# Sign Regulations in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/jersey-shore
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-15
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/12941142)

## At a glance

Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Address Signs in the S Services District zoning district are capped at 6 ft (if on rod/post) tall and 2 sq ft, with a ≥ 3 ft from right-of-way. setback (Sec. Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96A.). Most commercial signs in Jersey Shore require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R Residential District | 9 | 6 ft (if on rod/post) | 16 sq ft total area | — |
| S Services District | 22 | Top of sign ≤ 50 ft above adjacent road grade | 300 sq ft | — |
| C Commercial District | 23 | Top ≤ 50 ft above adjacent road grade | 300 sq ft | — |
| I Industrial District | 20 | Top ≤ 50 ft above adjacent road grade | 300 sq ft | — |
| A Agriculture District | 9 | 6 ft (if on rod/post) | 16 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 8 sq ft per sign (permit-exempt threshold), max 2 signs per event | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### S Services District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 6 ft (if on rod/post) | 2 sq ft | — | ≥ 3 ft from right-of-way. | 1 | Attached to building or on a rod/post; at least 3 ft in from right-of-way; cannot extend into ROW or over sidewalk. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96A. |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per side (two sides maximum) | — | General setback exemption applies (§ 300-95F). | 1 per establishment | Not in Borough or state right-of-way; must be within 15 ft of the primary public entrance and placed to maintain at least 36 inches of unobstructed sidewalk clearance; must be weighted/secured/strategically placed so as not to be moved by wind. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96U(1)-(13). |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Not located upon a public right-of-way. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96C. |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property | Not in public right-of-way. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96E. |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≤ 2 uses on lot) | Top of sign ≤ 20 ft above grade | 30 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | General setback exemption applies (§ 300-95F). | 1; 2 signs allowed if lot frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting in a fixed location; not attached to any building; not in public right-of-way; may not obstruct free egress. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F(1)-(6). |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≥ 3 uses on lot) | Top of sign ≤ 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | General setback exemption applies (§ 300-95F). | 1; 2 signs allowed if lot frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting; not in public right-of-way; may not obstruct free egress. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F(2)-(6). |
| Freestanding Sign - Small Size | — | 9 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | General setback exemption applies (§ 300-95F). | — | May extend over a public walkway with ≥10 ft clearance; not located in public right-of-way; shall not obstruct free egress; no portion shall extend into a public right-of-way or over a sidewalk. | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96G. |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (Single Business) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business; Max 1 per lot | Off-premises; not located in public right-of-way; location must comply with intersection visibility criteria (clear sight triangle 30 ft). | — | Allowed in S per Table § 300-95 (second table); Standards § 300-96I(1)-(6). |

### C Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 6 ft (if on rod/post) | 2 sq ft | — | ≥ 3 ft from right-of-way. | 1 | Attached to building or on rod/post; ≥3 ft from right-of-way; no part may extend into ROW/over sidewalk. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96A. |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per side (two sides maximum) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Not in Borough or state right-of-way; within 15 ft of primary public entrance; maintain ≥36 inches unobstructed sidewalk clearance; weighted/secured. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96U. |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Not upon a public right-of-way. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96C. |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property | Not in ROW. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96E. |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≤ 2 uses on lot) | Top ≤ 20 ft above grade | 30 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1; 2 signs allowed if frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting; not attached to any building; not in ROW; shall not obstruct free egress. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F. |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≥ 3 uses on lot) | Top ≤ 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1; 2 signs allowed if frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting; not in ROW; shall not obstruct free egress. | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F(2)-(6). |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (Single Business) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business; Max 1 per lot | Off-premises; not in ROW; comply with intersection visibility (30 ft clear sight triangle). | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95 (second table); Standards § 300-96I. |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (Multiple Businesses) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per business; Max 1 per lot | Off-premises; not in ROW; comply with intersection visibility (30 ft clear sight triangle). | — | Allowed in C per Table § 300-95 (second table); Standards § 300-96I. |

### I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | 6 ft (if on rod/post) | 2 sq ft | — | ≥ 3 ft from right-of-way. | 1 | Attached or on rod/post; ≥3 ft from ROW; no encroachment into ROW/over sidewalk. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96A. |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per side (two sides maximum) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Not in ROW; within 15 ft of primary public entrance; maintain ≥36 inches unobstructed sidewalk clearance; weighted/secured. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96U. |
| Community Directory Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Not on public right-of-way. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96C. |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property | Not in ROW. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96E. |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≤ 2 uses on lot) | Top ≤ 20 ft above grade | 30 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1; 2 signs allowed if frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting; not in ROW; shall not obstruct egress. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F. |
| Freestanding Sign - Large (≥ 3 uses on lot) | Top ≤ 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1; 2 signs allowed if frontage ≥ 300 ft | Self-supporting; not in ROW; shall not obstruct egress. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95H; Standards § 300-96F(2)-(6). |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Highway Billboard Sign) | Top ≤ 50 ft above adjacent road grade | 300 sq ft | — | — | — | Off-premises; not in ROW; allowed in I; Act 160 compliance in highway-adjacent areas. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95 (second table); Standards § 300-96J. |
| Political Signs | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per lot | Not in ROW, Borough park, or Borough-owned property; not attached to utility poles, fences, trees, vegetation; may be displayed in a window. | — | Allowed in I per Table § 300-95 (second table); Standards § 300-96K. |

## Prohibited signs in Jersey Shore

- Signs not specifically permitted by this chapter are deemed prohibited
- Signs located in a public right-of-way (other than municipal traffic signs) are prohibited
- Illumination that is flashing, moving, animated, or intermittent is prohibited (except for digital and electronic message board signs)
- Illumination that casts direct light onto any street or adjacent property is prohibited (illumination must be nonglaring or shielded)
- Exposed connecting wires are prohibited
- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety, including obstructing drivers’ vision or detracting from the visibility of traffic signs or control devices, is prohibited
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other exitway, or blocks openings for light or air or interferes with proper function of a building, is prohibited
- Structurally unsafe signs; signs hazardous due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation or abandonment; signs not kept in good repair; and signs capable of causing electrical shocks are prohibited
- Signs using words such as STOP, LOOK, DANGER, or similar phrases/symbols/characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic are prohibited
- String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes other than Christmas decorations are prohibited
- Spinners and streamers are prohibited
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold is prohibited and must be removed at the owner's expense
- Signs affixed to fences, utility poles or utility structures, light poles, sign posts, trees, shrubs, rocks, or other natural objects are prohibited
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except for off-premises direction signs and off-premises advertising signs as specifically allowed
- Portable or movable signs are prohibited except when allowed as temporary signs under the applicable provisions
- Signs depicting nudity or sexual conduct are prohibited
- Supports and brackets for a sign that extend above the cornice line of the building to which the sign is attached are prohibited

## Signs exempt from permit in Jersey Shore

- Sign types designated with an asterisk (*) in § 300-96 are exempt from permitting requirements, provided they comply with the requirements for that sign type
- Signs are exempt from setback requirements unless otherwise specified in the code

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or formal sign plan requirement is indicated in the provided ordinance text
- Regulated signs require a sign permit before erection, display, or structural alteration; the application must include plans showing the sign area, size, structure, character and design, method of illumination (if any), and exact location; roof signs or outdoor advertising structures require complete specifications and method of anchoring and support; the permit number and issuance date must be permanently affixed to each sign
- No variance hearing requirement for signs is indicated in the provided ordinance text
- For off-premises advertising signs adjacent to federal aid primary or interstate highways, compliance with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Advertising Control Act and coordination with PennDOT District 3-0 Highway Beautification Manager is required

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

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