# Sign Regulations in Rapho Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rapho Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/rapho-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-11
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37892271#37892791)

## At a glance

Rapho Township, Pennsylvania regulates 35 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Institutional/Civic Use Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall tall and 40 square feet, with a 12 feet from nearest lot line for freestanding setback (Sec. § 350-528, Table 5-28.1). Most commercial signs in Rapho Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 80 feet | 210 square feet | — |
| Agricultural and Rural Zones (A, R) | 5 | 20 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | not to exceed 32 square feet per sign | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, MHP) | 3 | 20 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | not to exceed 32 square feet per sign | — |
| Mixed-Use Zones (CC, MUC) | 8 | 20 feet | 275 square feet total for all permitted signs; no single sign exceeding 120 square feet | — |
| Business Zones (CR, HC, IND) | 8 | 20 feet | 275 square feet total for all permitted signs; no single sign exceeding 120 square feet | — |
| Floodplain Overlay Zone (FPO) | 1 | As per underlying zone regulations | 6 square feet per side | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional/Civic Use Sign | 20 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | 40 square feet | — | 12 feet from nearest lot line for freestanding | 1 per lot frontage not to exceed 2 per principal use | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Residential Nameplate Sign | 10 feet | 2 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per dwelling unit | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Property Control Sign | 5 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | 2 square feet per sign | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per 25 lineal feet of lot line | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Preservation Placard | 10 feet | 4 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per lot | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Individual Business Sign | 20 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | not to exceed 120 square feet per sign | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 freestanding plus 1 wall per principal use; 1 additional if frontage exceeds 1,000 feet | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| On-Site Directional Sign | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | 2 square feet per sign | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 4 per lot frontage | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Interchange Business Sign | 80 feet | 210 square feet | — | 30 feet from adjoining right-of-way of PA Turnpike/I-76 or Route 283; 80 feet from other lot lines | 1 per use or lot, whichever is fewer | Freestanding | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | 16 square feet per sign | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 2 per use | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |

### Mixed-Use Zones (CC, MUC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Individual Business Sign for Convenience Stores, Vehicle Filling Stations or Drive-Through Facilities | Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | 275 square feet total for all permitted signs; no single sign exceeding 120 square feet | — | — | 1 per building facade facing street + 1 per gasoline pump island canopy facade + 1 freestanding | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Sign | 20 feet | maximum of 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot frontage with entrance or exit | Freestanding | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Anchor Tenant Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 100 square feet if less than 300 feet from facing street; 150 square feet if more than 300 feet | — | — | 1 per side facing street, maximum 2 signs | Flat wall, projecting wall, roof | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Storefront Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | maximum of 75 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal use | Flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | To base of canopy or 10 feet if no canopy | 4 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per use with <150 lf storefront; 2 per use with >150 lf storefront | Under canopy | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Outparcel Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 75 square feet per sign, not exceeding 20% of wall area | — | — | 2 per principal use, but only 1 per wall | Flat wall, projecting wall, roof | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Temporary Proposed Development Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | not to exceed 64 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per lot frontage, maximum 2 signs | Freestanding, flat wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.3 |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Business) | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | 32 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per business per event | Freestanding, flat wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.3 |

### Business Zones (CR, HC, IND)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Individual Business Sign for Convenience Stores, Vehicle Filling Stations or Drive-Through Facilities | Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall and projecting wall | 275 square feet total for all permitted signs; no single sign exceeding 120 square feet | — | — | 1 per building facade facing street + 1 per gasoline pump island canopy facade + 1 freestanding | Freestanding, flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.1 |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Sign | 20 feet | maximum of 100 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot frontage with entrance or exit | Freestanding | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Anchor Tenant Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 100 square feet if less than 300 feet from facing street; 150 square feet if more than 300 feet | — | — | 1 per side facing street, maximum 2 signs | Flat wall, projecting wall, roof | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Storefront Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | maximum of 75 square feet | — | — | 1 per principal use | Flat wall, projecting wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | To base of canopy or 10 feet if no canopy | 4 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per use with <150 lf storefront; 2 per use with >150 lf storefront | Under canopy | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Outparcel Sign | Height of wall to which sign is attached | 75 square feet per sign, not exceeding 20% of wall area | — | — | 2 per principal use, but only 1 per wall | Flat wall, projecting wall, roof | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.2 |
| Temporary Proposed Development Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | not to exceed 64 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per lot frontage, maximum 2 signs | Freestanding, flat wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.3 |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Business) | 10 feet for freestanding; Height of wall to which sign is attached for flat wall | 32 square feet | — | Height of sign for freestanding | 1 per business per event | Freestanding, flat wall | — | § 350-528, Table 5-28.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Rapho Township

- No sign shall be maintained within Rapho Township in such a state of disrepair as to have the appearance of complete neglect, which is rotting or falling down, which is illegible, or has loose parts separated from original fastenings.
- No sign shall be maintained in a state so as to be structurally unsafe or endanger the safety of the building or premise, or endanger the public safety.
- No sign shall be of the intermittent flashing or rotating type, unless located within an (IND) Zone.
- No sign shall be located so as to interfere with visibility for motorists at street, access drive, or driveway intersections.
- No sign located within 300 feet of any traffic light shall be illuminated with red, green or yellow lights or neon tubing.
- No sign shall obstruct the clear sight triangle requirements.
- No loud, vulgar, indecent, or obscene advertising matter shall be displayed in any manner, including, specified sexual activities.
- No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will obscure light or air from a building or which would create a traffic danger.
- No sign shall be permitted which is permanently attached to public utility poles, nor trees which are within the street right-of-way.
- Except in the cases of billboards as regulated by Article VI of this chapter relating to billboards in nonresidential uses—miscellaneous use regulations (§ 350-607A) and off-premises signs as regulated in Table 5-28.1 relating to off-premises signs § 350-528B(1), only those signs referring directly to materials or products made, sold or displayed on the premises, to services offered on the premises, and/or to activities conducted on the premises, shall be permitted.
- No streamers, pennants or other similar materials shall be permitted to be located on the outside of any building.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rapho Township

- Signs owned and associated with uses operated by the Township of Rapho; official traffic signs (unlimited number, unlimited area, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Residential nameplates identifying name of home, its occupant, or both, not including name listing on mailbox (1 per dwelling unit, 2 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Property control signs (e.g., “No Trespassing,” “Private Property,” “No Hunting or Fishing,” “Posted,” “Private Drive,” or similar type signs) (1 per 25 lineal feet of lot line, 2 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Preservation placards identifying the site’s cultural significance (1 per lot, 4 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- On-site directional, entrance, exit, rest room, and other information sign (4 per lot frontage, 2 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Temporary sign of contractors, architects, engineers, planners, surveyors, mechanics, landscapers, and artisans, displayed only while actual on-site work is in progress (1 per firm, 12 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Real estate sale, sold, or rent sign when placed upon the lot (unit) to be rented or sold, containing less than 3 acres; auctioneer signs when placed upon the lot at which an auction is to take place (1 per lot frontage, maximum of 2 signs, 6 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Real estate sale, sold, or rent signs when placed upon the lot (unit) to be rented or sold, containing 3 or more acres; auctioneer signs when placed upon the lot at which an auction is to take place (1 per lot frontage, maximum of 3 signs, 32 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Special event sign for public and/or nonprofit uses (e.g., fundraisers, reunions, holidays, festivals, shows, sales, etc.) (1 per use per event, 32 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Agricultural product marketing/sales stand sign for the sale of agricultural products upon a principal agricultural operation or agribusiness (2 per agricultural product marketing/sales stand, 10 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Temporary off-premises sign indicating the direction of travel to a temporary event or use not located on the premises of such use (1 per intersection, maximum of 3 signs, 4 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Garage/yard sale sign upon properties located upon the property where the sale occurs (1 per lot located upon the premises where the sale occurs, 4 square feet per sign, all zones, no zoning permit required).
- Opinion and election sign (unlimited, 12 square feet, all zones, no zoning permit required).

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

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