# Sign Regulations in Sewickley, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sewickley, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/sewickley
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-23
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32412357)

## At a glance

Sewickley, Pennsylvania regulates 20 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) zoning district are capped at 12 square feet per face (additional 3-inch border/frame permitted) and 4.5 feet horizontal wide, with a ≥2 feet from curbline setback (Sec. § 330-908). Most commercial signs in Sewickley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-1A, R-2) | 9 | — | <100 square inches | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 8 | 36 inches | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — |
| Village Overlay (VO) | 10 | 54 inches | 40% of window area; 20% for internally illuminated | — |
| Ohio River Boulevard Mixed Use (OMU) | 7 | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — |
| Institutional (Inst.) | 8 | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — |
| Industrial (I) | 7 | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 30 feet (flagpole from ground to uppermost point) | 15 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — | — | Not more than 2 wall signs per street facade (one of each type); for multi-tenant, 1 per business per facade; total ≤40% signable wall area | Attached to building wall for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-904 |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 20 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot; ≥80 feet from other ground signs | On lot by agreement with Borough; not on or over public property without approval | — | § 330-905 |
| Awning Sign | — | 10% of building facade | — | Lesser of 6.5 ft from building or 2 ft from curb | Not specified; total awning area ≤10% facade | Attached to and supported by building for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-906 |
| Window Sign | — | 40% of window area; 20% for internally illuminated | — | — | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | On or in windows for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-907 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 square feet per face (additional 3-inch border/frame permitted) | 4.5 feet horizontal | ≥2 feet from curbline | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | Attached to building wall projecting over sidewalk for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-908 |
| Wayfinding Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | Not specified | Attached to building or freestanding for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-914 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | No more than 2 per lot at any time | Any lot | — | § 330-909 |
| A-Frame Sign | 36 inches | — | 32 inches | ≥15 ft from access drive/intersection; ≥3 ft from side lot line; ≥15 ft from other A-frame if feasible | 2 per lot in combination with sculptural feature signs (C-1 only) | Public sidewalk in front of business within extended lot lines (C-1 only); ≥4 ft pedestrian clearance; not in prohibited areas (e.g., <1 ft from curb, intersections, etc.) | — | § 330-913 |

### Village Overlay (VO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 30% of signable wall area for graphic display; 10% for internally illuminated | — | — | Not more than 2 wall signs per street facade (one of each type); for multi-tenant, 1 per business per facade; total ≤30% signable wall area | Attached to building wall for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-904 |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 20 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot; ≥80 feet from other ground signs | On lot by agreement with Borough; not on or over public property without approval | — | § 330-905 |
| Awning Sign | — | 10% of building facade | — | Lesser of 6.5 ft from building or 2 ft from curb | Not specified; total awning area ≤10% facade | Attached to and supported by building for nonresidential uses; projection over public right-of-way permitted | — | § 330-906 |
| Window Sign | — | 40% of window area; 20% for internally illuminated | — | — | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | On or in windows for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-907 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 square feet per face (additional 3-inch border/frame permitted) | 4.5 feet horizontal | ≥2 feet from curbline | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | Attached to building wall projecting over sidewalk for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-908 |
| Wayfinding Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | Not specified | Attached to building or freestanding for nonresidential uses | — | § 330-914 |
| A-Frame Sign | 36 inches | — | 32 inches | ≥15 ft from access drive/intersection; ≥3 ft from side lot line; ≥15 ft from other A-frame if feasible | 2 per lot in combination with sculptural feature signs | Public sidewalk in front of business within extended lot lines; ≥4 ft pedestrian clearance; not in prohibited areas (e.g., <1 ft from curb, intersections, etc.) | — | § 330-913 |
| Sculptural Feature Sign | 54 inches | — | 32 inches | ≥15 ft from access drive/intersection; ≥3 ft from side lot line; ≥15 ft from other sculptural if feasible | 2 per lot in combination with A-frame signs | Public sidewalk in front of business within extended lot lines; ≥4 ft pedestrian clearance; not in prohibited areas (e.g., <1 ft from curb, intersections, etc.) | — | § 330-913 |

### Institutional (Inst.)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 40% of signable wall area for graphic display; 20% for internally illuminated | — | — | Not more than 2 wall signs per street facade (one of each type); for multi-tenant, 1 per business per facade; total ≤40% signable wall area | Attached to building wall | — | § 330-904 |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet above ground at highest point | 20 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot; ≥80 feet from other ground signs | On lot by agreement with Borough; not on or over public property without approval | — | § 330-905 |
| Awning Sign | — | 10% of building facade | — | Lesser of 6.5 ft from building or 2 ft from curb | Not specified; total awning area ≤10% facade | Attached to and supported by building | — | § 330-906 |
| Window Sign | — | 40% of window area; 20% for internally illuminated | — | — | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | On or in windows | — | § 330-907 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 square feet per face (additional 3-inch border/frame permitted) | 4.5 feet horizontal | ≥2 feet from curbline | Included in 2 signs per facade limit per § 330-903D | Attached to building wall projecting over sidewalk | — | § 330-908 |
| Wayfinding Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | Not specified | Attached to building or freestanding | — | § 330-914 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | No more than 2 per lot at any time | Any lot | — | § 330-909 |
| Bulletin Board | — | 20 square feet | — | — | Not specified | On premises of public institution | — | § 330-903C(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Sewickley

- No canopy signs shall be erected in a public right-of-way inclusive of structural components attached to the ground plane or structural components extending into the right-of-way.
- Extraneous items are not permitted in any front or side yard in any residential district, nor beyond the building line in any other district.
- Mobile signs are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Residential district signs displayed for a fee or placement of off-site commercial advertisements on residential lots is prohibited (with exceptions for nonconforming business uses and permit-exempt signs).
- No roof signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained in the Borough.
- No sign shall be permitted which in any way approximates or obscures an official highway sign or signal.
- No sign shall be permitted on public property without the prior written approval of the Borough Manager or his designated representative, unless the sign is an A-frame or sculptural feature sign in conformance with § 330-913; in no case shall political signs be permitted on public property.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall obstruct free and clear vision or be at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized sign, signal or device; or make use of the word 'STOP,' 'LOOK,' 'DRIVE-IN,' 'DANGER,' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sewickley

- Nonilluminated real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which such signs are located (must be removed within 30 days after sale, rental or lease).
- Nonilluminated signs not exceeding 20 square feet in area which advertise the sale or development of lot subdivisions containing an area of not less than three lots, erected upon the lot so developed and advertised for sale, for a period not to exceed one year.
- Nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area, containing only the name of the occupant, the title of the person practicing a profession, the name of the building or property, the name of the agent and the hours and days of operation.
- Signs in residential districts noting home occupations, provided that there is not more than one such sign per dwelling unit, that each sign does not exceed two square feet in area, and each sign is limited to not more than the resident's name, street address, home occupation and phone number.
- Bulletin boards not exceeding 20 square feet in area erected upon the premises of a place of worship, funeral home or public institution for the purpose of displaying the name of the institution and its activities or services.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding 12 square feet in area, as long as the sign is removed within 10 business days after completion of work.
- Memorial signs or plaques, names of buildings and dates of erection, provided that such signs do not exceed two square feet in area.
- Danger signs, emergency signs, legal notices, nonadvertising signs, railroad crossing signs, temporary signs, traffic or other municipal signs, as may be approved by Borough Council.
- Interior signs which are not in the window showcase.
- Temporary signs as provided in § 330-909.
- Signs announcing or advocating candidates for political office or ballot questions, provided that each sign does not exceed 12 square feet in area, provided that the total number of signs does not exceed eight on any lot, and provided such signs are removed within 48 hours of the closing of the polls (not permitted on municipally owned lots).
- Signs directing traffic on private lot(s) but bearing no advertising matter, provided that each sign does not exceed two square feet in area, and provided the total number of signs is limited to three.
- Signs expressing notice of 'no solicitation,' not to exceed 12 inches in length and four inches in height, and on not more than one dwelling unit or place of business.
- Decals, stickers, painted or otherwise applied insignias and lettering, placed in windows or doors, designed to be viewed by pedestrians immediately nearby on abutting sidewalks (less than 100 square inches in area; area counts against allowable display area in § 330-907B).

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

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