# Sign Regulations in Sayre Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sayre Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/sayre-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8805997#8805997)

## At a glance

Sayre Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 14 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Name Plate / Identification Sign / Home Occupation Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 10 feet above average grade tall and 1.5 sq ft (Sec. §173-121A(1)). Most commercial signs in Sayre Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 15 feet to the top of the sign or no higher than the second-floor level, whichever is less. Minimum 7 feet clearance above grade to bottom. | — | — |
| Downtown Commercial District (CD), Light Commercial District (CL), Highway Commercial District (HC), Business Industrial District (BI), Professional and Education District (PE) | 3 | 30 feet | 2 x lot frontage (in feet) or 500 sq ft (TOTAL all signs) | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 2 | 30 feet | 3 x lot frontage (in feet) or 500 sq ft (TOTAL all signs) | — |
| Nonresidential districts | 1 | 20 feet above ground | No more than 36 square feet (counts toward total sign area) | — |
| Residential Districts | 3 | 10 feet above average grade | 16 sq ft | — |
| Conservation District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | — | — | — | 3 feet from any property line | — | Main supporting structure must be at least 3 feet from any property line (except official traffic/governmental signs) | — | §173-118B, §173-118C, §173-118G |
| Nonprojecting Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Attached flat against structure | — | §173-118D(2) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet to the top of the sign or no higher than the second-floor level, whichever is less. Minimum 7 feet clearance above grade to bottom. | — | — | — | One per stair entry (see additional requirements) | Perpendicular to structure or entrance; exception for corner buildings with 45-degree access. | — | §173-118D(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Special Event) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §173-118K |
| Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §173-118L |

### Downtown Commercial District (CD), Light Commercial District (CL), Highway Commercial District (HC), Business Industrial District (BI), Professional and Education District (PE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign | 30 feet | 2 x lot frontage (in feet) or 500 sq ft (TOTAL all signs) | — | — | — | — | — | §173-121B(1) |
| Projecting or Blade Style Sign | Max top: 15 feet or second-floor level (whichever is less); Min bottom: 7 feet above grade | — | — | — | See additional requirements | Perpendicular to building or at 45-degree angle for corner entrance; may overhang public right-of-way as permitted in CD (see citation) | — | §173-121B(1) and §173-118D/E |
| Mural | — | — | — | — | — | Front, side, or rear façade of existing building (cannot extend building) | — | §173-121D |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate / Identification Sign / Home Occupation Sign | 10 feet above average grade | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | One per street abutting property per dwelling unit/entrance/exit/building | — | — | §173-121A(1) |
| Sale / Rental / Temporary Sign | 10 feet above average grade | 3 sq ft | — | — | One per street abutting property per dwelling unit/entrance/exit/building | — | — | §173-121A(1) |
| Accessory Sign (Nondwelling Structure) | 10 feet above average grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street abutting property per dwelling unit/entrance/exit/building | — | — | §173-121A(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Sayre Borough

- Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, as amended.
- Signs shall not be located in nor overhang or project over any public right-of-way, except when such signs are required in connection with the provision of municipal services.
- No existing nonconforming hanging or suspended sign may be reconstructed or replaced; however, all such signs must be kept in good repair.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or so as to prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a stand pipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected at the intersection of streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision, and, if located within the direct line of vision of any traffic control sign or signal, no sign shall have red, green, or amber illumination.
- All signs must be adequately maintained to avoid deterioration, decay or conditions which might endanger the public health, welfare or safety.
- Illuminated signs shall not cause excessive glare or electrical or other disturbance incompatible with the nature of the adjoining neighborhood.
- All temporary signs erected for a special event shall be removed by the owner within seven days when circumstances leading to their erection no longer apply.
- Construction signs shall be removed seven days after completion of the construction project.
- No sign heretofore approved and erected shall be altered or moved, nor shall any sign or any substantial part thereof which is blown down, destroyed or removed be re-erected, reconstructed, rebuilt or relocated unless it complies with all applicable requirements.
- Any existing sign that is moved to another location either on the same or to other premises shall be considered a new sign, and a permit shall be secured for any work performed in connection therewith.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful on or in public buildings or structures, parks, lawns, public vehicles, trees, shrubs, fences, walls, traffic signs or fire hydrants, unless authorized by the Borough.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful if they damage or deface public property.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful if they create a visibility hazard to traffic or pedestrians.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful within a street right-of-way except for certain government or authorized nonprofit signs.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful if attached to utility poles, trees, fences, rock, or fire hydrants, or in unauthorized manner to walls, unless authorized.
- On private property, personal expression signs are unlawful without the consent of the property owner.
- On private property, personal expression signs are unlawful if they create a visibility hazard to traffic or pedestrians.
- Personal expression signs are unlawful if larger than 16 square feet.
- Personal expression signs relating to candidates for public office are unlawful more than 30 days before or 10 days after an election (with runoff exception), or if not removed after notification.
- Personal expression signs not relating to a candidate for public office are unlawful if maintained more than 80 days in a calendar year, or if not removed after notification.
- The total number of personal expression signs on a property shall be one, unless otherwise designated in the zoning district.
- Sign messages on regulated uses shall not include any graphic or pictorial depiction of material or services available on the premises.
- Messages visible from outside property shall not display certain restricted material, publications, or images of services offered on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sayre Borough

- A zoning permit shall not be required for name plates, identification signs, 'home occupation' signs, sale or rental signs, and other signs listed in § 173-120, Exception to sign permit requirements.
- The following wall signs do not require a permit: nonilluminated store signs erected over a show window or door announcing the name of the proprietor and the nature of the business, where no larger than 1.5 square feet.
- Signs erected on municipal, state or federal buildings that announce the name, nature of occupancy, and information about the use or admission to the premises do not require a permit.
- The following ground signs do not require a permit: sale or rent signs up to six square feet; signs erected by the municipality for street direction.
- The following temporary signs do not require a permit: construction signs, engineers' and architects' signs, and other similar signs authorized by the building official in connection with construction operations.
- Special decorative displays used for holidays, public demonstrations, or promotion of civic welfare or charitable purposes, when authorized by the Borough Manager and with no commercial advertising, do not require a permit.
- No permit is required for the above exceptions, but this does not relieve the owner from responsibility for safe erection and maintenance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Murals installed in the Downtown Commercial and Light Commercial Districts must be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission or its designated agent.
- Illuminated signs' compatibility with the adjoining neighborhood is determined by the Zoning Hearing Board, after receipt of a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
- Signs may be continued if existing at the effective date of the chapter/amendments, but are subject to further regulation (see § 173-110 reference to existing and nonconforming signs).

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

---

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