Sign Regulations in New Britain Township, Pennsylvania
New Britain Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Commercial Temporary Sign, Freestanding Sign (Permitted nonresidential uses), Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for New Britain Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in New Britain Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address Sign (Residential Use) | — | 3 sq ft | — |
| Address Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 5 sq ft | — |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for New Britain TownshipPartial Coverage
Sign Types Covered
22
- Commercial Temporary Sign
- Freestanding Sign (Permitted nonresidential uses)
- Projecting Sign
- Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for New Britain Township
Municipal Code1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in New Britain Township vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in New Britain Township, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In New Britain Township, regulated sign types include Commercial Temporary Sign, Freestanding Sign (Permitted nonresidential uses), Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in New Britain Township vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in New Britain Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. New Britain Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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New Britain Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
New Britain Township, Pennsylvania regulates 22 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Commercial)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft for pole; 8 ft for wall/window tall and 6 sq ft for pole; 20 sq ft for grouping of window/wall (Sec. §27-2606(e)(1)).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for New Britain Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in New Britain Township (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 5 ft | 6 sq ft for pole; 20 sq ft for grouping of window/wall | — |
| Conservation District (C/R), Water Supply District (WS), Suburban Residential District 1 (SR-1), Suburban Residential District 2 (SR-2), Rural Residential District (RR), Village Residential District (VR), Mobile Home Park District (MHP) | 2 | Pole: 7 ft; Monument: 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Institutional District (IN), Office Park District (OP), Industrial District (I), Industrial/Office District (IO) | 7 | Pole: 12 ft, Monument: 7 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 9 | Pole: 20 ft, Monument: 7 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural Uses (A Uses) | 3 | 7 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in New Britain Township(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exempt Sign (Various Types) | — | — | — | — | — | Allowed in all zoning districts (each type has its own restrictions). | — | Unlock | §27-2603 |
| Address Sign (Residential Use) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property for identification purposes | — | Unlock | §27-2603(d) |
| Address Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property for identification purposes | — | Unlock | §27-2603(d) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Unlock | §27-2603(e) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | Unlock | §27-2603(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial) | 4 ft for pole; 8 ft for wall/window | 6 sq ft for pole; 20 sq ft for grouping of window/wall | — | — | 1 per street frontage per unit | On property, per road frontage, per unit | — | Unlock | §27-2606(e)(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial) | 4 ft for pole; 5 ft for wall/window | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 10 ft of road frontage | On property, 1 per 10 ft of road frontage | — | Unlock | §27-2606(e)(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate) | 4 ft for pole; 6 ft for wall/window | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale or rent | — | Unlock | §27-2606(e)(3) |
Institutional District (IN), Office Park District (OP), Industrial District (I), Industrial/Office District (IO)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Temporary Sign | 4 ft for pole; 8 ft for wall/window | 6 sq ft for pole sign; 20 sq ft for wall/window grouping | — | — | 1 per street frontage per unit | On property, per street frontage, per unit | — | Unlock | §27-2609(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permitted nonresidential uses) | Pole: 12 ft, Monument: 7 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | §27-2609(b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 projecting sign per principal building | On principal building | — | Unlock | §27-2609(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Max 2 per building (together with projecting signs) | On principal building | — | Unlock | §27-2609(c) |
| Additional Commercial Temporary Sign (>10,000 sq ft GFA) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1, if over 10,000 sq ft GFA | On property >10,000 sq ft GFA | — | Unlock | §27-2609(d) |
| Electronic Message Center or Changeable-Copy Sign | — | Up to 50% of allowed max sign area of sign being replaced | — | — | 1 per property | Substituted for wall or freestanding sign; only 1 per property | — | Unlock | §27-2609(e) |
| Sandwich-Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Within 12 ft of primary public entrance on premises | — | Unlock | §27-2609(f); §27-2606(d) |
Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Temporary Sign | 4 ft for pole; 8 ft for wall/window | 6 sq ft for pole sign; 20 sq ft for wall/window grouping | — | — | 1 per street frontage per unit | On property, per street frontage, per unit | — | Unlock | §27-2610(a) |
| Monument Sign (Residential development/buildings with >10 units) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage; only on land owned/controlled by HOA/Condo Assoc. | — | Unlock | §27-2610(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permitted nonresidential uses) | Pole: 20 ft, Monument: 7 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Unlock | §27-2610(c) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 projecting sign per principal building | On principal building | — | Unlock | §27-2610(d) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area (no more than 30% of a window covered) | — | — | No more than 4 per principal building | On windows of principal building | — | Unlock | §27-2610(d) |
| Additional Commercial Temporary Sign (>5,000 sq ft GFA) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1, if over 5,000 sq ft GFA | On property >5,000 sq ft GFA | — | Unlock | §27-2610(e) |
| Electronic Message Center or Changeable-Copy Sign | — | Up to 50% of allowed max sign area of sign being replaced | — | — | 1 per property | Substituted for wall or freestanding sign; only 1 per property | — | Unlock | §27-2610(f) |
| Sandwich-Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Within 12 ft of primary public entrance on premises | — | Unlock | §27-2610(g); §27-2606(d) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in New Britain Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for New Britain Township — start freeProhibited Signs in New Britain Township
- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property is being or may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter.
- Any sign promoting illegal activity.
- Any sign which flashes, reflects, rotates, spins, revolves, oscillates, or has parts that physically move or revolve (with the exception of the movement of the hands of analog clocks or the rotation of barber poles).
- Any sign containing or associated with audio speakers and/or any form of pyrotechnics. This prohibition also includes the speakers and pyrotechnics.
- Any sign which emits open flames, flashing lights, smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor.
- Any sign with animated, scrolling, or moving text, video, or graphics.
- A series of lights or lighting outlining the edges of commercial buildings or commercial building elements shall be considered a sign under the terms of this Part and shall be prohibited.
- All electrical or digital signs, except electronic message centers.
- All roof signs.
- Strobe lights and spotlights.
- Any sign fully or partially blocking ingress and/or egress from any door, window, or fire escape. Only safety signs shall be attached to fire escapes or fire standpipes.
- Any sign that interferes with, obstructs, mimics, imitates, or resembles a traffic sign, traffic signal, or traffic device.
- Any sign attached, erected, posted, painted, or otherwise placed upon public or private property without the permission and/or knowledge of the property owner (with the exception of signs posted in accordance with legal notification requirements).
- Any mobile sign parked in such a manner that its primary purpose is for advertising.
- Any sign tacked, nailed, glued, attached, erected, posted, placed, painted, maintained, or otherwise supported by or upon a rock, tree, telephone/power/light pole, road, trail, sidewalk, fence, wall, bench, or other object not originally installed, constructed, erected, or placed to support such sign.
- Any sign having content that is not subject to the protections of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 7, of the Pennsylvania Constitution, including: obscenity/pornography, profanity, fighting words, and incitement to imminent lawless action.
- Any sign which has been abandoned and/or does not conform to the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance which was in effect when the sign was erected.
- Placement of signs in a position to endanger vehicular or pedestrian traffic by causing confusion with traffic signs or causing confusion because of the sign's position, color, or reflective surface.
- Use of the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or similar which attempt to direct the movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or interferes with or resembles any traffic sign or traffic signal/device.
- Use or illumination by red, green, or yellow lights within 75 feet of a public street right-of-way or within 300 feet of a traffic control signal/device, whichever is greater.
- Obscuring/blocking a motorist’s forward view of traffic signals/devices, traffic signs, warning devices, or intersections.
- Blocking a clear sight triangle at intersections along a public street.
- Limiting pedestrian’s view of vehicular traffic to less than 500 feet at intersections or crossing points.
- Blocking movement of pedestrians traveling on sidewalks, trails, or other public thoroughfares.
- Obstructing or blocking the cartway of a public road or overhang into the cartway.
- Non-banner, non-traffic, non-governmental signs located in a public right-of-way or projecting over a public sidewalk at less than eight feet above walking surface.
- Placement of signs within five feet of any multi-use trail within the Township.
- Erection of signs within 10 feet of any property line (except for traffic/governmental signs).
- Placement of signs within a parking space or fire lane.
- Blocking entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane to a building.
- Any sign that is illuminated in a fashion not set forth in the illumination regulations (e.g., visible light source, more than 0.2 footcandle at property boundary, non-static light, or illumination in residential zones except house numbers, etc.).
- Placement of signs that do not meet clearance requirements over pedestrian walkways/sidewalks.
- Erection, installation, construction, alteration, or movement of any sign not classified as ‘exempt’ without first obtaining a sign permit.
Exempt Signs in New Britain Township
- Traffic signs and emergency signs.
- Governmental signs.
- Governmental flags or insignias.
- Address signs, as long as each sign per property or location does not exceed three square feet in residential zoning districts and five square feet in nonresidential zoning districts.
- Incidental signs, as long as any such sign does not have a sign area greater than two square feet.
- Directional signs not exceeding four square feet in area and with a maximum height of five feet.
- Temporary signs not exceeding six square feet in sign area.
- Warning signs; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises; and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling fishing or hunting upon a particular premises, not to exceed two square feet in area and spaced at intervals of not less than 75 feet.
- Signs indicating preserved property by the Township, county, commonwealth, or a land trust: only one per road frontage, not exceeding three square feet in area and five feet in height.
- Cornerstones; historical plaques or plates affixed to building walls not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Signs or displays, including lighting, which are temporary and celebrate a national, state, or local holiday, religious or cultural holiday, or another holiday season.
- Legal notices.
- Signs posted, placed, or erected inside a building or structure which are not meant to be viewed from the outside.
- Vending machines.
- Any sign erected by or at the direction of New Britain Township.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for New Britain Township
- A sign permit is required for any sign not classified as ‘exempt’ before erection, installation, construction, alteration, structural repair, moving, or removal.
- A permit application must include two copies of a scaled plan showing: lot dimensions, building frontage, existing cartways/rights-of-way/driveways; design of each sign face/structure (dimensions, area, height, color, materials, lighting, proposed location); building elevations; location/size of all proposed and existing permanent signage; and current photos certifying date taken.
- Plans for off-premises signs must be certified by a licensed engineer registered in Pennsylvania.
- Any plans submitted for an off-premises sign must show (in addition to all other sign permit requirements): the location of the sign and setbacks, location/species of trees to be removed, replacement trees and landscaping, distance to nearest existing off-premises sign, proof of compliance, and engineer certification under seal.
- Removal or significant alteration (including relocation, support alteration, changes in illumination, change in material, major damage exceeding 50% of area, or land development/change of use requiring municipal review) of any nonconforming sign shall require compliance with current sign regulations (i.e., a new sign plan/permit).
- Requests to determine legal nonconforming status of a sign require submittal of supporting data and, for off-premises signs, a plan as per off-premises sign requirements.
- For master sign plans, applicants should refer to permit application and plan requirements for submitting scaled layouts and existing/proposed signage details.
Source: ecode360 municipal code