# Sign Regulations in Ross Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ross Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/ross-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31082368#31082368)

## At a glance

Ross Township, Pennsylvania regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Signs in the Residential Districts, Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 6 sq. ft., with a 10 feet from street ROW and adjacent property lines setback (Sec. §27-1607.1A(4)). Most commercial signs in Ross 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 | 2 | 12 feet above ground level for first floor wall signs | — | — |
| Residential Districts, Planned Residential Developments (PRDs) | 9 | 5 ft. | 200 sq. in. per side | — |
| C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, I-1 Industrial District | 12 | 25 ft. above grade of sign/base or nearest adjacent highway (whichever is lower); min 9 ft clearance | 600 cubic ft. | — |
| C-3 Commercial District | 9 | 20 ft. | 600 cubic ft. | — |

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

### Residential Districts, Planned Residential Developments (PRDs)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Directional/Convenience Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. per side | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1607.1A(1) |
| Flag Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1607.1A(2) |
| Bulletin/Announcement/Identification Sign (Institutional Use) | — | 20 sq. ft. per side | — | None for ground sign; otherwise, 15 feet as defined | One per institutional use | — | — | §27-1607.1A(3) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from street ROW and adjacent property lines | One per lot; extra for lots on two or more streets | On premises for sale, lease, or rent; min 10 ft from street right of way and adjacent property lines | — | §27-1607.1A(4) |
| Common Real Estate Development Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 feet from street ROW | One per development entrance | At least 10 ft from any public street right of way, within the development | — | §27-1607.1A(5) |
| No Trespassing/Private Property/Hunting-Fishing Control Sign | — | 200 sq. in. per side | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1607.1A(6) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (High Density Residential Use) | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | One per property | — | — | §27-1607.1A(8) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (Nonprofit Organization) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | — | With written permission of property owner or township if public ROW | — | §27-1607.1B(1) |

### C-1 Commercial District, C-2 Commercial District, I-1 Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Business Sign | 12 feet above ground for first-floor wall signs | 100 sq. ft. (C-1, C-2, I-1); 50 sq. ft. (C-3) | — | — | 1 per occupancy | On building wall, not projecting more than 12 inches unless to accommodate raceway/sign mounting | — | §27-1608.1B |
| Freestanding Pylon Business Sign (Integrated Shopping Center) | 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. per sign | — | 15 feet from street right of way | 1 per principal entrance (minimum 1000 ft between entrances) | At principal integrated shopping center entrances | — | §27-1608.1C |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 0 ft from nearest street right of way (as defined and subject to traffic safety) | — | Minimum front yard setback 0 ft from nearest street right of way, provided sign does not interfere with visibility | — | §27-1608.1D |
| Existing Legal Conforming Pole Sign | 20 feet; min 9 ft. between curb and bottom of sign | 100 sq. ft. (C-1, C-2, I-1); 50 sq. ft. (C-3) | — | — | 1 per property | Not on roof; must have valid certificate of occupancy | — | §27-1608.1E |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft from paved street right of way | 1 per property | Not closer than 15 feet to the paved portion of street right-of-way or far enough not to fall into cart path | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(a), §27-1608.1F(6) |
| Portable Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | 0 ft from nearest street right-of-way if does not interfere with visibility | 1 per property | Minimum front yard setback zero feet from nearest street right-of-way if does not interfere with vehicular visibility | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(b), §27-1608.1F(6), §27-1608.1F(2)(3)(7) |
| Stationary Inflatable Device (Temporary) | — | 600 cubic ft. | — | 15 ft from paved portion of street right-of-way or as sufficient to not fall into cart path | 1 per property | Not closer than 15 ft to paved portion of street right-of-way or far enough not to fall into cart path | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(c), §27-1608.1F(4)(a), §27-1608.1F(6) |
| Billboard (with Conditional Use approval) | 25 ft. above grade of sign/base or nearest adjacent highway (whichever is lower); min 9 ft clearance | 250 sq. ft. | — | Per applicable district building setbacks | One per premises | As per building setback lines; must face Perry Hwy, McKnight Rd, Babcock Blvd, Rochester Rd, or Lowries Run Rd only. | — | §27-1608.3 |

### C-3 Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Business Sign | 12 feet above ground for first-floor wall signs | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per occupancy | On building wall, not projecting more than 12 inches unless to accommodate raceway/sign mounting | — | §27-1608.1B |
| Freestanding Pylon Business Sign (Integrated Shopping Center) | 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. per sign | — | 15 feet from street right of way | 1 per principal entrance (minimum 1000 ft between entrances) | At principal integrated shopping center entrances | — | §27-1608.1C |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 0 ft from nearest street right of way (as defined and subject to traffic safety) | — | Minimum front yard setback 0 ft from nearest street right of way, provided sign does not interfere with visibility | — | §27-1608.1D |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (Gasoline Service Station/Convenience Store) | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per station | — | — | §27-1608.1D(5) |
| Existing Legal Conforming Pole Sign | 20 feet; min 9 ft. between curb and bottom of sign | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property | Not on roof; must have valid certificate of occupancy | — | §27-1608.1E |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft from paved street right of way | 1 per property | Not closer than 15 feet to the paved portion of street right-of-way or far enough not to fall into cart path | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(a), §27-1608.1F(6) |
| Portable Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | 0 ft from nearest street right-of-way if does not interfere with visibility | 1 per property | Minimum front yard setback zero feet from nearest street right-of-way if does not interfere with vehicular visibility | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(b), §27-1608.1F(6), §27-1608.1F(2)(3)(7) |
| Stationary Inflatable Device (Temporary) | — | 600 cubic ft. | — | 15 ft from paved portion of street right-of-way or as sufficient to not fall into cart path | 1 per property | Not closer than 15 ft to paved portion of street right-of-way or far enough not to fall into cart path | — | §27-1608.1F(1)(c), §27-1608.1F(4)(a), §27-1608.1F(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Ross Township

- All signs are prohibited from being placed within the right-of-way lines of all public streets, sidewalks, boulevards, highways, avenues, alleys, roads, or other public ways (including unpaved areas) unless a valid permit has been issued.
- All signs are prohibited from being placed on any utility poles or structures within the right-of-way lines unless a valid permit has been issued.
- All signs not expressly authorized under this Part or exempt from regulation are prohibited in the Township.
- Prohibited signs include beacons, animated signs, flashing signs, portable signs, marquee signs, roof signs, pennants, strings of lights (except those specifically exempt), inflatable signs, tethered balloons, temporary signs (e.g., sandwich board signs or similar signage), projecting signs, holographic or similar projected signs, digital outdoor advertising display panels, banners (except as provided for), band lighting, fascia lighting, strip lighting and the like, signs on vending machines/card bins/devices not screened from public view, and signs painted on or attached to trees, utility poles, stones, cliffs, or other natural objects.
- No signage shall contain pornographic or lewd messages or messages intended to incite riots.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct vision of drivers, block reasonable sight lines, conflict with traffic-control devices by color, location, shape, cause glare, or otherwise interfere with traffic safety are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of a traffic sign or control device on public streets are prohibited.
- Signs making use of words such as 'stop', 'look', 'one-way', 'danger', 'yield', or similar, in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic, are prohibited.
- Any obsolete sign which no longer identifies a bona fide business conducted or product sold is prohibited.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers parked on a public right of way, public property, or private property with the apparent purpose to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property are prohibited (with exceptions for overnight storage or service activities).
- No sign (except those of a duly constituted governmental body) shall be allowed within street lines.
- No portion of any freestanding sign may be located over the public right of way.
- Wall signs (or portions of such signs) cannot be located more than 12 feet above ground level for first floor wall signs.
- Flashing and/or animated signs are prohibited.
- Festoon lighting is not permitted (except holiday lighting).
- Digital display signs cannot display video, movement, transitions, or effects; all images/messages/graphics must be static.
- Off-premises signs are not permitted in residential districts and PRDs except as specifically provided.
- Temporary signs may not be placed within the public right-of-way or on public property (except for municipal signs and identification signs, and temporary political signs at polling places within defined hours).
- No person may erect or place any sign on private property without having first obtained consent from the property owner and/or tenant.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ross Township

- Signs necessary for direction, regulation and control of traffic, street name signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other official signs authorized or erected by a duly constituted governmental body are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial or historical plaques recognized by an agency of the Township, county, state (commonwealth), federal government, or a nonprofit historical or veterans organization are exempt from permit requirements.
- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or become a public safety hazard, are exempt from permit requirements.
- One nonilluminated sign advertising the sale or rental of the premises upon which it has been erected, provided the area does not exceed six square feet and is removed upon settlement, is exempt from permit requirements (with location restrictions).
- Residential identification signs containing only the name and address of the occupant, no more than two square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Directional signs for hospitals, schools, and houses of worship are exempt from permit requirements.
- The provisions regarding general sign regulations and restrictions do not apply to signs erected by the Township of Ross.
- Holiday lighting (as opposed to festoon lighting), in accordance with other requirements, is exempt.
- Temporary political signs at official polling places on any public property are permitted beginning 12 hours before polls open and must be removed within 12 hours after polling closes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any application for a freestanding sign must be accompanied by drawings certified under seal of a professional engineer stating that the sign, as proposed, shall not present a safety hazard.
- Each application for a freestanding sign in the commercial and industrial districts must be accompanied by two copies of a landscaping plan showing ornamental plantings and shrubs at the base of the sign.
- An application for a billboard must be accompanied by site plan approval from the Ross Township Planning Commission.
- An application for a billboard must be accompanied by engineering certification under seal of a professional engineer regarding safety.
- No explicit mention of a general master sign plan, but various applications (freestanding signs, billboards, etc.) require submittal of supporting plans or engineered drawings as part of the permit process.

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

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