Sign Regulations in Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania
Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Awning Sign, Awning/Canopy 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 Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Marcus Hook Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | — | 16 sq ft | Minimum 6 ft behind front property line |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft above ground level | 16 sq ft | Minimum 6 ft behind front property line |
| Wall Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Marcus Hook BoroughFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
20
- Wall Sign
- Awning Sign
- Awning/Canopy Sign
- Freestanding/Ground Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Marcus Hook Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Marcus Hook 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 Marcus Hook 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 Marcus Hook Borough, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Awning Sign, Awning/Canopy Sign, Freestanding/Ground 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 Marcus Hook Borough, monument signs typically require a Minimum 6 ft behind front property line 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 Marcus Hook Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Marcus Hook Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 20 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) zoning district are capped at 5 ft above ground level tall and 16 sq ft, with a Minimum 6 ft behind front property line setback (Sec. § 196-102A(1), § 196-100C(4), § 196-105). Most commercial signs in Marcus Hook Borough require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Marcus Hook Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Marcus Hook Borough (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 4 | 5 ft above ground level | 16 sq ft | — |
| Central Retail District | 6 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Planned Business Park District | 4 | — | 60 sq ft (development), 10 sq ft (each individual establishment) | — |
| Recreational Business Campus District | 5 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Mixed Use District | 3 | — | 50 sq ft (development) | — |
| Waterfront Mixed Use District | 5 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Transit-Oriented Development District | 4 | — | 60 sq ft (development), 10 sq ft (each individual establishment) | — |
| Industrial Transition District, Heavy Industrial District | 4 | — | 60 sq ft (Heavy Industrial); 40 sq ft (Industrial Transition) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | As specified on permit | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Marcus Hook Borough(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)
| 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 | — | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 6 ft behind front property line | One wall sign and one freestanding or ground sign per frontage | Minimum 6 ft behind the front property line | — | Unlock | § 196-102A(1), § 196-100C(3), § 196-105 |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft above ground level | 16 sq ft | — | Minimum 6 ft behind front property line | One wall sign and one freestanding or ground sign per frontage | Minimum 6 ft behind the front property line | — | Unlock | § 196-102A(1), § 196-100C(4), § 196-105 |
| Wall Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One wall sign and one freestanding or ground sign per frontage | On building or structure | — | Unlock | § 196-102A(1), § 196-105 |
| Wall Sign (No-Impact Home-Based Business) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | Unlock | § 196-102A(3) |
Central Retail District
| 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 (Non-business Advert, Option 1) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 196-102B(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Max one per frontage; two with special exception for wide buildings | On principal building frontage; on side of building for corner lots | — | Unlock | § 196-102B(4-6), (12) |
| Wall Sign (Second Floor) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per business on second floor | Second story facade | — | Unlock | § 196-102B(9), (12) |
| Wall Sign (Tenant Identification in Multitenant Building) | — | 4 sq ft per tenant | — | — | One per individual tenant in multitenant building | On building | — | Unlock | § 196-102B(10), (12) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Same as wall sign allowance | On awning/canopy (not to project more than 5 ft from front wall) | — | Unlock | § 196-102B(7-8), (12) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Windows | — | Unlock | § 196-100C(5), § 196-102B(2) |
Recreational Business Campus District
| 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 (Entire Principal Building) | — | — | — | — | — | Principal building | — | Unlock | § 196-102D(2) |
| Wall Sign (Portion of Building) | — | — | — | — | — | On part of existing building | — | Unlock | § 196-102D(3) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Same as wall sign | On awning | — | Unlock | § 196-102D(4) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | Behind right-of-way line | One per exterior road | Along exterior road, behind the right-of-way line | — | Unlock | § 196-102D(5-6) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | Same as wall sign | On canopy | — | Unlock | § 196-102D(1) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Marcus Hook 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 9 zones for Marcus Hook Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in Marcus Hook Borough
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following signs: flashing, blinking, spinning, animated, inflatable, aerial, or lighted moving signs, including automatic color-changing and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention to the sign (exception: rotating searchlights allowed by permit).
- Advertising cloth or banners or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property (exception: permitted banners/pennants with required Borough permit along 10th Street and Market Street).
- Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade of a building or other structure.
- Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached, or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair, or similar structure.
- Swinging and hanging signs.
- Signs, letters, posters, and advertisements which are tacked, pasted, tied, or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences, bus shelters, or other structures located on public property or within public street lines.
- Signs pasted, tied, pulled, or otherwise attached to a vehicle that refer to a business or activity unrelated to the purpose or activity for which the vehicle is used.
- Signs placed, inscribed, or supported upon the roofline or any structure that extends above the roofline of any building.
- Signs on petroleum tanks that do not advertise or refer to the refinery's owner.
- Signs that state or imply that the property on which they are placed is used for purposes or activities not permitted by this chapter.
- A-frame, sandwich board, or similar temporary signs.
- Neon signs.
- Billboards.
- No new projecting signs shall be erected after the date of enactment of this chapter; existing projecting signs are considered nonconforming.
- No sign shall be located, arranged, or placed in a position where it will cause danger to traffic, interfere with traffic through glare, block required sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, or cause confusion with a traffic control device by reason of color, location, shape, or other characteristics.
- No illuminated sign shall be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open for business.
- Except for traffic signs, no sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any public street except in the Central Retail District, nor be closer than six feet to the right-of-way line of a public street, unless specifically authorized.
- No portion of a sign in the front yard shall be less than six feet from a public sidewalk.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials and shall be solidly and firmly attached, supported, and/or anchored to the supports or framework. Permanent signs over four square feet must be constructed by a professional sign company.
- Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair. Dilapidated or abandoned signs must be removed by the landowner or lessee.
- Except for traffic signs, incidental signs, directional signs, or wayfinding signs, all permanent signs shall be located on the property to which their text or message applies.
- Freestanding, canopy, and awning signs shall have a clearance of not less than eight feet between the ground and the bottom of the sign.
- Where a business ceases to operate and vacates the premises, the owner/operator must remove all signs and sign structures within 90 days after ceasing business operations, unless the sign structure will be used by a subsequent owner or occupant.
- Temporary signs (except sales/price change and exempt signs) require a permit effective for no more than 30 days, must not obstruct traffic or safety, not block access to doors, windows, fire equipment, or be attached to standpipes or fire escapes, and must be removed immediately upon permit expiration.
- Temporary commercial advertising signs shall not be attached to fences.
Exempt Signs in Marcus Hook Borough
- Public notice, warning, or official traffic sign required by a federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a building not attached to a window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the property.
- Building markers that only include building name, date of construction, or historical data on an historical site, limited to one per building and maximum six square feet.
- Flags of the United States, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, foreign nations with diplomatic relations with the United States, or any flag adopted/sanctioned by an elected legislative body, provided the flag does not exceed 60 square feet and is flown from a pole not more than 40 feet high.
- Decorative flags not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Incidental signs containing no commercial message of any kind not exceeding eight square feet.
- Signs advertising the sale or rental of the premises or lot upon which they are erected: limited to one per frontage, not illuminated, max eight sq ft in residential districts and 32 sq ft in nonresidential (must be removed by settlement date).
- Signs advertising the development of the premises where erected: max 16 sq ft in residential and 40 sq ft in nonresidential districts (must be removed by settlement date).
- Nameplate signs on private residences not exceeding 144 square inches.
- Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
- Yard sale or garage sale signs, not exceeding two square feet, removed within 24 hours after sales.
- Signs announcing educational, charitable, civic, religious, or similar campaigns/events: max 30 days per event, max four times/year, max annual total 120 days, signs not to exceed eight sq ft.
- Changeable copy signs for churches, schools, and other uses that require changeable copy: one per property (plus one extra on a corner), no more than 16 sq ft.
- Directional signs.
- Freestanding signs of an official nature identifying a civic event.
- Signs for the Industrial Heritage Parkway and East Coast Greenway consistent with the Delaware County Route 291/13 Industrial Heritage Parkway and Greenway Landscape and Signage Guidelines Manual of 2005.
- Borough signage erected and maintained for Borough purposes, provided all other required governmental permits are obtained.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Marcus Hook Borough
- Applications for proposed signs in the Central Retail District may be referred by the Zoning Officer to the Planning Commission for evaluation to determine compliance with the purposes of the Central Retail District and the Marcus Hook Comprehensive Plan; the Planning Commission may make suggestions for modifications.
- Except for exempt signs listed in §196-101, a permit from the Borough is required for the erection, alteration, rebuilding, enlargement, extension, or relocation of signs.
- When replacing, enlarging, altering, or repairing any sign or sign face, a permit is required.
- Applications for permits must include full particulars regarding size, shape, material, support, location, and height (and, if not the property owner, written owner consent).
- If the applicant is not the property owner, the written consent of the property owner must accompany the application.
- Permits for overhead banners and signs are issued only in accord with applicable zoning requirements and require documentation of compliance with various standards (such as location, size, activity type, message content, etc.).
Source: ecode360 municipal code