# Sign Regulations in Plumstead Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Plumstead Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/plumstead-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14142706#14142706)

## At a glance

Plumstead Township, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Residential)s in the Residential Districts (RP, R-O, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at 4 ft (unless otherwise stated) tall and 6 sq ft (Sec. § 27-2605.B). Most commercial signs in Plumstead Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 20 ft from road shoulder or 25 ft from lowest undisturbed ground | 360 sq ft per side (720 sq ft total if V-shaped, angle ≤45°) | — |
| Residential Districts (RP, R-O, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 9 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 14 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts (LI, Q) | 5 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft (per sign) | — |
| Village Districts (VR, VC) | 3 | — | 20 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential Districts (RP, R-O, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 27-2605.A |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | 4 ft (unless otherwise stated) | 6 sq ft | — | — | Generally one per road frontage or per event | — | — | § 27-2605.B |
| Development Identification Sign ( >10 units) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residential community | At community's primary entrance, HOA/condominium association owned property | — | § 27-2605.C(1), (3), (4) |
| Development Identification Sign ( ≤10 units) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residential community | At community's primary entrance, HOA/condominium association owned property | — | § 27-2605.C(2), (3), (4) |
| Identification Sign (Institutional Use: school, church, etc.) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 27-2605.D |
| Gateway Sign | See freestanding sign maximums; may exceed only with Board approval | See freestanding sign maximums; may exceed only with Board approval | — | — | — | Requires Board of Supervisors location and design approval | — | § 27-2605.E |
| Sign Advertising Nonresidential Use (where permitted) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft/side | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | § 27-2605.F |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | § 27-2605.G |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per road frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.B(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per road frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.B(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 3 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per road frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.B(2)(c) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center per frontage | One sign per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.C(1)(a)(1) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign - Option 2 | 8 ft | 70 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center per frontage | One sign per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.C(1)(a)(2) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign - Option 3 | 6 ft | 90 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center per frontage | One sign per street frontage | — | § 27-2606.C(1)(a)(3) |
| Shopping Center Wall/Building Sign | Not above uppermost projection of building at location | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per exposed exterior wall per establishment | Each exterior wall per use | — | § 27-2606.C(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial/Nonresidential) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage per unit | One per road frontage per property; one per unit with multiple units | — | § 27-2606.E |

### Industrial Districts (LI, Q)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Residential District Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 27-2607.A |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | Up to two per establishment | On building | — | § 27-2607.B |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2607.C(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2607.C(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 3 | 5 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | § 27-2607.C(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Plumstead Township

- No more than one freestanding sign shall be placed on any property held in single and separate ownership, unless such property fronts upon more than one public street, in which event one freestanding sign may be erected on each street frontage (except for temporary signs).
- Signs may be placed only on the same lot with the use or establishment to which the sign relates, unless specifically permitted otherwise.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic or obscure/interfere with official traffic control devices; no sign shall be placed in a clear sight triangle.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 15 feet of the edge of the cartway or curb or be located within, or project over, the legal right-of-way of any existing or proposed street or road, whichever is greater.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 10 feet of the side property boundary, except as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be placed on Township property except for those signs installed by the Township or as required by the Township.
- No sign shall be placed along a state road or right-of-way in violation of PennDOT regulations.
- No sign shall be placed in a manner that blocks the entrance or exit of a building, or within a parking space or fire lane.
- No sign shall be attached, erected, posted, painted, or otherwise placed upon public or private property without the permission and/or knowledge of the property owner (except for legal notification requirements).
- No sign shall be placed in a manner that obstructs the movement of pedestrians or bicyclists on sidewalks, trails, or thoroughfares.
- Only banner signs, traffic signs, and governmental signs are permitted within a public street right-of-way. In no case shall a sign intrude or hang over the cartway of a public road.
- The following sign types are prohibited: signs of a flashing, rotating or revolving type (except certain barber poles/signs showing time/date/temp); novelty/animated signs (including products, balloons, etc.); roof signs; any sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights; signs attached to a tree or utility pole or painted on rocks/natural features; signs across public streets unless approved by the Board of Supervisors; pennant/spinner signs suspended between poles; signs that mimic or obstruct traffic signs; mobile signs parked for advertising near rights-of-way; signs not complying with sign ordinance requirements in place when erected; signs indicating property may be used contrary to zoning; signs with neon/exposed gas, audio, pyrotechnics, flames, smoke, sound, or odor; lighting outlining building edges; portable or movable signs except permitted temporary signs; electrical or digital signs except compliant electronic message centers; any sign blocking ingress/egress except for safety signs on fire escapes/standpipes.
- No illuminated sign facing an occupied dwelling in an agricultural or residential district shall be within 200 feet.
- No red, green or yellow illuminated sign is permitted on exterior of building.
- No flashing, intermittent, or moving lights are permitted on any illuminated sign.
- Illuminated signs must have dark backgrounds and light letters to reduce glare.
- All permanent signs must be professionally lettered and neatly displayed.
- Interior signs (placed inside a building more than 12 inches from the window) are not regulated by this chapter.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition and repair.
- Signs declared unsafe or unlawful by the Zoning Officer must be removed or altered to comply; failure to do so can result in Township removal at owner's expense.
- If a sign is abandoned or circumstances causing its erection cease, the property owner is responsible for removal; failure to do so leads to Township removal at owner's expense.
- No signs, banners, or advertising devices except for Township-owned signs are allowed on Township-owned real property, including open spaces, parks, municipal buildings, and public works.
- No temporary signs, banners, or other advertising devices shall be placed within any sight triangle at intersections or in any location where sight/traffic safety is impacted, or placed repetitively within 20 yards of each other on same property, or on property without owner consent.

## Signs exempt from permit in Plumstead Township

- Traffic signs or signals and emergency signs do not require a permit.
- Trespassing signs and warning signs (not exceeding two square feet, spaced at least 50 feet apart) do not require a permit.
- Directional, incidental, and public service information signs do not require a permit unless otherwise stated in the chapter.
- Signs placed inside a building more than 12 inches from a window or door do not require a permit.
- Any temporary sign, placed on the property by the owner or tenant or by authorized occupant without remuneration, and complying with chapter requirements, does not require a permit.
- Signs indicating a property is preserved by the Township, county, commonwealth, and/or land trust (one per road frontage, max four square feet area, max five feet height) do not require a permit.
- Cornerstones, historical plaques or plates affixed to a building wall not exceeding four square feet do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs/displays, including lighting, for holiday celebrations do not require a permit.
- Legal notices do not require a permit.
- Any sign erected by or at the direction of Plumstead Township does not require a permit.
- Governmental flags or insignias do not require a permit.
- Address signs do not require a permit.
- Political signs do not require a permit.
- Exemptions from permitting do not relieve the owner from responsible, safe erection and full compliance with all other ordinance provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Zoning permit applications for non-exempt signs require submission of a plan, design sketch, construction plans (including loads, stresses, anchorage), and a plot plan indicating all existing structures, including signs.
- Any sign which is intended to be used or included in any development or plan of building or development submitted for Township review must be identified on the plan, including location, size, sign materials, and purpose.
- Detailed plans showing supporting structural members and foundations must be submitted to the Building Inspector before a permit is issued; plans may require a registered engineer's seal if deemed necessary for public safety by the Inspector or Township Engineer.
- Certain types or sizes of signs (e.g., temporary signs exceeding specified size) require additional permitting steps and/or deposits, per the permit section.
- A master sign plan is implied as required for developments/buildings/plans submitted for Township review, with explicit requirement to show and describe all proposed signs.

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

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