Sign Regulations in Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania
Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Window Sign, Official Street and Traffic Sign, No Trespassing/Private Road Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Littlestown Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Trespassing/Private Road Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side; 12 sq ft total | — |
| Temporary Contractor/Artisan Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side; 16 sq ft total | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
37
- Window Sign
- Official Street and Traffic Sign
- No Trespassing/Private Road Sign
- Temporary Real Estate Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Littlestown Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Littlestown Borough vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Littlestown Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Littlestown Borough, regulated sign types include Window Sign, Official Street and Traffic Sign, No Trespassing/Private Road Sign, Temporary Real Estate Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Littlestown Borough vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Littlestown Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Littlestown Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 37 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center)s in the Highway Oriented Commercial (C-3), Commercial/Employment (C/E), Commercial-Employment (C-E) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 75 sq ft per side; 150 sq ft total, with a Within 20 ft of ROW setback (Sec. §500-18E(2)(a)). Most commercial signs in Littlestown Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Littlestown Borough (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per side; 100 sq ft total | — |
| Low-Density Residential (R-1), Medium-Density Residential (R-2), High-Density Residential (R-3), Town Center Residential (TCR) | 4 | 6 ft (unless wall or projecting sign) | 25 sq ft | — |
| Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU) | 6 | 12 ft max height; minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk/driveway/walkway | 50% of permitted sign area | — |
| Highway Oriented Commercial (C-3), Commercial/Employment (C/E), Commercial-Employment (C-E) | 7 | 25 ft | 75 sq ft per side; 150 sq ft total | — |
| Industrial/Employment (I/E) | 6 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side; 300 sq ft total | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Littlestown Borough(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side; 12 sq ft total | — | — | Maximum 2 | On property being advertised | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(c) |
| Temporary Contractor/Artisan Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side; 16 sq ft total | — | — | 1 | On-premises where work is performed | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(d) |
| Temporary Developer Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign; 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per street/highway | On-premises being developed | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(e) |
| Temporary Yard or Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft total | — | — | 2 | On property of sale; not on utility poles or street signs | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(f) |
| Political Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | 5 ft from sidewalk or public street/right-of-way | — | Minimum 5 ft setback from sidewalk or public street/right-of-way line | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(g) |
| Temporary New Business Opening Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side; 50 sq ft total | — | — | 1 | On-premises of new business | — | Unlock | §500-18B(2)(j) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (Standard) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft per side; 40 sq ft total | — | — | — | As permitted by conditional use | — | Unlock | §500-18B(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (General) | — | 50% of permitted sign area | — | 50 ft from R-1, R-2, R-3, TCR | 1 | Part of permitted permanent sign | — | Unlock | §500-18B(11) |
Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign/Canopy Sign | — | 12 sq ft (total) | — | — | Max 2 (see sign type restrictions) | On structure | — | Unlock | §500-18F(1)(c),(e)-(g) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side; 24 sq ft total | — | — | See wall/canopy sign restriction | On lot of nonresidential use | — | Unlock | §500-18F(1)(a), (b), (e)-(h) |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft max height; minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk/driveway/walkway | 16 sq ft per side; 32 sq ft total | — | — | See wall/canopy sign restriction | Projecting from structure | — | Unlock | §500-18F(1)(a),(b),(d)-(h) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | No limit within area constraints | In windows facing public street | — | Unlock | §500-18B(8); §500-18F(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 16 sq ft per side; 32 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On public sidewalk—minimum 5 ft unobstructed width must be maintained | — | Unlock | §500-18F(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (TCMU) | — | 50% of permitted sign area | — | 50 ft from TCR and other residential zones | 1 | As component of permitted sign | — | Unlock | §500-18F(6); §500-18B(11) |
Highway Oriented Commercial (C-3), Commercial/Employment (C/E), Commercial-Employment (C-E)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Standard) | 25 ft | 20 sq ft per side; 40 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per business | On lot of business, landscaped setting | — | Unlock | §500-18E(1)(b)-(e) |
| Wall Sign/Canopy Sign (Standard) | — | — | — | 25% increase for walls 200+ ft from ROW | 1 wall/canopy sign per business | On building wall or canopy | — | Unlock | §500-18E(1)(f)-(g) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft per side; 150 sq ft total | — | Within 20 ft of ROW | 1 per shopping center entrance | Within 20 ft of ROW, incorporated into site landscaping | — | Unlock | §500-18E(2)(a) |
| Wall/Canopy Sign (Shopping Center - Each Tenant) | — | — | — | 25% increase for walls 200+ ft from ROW | Each tenant: 1 main sign; anchor tenant: 2 accessory signs | On tenant's exterior wall/canopy | — | Unlock | §500-18E(2)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited if total area not exceeded | Façade window facing public street | — | Unlock | §500-18B(8); §500-18E(2)(c) |
| Temporary Banner | — | Combined area max 25% of wall sign max area for use | — | — | 2 | Affixed to permanent wall or fixture of nonresidential use | — | Unlock | §500-18E(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (C-3/C-E) | — | 50% of sign area limit per permitted sign | — | 50 ft from residential districts | 1 | As component of permitted sign | — | Unlock | §500-18E(5); §500-18B(11) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Littlestown Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Littlestown Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Littlestown Borough
- It shall be unlawful to obscure, remove, deface, mutilate, or destroy any posted signs required by ordinance.
- No sign shall be permitted that replicates or resembles a traffic signal or a traffic control sign.
- No sign shall be located so as to interfere with the clear sight distance regulations.
- Flashing signs and/or flashing and/or rotating lights are prohibited.
- Revolving, rotating, or otherwise moving signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except for specific temporary signs, sandwich board signs, temporary banners, and political signs as regulated.
- Signs with pornographic or obscene content are prohibited.
- No nonconforming advertising sign, billboard, commercial advertising structure, or statuary shall be moved to another position on the building or lot after the effective date of the ordinance.
- The area of a nonconforming sign on a nonconforming use shall not be increased and such sign shall not be structurally altered.
- If a nonconforming advertising sign, billboard, commercial advertising structure or statuary is damaged to the extent of 25% of its cost or replacement at the time of destruction, such sign shall not be restored or replaced.
- Whenever any use of building or structure or land ceases, all signs accessory to such use become nonconforming and must be removed within six calendar months.
- Electronic message center signs may not have blinking, flashing, scrolling, rotating, or changes in illumination intensity; display must be static.
- Portable electronic message centers are not allowed.
Exempt Signs in Littlestown Borough
- Official street and traffic signs and any other signs required by law are exempt from general sign permit requirements.
- No-trespassing signs, signs indicating private ownership of roads and/or property, and similar signs are exempt if spaced at least 100 feet apart and not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Temporary, unlighted real estate signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which they are erected are exempt, subject to size, number, and removal time limits.
- Temporary, unlighted signs of contractors, painters, or similar artisans erected on premises where work is performed are exempt, subject to size, quantity, and removal after completion of work.
- Temporary, unlighted signs of developers erected on premises being developed are exempt, subject to size, quantity, and location restrictions.
- Temporary, unlighted yard or garage sale signs are exempt, subject to display duration, size, quantity, and prohibition on attachment to utility poles or street signs.
- Political signs are exempt, subject to size, placement, and safety requirements.
- Freestanding signs designating entrances and exits to commercial and industrial establishments are exempt, subject to size and illumination limits.
- Signs displaying the name and street number of the occupant of a residence are exempt if not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary, unlighted signs advertising the opening of a new business are exempt, subject to size, number, and display duration limits.
- Temporary, unlighted signs advertising special events sponsored by recreational, civic, religious, charitable, or similar organizations are exempt, subject to display period restrictions.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Littlestown Borough
- No sign shall be erected, enlarged, or relocated until a permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer. Applications must include scale drawings, dimensions, materials, illumination, letter sizes, colors, location, and other relevant information.
- A landscaping sketch must accompany the sign permit application for all signs associated with a residential development or for freestanding signs in commercial districts.
- All applications for community welcome signs shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission who provides a recommendation regarding approval or disapproval to the Zoning Officer.
- A sign permit (exempt from fee) is required for window signs to establish total window and window sign area; individual permits for each window sign are not required if overall compliance is maintained.
- A sign permit must be issued by the Zoning Officer prior to the use of temporary banners; the permit establishes the total area allowed for the property or use (individual permits per banner not required if overall compliance is maintained).
- For off-premises directional signs, authorization is by conditional use and Borough Council review. If three or more are proposed, the Borough may require consolidation onto a single sign.
- Electronic message centers in the Town Center Mixed-Use District require conditional use approval, which includes public notice to all property owners and tenants within 50 feet.
Source: ecode360 municipal code