Sign Regulations in Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania
Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Parallel Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Plainfield Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 24 feet | 8 square feet | — |
| Parallel Sign | — | 8 square feet | — |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
10
- Freestanding Sign
- Parallel Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Window Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Plainfield Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Plainfield Township, monument signs are limited to 24 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Plainfield Township, 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 Plainfield Township, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Parallel Sign, Projecting Sign, Window 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 Plainfield Township 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 Plainfield Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Plainfield Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania regulates 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the SR District, PR District, VR District zoning district are capped at 24 feet tall and 8 square feet (Sec. §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-601; §27-606). Most commercial signs in Plainfield Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Plainfield Township (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR District, PR District, VR District | 4 | 24 feet | 8 square feet | — |
| BMC District | 4 | 24 feet | 12 square feet | — |
| VC District, HI District, GC District | 6 | 24 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| I-BP District, GI District, CI District, SW District | 5 | 24 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 300 square feet (where permitted) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Plainfield Township(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
SR District, PR District, VR District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 24 feet | 8 square feet | — | — | Each use limited to two signs (which may be combination of types, only one of each type per street frontage) | On-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-601; §27-606 |
| Parallel Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | Two signs per use per street frontage (combined total for types, only one parallel sign per frontage) | On building wall, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | Per overall limit of two per use per frontage, only one projecting sign per frontage | On building, projecting perpendicular to wall, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
| Window Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | Counts toward two sign maximum per use per street frontage | On window, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
VC District, HI District, GC District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 24 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | Two per use per street frontage (total, only one of each type) | On-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
| Parallel Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per use per street frontage (total, only one of each type) | On building wall, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per use per street frontage (total, only one of each type) | On building, projecting perpendicular to wall, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1 |
| Window Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Two per use per street frontage (total, only one of each type) | On window, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1 |
| Billboard | — | 300 square feet | — | 50 ft from street right-of-way, 100 ft from residential district (200 ft if digital over 100 sq ft), 250 ft from dwelling (350 ft if digital over 100 sq ft), 500 ft from any other billboard. | No more than two off-premises signs township-wide per use (See §27-605(2)(A) and (B)) | Permitted only in HI District along Route 33 | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1, Billboard Notes; §27-606 |
| Other Off-Premises Advertising Signs | — | 16 square feet | — | — | No more than two per use township-wide | Off-premises (not billboard) | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-605(2)(A) |
I-BP District, GI District, CI District, SW District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 24 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | Two per use per street frontage | On-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
| Parallel Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per use per street frontage | On building wall, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-606 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | Two per use per street frontage | On building projecting, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1 |
| Window Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | Two per use per street frontage | On window, on-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1 |
| Other Off-Premises Advertising Signs | — | 32 square feet | — | — | No more than two per use township-wide | Off-premises | — | Unlock | §27-610, Table 27-610.1; §27-605(2)(A) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Plainfield Township. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Plainfield Township
- No person shall place or erect any sign on any Township property, except as provided by exemptions.
- No sign, including exempt signs, shall be placed or erected within any planting bed or other landscaped area on any Township property.
- No sign shall be allowed within street right-of-way lines, except directional signs and those of the government body that owns the right-of-way, unless specifically authorized by another Township ordinance or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law or regulation.
- No sign shall be located or arranged so that it interferes with traffic through glare, blocking reasonable sight lines, or confusion with a traffic control device.
- No freestanding sign structure shall exceed 24 feet in height above the average ground level at the base of such sign.
- No more than two off-premises signs shall be permitted in the Township for any use, object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.
- Except for directional signs, no off-premises sign shall be located in a SR, PR, VR, or BMC District.
- All flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, or moving signs of any type (except for portions showing time and temperature) are prohibited in all districts.
- Banners, spinners, flags, pennants, or any moving object used for commercial advertising purposes, except during not more than four special occasions in certain districts for up to 20 days per year, are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs placed, inscribed, or supported upon the roof or upon any structure which extends above the eave of the roof of any building are prohibited.
- Signs on mobile stands which can be moved from place to place are prohibited.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound, or odor are prohibited.
- Signs once removed shall be replaced only by signs in conformance with this Chapter.
- All sign provisions apply to the use of silos, smokestacks, water towers, and similar structures as signs.
Exempt Signs in Plainfield Township
- Official signs placed or erected by the United States, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the County of Northampton, the Township of Plainfield, or other legally constituted governmental body, or required by law or court order, or specifically authorized by Township ordinance or resolution, for official governmental purposes.
- Any person physically carrying a sign at any time as an expression of the person's right of freedom of speech.
- Polling place election signs erected not earlier than 8:00 p.m. on the day prior to the date of the election and removed not later than 8:00 p.m. on the date following the election.
- A sign permit is not required for any temporary sign.
- A sign permit is not required for any sign which requires only a change of copy on a sign whose customary use involves frequent and periodic changes of copy.
- A sign permit is not required for any sign specifically authorized by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws or regulations.
- Tourist oriented directional signs posted along a public street right-of-way in accordance with PennDOT regulations or Township approval.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Plainfield Township
- Sign style, color, and lettering for street and identification signs in subdivisions or land developments are subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.
- Information on the illumination in nits (for digital electronic signs) shall be provided at the time of the permit application.
- Compliance with maximum luminance of digital electronic signs must be certified by an independent professional after installation, prior to issuance of the final permit.
Source: ecode360 municipal code