# Sign Regulations in Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/lower-paxton-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34200834#34200834)

## At a glance

Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Auto Sales Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft (30 ft if along interstate) tall and 40 sq ft (up to 60 sq ft along interstate), with a 5 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. § 203-706B(2)(b)[1], § 203-714 Auto Sales Freestanding Signs). Most commercial signs in Lower Paxton Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts | 17 | 20 ft (30 ft if along interstate) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts | 11 | 40 ft | 672 sq ft/face (interstate); 300 sq ft/face (other locations) | — |
| V Village District (V), IN Institutional District (IN), ON Office Neighborhood District (ON) | 13 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| LI Light Industrial District (LI), GI General Industrial District (GI) | 1 | 40 ft | 672 sq ft/face (interstate); 300 sq ft/face (other locations) | — |
| Commercial Districts (where auto-related uses are allowed) | 1 | 20 ft (30 ft along interstate) | 40 sq ft (60 sq ft along interstate) | — |
| Industrial Districts (where such use is allowed) | 1 | Within vertical surface | 25 sq ft per side | — |
| Overlay District (Linglestown Road), Overlay District (Locust Lane) | 2 | — | — | — |
| CG Commercial General District (CG) | 1 | 20 ft (along Route 22, Union Deposit Rd, interstate); 10 ft elsewhere | Up to 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft/candidate/issue/street frontage | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Auto Sales Freestanding Sign | 20 ft (30 ft if along interstate) | 40 sq ft (up to 60 sq ft along interstate) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | Varies | 5 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[1], § 203-714 Auto Sales Freestanding Signs |
| Canopy, Service Station Dispensing Fuel | Within vertical surface of canopy | 25 sq ft per side | — | Right-of-way line | Up to 3 per canopy (one per side) | At canopy (right-of-way line) | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[2], § 203-714 Canopy, Service Station |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft in CG on Route 22/UDR/interstates; 10 ft in other cases | 40–100 sq ft (see formula) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot per public street frontage | 5 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[3], § 203-714 Freestanding Sign |
| Planned Center Sign - Ground Sign | Same as freestanding sign (see above) | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per planned center frontage | 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[6], § 203-714 Planned Center Signs |
| Projecting Sign | Height of wall to which attached; 8 ft pedestrian clearance minimum | 9 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | At building wall; right-of-way line | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[7], § 203-714 Projecting Sign |
| Wall Sign | Top of wall | 10% of building wall face; allowed on up to 2 sides | — | Attached to wall; appendages may extend 4 ft but not into street right-of-way | 2 per establishment per side, up to 2 sides | Building wall (can project ≤4 ft for appendages) | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[9], § 203-714 Wall Sign |
| Identification Sign | Top of wall if attached, otherwise 4 ft if on post | 4 sq ft | — | Wall surface or 5 ft from right-of-way line if post | 1 per building | On wall or post | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[4], § 203-714 Identification Sign |
| Instructional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 4 per parcel | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706B(2)(b)[5], § 203-714 Instructional Sign |

### Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 40 ft | 672 sq ft/face (interstate); 300 sq ft/face (other locations) | — | 40 ft from right-of-way and must meet zone setbacks | 1 per parcel | 40 ft from right-of-way; not within 1,000 ft of street intersection; not within 500 ft of residences/parks; not above roof | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[3], § 203-705D, § 203-714 Billboard |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft CG Route 22/UDR/interstate; 10 ft elsewhere | 40–100 sq ft depending on use (see Commercial Districts) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per public street frontage | 5 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[2], § 203-714 Freestanding Sign |
| Wall Sign | Top of wall | 10% of wall face | — | Wall surface; appendages up to 4 ft but not into right-of-way | 2 per establishment per side, up to 2 sides | Building wall | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[7], § 203-714 Wall Sign |
| Planned Center Sign - Ground Sign | Same as freestanding | Max 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per planned center frontage | 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[9], § 203-714 Planned Center Signs |
| Canopy, Service Station Dispensing Fuel | Within vertical surface of canopy | 25 sq ft per side | — | Right-of-way line | Up to 3 per canopy | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[1], § 203-714 Canopy, Service Station |
| Identification Sign | Top of wall or 4 ft on post | 4 sq ft | — | Wall surface or 5 ft from right-of-way if post | 1 per building | On wall or post | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[4], § 203-714 Identification Sign |
| Instructional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 4 per parcel | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[5], § 203-714 Instructional Sign |
| Public Interest Sign | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 1 per 100 ft | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706C(2)(b)[6], § 203-714 Public Interest Sign |

### V Village District (V), IN Institutional District (IN), ON Office Neighborhood District (ON)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | Top of wall or 4 ft (if post) | 4 sq ft | — | Wall surface or 5 ft from right-of-way (if post) | 1 per building | — | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[2], § 203-714 Identification Sign |
| Instructional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 4 per parcel | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[3], § 203-714 Instructional Sign |
| Neighborhood Community Identification Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way if >16 sq ft, otherwise right-of-way | 2 per entrance | At entrance | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[4], § 203-714 Neighborhood Community Identification |
| Projecting Sign | To top of wall; min 8 ft clearance | 9 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | Right-of-way line or at wall | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[5], § 203-714 Projecting Sign |
| Public Interest Sign | 6 ft | 1 sq ft | — | Right-of-way line | 1 per 100 ft | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[6], § 203-714 Public Interest Sign |
| Real Estate Sign | Up to 8 ft depending on parcel size (see table) | Up to 24 sq ft depending on parcel size (see table) | — | See table; generally none or 10 ft for larger parcels | 1 per street frontage | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[7], § 203-714 Real Estate, Residential and Commercial: Rent or Sale |
| Holiday/Special Event Sign | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per event | 5 ft from right-of-way | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[10], § 203-714 Holiday/Special Event |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side, 24 sq ft total | — | Right-of-way line | 1 per user | Right-of-way line | — | § 203-706D(2)(b)[11], § 203-714 Sandwich Sign |

## Prohibited signs in Lower Paxton Township

- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No permanent sign of any type will be permitted within the sight distance triangle as defined by this article.
- Unless specifically authorized by other provisions, no sign shall be erected within the legal right-of-way of any public street or public sidewalk, or be closer to a street right-of-way line closer than 10 feet.
- No sign shall be mounted on, affixed to, painted or in any other way appear on a roof of a building or structure.
- Flashing, rotating, moving, scrolling, or revolving signs are prohibited, with exception of barbershop poles, rotating billboard message panels, and video billboards (subject to additional restrictions on change frequency).
- A sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights is prohibited.
- A sign suspended between poles consisting of either pennants or spinners is prohibited.
- Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree or rock or other natural feature is prohibited.
- Signs shall only be attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulations and the requirements of this chapter.
- Any banner sign, except as otherwise permitted, is prohibited.
- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter is prohibited.
- Any sign which uses the words 'stop', 'look', 'danger', or similar to direct the movement of traffic, or which interferes with or resembles any official traffic sign, signal, or device and which is located within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device (whichever is greater) is prohibited.
- Red or green lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device (except for traffic control signals); routine seasonal lighting is exempted if it does not resemble traffic control devices.
- A truck, trailer or other vehicle, moving or non-moving, not used for normal day-to-day operations of a business, or not regularly moved for business related purposes, shall be prohibited from use as a sign.
- Any balloon sign, except as otherwise permitted, is prohibited.
- Any portable signs, except as otherwise permitted, are prohibited.
- No sign shall have a rotating sign face or a video sign face or be designed to be animated by wind or mechanical devices.
- Except as otherwise provided in the chapter, no illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving type is permitted; illumination must be shielded and directed so that the source is not visible off-lot.
- All electric signage illumination and wiring must comply with the Township Electrical Code.
- All signs must be constructed from durable materials, kept in good condition and repair, and if using electricity, manufactured in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
- Floodlighting for signs must not spill off the sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lower Paxton Township

- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional, or other official government (federal, state, county, or Township) signs.
- Signs located in the interior of a building (except window signs).
- Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical or educational organization not exceeding four square feet in area; temporary signs for civic events must be removed within three days after the event. Landowner or utility permission is required for temporary placement.
- Directional information or public service signs, such as those advertising availability of restrooms, telephone or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times and places of nonprofit, service or charitable clubs or organizations, provided such signs do not advertise any commercial activity and do not exceed four square feet in sign area.
- Trespassing signs, signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises, signs prohibiting or controlling hunting or fishing, and signs indicating ownership, provided the sign area does not exceed one square foot.
- Flags or insignias of the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Temporary legal notices, to be removed after the purpose is completed.
- Signs integrated onto a vending machine bearing the brand name or price of the product being sold.
- Memorial signs or historical markers/tablets not exceeding four square feet.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure (e.g., cornerstone, identifying letters carved or embossed), provided the letters are not reflective or contrasting in color with the building.
- Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field; must be removed after the growing season.
- Holiday signs and decorations that do not include advertising copy, slogans, trademarks or logos.
- Allowed signs of less than two square feet each.
- Allowed garage sale signs, as provided in § 203-403.
- Allowed real estate sales signs of six or less square feet.
- Allowed temporary political signs as provided in § 203-714.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- To install a new sign, replace or add to an existing sign or apply for temporary signage, a zoning permit is required, except for exempt signs.
- A zoning permit must be obtained from the Township prior to the erection or alteration of any sign, unless specifically exempted.
- Exemptions from the necessity of a permit do not relieve the owner from responsibility for safe construction and compliance.
- The following changes to a sign do not require a permit: changing only the advertising message, regular maintenance, or repair of an existing lawful sign.
- Before a sign permit is granted, a sign permit application must be submitted with information on lot/building dimensions, sign location, size, materials, illumination, sketch elevation, and other information as required by Zoning Officer.
- All sign permit applications must be signed by the property owner and accompanied by the required fee.
- Incomplete sign permit applications will be rejected.
- The Zoning Officer determines compliance for sign permit applications and must process applications within 15 business days.
- Zoning permits for signs are valid for 90 days from issuance for construction; failure to install the sign within this period voids the permit.
- Signs requiring the use of electricity must comply with the National Electrical Code and require a permit.
- Certain districts or sign types (e.g., Planned Center) may have additional requirements for a sign plan or require submittal of additional details.
- There is no specific mention of a 'Master Sign Plan' requirement in this excerpt, but large or multi-tenant developments (Planned Centers) may necessitate a plan as part of the permit application process.
- A sign plan or permit is not required for signs listed as exempt in § 203-708.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Lower Paxton Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Lower+Paxton+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-lower-paxton-township

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