# Sign Regulations in Phoenixville Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Phoenixville Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/phoenixville-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14088681#14088681)

## At a glance

Phoenixville Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Downtown Historic District zoning district are capped at 12 ft (standard); 22 ft (shopping centers) tall and 50 sq ft (standard); 80 sq ft (structure); up to 150 sq ft (sign), 230 sq ft (structure) for shopping centers ≥ 150,000 sq ft GLA, with a 8 ft+ from ROW; 12 ft+ from curbline; 25 ft+ from side lines; 75 ft+ from residential districts unless not possible. setback (Sec. §27-606.4A(6)). Most commercial signs in Phoenixville Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Historic District | 10 | 20 ft from grade | 50 sq ft (standard); 80 sq ft (structure); up to 150 sq ft (sign), 230 sq ft (structure) for shopping centers ≥ 150,000 sq ft GLA | — |
| Corridor Development District | 1 | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — |
| Town Center District | 1 | 4 ft | 10 sq ft or size of sign it replaces | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | — | ≤40% of total window area | — |

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

### Downtown Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One double-faced or two single-face signs | At entrance to subdivision or land development. | — | §27-606.4A(4) |
| Fascia Sign | 2 ft | — | — | — | — | Mounted on building facade with 8 ft clearance from sidewalk; not above eaves/parapet. | — | §27-606.4A(5) |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft (standard); 22 ft (shopping centers) | 50 sq ft (standard); 80 sq ft (structure); up to 150 sq ft (sign), 230 sq ft (structure) for shopping centers ≥ 150,000 sq ft GLA | — | 8 ft+ from ROW; 12 ft+ from curbline; 25 ft+ from side lines; 75 ft+ from residential districts unless not possible. | One per frontage | Min 8 ft setback from ROW or 12 ft from curb, whichever greater; 25 ft from side lines; 75 ft from res. district if possible. | — | §27-606.4A(6) |
| Hanging Shingle Sign | 12 ft (top above sidewalk), minimum 8 ft clearance from sidewalk | 6 sq ft (≤40 ft building); 0.15 sq ft/linear ft (>40 ft building) | — | — | — | Mounted where it will not damage or obscure historic features. | — | §27-606.4A(7) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | One per permitted use (or per frontage) | On dwelling unit or frontage. | — | §27-606.4A(8) |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft from grade | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building/structure | One per building/structure with ≥40 linear feet frontage; min 8 ft vertical clearance, not above eaves/parapet. | — | §27-606.4A(9) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall; see note for calculation if 'square' sign desired. | — | §27-606.4A(10) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | ≤20% of total storefront glassed area, ≤50% of single pane | — | — | — | On window; must not have painted background; must not obstruct view into building. | — | §27-606.4A(11) |

### Corridor Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Display Sign (Non-municipal) | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 10–35 ft from ROW; min 15 ft from neighbor boundary | One per lot | Setback 10–35 ft from lot boundary with public ROW/street, min 15 ft from neighbor boundary. | — | §27-606.4B(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-606.5A |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On premises | — | §27-606.5B |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | On premises | — | §27-606.5B |
| Temporary Development Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per project | — | — | §27-606.5C |
| Temporary Artisan/Mechanic Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-606.5D |
| Temporary Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-606.5E |
| Temporary Event/Directional Banner or Sandwich Board | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-606.5F |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | ≤40% of total window area | — | — | 2 per window | Within window, commercial uses only | — | §27-606.5G |

## Prohibited signs in Phoenixville Borough

- No sign, handbill, flyer, poster or banner shall be posted or sign erected on any lamppost, public utility pole, shade tree or any public building, property or structure, except as may be permitted by law or by an issued license.
- No bill or sign having an adhesive backing shall be posted or erected on any surface; all such written materials posted or erected shall be tied on; the use of nails or staples is strictly prohibited.
- No warning sign or barricade erected by Borough authorities or authorized persons may be destroyed, removed, defaced, obliterated, or covered up.
- No sign may be erected within or project into the present or future right-of-way of any street, except for official Borough-installed banner signs, highway or traffic signs.
- No sign shall be erected or installed in such a way as to block or obstruct any exit or entrance (including emergency exits or entrances) of any building/structure; nor shall any sign obstruct or interfere with or be attached to any fire escape or fire tower.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained on any property owned by the Borough, except with express permission of Borough Council at a public meeting.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will be a danger to traffic on a street or traffic entering a street.
- No sign shall obstruct the sight distance from any vehicle leaving the driveway (minimum setback from driveway: 10 feet).
- No sign shall obscure a motorist's or pedestrian's view of traffic signals, stop signs, warning devices, roadways or intersections (view required from 500 feet).
- No sign shall block the movement of pedestrians traveling on public thoroughfares.
- Flashing, rotating, revolving or electronic messaging signs are prohibited, except for barber poles for barbershops.
- Suspended signs are prohibited.
- Any sign attached to a tree or utility pole, or painted or drawn on a rock or other natural feature, is prohibited (includes any method penetrating the surface of the bark of the tree).
- No sign may use the words 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'Danger,' or similar, or attempt to direct the movement of traffic or interfere with/ressemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device, within 75 feet of a public right-of-way or 200 feet of a traffic control device (whichever is greater).
- It is unlawful to erect, repair, or maintain electrical signs (any size/location), or nonelectrical signs higher than 10 feet above grade or larger than 24 square feet, without submitting a certificate of insurance for specified coverages.
- Signs on public property are prohibited unless permitted by law or by license.
- Political posters and handbills for electoral campaigning must be removed from the public right-of-way within 10 days after the primary or general election day.
- Any person who violates sign regulations or fails to secure the required license/permit is subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

## Signs exempt from permit in Phoenixville Borough

- Trespassing signs or signs indicating private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, and signs prohibiting or controlling fishing/hunting on premises (up to 2 sq ft per side) do not require a permit.
- Directional, informational, or public service signs (not advertising commercial establishments, activities, organizations, products, goods or services; max 3 sq ft per side) do not require a permit.
- Governmental flags or insignias do not require a permit.
- Legal notices do not require a permit.
- Memorial signs or historical signs up to four square feet do not require a permit.
- Window signs giving store hours, 'Open', or names of credit/charge institutions (total not to exceed 2 sq ft) do not require a permit.
- Signs that are permanent architectural features of a building or structure, such as cornerstones or identifying letters carved/embossed (not reflective or contrasting in color) do not require a permit.
- Bunting, pennants and similar materials for announcing the opening of a business/industry (must be removed after 7 days) do not require a permit.
- Revolving barbershop pole signs not exceeding 36 inches in height do not require a permit.
- Flags used as projecting signs (with restrictions on number, display, placement, size) do not require a permit.
- Temporary window signs for promotions, events, or sales (max 14 days, conditions on number and area) do not require a permit.
- Temporary sign for new owner/tenant (Store Opening) allowed for up to 45 days while HARB application is in process (must be date-stamped).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any person engaging in or carrying on the posting of handbills, erection of signs, posting of written materials or banners for advertising purposes must comply with application requirements and review standards in § 13-704, including describing in detail the items to be posted.
- Permit must be obtained from the Borough before erection of any sign unless specifically exempted.
- All proposed new signs in the Downtown Historic District must receive HARB approval prior to making or erecting the sign.
- If applicant for a shopping center land development (with at least 150,000 sq ft of gross leasable floor area) requests increased sign area/height, all signs and associated landscaping must be designed as part of an overall design by a landscape architect and/or architect.
- Temporary 'Store Opening' sign or banner is permitted as part of the standard building and occupancy permit, but separate HARB sign application must be submitted before sign erection (temporary sign allowed for maximum 45 days from date of HARB application).

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

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