# Sign Regulations in Howe Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Howe Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/howe-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://howetownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Howe-Zoning-Ordinance.pdf#page=95)

## At a glance

Howe Township, Pennsylvania regulates 32 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Not above highest point of building facade tall and 1 sq ft per 2 lineal ft of building frontage, max 20 sq ft, with a Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line setback (Sec. 1408.3.3). Most commercial signs in Howe Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 4 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Residential District | 5 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential District | 5 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (Nonresidential Uses) | 7 | 6 ft | 25% of window area | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 15 | 25 ft | 32 sq ft total | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | — | 25% of the face area of the canopy or marquee | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Per canopy | Affixed to attached or free-standing canopy | — | 1408.3.1 |
| Awning Sign | — | 25% of awning background area or permitted wall sign area, whichever is less | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Per awning | On or attached to awning surface | — | 1408.3.2 |
| Projecting Sign | Not above highest point of building facade | 1 sq ft per 2 lineal ft of building frontage, max 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | Attached to building face per public entrance | — | 1408.3.3 |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per public entrance | Attached to underside of canopy or marquee | — | 1408.3.4 |
| Menu Board Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per drive-through | Oriented to drive-through lane | — | 1408.3.7 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front or entrance | On property being sold/leased | — | 1408.2.1 |
| Development and Construction Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front or entrance | On construction site | — | 1408.2.2 |
| Political Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Unlimited if compliant | Private property with owner consent | — | 1408.2.6 |

### Residential District (Nonresidential Uses)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 8 sq ft aggregate | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Per street frontage | Affixed to exterior wall, projects <=18 in | — | 1408.1.1, Table 1408.1.1(1) |
| Free-standing Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 | Supported by ground structure | — | 1408.1.2, Table 1408.1.2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 2 per street entrance; unlimited interior | On lot | — | 1408.1.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Building) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On building site | — | 1408.2.1.3 |
| Development and Construction Sign (Nonresidential in Res) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 | On site | — | 1408.2.2.3 |
| Special Promotion, Event and Grand Opening Sign | — | 10 sq ft total | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On property | — | 1408.2.3 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Per window | Affixed to window surface | — | 1408.3.6 |

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing Sign (35-55 mph) | 25 ft | — | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | Supported by ground structure | — | 1408.1.2, Table 1408.1.2, Figure 1408.1.2(2) |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 2 per street entrance; unlimited interior | On lot, visible from adjacent | — | 1408.1.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial Building) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On building site | — | 1408.2.1.3 |
| Real Estate Sign (Vacant Commercial/Industrial Land) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft for <=10 acres; 100 sq ft for >10 acres | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On land | — | 1408.2.1.4 |
| Development and Construction Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft for <=5 acres; 32 sq ft for >5 acres | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On site | — | 1408.2.2.4 |
| Special Promotion, Event and Grand Opening Sign | — | 32 sq ft total | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 per street front | On property | — | 1408.2.3 |
| Roof Sign | 25% of roofline height above roofline | Assessed against wall sign area on parallel elevation | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | Per elevation | On main roof or above parapet | — | 1408.3.5 |
| Portable Sign (Commercial / C, VC, A Districts Only) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from street right-of-way line | 1 | On property | — | 1408.2.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Howe Township

- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver’s view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
- Except as provided for elsewhere in this code, signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way. No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Signs which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.
- Portable signs except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting the following conditions: The primary purpose of such a vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs; The signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part of the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer, and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle; The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets where applicable, and actively used or available for use in the daily function of the business to which such signs relate.
- Vehicles and trailers are not used primarily as static displays, advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter or distribution points for commercial products or services for the general public.
- Balloons, streamers or pinwheels except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event (temporarily means not more than 20 days in any calendar year).
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within 2 feet of the lines of any street, or within any public way, unless specifically authorized.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location where by its position, shape or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Animated signs, except as prohibited in Section 1406, are permitted in commercial zones only.

## Signs exempt from permit in Howe Township

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones where cut or carved into a masonry surface or where made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed 6 square feet in area.
- Temporary political signs that are placed with the land owner’s consent, and removed not more than two days after the applicable election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master sign plan required for landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding 8 acres in size, such as shopping centers, office complexes or planned industrial parks, prior to issuance of new sign permits. The plan must address proposed sign locations, materials, type of illumination, design of free-standing sign structures, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage including directional and informational signs.
- Applications for sign permits for signage within a multiple-occupancy development complex shall comply with the master sign plan.
- Any amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) within the development complex before such amendment will become effective.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Howe Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Howe+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-howe-township

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