# Sign Regulations in Penn Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Penn Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/penn-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/27440642#27440642)

## At a glance

Penn Township, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at No more than 50% above building facade; must maintain at least 17 ft above street tall and 150 sq ft, with a Min 2 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. §190-707C(3)). Most commercial signs in Penn Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 25 | No more than 50% above building facade; must maintain at least 17 ft above street | 150 sq ft | — |
| Single-family residential | 1 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Multiple-family residential | 2 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Residential subdivision | 1 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Nonresidential building or use in a residential zone, Nonresidential uses in residential districts | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 2 | 8 ft | 24 sq ft each, 48 sq ft aggregate per entrance | — |
| Development Complexes (Shopping Centers, Planned Industrial Parks, Multi-unit Business or Retail Centers) | 2 | 8 ft standard; monument type up to 50% of standard | 2 per entrance: 24 sq ft each, 48 sq ft aggregate; monument type alternative: 2 per property, up to 50% of height/area each, minimum 100 ft spacing | — |
| IC District | 1 | 40 ft above surface of roadway | 450 sq ft per sign face | — |
| R District | 2 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate (Multiple-family residential; Nonresidential use in residential area); 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate (subdivision entrance) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Single Residential Lot) | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property for sale | — | §190-707B(1)(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Subdivision Entrance) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At subdivision entrance | — | §190-707B(1)(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Commercial/Industrial Building) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §190-707B(1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Vacant Land <=10 acres) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §190-707B(1)(d) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (Vacant Land >10 acres) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §190-707B(1)(d) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Subdivision/Multi-Residential Lots) | 15 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | One per entrance or on one lot to be built upon | — | §190-707B(2)(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction (Commercial/Industrial Project <=5 Acres) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | One per street front | — | §190-707B(2)(d) |
| Projecting Sign | No more than 50% above building facade; must maintain at least 17 ft above street | 150 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | In lieu of freestanding sign, along street frontage with public entrance | — | §190-707C(3) |

### Multiple-family residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per complex | On building | — | Table 700A |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 2 per entrance | Entrances to complex | — | Table 700C; §190-709F |

### Nonresidential building or use in a residential zone, Nonresidential uses in residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 25 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 1 | On building | — | Table 700A |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft each, 30 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 2 per entrance | Entrance to site | — | Table 700C |

## Prohibited signs in Penn Township

- No sign shall be erected that does not conform to this article, the International Building Code, or any other ordinance or regulation within this jurisdiction.
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of the right-of-way of any street, unless specifically authorized.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at an intersection or driveway to obstruct vision or interfere with/obstruct/confuse any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or obstruct/interfere with a driver's view of approaching or intersecting traffic are prohibited.
- Signs which blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in a fashion that simulates traffic safety signs/lights or vehicle warnings are prohibited.
- Banner signs are prohibited except as specified for nonprofit/special events.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Any sign attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on property is prohibited unless the primary purpose of the vehicle/trailer is not display of signs, signs do not break silhouette, and the vehicle is operable and used for business.
- Vehicles and trailers cannot be used primarily as static displays or as storage/shelter/distribution points for public commercial products/services.
- Balloons, dirigibles, streamers, pinwheels, or inflatable devices are prohibited except when displayed temporarily as part of a limited-duration event (maximum five days).
- All off-premises signs are prohibited except as otherwise permitted by this chapter or higher-level governmental authority.
- Animated signs, changeable signs, and electronic message centers may only be used to advertise activities/goods/services available onsite, or for public service messages.
- Animated signs and related electronic media cannot have continuously scrolling messages and must display messages for at least 10 seconds.
- Animated signs, electronic changeable signs, and electronic message centers cannot exceed 40% of total allowable square footage of signage for any site.
- Only one animated sign or electronic message center is allowed per multitenant building/complex and cannot exceed 50% of total allowable square footage for the site.
- Signs projecting over streets or vehicular access must meet minimum clearance requirements.
- Signs, architectural projections, or sign structures cannot be erected insecurely or left in unsafe condition.
- Obsolete sign copy (advertising activities no longer conducted on the property) must be removed or covered within 30 days of notification.

## Signs exempt from permit in Penn Township

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, commonwealth, or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs, and building cornerstones when cut/carved into masonry or made of noncombustible material and integral to the building.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution (such as a school).
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate/street address signs, as provided for in Chapter 150, Article III of the Township Code.
- Noncommercial signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All landlord or single-owner-controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes (e.g., shopping centers, planned industrial parks, or multi-unit business/retail centers) must submit a master sign plan to the Code Official before issuance of any new sign permit. The master sign plan must address proposed sign locations, materials, illumination, design, size, quantity, and uniform standards for nonbusiness signage.
- All applications for sign permits within a multiple-occupancy development complex must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Any change to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) of the development complex before becoming effective.

## 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 9 zoning districts in Penn Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Penn+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-penn-township

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