# Sign Regulations in Richland Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Richland Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/richland-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/RI4762)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign - Freestanding (Residential Use) | 6 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Subject to general setbacks (§27-906) | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | 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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §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 | — | §27-912.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |
| Temporary Banner | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward temporary sign limits | On the lot/building | — | §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 | — | §27-912.2(A)–(F); §27-914.1(C) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/richland-township