Sign Regulations in Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania
Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use), Freestanding Sign (2-3 Principal Uses). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Penn Forest Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directional or Incidental Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
| Government or Emergency Sign | 8 ft (exempt sign restriction) | — | — |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft (if exempt) | 1.5 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Penn Forest TownshipFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
26
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use)
- Freestanding Sign (2-3 Principal Uses)
- Freestanding Sign (4-10 Principal Uses)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Penn Forest Township
Municipal Code2 permit application links available
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Penn Forest 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 Penn Forest Township, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Penn Forest Township, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use), Freestanding Sign (2-3 Principal Uses), Freestanding Sign (4-10 Principal Uses), 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 Penn Forest 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 Penn Forest Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Penn Forest Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use)s in the Commercial District (C-1) zoning district are capped at 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft from ROW; exception for Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft. setback (Sec. §240-58B(1)(a), §240-58B(5)). Most commercial signs in Penn Forest Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Penn Forest Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Penn Forest Township (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft (exempt sign restriction) | 24 sq ft (if for business/institution) | — |
| Commercial District (C-1) | 13 | 40 ft | Up to 300 sq ft; >50 sq ft requires special exception | — |
| Residential District | 3 | 16 ft | 32 sq ft (for one principal use), up to 50 sq ft (2-3 uses), 70 sq ft (4-10 uses), 100 sq ft (11+ uses) per lot per street (as per §240-58B, but see height) | — |
| Business District | 6 | 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater, else 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District | 5 | 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater, else 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Resort Complex | 5 | 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater, else 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Penn Forest Township(sample of 3 of 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directional or Incidental Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | Not in public right-of-way. At entrances/exits/locations as required for wayfinding. | — | Unlock | §240-57B(3), §240-58D |
| Identification Sign | 8 ft (if exempt) | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling or business | Per dwelling or business; on-premises only. | — | Unlock | §240-57B(7) |
| No Trespassing/Warning Sign | 8 ft (if exempt) | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property boundaries or locations as required. | — | Unlock | §240-57B(8) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per sale | With permission of property owner. | — | Unlock | §240-57M |
| Temporary Political Sign | Residential: 5 ft; Other districts: 10 ft | In residential district: 6 sq ft per side; in other districts: 16 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per candidate per lot per street frontage | Not on public property, rights-of-way, utility poles, or trees. On private property with owner's permission. | — | Unlock | §240-57J(1)-(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 6 sq ft for residential lot; 16 sq ft for other property | — | — | 1 per street | On the lot for sale or lease. | — | Unlock | §240-57K |
| Contractor/Construction Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft per contractor; may combine up to 18 sq ft for 3+ contractors | — | — | 1 per contractor | On property where contractor is working. | — | Unlock | §240-57L |
| Open House/Auction Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 3 per event | — | — | Unlock | §240-57N |
Commercial District (C-1)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW; exception for Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft. | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(a), §240-58B(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (2-3 Principal Uses) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW; no setback from ROW of Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (4-10 Principal Uses) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 70 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW; no setback from ROW of Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (11 or More Principal Uses) | 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater, else 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW; no setback from ROW of Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(d), §240-58B(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Auto Sales/Movie Theaters) | 30 ft if 100 sq ft or larger; else 20 ft | 120 sq ft (either new motor vehicle sales - 2 or more manufacturers, up to 3 signs totaling 120 sq ft, or 3 or more movie theaters) | — | 5 ft from ROW; no setback from ROW of Route 903 if ROW ≥60 ft | Up to 3 (auto sales only); 1 otherwise | — | — | Unlock | §240-58B(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Additional - Detached Buildings) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft (additional sign if 2+ detached principal buildings w/ different commercial establishments) | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 additional | See formula | — | Unlock | §240-58B(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Gasoline Price) | — | 24 sq ft (for gasoline prices) | — | — | 1 per lot with gasoline sales | In addition to other sign area on lots with gasoline sales. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(4) |
| Off-premises Sign (Billboard) | 40 ft | Up to 300 sq ft; >50 sq ft requires special exception | — | Same as principal building in C-1; illuminated/>50 sq ft: 500 ft from dwelling, 1,000 ft from another sign >50 sq ft. | — | Only in C-1 District. | — | Unlock | §240-59A-D |
Business District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of building wall area | — | — | — | On building wall (not facing residential district unless separated by street); includes awning and roof signs. | — | Unlock | §240-58A |
| Freestanding Sign (One Principal Use) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(a), §240-58B(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (2-3 Principal Uses) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (4-10 Principal Uses) | 20 ft (standard), 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater | 70 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (11 or More Principal Uses) | 30 ft if sign area is 100 sq ft or greater, else 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per lot per abutting street | One per lot per abutting street. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(1)(d), §240-58B(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per principal business | In front of principal business. | — | Unlock | §240-58B(8) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Penn Forest 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 6 zones for Penn Forest Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Penn Forest Township
- A sign shall only be erected, placed, constructed, painted or created if it conforms with the regulations of this article and other requirements of this chapter. All other signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on a public sidewalk or curb, except as may specifically be allowed in § 240-58.
- Inflatable objects of more than 50 cubic feet that are attached to the ground or a structure.
- Signs which flash, revolve, rotate, swing or otherwise move, except for flashing holiday lights not used for advertising.
- Animated signs (as defined in § 240-55).
- Portable signs, except as specifically permitted by § 240-58.
- Signs that project into a public right-of-way.
- Signs totaling more than five square feet per side on a vehicle or trailer parked for 30 days or more in one spot in a location readable from a public street.
- Signs on utility poles, rocks or trees, except for signs placed by the owner of the utility pole and no-trespassing/no-hunting signs.
- Signs which imitate, interfere with, or obstruct the view of traffic control signals and signs.
- Signs which emit sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke.
- Signs attached to a support outside of the permitted sign area.
- Mirrors as part of a sign.
- Types of roof signs that are prohibited by § 240-57E.
- Signs that are not specifically listed as allowed.
- Temporary political signs are prohibited on public property, rights-of-way of public streets, utility poles, and trees (§ 240-57J).
- Political signs are prohibited on private property without the owner's permission.
- Temporary political signs are prohibited within five feet of the edge of the paved surface of any road or street.
- Temporary political signs are prohibited along any road or street where they would obstruct clear sight distance of traffic.
Exempt Signs in Penn Forest Township
- Signs for established civic nonprofit organizations or places of worship to direct persons to their location or meeting place, with a maximum of two signs per organization or place of worship and each sign having a maximum sign area of three square feet and not exceeding a height of eight feet, and not illuminated.
- Signs that cannot be read from any street and from any lot line.
- Directional or incidental signs with a maximum sign area of four square feet per sign (maximum of two at each vehicle entrance, max height of five feet).
- An individual sign of less than 120 square inches in sign area.
- Government or emergency signs or signs stating speed limits or warning of a speed bump.
- Flags of a level of government. In addition, one flag with a maximum sign area of 24 square feet may identify a business/institution or indicate that a business is 'open.'
- One identification sign per dwelling or business, each with a maximum sign area of 1.5 square feet, to identify the occupant and/or address.
- Signs restricting trespassing, hunting, fishing, and similar activities, with maximum four square feet per sign.
- Signs erected around athletic fields sponsored by nonprofit youth sports organizations, intended for spectators and not exceeding 32 square feet per sign.
- Religious symbols that do not include any advertising.
- On-premises signs integral to a commercial vending machine, provided vending machine is allowed.
- Temporary real estate or contractor/construction signs per § 240-57.
- Alterations to signs not increasing size, height, location, or causing violation of the chapter.
- A sign permit is not needed for a simple change of the message or sign face, provided size and lighting type does not change.
- Window signs: Temporary window signs for businesses are not regulated (§ 240-57F).
- Purely decorative banners and flags without a commercial message are not regulated (§ 240-57G(1)).
- Standard-sized regulatory signs (such as stop signs) and street name signs placed within developments by homeowners’ associations do not require a zoning permit or fee when used internally within the development (§ 240-58D).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Penn Forest Township
- Permit required: A zoning permit shall be required for every sign, except for types of signs that are exempted from permit requirements by this article (§ 240-56A).
- The zoning permit application requirements must show locations of buildings, lot lines, streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, and all types, heights, sizes, and locations of existing and proposed signs, and lighting type (§ 240-56B).
- It is requested that a development involving multiple uses and/or lots include a master sign plan that identifies the location, size, and type of various signs (§ 240-58E).
- Permit is NOT required for exempt signs listed in § 240-57B or for temporary real estate or contractor/construction signs, or simple message/face changes not affecting sign size or lighting (§ 240-56A, § 240-57K, § 240-57L, § 240-57N, § 240-57S).
Source: ecode360 municipal code