# Sign Regulations in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middletown Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/middletown-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-16
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13268694)

## At a glance

Middletown Township, Pennsylvania regulates 65 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Ground Sign - Main Entrance (General Institutional)s in the Institutional District (I-1, I-2) zoning district are capped at 17 feet 6 inches tall and 100 square feet, with a 15 feet from curb setback (Sec. § 275-181B(1)(a)). Most commercial signs in Middletown Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 15 feet maximum above ground | Max 50 sq ft changeable portion; 50% of freestanding allowed | — |
| Residence District (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 5 | — | 20 square feet | — |
| Planned Residential Development District (PRD) | 5 | — | 20 square feet | — |
| Institutional District (I-1, I-2) | 12 | 17 feet 6 inches | 100 square feet | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1) | 9 | 15 feet (higher with approval) | 50 square feet | — |
| General Commercial District (C-2) | 9 | 15 feet (higher with approval) | 50 square feet | — |
| Regional Commercial District (C-3) | 9 | 70 feet | 600 square feet | — |
| Special Use District (SU-1) | 9 | Per § 275-178D | 500 square inches | — |
| Mixed-Use District (SU-1-A) | 11 | 10 feet | 200 square feet per sign | — |
| Mixed-Use District (SU-2) | 9 | Per § 275-178D | 500 square inches | — |
| Outdoor Recreation District (OR) | 1 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| Manufacturing and Industrial District (M) | 3 | 8 feet (higher with Council approval) | 25 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Institutional District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Main Entrance (General Institutional) | 17 feet 6 inches | 100 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | 1 or 2 | Main entrance | — | § 275-181B(1)(a) |
| Ground Sign - Public Vehicular Entrance (General Institutional) | 14 feet | 50 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | 1 per entrance | Each public entrance other than main | — | § 275-181B(1)(b) |
| Changeable Message Board Sign (General Institutional) | 8 feet | 40 square feet (20 sq ft electronic/digital) | — | 15 feet from curb | 1 | Principal street frontage | — | § 275-181B(1)(c) |
| Directional Sign (General Institutional) | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | As needed per master plan | Within complex per master plan | — | § 275-181B(1)(e) |
| Ground Sign - Main Entrance (Continuing-Care Retirement Community) | 17 feet 6 inches | 50 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | 1 or 2 | Main entrance | — | § 275-181B(2)(a) |
| Directional Sign (Continuing-Care Retirement Community) | 8 feet | 35 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | As needed | Within complex per master plan | — | § 275-181B(2)(c) |
| Ground Sign - Main Entrance (Elementary/Secondary School) | 10 feet | 25 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | 1 | Main entrance | — | § 275-181B(3)(a) |
| Directional Sign (Elementary/Secondary School) | 8 feet | 20 square feet | — | 15 feet from curb | As needed | Within complex per master plan | — | § 275-181B(3)(d) |

### Regional Commercial District (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pylon Center Advertising Sign | 70 feet | 600 square feet | — | 15 feet from ROW | 2 max (1 per arterial) | Per arterial road frontage | — | § 275-181C(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Access Drive | 6 feet (higher with approval) | 25 square feet | — | 15 feet | 1 per access drive | Each access drive | — | § 275-181C(3)(c) |
| Multi-Purpose Visual Display Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | N/A | 1 | Exterior wall, not facing public street; for 25+ acres | — | § 275-181C(3)(d) |
| Wall Sign - Commercial Tenant | — | — | No single >400 sq ft | N/A | As per formula | Exterior of building | — | § 275-181C(3)(e) |
| Freestanding Menu Board Sign - Drive-Through (C-3) | — | 25 square feet | — | 15 feet | 2 max | On premises | — | § 275-181C(3)(f) |
| Preview Board Sign - Drive-Through (C-3) | — | 8 square feet | — | 15 feet | 2 max | On premises | — | § 275-181C(3)(f) |
| Ground-Mounted Monument Sign - Multifamily | 10 feet | 50 square feet per face | — | 15 feet | 1 | On premises | — | § 275-181C(3)(g)(2) |
| Directional Sign (C-3) | 6 feet | 25 square feet | — | 15 feet | As needed per plan | Near entrances/within center per master plan | — | § 275-181C(3)(h) |

### Mixed-Use District (SU-1-A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Mixed-Use Development | 7-13 feet (10 ft for letters) | 96 square feet (or 1000 sq ft for individual letters) | — | 15 feet from ROW | 1 per driveway | Each driveway intersection | — | § 275-181C(5)(a)(1) |
| Directional Sign - Mixed-Use | 4 feet 6 inches | 24 square feet | — | 15 feet | As needed | Near building entrances | — | § 275-181C(5)(a)(2) |
| Wall Sign - Single-Occupancy Nonresidential | — | — | Max 240 sq ft or 50 ft length per sign; 10 ft from other | N/A | Up to 2 per side | Exterior wall | — | § 275-181C(5)(b)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Tenant Office | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | 15 feet | 1 | On premises | — | § 275-181C(5)(c)(1) |
| Additional Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (>=200k sq ft) | — | 200 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 3 | Exterior wall | — | § 275-181C(5)(c)(3)(a) |
| Additional Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (100k-200k sq ft) | — | 200 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 2 | Exterior wall | — | § 275-181C(5)(c)(3)(b) |
| Additional Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (50k-100k sq ft) | — | 100 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 2 | Exterior wall | — | § 275-181C(5)(c)(3)(c) |
| Additional Wall Sign - Multi-Tenant (<50k sq ft) | — | 50 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 2 | Exterior wall | — | § 275-181C(5)(c)(3)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Middletown Township

- Spinning, animated, twirling or any other moving objects used for advertising purposes, whether containing a message or not.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated or lighted moving signs of any type, including automatic color-changing and rotating lamps or other displays that call attention to a sign.
- Advertising cloth or paper banner or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property, except for temporary banners which may be permitted through special permission of the Township.
- Wall bulletins or any other signs painted directly on the facade of a building or other structure.
- Signs on mobile stands that can be moved from place to place and thereby not permanently affixed to the ground and other portable signs, be they freestanding, on the ground or temporarily attached to a building or other support.
- Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure.
- Swinging and hanging signs.
- Any signs which are not internally illuminated (example: direct flood lighting onto a wood pole sign).
- Signs, letters and advertisements which are tacked, pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, trees, buildings, fences or other structures located on public property in the Township of Middletown.
- No sign shall be temporarily or permanently placed, erected, attached or painted on any vehicle if such sign identifies, advertises or gives information with respect to a premises or a part thereof, or any sale or special event or other circumstance (with specified exceptions).
- Neon, LED or any internally lit signs placed in windows of premises which can be seen from the outside are specifically prohibited.
- Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roofline or any structure which extends above the roofline of any building.
- Hot- or cold-air balloons or other floating devices, with or without a message, placed or tethered on any property or structure, except for balloons used for human conveyance, which may be permitted upon approval of the Township Council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Middletown Township

- Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard.
- Official and governmental signs which shall include safety signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest and traffic signs.
- Signs designating the name of the owner or occupant of a property, the address of such property, the private ownership or roadways or other property (not exceeding one square foot in area; not more than one per use).
- Temporary yard sale or garage sale signs (not exceeding two square feet in area; removed within 24 hours after sale).
- Temporary signs announcing a political, public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaign or event (erected for not more than 30 days in any calendar year; size not exceeding permanent sign area; not causing traffic danger; no closer than 10 feet to curbline unless approved).
- Window signs (excluding neon signs; accessory to principal use sign; permitted in commercial districts and nonconforming commercial uses; total area not exceeding 25% of window glass area).
- Official traffic signs.
- Trespassing signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises (not exceeding two square feet).
- Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet (advertising sale or rental of premises; no more than one per premises; not illuminated; removed on date of settlement).
- Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans (on premises where work performed; not exceeding 12 square feet; not illuminated; removed upon completion; no more than one per premises).
- Signs advertising sale of farm products grown on the premises (not exceeding six square feet; no more than one per street frontage; not illuminated; displayed only when products on sale).
- Informational signs such as 'entrance,' 'exit,' 'no parking,' 'visitor's parking,' 'no hunting,' 'no trespassing,' 'keep off the grass' (not exceeding six square feet; no advertising; on same lot as related use).
- Signs installed at an athletic field or other exterior athletic facility owned, operated or utilized by a governmental or not-for-profit entity, advertising a product, business or activity not provided or conducted on the premises (plan required; directed toward playing surface or seating; not visible from street or residential; opposite side colored to match; not exceeding 15 square feet each; not illuminated or animated; advertising legal products).
- Signage erected and maintained by Township Council for Township purposes (provided other governmental permits obtained).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A plan depicting the location, number and size of all signs proposed for athletic field or exterior athletic facility signs must be submitted to the Zoning Officer for review and approval prior to installation.
- The location and placement of directional signs in I-1 and I-2 Institutional Districts (for hospitals, educational facilities, etc.) shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
- The location and placement of directional signs for continuing-care retirement communities in I-1 and I-2 Institutional Districts shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
- The location and placement of directional signs for elementary and secondary schools in I-1 and I-2 Institutional Districts shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs within the complex.
- The location and placement of directional signs in C-3 Regional Commercial District shopping centers shall be pursuant to a master plan depicting all such signs filed with the Township.
- A master signage plan depicting the type, approximate location and approximate size of each proposed sign shall be submitted at the time of both preliminary and final plan submission for multi-tenant office buildings in SU-1-A Mixed-Use District.
- All permit applications for signs must be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale showing the sign, its size and location with respect to the building and lot boundaries.
- Nonconforming signs may require special exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board for changes, repairs, or replacements.

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

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