# Sign Regulations in Saxonburg Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Saxonburg Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/saxonburg-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/30701095#30701095)

## At a glance

Saxonburg Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 27 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Historic)s in the Historic District zoning district are capped at 8 feet (may not exceed common door height) tall and 24 square feet, with a 8 ft from curb/driveway, 5 ft from side setback (Sec. § 27-50.17(9), § 27-50.20(4)). Most commercial signs in Saxonburg Borough 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 | 6 | — | 40 square feet | — |
| Agricultural Zoning Districts,Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (C Zoning Districts, including C-1, Central Business District and C-2, Convenience Commercial District),Industrial Districts (M District or Manufacturing District) | 9 | 20 feet max height (top of sign); min 8 feet clearance (bottom of sign) | 64 square feet (neither dimension less than 6 feet) | — |
| Historic District | 7 | 12 feet | 24 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per building | In connection with a church, school, library, or similar public or semipublic building | — | § 27-644A |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 square feet in residential; 32 square feet elsewhere | — | — | 1 | On the property advertised | — | § 27-644B |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per contractor | On lot where work is performed | — | § 27-644C |
| Special Event Display (Temporary) | — | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 | Over public right-of-way or on face of public/public nonprofit/nonprofit building | — | § 27-644D |
| Home Occupation/Home Office Identification | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 | On property of residence | — | § 27-644E |
| Political Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On property of candidate/supporter/voter | — | § 27-644F |

### Commercial Districts (C Zoning Districts, including C-1, Central Business District and C-2, Convenience Commercial District),Industrial Districts (M District or Manufacturing District)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Special Event Display | — | 40 square feet per establishment (100 square feet aggregate if multiple establishments) | — | — | 2 per establishment simultaneously | Attached to building or supporting structure of freestanding pole business identification sign | — | § 27-646A |
| Directional Signs (<1 Acre Lot) | — | 4 square feet each | — | — | 4 | On premises | — | § 27-646B |
| Directional Signs (≥1 Acre Lot) | — | 4 square feet each | — | — | 6 (+2 per additional acre) | On premises | — | § 27-646B |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Wall or authorized freestanding sign | — | § 27-646C |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) | — | — | — | — | Aggregate per business establishment | Facade of business | — | § 27-646D(1) |
| Ground Sign (Business Identification) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | Freestanding; one per lot (no pole sign on lot) | — | § 27-646D(2) |
| Pole Sign (Business Identification) | 20 feet max height (top of sign); min 8 feet clearance (bottom of sign) | 64 square feet (neither dimension less than 6 feet) | — | — | 1 per lot | Freestanding; one per lot (no ground sign on lot) | — | § 27-646D(3) |
| Overhanging Sign (Business Identification) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 | Marquees, awnings, similar structures; in lieu of wall sign | — | § 27-646D(4) |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Historic) | — | 24 square feet | — | — | Aggregate per business | On building wall (not above roof/parapet) | — | § 27-50.13, § 27-50.17(9), § 27-50.20(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Historic) | 8 feet (may not exceed common door height) | 24 square feet | — | 8 ft from curb/driveway, 5 ft from side | — | On property; not in right-of-way | — | § 27-50.17(9), § 27-50.20(4) |
| Moveable Sign (Historic) | 4 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 | On sidewalk/in front of premises; must allow 4 ft sidewalk clearance | — | § 27-50.20(5) |
| Projecting Sign (Historic) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to building; may project over public walkway | — | § 27-50.15, § 27-50.20(2)-(3) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Historic) | — | — | Characters not exceeding 8 inches tall on valance | 8 ft vertical clearance; max 2 ft into curbline | — | On awning or canopy; at least 8 ft above sidewalk; not more than 2 ft inside curbline | — | § 27-50.20(6) |
| Banner (Historic) | — | — | — | — | — | On business/organization's property only | — | § 27-50.20(10) |
| Street Clock (Historic) | 12 feet | — | — | — | — | On sidewalk | — | § 27-50.20(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Saxonburg Borough

- "A-Frame" or sandwich board signs are prohibited in any zoning district.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited in any zoning district.
- Banners and pennants are prohibited except for temporary special event displays authorized by the ordinance.
- Moving or flashing signs are prohibited, except for that portion of a permitted sign indicating time or temperature.
- Signs on trees, utility poles or official traffic control devices or signs are prohibited.
- Signs which imitate traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Signs painted on malls or chimneys of a building or on fences or walls are prohibited.
- Roof signs, as defined in the ordinance, are prohibited.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles/trailers parked on rights-of-way or property, visible from the public right-of-way, and apparently intended as advertising, are prohibited except for temporary overnight storage or service.
- No sign shall be located in a position that causes a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic or by obscuring a traffic signal or device.
- No sign, other than official traffic signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street.
- Flashing or oscillating signs are not permitted.
- The intensity of sign illumination must not create glare or be incompatible with the ambient light of surrounding properties.
- Signs must not be in unsafe condition; unsafe signs will be declared a public nuisance and removed at owner's expense if not corrected.
- Signs relating to a discontinued/vacated business must be removed within 30 days.
- No sign shall be erected at an intersection or location where it may obstruct vision or be confused with a traffic sign/signal/device.
- No sign shall prevent or hinder ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; or be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs may not be attached to, or placed on, any public utility pole or tree in public right-of-way.
- Signs may not be structurally unsafe, hazardous to public safety/health, obstruct entrances/exits, obstruct light or air, or cause electrical shock.
- National trademark signs/logos of companies other than the on-premises business are prohibited.
- Any sign larger than 24 square feet is prohibited (general size restriction).
- Outdoor advertising (billboards) is prohibited in the Historic District.
- Roof signs are prohibited (unless historically documented for the Historic District).
- Permanent signs on public utility poles or trees in the right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs which flash, rotate, are motorized or have reflective/twinkling/sparkling elements are prohibited.
- Moving, animated, flashing, revolving, or wind-activated signs are prohibited.
- Signs advertising defunct or relocated businesses/organizations are prohibited (except landmark signs/historic markers).
- Visible strings of electrical bulbs for commercial display (except holidays) are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated or inert gas signs are prohibited on the outside of a building/structure.
- Backlit awnings are prohibited.
- No sign shall be painted directly on a non-sign-structure surface except for doors/windows identifying occupant/activity (wall mural exceptions may exist).
- No sign or part thereof may project more than two feet inside the curbline or edge of pavement.
- Signs shall not cover architectural details (arches, sills, cornices, windows).
- Signs shall not be placed on antennas, satellite dishes, trees, or shrubs.
- Signs shall not be mounted on roofs or extend above the roofline unless on a parapet wall extending above roofline.
- Freestanding signs may not exceed eight feet in height.
- Projecting signs over pedestrian walkways must have at least eight feet clearance, and at least 14 feet clearance over vehicular right-of-way.
- No awning/canopy may have its lowest part less than eight feet above the sidewalk.
- All banners are subject to permit; banners may only be placed on the property of the requesting business/organization.
- No sign shall project or extend over any pedestrian walkway more than four feet without documentation of historical precedent.
- Total permitted sign area for a single business/activity shall not exceed 24 square feet (one square foot per front foot of frontage).
- Fluorescent and day-glow paints/colors are not permitted in the historic district.
- Plastic, aluminum, and other materials are restricted unless appropriate to the historical style/period of the building.
- Signs/extensions must not be subject to rust/corrosion that may damage/deface buildings.
- On masonry surfaces, sign fasteners must be in mortar joints; no drilling/chipping of masonry units.
- HARB (Historic Architectural Review Board) will not approve misleading, misrepresentative, or offensive language or messages (with right of appeal).

## Signs exempt from permit in Saxonburg Borough

- No permit is required for public service signs erected by public agencies in locations approved by Borough Council, and not larger than permitted by state highway regulations/other ordinances.
- No permit is required for directional or informational signs such as street name signs, public facility locations, historic signs, utility information signs, etc.
- No permit is required for signs or bulletin boards of schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, other similar institutions, provided: directional/informational signs do not exceed 24 sq. ft.; other signs do not exceed 24 sq. ft.
- No permit is required for memorial plaques, cornerstones, or historic markers built-in or attached to structures, with only name, use, date, or commemorative information.
- No permit is required for street address numerals or signs not exceeding one sq. ft. in area per main structure.
- No permit is required for one identification sign per business/activity, attached to structure, not more than 2.5 sq. ft. per business.
- No permit is required for temporary contractor/architect signs on property where work is performed, not exceeding 12 sq. ft. for single contractor, 24 sq. ft. for general/subcontractors, removed upon completion.
- No permit is required for small 'private', 'no trespassing', etc. signs, max 2 sq. ft.
- No permit is required for temporary real estate signs advertising sale/rental (max area 5 sq. ft., max two per property), or indicating location of premises in development (max area 12 sq. ft., one per each 500' of frontage).
- No permit is required for temporary signs inside store display windows concerning special sales, available for a very limited period.
- No permit is required for one temporary garage, yard, or similar sale sign per sale, placed only on the day of sale, not exceeding 2.5 sq. ft., only on the property where sale held, removed after sale.
- No permit is required for political signs if stationary, unlighted, temporary, posted max two per lot, posted no sooner than two weeks before election, removed no later than seven days after, not attached to public property or utility poles.
- No permit is required (per §27-64(3)(J)) for notification (e.g., 'no trespassing'), real estate, residential identification, political, and construction signs as described in §27-64(2), but these must comply with applicable ordinance provisions and be reviewed by Code Enforcement before installation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit (application) is required for all signs except notification, real estate, residential identification, political, and construction signs as described in §27-64(2), and certain exempted signs; permit is to be issued by the Code Enforcement Officer after review for compliance.
- In the Historic District, no sign or permanent advertising display may be erected or altered until an application for Certificate of Appropriateness has been approved; HARB reviews for conformity to historic character.
- All sign permit applications must include design, type, specifications, and placement for review by Code Enforcement Officer. Permit fees apply.
- Permit must be displayed on the street-face side of the building during sign installation.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed or altered to conform after change of use, ownership, or sign alteration/replacement.
- All signs must comply with maximum square footage (1 sq. ft. per linear foot of frontage, not to exceed 24 sq. ft. per business/activity); exceptions require review.
- Any sign, including temporary banners, generally requires a permit unless specifically exempted.
- In all zoning districts, plans for sign installation—including location, size, design, etc.—must be submitted and approved as part of zoning/building permit application where required.
- For billboards (in M District), approval as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board is required.
- For certain temporary signs and banners (e.g., temporary special event display), permits and display period limits apply.
- All signs within the Historic District are subject to approval of the HARB per specified review process; appeals may be made to Borough Council.

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

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