# Sign Regulations in New Britain, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Britain, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/new-britain
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-13
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15489884)

## At a glance

New Britain, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Permanent)s in the Institutional and Professional Districts (E-I, C-U, C-3) zoning district are capped at ≤ 10 ft above grade tall and ≤ 32 sf, with a ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas setback (Sec. §450-49.2B(1)(a)-(d); §450-48E). Most commercial signs in New Britain require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Bottom of sign ≥ 8 ft above finished grade if projection ≥ 3 in | ≤ 12.5 sf; width ≤ 3 ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, MHP) | 7 | ≤ 8 ft above grade | ≤ 24 sf | — |
| Institutional and Professional Districts (E-I, C-U, C-3) | 11 | ≤ 25 ft (to top) above mean cartway elevation | ≤ 250 sf per side (max 2 faces) | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts (C-1, C-2, SC, LI) | 16 | ≤ 30 ft above grade | ≤ 150 sf on any one face | — |
| Village Historical, Historical Commercial, and Park and Open Space Districts (VH, HC, P-OS) | 8 | ≤ 20 ft (freestanding signs) | ≤ 64 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Institutional and Professional Districts (E-I, C-U, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | ≤ 10 ft above grade | ≤ 32 sf | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street access; up to 2 per property | Along street access | — | §450-49.2B(1)(a)-(d); §450-48E |
| Freestanding Sign (Temporary) | ≤ 10 ft above grade | ≤ 24 sf | — | — | 1 per street access | Along street access | — | §450-49.2B(2)(a)-(e) |
| Wall Sign | ≤ eaveline | ≤ 36 sf (single sign); aggregate ≤ 15% of wall area | — | — | Determined by aggregate area limit | Mounted on principal building wall | — | §450-49.2C(1)(a)-(d); §450-49A |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Lowest edge ≥ 8 ft above grade; overall ≤ eaveline | ≤ 36 sf (single sign); aggregate ≤ 15% of wall area | Not wider than building wall/tenant space | — | Determined by aggregate area limit | On awning/canopy attached to principal building | — | §450-49.2C(1)(a)-(d); §450-49B(2)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign | Lowest edge ≥ 8 ft above grade; overall ≤ eaveline | ≤ 36 sf (single sign); aggregate ≤ 15% of wall area | Projects ≤ 4 ft from building face | — | Determined by aggregate area limit | Supported by exterior wall; perpendicular to building face | — | §450-49.2C(1)(a)-(d); §450-49C(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Building Sign | ≤ 10 ft above grade | ≤ 20 sf | — | — | 1 per property; 2 if property has >10,000 sf GFA | On property | — | §450-49.2C(2)(a)-(e) |
| Street Pole Banner | — | ≤ 12.5 sf; width ≤ 3 ft | ≤ 3 ft width | — | Up to 2 per pole | On street poles; not on poles with traffic/pedestrian control signals; ≥3 ft clearance below luminaries | — | §450-49.2E; §450-49I(1)-(7) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (C-3 only) | ≤ 25 ft (to top) above mean cartway elevation | ≤ 250 sf per side (max 2 faces) | — | Not permitted within required minimum yards or special setback for the zoning district | 1 per lot (max 2 faces) | C-3 District only; freestanding on its own support structure | — | §450-49F(1)-(7) |

### Commercial and Industrial Districts (C-1, C-2, SC, LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | ≤ eaveline | Per tenant: ≤ 1.5 sf per linear foot of that tenant's building frontage | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, up to 2 signs per tenant | On tenant’s building frontage facing street or parking lot | — | §450-49.3C(1)(b)-(d); §450-49A |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Lowest edge ≥ 8 ft above grade; overall ≤ eaveline | Per tenant: ≤ 1.5 sf per linear foot of that tenant's building frontage | Not wider than building wall/tenant space | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, up to 2 signs per tenant | On awning/canopy attached to tenant’s building frontage | — | §450-49.3C(1)(b)-(d); §450-49B(2)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign | Lowest edge ≥ 8 ft above grade; overall ≤ eaveline | Per tenant: ≤ 1.5 sf per linear foot of that tenant's building frontage | Projects ≤ 4 ft from building face | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, up to 2 signs per tenant | Perpendicular to tenant’s building face | — | §450-49.3C(1)(b)-(d); §450-49C(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Building Sign | ≤ 10 ft above grade | ≤ 20 sf | — | — | 1 per property; 2 if property has >10,000 sf GFA | On property | — | §450-49.3C(2)(a)-(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (All Other Nonresidential Uses - Permanent) | ≤ 20 ft above grade | ≤ 100 sf | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street frontage | Along each street frontage | — | §450-49.3D(1)(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant Use - Permanent) | ≤ 30 ft above grade | ≤ 150 sf on any one face | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 permanent freestanding sign per street frontage | Along each street frontage of multi-tenant property | — | §450-49.3E(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use - Permanent) | ≤ 6 ft above grade | ≤ 2 sf | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street frontage | On residential lot within commercial/industrial district | — | §450-49.3B; §450-49.1B(1)(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Development >10 Units - Permanent) | ≤ 8 ft above grade | ≤ 15 sf per sign face | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street frontage | Residential development site within commercial/industrial district | — | §450-49.3B; §450-49.1C(1)(a)-(d) |

### Village Historical, Historical Commercial, and Park and Open Space Districts (VH, HC, P-OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use - Permanent) | ≤ 6 ft above grade | ≤ 3 sf | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street frontage | On residential lot | — | §450-49.4B(1)(a)-(d) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use) | ≤ 6 ft above grade | ≤ 4 sf | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On residential lot | — | §450-49.4B(2)(a)-(e) |
| Building Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Permanent) | ≤ eaveline (building signs) | ≤ 64 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | On principal building | — | §450-49.4C(1)(a)-(d); §450-49 |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Permanent) | ≤ 20 ft (freestanding signs) | ≤ 64 sf | — | ≥ 5 ft from right-of-way; may not occupy required unobstructed areas | 1 per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | Along street frontage | — | §450-49.4C(1)(a)-(d) |
| Building Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Temporary) | ≤ eaveline (building signs) | ≤ 12 sf | — | — | 1 per property | On building | — | §450-49.4C(2)(a)-(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Uses - Temporary) | ≤ 20 ft (freestanding signs) | ≤ 12 sf | — | — | 1 per property | On property | — | §450-49.4C(2)(a)-(e) |
| Street Pole Banner | — | ≤ 12.5 sf; width ≤ 3 ft | ≤ 3 ft width | — | Up to 2 per pole | On street poles; not on poles with traffic/pedestrian control signals; ≥3 ft clearance below luminaries | — | §450-49.4D; §450-49I(1)-(7) |
| Limited Duration Sign | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 6 sf (<2 acres); ≤ 16 sf (≥2 acres); ≤ 24 sf (>5 acres) | — | — | See permit requirements | On private property | — | §450-49.4E; §450-49H(1)-(5) |

## Prohibited signs in New Britain

- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that flash, rotate, revolve, or oscillate are prohibited (barber poles excepted).
- Novelty/object signs (e.g., signs in the form of tires, automobiles, food products) are prohibited.
- Signs may not be placed or maintained so as to interfere with electric, telephone, telegraph, or similar utility wires or their supports.
- Signs that imitate any official traffic sign, signal, or device are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with an official highway sign are prohibited.
- Pennants, banners, or spinners are prohibited (street pole banners are separately regulated).
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor are prohibited.
- Exposed neon or other gases/powders in visible tubes are prohibited, except for signs located within windows.
- No sign (or any attachment) may be erected by private parties on rocks, fences, trees, or on utility/other poles on any street, or affixed to or on any trail (except by the Borough).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited; use of business logos/identification on vehicles primarily and actively used for transportation is allowed.
- Inflatable devices or balloon signs are prohibited, except balloons used in temporary, non-commercial situations.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Erecting a sign without the property owner's permission is prohibited (except those authorized or required by government).
- Signs may not be located or illuminated so as to endanger traffic by obscuring views, blocking sight lines, or interfering with official street signs/signals by position, color, illumination, or reflective surface.
- Signs may not be erected within or project into a public right-of-way, and must be at least five feet from any existing or future right-of-way (except banner signs as may be permitted by Borough Council and official traffic/regulatory signs).
- Posting or attaching any sign to trees or utility/other poles on any street is prohibited.
- Signs may not be erected or maintained on Borough-owned property without express permission of Borough Council at a public meeting.
- Light sources used to illuminate signs may not be visible from any street right-of-way and may not cause hazardous or distracting glare to pedestrians, drivers, or adjacent properties.
- More than 0.2 foot-candle of light detectable at any abutting property boundary or right-of-way is prohibited.
- On nonresidential properties, sign illumination is prohibited outside 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or more than 30 minutes past close of business (whichever is later), except for electronic message center signs.
- Off-premises advertising signs (billboards) are prohibited except as specifically allowed in the C-3 District by special exception and subject to additional standards.

## Signs exempt from permit in New Britain

- Holiday decorations for generally recognized holidays (exempt unless they cause glare, traffic safety issues, or other public safety hazards).
- Official and public service signs.
- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, emergency signs, and other official traffic signs.
- Trespassing signs up to 2 square feet.
- Address signs: up to two per premises, containing only address/occupant name with no commercial advertising; maximum 3 sq ft in residential districts and 5 sq ft in nonresidential districts.
- Legal notices.
- Cornerstones.
- Historic plaques placed by the Heritage Conservancy, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the National Register of Historic Places.
- Incidental signs (e.g., restrooms, store hours, credit/charge decals) that do not advertise any commercial establishment, activity, organization, product, goods, or services.
- Directional signs without commercial messaging, max 4 square feet in area, max 5 feet in height, nonilluminated.
- Signs inside a building not meant to be viewed from outside and located more than 3 feet from a window.
- Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags, that are non-commercial, not illuminated, and not exceeding 3 square feet per side.
- General conditions for exempt signs: No sign permit is required for exempt signs; exempt signs must comply with all general sign regulations; no exempt sign may be illuminated except where specifically allowed; any off-premises sign and any sign for a nonresidential use require a permit regardless of size.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before the use, erection, structural repair, alteration, relocation, removal, or demolition of any sign unless the sign is explicitly exempt; normal maintenance does not require a permit.
- Sign permits must be renewed annually; the permit holder must certify the sign remains substantially the same as originally permitted.
- Permit applications must include owner authorization affidavits and scaled drawings showing the sign and structural details; applicable fees apply per the Borough fee schedule.
- Off-premises advertising signs (billboards) are permitted only by special exception in the C-3 District; such applications require Zoning Hearing Board approval and plans certified by a Pennsylvania-licensed professional engineer.
- Signs on Borough-owned property require express permission of Borough Council at a duly convened public meeting; banner signs within the public right-of-way require Borough Council permission.
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in this ordinance excerpt; multi-tenant signage is regulated by specific standards rather than a master sign plan process.

## 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 5 zoning districts in New Britain — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=New+Britain+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-new-britain

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