# Sign Regulations in Jacobus Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jacobus Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/jacobus-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15023097#15023097)

## At a glance

Jacobus Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 31 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 20 sf per sign, with a 5 ft setback from street right-of-way (§250-54A), except for official/nameplate/public service/directional setback (Sec. §250-51A). Most commercial signs in Jacobus 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 | 23 | 8 ft | Total 60 sf for all events, max individual banner/flag/sign 40 sf (nonresidential only) | — |
| Residential districts | 4 | Equal to top of roof along wall; may be on parapet roof up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet appears as architectural extension | 32 sf per sign | — |
| C-N District | 5 | Equal to the top of the roof along the wall; may be on parapet roof up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet appears as architectural extension | 20 sf per sign | — |
| C-G District, I-C District | 4 | 35 ft above adjacent street elevation at center line | 250 sf per face (2 faces max, each 250 sf, 45° max angle) | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural sales or Christmas tree sign | — | 8 sf on residential lots, 24 sf on nonresidential lots | — | — | 2 | — | — | §250-50A |
| Directional sign | — | 3 sf | — | — | No maximum | On the same lot | — | §250-50A |
| Home occupation sign | — | 1 sf (residential), 2 sf (nonresidential) | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way unless on mailbox | 1 | May be freestanding, attached to wall, or in window; min. 10 ft setback from street ROW unless on mailbox | — | §250-50A |
| Identification sign | 8 ft | 1 sf (2 for principal nonresidential use on residential lot), 6 sf (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 1 (2 for nonresidential principal use) | — | — | §250-50A |
| Real estate sign | — | 6 sf (residential), 30 sf (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per street lot abuts | On the property being sold/leased/rented | — | §250-50A |
| Recreation area sign | — | 50 sf | — | — | No maximum | On public property around a recreation facility | — | §250-50A |
| Service organization/place of worship sign | — | 2 sf | — | — | 2 per org/place of worship | Off-premises | — | §250-50A |
| Special sale sign | — | Total 60 sf for all events, max individual banner/flag/sign 40 sf (nonresidential only) | — | — | 5 per lot | Lawful principal commercial business only | — | §250-50A |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Equal to top of roof along wall; may be on parapet roof up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet appears as architectural extension | 30 sf (per principal nonresidential building, nursing home, or personal care center) | — | — | Total 30 sf per side per building | On principal nonresidential building or allowed nursing home/personal care center | — | §250-51A, §250-51B |
| Window Sign (in lieu of wall sign) | — | Same as wall sign (30 sf per principal nonresidential building/allowed nursing home or personal care center) | — | — | — | Window | — | §250-51A |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 20 sf per sign | — | 5 ft setback from street right-of-way (§250-54A), except for official/nameplate/public service/directional | 1 per street | Each street the lot abuts | — | §250-51A |
| Major Development Sign | Wall max 6 ft high, 12 ft long (wall itself not counted in sign area) | 32 sf per sign | Wall max 12 ft long | — | 1 per entrance (up to 2 entrances) | At exterior street entrances to subdivisions or developments of 20+ dwellings or 5+ business uses | — | §250-51E |

### C-N District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Equal to the top of the roof along the wall; may be on parapet roof up to 10 ft above structural roof if parapet appears as architectural extension | — | — | — | — | Building wall | — | §250-51A, §250-51B |
| Window Sign (not temporary nonilluminated) | — | — | — | — | — | Window | — | §250-51A |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 20 sf per sign | — | No minimum setback required | 1 per street lot abuts | — | — | §250-51A |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sf | — | — | — | Projects from building | — | §250-51A |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 9 sf | — | — | — | Sidewalk | — | §250-51A |

## Prohibited signs in Jacobus Borough

- Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited, with the exception of signage that changes or scrolls in compliance with this chapter. Certain flags and banners may be allowed as provided in § 250-50.
- Flashing, blinking, or twinkling signs of any type are prohibited. Signs may change their message from time to time, provided that each message is visible for a minimum of 10 seconds, except for time and temperature signs, scrolling signs, and signs with a sign area greater than 50 square feet (which shall not change their message more frequently than once every minute). Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays within § 250-50.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states that a lot may be used for a purpose not permitted under this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs that are of such form, shape or color that they resemble an official traffic sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the word 'danger') are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons of greater than 50 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure for periods of over a day and primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Neon lighting of more than 10 square feet per lot is prohibited as part of signs and if attached to the outside of a building. Neon shall not be used to line the outside of a building.
- No sign shall be located so that it interferes with sight clearance requirements (§ 250-54B).
- No sign, except a permitted off-premises, official, political or public service sign, shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate (§ 250-54C).
- No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner (§ 250-54D).
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole or street sign post, except by a utility or government agency (§ 250-54E).
- Signs involving electrical cords laying across parking lots, driveways or sidewalks are prohibited, except on a residential property for seasonal lighting (§ 250-54G).
- Portable signs (including signs on mobile stands) are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event sign (§ 250-51C(2)).
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than for clearly temporarily vacant property) must be removed within 180 days of cessation of the use.
- Any vehicle, trailer or structure to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the display of the sign is a primary purpose (not incidental) is considered a freestanding sign and subject to all freestanding sign requirements.
- Unlawful signs placed without a required permit and not in compliance are not lawful and must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Jacobus Borough

- Signs listed in § 250-50A are exempt from permit requirements, including (but not limited to) agricultural sales signs, charitable event signs, contractor's signs, directional signs, flags, garage sale signs, home occupation signs, identification signs, open house signs, political signs, public services signs, real estate signs, recreation area signs, service organization/place of worship signs, special sale signs, time and temperature signs, and trespassing signs, provided they meet specified requirements.
- Nonilluminated window signs do not require a permit (§ 250-48B).
- The following types of signs are entirely not regulated by the chapter (§ 250-50B): historic signs memorializing important places/events/persons and authorized by government; holiday decorations commemorating recognized holidays that do not include advertising; not readable signs (not readable from any public street or exterior lot line); official signs erected by government or authorized by ordinance/resolution for public purposes; required signs including information required by law; right-of-way signs officially authorized within the street right-of-way by Borough or PennDOT, including decorative banners authorized by the Borough.
- Temporary nonilluminated window signs are not regulated (§ 250-51A, table notes for C-N, C-G, and I-C districts).
- Setback requirements do not apply to official signs, nameplate signs, public service signs, and directional signs (§ 250-54A(3)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required for all signs except those meeting § 250-50 requirements or which are nonilluminated window signs (§ 250-48B).
- Only types, sizes, and heights of signs specifically permitted by this chapter within the applicable district shall be allowed (§ 250-48B).
- In residential districts, street name sign design shall be approved by the Planning Commission (§ 215-27).
- Only lawfully existing signs may be painted, repaired, or have changes in logo/message without a new permit, provided total area and nonconformity do not increase (§ 250-48C).
- Every permanent sign must be constructed of durable materials and kept in good repair. If not, the Borough may require repair or removal at the owner or lessee's expense (§ 250-54F).

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

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