# Sign Regulations in New Hanover Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Hanover Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/new-hanover-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31470777#31470777)

## At a glance

New Hanover Township, Pennsylvania regulates 37 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Off-Premises Signs in the LI, HI zoning district are capped at 24 feet tall and 100 square feet, with a Not within 1,000 ft of another off-premises sign on same side of highway; not within 20 ft of shoulder/curb; not within 150 ft of intersection. setback (Sec. § 27-2309(1)(H)). Most commercial signs in New Hanover Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 36 inches | 120 square inches | — |
| R-2, R-2M, R-25, R-15, R-5, RV | 17 | 10 feet (for freestanding) | 32 square feet per side | — |
| CB-2, TN, CC | 10 | 24 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| LI, HI | 12 | 24 feet | 100 square feet | — |

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

### R-2, R-2M, R-25, R-15, R-5, RV

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property or 1 per street frontage if multi-frontage | On-premises only | — | § 27-2307(1)(B) |
| Temporary Contractor/Development Sign | — | 32 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property or 1 per street frontage if multi-frontage | On-premises only | — | § 27-2307(1)(C) |
| Identification Sign (Institutional/Community Use) | — | 20 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per premises or 1 per street frontage if multiple | On-premises. Permitted for schools, places of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, life care facilities, clubs, golf courses, etc. | — | § 27-2307(1)(D) |
| Professional/Home Occupation/Name Sign (General) | — | 3 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per use/dwelling unit | On-premises (for dwelling/professional use/home occupation only) | — | § 27-2307(1)(H) |
| Temporary Mechanic/Contractor/Artisan Sign | — | 8 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per service provider per street frontage | On premises where work is being performed. | — | § 27-2307(1)(I) |
| Residential Complex Access Drive Sign | — | 20 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per principal access drive | At principal access drive to residential development/complex, on complex land or on common open land; all setback/location reqs must be met. | — | § 27-2307(1)(K) |
| Temporary Agricultural Product Sale Sign - On Premises | — | 8 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises where sale is permitted use | — | § 27-2307(1)(L) |
| Nonresidential Use Advertising Sign | 10 feet (for freestanding) | 10 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per business establishment/premises | On-premises where use is principal or valid nonconforming use | — | § 27-2307(1)(M) |

### CB-2, TN, CC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Window Sign (Option 1) | — | — | — | — | 1 | On building wall or window | — | § 27-2308(1)(B)(1) |
| Wall or Window Sign (Option 2) | — | — | — | — | 2 (on separate walls) | On two separate building walls or windows | — | § 27-2308(1)(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 1) | 20 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 (plus 1 option, per frontage) | On premises | — | § 27-2308(1)(B)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 2) | 20 feet | 20 square feet each | — | — | 2 (plus 1 option, per frontage) | On premises | — | § 27-2308(1)(B)(4) |
| Shopping Center/Office Park Directory Sign | 24 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property/frontage | One per property or one per street frontage if multi-frontage | — | § 27-2308(1)(C)(1) |
| Shopping Center/Office Park Individual Tenant Sign (Wall or Window) | — | Window sign: ≤40% window area; Projecting sign: ≤5 ft, ≤10 sq ft; Parallel sign: ≤1 sq ft per lineal foot of bldg frontage. | — | — | 1 per tenant | On wall, window, or projecting from wall | — | § 27-2308(1)(C)(2) |
| Shopping Center/Office Park Map or Directional Sign | 6 feet | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per bldg entrance | At each entrance to a building with multiple occupancies | — | § 27-2308(1)(C)(3) |
| Additional Directional Sign (No Street Frontage) | — | 4 square feet | — | All side yard setback requirements must be met. | 1 per business lacking street frontage | At streetline entrance to property | — | § 27-2308(1)(F) |

### LI, HI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Window Sign (Option 1) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | On wall or window | — | § 27-2309(1)(B)(1) |
| Wall or Window Sign (Option 2) | — | 20 square feet each | — | — | 2 (on separate walls) | On two separate building walls or windows | — | § 27-2309(1)(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 1) | 20 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 (plus 1 option per frontage) | On premises | — | § 27-2309(1)(B)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Option 2) | 20 feet | 18 square feet each | — | — | 2 (plus 1 option, per frontage) | On premises | — | § 27-2309(1)(B)(4) |
| Industrial Park Directory Sign | 24 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property/street frontage | One per property or one per street frontage if multi-frontage | — | § 27-2309(1)(C)(1) |
| Industrial Park Map/Directory Sign | 6 feet | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to building with multiple occupancy; parallel or freestanding | — | § 27-2309(1)(C)(3) |
| Additional Directional Sign (No Street Frontage) | — | 4 square feet | — | All side yard setback requirements must be met. | 1 per business lacking street frontage | At street line entrance to property | — | § 27-2309(1)(F) |
| Off-Premises Sign | 24 feet | 100 square feet | — | Not within 1,000 ft of another off-premises sign on same side of highway; not within 20 ft of shoulder/curb; not within 150 ft of intersection. | 1 per property | Within 150 feet of Route 73 or 663 in LI District only, not within 1,000 feet of another off-premises sign, not within 20 feet of curb/shoulder, not within 150 feet of intersection. | — | § 27-2309(1)(H) |

## Prohibited signs in New Hanover Township

- Signs shall not create a hazard to vehicular traffic by obscuring necessary visibility, confusing with official street or traffic signs, resembling traffic control devices by color, location, or shape, or by creating motion, glare, or excessive brightness.
- No sign, other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal right-of-way of any public road in the Township.
- No freestanding sign may occupy areas designated for parking, loading, walkways, cartways, driveways, or other required unobstructed areas.
- Signs in violation of safety or maintenance requirements, or erected without an approved permit, are subject to removal.
- No signs shall be of a flashing, rotating, or revolving type, except for barber poles for barbershops and traffic control signs and signals.
- Any sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights is prohibited.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole, or painted/drawn on a rock or natural feature is prohibited.
- Any banner sign or sign across a public street or on private property is prohibited, except as specifically approved by the Board of Supervisors as a conditional use.
- Pennants or spinners suspended between poles and blowing or spinning in the wind are prohibited.
- Any sign that does not conform to the sign ordinance in effect when it was erected is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected containing information stating or implying that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the zoning district regulations.
- No sign may use the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or similar terms or characters that attempt to direct movement of traffic or resemble any official traffic sign or control device within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
- Red or green lights are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, except for traffic control signals.
- Sign illumination that causes glare or impairs the vision of motorists is prohibited, except if shielded to prevent beams or rays to any street, highway, or adjacent property, and limited to less than 1/4 footcandle at the property line.
- Placement of signs: No sign may project over or be within the right-of-way of a street (except official traffic/street signs or as specifically provided), be within clear sight triangles, obscure motorists' views of signals or intersections, limit pedestrian view at intersections, be within 10 feet of side lot lines, lie within parking spaces or fire lanes, block pedestrian movement, block entrances/exits/fire lanes to buildings, or have its lowest edge less than 7.5 feet above the sidewalk (if projecting or freestanding).

## Signs exempt from permit in New Hanover Township

- Signs displaying the name and address of the occupancy of the premises, not exceeding 120 square inches, with a limit of one per occupant unless property fronts more than one street.
- Governmental flags or insignias.
- Legal notices.
- Crop identification signs.
- Vending machine signs bearing the brand name or price of a product sold in the machine.
- Memorial or historical signs or tablets.
- Window signs stating store hours or credit/charge institutions, not exceeding two square feet in total area.
- Temporary window signs, including community special event signs, not exceeding 50% of window area.
- Signs that are permanent architectural features of a building, such as a cornerstone or carved/embossed letters (if not reflective material or contrasting color).
- Bunting, pennants, and similar materials to announce a new business/industry, limited to seven days after opening, with advance notice to the Township.
- Revolving barber shop pole signs not exceeding 36 inches in height.
- Temporary construction traffic control signs.
- Temporary sale or rental advertising signs, subject to district and size restrictions.
- Temporary mechanics', contractors', or artisans' signs displayed during performance of work.
- Directional, informational, or public service signs not advertising commercial establishments, limited in size.
- Official highway route number, street name, and other official traffic signs.
- Temporary, political signs (up to 4 square feet), subject to placement and removal limits; larger signs require permit.
- Trespassing, private road, or hunting/fishing control signs (up to 2 square feet and spaced at least 100 feet apart).
- Name/professional/home occupation signs (up to 3 square feet, nonilluminated except as specified, and only for uses registered with the Township).
- Maintenance, repair, or change of advertising copy/message for permitted signs specifically designed for replaceable copy, as well as painting, cleaning, or electrical maintenance.
- Signs for nonresidential, principal, or valid nonconforming uses consistent with all exemption limits and registered with the Township.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must include a site plan showing the location of the sign in relation to buildings, structures, property lines, and rights-of-way, as well as a drawing of the sign with dimensions, copy, design details, and description of illumination.
- For off-premises signs, permit applications must be accompanied by five copies of a plan of the property to scale, indicating boundaries, adjacent owners, roadways, utilities, and a plan of the sign and supporting structure prepared, signed and certified by a registered professional engineer.
- Land development plans must include a separate pavement marking and signage plan showing all proposed signs for traffic control or safety, to be approved by the Township Traffic Engineer and relevant agencies.
- Before any permit for a sign is granted, plans and specifications must be filed with the Township detailing the sign, supporting members, attachment, location, materials, construction, and a photograph if applicable.
- Permit application for sign erection must be accompanied by written consent for inspection by Township officials.
- Signs for shopping centers, multiple commercial centers, office parks, and industrial parks require plans that identify overall directory and location of individual establishments (serving as a type of 'sign plan').
- No explicit requirement for a Master Sign Plan or variance meeting is found in the ordinance, but multiple references exist to submitting plans with all relevant sign and site details for approval.

## 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 New Hanover Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=New+Hanover+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-new-hanover-township

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