# Sign Regulations in Schuylkill Haven Borough, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Schuylkill Haven Borough, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/schuylkill-haven-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37053534#37053534)

## At a glance

Schuylkill Haven Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 12 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Off-premises Signs in the Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 80 ft tall and 200 sq ft, with a Min 20 ft from street ROW; min 10 ft from nonresidential lot line setback (Sec. § 210-712.E). Most commercial signs in Schuylkill Haven Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 5 | 80 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 4 | 10 ft (if not otherwise stated in § 210-703.A) | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not regulated by chapter; specific authorization required | — | § 210-703.B(1) |
| Holiday Decoration | — | — | — | — | — | Not regulated by chapter; holiday purpose | — | § 210-703.B(2) |
| Not Readable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not readable from any public street or exterior lot line | — | § 210-703.B(3) |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As erected by government | — | § 210-703.B(4) |
| Required Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Outdoor posting as required by government | — | § 210-703.B(5) |
| Right-of-way Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within right-of-way of public street, officially authorized | — | § 210-703.B(6) |

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | At least 5 ft from curbline; not within 10 ft of residential lot line | — | See sign tables in chapter for detailed dimensional standards | — | § 210-704, § 210-706 |
| Wall Sign | Limited to height of building to which attached | — | — | — | — | Attached flat to building wall; not projecting more than 2 ft | — | § 210-704.B, § 210-711 |
| Portable Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Must not be in existing street right-of-way; must not obstruct sight distance | 1 per principal use or lot (whichever is more restrictive) | Only on lot of permitted principal commercial use | — | § 210-704.C |
| Off-premises Sign | 80 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Min 20 ft from street ROW; min 10 ft from nonresidential lot line | Not more than one per lot | Only within 200 ft of arterial right-of-way; at least 20 ft from street ROW; at least 10 ft from nonresidential lot line; prohibited within 200 ft of residential lot line | — | § 210-712.E |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In window or transparent door, visible from exterior | — | § 210-701.B |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | 10 ft (if not otherwise stated in § 210-703.A) | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 210-706.A(1), § 210-703.A |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | At least 5 ft from curbline; not within right-of-way | — | Not within right-of-way, main support at least 5 ft from curbline; not within 10 ft of residential lot line | — | § 210-706.A(2), § 210-704 |
| Wall Sign | Limited to height of building to which attached | — | — | — | — | Attached flat to building wall; not projecting more than 2 ft | — | § 210-704.B, § 210-711 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In window or transparent door, visible from exterior | — | § 210-701.B |

## Prohibited signs in Schuylkill Haven Borough

- Spinners or any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type are prohibited, except time and temperature signs. This includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the applicable provisions of this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device, or have any characteristics likely to confuse or distract drivers, are prohibited.
- Signs or displays that include words or images that are obscene, pornographic, or that an average reasonable person would find highly offensive to public decency are prohibited.
- Signs attached by tacks, staples, or other metal fasteners to utility poles are prohibited, except by an authorized utility.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or pole without owner permission.
- No sign shall be stapled or nailed to a utility pole except by an authorized utility.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political, or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
- Signs shall not obstruct safe sight distance for vehicles, or interfere with sight distance requirements.
- Signs which are advertising a use no longer in existence must be removed within 180 days of cessation of such use.

## Signs exempt from permit in Schuylkill Haven Borough

- Historic signs memorializing an important historic place, event or person and specifically authorized by the Borough, county, state or federal agency are exempt from regulation.
- Holiday decorations commemorating a holiday recognized by the Borough, county, state or federal government and that do not include advertising are exempt from regulation.
- Signs not readable from any public street or exterior lot line are exempt from regulation.
- Official signs erected by the state, county, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough ordinance or resolution, for public purposes are exempt.
- Signs that only include information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough are exempt.
- Signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PennDOT are exempt.
- Permits are not required for signs meeting the requirements of § 210-703 and for window signs that are not of a permanent nature.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit under this article is required for all signs except for those meeting the requirements of § 210-703 and non-permanent window signs.
- Sign permits must be obtained for any relocated sign, which is considered a new sign.
- Portable signs require a specific sign permit stating the dates of display and are restricted in terms of frequency and duration.
- Off-premises signs require conditional use approval in certain districts.
- Permit requirements are referenced for all permanent and portable signs, except for specific exempt signs.
- There is no mention in this section of a requirement for a master sign plan or for a variance meeting specifically for sign approvals; general administrative permitting is required as noted above.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Schuylkill Haven Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Schuylkill+Haven+Borough+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-schuylkill-haven-borough

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