# Sign Regulations in Penndel Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Penndel Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/penndel-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14501847#14501847)

## At a glance

Penndel Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 39 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Electronic Message Sign (EMS) – Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Same as sign type/location tall and 70% of permitted sign area for sign type/location (Sec. §405-40B(17)). Most commercial signs in Penndel Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 25 ft from curbline; or 4 ft above roof of one-story building | 70% of permitted sign area for sign type/location | — |
| Residential Districts | 16 | 6 ft (except at corners) | 200 sq inches | — |
| RC Retail Commercial, SC Service Commercial, MB Metropolitan Business, P Professional Districts | 6 | 12 ft | 70% of permitted sign area for sign type/location | — |
| Industrial Districts | 4 | 14 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Open Recreation Districts | 3 | May not extend above fence | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flashing Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §405-40B(1) |
| Neon Sign | — | 4 sq ft for 'Open' or 'Closed' sign only | — | — | 1 | — | — | §405-40B(1) |
| Freestanding Roof Sign | 25 ft from curbline; or 4 ft above roof of one-story building | — | — | — | — | Business districts only | — | §405-40B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (general construction requirements) | — | Requires special foundation if 12 sq ft or larger | — | — | — | Not in parking areas, walkways, cartways, driveways, or designated use areas | — | §405-40B(4) |
| Ground Sign (general) | — | — | — | — | — | Must not interfere with driveway sight lines | — | §405-40B(13) |
| Temporary Illuminated Sign | — | — | — | 50 ft from road R-O-W | — | Not within 50 ft of existing or future road right-of-way | — | §405-40B(14) |
| Awnings (with signs on valances) | — | — | — | — | — | Sign only allowed on awning valance | — | §405-40B(15)-(16) |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) – General | Same as sign type/location | 70% of permitted sign area for sign type/location | — | — | 1 per property | Only in commercial, professional, and industrial districts | — | §405-40B(17) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Convenience/Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(1) |
| Name and Address Identification Sign | — | 200 sq inches | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(3) |
| Home Occupation/Accessory Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(4) |
| Nonresidential Use Identification Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(5) |
| Nonconforming Use Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(6) |
| For Sale/Sold/Rental Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(7) |
| Builder/Developer Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(8) |
| Mechanic/Artisan Temporary Sign | — | Total 24 sq ft (all such signs together) | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §405-41A(9) |

### RC Retail Commercial, SC Service Commercial, MB Metropolitan Business, P Professional Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs Permitted in Residential Districts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §405-42A(1) |
| Parallel Sign | — | 1 sq ft per foot of wall length | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §405-42A(2) |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property per street frontage | On-premises only | — | §405-42A(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §405-42A(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises only | — | §405-42A(5) |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | Same as sign type/location | 70% of permitted sign area for sign type/location | — | — | 1 per property | On-premises or off-premises (see §405-42A(6); §405-42B(1)) | — | §405-42A(6), §405-42B(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Penndel Borough

- Flashing signs or lights, revolving signs, festoon lighting, nonstationary signs, and advertising signs (except as provided under § 405-41B) are not permitted in any district.
- Neon signs are not permitted except for one small "Open" and "Closed" sign, not to exceed four square feet in area.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 10 feet from the intersection of any street lines or the intersection of a street line and the edge of a private accessway.
- No sign shall interfere with traffic through glare, block reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks, or driveways, or create confusion with traffic control devices by reason of color, location, shape, or other characteristic.
- No sign shall violate corner visibility restrictions.
- No signs shall overhang any walkway or public right-of-way except as allowed in § 405-23G.
- No freestanding sign can occupy a designated parking area, walkway, cartway, driveway, or area designated for any other use.
- Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by the Borough, at the expense of the owner or lessee, after 30 days' notification.
- Signs existing at the time of passage of this chapter which do not conform to requirements may not be replaced unless with a conforming sign once removed for repair, replacement, or any other reason.
- No other signs than those erected by a duly constituted governmental body shall be permitted within street lines, except this provision is waived for parallel signs in areas where no front yard setback is available.
- No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located closer to any lot line than 1/2 the required yard for the district (except in a business district, where it may be 3 feet).
- Any vehicle to which a sign is affixed such that the carrying of the sign becomes the primary purpose is subject to the provisions regarding freestanding signs.
- Signs affixed with adhesive are prohibited.
- Ground signs must not interfere with driveway sight lines.
- Temporary illuminated signs are not permitted within 50 feet of any existing or future road right-of-way.
- Signs on awnings are only allowed on the valance.
- Backlit awnings are prohibited.
- Any electronic message sign (EMS) containing animation, streaming video, or text or images which flash, pulsate, move, or scroll is prohibited. Each message must fit on one screen.
- Conversion of a permitted nondigital sign to an EMS requires a permit.
- Addition of any EMS to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Penndel Borough

- Signs erected by a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, are allowed within street lines.
- Flags representing governmental, educational, or religious organizations.
- Signs necessary for the direction, regulation, and control of traffic; street name signs; legal notices; warnings at railroad crossings; and other official signs authorized or erected by a governmental body.
- One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign displaying only the name and address of the occupant of a premises, not exceeding 200 square inches.
- Signs displayed strictly for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public, such as those identifying restrooms, telephone booths, parking area entrances or exits, or freight entrances, provided each does not exceed four square feet.
- One nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated sign for home occupations or accessory offices, indicating only names and occupations, up to two square feet.
- Nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated memorial or historical signs or tablets.
- Signs announcing "no trespassing" or those indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, not exceeding four square feet.
- Temporary nonilluminated signs of mechanics or artisans while work is being performed on the premises, subject to area and removal requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require the issuance of a sign permit before erection or replacement (§ 405-40B(7), § 405-45A).
- Applications for sign permits must be accompanied by drawings of the proposed work, drawn to scale, showing structural details (§ 405-45C).
- Conversion of a permitted nondigital sign to an electronic message sign (EMS) requires permit issuance (§ 405-40B(17)(g)).
- Application for sign permit must be submitted in writing to the Zoning Officer and include full names and addresses of applicant, owner, and installer, plus affidavits authorizing the application (§ 405-45B).

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

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