# Sign Regulations in Mount Joy Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mount Joy Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/mount-joy-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15439066#15439066)

## At a glance

Mount Joy Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 9 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the CBD District, NC District zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 32 square feet per sign per street; up to 80 square feet if lot has 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage, see Additional Requirements, with a Minimum 10 feet from street right-of-way (§270-94B) setback (Sec. §270-94A Table, §270-94B, note 3).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CBD District, NC District | 6 | 8 feet | 32 square feet per sign per street; up to 80 square feet if lot has 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage, see Additional Requirements | — |
| GC District | 4 | 20 feet | 40 square feet per sign per abutting street; up to 80 sq ft if 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage (see Additional Requirements) | — |
| GI District | 5 | 25 feet above elevation of adjacent street (measured at street center line) | 300 square feet per sign face (up to 2 faces if back-to-back) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | No sign >5 ft in height except fabric flags on flagpoles | No single sign >12 sq ft; total area on lot ≤36 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### CBD District, NC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet per sign per street; up to 80 square feet if lot has 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage, see Additional Requirements | — | Minimum 10 feet from street right-of-way (§270-94B) | 1 per abutting street; up to 2 if ≥5 principal uses or ≥300 ft frontage | On the lot; minimum 10 feet setback from street right-of-way | — | §270-94A Table, §270-94B, note 3 |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above top of wall upon which it is placed | — | — | — | Maximum 2 per wall | On the wall of the building; cannot extend beyond wall extremities | — | §270-94A Table, §270-94D, note 2 |
| Window Sign | — | See wall sign regulations | — | — | — | On/transmitted through window or transparent door | — | §270-94A Table, §270-99B |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Between front wall of building and street cartway | — | §270-94C(4) |
| Projecting Sign | Vertical dimension not greater than 6 feet | 15 square feet per face | Projects max 5 feet beyond building line | — | 1 per business per public entrance | May not be closer than 5 ft to face of curb or alley edge; min. 8 ft above grade or sidewalk | — | §270-94E |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | No higher than the height of the awning | 24 square feet per principal building (aggregated gross area). Signs ≤4 sq ft are exempt. | — | — | 1 per principal building (>4 sq ft); small signs (<4 sq ft) exempt | Painted or attached flat against awning, canopy, or marquee, not extending beyond ends/underside | — | §270-94F |

### GC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 40 square feet per sign per abutting street; up to 80 sq ft if 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage (see Additional Requirements) | — | Minimum 10 feet from street right-of-way | 1 per abutting street; up to 2/80 sq ft for certain large lots | On the lot; minimum 10 feet setback from street right-of-way | — | §270-94A Table, note 3; §270-94B |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above top of wall | — | — | — | Up to 2 per wall | On the wall of the building; cannot extend beyond wall extremities | — | §270-94A Table; §270-94D |
| Window Sign | — | See wall sign regulations | — | — | — | On window or transparent door | — | §270-94A Table; §270-99B |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | No higher than height of awning | 24 square feet per principal building (aggregated gross area). ≤4 sq ft exempt. | — | — | 1 per principal building (>4 sq ft); small signs (<4 sq ft) exempt | Flat against awning/canopy/marquee, not beyond ends/underside | — | §270-94F |

### GI District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 40 square feet per sign per abutting street; up to 80 sq ft if 5+ principal uses or 300+ ft frontage (see Additional Requirements); A sign at an entrance to an industrial subdivision may have up to 80 sq ft in addition to a freestanding sign for each lot. | — | Minimum 10 feet from street right-of-way | 1 per abutting street; up to 2/80 sq ft if certain criteria met | On lot; minimum 10 feet setback from street right-of-way | — | §270-94A Table, note 3; §270-94B |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above top of wall | — | — | — | Up to 2 per wall | On the wall of the building; cannot extend beyond wall extremities | — | §270-94A Table; §270-94D |
| Window Sign | — | See wall sign regulations | — | — | — | On window or transparent door | — | §270-94A Table; §270-99B |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | No higher than height of awning | 24 square feet per principal building (aggregated gross area). ≤4 sq ft exempt. | — | — | 1 per principal building (>4 sq ft); small signs (<4 sq ft) exempt | Flat against awning/canopy/marquee, not beyond ends/underside | — | §270-94F |
| Off-Premises Sign | 25 feet above elevation of adjacent street (measured at street center line) | 300 square feet per sign face (up to 2 faces if back-to-back) | — | 25 ft from all lot lines and street ROW; 200 ft from dwellings (>10 sq ft signs) | 1 per lot | Minimum 25 ft from all lot lines and street rights-of-way; may not be within 200 ft of an existing dwelling if >10 sq ft | — | §270-102C |

## Prohibited signs in Mount Joy Borough

- Only types, sizes and heights of signs that are specifically permitted by this chapter within the applicable district shall be allowed.
- Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event or temporary special sale sign as permitted by § 270-93.
- No sign shall project over any existing street right-of-way, except for permitted projecting signs within the CBD and NC Districts.
- No sign except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate or in the public right-of-way unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
- No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements of § 270-113.
- The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts: any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use; flags and banners, except as is permitted by § 270-93 and except for flags or banners meeting the requirements for a particular type of sign.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited, except time and temperature signs may flash. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays within § 270-93.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions of this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or have any characteristics likely to confuse or distract drivers (such as prominent use of 'danger,' 'stop,' 'look,' 'one-way,' and 'yield') are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons of greater than 25 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mount Joy Borough

- Signs meeting the requirements of §§ 270-93 and 270-103 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Nonilluminated window signs constructed of paper, cardboard or similar materials and that are not of a permanent nature are exempt from permit requirements.
- Historic signs that memorialize an important historic place, event or person and are specifically authorized by the Borough or a county, state or federal agency are not regulated by this chapter.
- Holiday decorations that commemorate a holiday recognized by the Borough, county, state or federal government and do not include advertising are not regulated by this chapter.
- Signs not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line are not regulated by this chapter.
- Official signs erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough ordinance or resolution, and which exist for public purposes are not regulated by this chapter.
- Required signs that only include information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough are not regulated by this chapter.
- Right-of-way signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT are not regulated by this chapter.
- In addition, 'Editor's Note: See "Miscellaneous Signs Not Requiring Permits" attached to chapter' (implied general exemptions).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit shall be required for all signs except for those specifically exempted (signs meeting the requirements of §§ 270-93 and 270-103; nonilluminated window signs constructed of paper, cardboard or similar materials and not of a permanent nature).
- Any lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) may be painted or repaired or changed in logo or message without a new permit, provided that the changes do not increase sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or increased nonconformity with the chapter.

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

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