming sign destroyed by more than 50% may not be rebuilt.
- No sign or structure may be erected, constructed or maintained over or across any sidewalk, with a clearance less than 10 feet above the sidewalk; projection may not exceed 2/3 the distance to the curb.
- Signs must not have more than two faces.
- No signs posted on Borough property.
- No notice, advertisement or directional sign for private sales may be placed on posts/poles used for traffic signs/signals/streetlights, or on streets, curb lawns, or sidewalks.
- It is prohibited to destroy, remove, deface, obliterate, or cover up any warning sign or barricade erected by Borough authorities or authorized persons.
Exempt Signs in Girard Borough
- No permit is required for temporary signs announcing a drive or event of a civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, provided the sign does not exceed 32 square feet and is removed after the event.
- No permit is required for signs offering the sale or rental of the premises on which the sign is erected, subject to the limitation of one sign per property (or one per street frontage for corner lots).
- No permit is required for temporary signs of contractors, developers, architects, engineers, builders and artisans on the premises where work is being performed, not exceeding 32 square feet, and removed upon completion of work.
- No permit is required for trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, and signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises, provided they do not exceed four square feet.
- Signs of government bodies, such as traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, are permitted within street lines (curb lawns).
- Political signs are permitted on private property with consent of the owner or occupant.
- Special temporary promotional devices, signs or displays (such as banners or pennants) are permitted in commercial districts; such outdoor signs are limited to a 30-day display period.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Girard Borough
- Each application for a sign permit must be accompanied by a scaled drawing showing the proposed design, size, character, color of letters, lines and symbols, method of illumination, exact location in relation to building and property, and construction details.
- A permit and the requisite documentation are required for any sign unless otherwise exempted.
Source: ecode360 municipal code