# Sign Regulations in Glen Osborne Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glen Osborne Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/glen-osborne-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/45229509#45229509)

## At a glance

Glen Osborne Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 32 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Billboard (Principal Use)s in the Commercial (C-1) zoning district zoning district are capped at 20 feet tall, 300 square feet (12' x 25'), and 25 feet wide, with a 300’ from intersection; 1,200’ from billboard (same side); 600’ from billboard (opposite side) setback (Sec. § 155-911). Most commercial signs in Glen Osborne 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 | — | 16 square feet per exposed face | — |
| Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 14 | 20 feet | 50 square feet per side | — |
| R-2 | 1 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Commercial (C-1) zoning district | 16 | 20 feet | 300 square feet (12' x 25') | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 square feet per exposed face | — | — | — | As consistent with area; safely installed | — | § 155-904N |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | § 155-904O |
| Political Signs - Temporary | — | 6 square feet (exterior political signs) | — | — | — | Not allowed on utility poles or on public-owned property except as specifically allowed | — | § 155-904M, § 155-909I |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | Only during active construction | — | § 155-904K |

### Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address and/or Name Sign | — | Not specified (see also Nameplate) | — | — | — | On the premises | — | § 155-907A(1), § 155-907B, § 155-907G |
| For Sale/Lease Sign (Residential) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises being sold or leased | — | § 155-904Q, § 155-907A(3), § 155-907G |
| Development Identification Sign (Residential) | 3 feet | 18 square feet | — | — | — | Identifies the development | — | § 155-907A(4), § 155-907G |
| Public Institution Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises of public institutions (churches, schools, etc.) | — | § 155-907A(5), § 155-907G |
| Ground/Monument Sign (Institutional Use) | 20 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | At least 10 feet from street ROW | 1 | On premises; minimum 10 feet back from street ROW | — | § 155-907C, § 155-907G |
| Residential Development Sign | — | 24 square feet per face (1 sign); 16 square feet per face (2 signs) | — | At least 10 feet from street ROW | 1 or 2 (see above) | At each entrance to the development (if multiple entrances) | — | § 155-907D, § 155-907G |
| Ground/Monument Sign (R-2, Multiple-Family or Other Authorized Use) | — | 24 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from street ROW | 1 | — | — | § 155-907D(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet (total of all faces) | — | — | 1 | On the property advertised | — | § 155-907D(3) |

### Commercial (C-1) zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Maximum 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per business/principal use. For double frontage, 1 per frontage. | On wall facing public street. For multiple frontages, one per frontage. | — | § 155-908A(1), § 155-908A(2)(d), § 155-908F(1), § 155-908F(2), § 155-908F(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Primary) | — | 36 square feet | — | — | 1 per business/principal use | On the property, outside ROW | — | § 155-908A(1), § 155-908A(2)(b), § 155-908C |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 24 square feet per side (max 2 sides) | — | At least 10 feet from street ROW, minimum 5 feet from building, 10 feet from side property line. +1 foot side setback per 10 sq ft area (over 10 sq ft). | 1 ground sign. One additional secondary monument sign for corner lots (up to half size of primary). | On property, not in public ROW; at build-to/setback: at least 10 feet from street ROW, 5 feet from buildings, 10 feet from side property lines. | — | § 155-908G |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (No Building) | — | 40 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from street ROW | 1 | At least 10 feet back from street ROW. | — | § 155-908G(2)(a) |
| Business Directory Sign | 5 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per building for multiple business occupancy | — | — | § 155-908D |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises | — | § 155-908E |
| Canopy or Marquee Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | On canopy or marquee | — | § 155-908A(2)(c) |
| Billboard (Principal Use) | 20 feet | 300 square feet (12' x 25') | 25 feet | 300’ from intersection; 1,200’ from billboard (same side); 600’ from billboard (opposite side) | 1 per principal use lot | C-1 only; as principal use lot only. Minimum lot area 5,000 sq ft. | — | § 155-911 |

## Prohibited signs in Glen Osborne Borough

- Signs not expressly permitted by this article are prohibited.
- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered, or maintained except in conformance with the standards, procedures, regulations, and requirements contained herein.
- Prohibited signs are those not authorized by this chapter nor exempt from regulation.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property or within a public right-of-way, except in conformance with the requirements of this article, shall be forfeited and is subject to confiscation.
- The following signs shall not be permitted in any zoning district: A-frame, sandwich board or incidental signs (unless otherwise approved), Flashing, blinking, changing, animated, inflatable, or moving signs (except certain digital signs), Pennants (including swooper flags), Any sign containing information that states or implies a property may be used for any unpermitted purpose, Signs that resemble traffic signals or devices, Signs that exhibit obscene or pornographic content, Off-premises signs (other than billboards), Roof signs, Signs on trees, utility poles, or traffic devices, Signs hazardous to public safety or located in the public right-of-way.
- No animated signs, or signs illuminated by a flashing, pulsating or intermittent source, or signs creating glare on adjacent properties or streets, shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct vision, ingress, egress, or interfere with traffic.
- No sign shall be located to block doors, operable windows, fire escapes, or their access; nor be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be painted directly on a wall unless otherwise specified in the chapter.
- Freestanding signs are permitted only on zoning lots with at least 100 feet of street frontage.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, altered, relocated, or replaced until a zoning/building permit has been issued, except where exempted.
- No sign or advertising structure may be erected so as to obstruct clear vision, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, or use confusing wording or imagery.
- All signs must be securely built, constructed, and erected in compliance with building codes.
- All illuminated signs must be non-flashing, non-glaring, and avoid glare or reflection onto streets or adjacent properties.
- All signs shall be non-animated with no exterior moving parts.
- Signs advertising places of business or activities that terminate operation shall be removed within 60 days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glen Osborne Borough

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized state and federal holidays.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Memorial/Historical plaques.
- Memorial signs and tablets cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or sculptured materials.
- Flags of a governmental organization.
- Works of art without commercial message, not related to a product, service, or business, excluding commercially produced items.
- Signs authorized by the Borough such as municipal gateway signs, street signs, safety control signs, and traffic control signs (municipal gateway signs may contain advertising matter).
- Public notice/public warning signs.
- Auction, garage sale, or yard sale signs.
- Address numbering signs.
- Construction signs (temporary, only during active construction).
- Signs placed on public or park property by authorization of the Borough.
- Signs announcing candidacy for public office (with restrictions on installation period, utility poles, and removal deadline).
- Temporary signs not exceeding 16 sq ft per face, permitted for up to 30 days, with removal required within three days after event; limited to two permits per premises per year.
- Signs identifying on-premises home occupations displaying only name of business/owner (maximum two sq ft).
- Signs erected by a public agency or utility for public warning or information, and by or under direction of the Borough.
- Signs denoting availability of property for lease or sale, located on the premises (max six sq ft; removal within seven days of sale/lease).
- Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door and not legible from a distance of 10 or more feet outside.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All proposed development is required to submit a sign package (master sign plan) to the Borough for approval before any sign permits may be issued to businesses. The sign package must describe the type, size, and location of all signs for each unit and ground signs. Applies to new construction, a change in tenant, or proposal of new/changed signage for an existing use.
- For buildings with multiple businesses, if the owner permits allowable sign area to be shared, the owner must develop and file guidelines (re: size, type, style, color, lighting, design) as a condition of individual permit approval; these guidelines are required as part of the sign permit application.

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

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