# Sign Regulations in Pennsbury Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsbury Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/pennsbury-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/13081431#13081431)

## At a glance

Pennsbury Township, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Off-site Billboards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 35 feet tall, 200 square feet (10'x20'), and 20 feet wide, with a Setback is minimum front yard per HC for billboards setback (Sec. §162-2104F). Most commercial signs in Pennsbury Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 35 feet | 200 square feet (10'x20') | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5), Mobile Home Park Zoning District (MHP), Village Residential Zoning District (VR) | 11 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Village Commercial District (VC) | 4 | See General Regulations (Freestanding/Ground: Freestanding max 12 ft, Ground max 6 ft) | 26 square feet (all signs combined) | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC), Light Industrial District (LI), Multi-Use District (MU) | 10 | 35 feet | 200 square feet (10x20ft); only in HC | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | See district-specific limits | — | Must not be within or over any street right-of-way (§162-2103A(2)) | One per lot or development | Must not be placed to obstruct clear sight triangles or over right-of-way; not closer to a residence than allowed for commercial uses; see §162-2103A | — | §162-2104A |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet above grade | See district-specific limits | — | Must comply with right-of-way restrictions | One per lot or development | Must be permanently placed/anchored; must not be within or over right-of-way | — | §162-2104B |
| Projecting Sign | Max 15 feet above grade over sidewalk; max 20 feet above drive/parking area | See district-specific limits | — | — | Number per lot: see district-specific limits | Mounted on building; not attached where canopy/marquee/awning sign exists | — | §162-2104C |
| Wall Sign | Cannot extend above parapet, bottom roof line, or bottom gable roof line | See district-specific limits | — | — | See district | Affixed to building wall (front façade where possible) | — | §162-2104D |
| Canopy/Marquee/Awning Sign | Lowest edge at least 8 feet above grade | See district-specific limits | — | — | See district | Mounted on canopy, marquee, or awning | — | §162-2104E |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 square feet per lot, business, or use | — | — | See limitation per lot/use | On lot where event/sale occurs (see district applicability) | — | §162-2104G |
| Off-site Billboard | 35 feet | 200 square feet (10'x20') | 20 feet | Setback is minimum front yard per HC for billboards | One per lot | Not closer than the minimum HC front yard; Highway Commercial only | — | §162-2104F |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Part of overall temporary sign area per lot | On-lot; see rules | — | §162-2104G(7) |

### Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5), Mobile Home Park Zoning District (MHP), Village Residential Zoning District (VR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Accessory Use or Nameplate Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per permitted use or dwelling unit | On dwelling/property | — | §162-2105B |
| Identification Sign (Residential developments/farms/estates/etc.) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to public road | — | §162-2105C |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises, or 1 per frontage if multiple | On premises for sale or rent | — | §162-2105D |
| Land Development Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to public road | — | §162-2105E |
| Artisan Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per contractor per premises | On premises where work is done | — | §162-2105G |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Church/School/Institution) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | §162-2105H |
| Business Sign (Farm Sales) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 2 per premises | On premises | — | §162-2105J |
| On-site Directional Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | Min 20 feet from intersection | — | At least 20 feet from street intersection | — | §162-2105K |

### Highway Commercial District (HC), Light Industrial District (LI), Multi-Use District (MU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises (per frontage if multi-frontage) | On premises for sale or rent | — | §162-2107B |
| Business Sign - Single Use Site: Freestanding or Ground | See General (Freestanding 12 ft, Ground 6 ft) | 32 square feet (all signs combined) | — | See General | 2 (1 freestanding/ground + 1 building-mounted) | On premises, single and separate ownership | — | §162-2107C(1) |
| Unified Development - Freestanding/Ground Directory Sign | See General Rules | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to unified development (such as shopping center) | — | §162-2107C(2)(a) |
| Unified Development - Building-mounted Sign (Single Tenant) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per tenant | On building (entry/parking side) | — | §162-2107C(2)(b)[1] |
| Unified Development - Directory Sign (Multiple Tenants, Common Entrance) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | On building (entry/parking side) | — | §162-2107C(2)(b)[2] |
| Unified Development - Directory and Nameplate Signs (Multiple Common Entrances) | — | 20 square feet (directory); 2 square feet (additional nameplate at other entrances) | — | — | 1 directory + nameplates as needed | Main entrance (directory) and other entrances (nameplates) | — | §162-2107C(2)(b)[3] |
| Unified Development - Building-mounted Sign (Each Tenant with Own Entrance) | — | 20 square feet per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant | On tenant's frontage | — | §162-2107C(2)(b)[4] |
| Off-site Billboard | 35 feet | 200 square feet (10x20ft); only in HC | 20 feet | Setback per min front yard of HC; must be on 30,000 sq ft lot | 1 per lot | On a lot in HC meeting requirements for billboards | — | §162-2107D, §162-2104F |

## Prohibited signs in Pennsbury Township

- No outdoor advertising device may be erected within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the rights-of-way of Routes 52 and 100.
- No outdoor advertising device more than 660 feet from the nearest edge of the rights-of-way may be visible from the main-traveled way of Routes 52 and 100 if the purpose is for its message to be read from the main-traveled way, except as specifically exempted.
- Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree or rock or other natural feature, unless approved by the Board of Supervisors, is prohibited.
- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter is prohibited.
- Roof signs of any size are prohibited.
- Digital, electronically changing message, or flashing signs are prohibited.
- Internal illumination of signs is prohibited.
- Portable or mobile signs of any type or size (e.g., signs on trailers or wheels) are prohibited, except as allowed for temporary signs under specific conditions.
- Signs affixed to or painted on a vehicle or trailer and parked at a specific location for the purpose of conveying a commercial message are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except for an off-site billboard permitted in the HC Zoning District and temporary signs.
- No sign shall be placed close enough to any intersection to impact the clear sight triangle or to obstruct clear and free vision of traffic control signals or signs.
- No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall be located within or extend into or over any street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be higher than permitted by the chapter or protrude above the building height as defined in the district.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained to create a safety hazard or obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- The outdoor storage of vehicles on a property shall not be used as a sign for a business, home occupation, or any other use.
- No vehicle with business advertising on its exterior shall park in a location visible from a public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pennsbury Township

- The official signs and notices required or authorized by law and conforming to national standards promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation (23 U.S.C. § 131) are exempt.
- Outdoor advertising devices advertising the sale or lease of the real property upon which they are located, provided they conform to the Township Code sign regulations, are exempt.
- Outdoor advertising devices advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located, provided they conform to the Township Code sign regulations, are exempt.
- Directional signs, such as those pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions, and other points of interest to the traveling public that conform to national standards (23 U.S.C. § 131) are exempt.
- All outdoor advertising devices constructed and existing on the effective date of the ordinance which would be prohibited are permitted to remain, unless not used for advertising for one year or become dilapidated.
- The following signs are allowed without a permit or fee: official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other official federal, state, county, or Township signs; signs in residential districts six square feet or less in area; artisan signs; real estate signs; political signs (subject to time and size limits).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by detailed plans, drawings, specifications, and other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer, showing size, location, illumination, color, material, and information included on the proposed sign(s).
- Proposed signs located within the boundaries of the Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark Planning Area, Fairville Village Historic District, Route 1 Corridor Overlay District, or on or within 100 feet of a historic resource shall be reviewed by the Historical Commission and Planning Commission for their comments regarding sign design.
- All application for sign permits must be accompanied by the property owner's written consent if the property owner is not the sign owner.

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

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