# Sign Regulations in Indiana Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Indiana Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/indiana-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11887402#11887402)

## At a glance

Indiana Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 46 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (C-1)s in the U-1 Zoning District, C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District, MU-1 Zoning District, M-1 Zoning District zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft setback (Sec. § 460-32.4.C). Most commercial signs in Indiana Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Two-Family Residential District, R-3 Multifamily Residential District | 4 | 6 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| P-1 Public and Semipublic Zoning District | 5 | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| U-1 Zoning District, C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District, MU-1 Zoning District, M-1 Zoning District | 22 | 35 ft | 120 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Civic/Philanthropic/Educational/Religious Event Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 460-30.A |
| Temporary Development Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Each street frontage for property held in single/separate ownership | — | § 460-30.B |
| For Sale/Rent Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per property, or one per street frontage if property fronts more than one street | — | § 460-30.F |
| Auction/Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 460-30.G |
| Directory Sign (Multi-Tenant or Multi-Building) | — | 1/2 sq ft per tenant or 2 sq ft per building | — | — | — | Multi-tenant or multi-building developments only | — | § 460-30.H |
| Contractor/Builder/Architect/Developer/Artisan Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq ft (Residential); 32 sq ft (All Other Districts) | — | — | — | On premises where work is performed | — | § 460-30.I |
| Non-Visible Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not visible from outside lot/building | — | § 460-30.J |
| Address/Nameplate/Home Occupation | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use | — | — | § 460-30.N |

### P-1 Public and Semipublic Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision/Apartment/Condo Identification Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | — | § 460-32.3.A, § 460-32.3.B |
| Nonresidential/Institutional Use Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | — | § 460-32.3.B |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Institutional, Freestanding or Wall) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per building | Attached or freestanding | — | § 460-32.3.C |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | — | — | Not within 10 ft of side or rear lot line. | — | — | — | § 460-32.3.D, § 460-32.3.E |
| Freestanding or Wall Sign (Multi-building institutional development) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per building | One per building | — | § 460-32.3.C |

### U-1 Zoning District, C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District, MU-1 Zoning District, M-1 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision/Apartment/Condo Identification Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | — | § 460-32.4.A |
| Nonresidential/Institutional Use Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | One per street/building frontage or entrance/exit | — | § 460-32.4.A |
| Freestanding Sign (C-1) | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | One per property | — | — | § 460-32.4.C |
| Freestanding Sign (C-2) | 25 ft | 64 sq ft per 50 ft street frontage, max 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | — | — | § 460-32.4.C |
| Freestanding Sign (U-1) | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | — | — | — | § 460-32.4.C |
| Projecting Sign (MU-1) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft | One per business | — | — | § 460-32.4.C |
| Electronic Sign (C-2, M-1) | — | Subject to size, area, and setback for district/proposed sign type | — | 100 ft from abutting R district; 35 ft from other electronic signs | 1 per property | Freestanding, facade, or wall | — | § 460-32.4.I |
| Billboard (M-1 only) | 35 ft | 120 sq ft (freestanding) or as otherwise for M-1; 20% of façade if wall | — | 100 ft from any R-1, R-2, R-3 boundary | — | Freestanding or wall, M-1 district only | — | § 460-32.4.J |

## Prohibited signs in Indiana Borough

- No signs shall be permitted within public rights-of-way, except for permitted temporary signs, Borough-approved event signs, PennDOT-approved traffic signs and devices, or as otherwise specified.
- No person shall construct, erect, place, use or permit the use of any permanent or temporary sign or sign structure on private or public property except for the property owner or tenant, or a person with the express written consent of the property owner.
- No signs shall be permitted which are posted, stapled, or otherwise attached to public utility poles or trees.
- No signs shall be printed, pasted, attached, or placed on any tree, utility pole, or upon any natural feature.
- No sign structure may block a vehicular line of sight for a driveway, access lane, or public street, or be placed 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.
- Signs must be constructed in a workmanlike fashion using durable materials and designed to withstand wind forces per code. Deteriorated or hazardous signs must be repaired or removed by the sign's owner.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed within specified timeframes.
- No sign shall employ intermittent light, electronic or movable text, strobes, or other animations that may serve to distract motorists or abutting homeowners, except as specifically provided for electronic signs granted by special exception.
- Lighting for signs shall not create a hazardous glare for pedestrians or vehicles either in a public street or on any private premises.
- No temporary signs shall be illuminated by direct means.
- All electrical connections must meet all relevant codes; electrical connections for signs must be shielded by underground or overhead wires.
- Nonconforming signs, once removed, must be replaced only with conforming signs.
- Audio speakers or any form of pyrotechnics are prohibited in association with an electronic sign.
- Construction and maintenance of all signs must adhere to mechanical and electrical standards.
- No person shall maintain or allow to be maintained, in, on, or upon any property located in the public right-of-way, an abandoned sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Indiana Borough

- Temporary signs for civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious campaigns, drives, or events (up to 16 square feet, removed after the event).
- Temporary signs related to property development (one per frontage, up to 16 square feet, removed after completion, may not be erected until all zoning and development approvals obtained).
- Political signs announcing candidates, referendums, or similar political speech.
- Religious or holiday displays/messages with no commercial content.
- Flags of the United States, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or any state or nation.
- Signs offering the sale or rental of the premises (one per frontage, up to 10 square feet).
- Auctions, garage, or yard sale signs (up to 4 square feet, removed after event).
- Directory signs for multi-tenant or multifamily buildings (area limit based on number of tenants/buildings).
- Temporary signs of contractors, developers, architects, etc., on premises where work is being performed (up to 16 square feet in residential, 32 square feet in other districts, removed upon completion).
- Any sign not visible from outside a lot or building.
- Displays of time and temperature, including electronic displays, up to 4 square feet, with no other message.
- Rest room, exit, public telephone, handicapped parking/access, and similar directional/informational signs for public or tenant benefit.
- No trespassing signs, private road/driveway/fishing signs (up to 2 square feet).
- House and address numbers, home occupation, or nameplate sign showing occupant/profession/activity (one per permitted use; up to 4 square feet, not illuminated).
- Memorial signs or tablets denoting building date.
- Temporary celebratory signs for birth, birthday, marriage, graduation, or similar household event (up to 32 square feet, removed after event).
- Signs warning of hazard (no commercial content).
- Signs erected by the Borough or authorized entity for public recreational directions, historical markers, dedications, or with sponsor name/logos (up to 16 square feet).
- Traffic signs and regulatory notices placed by a governmental body.
- Signs erected for athletic event scoring on site, including electronic devices and sponsor info, with no illumination when activity is not taking place.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit must be obtained from the Borough for the erection or alteration of all signs unless specifically exempted by §460-30.
- All applications for signs must be submitted to the Zoning Officer and must include details on type, area, number, illumination, placement, elevation, sight distances, speed limit, reaction time, and a scale graphic or photographic rendition of the sign.
- Permanent signs within public rights-of-way require specific Borough approval; temporary sign applications are reviewed by the Zoning Official.
- Permanent sign applications in public rights-of-way are referred to Borough Council, and may be referred for advice to the Planning Commission or other advisory committees.
- Electronic signs require a special exception (variance/conditional use) and submission of a programming plan showing use of animations, message durations, and compliance with visibility/safety standards.
- Applicants for electronic signs must show compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regulations for signs abutting a state highway.
- Billboards require special exception approval and must comply with M-1 dimensional, setback, and lighting requirements.
- Owners of nonconforming signs must apply for a sign-continuation permit to maintain signs in cases of business activity changes, with renewals possible up to 24 months.

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

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