Sign Regulations in Horsham Township, Pennsylvania
Horsham Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Ground Sign, Facade Sign, Projecting 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 Horsham Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Horsham Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Ground Sign | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | — | — |
| Facade Sign | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | — | — |
| Projecting Sign | Per zone (see Schedule of Sign Regulations) | — | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
29
- Freestanding Ground Sign
- Facade Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Roof Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Horsham Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Horsham Township, monument signs are limited to Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Horsham 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 Horsham Township, regulated sign types include Freestanding Ground Sign, Facade Sign, Projecting Sign, Roof 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 Horsham 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 Horsham Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Horsham Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Horsham Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Horsham Township, Pennsylvania regulates 29 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Signs (General Use)s in the Nonresidential Districts, I-2, I-3, SC-1, GC-2 zoning district are capped at Per Schedule (typ. 25 ft max for large shopping centers; 7 ft for directories, etc.) tall and Per Schedule of Sign Regulations; e.g., up to 200 sq ft in certain I-2/I-3/SC-1/GC-2 where off-premises allowed; for general on-premises business use, typically limited to one per street frontage., with a 25 ft from side property line, 5 ft from ROW, 30 ft from another freestanding sign setback (Sec. §230-209C(1), (g), (h), (i), §230-209C(1)(k)). Most commercial signs in Horsham Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Horsham Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Horsham Township (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | Same as ground sign regulations for zone | — |
| Residential Districts, Residential or Mobile Home Zoning District | 15 | — | 32 sq ft per face (digital display max 16 sq ft, included in total 32 sq ft) | — |
| Nonresidential Districts, I-2, I-3, SC-1, GC-2 | 9 | Per Schedule (typ. 25 ft max for large shopping centers; 7 ft for directories, etc.) | Bethlehem Pike: 300 sq ft; Easton/County Line Rd: 200 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Horsham Township
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Ground Sign | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | — | — | — | — | Resting on ground or supported by poles/standards; measured from official street grade at point nearest to base. | — | Unlock | §230-206A, §230-206B, §230-206C, §230-206F(1), §230-210 |
| Facade Sign | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | — | — | — | — | Parallel to building exterior | — | Unlock | §230-206A(3), §230-206A(4), §230-206B, §230-206C, §230-206F(2), §230-210 |
| Projecting Sign | Per zone (see Schedule of Sign Regulations) | — | — | — | — | Attached to building perpendicular/at angle | — | Unlock | §230-206A(3), §230-206A(4), §230-206F(3), §230-206G(3), §230-210 |
| Roof Sign | Not permitted | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §230-206I(9) |
| Portable Sign (including Sandwich Board, Posters, Bunting, Signs on Wheels) | Same as ground sign regulations for zone | Same as ground sign regulations for zone | — | — | — | Where permitted by district | — | Unlock | §230-206F(5), §230-206I(7) |
Residential Districts, Residential or Mobile Home Zoning 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Accessory Use, Home Occupation, or Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On same lot as dwelling | — | Unlock | §230-208B |
| Institution Sign (School/Church/Hospital/Similar) | — | 32 sq ft per face (digital display max 16 sq ft, included in total 32 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On same lot as institution | — | Unlock | §230-208C, §230-209C(1)(k) |
| Directional Sign for Church | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | Max 4 | As needed for wayfinding | — | Unlock | §230-208E |
| Temporary Sign - Sale of Premises | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises being sold | — | Unlock | §230-208F(1), (3) |
| Temporary Sign - Sale/Development of Homes within Subdivision | — | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | Unlock | §230-208F(2), (3) |
| Temporary Sign - Rental of Premises | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises being rented | — | Unlock | §230-208F(4) |
| Development Sign (Residential) | — | 8 sq ft (unless otherwise allowed in Schedule) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At access street/driveway | — | Unlock | §230-208F(5) |
| Agricultural Product Sign (On-premises) | — | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per business | On premises where products are sold | — | Unlock | §230-208H |
Nonresidential Districts, I-2, I-3, SC-1, GC-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Ground Signs (General Use) | Per Schedule (typ. 25 ft max for large shopping centers; 7 ft for directories, etc.) | Per Schedule of Sign Regulations; e.g., up to 200 sq ft in certain I-2/I-3/SC-1/GC-2 where off-premises allowed; for general on-premises business use, typically limited to one per street frontage. | — | 25 ft from side property line, 5 ft from ROW, 30 ft from another freestanding sign | 1 per street frontage; see above for multiple frontages | On-premises; at least 5 ft from legal right-of-way; not within 30 ft of another freestanding sign (except directional signs); additional sign for filling stations (price) up to 15 sq ft; theatres allowed 25% additional area for marquee. | — | Unlock | §230-209C(1), (g), (h), (i), §230-209C(1)(k) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign - Off-Premises (Billboard) | 25 ft | Bethlehem Pike: 300 sq ft; Easton/County Line Rd: 200 sq ft | — | 25 ft from roadway; 50 ft from property/cross street; 75 ft from buildings; 250 ft from residences (res/mobile home districts); 200 ft from public/civic lots; 30 ft from other structures; 400-700 ft from other billboards | — | Only on Bethlehem Pike (SC-1, GC-2), Easton Rd (I-2), County Line Rd (I-3); only on land dedicated to advertising purpose; must be freestanding (not on buildings/vehicles/etc.) | — | Unlock | §230-209D(1)-(13) |
| Parallel Facade Sign (General, Including Window Signs) | — | Per Schedule; temporary window signs max 20% of window area | — | — | Dependent on tenants | On parallel wall per establishment | — | Unlock | §230-209C(2) |
| Projecting Sign (General Use) | — | Per Schedule/zone | — | — | — | Attached to building/projected outward | — | Unlock | §230-209C(3) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per entrance | Underside of canopy | — | Unlock | §230-209C(4) |
| Directory Sign (Industrial/Office Park, Large Institutions) | 7 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | As required for orientation | On site as needed | — | Unlock | §230-209C(1)(i) |
| Traffic Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | On premises | — | Unlock | §230-209C(1)(j) |
| Digital Display/Message Center (On-premises) | — | Per principal sign type; see institution sign/digital display regulations | — | — | — | On permitted freestanding ground/facade sign | — | Unlock | §230-209C(1)(k) |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Horsham Township are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Horsham Township
- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by confusing with official street signs or signals, by virtue of position or color.
- No sign, other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal right-of-way of a public road or street, or within the clear sight triangle at intersections as defined in Chapter 198.
- No sign shall project more than 2/3 of the sidewalk width over a public walkway, and the lower edge of the projecting sign shall be no less than nine feet above the walk level.
- No sign shall project above the building height restriction for the zoning district in which located.
- No animated, blinking, flashing, or revolving signs or lights shall be permitted except as provided in this chapter.
- Signs painted on the exterior surface of a building or structure shall not be permitted.
- A sign that uses any method of illumination that can cause glare is prohibited.
- Any sign erected within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device which uses the words 'stop,' 'look' or 'danger'; contains red, yellow or green lights; or contains any word, place, symbol or character which interferes with, imitates or resembles an official traffic sign is prohibited.
- Any banner or sign hung across a public street or private property, except for such signs which are deemed to be of general benefit to the municipality or for public convenience, necessity or welfare, is prohibited.
- A pennant which blows in the wind or a spinner which spins in the wind is prohibited except when located inside a temporary fairground or when used in conjunction with a special event.
- Any sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, hung, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, lightstand, fence or other object is prohibited.
- Any animated sign or object with flashing, blinking, or intermittent lighting, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, except as provided for in this chapter and barber poles, is prohibited.
- Mobile or portable signs except as specifically provided for in § 230-208K are prohibited.
- Advertising vehicles are prohibited (vehicles or trailers parked to be seen from the public right-of-way with attached advertising devices).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Horsham Township
- An official governmental agency; highway route number, street name, directional or other traffic signs, including those on private or public property.
- A sign indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, trespassing, or signs indicating the private nature of a road, provided that the area does not exceed one square foot and spaced at least 100 feet along street frontage and 50 feet along other boundaries.
- A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot bearing only property number, street address, postbox numbers or the names of the occupants in residential districts.
- A governmental flag or insignia, public monument, historic identification signs or plaques and municipal identification signs erected by or with the permission of a government agency.
- One or more signs applied to a windowpane giving store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions, when the total area of all such signs does not exceed two square feet.
- A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure on the State or National Register of Historic Buildings or Places, such as a cornerstone or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided that the letters are not made of a reflective material nor contrast in color with the building.
- An emblem, logo, insignia or badge only when displayed on a building to signify membership of or affiliation with any trade association, craftsman group, labor union, civic or fraternal group or similar organizations and not to exceed a total of one square foot on each facade of a building.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Horsham Township
- Electrical supply to all exterior signs must be concealed; applications for electrical permits shall be filed at the time of the sign permit application.
- Applications for sign permits require examination of plans and specifications.
- The Building Inspector is to examine submitted plans and specifications upon application for an erection permit, and a permit shall only be issued if the proposed structure is in compliance with the ordinance and all relevant laws.
- Annual recertification is required from the manufacturer (or a qualified person/entity) for digital display/on-premises and off-premises changeable-copy signs.
- Every three years, the owner of an off-premises sign must have a structural inspection made by a licensed engineer and submit a certificate to the Township.
- Temporary signs advertising elections, fairs, or social events require a permit and a deposit/bond to guarantee removal, per § 230-208K(1).
- Certain off-premises signs are only permitted as a special exception (variance-type hearing) according to § 230-209D(1).
Source: ecode360 municipal code