Sign Regulations in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Off-Premises Sign (Billboard), Wall Sign, Freestanding 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 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Harrisburg
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 40 feet above average surrounding ground level | 350 square feet per sign face (maximum two sign faces per structure, must be back-to-back or V-shaped with a max 5 ft opening) | 250 ft from residential lot line, 10 ft from building/right-of-way/other lot line, 50 ft from hospital/nursing home |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | 5 ft from public ROW (general); 15 ft from residential lot line (if internally illuminated) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 4 square feet per face | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
9
- Off-Premises Sign (Billboard)
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Sandwich Board Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
2
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Harrisburg
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, regulated sign types include Off-Premises Sign (Billboard), Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Sandwich Board Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Harrisburg, monument signs typically require a 5 ft from public ROW (general); 15 ft from residential lot line (if internally illuminated) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Harrisburg are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Harrisburg has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania regulates 9 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Off-Premises Sign (Billboard)s in the IND District zoning district are capped at 40 feet above average surrounding ground level tall and 350 square feet per sign face (maximum two sign faces per structure, must be back-to-back or V-shaped with a max 5 ft opening), with a 250 ft from residential lot line, 10 ft from building/right-of-way/other lot line, 50 ft from hospital/nursing home setback (Sec. § 7-325.14.A (1)-(7) and § 7-325.14.B, C). Most commercial signs in Harrisburg require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Harrisburg (2 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IND District | 1 | 40 feet above average surrounding ground level | 350 square feet per sign face (maximum two sign faces per structure, must be back-to-back or V-shaped with a max 5 ft opening) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 4 feet | 10 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Harrisburg
IND 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 40 feet above average surrounding ground level | 350 square feet per sign face (maximum two sign faces per structure, must be back-to-back or V-shaped with a max 5 ft opening) | — | 250 ft from residential lot line, 10 ft from building/right-of-way/other lot line, 50 ft from hospital/nursing home | Minimum 500 ft separation from other off-premises signs | Only permitted within 250 feet of existing right-of-way of an arterial street or expressway. | — | Unlock | § 7-325.14.A (1)-(7) and § 7-325.14.B, C |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must comply with building code; can extend up to 24 inches into ROW if necessary (§ 7-325.10A(5)). | — | Unlock | § 7-325.2, § 7-325.3, § 7-325.10A(5) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | 5 ft from public ROW (general); 15 ft from residential lot line (if internally illuminated) | — | Must comply with building code. General setback: minimum 5 ft from ROW; internally illuminated signs minimum 15 ft from residential lot line. | — | Unlock | § 7-325.2, § 7-325.10B, 10C |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 4 square feet per face | — | — | — | Must be placed on sidewalk near business building; must not obstruct pedestrian traffic. | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(12) |
| Identification Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(6) |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(4), § 7-325.10A(1) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per street abutting lot | May be window, projecting, or wall sign. Freestanding sign only if lot has a front yard setback. | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(11) |
| Political Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | Must be on private property with consent of owner. | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(9) |
| Time and Temperature Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 7-325.8A(13) |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Harrisburg are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Harrisburg
- No person, firm or corporation shall paint, daub, brand, mark, chalk, or in any manner place or cause to be placed upon the driveway or sidewalk of any public highway any bill, advertisement, notice, inscription, sign, card, or poster.
- Attaching posters, signs, placards, etc., to any public property and privately owned utility poles, including but not limited to trees, poles, monuments, and buildings, is prohibited within the City.
- It is declared a public nuisance to attach signs, posters, placards, etc., to public property or to any utility poles within the City.
- No operator of a vehicle shall attach the vehicle by chain or other means to any parking meter or official sign belonging to the City.
- No signs shall be so located or arranged that they interfere with safe sight distances for streets or driveways.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political, or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which they do not relate.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
- No sign shall be stapled or nailed to a utility pole, except by an authorized utility or the City.
- Spinners, pennants or any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use; flags and banners of more than 20 square feet per lot that contain a commercial message and that do not meet the requirements for a permitted sign are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited, except for time and temperature signs and signs that have a nonflashing electronically changing message.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions of this Code are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract motorists, are prohibited.
- Signs that use reflective materials to give the appearance of flashing, blinking or twinkling are prohibited.
- Signs or displays that include words or images visible from any public right-of-way that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure and are primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- No person shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription in any park, nor erect or cause to be erected any sign on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park, except signs and notices of events taking place therein or giving directions thereto, with the consent of the Department.
Exempt Signs in Harrisburg
- Notices placed by governmental bodies are excluded from the provisions of sign posting prohibitions.
- Official or government signs, including directional, safety, and transportation signs authorized by the City, County, or State, are exempt.
- Street signs are exempt.
- Historic signs commemorating an important historic place, event, or person and specifically authorized by the City, County, or State are exempt.
- Noncommercial signs are exempt.
- Holiday decorations are exempt.
- Signs which are not visible from the public right-of-way are exempt.
- Signs which are carried are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Harrisburg
- A zoning and building permit is required before erecting, placing, rebuilding, or reconstructing any sign except those meeting the requirements of exempt (§7-325.7) and specific not-requiring-permit (§7-325.8) signs.
- A certificate of appropriateness is required before receiving a building permit to erect a sign located in a municipal historic district that is visible from the public right-of-way.
- Each sign permit application must be accompanied by a plan(s) drawn to scale indicating the proposed dimensions and location of each sign.
- Signs may be permitted subject to the approval of the Commission or City Council, as appropriate (applicable for special exceptions/historic/overlay districts as suggested by §7-517.9).
Source: ecode360 municipal code