# Sign Regulations in Perkiomen Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Perkiomen Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/perkiomen-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/36268245#36268245)

## At a glance

Perkiomen Township, Pennsylvania regulates 45 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Off-Premises Advertising Sign (IN only)s in the LI Light Industrial District, IN Industrial District zoning district are capped at 20 feet (width), 18 feet (height of copy area), minimum 4 feet clearance from ground tall, 100 square feet (total copy area), and 20 feet (structure width) wide, with a 75 ft from ROW or 100 ft from property line; 500 ft from nearest off-premises sign or school/religious institution setback (Sec. §310-90A). Most commercial signs in Perkiomen Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 15 feet | 35 square feet per side | — |
| R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, R-5 Residential District, ER Elderly Residential District, OSR Open Space Residential Overlay District | 2 | — | 35 square feet | — |
| VCR-1 District, VCR-2 District, Village Commercial Residential Districts (VCR-1, VCR-2) | 15 | 12 feet above highest grade on which it is placed | 70 square feet | — |
| Institutional Overlay District | 2 | 10 feet (if freestanding) | 35 square feet | — |
| CR Commercial Retail District | 7 | 25 feet | 350 square feet | — |
| LI Light Industrial District, IN Industrial District | 8 | 20 feet (width), 18 feet (height of copy area), minimum 4 feet clearance from ground | 100 square feet (total copy area) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trespassing/Private Ownership Sign | — | 4 square feet per side | — | — | — | On the same premises with property | — | §310-83B(1) |
| Construction Sign | 15 feet | 35 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises where project is being performed | — | §310-83B(5) |
| Directional Subdivision Sign (Off-premises) | — | 6 square feet per side | — | — | 3 maximum per development | Off-premises, at intervals of ≥500 feet of street frontage | — | §310-83B(3) |
| Temporary Contractor/Artisan Sign | — | 6 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property | On premises where work is being performed | — | §310-83B(4) |
| Personal Expression Sign (Freestanding, Wall, or Window) | 6 feet (if freestanding) | 6 square feet | — | Not within right-of-way or clear sight triangle | — | On private property (not within right-of-way or clear sight triangle) | — | §310-83B(21) |
| Open House Sign (On-Premises) | — | 4 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per property line | On property line of street frontage | — | §310-83B(7)(a), (e) |
| Open House Sign (Off-Premises Directional) | 6 feet | 4 square feet per side | — | — | 4 max per home/development | Off-premises, with property owner permission, not in right-of-way | — | §310-83B(7)(a)-(e) |
| Special Event Sign (Off-premises) | 6 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | — | Off-premises, permission required from property owner | — | §310-83C(1)(c) |

### VCR-1 District, VCR-2 District, Village Commercial Residential Districts (VCR-1, VCR-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business/Identification Sign | — | 35 square feet (nonresidential); 16 square feet (real estate) | — | — | 1 per street frontage (plus 1 for price at gas stations) | One per street frontage | — | §310-86C(1), §310-87D |
| Awning Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage per nonresidential use, includes all wall signs) | — | — | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(a), §310-87A |
| Identification Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage) | — | — | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(b), §310-87A |
| Marquee Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage) | — | — | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(c), §310-87A |
| Painted Wall Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage) Projecting sign: max projection 7 feet, min clearance 10 feet from sidewalk, cannot be closer than 5 ft from curb, cannot be within 5 feet of property line | — | — | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(d), §310-87A, F, G, H |
| Parallel Wall Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage) | — | — | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(e), §310-87A |
| Projecting Wall Sign | — | 35 square feet (total signage) Projecting sign max projection: 7 feet Min clearance: 10 ft from sidewalk Min setback: 5 ft from curb/property line | — | Min 5 ft from curb and property line | 1 per building side facing street/parking lot | Per building side facing street/parking lot | — | §310-86C(2)(g), §310-87A, E, F, G, H |
| Directory Sign (Building Mounted) | — | 24 square feet (building mounted), 3 square feet per tenant sign | — | — | 1 per building (directory plus tenant signs) | On building for multiple tenant buildings | — | §310-86C(4), §310-87C(1) |

### LI Light Industrial District, IN Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business/Identification Sign | — | 35 square feet (nonresidential); 32 square feet (real estate); 36 square feet (gas price sign) | — | — | 1 per street frontage (+1 price sign if gas) | One per street frontage | — | §310-86C(1), §310-87D, §310-83B(2)(a)[3] |
| Wall Sign (Awning, Identification, Marquee, Painted, Parallel, Projecting) | — | 35 square feet (total signage per nonresidential use); Projecting: cannot project more than 7 ft, must have clearance of 10 ft from sidewalk, minimum setback 5 ft from curb/property line | — | Min 5 ft from curb/property line (projecting) | 1 per building side | One per building side facing street or parking lot | — | §310-86C(2), §310-87A–G |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On window facing public street | — | §310-86C(2)(f), §310-87B |
| Directory Sign (Building or Freestanding at Development Entrance) | Entrance sign: 12 ft | Building mounted: 24 sq ft (3 sq ft per tenant); Entrance: 70 sq ft | — | — | — | On building for tenants or at entrance for multi-building centers | — | §310-87C |
| Temporary Sign - Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 at a time | — | — | §310-87I(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event Sign, Banner, or Commemorative Flag | — | — | — | — | 1 at a time | — | — | §310-87I(2) |
| Electronic Sign | — | 35 square feet | — | — | 1 per premises | On property; nonresidential use | — | §310-84B, §310-84C, §310-86C(5) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (IN only) | 20 feet (width), 18 feet (height of copy area), minimum 4 feet clearance from ground | 100 square feet (total copy area) | 20 feet (structure width) | 75 ft from ROW or 100 ft from property line; 500 ft from nearest off-premises sign or school/religious institution | — | 75 feet from right-of-way or 100 feet from property line | — | §310-90A |

## Prohibited signs in Perkiomen Township

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Flashing, moving, or reflective signs are prohibited unless permitted as an electronic sign elsewhere.
- Illuminated temporary signs are prohibited.
- Revolving signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall endanger traffic by obscuring clear view or by confusion with official street signs or signals.
- No sign, other than official municipal street or directional signs, street banner signs, or political signs, shall be erected or maintained within the legal street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained to prevent free ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
- No signs shall be placed on utility poles.
- No freestanding sign can occupy a designated parking area or intended parking area, walkway, cartway, driveway or area designated for any other use.
- The addition of any electronic sign to any nonconforming sign is prohibited.
- No more than one electronic sign is permitted per premises, regardless of number of signs permitted or the number of uses.
- Electronic signs may not contain animation or any flashing, scrolling, or moving lights, text or graphics, or any type of video.
- The Township may remove or require the removal and demolition of signs that are hazardous, erected without permit, nonconforming, or prohibited.
- A sign may not be placed in the right-of-way of a road or street or on any property without permission of the owner.

## Signs exempt from permit in Perkiomen Township

- The following signs are exempt from permit (though must otherwise comply with regulations and size limits):
- Trespassing signs and signs indicating private ownership of roadways or other property on the same premises, not exceeding four square feet.
- Real estate signs for advertising sale or rental of the premises, within size limits by district.
- Temporary advertising signs for sale or development of homes within a subdivision, within size and number limits.
- Directional subdivision signs (off-premises) meeting size, number, and timing requirements with property owner permission.
- Temporary contractor, mechanic, painter, and artisan signs on the premises where work is performed, within size and number limits.
- Construction signs (meeting size, height, number, and timing limits).
- Signs for sale of agricultural products by the owner/occupant, within size limit.
- Open house signs (on- and off-premises) within size, number, and timing limits; off-premises signs must have property owner permission.
- Auction signs for public disposal of property or merchandise, within size, height, timing, and location limits.
- Political signs, posted within 45 days before the election and removed within seven days after.
- Government signs, official street and traffic signs, and any signs required by law.
- Incidental signs for public convenience and safety, not exceeding three square feet, with no advertising.
- Incidental signs not exceeding four square feet; excess area counts toward permitted sign area.
- Legal notices.
- Public monument, plaque, or historical identification sign erected by a government agency.
- Government flag, insignia, or decorative banners.
- Address signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Nameplates/identification signs, not exceeding two square feet and three-inch character height.
- Vending machine signs where product name is integral to machine.
- Home security signs, not exceeding one square foot.
- Yard sale signs, not exceeding four square feet.
- Personal expression signs (freestanding, wall, or window only), not exceeding six square feet and six feet in height for freestanding, not illuminated or placed within legal right-of-way or sight triangle.
- Nonconforming signs possessing documented historic value, unique architectural value, or where a change of owner occurs but business name is retained, are exempt from provisions requiring removal/modification (per §310-81G).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for all signs unless expressly exempted in §310-83B.
- Permit applications must be submitted to the Township and require payment of a fee.
- The Zoning Officer may refer incomplete applications back to the applicant.
- To determine the legal status of an existing sign (for cases where a nonconforming sign is proposed to be altered, abandoned, or where the property undergoes a change of use), applicants must submit detailed sign information to the Zoning Officer.
- A zoning permit is required in order to replace a nonconforming sign that was destroyed or partially destroyed.
- Sign permit review may result in approval, denial, or a request for more information by the Zoning Officer.
- For freestanding directory signs (for multiple buildings), a sign plan showing locations and compliance with dimensional standards may be required (as inferred from dimensional standards sections §310-87C and general permit processes).
- For electronic signs, after installation the contractor must provide Township with certification of compliance with ordinance provisions (§310-84C(8)).
- Conditional use approval and compliance with the ordinance are needed for electronic and off-premises advertising signs in some districts.

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

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