Sign Regulations in Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting 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 Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Lower Providence Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | Five feet from right-of-way |
| Digital Display / Message Center Sign | Same as parent sign type/location. | Limited to percentage of parent sign/site as specified by zone/type; see zone entries. | — |
| Portable Sign / Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft (sandwich board) | 7 sq ft per face (sandwich board) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
28
- Freestanding Sign
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Window Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Lower Providence Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Lower Providence Township 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 Lower Providence Township, 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 Lower Providence Township, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Window Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Lower Providence Township, monument signs typically require a Five feet from right-of-way setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Lower Providence Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lower Providence Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Portable Sign / Sandwich Board Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3.5 ft (sandwich board) tall and 7 sq ft per face (sandwich board) (Sec. §143-140.3J). Most commercial signs in Lower Providence Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lower Providence Township (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 3.5 ft (sandwich board) | 12.5 sq ft | — |
| Residential zones (R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, R-5 Residential District, Mobile Home Park District (MHP)) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Village Commercial District (VC), Evansburg Village Commercial District (EVC) | 5 | 10 ft | 15% of window area per storefront (permanent, etched/painted/affixed) | — |
| General Commercial District (GC), Highway Commercial District (HC), Professional and Business Office District (PBO), Limited Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Industrial Park District (IP), Mixed-Use District (MU), Ridge Pike Business District (RPB), Ridge Pike West District (RPW) | 7 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft total per marquee | — |
| Public Facilities and Open Space Overlay District (PFO) | 4 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential zones | 4 | 8 ft (for freestanding signs) | 16 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lower Providence Township(sample of 3 of 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Must be mounted at least 8 feet above finished grade or may be lower if projecting less than 3 inches from wall; cannot project more than 12 inches from wall. | — | Unlock | §143-140.2; §143-143 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Five feet from right-of-way | — | Set back 5 feet from right-of-way (except government signs); cannot be in parking/loading/walkways or other required clear areas. | — | Unlock | §143-140.3F; §143-143 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At least 5 feet from curb or street shoulder. | — | Unlock | §143-140.3C |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Above principal public entrance, facing street or parking lot. | — | Unlock | §143-140.3E |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | — | Cannot be wider than building wall or tenant space it identifies. | — | — | Letters/numbers on front/side vertical faces. Logos/emblems on top or angled portion (1 per awning/canopy). | — | Unlock | §143-140.3B |
| Digital Display / Message Center Sign | Same as parent sign type/location. | Limited to percentage of parent sign/site as specified by zone/type; see zone entries. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §143-140.2F(4-5); §143-143 |
| Portable Sign / Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft (sandwich board) | 7 sq ft per face (sandwich board) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Must be on same premises and within 12 feet of primary public entrance; sidewalk clearance of 36 inches required. | — | Unlock | §143-140.3J |
| Street Pole Banner | — | 12.5 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 2 per street pole | Not to extend beyond curbline; 14' min clearance if <18" from curb, 8' min if farther. | — | Unlock | §143-140.3K |
Residential zones (R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, R-5 Residential District, Mobile Home Park District (MHP))
| 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 (Residential Development/Apartment >10 units) | 8 ft | 15 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (applies to developments/apartments with more than 10 units) | — | Unlock | §143-141.1D |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per access, max 2 | 1 at each street access, max 2 per lot | — | Unlock | §143-141C; §143-141.1E |
| Wall and Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Use) | Eaveline or bottom of second-story sill, whichever is lower | 20 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage, max 2 | 1 per tenant per building frontage, max 2 per tenant | — | Unlock | §143-141D; §143-141.1F |
| Wall or Projecting Sign (Home Occupation) | Eaveline or bottom of second-story window sill, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | 1 per home occupation | — | Unlock | §143-141.1C |
| Limited Duration Signs (Large - Residential) | 8 ft for freestanding | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | §143-140.3H(2) |
| Limited Duration Signs (Small - Residential) | 6 ft for freestanding | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | §143-140.3H(2) |
| Temporary Signs (Large - Residential) | 8 ft for freestanding, 24 ft for banners | 16 sq ft (freestanding/window/wall); 32 sq ft (banner) | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | §143-140.3I(3) |
| Temporary Signs (Small - Residential) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | §143-140.3I(3) |
General Commercial District (GC), Highway Commercial District (HC), Professional and Business Office District (PBO), Limited Industrial District (LI), Industrial District (I), Industrial Park District (IP), Mixed-Use District (MU), Ridge Pike Business District (RPB), Ridge Pike West District (RPW)
| 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 | Eaveline | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per tenant per frontage, max 2 | 1 per tenant per street frontage, max 2 per tenant (second can face parking lot) | — | Unlock | §143-141.3E |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | Eaveline | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §143-141.3F |
| Projecting Sign | Eaveline | 20 sq ft per sign face | — | — | See above | 1 per ground floor establishment + 1 per building entrance for upper tenants | — | Unlock | §143-141.3G |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area for permanent signs; up to 35% total for permanent + temporary | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §143-141.3H |
| Marquee Sign | Eaveline | 200 sq ft total per marquee | — | — | 1 | 1 marquee sign per building | — | Unlock | §143-141.3I |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 50 sq ft plus 10 sq ft/tenant to 100 sq ft max | — | — | See above | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per property. Additional signs for gas stations/drive-through establishments per frontage. | — | Unlock | §143-141.3J |
| Upper-level Building Identification Sign | 10 ft; cannot extend above eaveline | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Top floor, buildings at least 3 stories | — | Unlock | §143-141.3K |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Lower Providence Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Lower Providence Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Lower Providence Township
- Abandoned signs.
- Snipe signs; except as permitted with utility pole regulations.
- Mechanical movement signs, except clocks or barber poles.
- Animated signs, flashing signs, or signs that scroll or flash text or graphics.
- Any signs that imitate, resemble, interfere with, or obstruct government/regulator signs and/or official traffic lights, signs, or signals.
- Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or prevent free access from one part of a roof to another; except safety signs on standpipes or fire escapes.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or contain open flames.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
- Interactive signs.
- Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting.
- Any banner or sign of any type suspended across a public street, without the permission of the property and road owner.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, except those authorized or required by the government.
- Any sign stating or implying that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under Township Code.
- Signs with statements, words, or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects.
- Any sign that promotes illegal activity.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic on a street by obscuring the view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by position or color.
- No sign may occupy a sight triangle, except government/regulatory signs.
- Signs and their supporting structures shall maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials, using noncorrosive fastenings, be structurally safe, comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, and be maintained in safe condition and good repair.
- No street pole banners shall be attached to utility poles.
- Glare control must be achieved by cutoff fixtures, shields, baffles, and appropriate lighting techniques—not primarily by vegetation.
- Signs that are frayed, torn, broken, faded, or no longer legible are deemed unmaintained and required to be removed.
- No outdoor off-premises advertising shall be permitted (per §143-264, if more strict).
- Signs shall not exceed 50 square feet per side (per §143-264).
- The illumination of signs shall be from interior sources only (per §143-264, where that section is controlling).
- Moving parts or signs with changeable copy (digital) more than once per 24 hours shall be prohibited, except for time, date, and weather (per §143-264).
Exempt Signs in Lower Providence Township
- Government/regulatory signs.
- Signs inside a building, or other enclosed facility, not meant to be viewed from outside and located greater than three feet from an outside window.
- Holiday decorations.
- Personal expression signs (of any sign type, including flags) provided they do not exceed three square feet per side, are noncommercial, and not illuminated.
- Address signs (up to two) stating address, number, and/or name of occupants of the premises (noncommercial, size limits based on district).
- Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Private drive signs: one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two square feet.
- Warning signs (e.g., 'no trespassing' signs) within two square feet in area (five square feet for one large sign in nonresidential properties).
- Flags (within specified number, size, and height limits) unless containing commercial messages.
- Legal notices.
- Vending machine signs.
- Memorial signs, public monument, or historical identification sign erected by the Township or a nonprofit organization, including plaques up to three square feet.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, existing as of January 23, 2018.
- Signs advertising the variety of crops growing in a field (to be removed after growing season).
- Incidental signs, including incidental window signs.
- Directional signs (that do not contain commercial messaging), limited to 4 sq. ft. area, 5 ft. height, and nonilluminated.
- Art and murals, provided the signs do not contain any commercial messaging.
- Temporary signs in accordance with §143-147 (see ordinance for detailed requirements).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lower Providence Township
- All signs (unless specifically exempted by §143-140.1) require a sign permit prior to erection, alteration, or relocation (§143-143A).
- A full permit application must include a site plan depicting the locations of proposed and existing signage, two scale drawings (with dimensions, color scheme, materials, and lighting), building elevations showing sign locations, photographs of existing signs, and other required details (§143-143B).
- Plans submitted for off-premises advertising signs must be certified by a licensed engineer and must include detailed site drawings showing the proposed sign location, required setbacks, location/species of existing trees, distances to nearest signs and right-of-way, and a site plan with all applicable requirements (§143-140.4L, §143-140.4H).
- Conversion of a permitted non-message center sign to a message center sign requires the issuance of a permit pursuant to the requirements of the article (§143-140.2.F(4)(f)).
- Conversion of a permitted non-digital sign to a digital sign requires permit issuance (§143-140.2.F(5)(f)).
- When a nonconforming sign is involved in certain actions (removal, significant alteration, >50% damage, change in support, illumination, material, or part of a subdivision/land development or change of use application), a sign permit and submission to the Zoning Officer are required for review (§143-144, §143-144C).
- Limited duration signs and street pole banners require a permit issued for one year, renewable annually; applications for these must include detailed descriptions and site drawings (§143-140.3.H(3), §143-140.3.K(6)).
- Upon denial of an application for a sign permit, the applicant may revise/resubmit or appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board (§143-143D).
- Off-premises signs require a special exception approval and submission of engineered plans (§143-140.4A, §143-140.4H).
Source: ecode360 municipal code