Sign Regulations in Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania

Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Freestanding Sign (Distinctive materials/design), Monument Sign. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.

Data last verified: April 28, 2025

Sign Regulation Overview for Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania

Sample Sign Requirements in Tarentum Borough

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Wall Sign (Box sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feet
Wall Sign (Screened box sign with raised or recessed letters)Three feet for letter height200 square feet
Wall Sign (Raceway-mounted channel letter sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feet

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for Tarentum BoroughPartial Coverage

Sign Types Covered

26

  • Freestanding Sign
  • Freestanding Sign (Distinctive materials/design)
  • Monument Sign
  • Wall Sign (Box sign)
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

6

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for Tarentum Borough

Municipal Code1 permit application link available

Frequently Asked Questions

In Tarentum Borough, wall signs can be up to Three feet for letter height. 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 Tarentum Borough, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.

In Tarentum Borough, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Freestanding Sign (Distinctive materials/design), Monument Sign, Wall Sign (Box 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 Tarentum Borough 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 Tarentum Borough are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Tarentum Borough has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

AI-Powered Research

Ready to Research Tarentum Borough Sign Permits?

Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.

No credit card required · Get results in seconds

Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance

Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Menu Board Sign (Primary)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 36 square feet, with a 75 feet from residential zoning district setback (Sec. §265-706.A(1)(a)-(2)).

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Tarentum Borough, Pennsylvania

Sign Rules by Zoning District in Tarentum Borough (6 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
Commercial Center CC District, Highway Commercial and Manufacturing District (HCM)136 feet200 square feet
RRO Rural Resource Overlay District1
Residential districts, Overlay districts126 feet400 square feet
Shopping centers and office parks515 feet150 square feet
Traditional neighborhood development1
General Regulations For All Zones68 feet40 square feet, 8 feet height

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Tarentum Borough(sample of 3 of 6 zones)

Commercial Center CC District, Highway Commercial and Manufacturing District (HCM)

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Wall Sign (Box sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feetMultiple wall signs allowed; cumulative area appliesAny building facadeUnlock§265-704.B(1)-(7)
Wall Sign (Screened box sign with raised or recessed letters)Three feet for letter height200 square feetMultiple signs allowed; cumulative area appliesAny building facadeUnlock§265-704.B(1)-(7)
Wall Sign (Raceway-mounted channel letter sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feetMultiple signs allowed; cumulative area appliesAny building facadeUnlock§265-704.B(1)-(7)
Wall Sign (Pin-mounted channel letter sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feetMultiple signs allowed; cumulative area appliesAny building facadeUnlock§265-704.B(1)-(7)
Wall Sign (Distinctive materials/design sign)Three feet for letter height200 square feetMultiple signs allowed; cumulative area appliesAny building facadeUnlock§265-704.B(1)-(7)
Freestanding Sign6 feet8 square feetOne per lotFront yard with 10 feet or greater depthUnlock§265-704.E(1)-(3)
Freestanding Sign (Distinctive materials/design)6 feet24 square feetOne per lotFront yard with 10 feet or greater depthUnlock§265-704.E(4)
Monument Sign6 feet24 square feetOne per lotFront yard with 10 feet or greater depthUnlock§265-704.E(4)

Residential districts, Overlay districts

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Wall Sign (Box sign)400 square feetMultiple wall signs permitted; cumulative area appliesBuilding facade of any principal building oriented to property lines adjoining nonresidential principal uses.Unlock§265-705.A(1)(a)-(e)
Wall Sign (Screened box sign with raised/recessed letters)400 square feetMultiple signs permitted; cumulative area appliesAs aboveUnlock§265-705.A(1)(a)
Wall Sign (Raceway-mounted channel letter sign)400 square feetMultiple signs permitted; cumulative area appliesAs aboveUnlock§265-705.A(1)(a)
Wall Sign (Pin-mounted channel letter sign)400 square feetMultiple signs permitted; cumulative area appliesAs aboveUnlock§265-705.A(1)(a)
Wall Sign (Distinctive materials/design sign)400 square feetMultiple signs permitted; cumulative area appliesAs aboveUnlock§265-705.A(1)(a)
Freestanding Sign6 feet16 square feetOne per lotFront yard (on stand-alone lot with yard of 10 feet or greater)Unlock§265-705.A(2)(a)-(c)
Freestanding Sign (Distinctive materials/design)6 feet24 square feetOne per lotFront yard (on stand-alone lot with yard of 10 feet or greater)Unlock§265-705.A(2)(d)
Monument Sign6 feet24 square feetOne per lotFront yard (on stand-alone lot with yard of 10 feet or greater)Unlock§265-705.A(2)(d)

General Regulations For All Zones

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Menu Board Sign (Primary)8 feet36 square feet75 feet from residential zoning districtMax 2 per order stationAccessory to drive-through order station (max 2 per establishment)Unlock§265-706.A(1)(a)-(2)
Menu Board Sign (Secondary)6 feet15 square feet75 feet from residential zoning district1 secondary menu board per order stationUnlock§265-706.A(1)(b)
Neighborhood/subdivision identification sign (Monument)8 feet40 square feet, 8 feet height1 per group of multifamily dwellingsAs entrance feature to neighborhoods/subdivisionsUnlock§265-706.B
Neighborhood/subdivision identification sign (Distinctive materials/design freestanding)20 square feet1 per group of multifamily dwellingsFreestanding at entranceUnlock§265-706.B
Temporary Sign (Opening)16 square feetOne per establishmentDisplayed for new nonresidential establishmentsUnlock§265-706.C
Temporary Sign (Promotional event)24 square feetOne per establishment, 2 times/yearOnsite for promotional eventsUnlock§265-706.C

PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Tarentum 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 6 zones for Tarentum Borough — start free

Prohibited Signs in Tarentum Borough

  • No signs, advertisements, notices, notes, placards or communication of any kind unauthorized by the Public Safety Committee of Council are permitted to be placed against or attached to traffic signs and utility poles belonging to the Borough of Tarentum and/or utility poles within the borders of Tarentum of which the Borough has use or any poles in the public right-of-way.
  • Obscene material, illustrations, or language shall not be depicted or displayed on any sign.
  • Any signs not expressly authorized within this article are prohibited.
  • Flashing signs are prohibited.
  • Banners, series of balloons, and pennants are prohibited.
  • Balloons and other inflatable objects with a diameter of two feet or greater are prohibited.
  • Signs larger than two square feet that are suspended by chains, ropes, or other means designed to allow the sign to swing or move freely are prohibited.
  • Roof signs are prohibited.
  • Signs affixed directly to a tree, utility pole, light pole, traffic control device, barn, shed, or roof of a building or structure are prohibited.
  • Back-lit, translucent awnings or canopies are prohibited.
  • Permanent signs made of plywood, pressed board, MDO or non-exterior-grade wood products are prohibited.
  • Signs attached to or painted on a licensed vehicle within a residential zoning district if such sign is visible from a public street where such is displayed with the intent of advertising are prohibited.
  • Signs shall not block required sight distance at intersections of streets and access roads and driveways to streets.
  • No sign or structure shall be erected at any location where, by reason of the position, shape or color of the sign or structure, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or public directional, emergency, or street signage.
  • All external lighting associated with signs shall be provided as indirect lighting.

Exempt Signs in Tarentum Borough

  • Public, semipublic, and commemorative signs and monuments including signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency; and religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historic agencies.
  • Signs indicating the address or name of a building up to two square feet for single-family dwellings and six square feet for all other uses.
  • One 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' sign is allowed per street frontage. Such signs must be removed within seven days after the sale, rental, or lease has been accomplished.
  • 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs on lots containing a single-family dwelling unit or zoned for single-family residential development may not exceed nine square feet in area.
  • 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs on lots containing principal uses other than single-family dwellings may not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or 0.25 square feet of sign area per each linear foot of street frontage for the first 150 feet of street frontage and 0.10 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage for street frontage in excess of 150 feet, not to exceed 150 square feet.
  • One construction sign is allowed per street frontage during the time that construction or development activity is occurring on the subject lot, subject to size limitations (12 sq ft for single-family, 32 sq ft for others).
  • Holiday decorations on private property clearly incidental, customary, and commonly associated with national, local or religious holidays are allowed, provided they are displayed for a period of not more than 60 days for each holiday.
  • One sign per lot not exceeding two square feet with the name of a business operating as a home occupation on the lot.

Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Tarentum Borough

  • There is no explicit mention of a master sign plan, sign plan, or required variance meeting in the provided ordinances.

Source: ecode360 municipal code