# Sign Regulations in New Hope Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Hope Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/new-hope-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11747663#11747663)

## At a glance

New Hope Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 31 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft (except as otherwise specified per table/use/zone, e.g., sometimes 3 or 5 ft) tall and Max allowed per use/zone (see zone sections), with a Not closer to street line than 1/2 required yard (or 1/3 in HC). Not within 20 ft of Delaware Canal. setback (Sec. §275-50A(3), §275-50B(1), §275-50C(2,5), §275-52B). Most commercial signs in New Hope Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 25 ft (flags pole, official/governmental signs may match building height) | See per use/option/zone (max 12 sq ft in commercial options) | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | — | — |
| RC Districts | 1 | — | 12 sq ft (total) | — |
| All Districts (Residential Use) | 1 | 3 ft (freestanding) | 2 sq ft | — |
| All Districts (Religious, Educational, Recreational, Institutional) | 3 | 5 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — |
| CC District, HC District, SC District, LC District, LI District, MU District | 8 | 5 ft (freestanding) | 30 sq ft | — |
| HC District, LI District (Industrial, Automobile Sales, Utility Uses) | 3 | 6 ft (freestanding) | 40 sq ft | — |
| All Districts (Accessory Office) | 1 | 3 ft (freestanding) | 3 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs (Residential Identification/Address) | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot/property; not within the public right-of-way | — | §275-51B(3), §275-54A(1)(b), §275-54A(4)-(6) |
| Exempt Signs (Official, Street, Legal Notices, Cornerstones, Information, etc.) | 25 ft (flags pole, official/governmental signs may match building height) | 1 sq ft (information); 6 ft x 10 ft (flags); 24 sq ft (activity signs) | 6 ft (flags) | — | — | On property being served | — | §275-51B(1),(4),(5),(6),(7),(11) |
| Exempt Signs (Temporary Professional/Contractor/Realty) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per property | On property where work is being done | — | §275-51B(8) |
| Exempt Signs (Yard Sale) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per yard sale | On property advertising sale | — | §275-51B(10) |
| Freestanding Sign (General) | 6 ft (except as otherwise specified per table/use/zone, e.g., sometimes 3 or 5 ft) | Max allowed per use/zone (see zone sections) | — | Not closer to street line than 1/2 required yard (or 1/3 in HC). Not within 20 ft of Delaware Canal. | See per use/zone | Not closer to street line than 1/3 the required yard for HC district and 1/2 for all other districts | — | §275-50A(3), §275-50B(1), §275-50C(2,5), §275-52B |
| Wall Sign (General) | — | Max allowed per use (see zone sections) | — | — | See per use/zone | Parallel to face of building/wall | — | §275-48B, §275-50B(2), §275-50D, §275-50A(3) |
| Projecting Sign (General) | — | See per use/zone | — | — | See per use/zone | Projecting more than 12 inches from building face | — | §275-48E, §275-50C(3), §275-50B(2) |
| Window Sign (General) | — | See per use/option/zone (max 12 sq ft in commercial options) | — | — | See per use/zone | Affixed to storefront window on main door or facade facing public street, ROW, or parking lot | — | §275-48C, options per use/zone |

### All Districts (Religious, Educational, Recreational, Institutional)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding/Wall/Projecting) (Building ≥35 ft from cartway) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property/1 per frontage | On property/building for religious/school/library/museum/recreation/nursing home/personal care/interpretive center use | — | §275-54C(3)-(5) |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding/Wall/Projecting) (Building <35 ft from cartway) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property/1 per frontage | On property/building for religious/school/library/museum/recreation/nursing home/personal care/interpretive center use | — | §275-54C(3)-(5) |
| Temporary Announcement Board | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On property for place of worship, school, library, museum, emergency services | — | §275-54C(6) |

### CC District, HC District, SC District, LC District, LI District, MU District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Building facade facing principal street | — | §275-54D(1)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 + Projecting Sign | — | 30 sq ft (wall), 12 sq ft (projecting), but combined total as per formula | — | — | 1 wall + 1 projecting | On building facade | — | §275-54D(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign + Wall Sign (Option 3) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft (each) | — | See General Regulations | 1 freestanding + 1 wall | On property (freestanding per general placement regs/setbacks) | — | §275-54D(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign + Window Sign(s) (Option 4) | 5 ft (freestanding) | 12 sq ft (each) | — | See General Regulations | 1 freestanding + window sign(s) (max area specified) | Freestanding on property; window signs on storefront windows | — | §275-54D(1)(d) |
| Projecting Sign + Window Sign(s) (Option 5) | — | 12 sq ft (each) | — | — | 1 projecting + window sign(s) (max area specified) | Projecting sign on building; window sign(s) on windows | — | §275-54D(1)(e) |
| Wall Sign + Window Sign(s) (Option 6) | — | 30 sq ft (wall), 12 sq ft (window) | — | — | 1 wall + window sign(s) (max area specified) | As above | — | §275-54D(1)(f) |
| Wall Sign (Additional on Corner or Parking Frontage) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional (see above for combination with other signs) | Side street or building facade facing parking lot | — | §275-54D(3) |
| Directory Sign (Single or Group use) | — | Per market use: two allowed, may be wall or freestanding, 1 per frontage | — | — | 1 directory per group of establishments (or 2 if corner/parking, or market use) | On property as per use entryways/frontages | — | §275-54D(4), §275-48D |

## Prohibited signs in New Hope Borough

- Any sign that states or implies that a property may be used for a nonpermitted use.
- Any sign that flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates.
- Any animated signs, movable message signs or signs with internally generated messages or symbols; no sign shall consist of any moving, rotating, or otherwise animated part or message.
- Any sign that is animated or illuminated by the use of neon or any form of exposed tubes or bulbs, including LED displays.
- Any novelty sign, including objects, unless the novelty object or item is part of a sign that otherwise complies with this chapter and represents 20% or less of the total sign area.
- Any roof sign, i.e., any sign placed above the roofline of a flat roof or the lowest point of eaves of a sloping or mansard roof.
- Any sign placed or maintained so as to interfere with any electric light, power, telephone or cable wires or their supports.
- Any banner sign (cloth, plastic, or other flexible material), except for a temporary sign approved by Borough Council to identify a Borough, community, public service, or other special event.
- Any suspended or attached pennant or spinner which spins or blows in the wind.
- Any portable sign of any kind, including signs on wheels.
- Any vehicle or trailer parked to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has signs or advertising devices for the purpose of providing advertisement or directing people to a business or activity.
- Any sign nailed or attached to a tree, utility pole, streetlight pole, street identification sign, another sign, mailbox, fence, rock or natural feature, traffic signal device, or other regulatory device.
- Any changeable copy sign.
- Temporary signs or spectacular displays which are not readily measurable for compliance with sign size or area limitations are considered temporary structures or uses and must comply with Article IV, § 275-22D.
- Signs which, due to their size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination, may be confused with traffic control signs or signals, including signs containing words such as 'stop', 'look', or 'danger'.
- Signs erected at or near street intersections in a way that materially obstructs vision.
- Signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in a dilapidated or hazardous condition, are required to be repaired or removed.
- Abandoned signs.
- Signs placed on benches bearing advertising matter.
- Snipe signs or any sign made of any material when tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, or other objects, and the advertising matter is not applicable to the premises on which such sign is located.
- Any off-premises sign, except as specifically allowed by § 275-53.
- Any electronic message center (EMC).
- No sign or part of a sign may extend above the eaves of a sloping roof or the roofline of a flat roof.
- No sign or portion of any sign shall project into or over a cartway.
- No overhanging and projecting signs shall be less than 7.5 feet above any walkway.
- No sign shall be located or arranged so that it interferes with traffic through glare or blocking of sight lines of streets, sidewalks, or driveways, or conflicts with a traffic control device by color, location, shape, or any other characteristic.
- No sign shall violate corner visibility restrictions.
- No sign shall be erected that contains information which states or implies a property may be used for a non-permitted use.
- No person shall use any part of any sidewalk for the placement of signs unless approved in advance by the Borough Council.
- No sign shall be located along a highway right-of-way unless it also complies with all state or federal requirements.

## Signs exempt from permit in New Hope Borough

- Street signs: official highway street name, directional, or traffic signs erected in accordance with the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
- No trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet, indicating the prohibition or control of fishing, hunting, trespassing, etc., or indicating a private road.
- Residential identification signs not exceeding two square feet and five feet in height, bearing only the property number, street address, or names of occupants/dwelling; not illuminated.
- Governmental flag or insignia; flags flown by local, state, or federal governments are permitted; other flags must not exceed six feet by 10 feet, on poles no higher than 25 feet, and must meet the Flag Code.
- Legal notices.
- Information or public service signs indicating hours of operation, public telephone, or directions, provided sign area does not exceed one square foot and a maximum of two per property.
- Cornerstones.
- Temporary professional signs for mechanics, contractors, architects or realtors, permitted only during work or sale/lease duration, not exceeding six square feet, one sign per professional, maximum four per property, no illumination.
- Temporary window signs inside a window for sales, grand openings, new products or services, not exceeding four square feet, displayed for no more than 15 days; applicant must inform Zoning Officer of timing.
- Yard sale signs on-site, not exceeding four square feet, up for duration of sale but not longer than five days, no more than two per year per property, one sign only, no illumination.
- Official and governmental signs including safety signs; signs indicating points of interest, historical plaques, public parks or recreation facilities; and signs identifying official Borough buildings or facilities (may be illuminated).
- Decorative flags—containing no lettering, advertising, company/business logos, or business names; maximum size two feet by three feet, hung 7.5 feet above walkways.
- Political signs: temporary signs advertising political parties or candidates, erected by property owner or authorized agent with permission, not exceeding six square feet, not erected earlier than 60 days before an election, must be removed within 10 days after, no illumination, no permit or approval required. Placement within right-of-way, public alley, sidewalk, or public place is prohibited.
- Activity signs for community groups and special events (temporary civic, social, community, or fund-raising activities): not exceeding 24 square feet, one per property, posted no earlier than 14 days before event and removed within two days after; written permission from property owners and the Borough Council required, allowed only as part of a permitted temporary structure or use permit and must be specifically listed and approved as part of that permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The proportional allocation of total allowable sign area among various tenants in a building is the responsibility of the building owner or designee; each tenant may select a sign option but must not exceed their assigned proportional area.
- The Zoning Officer provides applications for sign permits and describes required submission materials, including drawings and construction information.
- A zoning permit is required for all signs over two square feet before erection, placement, construction or alteration; multiple signs totaling over two square feet require separate permits.
- All new signs (except exempt signs) require individual sign permits and must meet all chapter regulations.
- No sign permit or HARB approval is required for exempt signs.
- In the Historic District, a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Borough Council is required for signs visible from a public right-of-way; a sign permit application is to be reviewed by HARB prior to sign permit issuance if a new sign-mounting device is proposed.
- Off-premises signs are permitted only upon special exception approval, and only one off-premises sign is allowed per lot.
- For activity signs for community groups and special events, written permission from property owners and the Borough Council is required, and the signs must be specifically listed and approved as part of the associated temporary structure or use permit.

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

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