# Sign Regulations in Municipality Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Municipality Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/municipality-mt-lebanon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28

## At a glance

Municipality Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania regulates 51 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Roof Sign (C-2 District Only)s in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, CBD), Commercial Uses in Transition Areas, Planned Residential Developments (Commercial Uses), Planned Mixed Use Developments (Commercial Uses) zoning district are capped at 25 ft (building height); sign not above roofline tall and 40 sq ft, with a 100 ft from lot line setback (Sec. §20-823.5.3.2.3.8.1, .8.2). Most commercial signs in Municipality Mt. Lebanon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 3 ft | 20 sq ft for message, 12 sq ft for identification (per side) | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5), Transitional Areas (Residential Uses), Planned Residential Developments (Residential Uses) | 4 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R-6, R-7) | 3 | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, CBD), Commercial Uses in Transition Areas, Planned Residential Developments (Commercial Uses), Planned Mixed Use Developments (Commercial Uses) | 28 | 42 in (max letter) | 200 sq ft per facade | — |
| Community Commercial District (C-2) | 2 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft per sign (counting both sides); max 2 faces per structure | — |
| Open Space District (OS-A) | 1 | 10 ft (may not be higher than top of accessory structure/fence) | 24 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Event Sign (Auctions, Garage/Yard Sales, etc.) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | At site of event/activity | — | §20-823.2.3 |
| Flag (Residential Districts) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | Residential districts | — | §20-823.2.4 |
| Building Address Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 | Prominently displayed, pedestrian and automobile oriented | — | §20-823.2.6 |
| Family Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §20-823.2.7 |
| Directional and Parking Sign | 3 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 | — | — | §20-823.2.10 |
| Decorative/Architectural Feature | — | — | — | — | — | Building | — | §20-823.2.12 |
| Memorial/Historic Plaque, Marker, Monument, or Tablet | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §20-823.2.13 |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Place of Worship or Public/Semi-Public Use) | — | 20 sq ft for message, 12 sq ft for identification (per side) | — | 10 ft from any lot line | — | Accessory to Place of Worship or Public/Semi-Public Use | — | §20-823.2.14 |

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, CBD), Commercial Uses in Transition Areas, Planned Residential Developments (Commercial Uses), Planned Mixed Use Developments (Commercial Uses)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (First-Floor Storefront) | 18 in (max letter/number height) | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | Front facade facing street and has access to street | — | §20-823.5.3.2.1-§20-823.5.3.2.3.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Retail Mall Tenant Directory) | 15 ft | 80 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way | — | At each driveway intersection with arterial or collector street. Min. 10 ft setback from street right-of-way. | — | §20-823.5.3.2.3.6.4 |
| Building Sign (Tenant, Large Tenant) | 42 in (max letter) | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade facing collector/arterial street or parking lot. | — | §20-823.5.3.2.3.6.7 |
| Building Sign (Tenant, Small Tenant) | 30 in (max letter) | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Building facade facing collector/arterial street or parking lot. | — | §20-823.5.3.2.3.6.7 |
| Roof Sign (C-2 District Only) | 25 ft (building height); sign not above roofline | 40 sq ft | — | 100 ft from lot line | 1 | C-2 District buildings only, min. 100 ft from lot line | — | §20-823.5.3.2.3.8.1, .8.2 |
| Freestanding Sign (General) | — | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft behind front lot line | 1 | Min 10 ft behind front lot line | — | §20-823.5.3.3.1 |
| Open House Directional Sign | 30 in | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per intersection | On private or unimproved public right-of-way | — | §20-823.5.3.7.1.3 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft max | 200 sq ft per sign (both sides); max 2 faces per structure | — | 16 ft front from cartway, 10 ft side, 25 ft rear | 1 two-sided per property | C-2 Community Commercial District | — | §20-823.5.3.9 (all subsections) |

### Community Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roof Sign (see Commercial District requirements) | 25 ft (max building height); sign must not exceed roofline | 40 sq ft | — | 100 ft from lot line | 1 | C-2 buildings only | — | §20-823.5.3.2.3.8.1, .8.2 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft per sign (counting both sides); max 2 faces per structure | — | front: 16 ft from cartway; side: 10 ft; rear: 25 ft | 1 two-sided per property | C-2 District only | — | §20-823.5.3.9 (all subsections) |

## Prohibited signs in Municipality Mt. Lebanon

- No sign shall be erected, moved, enlarged, replaced, illuminated, or altered except in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and any other ordinances and/or regulations enacted by the Municipality.
- No sign shall have flashing or intermittent illumination, change colors, vary in intensity or hue, or emit any sound. Signs shall be nonmoving stationary Structures and shall have nonmoving components.
- Signs shall not interfere with the line of sight of motor Vehicle drivers along any Street or intersection in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of other Vehicles, any traffic signal or sign, parking meters or Street furniture.
- Signs shall be erected so that their position, shape, or color shall not be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No signs, except official traffic signs of the Municipality, county, or state, shall be erected within two feet of any Street, or within any Public Right-of-Way unless otherwise provided herein.
- All signs located on properties adjacent to Public rights of way shall allow adequate clearance for motor Vehicles and pedestrians.
- Signs, architectural projections, or sign Structures projecting over Streets must be at a minimum, 17 feet, six inches above the Finished Grade. Any signs over pedestrian access areas must be at least seven feet above the Finished Grade.
- Any Sign Copy that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on the property must be covered or removed within 14 days after written notification from the Zoning Officer.
- Every sign or advertisement Structure shall be adequately maintained and not show evidence of deterioration. If unstable or unsafe, upon notice, must be repaired or removed.
- Signs related to enterprises or occupants no longer using the Building, Structure, or lot must be removed within one year after such use is discontinued.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging a Public Right-of-Way are prohibited, except as provided elsewhere in this code.
- No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, Street tree or any other Public facility located within the Public Right-of-Way.
- Portable Signs are prohibited except as permitted as Temporary Signs.
- Signs attached to, or placed on, a Vehicle or trailer parked on Public or Private property are prohibited unless the primary purpose of the vehicle or trailer is not the display of signs, signs are magnetic, decals, or painted as part of the vehicle, the vehicle is operable, registered, and actively used in business, and vehicles/trailers are not used primarily as static advertisement displays or for product storage/distribution.
- Balloons, streamers, or pinwheels are prohibited except those temporarily displayed as part of a Community Special Event or Private Special Event (not more than 20 days in any calendar year).
- Arcade, cornice, marquee, parapet, pole, portable, projecting, pylon, sandwich, vehicle-mounted, and snip signs, and pennants are prohibited unless otherwise authorized within this ordinance.
- No sign shall be attached, or displayed, in a way that would be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Building walls shall not be used for the display of advertising unless the sign message pertains to a use carried on within such building.
- No building sign shall be authorized on a facade that does not face a street.
- Any Nonconforming Sign of any type shall not be moved to another position or location upon the Building, Structure or Lot on which it is located, nor shall the size or area of such Nonconforming Sign be changed, or its Structure or construction changed.
- Whenever any Nonconforming Sign has been damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of 50% of its market value at the time of destruction or damage, such Sign shall not be restored or replaced, unless it conforms to all provisions of this ordinance.
- If use of a Nonconforming Sign is discontinued for a continuous period of more than one year, then such Nonconforming Sign together with its panel cabinet, supports, braces, anchors, and electrical equipment shall be removed within 14 days from the end of the one-year period and the use of such Sign shall not be resumed except in accordance with this ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Municipality Mt. Lebanon

- Any Public Notice or warning required by a valid applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance is allowed in any district.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message are allowed in any district.
- Temporary signs advertising auctions, garage, or yard sales provided they do not exceed six square feet, are removed promptly after the event, and are erected no more than seven days prior to the event at the site of the event.
- Flags in residential districts not exceeding 15 square feet in area (except for Flags of the United States of America, which are not size-limited).
- Customary holiday decorations.
- One prominently displayed Building Address Sign.
- Family name signs not to exceed two square feet.
- No trespassing and similar signs.
- Traffic control sign.
- No more than two directional and parking signs not exceeding two square feet per business and no taller than three feet.
- Signs, flags, or emblems erected and maintained pursuant to any government function.
- Decorative or architectural features of a building, except letters or trademarks.
- Memorial or historic plaques, markers, monuments, or tablets not exceeding five square feet.
- One Bulletin Board Sign for a Place of Worship or Public and Semi-Public Uses (if meeting requirements as an Accessory Use, display size limits, and setbacks).
- General repair and maintenance of any sign shall not be considered an alteration.
- Signs and banners erected under the direction of the Mt. Lebanon Manager.
- Personal opinion signs.
- Noncommercial sign copy may be substituted for commercial sign copy on any lawful sign structure.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected, replaced, or altered, except a Temporary Sign for a Use by Right in a residential zoning district, unless an application has been properly completed, any required fees have been paid, and a permit issued by the Zoning Officer.
- A sign application is required and must include proposed sign location, materials, type of illumination, design of freestanding sign, size, and quantity.
- Any application for a permit for a sign or other advertising Structure in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be submitted to the Zoning Officer with full specifications.
- Permit applications for Outdoor Advertising Signs (Billboards) must also comply with structural and inspection requirements, and, if applicable, include a PennDOT permit.
- All Building Signage for retail malls must be located consistent within a Building Sign zone location plan reviewed by the Planning Board and approved by the Commission.
- Graphic Elements at malls must be consistent with an exterior Graphic Elements plan reviewed by the Planning Board and approved by the Commission.
- A Permanent Internal Sign must receive Conditional Use approval from the Commission in addition to the required permit.
- Internal Signs must obtain the general sign permit (per §823.3.2).

## 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 6 zoning districts in Municipality Mt. Lebanon — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Municipality+Mt.+Lebanon+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-municipality-mt-lebanon

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