# Sign Regulations in Porter Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Porter Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/porter-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/39487839#39487839)

## At a glance

Porter Township, Pennsylvania regulates 11 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Billboard / Advertising Sign Boards in the Commercial-Industrial District zoning district are capped at 50 ft above average grade tall and 300 sq. ft., with a 1,000 ft from other board on same side; 150 ft from any residence setback (Sec. §490-8.11E(1)-(5)). Most commercial signs in Porter Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 35 ft above average grade | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial-Industrial District | 2 | 70 ft above average grade | 300 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional, Information, or Public Service Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | §490-8.11B(1) |
| Temporary Sign (≤6 sq. ft.) | — | 6 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 2 | — | — | §490-8.11C(1) |
| Temporary Sign (>6 sq. ft. up to 24 sq. ft.) | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | — | — | — | §490-8.11C(2) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | §490-8.11D(1) |
| Recreational Use Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | — | — | §490-8.11D(1) |
| Wall Sign (Front of Building) | 8 ft (at minimum setback); increases by 1 ft per additional 2 ft of setback, up to 20 ft max | — | 30 ft | Max height increases 1 ft per 2 ft of additional setback | — | Front of building, mounted parallel to wall, projecting no more than 10 inches | — | §490-8.11D(2); §490-8.11D(4) |
| Wall Sign (Side Wall Exposed to Public View) | — | — | 30 ft | — | — | Side wall exposed to public view from street or parking area, mounted parallel, 10 inches max projection | — | §490-8.11D(3); §490-8.11D(4) |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 35 ft above average grade | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Within limits of front yard of property | — | §490-8.11D(5)-(8) |

### Commercial-Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign (Commercial-Industrial District) | 70 ft above average grade | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Within limits of front yard of property | — | §490-8.11D(5)-(8) |
| Billboard / Advertising Sign Board | 50 ft above average grade | 300 sq. ft. | — | 1,000 ft from other board on same side; 150 ft from any residence | — | Within area measuring 200 ft parallel to I-80 right-of-way, in both directions | — | §490-8.11E(1)-(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Porter Township

- No sign shall be erected within the lines of a street right-of-way, except traffic signs and similar regulatory notices of a duly constituted governmental body.
- No moving or flashing signs which may have the effect of distracting motorists on adjacent highways shall be permitted.
- No sign which emits smoke, visible vapors of particles, sound or odor shall be permitted.
- No artificial light or reflecting device shall be used as a part of a sign where such light or device interferes with, competes for attention with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal.
- Floodlighting shall be arranged so that the source of light is not visible from any point off the lot and that only the sign is directly illuminated thereby.
- No sign shall be erected containing information on it which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of this chapter in the zoning district in which the property to which the sign related is located.
- Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated shall be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
- No sign, other than official street signs, shall be erected or maintained nearer to a street line than a distance equaling the height of the sign, unless attached to the building.

## Signs exempt from permit in Porter Township

- Directional, information or public service signs, such as those advertising availability of restrooms, telephones or similar public conveniences, may be erected or maintained without a permit, provided each such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.
- Directional and information signs provided for the guidance and convenience of the public within commercial establishments may also be erected without a permit, provided each such sign shall not exceed two square feet in area.
- Trespassing signs, or signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway, or premises, and signs prohibiting or otherwise controlling hunting or fishing upon particular premises may be erected and maintained without a permit, provided each sign area does not exceed two square feet in area.
- Temporary signs that conform to regulations set forth in the ordinance may be erected and maintained without a permit (with additional details in temporary sign regulations: signs up to 6 square feet for up to six months, with a limit of two such signs per property at any time).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit shall be obtained before erecting any sign under these regulations except as set forth in the exemptions listed.
- Applications for sign permits must be filed with the Zoning Officer on forms furnished by the Township, and must be accompanied by detailed plans and specifications.
- Permit fees must be paid prior to permit issuance.
- A permit is not required for signs listed as general exemptions, but all other signs require a permit and accompanying plans/specifications.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Porter Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Porter+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-porter-township

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