# Sign Regulations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/philadelphia
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-294054)

## At a glance

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania regulates 42 sign types across 26 zoning districts. Wall/Projecting/Marquee Sign (Lots Facing One Street Line)s in the IRMX and ICMX zoning district are capped at Lower of roof line or second-floor window sill tall and 3 sq ft per linear ft (Sec. Table 14-904-1 (IRMX/ICMX)). Most commercial signs in Philadelphia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (26 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | ≤ 7 ft (except clearance signs) | ≤ 55 sq ft per menu board sign | — |
| RSD-1/2/3, RSA-1/2/3, RTA-1, RTA-2, RMX-1/2 | 3 | 7 ft | 15 sq ft per lot frontage | — |
| RSA-4/5/6 and RM-1 | 3 | 7 ft | 15 sq ft per lot frontage | — |
| RM-2/3/4 and RMX-3 | 3 | 7 ft | 24 sq ft per lot frontage | — |
| CMX-1 | 4 | Lower of roof line or second-floor window sill | 1 sq ft per linear ft (applies to wall and projecting combined) | — |
| CMX-2 and CMX-2.5 | 4 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft total | — |
| CMX-3 | 4 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face; up to 2 faces | — |
| CMX-4/5 | 3 | Bottom edge must be at least 150 ft high; wall building ID signs shall not extend above roof line; roof building ID signs prohibited | 50 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| CA-1 | 3 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft per face; up to 2 faces | — |
| CA-2 | 3 | 40 ft | 150 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| IRMX and ICMX | 5 | Bottom edge must be at least 150 ft high; wall building ID signs shall not extend above roof line; roof building ID signs prohibited | 100 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| I-1 | 3 | Bottom edge must be at least 150 ft high; wall building ID signs shall not extend above roof line; roof building ID signs prohibited | 100 sq ft per lot frontage | — |
| Medium Industrial (I-2) | 3 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| Heavy Industrial (I-3) | 3 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| Port Industrial (I-P) | 3 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — |
| SP-CIV | 1 | Bottom edge must be at least 150 ft high; wall building ID signs shall not extend above roof line; roof building ID signs prohibited | — | — |
| Market Street East Advertising District | 9 | Top edge ≤ 90 ft above street level (except pre-1950 higher top edge signs on same building limited to no greater size/height) | Per sign face ≤ 1,600 sq ft; aggregate ≤ 24 × Market Street frontage | — |
| 1900 Market Street Digital Display Sign Regulations | 1 | Top edge ≤ 50 ft above street level; vertical dimension of active display ≤ 3.5 ft | Per frontage: ≤ 3.5 sq ft per 1 linear ft | — |
| Cobbs Creek Parkway Area | 2 | — | — | — |
| Roosevelt Boulevard Area | 1 | — | — | — |
| Fairmount Park | 2 | — | — | — |
| Cobbs Creek Park | 1 | — | — | — |
| Department of Parks and Recreation Land | 1 | — | — | — |
| I-95 Acquisition Corridor | 1 | Total sign height subject to relocation rules; must not exceed existing sign’s dimensions at application; face ≤ 30 ft high; bottom edge/overall height per § 14-905(5) unless otherwise compliant | ≤ 1,200 sq ft per face; height of sign face ≤ 30 ft; length ≤ 60 ft (inclusive of border/trim; excluding base/apron/supports) | — |
| State Road | 1 | ≤ 55 ft total height; bottom of sign face ≤ 25 ft above road elevation of nearest I-95 lane | ≤ 1,200 sq ft (single-faced) | — |
| Magee Avenue | 1 | ≤ 86 ft | Each face ≤ 1,200 sq ft (double-faced) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 26 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awnings/Canopies and Marquee Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Must comply with Section 11-603; external lighting permissible under awnings only if directed toward area beneath the awning | — | § 14-904(1)(a); § 14-904(1)(d); Charter § 4-606; § 11-603 |
| Animated Illumination - Accessory Signs (General Rule) | — | — | — | — | — | Prohibited within 200 ft of any intersection of two or more streets; prohibited within 150 ft of a residential district or facing any residential district within 300 ft | — | § 14-904(1)(b) |
| Directional Sign | ≤ 7 ft (except clearance signs) | Total sign area ≤ 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 14-904(1)(c); § 14-903(2)(c) |
| Extension of Signs over Public Rights-of-Way | Clear height conditions govern allowable projection | — | When lowest part < 8 ft above ROW: ≤ 6 in; between 8 and 10 ft: ≤ 2 ft; > 10 ft above sidewalk: ≤ 4 ft or ≤ 2/3 sidewalk width (whichever is less) | — | — | Any portion of a sign extending over a public right-of-way | — | § 14-904(1)(d)(.2) and (.3) |
| Menu Board Sign (Drive-Through) | — | ≤ 55 sq ft per menu board sign | — | — | Up to 2 | On site of take-out restaurant with drive-through service | — | § 14-904(1)(d.1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | Projection from facade ≤ 4 ft (except where otherwise provided, e.g., CMX-4/5 limit 24 in over ROW) | — | — | Attached to building facade | — | § 14-904(1)(e); § 14-904(1)(d) |
| Wall Sign (General Height Limit) | Must not extend above roof line or second floor window sill, whichever is lower | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | § 14-904(1)(h) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | Max 2 windows or 2 doors or 1 window + 1 door | Within window or transparent glass door | — | § 14-904(1)(i); § 14-903(2)(b) |

### IRMX and ICMX

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall/Projecting/Marquee Sign (Lots Facing One Street Line) | Lower of roof line or second-floor window sill | 3 sq ft per linear ft | — | — | N/A | On building wall or projecting/marquee | — | Table 14-904-1 (IRMX/ICMX) |
| Wall/Projecting/Marquee Sign (Lots Facing More Than One Street Line – Short Side) | Lower of roof line or second-floor window sill | 3 sq ft per linear ft (short side); 2 sq ft per linear ft (long side) | — | — | N/A | On building wall or projecting/marquee | — | Table 14-904-1 (IRMX/ICMX) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face; up to 4 faces | — | — | 1 per lot frontage | On lot | — | Table 14-904-1 (IRMX/ICMX) |
| Building Identification Sign (Additional Allowance) | Bottom edge must be at least 150 ft high; wall building ID signs shall not extend above roof line; roof building ID signs prohibited | — | — | — | 1 building identification sign per facade | On each building facade | — | § 14-904(3)(a)-(d) |
| Wall/Projecting/Marquee Sign (Lots Facing More Than One Street Line – Short/Long Sides) | Lower of roof line or second-floor window sill | Short side 3; Long side 2 sq ft per lin. ft. | — | — | N/A | On building wall or as projecting/marquee | — | Table 14-904-1 (IRMX/ICMX) |

### Market Street East Advertising District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Top edge ≤ 90 ft above street level (except pre-1950 higher top edge signs on same building limited to no greater size/height) | Per sign face ≤ 1,600 sq ft; aggregate ≤ 24 × Market Street frontage | — | — | — | Within Market Street East Advertising District and within 100 ft north/south of Market Street lot line (with specific bridge exception) | — | § 14-906(2)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign | Top/bottom edges must not create an angle > 60° with vertical wall nor be perpendicular to wall | — | Max projection onto public ROW: ≤ 3 ft for first 15 ft of building height or ≤ 5 ft for building heights > 15 ft | — | — | Attached to building; projecting over public ROW within District | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.2) |
| Accessory Freestanding Sign | Subject to underlying district Table 14-904-1 limits | Subject to underlying district Table 14-904-1 limits | — | — | — | On lot within District | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.3) |
| Building Identification Sign (Market Street East) | Subject to § 14-904(3) (bottom edge ≥ 150 ft; wall ID signs not above roof; roof ID prohibited) | — | — | — | — | On building facade(s) within District | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.4); § 14-904(3) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | Per § 14-904(1)(g)(.1) | — | — | — | Within the District | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.5); § 14-904(1)(g)(.1) |
| Roof Sign (Pre-1950 Building Roof Sign Allowed) | No greater height than pre-1950 roof sign on same building | No greater size than pre-1950 roof sign on same building | — | — | — | On roof of building with pre-1950 roof sign history | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.6) |
| Signs with Animated Illumination / Mechanical Motion / Digital Displays | Top edge ≤ 90 ft (except specific pre-1950 allowance) | Included in aggregate cap; per-face ≤ 1,600 sq ft | — | — | — | Within the District | — | § 14-906(3)(a)(.7); § 14-906(3)(b)-(e) |
| Accessory Digital News Ticker | Top edge ≤ 50 ft above street level | — | — | — | — | Any public street frontage of property within District | — | § 14-906(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Philadelphia

- No person may erect a sign, allow the continued placement of a sign, or convert a sign to a different type without first obtaining a zoning permit from L&I, unless exempted by §14-903(2) or §14-903(3).
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts. (§14-904(1)(f))
- Animated illumination is prohibited within 200 feet of any intersection of two or more streets. (§14-904(1)(b)(.2))
- Animated illumination is prohibited within 150 feet of a residential district or facing any residential district within 300 feet of the sign. (§14-904(1)(b)(.3))
- Directional signs may not use animated illumination or mechanical movement. (§14-904(1)(c)(.4))
- Wall signs may not extend above the roof line or the second-floor window sill of a structure, whichever is lower. (§14-904(1)(h))
- Where permanent signage accounts for 100% of the maximum permitted sign area on a site, temporary signs are prohibited. (§14-904(1)(g)(.2)(.a))
- No portion of a sign may extend over a public right-of-way beyond specified limits (6 in. if lowest part is <8 ft high; 2 ft if between 8–10 ft; 4 ft or two‑thirds of sidewalk width, whichever is less, if >10 ft above sidewalk). (§14-904(1)(d)(.3))

## Signs exempt from permit in Philadelphia

- Window signs that comply with §14-904(1)(i) may be placed without a zoning permit, but must conform to the Zoning Code. (§14-903(2)(b))
- Directional signs required by state or federal law may be erected or placed without a zoning permit, but must conform to the Zoning Code. (§14-903(2)(c))
- One temporary sign per street frontage not exceeding 6 sq. ft. per face in Residential districts or 12 sq. ft. per face in Commercial, Industrial, or Special Purpose districts may be erected or placed without a zoning permit, but must conform to the Zoning Code. (§14-903(2)(d))
- Any sign within a premises that is not located and designed to be viewed by the public outside the premises (including interior signs >18 in. from any window/door or at >45° from the plane of such openings) may be placed without a zoning permit, but must conform to the Zoning Code. (§14-903(2)(e))
- Video or digital displays with a screen area of less than 1 sq. ft. on permitted structures or equipment and designed to be viewed only by an individual obtaining services or goods (e.g., fuel pumps) may be placed without a zoning permit, but must conform to the Zoning Code. (§14-903(2)(f))
- Changing sign content (including commercial to non‑commercial messages), without structural or electrical additions or changes, does not require a zoning permit and need not conform to the Zoning Code (subject to §14-305(8)(b)). Special Effects added to a non‑accessory sign are considered a content change that does not require a zoning permit. (§14-903(3)(a))
- Customary maintenance of any sign does not require a zoning permit and need not conform to the Zoning Code (subject to §14-305(8)(b)). (§14-903(3)(b))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided sections.
- Approval and variance processes referenced in the Sign Regulation Applicability Decision Tree are located in Chapter 14‑300 (Administration and Procedures). (§14-902(3))
- Revolving signs (non‑accessory) require approval through the Zoning Board special exception process. (§14-905(7)(c))
- Building identification signs with animated illumination require special exception approval. (§14-904(3)(d))
- Building identification signs in CMX‑4, CMX‑5, IRMX, ICMX, I‑1, and SP‑CIV districts in excess of Table 14‑904‑1 require Art Commission approval and must meet specific criteria. (§14-904(3))
- Any portion of a sign extending over a public right‑of‑way requires Art Commission approval. (§14-904(1)(d)(.2))
- For signs within Cobbs Creek Parkway, Roosevelt Boulevard, Fairmount Park/Cobbs Creek Park areas, or on land under DPR jurisdiction, L&I will only issue a zoning permit if the sign complies with the Zoning Code, complies with DPR regulations, and has Art Commission approval. (§14-904(4)(b))
- In the Market Street East Advertising District, L&I shall not issue a zoning permit until the Commission has reviewed the sign plans and determined the sign structure design is appropriate; signs with animated illumination/mechanical motion/digital displays require a licensed professional traffic engineer’s safety documentation. (§14-906(3)(a)(.7), §14-906(3)(d))
- In the 1900 Market Street Digital Display area, applicants must submit documentation by a licensed professional traffic engineer to the Streets Department demonstrating the sign will not create a safety hazard. (§14-907(3)(h))

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

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