# Sign Regulations in Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/smithfield-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/41768950#41768950)

## At a glance

Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania regulates 36 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Project Identity Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft max, minimum 30 in from grade (freestanding); wall not to exceed 6 ft in height and 10 ft in length tall and 24 sq ft per side, 2 sides max (temporary sign); 24 sq ft per permanent sign per side; overall max 48 sq ft per entrance; temporary detachable 6 sq ft sign allowed, with a 10 ft from ROW or property line setback (Sec. §27-504.1H(2)). Most commercial signs in Smithfield Township 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 | 9 | 8 ft max, minimum 30 in from grade (freestanding); wall not to exceed 6 ft in height and 10 ft in length | 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | 24 sq ft aggregate (commercial ag); 12 sq ft aggregate (farm name); 3 sq ft for directional sign | — |
| Commercial Districts, Economic Development (ED) Districts | 10 | 35 ft (may increase with obstructions) | 300 sq ft per sign structure, double-faced permitted | — |
| Business and Professional Office/Medical District (B-2) | 1 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Industrial Districts, Industrial District (M-1) | 4 | 35 ft (may be increased for obstructions) | 300 sq ft per structure (both sides) | — |
| Regional Shopping Centers | 11 | 35 ft; not above roofline | 150 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where construction, repair or renovation is in progress | — | §27-504.1H(1) |
| Project Identity Sign | 8 ft max, minimum 30 in from grade (freestanding); wall not to exceed 6 ft in height and 10 ft in length | 24 sq ft per side, 2 sides max (temporary sign); 24 sq ft per permanent sign per side; overall max 48 sq ft per entrance; temporary detachable 6 sq ft sign allowed | — | 10 ft from ROW or property line | 1 per entrance; 2 permanent project identity signs permitted at each entrance if on each side | At entrance to project; freestanding or wall-mounted | — | §27-504.1H(2) |
| Civic and Religious Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | Must comply with district yard and setback | 1 per organization premises | On premises of civic/religious organization | — | §27-504.1H(3) |
| Temporary Promotional Sign | 8 ft (freestanding temporary sign) | 24 sq ft per side, 2 sides max | — | 10 ft from ROW and lot line | — | On same lot as promoted business unless for political campaigns or volunteer organizations | — | §27-504.1I |
| Real Estate Sign (under 2 acres) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises; temp directional signs on approach routes outside ROW | — | §27-504.1F(4)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (over 2 acres) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 | On premises | — | §27-504.1F(4)(b) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 | On subdivision (6+ lots), max 2 per subdivision | — | §27-504.1F(4)(c) |
| Subdivision Directional Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 25 ft from street line, 200 ft from intersection | Max 4 per subdivision | At intersections leading to subdivision; not less than 25 ft from street line, 200 ft from intersection | — | §27-504.1F(4)(d) |

### Commercial Districts, Economic Development (ED) Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Below roof line; not beyond max building height | Maximum set by wall length; see formula | — | — | 1 per tenant per wall | On building wall fronting street or parking area | — | §27-504.1K(1)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Premises Sign (32 sq ft Option) | 15 ft | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from ROW and property line | 1 per parcel (2 if >400 ft frontage) | Not closer than 10 ft from ROW or property line | — | §27-504.1K(1)(d) |
| Freestanding Premises Sign (45 sq ft Option) | 15 ft | 45 sq ft | — | 10 ft min, bldg must be >50 ft from ROW | 1 per lot | Min 10 ft from ROW/property line; bldg >50 ft from ROW | — | §27-504.1K(1)(e) |
| Pole Sign - Gasoline Brand (Service Station) | Not to exceed district height limit | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises; single standard, may be in required front yard | — | §27-504.1K(1)(f) |
| Sign Plaza | Max as per §27-504.1K(1)(d): 15 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 sign plaza per developed lot/park | Consolidated on single frame/panel | — | §27-504.1K(2) |
| Identification Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per access point | Per point of access | — | §27-504.1K(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Back-to-Back Off-Premises Directional Sign | — | 24 sq ft per face | — | Min 10 ft from ROW/property line | 1 (2 if >400 ft frontage) | Undeveloped lot, min 10 ft from ROW/property line | — | §27-504.1K(3)(b) |
| Commercial Advertising Sign/Billboard | 35 ft (may increase with obstructions) | 300 sq ft per sign structure, double-faced permitted | — | As per ED/M-1 zoning | 1 per 500 ft street frontage | Undeveloped property in ED or Industrial Districts | — | §27-504.1M |

### Regional Shopping Centers

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Center Identification Pylon | 15 ft | 150 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 15 ft from ROW; outside sight triangle | 1 | At entrance, outside sight triangle, min 15 ft from right-of-way | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Center Monument Sign | 10 ft | 120 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 15 ft from ROW; outside sight triangle | 1 per entrance | Per vehicular entrance, min 15 ft from ROW, outside sight triangle | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Building Identification Sign | 35 ft; not above roofline | 100 sq ft per face, max 4 faces | — | Same as building setbacks | Up to 4 | Fitted into major structure architectural elements | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Pathfinder Sign | 9 ft | 15 sq ft per face, 4 faces | — | — | 1 per 50,000 sq ft GLA or 5 stores | Sidewalks or internal center locations, 1 per 50,000 sq ft GLA or 5 stores | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Service Court Identification Sign | 9 ft | 7 sq ft per face, 2 faces | — | — | 1 per 30,000 sq ft GLA | Store delivery/service area entrances, 1 per 30,000 sq ft GLA | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Storefront Wall Sign | Parapet height limit | — | 75% of facade width | — | 1 per tenant storefront | Centered on storefront wall/facade/architectural element | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Highway Facade Wall Sign Facing Route 209 | Parapet height limit | — | 75% of facade width facing Route 209 | — | Max 2 | Store rear wall/facade/element facing Route 209, centered (max 2 signs) | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |
| Highway Facade Wall Sign Facing Route I-80 | Parapet height limit | — | 75% of facade width facing Route I-80 | — | 4 | Rear store facade wall facing Route I-80, 4 allowed (1 for center/exit, 3 tenant logos) | — | Schedule of Sign Regulations - Regional Shopping Centers |

## Prohibited signs in Smithfield Township

- No sign, including projecting signs, shall be located in or project over any street right-of-way except an official sign.
- No advertisement, advertising structure, billboard, building structure or other object shall be erected, used or maintained which in any way simulates official, directional or warning signs erected or maintained by the State, County, Township, railroad, public utility or similar agency concerned with public health or safety.
- No sign or advertising device shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of the intersection.
- Advertisements using a series of two or more freestanding signs placed in a line parallel to the highway, or adjacent to each other, all carrying a single advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign, are specifically prohibited.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar moving fluttering or revolving devices used for advertising or attracting attention; nor any sign using revolving panels or electronically/computer directed change or direct advertisement or copy; no multi-vision (multi-message or variable) signs are permitted; changing of an advertisement or copy otherwise than manually is not permitted or deemed maintenance, repair, or incidental alteration.
- No sign shall utilize technology to send, transmit or communicate with cellphone or global positioning system devices in vehicles passing by the sign.
- Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall employ only lights or LEDs emitting a light of constant intensity, not to exceed specified NIT levels, and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving light or lights or revolving panels, whether or not such illumination is used to change advertisement or copy. Projected beams or illumination shall not cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- No sign may be converted to a multi-vision, multi-message, or variable sign.
- No signs shall be placed on the roof of any building or extend above the roof line of the building.
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles (except magnetic or painted signs used on a daily basis for business) or trailers which are parked to advertise a product or direct people to a business/activity are prohibited.
- Portable and wheeled signs are prohibited except as a temporary sign as provided for in the ordinance.
- Strings of lights (including lights that outline property lines, sales areas, or any part of a structure or sign intended to advertise or draw attention to a business or commercial activity) are prohibited except for temporary holiday decorations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Smithfield Township

- Replacing advertising copy or message on approved painted or printed signs or on theater marquees and similar approved signs designed for replaceable copy does not require a permit; excluding prohibited activities.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is made, does not require a permit; excluding prohibited activities.
- Window signs and signs exempt under the definition of 'signs' in this Chapter are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary non-illuminated real estate signs and directional signs meeting area, location, and temporal requirements as specified are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary non-illuminated subdivision identification and directional signs meeting area, location, and number requirements as specified are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Regional shopping centers, as defined by the ordinance, shall be permitted to erect permanent signs only subject to prior review and approval of a master signage plan by the Board of Supervisors.
- A sketch of the sign and required landscaped island must be submitted with the zoning permit application for review and approval by the Zoning Officer for commercial freestanding signs.
- Sign plaza installations serving developed lots, commercial parks, or industrial parks with multiple business uses require approval by the Supervisors in accordance with the procedures and requirements of the conditional use permit application procedures (§ 27-704).
- Waivers or modifications of sign ordinance requirements may be requested in writing to the Board of Supervisors, with supporting documentation; Board of Supervisors will decide within 30 days unless an extension is granted.

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

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