# Sign Regulations in Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Littlestown Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/littlestown-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37978471#37978471)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side; 12 sq ft total | — | — | Maximum 2 | On property being advertised | — | §500-18B(2)(c) |
| Temporary Contractor/Artisan Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side; 16 sq ft total | — | — | 1 | On-premises where work is performed | — | §500-18B(2)(d) |
| Temporary Developer Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign; 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per street/highway | On-premises being developed | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §500-18B(2)(g) |
| Temporary New Business Opening Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side; 50 sq ft total | — | — | 1 | On-premises of new business | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §500-18B(11) |

### Town Center Mixed-Use (TCMU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign/Canopy Sign | — | 12 sq ft (total) | — | — | Max 2 (see sign type restrictions) | On structure | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §500-18F(1)(a),(b),(d)-(h) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | No limit within area constraints | In windows facing public street | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §500-18E(2)(b) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited if total area not exceeded | Façade window facing public street | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §500-18E(5); §500-18B(11) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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