# Sign Regulations in Horsham Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Horsham Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/horsham-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/9955209#9955209)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | §230-206A, §230-206B, §230-206C, §230-206F(1), §230-210 |
| Facade Sign | Per district Schedule of Sign Regulations | — | — | — | — | Parallel to building exterior | — | §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 | — | §230-206A(3), §230-206A(4), §230-206F(3), §230-206G(3), §230-210 |
| Roof Sign | Not permitted | — | — | — | — | — | — | §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 | — | §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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional, Accessory Use, Home Occupation, or Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On same lot as dwelling | — | §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 | — | §230-208C, §230-209C(1)(k) |
| Directional Sign for Church | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | Max 4 | As needed for wayfinding | — | §230-208E |
| Temporary Sign - Sale of Premises | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises being sold | — | §230-208F(1), (3) |
| Temporary Sign - Sale/Development of Homes within Subdivision | — | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §230-208F(2), (3) |
| Temporary Sign - Rental of Premises | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises being rented | — | §230-208F(4) |
| Development Sign (Residential) | — | 8 sq ft (unless otherwise allowed in Schedule) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At access street/driveway | — | §230-208F(5) |
| Agricultural Product Sign (On-premises) | — | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per business | On premises where products are sold | — | §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 | 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. | — | §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.) | — | §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 | — | §230-209C(2) |
| Projecting Sign (General Use) | — | Per Schedule/zone | — | — | — | Attached to building/projected outward | — | §230-209C(3) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per entrance | Underside of canopy | — | §230-209C(4) |
| Directory Sign (Industrial/Office Park, Large Institutions) | 7 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | As required for orientation | On site as needed | — | §230-209C(1)(i) |
| Traffic Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | No limit | On premises | — | §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 | — | §230-209C(1)(k) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Horsham Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Horsham+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-horsham-township

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