# Sign Regulations in Homestead Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Homestead Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/homestead-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35880374#35880374)

## At a glance

Homestead Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 38 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Business Establishment)s in the C-3 District zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a 10 ft from ROW and side lot line; 50 ft from another sign ≥12 sq ft setback (Sec. § 27-909.1A(4), 27-909.2A-B, 27-909.2C). Most commercial signs in Homestead Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | 40 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 4 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-1 District | 6 | 35 ft (freestanding) | 300 sq ft | — |
| C-2 District | 4 | 12 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| C-3 District | 7 | 35 ft (freestanding) | 300 sq ft | — |
| WDD | 14 | 60 ft | 250 sq ft per side (user/tenant panel); 500 sq ft per side total, max 60 ft height | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate or Identification Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | — | Attached to a wall of the structure | — | § 27-907.1A |
| On-Premises Directional Sign (Lots < 1 acre) | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 | Displayed on private property, on lots containing two or more residential buildings or any lot containing a nonresidential use | — | § 27-907.1C(1)-(2) |
| On-Premises Directional Sign (Lots ≥ 1 acre) | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 6 for first acre; +2 per additional acre | Displayed on private property, on lots containing two or more residential buildings or any lot containing a nonresidential use | — | § 27-907.1C(3) |
| Temporary Special Event Display | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On face of public building, church, or building housing a nonprofit organization | — | § 27-912.3 |
| Temporary Special Event Display (Retail Establishment) | — | 40 sq ft total per establishment | — | — | 2 at once | Attached to building or supporting structure of freestanding pole business identification sign | — | § 27-912.4 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential District) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property being sold or leased | — | § 27-912.5 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential District) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property being sold or leased | — | § 27-912.5 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On lot where work is performed | — | § 27-912.6 |

### C-3 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business Establishment) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Flush-mounted on wall | — | § 27-909.1A(1), 27-909.1A(5) |
| Awning or Canopy Sign (Business Establishment) | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | On awning or canopy | — | § 27-909.1A(2), 27-909.1A(5) |
| Permanent Window Graphic | — | 10% of total window area | — | — | — | On window of business establishment | — | § 27-909.1A(3), 27-909.1A(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business Establishment) | 12 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW and side lot line; 50 ft from another sign ≥12 sq ft | 1 per qualifying establishment | Must meet minimum setbacks; only permitted for single business with 25+ ft structure setback and 100+ ft frontage | — | § 27-909.1A(4), 27-909.2A-B, 27-909.2C |
| Identification Sign (Planned Commercial Development - Freestanding) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Freestanding, for planned commercial development | — | § 27-909.1B(1)-(3) |
| Wall, Awning or Window Sign (for Each Business Within Planned Commercial Development) | — | — | — | — | 1 per business within development | On wall, awning, or window of business | — | § 27-909.1B(2)-(3) |
| Billboard | 35 ft (freestanding) | 300 sq ft | — | 100 ft from street ROW; 500 ft from others | 1 per lot | C-1 and C-3 Districts only | — | § 27-911.1, 27-911.2 |

### WDD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Residential Community) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from public ROW | 1 per intersection | At each approved intersection, not closer than 10 ft to any public right-of-way | — | § 27-910.2A(1) |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily Dwelling/Clubhouse/Rec Facility) | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per qualifying structure/facility | At each multifamily dwelling (with >5 units), clubhouse/leasing office, or rec facility; not closer than 10 ft from any property line | — | § 27-910.2A(2) |
| Directional Sign (Residential Communities) | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per intersection | No more than 2 per intersection | — | § 27-910.2A(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Community) | 10 ft | 10 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from property line or ROW | 1 per intersection | At approved intersection, may be in required front yard | — | § 27-910.2A(5) |
| Pylon Sign (Commercial/Industrial, Parcel ≥3 Acres, User/Tenant Panel) | 60 ft | 250 sq ft per side (user/tenant panel); 500 sq ft per side total, max 60 ft height | — | 30 ft from intersection and ROW | 1 per intersection; max 4 in WDD (Homestead) | Setback ≥30 ft from intersection and ROW | — | §27-910.3A(2), 27-910.3C, 27-910.4A |
| Monument Sign (Commercial/Industrial, Parcel <3 Acres) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per side (up to 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from intersection and ROW | — | Any yard area, set back ≥10 ft from intersection and ROW | — | § 27-910.3A(3), 27-910.3D, 27-910.4B, 27-910.4E |
| Menu Board (Fast Food Drive-Through) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | In addition to other permitted signage | Not within required front yard setback | — | § 27-910.3A(4) |
| Marquee Sign | 1 ft depth | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | § 27-910.3B(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Homestead Borough

- Any sign erected, altered, painted, relocated, remodeled, enlarged or maintained must comply with the provisions of the sign ordinance and other Borough ordinances.
- All signs, whether permanent or temporary, must have zoning and occupancy certificates except as otherwise exempted.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or tree, whether on private or public property, unless specifically authorized by the chapter.
- No sign shall be erected at a street or driveway intersection in violation of clear sight distance requirements.
- No sign shall be erected in or projecting over any public right-of-way unless specifically authorized.
- Flashing or animated signs are prohibited, except authorized time/temperature signs.
- String pennants, flags or banners are prohibited, except as temporary signs when authorized.
- Bare bulb or light strings or search lights are prohibited.
- Sandwich board signs are prohibited, other than as temporary signs.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited.
- Signs which might be confused with legitimate traffic-control devices or use admonitions such as 'stop,' 'go,' 'slow,' or 'danger' are prohibited.
- Signs attached to autos, trucks, vans, trailers or similar vehicles are prohibited, other than as temporary signs.
- Signs painted on walls, chimneys or roofs of a building or on fences or walls are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs must not interfere with, distract, or blind operators of motor vehicles, or create glare on adjacent properties.
- Nonconforming signs that are damaged or destroyed to an extent of 50% or more of their replacement value shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the ordinance.
- Nonconforming signs ordered to be repaired equal to or more than 50% of replacement value must be brought into conformance.
- A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or altered except to make safety improvements or changes that make it conforming or more conforming.
- Termination by abandonment: Any nonconforming sign not used for 90 days is deemed abandoned and may not be reestablished (exceptions for government action, strikes etc. may apply).
- No temporary sign shall be illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Homestead Borough

- Address numerals.
- Traffic, directional, legal notices or similar instructional or regulatory signs erected by a unit or agency of government.
- Flags or similar emblems of a governmental, educational, religious, or philanthropic organization, displayed on private property, provided the flagpole or structure does not exceed applicable height limits.
- Window displays, provided they do not exceed 10% of the gross surface area of all windows in an establishment.
- Memorial or historical plaques.
- Holiday decorations for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or become a public safety hazard.
- Traffic signs for all public and private streets, including but not limited to street names, stop signs and yield signs (within the WDD).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs, whether permanent or temporary, shall require zoning and occupancy certificates, issued in accordance with the provisions of the chapter, unless exempt under Section 27-902.
- Permits are required for temporary special event displays and for all other signs authorized by specific sections (27-907 through 27-911), but not for other temporary signs authorized by Section 27-901.
- Any permit issued for the erection, alteration, replacement or relocation of any sign shall expire automatically within six months if work is not initiated and diligently pursued.
- All applications for the erection of a billboard must be accompanied by evidence of property ownership or a lease or other permission from the landowner.
- Structural design computations for billboard supports must be certified by a registered engineer and submitted with the permit application to the Borough.
- Exceptions to many standards may be granted subject to approval (e.g., for large buildings, in certain districts, or when special circumstances exist, subject to Borough Council or Borough approval).
- No explicit general requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan for all zones is present, but for ‘planned commercial developments’ and certain exceptions, approval from Borough Council or the municipality is required.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Homestead Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Homestead+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-homestead-borough

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