# Sign Regulations in Monaca Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monaca Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/monaca-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14891202#14891202)

## At a glance

Monaca Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Billboards in the C-C District zoning district are capped at 50 feet above curb tall, 672 square feet per advertising panel, and 14 ft high, 48 ft length wide, with a Not within 20 feet of ROW, not in clear sight triangle. Principal structure setbacks apply if within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/schools/churches; see also 100 ft lateral spacing rule. setback (Sec. § 245-23B(11)). Most commercial signs in Monaca Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 8 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| S-C District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, PAW District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PROD District | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-C District | 15 | 50 feet above curb | 672 square feet per advertising panel | — |
| MUT District | 3 | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| RBP District, G-I District | 9 | 50 feet above curb | 672 square feet per advertising panel | — |
| PAW District | 1 | 50 feet above curb | 672 square feet per advertising panel | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Sign (Wall) | — | 12 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle as in § 245-2. | 1 per lot | See § 245-22B, C; one per lot. | — | § 245-23A(1) |
| Bulletin Sign (Freestanding) | — | 24 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle as in § 245-2. | 1 per lot | See § 245-22B, C; one per lot. | — | § 245-23A(1) |
| Real Estate Sign - R-1, R-2, R-3, PROD or S-C District | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per lot | Freestanding, one per lot. | — | § 245-23A(2) |
| Real Estate Sign - Other Districts | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per lot | Freestanding, one per lot. | — | § 245-23A(2) |
| Real Estate Management Sign (Freestanding/Wall) | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per lot | One per lot. Wall or freestanding. | — | § 245-23A(3) |
| Property Identification Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | 2 feet (freestanding) | 1 square foot | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per lot | In front yard or affixed to the building. | — | § 245-23A(4) |
| Development Sign (Freestanding) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per development; 1 additional at entrance if phased | One per development site; additional at entrance if phased. | — | § 245-23A(6) |
| Contractor Sign (Freestanding) | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | See § 245-22B, must not be within clear sight triangle. | 1 per lot | Freestanding, one per lot. | — | § 245-23A(7) |

### C-C District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Identification Sign (One business) | 20 feet | 32 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from property line or ROW. | 1 per lot | One per lot | — | § 245-23B(1)(a), (§ 245-22B, C, E) |
| Freestanding Business Identification Sign (Two or more businesses) | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from property line or ROW. | 1 per lot | One per lot | — | § 245-23B(1)(a) |
| Monument Sign | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot, only if no freestanding business identification sign exists or is permitted. | — | § 245-23B(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 square feet | Horizontal projection max 42 inches from wall. | — | 1 per business | Right angle to wall or corner diagonal. | — | § 245-23B(5) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Business, Freestanding) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to or independent of a freestanding business identification sign. | — | § 245-23B(7)(c)[1] |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Governmental/Public/Nonprofit) | 6 feet (if freestanding) | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to wall or existing freestanding sign, or freestanding. | — | § 245-23B(7)(c)[2] |
| Portable Sign | 42 inches | 24 inches wide by 42 inches high | 24 inches | — | 1 per business | On site of business it advertises. | — | § 245-23B(8) |
| Billboard | 50 feet above curb | 672 square feet per advertising panel | 14 ft high, 48 ft length | Not within 20 feet of ROW, not in clear sight triangle. Principal structure setbacks apply if within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/schools/churches; see also 100 ft lateral spacing rule. | None specified; location/spacing restrictions apply | Only visible from vehicles on arterial street; not within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/schools/churches. | — | § 245-23B(11) |

### RBP District, G-I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Identification Sign (One business) | 20 feet | 64 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from property line or ROW. | 1 per lot | One per lot | — | § 245-23B(1)(a) |
| Freestanding Business Identification Sign (Two or more businesses) | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from property line or ROW. | 1 per lot | One per lot | — | § 245-23B(1)(a) |
| Monument Sign | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot, only if no freestanding business identification sign exists. | — | § 245-23B(3) |
| Roof Sign | 8 feet above highest roof point | 200 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | On roof; only if building has no wall signs. | — | § 245-23B(6) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Government/Public/Nonprofit) | 6 feet (if freestanding) | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Wall, existing sign, or freestanding. | — | § 245-23B(7)(c)[2] |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Business) | 8 feet (business, freestanding), 6 feet (public/nonprofit) | 32 square feet (business), 24 square feet (public/nonprofit) | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to or independent of freestanding business sign, or wall. (Business sign: see limitations per use.) | — | § 245-23B(7) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 4 per business/organization | Only on streets in C-C, G-I, or RBP; at least 2 ft from paving edge; 300 ft from other sign for same org. | — | § 245-23B(10) |
| Billboard | 50 feet above curb | 672 square feet per advertising panel | 14 ft high, 48 ft length | Not within 20 feet of ROW, not in clear sight triangle. Principal structure setbacks apply if within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/schools/churches; see also 100 ft lateral spacing rule. | None specified; location/spacing restrictions apply | Only visible from vehicles on arterial street; not within 500 ft of R-1/R-2/schools/churches. | — | § 245-23B(11) |

## Prohibited signs in Monaca Borough

- Attention-getting devices are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Portable signs are not permitted in any zoning district except the C-C Core Commercial District.
- Festoon lighting is not permitted in any zoning district.
- Animated, flashing or moving signs are not permitted, except for a portion indicating time or temperature or authorized electronic changeable copy signs.
- Search-lights, banners, flags, pennants, spinners or streamers are not permitted, except as authorized temporary special event displays.
- Signs attached to trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs within the public right-of-way are not permitted.
- Signs that imitate traffic control devices are not permitted.
- Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or freestanding walls are not permitted.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on public right-of-way, public property or private property other than the site of the business it advertises, where the apparent purpose is to advertise or direct people, are not permitted (except for certain maintenance or service activities).
- Any sign not expressly permitted in a given zoning district by this chapter is not permitted.
- Any sign which violates any provision of federal or state law or any Borough ordinance is not permitted.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress to or egress from a public right-of-way or required door, window, fire escape or other exit way or which interferes with the proper functioning of the building is not permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monaca Borough

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays are exempt from regulation and do not require a permit, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or become a public safety hazard.
- Interior signs are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit.
- Memorial/historical plaques are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit.
- Notification signs (e.g., legal/property notices like 'no trespassing', 'private property') are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit.
- Public signs (e.g., official signs erected by a public officer or by order of a court) are exempt from the requirement to obtain a permit.
- The following signs do not require a permit: contractor's sign, memorial/historical plaque, notification sign, political sign, private sale sign, property identification sign, public sign, real estate sign, real estate management sign, and window sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit applications must be accompanied by a plan, drawn to scale, showing the location of the building, structure or lot and the position of the sign in relation to property lines, adjoining or nearby buildings, streets or highways.
- One application form may be used to describe and permit multiple sign installations on the same property, provided complete information is provided for each sign.
- Applications for a sign permit must include a sketch of the sign (drawn to scale), details of materials, supports, dimensions, illumination, and other requirements as specified by the Zoning Officer.
- For signs with a height exceeding the horizontal distance to any highway, right-of-way or property line, sign permit applications must include stress sheets and calculations to demonstrate compliance with wind load requirements per the Uniform Construction Code.
- Permit applications and approvals from other agencies (such as PennDOT or FAA) are required for billboards and certain signs in the public right-of-way; evidence must be provided during the permit process.
- A sign plan showing detailed placement and design is an explicit requirement as part of the sign permit process as described for all non-exempt signs.

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

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