Sign Regulations in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania
Hanover Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, All signs permitted in § 27-706 (see LU/FH/PR/MR regs), Official Governmental 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 Hanover Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Hanover Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Governmental Sign | — | No Limitations | — |
| Name & Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Trespassing/Private Property Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
21
- Freestanding Sign
- All signs permitted in § 27-706 (see LU/FH/PR/MR regs)
- Official Governmental Sign
- Name & Address Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Hanover Township 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 Hanover Township, 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 Hanover Township, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, All signs permitted in § 27-706 (see LU/FH/PR/MR regs), Official Governmental Sign, Name & Address 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 Hanover Township 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 Hanover Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hanover Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Hanover Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Hanover Township, Pennsylvania regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the PC District, PUD District, Planned Unit Developed (PUD) Zoning District (residential portion) zoning district are capped at 25 ft (standard), shopping center 20-40 ft tall and Up to 50 sq ft (standard); shopping center up to 100 sq ft/side; business group (non-shopping center) 50 sq ft; see additional for specifics, with a Minimum 10 ft from front lot line; not within 50 ft of residential district boundary. setback (Sec. § 27-707(1)(D), § 27-709). Most commercial signs in Hanover Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hanover Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hanover Township (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LU District, FH District | 9 | — | 36 sq ft | — |
| PR District, MR District, Medium Residential (MR) Zoning District | 1 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| PC District, PUD District, Planned Unit Developed (PUD) Zoning District (residential portion) | 4 | 25 ft (standard), shopping center 20-40 ft | Up to 50 sq ft (standard); shopping center up to 100 sq ft/side; business group (non-shopping center) 50 sq ft; see additional for specifics | — |
| PIO District, AI District | 8 | 40 ft | 100 sq ft or 20% of building face (whichever is less) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 20 ft (parallel); 8 ft (freestanding) | 40 sq ft (aggregate) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hanover Township(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
LU District, FH District
| 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 Governmental Sign | — | No Limitations | — | — | — | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-706, § 27-709 |
| Name & Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | On-premises, each street frontage | — | Unlock | § 27-706, § 27-709 |
| Trespassing/Private Property Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-706, § 27-709 |
| Subdivision/Land Development/Community Identification Sign | — | 36 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Main entrance | — | Unlock | § 27-706 |
| Sale/Lease/Rental Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Height and setback as for freestanding identification signs in district | 1 per lot per frontage | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-706, § 27-701 |
| Developer/Contractor Sign (Temporary) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-706 |
| Mechanics/Artisans Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft (total) | — | Height and setback as for freestanding identification signs in district | — | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-706 |
| Directional Sign for Temporary Shows/Events (Off-premises) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Off-premises; for exhibits, shows, events | — | Unlock | § 27-706(2) |
PC District, PUD District, Planned Unit Developed (PUD) Zoning District (residential portion)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel or Projecting Sign | No part <10 ft or >25 ft above grade, nor project >2 ft above roof line | Lesser of 20% building face or 300 sq ft | — | — | Computed per building/store | Wall/main wall of principal building | — | Unlock | § 27-707(1)(C), § 27-709 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft (standard), shopping center 20-40 ft | Up to 50 sq ft (standard); shopping center up to 100 sq ft/side; business group (non-shopping center) 50 sq ft; see additional for specifics | — | Minimum 10 ft from front lot line; not within 50 ft of residential district boundary. | 1 per street; 2 for shopping centers | On-premises, limited to one per street frontage | — | Unlock | § 27-707(1)(D), § 27-709 |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per approaching lane | At internal driveway intersections | — | Unlock | § 27-707(1)(E) |
| All signs permitted in § 27-706 (see LU/FH/PR/MR regs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 27-707(1)(A), § 27-706 |
PIO District, AI District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parallel or Projecting Sign (Street frontage) | — | 100 sq ft or 20% of building face (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Affixed to building facing street | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(B)(1), § 27-709 |
| Parallel or Projecting Sign (Expressway frontage) | — | 75 sq ft or 20% of building face (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per expressway frontage | Affixed to building facing expressway | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(B)(1), § 27-709 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | On-premises | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(B)(2), § 27-709 |
| Directional Sign (Office/Industrial Park, 5+ tenants) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per park entrance | At park entrance | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(B)(3) |
| Directional Sign (At internal driveway intersections) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per approaching lane | At internal driveway intersections | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(C) |
| Billboard (PIO Only; Off-premises) | 40 ft | 14' x 48' (672 sq ft) | 48 ft | — | 1 per face | Within 100 ft of right-of-way of expressway; on single pole | — | Unlock | § 27-708(2)(A), Part 5 §§ 502-507 |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | — | Subject to applicable sign type limits | — | — | — | Where permitted for freestanding signs; billboards | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(A), § 27-711 |
| All signs permitted in § 27-706 (see LU/FH/PR/MR regs) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 27-708(1)(A), § 27-706 |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Hanover Township — 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 Hanover Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Hanover Township
- Signs which in any way simulate official, functional, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by government or similar agencies concerned with public health or safety.
- Banners, spinners, flags, pennants or any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes whether containing a message or not, except where specifically permitted.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, twirling or moving signs of any type, including signs with changing messages or graphics, except those indicating time and temperature or specifically permitted by the ordinance.
- Signs containing information that states or implies a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zone in which the property is located.
- On-premises signs advertising a use no longer in existence or a project no longer available shall not be maintained and must be removed or changed immediately after cessation of the original use.
- No signs except those of a duly constituted governmental body (including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices) are allowed within street lines unless specifically authorized and in compliance with other Township and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations.
- No vehicle may have a sign affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle’s primary purpose, but becomes the primary purpose.
- No sign shall be located or arranged to interfere with traffic through glare, blocking sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, confusion with traffic control devices, or through any other means.
- No sign, other than official governmental signs, shall be erected within the official right-of-way of any street unless authorized by other ordinances or regulations.
- No sign in a Non-Residential District shall be located so as to face any Residential District, except for signs at right angles to the street line.
- Free standing signs in other than a Residential District shall not extend within 50 feet of any Residential District boundary line.
- Special promotional devices, such as flood lights, flags, spinners, banners, pennants, sandwich-type sidewalk or curb signs, are generally prohibited except by permit and only under stated circumstances.
- Devices (as above) are not permitted for an existing business on property with an Electronic Message Sign (EMS).
- Such devices (as above) are not permitted in the Medium Residential (MR) Zoning District, or the residential portion of the Planned Unit Developed (PUD) Zoning District.
- Such devices are not permitted without a permit at any other time.
Exempt Signs in Hanover Township
- Official traffic signs and other official Federal, State, County, and Township governmental signs.
- Signs displaying only the name and address of the occupant of the premises, subject to specified size and placement limitations.
- Temporary signs advertising the sale, lease, or rental of property, subject to size, quantity, and duration limits.
- Trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, subject to size limit.
- Signs erected to identify a major subdivision, land development, mobile home park, or apartment complex (one at main entrance, subject to area limit).
- Temporary signs erected for development or contractor purposes, with size, quantity, and duration limits.
- Directional signs for internal traffic at apartment complexes, shopping centers, office parks, or similar uses, subject to size and visual clearance standards.
- Signs necessary for direction, regulation and control of traffic, street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other official signs authorized or erected by a governmental body.
- Permits are not required for temporary signs used within a period of less than 30 days.
- No permit required to repaint any sign, provided there are no changes or alterations.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Hanover Township
- All permanent on-premises and off-premises signs require the issuance of a Zoning Permit from the Zoning Officer before erection or replacement.
- Permits issued for signs are subject to other provisions and must be acted upon within six (6) months of issuance or will expire.
- Permits are not required for temporary signs to be used within a period of less than thirty (30) days.
- The permit for temporary development signs may be renewed at the end of each 12-month period.
- Application for a large sign (area 400 sq. ft. or more) requires a large sign permit from the Township Manager, subject to annual renewal and fees.
- Work bringing a nonconforming sign into conformity is considered repair, alteration, or relocation and requires a permit.
- If there is a question of impairment of property rights (potential unconstitutional taking), the Zoning Hearing Board may permit continued maintenance of a nonconforming sign.
- For shopping centers, the location and orientation of certain free-standing signs must be shown on the development plan.