# Sign Regulations in Houston Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Houston Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/houston-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36865243#36865243)

## At a glance

Houston Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboard or Off-Premises Signs in the Commercially Zoned District, Central Commercial District zoning district are capped at 22 feet tall and 300 square feet, with a Must comply with yard setback for structures in Central Commercial District setback (Sec. §222-20). Most commercial signs in Houston Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercially Zoned District, Central Commercial District | 1 | 22 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| Residence Districts | 8 | — | 20 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 30 feet above surface of roof | 20 square feet aggregate gross surface area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercially Zoned District, Central Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard or Off-Premises Sign | 22 feet | 300 square feet | — | Must comply with yard setback for structures in Central Commercial District | One per premises | Must be located in a commercially zoned district and in accordance with the yard setback for structures located in the Central Commercial District | — | §222-20 |

### Residence Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sale or Rental Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | See additional requirements | Premises for sale or rent | — | §295-19(A) |
| Development Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | See additional requirements | Erected in connection with development of the premises | — | §295-19(B) |
| Directional and Location Sign (Off-Premises) | — | 6 square feet | 4 feet | — | See additional requirements | Not erected upon subject premises; may be on each 500 feet of street frontage | — | §295-19(C) |
| Sold/Rented Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | See Sale or Rental Sign | Premises where property has been sold or rented | — | §295-19(D) |
| Mechanics/Artisans Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | During period work is performed on premises | — | §295-19(E) |
| Trespassing/Private Drive Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | §295-19(F) |
| Institutional Sign (Schools, churches, hospitals, etc.) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | See additional requirements | On premises of the institution | — | §295-19(G) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 6 inches by 18 inches | — | — | One per practitioner | On premises of home occupation | — | §295-19(H) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | — | — | — | Within building line | — | Entirely within the building line | — | §222-16 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Fastened against a building or other structure | — | §222-17 |
| Roof Sign | 30 feet above surface of roof | — | — | — | — | May not extend beyond building line or any exterior wall | — | §222-18 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building or structure | — | §222-19 |
| Temporary Event Sign | — | 16 square feet per surface, 32 square feet gross | — | — | — | Not over or onto a public right-of-way | — | §222-3; §222-4 |
| Temporary Political Sign | 15 feet from base or grade | 20 square feet aggregate gross surface area | — | — | — | Private property; rules also for signs on public right-of-way | — | §222-5 |
| Temporary Real Estate / Construction Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On property being sold, leased or developed | — | §222-6 |

## Prohibited signs in Houston Borough

- No sign shall be erected or located so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window or door.
- No sign shall be so erected or located that, by reason of its location, shape or color, or lighting, such sign might interfere with traffic or be confused with or obstruct the view or effectiveness of any official traffic sign, traffic signal or traffic marking.
- No sign painted or printed on paper or fabric or other similar material or substance which is particularly flammable or flimsy material shall be posted or otherwise secured to any projecting sign, awning or canopy.
- Every sign hereafter erected or located within the Borough shall conform to all the applicable provisions of Chapter 295, Zoning, of the Borough Code.
- All signs in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the BOCA Building Code and the National Electric Code.
- The use of unshielded lighting, including incandescent light bulbs, hung or strung on poles, wires, or any type of support to illuminate buildings, structures, outdoor sales areas or outdoor storage areas is prohibited except during the month of December for areas in which Christmas trees are offered for sale or on a temporary basis for areas in which carnivals, fairs or other similar activities are held.
- No sign shall be erected or constructed within eight feet of any electrical power line, conductor or service drop or any communication line, conductor or service drop.
- All signs and supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all service and underground facilities and conduits for water, sewage, gas, electricity, or communications equipment or lines.
- Illuminating arrangements for signs shall be such that the light is concentrated upon such sign and that there shall be no glare cast upon the street, the sidewalk or adjacent property.
- No sign, nor any posts, supports or braces therefor, shall be constructed, erected or located upon any sidewalk, street, or Borough property.
- No lewd, vulgar, indecent or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed upon any sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Houston Borough

- Lettering directly on the wall of any building or upon any other part thereof.
- Awning, canopy and marquee signs not exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of four square feet, indicating only the name of the activity or a brief generic description of the business conducted on the premises; advertising material is strictly prohibited on such signs.
- Nameplates or professional signs not over two square feet in area.
- Civic and religious organization signs indicating only the organization insignia, name, meeting place, and time, with size limits of two square feet per exposed surface and four square feet aggregate gross surface area.
- Directional or instructional signs not exceeding four feet in aggregate gross surface area and containing no advertising of any kind.
- Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to services or safety erected by, or at the order of, a public officer or employee.
- Holiday decorations temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic, or religious holidays related to observance of such holidays.
- Public signs required by governmental bodies or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance; such public signs may be of any type, number, area, height, location, or illumination as required by law.
- Plaques on a stone tablet imbedded or set into a building, bearing only the building owner's name, building name, date of erection, and nature of the business conducted therein.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The Building and/or Zoning Inspector may require that complete plans and specifications be filed for any sign as part of the permit application process.
- Application for an off-premises sign or billboard must be accompanied by a site plan and contain all of the applicable requirements as set forth in Chapter 295, Zoning, as amended.

## Full detail

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

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