# Sign Regulations in St. Clair, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** St. Clair, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/st-clair
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-17
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://stclairpa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SC-Zoning-Ord-with-Amendments-Dec-2019.pdf#page=159)

## At a glance

St. Clair, Pennsylvania regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Advertising Signs in the C-2 General Commercial District zoning district are capped at 25 feet above grade (or street grade if lot below street) tall, 60 square feet, and 40 feet wide, with a Meet building setback requirements; not within 75 feet of adjoining residential zone; not within 50 feet of intersection point from closest street paving edge; 5 feet from curbline setback (Sec. 704.C.5-9). Most commercial signs in St. Clair 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 | 2 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| A-1 Conservation/Low Density Residential District, R-1 Medium Density Residential District, R-2 High Density Residential District | 5 | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — |
| C-1 Central Commercial District | 11 | 6 feet | 32 square feet per street or entrance façade | — |
| C-2 General Commercial District | 9 | 25 feet above street centerline | 60 square feet aggregate per use | — |
| C-3 Heavy Commercial District | 9 | 30 feet above grade level | 200 square feet aggregate | — |
| I-1 Light Industrial District, I-2 Heavy Industrial District | 7 | 25 feet above street centerline or public way | 200 square feet aggregate per wall | — |

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

### C-1 Central Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Freestanding Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.B.1 (applicable from 704.A) |
| Freestanding Sign - Public Use Identification | — | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.B.1 (applicable from 704.A.2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family Project Identification | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | 1 per side with public street frontage | Within the building line | — | 704.B.1 (applicable from 704.A.7) |
| Wall Sign - Street Level Use | — | 32 square feet per street or entrance façade | — | Attached flat against structure; not project more than 36 inches from wall or into ROW | 1 per street and entrance façade | On or attached to each street and entrance façade | — | 704.B.2 |
| Projecting Sign - Street Level Use | — | 32 square feet per street or entrance façade | — | Not project more than 36 inches into public right-of-way; farthest point not closer than 6 feet to curbline if sidewalk >9 feet wide | 1 per street and entrance façade | Attached to each street and entrance façade | — | 704.B.2 |
| Freestanding Pole or Ground Sign - Single Use | — | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within 10 feet of residential lot line | 1 | Within the property lines of the premises | — | 704.B.4 |
| Freestanding Pole or Ground Sign - Multiple Uses | — | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within 10 feet of residential lot line | 1 | Within the property lines | — | 704.B.5 |
| Projecting Sign - Multiple Uses | — | 32 square feet (aligned with single use requirements) | — | Not project more than 36 inches into public right-of-way; farthest point not closer than 6 feet to curbline if sidewalk >9 feet wide | Multiple, grouped | Attached to building face | — | 704.B.5 |

### C-2 General Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Freestanding Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.C.1 (applicable from 704.A) |
| Freestanding Sign - Public Use Identification | — | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.C.1 (applicable from 704.A.2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Private Club Identification | — | 12 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines of the premises | — | 704.C.1 (applicable from 704.A.4) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family Project Identification | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | 1 per side with public street frontage | Within the building line | — | 704.C.1 (applicable from 704.A.7) |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet aggregate per use | — | Attached flat against structure; not project more than 5 feet beyond required setback line or 3 feet beyond building face; not more than 36 inches into ROW | 1 per street and entrance façade | On or attached to each street and entrance façade | — | 704.C.2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 60 square feet aggregate per use | — | Not project more than 5 feet beyond required setback line or 3 feet beyond building face; not more than 36 inches into ROW; farthest point not closer than 6 feet to curbline if sidewalk >9 feet wide | 1 per street and entrance façade | Attached to each street and entrance façade | — | 704.C.2 |
| Freestanding Pole or Ground Sign | 25 feet above street centerline | 60 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within 10 feet of residential lot line; meet building setback if applicable | 1 per use | Within the property lines | — | 704.C.3 |
| Freestanding Advertising Sign | 25 feet above grade (or street grade if lot below street) | 60 square feet | 40 feet | Meet building setback requirements; not within 75 feet of adjoining residential zone; not within 50 feet of intersection point from closest street paving edge; 5 feet from curbline | 1 per 100 ft frontage +1 per 500 ft additional | On lot with street frontage | — | 704.C.5-9 |

### C-3 Heavy Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Freestanding Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.D.1 (applicable from 704.A, B, C) |
| Freestanding Sign - Public Use Identification | — | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines | — | 704.D.1 (applicable from 704.A.2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Private Club Identification | — | 12 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | — | Within the property lines of the premises | — | 704.D.1 (applicable from 704.A.4) |
| Freestanding Sign - Multi-Family Project Identification | 6 feet | 16 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official; minimum 3 feet clearance above ground if in sight distance area; freestanding for commercial not within 10 feet of residential lot line | 1 per side with public street frontage | Within the building line | — | 704.D.1 (applicable from 704.A.7) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | Not project more than 5 feet beyond required setback line or 3 feet beyond building face; not more than 36 inches into ROW; farthest point not closer than 6 feet to curbline if sidewalk >9 feet wide | 1 per street and entrance façade | Attached to each street and entrance façade | — | 704.D.2 |
| Freestanding Pole or Ground Sign | 30 feet above grade level | 200 square feet aggregate | — | 5 feet from any curbline; not within 10 feet of residential lot line; meet building setback if applicable | 2 (3 for buildings over 200,000 sq ft floor area) | Within the property lines | — | 704.D.3 |
| Freestanding Advertising Sign | 30 feet above grade (or 35 feet above street grade if lot below street) | 60 square feet | 40 feet | Meet building setback requirements; not within 75 feet of adjoining residential zone; not within 50 feet of intersection point from closest street paving edge; 5 feet from curbline; 20 feet from street ROW for off-premise | 1 per 100 ft frontage +1 per 500 ft additional (on-premise); 1 per lot (off-premise) | On lot with street frontage | — | 704.D.5-9, 709.H, 713.E |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from any curbline if freestanding; not within or projecting over street right-of-way except official | — | Within property lines | — | 711.B.7 |

## Prohibited signs in St. Clair

- Spinners or any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated or moving signs of any type, except time and temperature signs. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays, within Section 703.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor.
- 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 Zoning Ordinance.
- Signs that are of such character, form, shape or color that they imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the words "Danger" or "Stop").
- 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.
- Signs attached to utility poles.
- Advertising signs (billboards) shall not be permitted to be erected in any district other than the C-3 Heavy Commercial District provided conditional approval is granted by the Borough. In C-3 Heavy Commercial District, advertising signs shall be restricted and controlled as provided in this article, and other articles of this Zoning Ordinance.
- No sign except a wall sign or projecting sign as defined herein shall be permitted to have any portion thereof extending into the public right-of-way in excess of thirty-six (36) inches except as hereinafter modified.

## Signs exempt from permit in St. Clair

- Interior Signs which are not visible from a public right-of-way or an adjoining property.
- Cornerstones or tablets built into or attached to the wall of a building providing customary information on building erection or commemorating a person or event.
- Public service company signs as aids to safety or service.
- Banners, spinners, flags, pennants or other moving objects used for temporary purposes whether containing a message or not.
- Historic Sign. Memorializes an important historic place, event or person and that is specifically authorized by the Borough, County, State or Federal agency.
- Holiday Decorations. Commemorates a holiday recognized by the Borough, County, State or Federal Government and that does not include advertising.
- Not Readable Sign. Not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line.
- Official Sign. Erected by the State, County, Borough or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Borough Ordinance or resolution, and which exists for public purposes.
- Required Sign. Only includes information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Borough.
- Right-of-Way Sign. Posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Borough or PENNDOT.

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

---

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