Sign Regulations in Southampton Township, Pennsylvania
Southampton Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Ground Pole Sign, Roof Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Southampton Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Southampton Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | Vertical dimension no more than 6 ft; bottom at least 8 ft above ground | 15 sq ft per face | — |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend above top of wall | 100 sq ft or 25% of wall area per wall, whichever is less (250 sq ft/25% of wall area if building in shopping center in C-G zone and >400 ft from public street) | — |
| Ground Pole Sign | Per general: 20 feet at ROW + 1 ft per 3 ft set back from ROW; max 35 ft total | 50 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft per face if lot frontage <64 ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Southampton TownshipFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
34
- Ground Pole Sign
- Roof Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Wall Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Southampton Township
Municipal Code1 permit application link available
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In Southampton Township, wall signs can be up to Shall not extend above top of wall. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Southampton Township, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Southampton Township, regulated sign types include Ground Pole Sign, Roof Sign, Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Southampton Township vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Southampton Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Southampton Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Southampton Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Southampton Township, Pennsylvania regulates 34 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Changeable Message Sign (Off-Premises)s in the Agricultural District, Woodland Conservation District, Village Center District (VC), Commercial District (C, C-G, C-L), Manufacturing District (M) zoning district are capped at Max 35 ft above ground tall and 700 sq ft per face along I-81, else 300 sq ft per face, with a Min 40 ft from ROW; min 300 ft from VC/residential; see full details setback (Sec. §350-1212D(5), (12)). Most commercial signs in Southampton Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Southampton Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Southampton Township (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District, Woodland Conservation District, Village Center District (VC), Commercial District (C, C-G, C-L), Manufacturing District (M) | 9 | Max 35 ft above ground | 700 sq ft per face along I-81, else 300 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | Installed max 4 ft from threshold | 1,500 sq in (aggregate/lot) | — |
| Residential Zones | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Center | 2 | See ground pole general regulations: max 20 ft at ROW + 1 ft per 3 ft setback from ROW (max 35 ft) | 150 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — |
| Business Office Building, Business Office Complex | 2 | Can extend 30 inches above top of wall (for >150,000 sq ft users) | 100 sq ft (per sign)/25% of wall area (1 per occupant); exception: if >150,000 sq ft gross, up to 3 wall signs, aggregate 300 sq ft/25% (no single sign >100 sq ft/25%) | — |
| Industrial Business Center | 2 | — | 100 sq ft or 25% of wall area (individual); up to 2+ wall signs with aggregate 250 sq ft/25% for (i) >40,000 sq ft bldg. with 2+ businesses | — |
| Hospital and Medical Campus | 6 | 10 ft | Aggregate 600 sq ft (up to 2 roof signs, max 1 face each) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Southampton Township(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
Agricultural District, Woodland Conservation District, Village Center District (VC), Commercial District (C, C-G, C-L), Manufacturing District (M)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting Sign | Vertical dimension no more than 6 ft; bottom at least 8 ft above ground | 15 sq ft per face | — | — | — | No sign shall project more than 5 ft beyond building line, nor be closer than 2 ft to street face/curb | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(1) |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend above top of wall | 100 sq ft or 25% of wall area per wall, whichever is less (250 sq ft/25% of wall area if building in shopping center in C-G zone and >400 ft from public street) | — | — | No more than 2 per wall | No sign extends beyond wall extremities; max 2 per wall | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(2) |
| Ground Pole Sign | Per general: 20 feet at ROW + 1 ft per 3 ft set back from ROW; max 35 ft total | 50 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft per face if lot frontage <64 ft | No dimension exceeds 10 ft | — | — | Entirely within property lines; not over ROW; within landscaped area equal to sign face size | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(3); general sign height §350-1212C(4) |
| Roof Sign | Cannot exceed building height limitation for zone | — | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(4) |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft per face, 12 sq ft double-faced; if multiple on single structure: 12 sq ft per face, 24 sq ft per double-faced | — | — | — | Near roadways, not in ROW, within 500 ft of entrance | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(6) |
| Changeable Message Sign (Off-Premises) | Max 35 ft above ground | 700 sq ft per face along I-81, else 300 sq ft per face | — | Min 40 ft from ROW; min 300 ft from VC/residential; see full details | Max 1 per structure; 3,000 ft apart | Only in Commercial and Manufacturing zones; not within 300 ft of VC boundary or residential building | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(5), (12) |
| Permanent Nonresidential Development Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft (single or double faced) | — | — | 2 per development | Only in Commercial and office-based Manufacturing; must be at major entrance | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(11) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 24 sq ft per face, max 2 faces, max dimension 6 ft (non-banner) | 6 ft (max dimension) | — | 1 per business at any one time; max 3 periods/yr | No further than 10 ft from applicant's storefront (applies to multitenant buildings) | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(10) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name/Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft (residential); | — | — | — | On residential premises | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign | — | 6 sq ft/face (residential, max 2 faces); 32 sq ft/face (other districts, max 2 faces) | — | — | — | 1 per street ROW abutting zone lot; 1 additional if 500+ft ROW | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(c) |
| Bulletin Board (Public/Charitable/Religious) | — | 25 sq ft (single-faced); 50 sq ft (double-faced) | — | — | — | On premises of institution; for noncommercial announcements | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(d) |
| On-premises Functional/Traffic Sign | — | 5 sq ft total | — | — | — | Regulating on-premises traffic, parking, or directions | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(e) |
| Flag/Pennant/Insignia (Government/Charity/Religion) | No higher than building height allowed in district | 32 sq ft/face, max 2 faces | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(h) |
| Residential Development Sign (Permanent) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | At major entrance | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(k) |
| Place of Worship Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(l) |
| Window Decal (Commercial) | Installed max 4 ft from threshold | 1,500 sq in (aggregate/lot) | — | — | — | On door or window glass | — | Unlock | §350-1212C(1)(m) |
Hospital and Medical Campus
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Pole Sign | — | 125 sq ft per face, max 2 faces; can incorporate CMS per face | — | — | 1 per campus | On campus lot or within 1,000 ft along state-owned roadway (not in ROW) | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[1] |
| Wayfinding Sign | 10 ft | 45 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | — | On campus lot along public/private roadways (not in ROW) | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[2] |
| Roof Sign | — | Aggregate 600 sq ft (up to 2 roof signs, max 1 face each) | — | — | Up to 2 | On top of buildings | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[3] |
| Street Number Sign | — | 50 sq ft per wall | — | — | — | Each wall facing street/parking lot of public-use building | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[4] |
| Wall Sign (Building) | — | 60 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Each side (public/private street or parking lot); additional allowed as described | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[5] |
| Emergency Room/Ambulance Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | Each ER/ambulance entrance | At entrance(s) as applicable | — | Unlock | §350-1212D(13)(a)[6] |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Southampton Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Southampton Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Southampton Township
- Signs which flash, revolve, move, visually dissolve copy, scroll copy, animate copy or vapor produce, including any sign that moves in whole or in part, except for clocks, hanging signs that move by normal wind, time-and-temperature signs, barber poles, and changeable message signs, provided they comply with other regulations.
- Light sources which cast light on signs unless shielded by opaque material so that lamps are not visible from off the property.
- Any sign or sign structure which constitutes a hazard to public safety or health.
- Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers leaving a roadway or driveway, or detract from visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required building exit.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'One-Way,' 'Danger,' 'Yield' or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters, so as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Any obsolete sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold.
- Signs on public property or public rights-of-way, unless erected by a governmental body or as required by order of a governmental body, except special event signs under specific exemptions and not in public parks.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object, except as permitted sign exemptions.
- String lights used for illumination, other than temporary holiday uses, which are not shielded from off the property.
- Any searchlights, pennants, and/or streamers, except for grand openings (not to exceed 15 days) and only with prior permission of the Zoning Officer.
- The outdoor display of products for sale, greater than 10 feet from applicant's storefront, except for automobiles, vans, or light pickup trucks at auto dealerships.
- Any vehicle or trailer with a sign or signs attached, painted thereon, or visible from any public right-of-way, unless actively engaged in deliveries or pickups and the sign does not protrude more than one inch, or parked as inconspicuously as possible when no alternate location is available.
Exempt Signs in Southampton Township
- Name and address of resident signs, not including commercial advertising, and not more than two square feet in area.
- No-trespassing and similar signs regulating use of property, not exceeding two square feet in residential zones or five square feet in commercial and industrial zones.
- Real estate marketing signs (subject to size limits and notification requirements, see details in ordinance).
- Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when on premises and used exclusively for noncommercial announcements, within specified size limits.
- On-premises traffic/parking/regulatory signs such as 'In-Out', 'Enter-Exit', 'Office', etc., under five square feet in total sign area.
- Signs erected by a governmental body or under their direction, bearing no commercial advertising (such as traffic, safety, school, or playground signs).
- Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting date of erection of buildings.
- Flags, pennants or insignia of any governmental, religious, charitable, or fraternal organization within area, face, and height limits. United States flag must conform to federal regulation.
- Auction, garage or yard sale signs (max size 5 sq ft, must be removed after event, max duration 15 days prior to event).
- Special event signs for charitable or public service groups (max size 32 sq ft/face, max two faces, removed after event, max 30 days prior to event).
- Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision (max 25 sq ft, no commercial advertising).
- Signs identifying places of worship when located on the premises (max 25 sq ft).
- Commercial decal signs affixed to windows/door glass (aggregate not exceed 1,500 sq in per lot, affixed up to 4 feet above threshold).
- Hot-air balloons, balloon-suspended, or inflated signs for special events in nonresidential zoning districts (max 15 days, max 3 uses/year, with Zoning Officer permission).
- Political signs for elections or ballot issues (displayed max 60 days prior and 7 days after election).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Southampton Township
- A site plan showing the location of the building, structure, or zone lot and the proposed sign's position relative to nearby buildings/thoroughfares is required for all sign permit applications.
- A design plan specifying sign details (materials, colors, lighting, letter size, construction method, dimensions, and attachment method) is required for all sign permit applications.
- For temporary signs, an application including a site plan, design plan, and application fee must be filed and approved before display, and a decal issued must be displayed on the sign.
- For directional signs and hospital/medical campus ground pole signs on a different lot, written permission from the property owner and a site plan showing sign location must be submitted with the sign permit application.
- A permit must be obtained for any sign to be erected, structurally changed, altered, or moved; see Section G(2)(b)[1].
- Permit applications for all sign types must be made on forms supplied by the Zoning Officer and must include all relevant information as required by the ordinance.
- Upon installation of a sign, the owner must notify the Zoning Officer for inspection and validation of the permit.
- All temporary signs require permit application and approval prior to display, including a site plan and design plan.
- Owners of existing signs at the time of ordinance adoption, without permits, must apply for permits for those signs.
- No explicit mention of a 'master sign plan' or 'variance meeting' requirement was found in the provided text.
Source: ecode360 municipal code