Sign Regulations in Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Business or Commercial Sign, Portable Sign, Window Sign. 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 Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Hamburg Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign (Civic, Philanthropic, Educational, Religious Event) | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Business Sign (Sale or Rental of Premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Contractor/Developer Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
24
- Business or Commercial Sign
- Portable Sign
- Window Sign
- Home Occupation or Name Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hamburg Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Hamburg 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg Borough, regulated sign types include Business or Commercial Sign, Portable Sign, Window Sign, Home Occupation or Name 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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hamburg Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Business Sign (Sale or Rental of Premises)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 sq ft (Sec. § 27-510.3.E.(2)(a)[3]). Most commercial signs in Hamburg Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hamburg Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hamburg Borough (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 60 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (MDR-1, MDR-2) | 4 | — | Aggregate <= 25% window area | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts (VC, BD, IPR) | 5 | — | 160 sq ft (unless conditional use granted by Borough Council for >1 acre parcels) | — |
| VC Village Center, BD Business Development | 3 | — | Aggregate <= 25% window area | — |
| Institutional/Public/Recreational District (IPR District) | 3 | — | 160 sq ft (unless conditional use granted for >1 acre) | — |
| BD District (within 300 feet of Route 61 right-of-way) | 2 | 75 ft above road surface | 1200 sq ft per face (embellishments up to 15% max) | — |
| MDR-1, MDR-2 | 4 | — | Aggregate <= 25% window area | — |
| VC Village Center | 5 | — | 160 sq ft (over 1 acre, more by conditional use) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hamburg Borough(sample of 3 of 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official Traffic or Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required by authority | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(a)[1] |
| Temporary Sign (Civic, Philanthropic, Educational, Religious Event) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(a)[2] |
| Business Sign (Sale or Rental of Premises) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises of sale or rental | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(a)[3] |
| Temporary Contractor/Developer Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Premises where work is being performed | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(a)[4] |
| Window Sign (General Regulations) | — | Aggregate <= 25% of window area | — | — | — | Window (permitted for any nonresidential use in residential zones or for all commercial and industrial districts) | — | Unlock | § 27-510.10.F |
| Menu Board Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 27-510.10.G |
Residential Districts (MDR-1, MDR-2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Occupation or Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use | Fixed flat on main wall of building | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(b)[1] |
| Identification/Bulletin/Announcement Board (Non-dwelling Use) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On same lot as principal use, for schools, churches, clubs, etc. | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(b)[2] |
| Temporary Sign (Special Promotions/Events/Grand Openings) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 27-510.7 |
| Window Sign (Residential District, Nonresidential Use) | — | Aggregate <= 25% window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Unlock | § 27-510.10.F |
Commercial and Industrial Districts (VC, BD, IPR)
| 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 or Commercial Sign | — | 160 sq ft (unless conditional use granted by Borough Council for >1 acre parcels) | — | — | — | On the same lot as use to which it relates | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(c)[1] |
| Special Temporary Promotional Device (Banners, Pennants, etc) | — | — | — | — | — | On lot as use to which it relates | — | Unlock | § 27-510.3.E.(2)(c)[2] |
| Temporary Sign (Special Promotions/Events/Grand Openings, Commercial/Industrial) | — | 160 sq ft (per street front) | — | — | 1 per street front | One per street front | — | Unlock | § 27-510.7 |
| Portable Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Property in VC or BD only | — | Unlock | § 27-510.9 |
| Window Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Aggregate <= 25% window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Unlock | § 27-510.10.F |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Hamburg 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 8 zones for Hamburg Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Hamburg Borough
- No person shall destroy, remove, deface, obliterate or cover up any lamp, sign or barricade erected as a warning of danger by the authorities of the Borough or by any person doing work by permission of the authorities of the Borough.
- No sign hereafter erected shall fail to conform to the provisions of this Part and the provisions of the International Building Code and any other applicable ordinance.
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of the lines of any street, or within any public way, unless authorized.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street (including driveways) in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or where it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall be permitted which is posted, stapled or otherwise attached to public utility poles or trees within the sidewalk line.
- No sign shall be located within eight feet of any side property line nor be located within the sidewalk line.
- No attached sign shall be erected upon the roof of a building nor extend above the height of the building.
- No freestanding sign may project past the sidewalk line or the setback/building reserve line, whichever is more restrictive.
- No sign shall be permitted that is illuminated with intermittent, flashing or animated types of lighting.
- Signs which blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause the signs to appear as traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance, or present a nuisance to the surrounding environment.
- No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- No portable signs except as allowed for temporary signs (and sidewalk sandwich signs with restrictions).
- No sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, unless the vehicle/trailer is not used primarily for sign display and the sign is an integral part of the vehicle and it is in use and registered as a vehicle.
- No balloons, streamers, or pinwheels except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale or promotion for no more than 20 days per year.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- Under canopy signs are not permitted.
- No sign may be erected, maintained or repaired from a portion of a limited access highway right-of-way, nor may a vehicle be used in this area for this purpose.
- Vegetation located in the highway right-of-way may not be destroyed, damaged, moved or disturbed in maintaining, repairing or erecting a sign.
- It is unlawful for any person to remove without authorization any sign or notice posted in accordance with these provisions.
- No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged or relocated except in conformity to the ordinance and only with a proper permit, if required.
Exempt Signs in Hamburg Borough
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments, and community bulletin boards.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of line art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six square feet in area.
- No sign shall be exempt from traffic visibility requirements in §27-510(3)(D).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hamburg Borough
- All signs erected or maintained within the jurisdiction require a permit from the Zoning Officer, unless specifically exempted.
- Permit applications must include construction documents showing the dimensions, materials, and required construction details, and must be accompanied by the written consent of the owner or lessee of the premises and, when applicable, engineering calculations by a registered professional.
- No sign shall be structurally altered, enlarged, or relocated without a new permit.
- For murals, prior approval from the Borough Council at a public meeting is required. The mural application must be submitted in writing, include a rendering and other details, and is subject to Borough Council review and possible public comment.
- Conditional use approval from Borough Council is required for certain alterations or replacements of legal nonconforming signs and for business/commercial sign size increases on properties greater than one acre.
- Permit applications for signs must include property owner consent, scale drawings with location and content, and the appropriate fee.
- A zoning/sign permit is required for all regulated signs, including official and directional signs, except those specifically exempted.
- Portable signs require a permit before being displayed.
- Abandoned, unsafe, or nonconforming signs must be removed or brought into compliance following notice from the Zoning or Code Officer, or the officers may remove them at the owner's expense.
- If a sign is removed or damaged and replaced, the replacement must meet current code requirements, potentially subject to conditional approval.
- There is no reference to a master sign plan or formal sign plan submittal requirement for multi-tenant or multiple sign developments, but permit applications require detailed site/location drawings and documentation.
Source: ecode360 municipal code