# Sign Regulations in North Braddock Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Braddock Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/north-braddock-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

North Braddock Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 19 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument Sign)s in the UA Urban Agriculture District, R-A Low Density Residential District, R-B Traditional Residential District, R-C High Density Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 15 sq. ft., with a 20 ft. minimum setback setback (Sec. § 155.104, Table; § 155.105(C)). Most commercial signs in North Braddock Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UA Urban Agriculture District, R-A Low Density Residential District, R-B Traditional Residential District, R-C High Density Residential District | 6 | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — |
| NC Neighborhood Mixed Use Commercial District, LC Limited Mixed Use Commercial District | 7 | Top of first floor or 15 ft., whichever is less | 50 sq. ft.; 70 sq. ft. total for corner lots | — |
| VC Vehicle Oriented Commercial District, General Commercial District, M Manufacturing District, OU Other Uses District | 9 | 20 ft. | 50 sq. ft.; 70 sq. ft. total on corner lots | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 8 ft. | 35% of surface area of transparent portion of window/door | — |

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

### UA Urban Agriculture District, R-A Low Density Residential District, R-B Traditional Residential District, R-C High Density Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument Sign) | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft. minimum setback | 1 | Only permitted if principal use is a non-residential use | — | § 155.104, Table; § 155.105(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Pylon Sign) | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | 20 ft. minimum setback | 1 | Only permitted if principal use is a non-residential use | — | § 155.104, Table; § 155.105(C) |
| Wall Sign | Main cornice of the building | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Only permitted if principal use is a non-residential use | — | § 155.104, Table; § 155.105(C) |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. minimum setback | 1 | Only permitted if principal use is a non-residential use | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Only permitted if principal use is a non-residential use | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. minimum setback | — | — | — | § 155.104, Table |

### VC Vehicle Oriented Commercial District, General Commercial District, M Manufacturing District, OU Other Uses District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Main cornice of the building | 50 sq. ft.; 70 sq. ft. total on corner lots | — | — | 2 | — | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Ground or Monument Sign) | 20 ft. | 35 sq. ft. (may be increased by 20% to max. 42 sq. ft. if sign is 7 ft or less in height) | — | Setback equal to sign height | 2 | — | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole or Pylon Sign) | 20 ft. | 35 sq. ft. (may be increased by 20% to max. 42 sq. ft. if sign is 7 ft or less in height) | — | Setback equal to sign height | 2 | — | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Projecting Sign | Top of first floor or 15 ft., whichever is less | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Shall not extend into adjacent street right-of-way | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. minimum setback | 2 | — | — | § 155.104, Table |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 | — | — | § 155.104, Table |
| A-Frame or Sandwich Board Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk immediately in front of the business during hours of operation. 5 ft. of clear pedestrian passage must be maintained | — | § 155.104, Table; § 155.106(F) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign | — | — | — | — | — | M Manufacturing District only, as a conditional use. | — | § 155.104, Table |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Zones) | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. min. from street right-of-way and property lines | 1 (plus extra if lot abuts multiple streets) | On property being advertised | — | § 155.100(B)(1)(a) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Zones) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. min. from street right-of-way and property lines | 1 (plus extra if lot abuts multiple streets) | On property being advertised | — | § 155.100(B)(1)(b) |
| Construction Site Identification Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On site during period of construction | — | § 155.100(B)(2) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 35% of surface area of transparent portion of window/door | — | — | — | Interior of window or glass door | — | § 155.100(B)(3) |
| Bulletin Board or Institutional Sign | — | 15 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft. min. to property line | 1 | On property of church, school, community or other public or semi-public institution | — | § 155.100(B)(4) |
| Temporary Sign by Mechanics, Painters, or Artisans | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On property where work is being performed | — | § 155.100(B)(5) |
| General Temporary Sign (all types) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 155.100(B)(6) |
| Residential Sign (customary for residential use) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | § 155.099(A) |

## Prohibited signs in North Braddock Borough

- It is unlawful to erect any sign or string any banner over and across public streets or highways without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Borough Secretary.
- No sign shall be erected in the borough that obstructs the sight-triangle distance at an intersection along a public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected that tends by its location, color, shape, message, or nature to be confused with or obstruct the view of traffic signs or traffic signals by motorists or pedestrians.
- No sign shall use admonitions such as stop, go, slow, danger, and the like, which might be confused with traffic signals.
- No sign may be located so that it interferes with the view necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets or private roads.
- Signs that revolve or are animated or that utilize movement or apparent movement to attract public attention are prohibited, except for signs indicating the time, date or weather conditions.
- No sign may be erected so that by its location, color, size, shape, nature, or message it would tend to obstruct the view of or be confused with official traffic signs or other signs erected by governmental agencies.
- No sign attached to a building may project outward more than 12 inches from the building wall, except for projecting signs.
- No sign or supporting structure may be located in or over any public right-of-way, except for specified exceptions (public/governmental signs, bus stop signs, public utility information, emergency warnings, projecting signs as permitted).
- Any signs erected in violation of public right-of-way provisions may be deemed a hazard and removed without notice at cost to the owner.
- No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor is permitted.
- No sign shall be erected containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted in the zoning district.
- Signs, other than municipal, county or state signs or official traffic-control devices, shall not be erected within or overhang any approved site easements, nor shall any sign be located so as to constitute a traffic hazard.
- Advertising signs, except temporary real estate signs and legally nonconforming business signs, shall not be permitted in any residential district.
- Signs, where permitted, must be erected or placed in conformity with the side and rear yard requirements of the district in which they are located.
- No sign may contain or be illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights or lights of changing degrees of intensity, except for time, date, or weather conditions.
- Illuminated signs in residential districts are generally prohibited, except for signs integral to vending machines and certain notification signs.
- Signs that use lighting directed toward the sign must be shielded so as not to shine directly into public rights-of-way or residential premises.
- Signs may not be abandoned; abandoned signs must be removed within 180 days.
- Freestanding signs must be securely fastened to the ground or supportive structure.
- Electronic changeable copy signs are limited to specific size and message change frequency requirements.
- A-frame or sandwich board signs have restrictions on placement and require clear pedestrian passage and insurance.
- No sign may be erected or maintained in violation of any other applicable borough, state, or federal regulations.
- Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and may be penalized as such.
- Nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, added to, or replaced by another nonconforming sign, use, or structure, except interchange of poster panels.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Braddock Borough

- One residential sign not exceeding two square feet in area that is customarily associated with residential use.
- Signs erected on behalf of or pursuant to the authorization of a government body, including legal notices, identification and informational signs, and traffic, directional or regulatory signs.
- Official signs of a noncommercial nature erected by public utilities.
- Flags or insignia of any governmental or nonprofit organization when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic on public property that do not exceed four square feet in area each.
- Displays, including lighting, erected in connection with the observance of holidays, provided such signs are removed within 15 days following the holiday.
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation, or ordinance.
- Any sign inside a structure not attached to a window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message.
- Memorial signs or tablets denoting the date of erection of a building.
- Auction, garage, or yard sale signs provided they do not exceed five square feet, are removed as soon as the event occurs, are not erected more than seven days prior, and are only at the event site.
- Signs and banners erected by a governmental body or under its direction.
- Temporary event signs and banners announcing a nonprofit event of a civic organization for noncommercial purposes, not exceeding 32 square feet, displayed no more than 30 days prior to and three days after the event.
- Political signs announcing candidates seeking public office.
- No trespassing or no hunting signs, not exceeding two square feet, with no limitation on number or placement.
- Real estate for sale/lease/rent signs (with specified area, placement, and removal requirements in §155.100).
- Construction site identification signs (within area and duration limits as per §155.100).
- Signs attached temporarily to the interior of a building window or glass door not exceeding coverage or duration limits.
- Bulletin boards and signs for churches, schools, community/public/semipublic institutions within area and placement limits.
- Temporary signs for mechanics, painters, artisans, with area and duration limits.
- Temporary signs on a lot for no more than three 30-day periods in any calendar year.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications for the erection, structural repair, or alteration of any sign must be accompanied by a scaled drawing showing the proposed design, size, character, color of letters/symbols, method of illumination, exact location, and construction details/specifications.
- A separate permit is generally required for the erection, structural repair or alteration of any regulated sign, unless specifically exempted.
- For A-frame or sandwich board signs placed on public sidewalks, a certificate of insurance naming the borough as an additional insured must be provided, and permits must be renewed annually from the date of issue.
- Conditional uses, such as off-premises advertising signs and electronic billboards, may require distinct review or approval processes beyond standard permits.
- No direct reference to a comprehensive master sign plan, but detailed permit application materials (including site-specific details) are required for approval.
- If structural alterations to a nonconforming structure exceed 100 square feet, the Planning Commission will review and recommend to Council if a variance or modification is needed due to undue hardship.

## 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 North Braddock Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=North+Braddock+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-north-braddock-borough

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