Sign Regulations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Business Sign - Ground, Business Sign - Wall. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 21, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Pittsburgh
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Sign | 45 feet | 750 sq. ft. | Within buildable area as per zoning, as further restricted in section D: not within 350 feet of residential/EMI districts, parks, highways, rivers, etc. |
| Electronic Advertising Sign (New) | 45 feet | 750 sq. ft. (not exceeding 20 ft in height or 60 ft in length); subject to limitations for advertising signs. | As for advertising signs; not within 350 ft of residential/EMI, parks, rivers, tunnels, or bridges. |
| Temporary Real Estate & Political Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for PittsburghFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
15
- Projecting Sign
- Business Sign - Ground
- Business Sign - Wall
- Advertising Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
11
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Pittsburgh
Municipal Code3 permit application links available
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Pittsburgh vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Pittsburgh, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Pittsburgh, regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Business Sign - Ground, Business Sign - Wall, Advertising Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Pittsburgh vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Pittsburgh are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Pittsburgh has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Neighborhood Business Sign Districts zoning district are capped at 12 ft (8 ft East Carson) tall and 40 sq. ft. (25 sq. ft. East Carson), with a Building must be set back minimum 20 ft from property line (East Carson only). setback (Sec. 919.04B.2, 919.04C.3). Most commercial signs in Pittsburgh require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Pittsburgh (11 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS-O District (Advertising Sign Overlay District), AS-O District (Subdistrict A), UI | 2 | 45 feet | 750 sq. ft. | — |
| AS-O District (Subdistrict B), GI, UNC | 1 | 35 feet | 378 sq. ft. | — |
| HC, NDI, RIV-IMU, UC-E, RIV-GI, RIV-MU, RIV-NS, UI, GI, HC Districts, GT | 4 | 40 feet (HC, GT, etc.); 20 feet (UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.) | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| LNC, UNC, UC-MU, R-MU, CP, AP, RIV-MU, EMI | 3 | 40 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 2 | — | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| OPR, GPR, RP, OPR-A (GPR, OPR, OPR-A, RP) | 2 | 40 ft above grade | 80 sq. ft. | — |
| NDI | 2 | 45 ft, vertical max 20 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| GPR-C (Grandview Public Realm Subdistrict C) | 1 | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — |
| OPR/Oakland Public Realm (Subdistrict B), SP-4/Station Square, SP-5/South Side Works, CP/Commercial Planned Unit Development, AP/Mixed Use Planned Unit Development, GT/Golden Triangle, RIV (Riverfront), UC-MU (Urban Center - Mixed Use), UC-E (Urban Center - Employment), R-MU (Residential-Mixed Use) | 1 | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Special Signage Design District (SSDD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Neighborhood Business Sign Districts | 5 | 12 ft (8 ft East Carson) | 40 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Pittsburgh(sample of 3 of 11 zones)
HC, NDI, RIV-IMU, UC-E, RIV-GI, RIV-MU, RIV-NS, UI, GI, HC Districts, GT
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate & Political Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | Maximum two (2) per street frontage. | May be attached to building wall or as per code. Residential/LNC/UNC/UC-MU/R-MU/GT/RIV-RM/EMI: 12 sq ft, nonilluminated, one per street frontage. HC, NDI, etc.: 32 sq ft; two per frontage; may be illuminated. | — | Unlock | 919.03.F.3 |
| Business Sign - Ground | 30 feet (HC); 40 feet (UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.); 45 feet (UI, GI, NDI, RIV-GI); 150 sq ft maximum area in UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.; 200 sq ft maximum area in UI, GI and NDI, RIV-GI. | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage for properties up to 150 ft (HC), 100 ft (UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.), else spacing specified. | On zoning lot, not beyond street or lot line; located as per frontage and spacing rules. | — | Unlock | 919.03M.4 (HC); 919.03M.5 (UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.); 919.03M.6 (UI, GI, NDI, RIV-GI); 919.03M.7 (GT, RIV-NS) |
| Business Sign - Wall | 40 feet (HC, GT, etc.); 20 feet (UC-E, RIV-MU, etc.) | 2 sq.ft. per lineal foot of building wall up to 80 sq. ft. (most districts); additional per-tenant signs for multi-commercial tenants with similar formula. | — | — | See code; typically one per street frontage, with additional for multiple tenants. | On building wall; not projecting more than 4 in below 80 in above grade or 3 ft projection above that height; below specified max building heights. | — | Unlock | 919.03M.4, 919.03M.5, 919.03M.6, 919.03M.7 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — | — | Maximum one (1) per street-level business facade. | Mounted to street frontage facade of business. | — | Unlock | 919.03M.8 |
LNC, UNC, UC-MU, R-MU, CP, AP, RIV-MU, EMI
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Sign - Wall | 20 ft above grade (wall mounted, by-right); signs between 20 and 40 ft above grade by Administrator's Exception | 80 sq.ft. per sign (greater with Administrator's Exception) | — | — | One per street frontage, one additional per tenant for multitenant | On building wall, per tenant, within façade area. | — | Unlock | 919.03M.5 |
| Business Sign - Ground | 40 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage for ≤100 ft frontage; otherwise, not spaced within 100 ft. | One per street frontage for up to 100 ft frontage; otherwise, spaced at least 100 ft apart on lot. | — | Unlock | 919.03M.5 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — | — | One per street-level business, per facade | Per tenant per facade | — | Unlock | 919.03M.8 |
Neighborhood Business Sign Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | Max one per street level business, per facade. | On facade facing street; below sills of 2nd-floor windows and above frame of storefront windows (East Carson St. standards). | — | Unlock | 919.04B, 919.04C (East Carson) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% window area (max 8 sq. ft.) street level; 50% (max 10 sq. ft.) upper business | — | — | Up to two per business per applicable area. | Inside window/door | — | Unlock | 919.04B.2 |
| Ground Sign | 12 ft (8 ft East Carson) | 40 sq. ft. (25 sq. ft. East Carson) | — | Building must be set back minimum 20 ft from property line (East Carson only). | One per zoning lot. | Within buildable area of lot, used only where structure set back at least 20 ft. Not supported by separate poles, braces, etc. | — | Unlock | 919.04B.2, 919.04C.3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq. ft. per side | — | — | One per business per facade in place of ground or awning sign. | Attached to building wall; one per street-level business per facade. | — | Unlock | 919.04B.2, 919.04A.4 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business per facade in place of projecting or ground sign. | On awning; one per business per facade, in place of projecting or ground sign. | — | Unlock | 919.04B.4, 919.04B.1 |
PermitPal covers all 11 zoning districts in Pittsburgh — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 11 zones for Pittsburgh — start freeProhibited Signs in Pittsburgh
- Signs are prohibited within the right-of-way lines of all public streets, sidewalks, boulevards, highways, avenues, alleys, roads, or other public ways, including unpaved areas, unless a permit has been issued.
- Signs are prohibited on any utility poles or structures within the right-of-way lines, unless a permit has been issued.
- No sign shall imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obscure or physically interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging, or intersecting traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, painted, or maintained upon fences, trees, rocks, or similar natural features.
- No sign shall be structurally unsafe or in disrepair.
- No roof sign or sign that extends above the roof line or parapet wall is allowed.
- No building may use trademark colors, shapes, or symbols as a primary exterior architectural element.
- No sign shall be painted on a wall or on the surface of any window or door of a building or other structure until the provisions of the Code are satisfied.
- No person shall paste, paint, stamp or in any manner place, affix or attach any sign or advertisement to any building, fence, bridge, gate, or any other public or private property without the written consent of the owner or person lawfully in charge, except where posting is required or permitted by law or court order.
- No sign or sign structure or support shall be placed onto or obscure or damage any significant architectural feature of a building.
- No sign or sign structure or support shall be located on the roof of any building or structure, nor shall any sign extend beyond the cornice line of any building or structure in Neighborhood Business Districts.
- The following sign types/materials are not permitted in Neighborhood Business Sign Districts: internally illuminated box signs, individually illuminated channel letters, flashing, moving, or intermittently illuminated signs, and internally illuminated awnings.
- Internally illuminated signs or sign letters are not permitted in Neighborhood Business Districts.
- Temporary event signs may not contain flashing text or graphics, or any animation.
Exempt Signs in Pittsburgh
- Certificate of Occupancy is not required for a sign that does not exceed four (4) square feet in face area and satisfies the provisions of the Code (§919.01.D).
- Merchandise, pictures or models of products or services incorporated in a window display are not considered signs.
- Holiday decorations customarily displayed in a window or on/about residential premises or in windows of businesses, without business advertising, are not considered signs.
- Works of art or physical constructs that do not promote product, service, or activity are not considered signs.
- Official government flags, emblems, and insignia are permitted in any district with unlimited size and location.
- Signs on the inside of buildings or structures, designed not to be seen from the exterior, are permitted in any district, unlimited size/location.
- Memorial plaques, cornerstones, and nameplates (limited size and quantity) are permitted.
- Historic tablets/building directories with limited content and size are permitted.
- Bulletin boards for religious and other institutions with limited size and quantity are permitted.
- Address numerals (up to 2 sq ft) are permitted in any district.
- Temporary holiday displays related to national, local, or religious holidays are permitted in any district (with duration/display restrictions).
- Convenience information signs (e.g., time, weather, nonprofit emblems), without advertising, are permitted in any district (with limitations).
- Public information signs (e.g., traffic control, restroom/parking markers, government/public utility/safety signs, scenic/historic point signs, street signs, trespassing signs, and other necessary directional signs) are permitted in any district if approved by the Director of Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.
- Signs required by licensing requirements for home occupations (limited size/illumination/location/quantity) are permitted.
- Posting of notices required or permitted by law or court order is exempt from prohibitions on posting without property owner's consent.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Pittsburgh
- A comprehensive signage design plan is required for any proposed Special Signage Design Zoning District (SSDD). The plan must address all non-advertising signage forms and is subject to Design Review. Signage recommendations for signs within a Public Right-of-Way or on City-owned property must be reviewed and approved by the Art Commission.
- Major public destination facility electronic signs must be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Special Exceptions; large video displays must be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council as Conditional Uses.
- Electronic advertising signs in the AS-O District (Subdistrict A) must be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Special Exceptions, per Special Exception Review Standards (Section 922.07).
- Conversion of existing signs to electronic advertising signs requires review and approval as new Electronic Advertising Signs.
- Electronic non-advertising signs are permitted within certain districts only and must be approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment as Special Exceptions.
- Sign plans/review are triggered for: applications for Administrator's Exceptions (e.g., for temporary event signs or wall mounted signs exceeding standard size or height), Project Development Plans that include signage, and situations where Zoning Administrator approval is required per specific zoning ordinance procedures.
Source: ecode360 municipal code