# Sign Regulations in Hughesville, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hughesville, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/hughesville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-15
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33957456)

## At a glance

Hughesville, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Business Identification Sign - Freestandings in the R-2 Moderate Density Residential District zoning district are capped at 5 ft above average grade tall and 12 sq ft, with a ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear property line; not in public ROW. setback (Sec. §704(C)(1)-(3), §704(D), §702(C), §702(F)). Most commercial signs in Hughesville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft above average grade | 16 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Low Density Residential District; R-3 High Density Residential District | 8 | 5 ft above average grade | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-2 Moderate Density Residential District | 11 | 5 ft above average grade | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District | 11 | ≤15 ft above average grade; when in parking/vehicular/pedestrian circulation area, lowest part of sign ≥10 ft above ground unless resting on ground | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Central Business District; I Industrial District | 11 | — | 150 sq ft | — |
| O Open Space District | 8 | ≤15 ft above average grade; when in parking/vehicular/pedestrian circulation area, lowest part of sign ≥10 ft above ground unless resting on ground | 20 sq ft | — |
| FP 100-Year Floodplain District (Overlying District) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-2 Moderate Density Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign - Name Plate/Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Follow R-2 location standards: within front yard, setback ≥10 ft from street ROW; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(A) referencing §703(A)(1), §704(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Trespassing Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Not counted toward one-sign maximum per §703(A) exception | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(A) referencing §703(A)(2), §704(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Sale or Rental | — | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(A) referencing §703(A)(3), §704(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Directional to Service Clubs/Churches/Nonprofits | — | 8 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(A) referencing §703(A)(4), §704(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Artisan At-Work Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(A) referencing §703(A)(5), §704(D), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; wall signs subject to projection limits; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; or attached to wall per §702(E); must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(B)(1), §704(D), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Day Care Center Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; wall signs subject to projection limits; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; or attached to wall per §702(E); must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(B)(2), §704(D), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Business Identification Sign - Freestanding | 5 ft above average grade | 12 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear property line; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft from street ROW; must not limit sight distance. | — | §704(C)(1)-(3), §704(D), §702(C), §702(F) |

### C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign - Name Plate/Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft from street ROW; must not limit sight distance. | — | §705(A) referencing §703(A)(1), §705(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Trespassing Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Not counted toward one-sign maximum per §703(A) exception | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft. | — | §705(A) referencing §703(A)(2), §705(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Sale or Rental | — | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft. | — | §705(A) referencing §703(A)(3), §705(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Directional to Service Clubs/Churches/Nonprofits | — | 8 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft. | — | §705(A) referencing §703(A)(4), §705(D), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Artisan At-Work Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft. | — | §705(A) referencing §703(A)(5), §705(D), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; wall sign attachment rules apply; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; or attached to wall per §702(E). | — | §705(B)(1), §705(D), §702(C), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Institutional Sign (Schools/Churches/Day Care/Governments) | — | 20 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; wall sign attachment rules apply; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥10 ft; or attached to wall per §702(E). | — | §705(B)(2), §705(D), §702(C), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Business Identification Sign - Freestanding | ≤15 ft above average grade; when in parking/vehicular/pedestrian circulation area, lowest part of sign ≥10 ft above ground unless resting on ground | 20 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from street ROW; ≥3 ft side/rear; not in public ROW. | Max 1 per property | Within required front yard; setback ≥10 ft from edge of adjoining street right-of-way. | — | §705(C)(1)-(3), §705(D), §702(F), §702(C) |

### C-2 Central Business District; I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign - Name Plate/Identification | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for noncommercial/business ID; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Follow §706(F) front-yard centerline setbacks for noncommercial and business identification signs. | — | §706(A) referencing §703(A)(1), §706(F), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Trespassing Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for noncommercial/business ID; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Not counted toward one-sign maximum per §703(A) exception | Follow §706(F) setbacks. | — | §706(A) referencing §703(A)(2), §706(F), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Sale or Rental | — | 6 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for noncommercial/business ID; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Follow §706(F) setbacks. | — | §706(A) referencing §703(A)(3), §706(F), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Directional to Service Clubs/Churches/Nonprofits | — | 8 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for noncommercial/business ID; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Follow §706(F) setbacks. | — | §706(A) referencing §703(A)(4), §706(F), §702(N) |
| General Sign - Artisan At-Work Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for noncommercial/business ID; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding; not in public ROW. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Follow §706(F) setbacks. | — | §706(A) referencing §703(A)(5), §706(F), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Home Occupation Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line; wall sign attachment rules apply; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥35 ft from street center line per §706(F); or attached to wall per §702(E). | — | §706(B)(1), §706(F), §702(C), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Specific Noncommercial - Institutional Sign (Schools/Churches/Day Care/Governments) | — | 20 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line; wall sign attachment rules apply; ≥3 ft side/rear for freestanding. | Max 1 (corner lots: 1 per frontage) | Within front yard; setback ≥35 ft from street center line per §706(F); or attached to wall per §702(E). | — | §706(B)(2), §706(F), §702(C), §702(E), §702(N) |
| Business Identification Sign - Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft (per sign); total sign area per lot for business ID signs ≤100 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street center line for business ID signs if considered within front yard; wall attachment rules apply. | Max 2 per property; total lot area for business ID signs ≤100 sq ft | Attached to wall of principal building; front yard placement must meet center line setback if applicable. | — | §706(C)(1)-(2), §706(F), §702(E), §702(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Hughesville

- No sign may be located within any public right-of-way, except traffic signs or signs required for municipal services.
- No freestanding sign may be closer than three feet to any side or rear property line.
- No sign may be permanently painted, erected, affixed, or maintained on any tree, stone, or other natural object.
- No sign may be located on a sidewalk or walkway that obstructs or restricts pedestrian passage; portable walkway signs must be no more than 9 square feet per face and must be removed when the business is closed.
- No flashing or animated signs; sign illumination must be steady (not moving or changing in brilliance, color, or intensity) and must not cause excessive glare or impair motorists’ vision.
- No sign may be erected that obstructs clear vision at street intersections; if in the direct line of vision of a traffic control signal, the sign may not use red, green, or amber illumination; no sign may cause a visual obstruction for property owners.
- Wall signs may not project more than 12 inches from the mounting surface, extend above the top, or beyond the edge of the mounting surface; awning signs may not project above, below, or beyond the awning; no signs may be erected or maintained on the roof or eave of any building.
- No sign may prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or prevent free roof access; no sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign may be displayed on property without the landowner’s permission; written consent or a copy of the lease must accompany the permit application.
- Nonconforming signs, once removed, may only be replaced with conforming signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hughesville

- Traffic signs or signs required for municipal services are exempt from the public right-of-way prohibition.
- Temporary event signs meeting §702.K, garage/porch/yard sale signs meeting §702.L, and political signs meeting §702.M are exempt from the building/zoning permit requirement per §702.N.
- Signs permitted under §703(A) (General Signs) are exempt from the building/zoning permit requirement per §702.N.
- No permit fee is charged for permits connected with the erection of a sign necessary for the public welfare.
- Political signs may be erected in any zoning district and, when a permit is required, no fee is charged.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A building/zoning permit is required for the erection or alteration of signs except for temporary signs meeting §702.K, §702.L, §702.M, and General Signs in §703(A) (per §702.N).
- No master sign plan or sign plan requirement is stated in the ordinance.
- For signs adjacent to PennDOT Primary or Interstate highways, compliance with the PA Outdoor Advertising Act is required; a PennDOT determination must accompany Borough applications, and any required state permit must be submitted before construction or erection (§706.E(4)).
- Applications for freestanding signs must indicate the anchoring method (§702.F).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/hughesville