Sign Regulations in Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 31 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Freestanding 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 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Reading, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Reading
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | No higher than the building wall to which attached | 32 square feet | — |
| Projecting Sign | Placed no higher than the uppermost portion of the second floor | 12 square feet per side if double-faced | — |
| Freestanding (Pole) Sign | No more than 10 feet above grade | 12 square feet per side if double-faced | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for ReadingFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
31
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Directional Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Reading, wall signs can be up to No higher than the building wall to which attached and monument signs are limited to No more than 10 feet above grade. 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 Reading, 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 Reading, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Freestanding Sign, Directional 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 Reading 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 Reading are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Reading has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Reading, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Reading, Pennsylvania regulates 31 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground-mounted or Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Core District (C-C), Commercial Residential District (C-R) zoning district are capped at 4 feet above grade tall and 36 square feet per side, with a Min. 4 ft from property line; not in street right-of-way setback (Sec. § 600-1705(A)(5)). Most commercial signs in Reading require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Reading, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Reading (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3), INS Institutional Overlay Zone | 12 | No more than 10 feet above grade | 64 square feet (if combined with certain other sign types) | — |
| Residential-Professional Office District (R-PO) | 2 | 6 feet | 12 square feet per side (double-faced) | — |
| Commercial Neighborhood District (C-N) | 8 | 16 feet | 35% of the glass area or 700 square inches (max 30 days) | — |
| Commercial Core District (C-C), Commercial Residential District (C-R) | 8 | 4 feet above grade | 36 square feet per side | — |
| Commercial Highway District (C-H) | 6 | No part of sign higher than 25 feet from grade or height of building wall | 60 square feet per side (for 1 establishment); 100 square feet per side (for multiple establishments) | — |
| Heavy Manufacturing District (H-M), Manufacturing/Commercial District (M-C) | 2 | 16 feet | — | — |
| Preservation District | 1 | — | — | — |
| MU Mixed Use District, Commercial Highway District (C-H), Heavy Manufacturing District (H-M) | 2 | 35 feet above grade | 300 square feet per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| RR Riverfront Redevelopment Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 30 square feet (per side, for political/event); 8 or 32/64 sq ft depending on use (see additional reqs) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Reading(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
Residential Districts (R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-3), INS Institutional Overlay Zone
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | No higher than the building wall to which attached | 32 square feet | — | — | One per principal nonresidential use | On building wall, may not obscure cornice, windows, transom or similar architectural features | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(B)(1), (E)(1), § 600-1702(D) |
| Projecting Sign | Placed no higher than the uppermost portion of the second floor | 12 square feet per side if double-faced | — | — | One per lawful principal nonresidential use | Attached to building, meets minimum vertical clearance per Construction Codes | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(E)(3), § 600-1702(D) |
| Freestanding (Pole) Sign | No more than 10 feet above grade | 12 square feet per side if double-faced | — | — | One per lawful principal nonresidential use | Contained within property line | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(E)(2), § 600-1702(D) |
| Identification Sign (Multi-Family Dwelling) | Ground-mounted sign: not more than 8 feet above grade | 32 square feet per side if double-faced | — | — | One per property | Either ground-mounted or flat wall sign | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(B)(4), § 600-1702(D) |
| Name Plate (Home Occupation) | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | One per home occupation | On building | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(B)(3) |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet (if freestanding) | 4 square feet | — | — | As needed for traffic | On property as needed for safe/ orderly traffic | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(F) |
| Identification Sign (Private Parking Lot) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per fronting street | Ground-mounted or wall sign, not to extend into public right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 600-1703(H) |
| Institutional Sign | Freestanding: 6 feet | 32 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 wall sign per building side; 1 freestanding sign per street frontage | On premises of cemetery, governmental use, primary/secondary school, hospital, place of worship, similar institution | — | Unlock | § 600-1712A |
Commercial Neighborhood District (C-N)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground-mounted or Wall Sign (Recreation Use) | 6 feet (ground-mounted) | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 | Ground-mounted or wall sign | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(C) |
| Wall Sign (Principal Commercial/Public/Industrial Use) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall or awning | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(D) |
| Freestanding Sign | 16 feet | 32 square feet per side (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per lot per street frontage | Contained totally within property line | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(D) |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than the wall of the building to which attached | 12 square feet per side (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per lot per street frontage | Attached to building | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(D) |
| Directional Sign | 4 feet (freestanding) | 6 square feet per side (double-faced) | — | — | As needed | At each point of ingress/egress; lane and window signs for drive-through/ATM allowed | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(E) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | — | 2 feet | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(I) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 30% of the glass area or 600 square inches, whichever is greater | — | — | — | On window glass of commercial storefront | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(G)(1) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 35% of the glass area or 700 square inches (max 30 days) | — | — | — | On window glass | — | Unlock | § 600-1706(G)(2) |
Commercial Core District (C-C), Commercial Residential District (C-R)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall or awning | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(1), § 600-1702(D) |
| Projecting Sign | Not to exceed height of attached building wall (with code-required clearances) | 24 square feet per side (double-faced) | — | — | 1 per lot per street frontage | Attached to building on street frontage | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(2); § 600-1702(D) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Total wall sign allowance includes marquee sign | — | Min. 2 ft from street curbline | — | For theaters, performing arts centers, hotels | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(3) |
| Under-Marquee Sign | — | Not included in total allowable sign area | — | — | — | Below marquee | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(4) |
| Ground-mounted or Freestanding Sign | 4 feet above grade | 36 square feet per side | — | Min. 4 ft from property line; not in street right-of-way | 1 per separate street frontage | At each separate street frontage (in lieu of projecting sign) | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(5) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 30% of glass area or 600 square inches, whichever is greater | — | — | — | On show window glass | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(6)(a) |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 35% of the glass area or 700 square inches (max 30 days) | — | — | — | On window glass | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(A)(6)(b) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | — | 2 feet | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | § 600-1705(C) |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Reading — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for Reading — start freeProhibited Signs in Reading
- No sign shall be constructed, erected or maintained bearing or containing statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency.
- No sign shall purport to be, or imitate, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or bear words such as 'STOP,' 'GO,' 'SLOW,' 'CAUTION,' 'DANGER,' 'WARNING' or similar words.
- No sign may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- No sign may advertise or publicize an activity, business, product, or service not conducted on the premises upon which such sign is maintained, except as specified otherwise.
- No sign may rotate or have a rotating or moving part or parts that revolve.
- No sign may consist of ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners or elements creating sound or smell (except seasonal decorations as permitted).
- No sign shall be located so as to obstruct two-thirds of the view of a sign on adjoining property when viewed from 200 feet at a point four feet above the roadway grade.
- No sign will be permitted which is not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of any public street or which causes glare or impairs the vision of drivers.
- No sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device or signal.
- Signs containing, including, or illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving lights are prohibited, except for public service information (time, date, temperature, weather, similar information).
- No temporary sign shall be affixed to any utility pole or streetlight standard using nails, tacks, staples, or any other metal or hard substance, or so as to cover the identifying label of the pole.
- No temporary sign affixed to utility pole or streetlight standard shall have an adhesive or gum backing.
- No temporary sign shall exceed 30 inches in height or 24 inches in width.
- No temporary sign shall be affixed in any manner to any tree or shrub in the public right-of-way.
- No temporary sign shall be posted on City property.
- No temporary sign shall impair, impede, or obstruct the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic along a public right-of-way.
- No temporary sign shall be posted on any traffic control device.
- No yard or garage sale sign may be posted that does not include the address and date of the sale.
- No person shall affix political campaign matter to any private or public property, including utility poles, traffic standards, parking meters, exterior walls, store windows, billboards and other surfaces, without first securing the consent of the property owner; for utility poles, the utility cannot give consent without prior approval of City Council.
- Roof signs and off-premises signs are prohibited in residential districts unless specified otherwise.
Exempt Signs in Reading
- Signs of a public, noncommercial nature, including safety signs, danger signs, no-trespassing signs, and signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, provided they are erected by a public officer in performance of public duty.
- Institutional signs (one wall sign per building side and one freestanding sign) for cemeteries, governmental uses, schools, hospitals, places of worship or similar institutions, subject to size and illumination limits.
- Temporary signs (one per lot, up to 30 square feet on each of two sides) announcing parades, special events, grand openings, or the like, limited to 60 days per calendar year unless extended by special exception.
- Nonilluminated memorial signs, cornerstones or tablets indicating the building name or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet and forming part of the building or as wall signs.
- Nonilluminated nameplates and building directories relating to use or occupancy of the building, not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Seasonal decorations, as referenced in § 600-912.
- Murals that do not serve a commercial purpose are allowed and not regulated as signs.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning and normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, including electrical equipment, unless a structural change is made (new signs painted on walls which are made nonconforming cannot be repainted unless to eliminate such sign and no new sign shall be painted in its place).
- Advertising copy or message changes on a painted or printed sign, or on a billboard, theater or marquee, and similar signs designed for replaceable copy.
- Signs as provided by §§ 600-1711 and 600-1712, other than § 600-1712A (which concerns institutional signs).
- Signs posted by the City of Reading or PennDOT within a street right-of-way.
- Artistic murals that do not serve a commercial purpose.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Reading
- A zoning sign permit is required for any sign with a sign area of more than two square feet, except the limit shall be 10 square feet for a temporary sign posted less than 60 days per year and no permit is required for nonilluminated temporary signs placed inside a window.
- Permits for temporary signs on roadsides/utility poles are required: registration and permit to be obtained from Codes Office before posting (Ch. 485, § 485-206).
- Approval from the Zoning Hearing Board (special exception) may be required for certain signs or for signs not conforming to ordinary measurement or special purpose signs (§ 600-1710).
- Within a Historic District, an additional approval (such as design approval) may be required concerning sign design (§ 600-1701B).
- Master sign plans or sign plans are not explicitly required in these provisions, but special exceptions, variance or zoning hearings may be necessary for signs that do not comply strictly with code or are unusual.
- Permit and fee exceptions exist for certain sign types (see § 600-1718), but other applicable code provisions must still be met and a permit may be required based on size, location, and duration.