# Sign Regulations in Pittston, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pittston, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/pittston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/45819646#45819646)

## At a glance

Pittston, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding/Pylon/Ground Signs in the Open Space (OS) zoning district are capped at 12 ft. tall and 50 sq. ft. (subject to 10% bonus for landscaping), with a 10 feet from property line setback (Sec. Table 480-102(3); § 480-115H). Most commercial signs in Pittston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open Space (OS) | 13 | 12 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 6 | 10 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC), Central Business (CB) | 3 | No more than 10% of roofline height above roof | — | — |
| Industrial (I) | 1 | 35 ft. | 312.5 sq. ft. per side (max 2 sides); total ≤ 625 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Commercial: 20 ft.; Industrial: 30 ft. | Commercial: 50% of lot frontage (sq ft); Industrial: 65% of lot frontage (sq ft) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Open Space (OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | No more than two per street entrance to any lot | — | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | One per occupancy with public entrance per street frontage | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115C |
| Menu Board | — | 36 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115G |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft. | 18 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 2,500 sq. ft. property | Not on public property or right-of-way | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-114 |
| Canopy and Marquee Sign | — | 25% of face area of canopy, marquee, or projection | — | — | — | Affixed to canopy/marquee/architectural projection | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115A |
| Awning Sign | — | 25% of awning area or allowed wall sign area, whichever is less | — | — | — | Affixed to awning | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115B |
| Freestanding/Pylon/Ground Sign | 12 ft. | 50 sq. ft. (subject to 10% bonus for landscaping) | — | 10 feet from property line | — | — | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115H |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | One per entrance | One per entrance | — | Table 480-102(3); § 480-115D |

### Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Family Residential) | 4 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | 1 per subdivision entrance | — | Table 480-113(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple-Family Residential) | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lot) | 1 per driveway/apartment entrance (2 allowed on corner lot) | — | Table 480-113(2) (note a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use in Residential Zone) | 10 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 (2 on corner lot) | 1 per lot (2 on corner lot) | — | Table 480-113(2) |
| Wall Sign (Single-Family Residential) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | Table 480-113(1) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family Residential) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | Table 480-113(1) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use in Residential Zone) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Per street frontage | — | Table 480-113(1) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General Regulations) | — | Commercial/Industrial: 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage, max 40 sq. ft.; Single-family: 3 sq. ft.; Multi-family: 4 sq. ft.; Nonresidential in residential: 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Per street frontage (see exceptions for multi-occupant and shopping centers) | — | § 480-113; Table 480-113(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Regulations) | Commercial: 20 ft.; Industrial: 30 ft. | Commercial: 50% of lot frontage (sq ft); Industrial: 65% of lot frontage (sq ft) | — | — | 2 | Spacing: min 150 ft between signs | — | Table 480-113(2) (note b/c); § 480-113; § 480-116 |
| Directional Sign (General Regulations) | — | Residential: 3 sq. ft.; Other zones: 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per street entrance (ext); unlimited (internal) | Max 2 per street entrance; unlimited internal to lot | — | § 480-113B |

## Prohibited signs in Pittston

- Any sign hereafter erected shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and the International Building Code and any other applicable ordinances or regulations.
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of any street line, or within any public way, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or the code official.
- Signs projecting over walkways or vehicular access areas must maintain the required clearances and conform to minimum height clearance limitations.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at street intersections so as to obstruct free and clear vision or be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals or devices.
- Animated signs and changeable message signs are not permitted (exception for manually activated changeable signs in certain zones).
- Every sign must be kept in good condition and repair; insecure or unsafe signs, or unlawfully installed signs, must be made to conform or removed upon notice.
- Any sign copy not advertising a use on the property must be covered or removed within 30 days of notification.
- Signs that blink, flash, or are animated by lighting in a way that appears as traffic safety signals or municipal warnings are prohibited.
- Signs located so as to obstruct or interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or a driver's view of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way are prohibited except as otherwise provided; no sign may be attached to utility poles, light standards, street trees, or any other public facility in the right-of-way.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Balloons, streamers, or pinwheels are prohibited except temporarily for special sales/promotions/community events (max 20 days/year).
- Any type of sign on a tree, its guard, or tree lawn is prohibited.
- Outdoor advertising and off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer is prohibited unless the primary purpose is not display, the sign is an integral part of the vehicle, and the vehicle is operational and part of the business.
- Vehicles and trailers may not be used primarily as static advertising displays nor as storage, shelter, or distribution points for commercial products or services.
- Temporary signs are prohibited from being erected, posted, or displayed on public property or in the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pittston

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or informational signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs, and building cornerstones when integrated as part of the building and of noncombustible material.
- Flags of a government or noncommercial institution (e.g., school).
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where there is no direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs with no advertising copy and not exceeding six square feet in area.
- No sign is exempt from restrictions regarding obstruction of traffic visibility (§ 480-106).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All landlord or single-owner-controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding eight acres in size must submit a master sign plan to the Zoning Officer prior to issuance of new sign permits.
- The master sign plan must establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits, including locations, materials, illumination, design, size, quantity, and uniform standards for non-business signage.
- All sign permit applications within a multiple-occupancy development complex must comply with the approved master sign plan.
- Amendments to a master sign plan must be signed and approved by the owner(s) of the complex before they are effective.

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

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