Sign Regulations in Penn Township York, Pennsylvania
Penn Township York, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 37 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Home Occupation, Trespassing, Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Sign Regulation Overview for Penn Township York, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Penn Township York
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Sign Area (Lot Cap) | — | Lot cap applies in addition to sign-type-specific limits | — |
| Secondary Sign (Rear/Side/Service Area) | — | ≤ 60% of primary front sign | — |
| Shopping Center/Plaza/Business Park Identification (Pole or Ground) | — | Standard type limits apply plus 10% bonus when criteria met | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
37
- Home Occupation
- Trespassing
- Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans
- Identification and Information – Churches, Schools, Nonprofit
- +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 Township York
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Penn Township York 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 Township York, 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 Township York, regulated sign types include Home Occupation, Trespassing, Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans, Identification and Information – Churches, Schools, Nonprofit, 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 Township York 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 Township York are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Penn Township York has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Penn Township York, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Penn Township York, Pennsylvania regulates 37 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Signs – General Rules in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per the same freestanding heights as permanent sign-types applicable to the zone/use tall and Per the same size limits as permanent sign-types applicable to the zone/use, with a General 10-ft setback from street line applies unless specific sign type allows closer placement and never within ROW setback (Sec. Article 3, Temporary Signs, items 1–8 and footnote). Most commercial signs in Penn Township York require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Penn Township York, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Penn Township York (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 23 | ≤ 25 ft (measured from ground at base to highest point) | ≤ 300 sq ft per face; total surface display area per face ≤ 300 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones (R-8, R-15, R-22, R-40, R-C) | 11 | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| AO | 11 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft (total all signs) | — |
| HB | 11 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft (total all signs) | — |
| SC | 11 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft (total all signs) | — |
| Industrial Zones (I) | 12 | ≤ 25 ft | ≤ 300 sq ft per face | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Penn Township York(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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Billboard – General Standards | ≤ 25 ft (measured from ground at base to highest point) | ≤ 300 sq ft per face; total surface display area per face ≤ 300 sq ft | — | ≥ 25 ft from road/street ROW | — | Not within 1,000 ft of any interchange, under/overpass, bridge, tunnel, or street intersection; ≥ 25 ft from any road or street ROW line; not within 1,000-ft circumference of listed sensitive uses; not permitted where residentially zoned land lies between sign and roadway toward which oriented; not on/over public property, ROWs, easements, utility poles, trees/rocks; not on/above roofs; not where it shades/obscures adjacent windows/doorways | — | Unlock | Article 2, General Sign Regulations – Off-Premises Billboards (A–Q) |
| Temporary Signs – General Rules | Per the same freestanding heights as permanent sign-types applicable to the zone/use | Per the same size limits as permanent sign-types applicable to the zone/use | — | General 10-ft setback from street line applies unless specific sign type allows closer placement and never within ROW | 1 per street frontage per 200 ft of street frontage | Permanent sign-type location rules; not on township road signs or utility poles or in public ROWs | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs, items 1–8 and footnote |
| Temporary – Proposed Residential Development | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies; not in ROW | — | Where residential use is permitted | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table; and item 4 (removal timing) |
| Temporary – Construction Projects (HB, I, A/O, S/C) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | — | H/B, I, A/O, and S/C zones | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table (“Construction Projects”) |
| Temporary – Proposed Industrial/Commercial Development | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | — | Where industrial/commercial use is permitted | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table; and item 4 (removal timing, non-residential development) |
| Temporary – Political | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | — | Any Zone | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table (“Political”) |
| Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | 1 per parcel while work is being performed | Any Zone, while performing work on the premises | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table (“Work Sign … Artisans … while performing work on the premises”); also non-residential provisions list |
| Home Occupation | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | 1 per parcel (see zone-specific sections) | Any Zone | — | Unlock | Article 3, Location of Permanent Signs – Table (“Home Occupation”) |
Residential Zones (R-8, R-15, R-22, R-40, R-C)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Identification Sign (Residential Zones) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Business |
| Model Home | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Model Home |
| Identification and Information – Churches, Schools, Nonprofit | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per parcel | On each parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Identification and Information |
| Permanent Identification – Apartment/Subdivision/Multi-Family Development | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per entrance | At each entrance where the use is allowed | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Permanent Identification |
| Sale of Agricultural Products (R-40 and R-C only) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per parcel | On the parcel (R-40 and R-C only) | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Sale of Agricultural Products |
| Home Occupation | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Home Occupation |
| Trespassing | 6 ft | 2 sq ft per sign | — | General location rules apply | 1 per 100 ft of property line | Along property lines | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in Residential Zones – Trespassing |
| Temporary – Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | General 10-ft setback applies | 1 per parcel during work | While performing work on premises | — | Unlock | Article 3, Temporary Signs – Table (“Work Sign … Artisans …”) |
Industrial Zones (I)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Identification Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft from street line; outside ROW | See drive-in and other use rules | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Business |
| Business Identification Sign – Other Uses | ≤ 20 ft | Per zone limits (≤ 100 sq ft) | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per street frontage per occupancy + 1 additional per 200 ft of frontage or major fraction | On each street frontage of the lot | — | Unlock | Article 3, A/O, H/B, S/C, Industrial – Additional Provisions (2) and (3) |
| Advertising (Billboard) | ≤ 25 ft | ≤ 300 sq ft per face | — | ≥ 25 ft from road/street ROW; meet district yard requirements | 1 billboard permitted in the Industrial district (Article 3 text) | Industrial district only; per Off-Premises Billboard siting constraints | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Advertising (Billboard) (Industrial only); Article 2, Off-Premises Billboards (A–Q) |
| Identification and Information – Churches, Schools, Nonprofit | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per parcel | On each parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Identification and Information |
| Permanent Identification – Apartment/Subdivision/Multi-Family Development | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per entrance | At each entrance where the use is allowed | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Permanent Identification |
| Work Sign of Builders/Painters/Artisans | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Work Signs |
| Sale of Agricultural Products | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Sale of Agricultural Products (S/C, H/B, I) |
| Home Occupation | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | General setbacks apply | 1 per parcel | On the parcel | — | Unlock | Article 3, Permanent Signs in A/O, S/C, H/B and Industrial Zones – Home Occupation |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Penn Township York — 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 Township York — start freeProhibited Signs in Penn Township York
- No sign may block or prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; no sign may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign may be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- No sign may be erected within the legal right-of-way of any street or sidewalk or closer than 10 feet to a street line (single-family dwelling real estate signs may be set closer than 10 feet for proper view but never within the right-of-way).
- Sign illumination may not be of a flashing, intermittent, or moving type.
- Floodlighting must be shielded and aimed so the light source is not visible from any point off the lot and only the sign/building/structure is directly illuminated; floodlighting that spills off the sign is prohibited.
- Vehicles shall not be parked in public view in any district when the purpose is to serve as a sign or advertisement.
- Vehicles with business signs parked in a residential district must be garaged or screened from street view unless moved at least three times per week or the owner/repairman is actively engaged in authorized work at that location.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Flashing, rotating, or revolving signs are prohibited, except barbershop poles, rotating billboard message panels, and video billboards.
- Signs suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights are prohibited.
- Signs suspended between poles consisting of pennants or spinners are prohibited.
- Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree, rock, or other natural feature is prohibited.
- Signs attached to utility poles are prohibited.
- Any banner sign or sign of any other type across a public street is prohibited.
- Any sign containing information that states or implies a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs using traffic-related words or characters (e.g., stop, look, danger) or that interfere with or resemble official traffic control signs, signals, or devices are prohibited 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 (except official traffic control signals) are prohibited within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device, whichever is greater.
- A truck or other vehicle not used for normal day-to-day operations of a business or not regularly moved for business-related purposes may not be used as a sign.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except billboards and directory signs.
- Signs are not allowed on township road signs, utility poles, or in public rights-of-way.
Exempt Signs in Penn Township York
- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional signs, and other official government (federal, state, county, or township) signs.
- Directional information or public service signs (e.g., restrooms, telephone, nonprofit meeting times/places) that do not significantly advertise commercial establishments except public utilities; directional and information signs within commercial establishments for safety/convenience; maximum area 4 square feet.
- Public interest signs or signs indicating private nature of a road, driveway, or premises; signs prohibiting or controlling hunting or fishing; signs indicating ownership of property; maximum area 1 square foot.
- Signs displaying name and address of the occupant of the premises; maximum area 1 square foot; not more than one per property per street frontage.
- Government flags or insignias not exceeding 80 square feet.
- Government signs (general).
- Window signs indicating store hours or names of credit institutions; total area not to exceed 2 square feet.
- Vending machine signs bearing the brand name of the product being sold or the price of such product.
- Memorial signs or historical tablets; maximum area 4 square feet.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure (e.g., cornerstone, identifying letters carved/embossed) provided the letters are not reflective and do not contrast in color with the building.
- Revolving barbershop pole sign not exceeding 36 inches in height.
- Signs advertising the variety of crop growing in a field; must be removed after the growing season.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Penn Township York
- No master sign plan or multi-tenant sign plan requirement is stated in the ordinance.
- A sign permit is required before erecting any sign unless specifically exempted; temporary signs also require registration and a permit.
- Permit applications must include detailed sign and site information and are processed by the Zoning Officer within 10 business days; no variance meeting requirement is specified for standard signs.
- A 10% sign area bonus is available for pole or ground signs identifying a shopping center, plaza, or business park if all exterior wall signs within the complex use uniform background and lettering (uniformity encouraged, but no formal sign plan requirement is specified).
Source: other municipal code