# Sign Regulations in Meadville, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Meadville, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/meadville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42388905#42388905)

## At a glance

Meadville, Pennsylvania regulates 27 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Permanent Sign (Single/two-family dwelling, MU-1/DPH)s in the R, MU-1, DPH zoning district are capped at 4 ft (freestanding, MU-1/DPH) tall and 4 sq ft (Sec. § 1309.02(A)(1)(a)). Most commercial signs in Meadville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 32 sq ft (outdoors) | — |
| MU-3 | 8 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft each | — |
| GB-M | 8 | 25 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R, MU-1, DPH | 9 | 6 ft above grade | 32 sq ft | — |
| I-C, I-S | 7 | 10 ft (incl. support) | Up to 64 sq ft (combined across 2 signs/access drive) | — |
| MU-2 | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| EDC | 6 | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### MU-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Business Sign (Public Right-of-Way) | — | 6 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1 per business establishment | Abutting business, in public right-of-way | — | § 1309.01(B)(2) |
| Permanent Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling) | — | 32 sq ft each | — | — | 2 per street frontage | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(a) |
| Permanent Sign (Single/two-family dwelling) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling) | 15 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single/two-family dwelling) | 4 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(a) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 10 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(b), § 1309.01(F)(3) |
| Flag | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(2)(c) |
| Electronic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.07(B) |

### GB-M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Business Sign (Public Right-of-Way) | — | 6 sq ft per face (max 2 faces) | — | — | 1 per business establishment | Abutting business, in public right-of-way | — | § 1309.01(B)(2) |
| Permanent Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 3 | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(a) |
| Permanent Sign (Single/two-family dwelling) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling) | 25 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single/two-family dwelling) | 4 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(a) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 10 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(b), § 1309.01(F)(3) |
| Flag | — | 15 sq ft / flag (max 2) | — | — | 2 | — | — | § 1309.04(A)(3)(c) |
| Electronic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.07(B) |

### R, MU-1, DPH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling, R zone) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage, for non-residential uses | — | § 1309.02(A)(2)(a) |
| Permanent Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling, MU-1/DPH) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage, for non-residential uses | — | § 1309.02(A)(1)(a) |
| Permanent Sign (Single/two-family dwelling, MU-1/DPH) | 4 ft (freestanding, MU-1/DPH) | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | § 1309.02(A)(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other than single/two-family dwelling, MU-1/DPH) | 6 ft above grade | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 1309.02(A)(1)(a) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 4 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | 1 per frontage/establishment | — | — | § 1309.02(A)(1)(b), (2)(b), § 1309.01(F)(4) |
| Flag | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 1309.02(A)(1)(c), (2)(c) |
| Home Occupation/Nameplate Sign | — | — | — | 10 ft from lot line (if yard location) | 1 | Fixed to main wall or in front yard (10 ft from lot line minimum) | — | § 1309.02(B) |
| Institutional Identification/Bulletin Board/Announcement Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | One street frontage | — | § 1309.02(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Meadville

- No signs shall be permitted within public rights-of-way except PennDOT-approved traffic signs and devices, signs and banners specially approved by the city, historical markers as approved by the city or other signs specifically permitted within the public right-of-way under another section of this zoning code.
- No signs shall be permitted which are posted, stapled or otherwise attached to public utility poles or trees within public rights-of-way.
- All signs, except temporary signs, must be constructed in a workmanlike manner using durable, weather-resistant materials.
- Signs which become deteriorated or otherwise present a public hazard must be immediately removed or repaired by the sign's owner or the property owner.
- No sign shall be placed where it would block the line of sight for a public or private street, access drive or driveway or lawful service drive.
- No temporary signs, including any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a structure in a manner conforming to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, shall be illuminated by direct means.
- No signs associated with single- or two-family residential uses shall be kept illuminated by any means except for posted building numbers required by law, which illumination shall be kept to the minimum necessary for legibility.
- Temporary signs shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way (except where specifically allowed).
- Except for the signs allowed in this section and in Sections 1309.02 through 1309.04, all temporary or portable signs shall be prohibited.
- Nonconforming signs, once removed, shall be replaced only with conforming signs.
- No sign made of muslin, canvas, cloth or other combustible material shall be permitted.
- All signs above the sills of the third story window shall be of noncombustible material.
- No signs projecting upon the street, except electric signs illuminated from within, shall be erected on certain specified streets (see § 1713.06 for list).
- No sign shall be erected projecting upon a public street or highway in any location other than immediately in front of the property occupied or owned by the applicant for such sign, and only when such sign is attached to the building or property of the applicant.
- Not more than one projecting sign shall be allowed for any one place of business, except where the business fronts upon two streets or highways (then one per frontage).
- All projecting signs must meet clearance, extension, and area limitations (see § 1713.06(A)).
- All existing signs found to be in unsafe condition or which do not conform to this article respecting support, hanging, or location must be removed or made to conform.
- The use in the city of muslin or other cloth signs or cloth posters on buildings or billboards is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Meadville

- Directory signs listing all the occupants of a multi-tenant or multi-family building, or buildings in a multi-building development are permitted in all districts and no permit is required.
- Bulletin boards and similar spaces open to temporary signs placed for use by the general public without charge (limit: 32 square feet if outside) are permitted in all districts and no permit is required.
- Any signs not visible from outside a lot or building are permitted in all districts and no permit is required.
- Rest room, exit, public telephone, and similar directional or informational signs placed for the benefit of the public or building tenants are permitted in all districts and no permit is required.
- Civic/cultural buildings, hospitals, public and accredited private schools, post offices and other federal facilities, and stadiums are exempt from flag limitations stated elsewhere in this article.
- No permit fee is charged for signs of less than five square feet, nor for flat signs excepted in MMC 1713.04.
- Construction of flat signs placed flat against the building and fastened directly to the building is permitted with a permit, but no fee is required, if the signs do not have larger square foot area than two times the width of the building.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit required from the office of the city engineer for any sign or signboard which overhangs or is within/close to a public highway, street, or alley, or on top of a building, except for certain permitted flat signs.
- Permit application must include plans, attachment methods, owner and tenant information, and a certificate from the electrical inspector for electric signs.
- Permit required for construction of flat signs; no fee if it meets MMC 1713.04 requirements.
- Written notice must be given to the city engineer for any change or alteration to a sign at least five days in advance.
- Permits for electrically illuminated signs projecting over sidewalks require additional certifications and inspections.
- In all cases, the city engineer must approve the design, location, electrical construction, and security of sign fastenings before issuing permits.
- No explicit reference to a master sign plan or required variance meeting in the provided sections.

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

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