Sign Regulations in Marple Township, Pennsylvania
Marple Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Off-Premises Sign (Billboard), Freestanding Sign (Professional Office Identification), Attached Wall or Suspended Sign (Professional Office Identification). 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 Marple Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Marple Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) | 35 feet | 160 square feet | Not less than 500 feet from any other billboard or residential district. Not within clear sight triangle. |
| Freestanding Sign (Professional Office Identification) | 4 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| Attached Wall or Suspended Sign (Professional Office Identification) | — | 2 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
23
- Off-Premises Sign (Billboard)
- Freestanding Sign (Professional Office Identification)
- Attached Wall or Suspended Sign (Professional Office Identification)
- Wall 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 Marple Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Marple Township, monument signs are limited to 4 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Marple 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 Marple Township, regulated sign types include Off-Premises Sign (Billboard), Freestanding Sign (Professional Office Identification), Attached Wall or Suspended Sign (Professional Office Identification), Wall 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 Marple Township 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 Marple Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Marple Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Marple Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Marple Township, Pennsylvania regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential Districts zoning district are capped at 15 to 25 feet (see below for formula) tall and Up to 50 sq ft (see below for formula), with a +1 ft up to 25 ft. setback from the right-of-way (Sec. §300-98, §300-99). Most commercial signs in Marple Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Marple Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Marple Township (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial (I) District | 1 | 35 feet | 160 square feet | — |
| Business-1 (B-1) Zoning District | 1 | 35 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 4 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 6 | 15 to 25 feet (see below for formula) | 50% of window area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 48 inches | 40 square feet | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Marple Township(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Residential Districts
| 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 (Professional Office Identification) | 4 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises identifying a professional office. | — | Unlock | §300-101A |
| Attached Wall or Suspended Sign (Professional Office Identification) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises identifying a professional office. | — | Unlock | §300-101A |
Nonresidential Districts
| 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 | — | 7.5% of wall area | 70% of tenancy or building wall width | At building setback line or further back for increased area allowance. | No more than 2 wall, projecting, or awning signs per 30 feet of building frontage | Attached parallel to the plane of the wall, shall not extend beyond ends or over top, flush to wall, on front or side. | — | Unlock | §300-96A; §300-97 |
| Suspended Wall Sign | — | 7.5% of wall area | 70% of tenancy or building wall width | — | No more than 2 wall, projecting, or awning signs per 30 feet of building frontage | Suspended, face parallel to wall, not projecting more than 12 inches; in multistory buildings, must be no higher than first floor. | — | Unlock | §300-96B; §300-97 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 7.5% of wall area | — | — | No more than 2 wall, projecting, or awning signs per 30 feet of building frontage | Attached to building wall, facade, marquee, or porch; extends more than 12 inches but not more than 18 inches from the wall. | — | Unlock | §300-96C; §300-97 |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window area | — | — | — | Interior of window and visible from exterior. | — | Unlock | §300-96D; §300-97; §300-90I |
| Awning Sign | — | 7.5% of wall area | — | — | No more than 2 wall, projecting, or awning signs per 30 feet of building frontage | On an awning or canopy; must not project above, below, or beyond the awning/canopy. | — | Unlock | §300-96E; §300-97 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 to 25 feet (see below for formula) | Up to 50 sq ft (see below for formula) | — | Min 15 feet from right-of-way or equal to sign height; individual area for setback: 15' from ROW: max 12 sq ft; each extra foot: +1 sq ft up to 50 sq ft. Height: 15' from ROW: 15 ft; each extra 2' of setback: +1 ft up to 25 ft. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage per tract; must be located at least 15 feet from right-of-way/front/side property line or equal to height of sign, whichever greater; not more than 200 feet from street right-of-way; no closer than 1,000 feet to another freestanding sign on the tract. | — | Unlock | §300-98, §300-99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development/Neighborhood Identification Sign | 48 inches | 16 square feet | — | — | Max 2 per development/neighborhood | On-site, at entrance to development/neighborhood. Max 2 single-faced signs per development/neighborhood. | — | Unlock | §300-100A |
| Multiple-Family Development Identification Sign | 48 inches (if freestanding) | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per vehicle access street frontage | One per street frontage with vehicle access. Freestanding, attached wall, or suspended wall. Single or double-faced. | — | Unlock | §300-100B |
| Religious and Quasi-public Institution Bulletin Board (Freestanding or Wall) | 8 feet (for freestanding sign) | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per institution | On-site, for religious and quasi-public institutions. | — | Unlock | §300-100C |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Real Estate Sign - Residential | 5 feet (freestanding) | 6 square feet | — | Not within the right-of-way. | 1 per street frontage | On premises, one per street frontage. | — | Unlock | §300-100D(2); §300-90H |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Real Estate Sign - Nonresidential | 8 feet (freestanding) | 20 square feet | — | Not within the right-of-way. | 1 per street frontage | On premises, one per street frontage. | — | Unlock | §300-100D(2); §300-90H |
| Construction Sign (On-site) | 8 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per project or development | On-site, at construction project. | — | Unlock | §300-100D(3) |
| Political Sign (Freestanding) | 6 feet (freestanding) | 6 square feet per sign (freestanding); up to 8 square feet per property (wall) | — | — | No limit (see requirements) | On private property (not on public property except at polling places on election day). | — | Unlock | §300-100E(1) |
| Civic Event Sign | 6 feet (freestanding) | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | On private property with owner consent. | — | Unlock | §300-100E(2) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Marple 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 5 zones for Marple Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Marple Township
- Signs placed or painted on a vehicle or vehicle trailer and parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign for a business, use, event or similar function.
- A sign that copies or imitates or in any way approximates an official highway sign or carries the words 'STOP,' 'DANGER,' 'GO SLOW,' 'CAUTION,' 'WARNING' or similar terms.
- Any sign in or projecting into a public right-of-way.
- A sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building or street, other than the building to which the sign may be accessory.
- Abandoned signs, defined as those on-premises signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted or available on the premises.
- Any off-premises sign advertising activities, services, products or uses not located, made, sold, used or served on the premises displaying such sign unless permitted under § 300-95.1 of this chapter.
- Roof signs or signs on dormers or balconies.
- Inflatable signs.
- Strobe lights and signs containing strobe lights.
- Animated signs, defined as having moving parts or lighting that creates the illusion of moving parts, except those portions of a sign indicating time and/or temperature.
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odors.
- Signs consisting of pennants, spinners or streamers, except as short-term temporary on-site commercial event signs as permitted in this article.
- Any sign that impairs or causes confusion to vehicular or pedestrian traffic in its design, color or placement, as determined by the Police Department of Marple Township.
- Any sign mounted or attached to a tree or utility pole in the public right-of-way.
- Any sign within 500 feet of an interstate highway.
- Any sign located in a rear yard.
- Any sign that is not included under the types of signs permitted in specific district regulations or in this article.
Exempt Signs in Marple Township
- Signs inside a building, not visible from a right-of-way, private or public road or other private property.
- Building street address numbers.
- Signs carved into or part of materials that are on an integral and permanent part of the building, noting the name of the building and its date of erection.
- Garage or yard sale signs no larger than six square feet, displayed for a maximum duration of 48 hours per year.
- Public and/or government signs, including traffic or similar regulatory devices.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with a commercial promotion.
- Nonilluminated warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs, not exceeding two square feet per face.
- Temporary, nonilluminated 'For Sale,' 'For Rent,' real estate signs concerning the premises upon which the sign is located, subject to the provisions of § 300-100D(2).
- Nonilluminated window signs and posters not exceeding 10% of the window surface.
- One temporary sign for a seasonal roadside stand selling agricultural produce grown on the premises, provided that such sign shall not exceed six square feet in area, shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any property line and shall remain on the site only for that portion of the year that the stand is in active use.
- Nonilluminated, on-premises directional signs for the convenience of the general public, such as those identifying public parking areas, fire zones and entrances and exits, not exceeding four square feet per face and no more than six feet above the ground.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Marple Township
- No sign may be erected unless it conforms with the regulations of this article. Sign permits must be approved prior to erection of the sign.
- Except for the exempt signs specified in § 300-90 and routine maintenance, no person may erect, alter or relocate within the Township any sign without first obtaining a sign permit.
- Permit application requires the submission of a site plan showing all structures and the exact location of the proposed sign.
- Sign(s) shall be considered a site plan and architectural feature of the proposed development and as such, should be coordinated in size, height, color, illumination, location, graphic design and finish detailing with the building(s), landscaping, area lighting and vehicular and pedestrian circulation and shall be shown on drawings with and considered in conjunction with uses where land development approval is required.
- For freestanding off-premises signs (billboards), applicants must submit a plan, sealed by a structural engineer, showing the proposed construction (per § 300-95.2M).
- A landscaping plan must be submitted for review and approval by the Code Enforcement Officer for freestanding billboard structures (per § 300-95.2C).
Source: ecode360 municipal code