# Sign Regulations in Rankin Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rankin Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/rankin-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31611591#31611591)

## At a glance

Rankin Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground/Pole Signs in the Nonresidential Districts zoning district are capped at 20 feet (bottom edge at least 10 feet above ground) tall and 60 square feet per side, with a Minimum 15 ft from street ROW, 5 ft from building, 10 ft from side property line (+1 ft per 10 sq ft sign area over 10 sq ft) setback (Sec. § 27-707(3)(A)-(E)). Most commercial signs in Rankin Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (SFR, MFR) | 5 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 11 | 20 feet (bottom edge at least 10 feet above ground) | Up to 150 square feet shared as determined by owner | — |
| NBC District | 1 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 20 feet (from grade of roadway); bottom edge max 8 feet above adjacent roadway elevation | 300 square feet (12x25 feet) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts (SFR, MFR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per unit | Placed directly against a building wall | — | § 27-706(1), § 27-706(4), § 27-708(3), § 27-708(6) |
| Bulletin Sign (Instructional or Directional) | — | 12 square feet | — | Ground signs must be at least 10 feet from the street ROW (where permitted) | 1 per institution | Erected upon the premises of an educational, philanthropic or religious institution | — | § 27-706(2), § 27-706(4) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family Dwelling/Authorized Use) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per structure | On wall of structure or ground sign (see requirements) | — | § 27-706(6), § 27-706(4) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple-Family Dwelling/Authorized Use) | — | 24 square feet | — | At least 10 feet back from street ROW | 1 per structure | Must be at least 10 feet back from street ROW in MFR district | — | § 27-706(6), § 27-706(4) |
| Directional Sign (Residential) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 27-706(7) |

### Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Building) | — | The greater of 1 sq ft per building frontage (ft) or 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall facing frontage (for buildings with multiple frontages; each wall may have one sign of up to max allowable size) | Flat against wall; may not extend above roofline, deckline, or gutter line | — | § 27-707(2)(A)-(E), § 27-708(6) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Occupancy Buildings) | — | Up to 150 square feet shared as determined by owner | — | — | Each tenant may have a share; distribution by owner | On wall as per single buildings | — | § 27-707(2)(C) |
| Ground/Pole Sign | 20 feet (bottom edge at least 10 feet above ground) | 60 square feet per side | — | Minimum 15 ft from street ROW, 5 ft from building, 10 ft from side property line (+1 ft per 10 sq ft sign area over 10 sq ft) | — | Minimum 15 feet from street ROW; minimum 5 feet from any building; minimum 10 feet from any side property line | — | § 27-707(3)(A)-(E) |
| Identification Sign (No Building on Lot) | — | 40 square feet | — | At least 15 ft from street ROW | 1 per lot | At least 15 feet back from street ROW | — | § 27-707(4) |
| Wall Plaque | — | 3 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to wall | — | § 27-707(5) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | Minimum 15 ft from property/ROW lines | — | On same lot as use being advertised; minimum 15 feet from any property or ROW line | — | § 27-707(7) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 25% of glazing per window | — | — | — | Inside window of nonresidential structures only | — | § 27-707(8) |
| Advertising on Awning or Canopy | — | 50% of allowable wall sign area | — | — | — | Affixed to awning or canopy | — | § 27-707(9) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 20 feet (from grade of roadway); bottom edge max 8 feet above adjacent roadway elevation | 300 square feet (12x25 feet) | — | 300 ft from roadway intersection; 1,200 ft from another billboard (same side of roadway); 600 ft from billboard (opposite side); buffer yard to adjacent lots. | — | Principal use of lot. Portions must be 5,000 sq ft minimum area. Setbacks described below. | — | § 27-709(1)-(17) |

## Prohibited signs in Rankin Borough

- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, altered or maintained except in conformance with the standards, procedures, regulations and requirements contained in the ordinance.
- Signs not expressly permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Prohibited signs in any zoning district include: flashing, blinking, changing, animated or moving signs (except LED billboards authorized by the ordinance); pennants, flags or streamers; signs advertising a property for sale or rent that lists an improper use of the property; signs that resemble traffic signals or devices; signs containing obscene or pornographic material, including nonrepair of illegal acts of vandalism (graffiti); off-premises signs (other than billboards); roof signs; signs on trees, utility poles, and traffic devices; and signs that are hazardous to public safety.
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location where it may interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign established before the effective date of the Chapter shall be altered in any respect or moved unless it is made to conform with the ordinance (except as a safety measure by an authorized public officer).
- All signs must be securely built, constructed, and erected in compliance with relevant building codes.
- Illuminated signs must be nonflashing and nonglaring and prevent glare/reflection to the street or adjacent properties; all signs must be nonanimated with no exterior moving parts.
- Signs may not be located on public property or within public right-of-way, except in conformance with the ordinance requirements. Unauthorized signs are subject to confiscation.
- Signs that no longer advertise a bona fide business or activity must be removed within 30 days of termination of such business or activity.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rankin Borough

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized state and federal holidays.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Memorial/historical plaques.
- Memorial signs and tablets when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or sculptured materials.
- Flags of a government organization or corporate entity.
- Signs authorized by the Borough (e.g., street signs, safety control signs, and traffic control signs).
- Public notice/public warning signs.
- Auction, garage sale, or yard sale signs.
- Address numbering.
- Temporary construction sign only during active construction.
- Signs placed on public or parks property by authorization of the Borough.
- Real estate signs which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located, with limits (no more than two such signs per property, and not more than one per street frontage).
- A-Frame (sandwich board) signs on sidewalks (one per premises, not obstructing pedestrian travel, removed each evening, max six square feet per side).
- Signs announcing candidacy for public office (not on utility poles, must be removed within five days after the relevant election).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan or sketch, drawn to scale, must be submitted to the Zoning Officer with an application for a sign permit, showing the lot, building, and all other structures on the lot in relation to the proposed sign. The submission must include a written description of materials, construction, mounting, information/visual material to be included, illumination details, and photos from each approach.
- Permit is required for all exterior sign construction, alteration, modification, or moving, unless the sign is exempted.
- For multiple occupancy buildings, if the owner permits the allowable square footage to be shared among businesses, guidelines must be developed (regarding size, type, style, color, lighting, and design) and a copy filed with the sign permit application; compliance is a condition of sign permit approval.
- For billboards, a conditional use application is required, containing information, maps, plans, narrative and graphic materials as set forth in the Express Standards and Criteria for Special Exceptions and Conditional Uses.
- Permit fees must be paid for installation of all signs not exempted.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Rankin Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rankin+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rankin-borough

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