Sign Regulations in State College Borough, Pennsylvania
State College Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 22 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Menu Sign (Motor Vehicle Oriented Businesses), Scoreboard (Athletic Venue, Visible from Outside Venue). 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 State College Borough, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in State College Borough
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not specified for wall signs; general sign height limit 35 ft | Each premises: 2 sq ft per ft of longest frontage, max 200 sq ft (total for all signs types) | — |
| Freestanding Sign | General limit 35 ft; see zone for specifics | Each premises: 2 sq ft per ft of longest frontage, max 200 sq ft (total for all signs types); see zone for specifics | Setback min 5 ft from property line |
| Portable Sign/Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft (Sandwich Board types); 6 ft (others) | 7 sq ft per face | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
22
- Wall Sign
- Menu Sign (Motor Vehicle Oriented Businesses)
- Scoreboard (Athletic Venue, Visible from Outside Venue)
- General Sign Allowance (All Other Uses)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for State College Borough
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In State College Borough, wall signs can be up to Not specified for wall signs; general sign height limit 35 ft and monument signs are limited to General limit 35 ft; see zone for specifics. 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 State College Borough, 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 State College Borough, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Menu Sign (Motor Vehicle Oriented Businesses), Scoreboard (Athletic Venue, Visible from Outside Venue), General Sign Allowance (All Other Uses), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In State College Borough, monument signs typically require a Setback min 5 ft from property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in State College Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. State College Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
Ready to Research State College Borough Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to State College Borough, Pennsylvania sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for State College Borough, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in State College Borough (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Not specified for wall signs; general sign height limit 35 ft | 7 sq ft per face | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R3B, R3H, R4 | 3 | Up to eave line or bottom of 2nd story window, whichever is lower | 6 sq ft per face | — |
| Residential Districts (R1, R2, R3, R3B, R3H, R4) | 1 | 35 ft overall limit | Each premises: 2 sq ft per linear ft of longest frontage, max 200 sq ft | — |
| UV, CP1, CP2, CP3, MP, RO, ROA, PO | 3 | 35 ft overall limit | 50 sq ft plus 10 sq ft per business within premises, up to 100 sq ft | — |
| C, CID, General Commercial (C), Commercial Incentive (CID) | 2 | 35 ft overall limit | 50 sq ft plus 10 sq ft per business within premises, up to 100 sq ft | — |
| P, PA, PK | 2 | 35 ft overall limit | 15% of scoreboard front face | — |
| CPI, CP2, CP3, M | 2 | Max 35 ft to top, min 8 ft bottom | 100 sq ft | — |
| UPD | 5 | 10 ft from grade | 40 sq ft per face | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in State College Borough(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not specified for wall signs; general sign height limit 35 ft | Each premises: 2 sq ft per ft of longest frontage, max 200 sq ft (total for all signs types) | — | — | Counts toward max 5 signs per premises (with possible 1 extra for corner/rear entrances per §15-106d) | Building wall (parallel) | — | Unlock | §15-107a, §15-106, §15-117 |
| Freestanding Sign | General limit 35 ft; see zone for specifics | Each premises: 2 sq ft per ft of longest frontage, max 200 sq ft (total for all signs types); see zone for specifics | — | Setback min 5 ft from property line | Counts toward max 5 per premises | Ground, supported by posts or base | — | Unlock | §15-107c, §15-106 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | Counts toward overall signs | Projecting from building | — | Unlock | §15-107b |
| Awning, Canopy, Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | Counts toward max 5 per premises | Building awning/canopy/marquee | — | Unlock | §15-107d, §15-117 |
| Portable Sign/Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft (Sandwich Board types); 6 ft (others) | 7 sq ft per face | — | — | Max 1 per premises (2 for corner/multi-entrance) | Public sidewalk, plaza, or outside business; must not block pedestrian access | — | Unlock | §15-110 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §15-109 |
| Digital Display (Periodic) | Same as sign type in zone | See underlying sign type in Table 1 and overall sign area | — | — | 1 per frontage (2 for corner premises) | As freestanding, ground, or wall sign | — | Unlock | §15-106h(2) |
| Digital Display (Continuous) | Same as underlying type | See underlying type | — | — | Max 2 per athletic venue unless not visible from exterior | As scoreboard or as permitted | — | Unlock | §15-106h(2)(b)(ii), (e)(ii) |
R1, R2, R3, R3B, R3H, R4
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | Up to eave line or bottom of 2nd story window, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On building wall | — | Unlock | §15-112a(1)(a), (2), (b)(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Home Occupation) | Up to eave line or bottom of 2nd story window, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Projecting from building | — | Unlock | §15-112a(1)(b), (2), (b)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Home Occupation) | Up to eave line or bottom of 2nd story window, whichever is lower | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Freestanding, on premises | — | Unlock | §15-112a(1)(c), (2), (b)(1) |
UPD
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monument Sign | 10 ft from grade | 30 sq ft per face | — | Within perimeter setback | — | Within 50 ft of ROW or within perimeter setback | — | Unlock | §19-1210a(2) |
| Wall Sign | May not extend above or beyond wall | 2 sq ft per ft of frontage, max 200 sq ft | — | Within perimeter setback | — | On wall within 50 ft of ROW/perimeter setback | — | Unlock | §19-1210a(3) |
| Directional Sign | 10 ft from grade | 24 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Within 50 ft of edge of ROW | — | Unlock | §19-1210a(4) |
| Incidental Sign | — | 8 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On site, parking lot, or structure about which information is provided | — | Unlock | §19-1210a(6) |
| Event Sign | 10 ft from grade | 40 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Within 50 ft of specified rights-of-way; or on structures above cartway by PennDOT | — | Unlock | §19-1210a(7) |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in State College Borough — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for State College Borough — start freeProhibited Signs in State College Borough
- Abandoned signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Snipe signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Mechanical movement signs, including Trivision boards, are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Animated signs are prohibited, except message center signs and digital displays where permitted.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Inflatable or balloon signs are prohibited, except for balloons used in temporary, noncommercial situations.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Interactive signs are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting are prohibited.
- Banners suspended across a public roadway or private driveway without the permission of the property owner(s) or public entity with jurisdiction are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects are prohibited.
- Any sign that promotes illegal activity is prohibited.
- Any signs that resemble, interfere with, or obstruct official traffic lights, signs, or signals are prohibited.
- Signs that prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or access from one part of a roof to another part, are prohibited.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, or odor or contain open flames are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in State College Borough
- Government/regulatory signs are exempt from permit requirements and not included in permanent sign calculations.
- Holiday decorations are exempt from permit requirements and not included in permanent sign calculations.
- Personal expression signs up to three square feet in area per side are exempt from permit requirements and not included in permanent sign calculations. Exception: Election signs are exempt from the area limit.
- Flags without commercial advertising are exempt from permit requirements, subject to size, number, and height limits.
- Signs or emblems of religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organizations up to 15 square feet per side are exempt from permit requirements.
- Address signs: up to two per premises, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Private drive signs: one per driveway entrance, up to two square feet per side, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Warning signs posted in accordance with Pennsylvania Title 18, § 3503 are exempt from permit requirements.
- Vending machine signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Message center signs for displaying fuel prices at commercial fueling stations up to 15 square feet per side are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs up to three square feet in area are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental window signs up to a combined total of three square feet in area per premises are exempt from permit requirements.
- Directional signs up to four square feet in area are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs that are not clearly visible from a public street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way are exempt from permit requirements.
- Indoor signs are exempt from permit requirements.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for State College Borough
- A sign permit is required to erect, replace, or relocate any sign unless the sign is exempted by § 15-105.
- Applications for a sign permit must include plans, drawings, or photographs showing the design, dimensions, and location(s) of the sign(s).
- If the proposal includes any type of internally illuminated sign, or any awnings, canopies, or marquees, additional permitting is required. All applications for such signs must be submitted to the Planning Department prior to submitting to Centre Region Code.
- Applications for internally illuminated signs must include a plan prepared by a design professional showing compliance with lighting design standards.
- Plans for off-premises signs must be certified by a registered professional and include a detailed site plan.
- Addition, relocation, or modification of any sign in a Planned District requires review by the Design Review Board.
- Requests for variances to sign ordinance provisions require a variance hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board, with advisory review by the Design Review Board prior to the hearing.
Source: ecode360 municipal code