Sign Regulations in Richland Township, Pennsylvania
Richland Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign (Permanent), Canopy Sign (Building Sign), Projecting Sign (Building 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 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Richland Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Richland Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs - Placement, Setbacks, Measurement (General Standards) | — | — | Not within/right-of-way. From sidewalk/cartway: ≥2 ft (≤2 sq ft sign); ≥5 ft (≤6 sq ft sign); ≥10 ft (>6 sq ft sign). From side/rear lot lines: ≥15 ft. |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft | Subject to general placement/setback standards (§27-906) |
| Flags (Governmental, Educational, Religious) | — | Total area of all such flags ≤60 sq ft | Subject to general placement/setback standards (§27-906) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
34
- Freestanding Sign (Permanent)
- Canopy Sign (Building Sign)
- Projecting Sign (Building Sign)
- Wall Sign (Building Sign)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Richland Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Richland Township vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Richland Township, 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 Richland Township, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign (Permanent), Canopy Sign (Building Sign), Projecting Sign (Building Sign), Wall Sign (Building 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 Richland Township 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 Richland Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Richland Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Richland Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Richland Township, Pennsylvania regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Residential Sign - Freestanding (Residential Use)s in the Resource Protection District (RP); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Suburban Residential Conservation District (SRC); Suburban Residential Low District (SRL); Suburban Residential Medium District (SRM); Suburban Residential High District (SRH); Urban Residential Low (URL) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 2 sq ft, with a Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) setback (Sec. §27-910.1(A)(1)–(3); §27-910.1(D)). Most commercial signs in Richland Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Richland Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Richland Township (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 200 square inches (≈1.39 sq ft) | — |
| Resource Protection District (RP); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Suburban Residential Conservation District (SRC); Suburban Residential Low District (SRL); Suburban Residential Medium District (SRM); Suburban Residential High District (SRH); Urban Residential Low (URL) | 9 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Planned Commercial District (PC) | 14 | ≤40 ft | ≤350 sq ft per face | — |
| Planned Industrial District (PI); Extraction District (EXT) | 10 | 12 ft | ≤150 sq ft (and subject to formula) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Richland Township(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Resource Protection District (RP); Rural Agricultural District (RA); Suburban Residential Conservation District (SRC); Suburban Residential Low District (SRL); Suburban Residential Medium District (SRM); Suburban Residential High District (SRH); Urban Residential Low (URL)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Sign - Freestanding (Residential Use) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-910.1(A)(1)–(3); §27-910.1(D) |
| Residential Sign - Wall (Residential Use) | By placement on building | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the building wall | — | Unlock | §27-910.1(A)(1)–(3) |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding (Residential Use) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | Max 4/year; Max 2 displayed at once | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-910.1(B)(1)–(5); §27-910.1(D); §27-914.1(C) |
| Temporary Sign - Window (Residential Use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 4/year; Max 2 displayed at once | Inside window, visible from exterior | — | Unlock | §27-910.1(B)(1)–(5); §27-914.1(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-910.2(A)(1),(3)–(4); §27-910.2(C) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | By placement on building | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the building wall | — | Unlock | §27-910.2(A)(2)–(4) |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | Max 4/year; Max 2 displayed at once; Max 1 temporary freestanding at a time (see general PC/PI/EXT clauses; not specified here) | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-910.2(B)(1)–(5); §27-910.2(C); §27-914.1(C) |
| Temporary Banner (Nonresidential Use) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | Max 4/year; Max 2 displayed at once | On the lot/building | — | Unlock | §27-910.2(B)(1)–(5); §27-914.1(C) |
Planned Commercial District (PC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | 20 ft | ≤150 sq ft (and subject to formula) | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | 1 per lot | On lot, along street frontage | — | Unlock | §27-911.1(A)(1)–(2); §27-911.1(C)(1)–(6); §27-911.1(D) |
| Projecting Sign (Building Sign) | By placement on building; lowest edge ≥8 ft above ground; projection ≤4 ft; leading edge ≤14 in from wall; may not extend beyond edge of wall | ≤32 sq ft (per projecting sign) | — | — | Max 1 per principal building | Affixed to building wall, projecting | — | Unlock | §27-911.1(B)(2)–(3); §27-902 (Projecting Sign definition); §27-911.1(C)–(D) |
| Marquee Sign (Building Sign) | By placement on marquee | ≤32 sq ft (per marquee sign) | — | — | Max 1 per principal building | On a marquee attached to the principal building | — | Unlock | §27-911.1(B)(2)–(3); §27-911.1(C)–(D) |
| Integral Roof Sign (Building Sign) | Cannot extend above highest roof portion (integral roof sign); integral nature per definition | Not individually specified (subject to aggregate 15%) | — | — | Max 2 per principal building | Integral to roof structure | — | Unlock | §27-911.1(B)(2),(4); §27-911.1(C)–(D); §27-902 (Integral Roof Sign) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Commercial Use with ≥100,000-sf Anchor) - Arterial Corridor Frontage | ≤40 ft | ≤350 sq ft per face | — | Subject to general setbacks and corridor standards | Max 1 per arterial frontage (shared by all users) | Along arterial corridor frontage abutting the property | — | Unlock | §27-911.3(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Commercial Use with ≥100,000-sf Anchor) - Additional Road Frontages | ≤25 ft | ≤200 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks | Max 1 per additional frontage (shared) | Along additional non-arterial road frontages abutting the property | — | Unlock | §27-911.3(A) |
| Billboard (Outdoor Advertising Sign) - Conditional Use | ≤25 ft above the centerline of adjacent roadway | Max sign face size 300 sq ft (border/trim included; base/support excluded) | — | 20–60 ft from ultimate ROW; ≥20 ft from side property line; spacing buffers as specified. | 1 per eligible property (by conditional use) | On commercial/industrial property in PC District with frontage on SR 309 | — | Unlock | §27-911.4(A)–(O) |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | Max 1 temporary freestanding at a time; max 4 temporary signs/year; max 2 displayed at once | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-911.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |
Planned Industrial District (PI); Extraction District (EXT)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | 12 ft | ≤150 sq ft (and subject to formula) | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | 1 per lot | On the lot, along lot frontage | — | Unlock | §27-912.1(A)(1)–(2),(D) |
| Canopy Sign (Building Sign) | By placement on building | Counts toward 5% total | — | — | — | On canopy/awning at principal building | — | Unlock | §27-912.1(B)(1)–(2),(C)–(D) |
| Projecting Sign (Building Sign) | By placement on building; general projecting sign dimensional constraints apply (projection ≤4 ft; lowest edge ≥8 ft; etc.) | ≤32 sq ft (per projecting sign) | — | — | Max 1 per principal building | Affixed to building wall, projecting | — | Unlock | §27-912.1(B)(2)–(3),(C)–(D); §27-902 (Projecting Sign definition) |
| Roof Sign (Building Sign) | May extend no more than 4 ft above roof line | ≤20 sq ft (per roof sign) | — | — | Max 1 per principal building | On the roof | — | Unlock | §27-912.1(B)(2),(4),(C)–(D) |
| Wall Sign (Building Sign) | By placement on building | Included in 5% of front wall area (aggregate) | — | — | — | On exterior front building wall of principal building | — | Unlock | §27-912.1(B)(1)–(2),(C)–(D) |
| Temporary Sign - Freestanding | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | Max 1 temporary freestanding at a time; max 4 temporary signs/year; max 2 displayed at once | On the lot | — | Unlock | §27-912.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |
| Temporary Banner | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward temporary sign limits | On the lot/building | — | Unlock | §27-912.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward temporary sign limits | Inside window, visible from exterior | — | Unlock | §27-912.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Richland Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Richland Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Richland Township
- No sign may be erected so that it interferes with traffic through glare or confusion with a traffic control device (by color, location, shape, wording, or other characteristic).
- No sign may be located within a clear sight triangle.
- No sign may be located within a parking space or parking aisle.
- No sign may block pedestrian movement on public thoroughfares.
- No sign may block a building entrance, exit, fire escape, or fire lane.
- No sign may be located within or project into the ultimate right-of-way of a street; minimum setbacks apply based on sign size (≤2 sq ft: ≥2 ft setback; ≤6 sq ft: ≥5 ft; >6 sq ft: ≥10 ft from sidewalk or cartway).
- Signs must be at least 15 feet from side and rear lot lines.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Beacons are prohibited.
- Portable signs for permanent use are prohibited.
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Signs indicating that a property may be used for a purpose not permitted in its zoning district are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated by a group of incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or used to outline a sign or structure are prohibited, except festive lighting.
- Any sign erected on a tree or utility pole or painted/drawn on a rock or other natural feature is prohibited.
- Flashing signs (lights that flash, blink, or turn on/off intermittently) are prohibited, except time and temperature signs.
- Glaring signs with light sources or reflecting brightness that constitute a hazard or nuisance are prohibited.
- Video billboards are prohibited in the Township.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited, except official/governmental signs, billboards allowed under §27-911.4, and mobile billboards allowed under §§27-911.5 and 27-912.3.
Exempt Signs in Richland Township
- Street signs: official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other traffic signs erected and maintained on public roads/highways for safety or traffic regulation (permit-exempt).
- Legal notice signs: on-premises temporary signs containing information required by ordinance or law (permit-exempt).
- Official and governmental signs: safety signs; signs indicating points of interest; historical plaques; public parks/recreation facilities; public information kiosks or directional signage erected by the Township or other governmental entity; signs identifying official Township or other governmental buildings/facilities (may be directly or indirectly illuminated; permit-exempt).
- Real estate signs on the premises for sale/lease/rent: must meet temporary sign size for the district; max one per street frontage (max two per property); removal within 20 days of settlement or lease; within multi-unit developments by builder/developer/agent max 8 sq ft and removed within 20 days after sale/lease of last unit (permit-exempt).
- Incidental signs up to 2 square feet (permit-exempt and not counted toward total sign area).
- Flags representing governmental, educational, or religious organizations with total flag area not exceeding 60 square feet (permit-exempt and not counted toward total sign area).
- Identification signs displaying only the name and/or address of the premises occupant, up to 200 square inches, one per premises (permit-exempt and not counted toward total sign area).
- Building markers or historical signs/tablets up to 4 square feet per building (permit-exempt and not counted toward total sign area).
- Political signs (permit-exempt and not counted toward total sign area).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Richland Township
- A zoning permit is required before erecting any sign greater than 2 square feet in area unless specifically exempted.
- Permanent sign permit applications must include plans/specifications: sign dimensions; dimensions of the building wall (if attached); dimensions of supporting members; maximum height; proposed location relative to building face and lot boundaries; method and hours of illumination; materials/finish/construction details including loads, stresses, and anchorage (engineering data); and an inventory of existing signs on the property.
- Temporary signs require a temporary sign permit for a specified time period; the applicant must demonstrate compliance; an escrow deposit is required to guarantee prompt removal at the end of the authorized period.
- Billboards are allowed only by conditional use approval from the Board of Supervisors and only on commercial/industrial properties in the PC district with frontage on State Route 309, subject to detailed standards.
- Mobile billboards require a permit and must be renewed every 15 days; additional operational limits apply including parking restrictions and size/height limits (see PC and PI/EXT district provisions).
- Special freestanding sign allowances for multiple commercial uses that include at least one large retail store (>100,000 sq ft) may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Supervisors.
- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the provided sections.
Source: ecode360 municipal code