# Sign Regulations in Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/towamencin-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14335844#14335844)

## At a glance

Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Pole Banner Signs in the MR Multifamily Residential, MH Manufactured Housing, IN Institutional District zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a 20 ft from right-of-way/property line setback (Sec. §153-808B(6); §153-806A(6)). Most commercial signs in Towamencin Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
| R-200, R-180, R-175, R-125, R-50, MRC, RBP Residential Districts | 7 | 6 ft | If not otherwise specified, ≤20 sq ft. | — |
| MR Multifamily Residential, MH Manufactured Housing, IN Institutional District | 9 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| VC Village Commercial, PBC Planned Business Campus, C Commercial, SC Shopping Center, LI Limited Industrial District | 9 | 30 ft (outside Village Overlay), 12 ft (in Village Overlay); <8 ft for bonus area | ≤50% of permitted sign area or 20 sq ft, whichever is less | — |
| IN-A District | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### R-200, R-180, R-175, R-125, R-50, MRC, RBP Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | If not otherwise specified, ≤20 sq ft. | — | — | — | — | — | §153-808A(1)(a),(c),(e); §153-804 |
| Wall Sign | No portion shall be located higher than the ceiling/floor division of the first story. | If not otherwise specified, ≤20 sq ft. | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | §153-808A(1)(b),(c) |
| Nameplate Sign or Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Residential building | — | §153-808A(2)(a), §153-804 |
| Home Occupation or Accessory Office Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At location of principal occupation or office | — | §153-808A(2)(b) |
| Professional Business Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | §153-808A(2)(c) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Option 1) | Sign: 5 ft; Structure: 7 ft | 1 sign up to 25 sq ft OR 2 signs up to 15 sq ft each | — | — | 1 or 2 | At main entrance to residential subdivision of 10+ units/lots | — | §153-808A(2)(d) |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises, not in ROW | — | §153-804A(17) |

### MR Multifamily Residential, MH Manufactured Housing, IN Institutional District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | §153-808B(2) |
| On-premises Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | For direction, safety, or convenience of public (parking, entrance, etc.) | — | §153-808B(3) |
| Complex Name Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises | — | §153-808B(4) |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-premises for community service notices | — | §153-808B(5) |
| Pole Banner Sign | 20 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 20 ft from right-of-way/property line | up to 12 per property (group) | IN Institutional District only | — | §153-808B(6); §153-806A(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (E-7/E-8 Community Use: 100+ acres) | 9 ft; Directional: 6 ft | 32 sq ft (main entrance: two signs, 80 sq ft each); Directional: 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per access road, intersection, or main entrance (+directionals as needed) | At each access road, street intersection, and main entrance | — | §153-808B(7)(a) |
| Directional Sign (E-7/E-8 Community Use: 100+ acres, Internal Roads) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Internal private roads | — | §153-808B(7)(b) |
| Parallel Wall Sign (E-7/E-8 Community Use: 100+ acres, not public road) | No higher than eaveline | Total for all on any building: 30 sq ft | — | — | — | Building walls (not visible from public street) | — | §153-808B(7)(c) |

### VC Village Commercial, PBC Planned Business Campus, C Commercial, SC Shopping Center, LI Limited Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 35–50 sq ft (up to 65 sq ft with extra setback) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Building front walls | — | §153-808C(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign - Option 2 (Parallel Wall/Multiple Tenants) | — | 35 sq ft (per tenant/subtenant) | — | — | 1 per use or tenant/subtenant | Parallel wall to portion devoted to tenant/subtenant | — | §153-808C(2)(b) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | — | Included in wall sign maximums | — | — | — | Over/centered on windows/doors/front/side vertical faces only | — | §153-808C(2)(c), §153-806A(2) |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 30 ft (outside Village Overlay), 12 ft (in Village Overlay); <8 ft for bonus area | Per use group: ≤3 uses: 35 sq ft (may be increased to 50 sq ft if sign is <8 ft high and set back additional 10 ft [20 ft total]); ≥4 uses: 150 sq ft (Limited Industrial: 120 sq ft); Village Overlay: 50 sq ft. | — | 20 ft from ultimate ROW for business sign receiving max area bonus. | 1 (2 if >1,000 ft frontage) | One per street frontage (up to two per property if 1,000+ ft continuous street frontage, not closer than 1/3 length of frontage to other sign) | — | §153-808C(3)(a)-(h), §153-808C(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 5 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Premises and within 10 ft of primary entrance; on sidewalk (must maintain 36 in clearance) | — | §153-808C(3)(c), §153-806A(5) |
| Pole Banner Sign | 20 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 20 ft from ROW/property line | Max 12 identical per site [group] | Set back minimum 20 ft from ROW/property line; minimum clearance 10 ft between bottom and ground | — | §153-808C(3)(d), §153-806A(6) |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises | — | §153-808C(6) |
| Message Center Sign or Digital Display | — | ≤50% of permitted sign area or 20 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per property | May be incorporated as part of allowed signs | — | §153-808C(7), §153-805F(3)-(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Towamencin Township

- It is unlawful to tack or place any sign, bill, poster or advertisement of any nature on any pole, tree or other plant or structure on any street, alley or other public place in any manner without having a permit.
- No such sign, poster, bill or advertisement is permitted to remain in such public place for longer than 30 days, and any such advertisement for an event or election must be removed within 10 days after the event or election.
- The following types of signs and illumination are prohibited (excluding governmental regulatory and official traffic signs): abandoned signs; animated signs; beacon lights; bench signs; festoon lighting; flashing signs or signs that scroll or flash text or graphics; inflatable signs or balloon signs (with some noncommercial exceptions); interactive signs; marquee signs; pennants; projecting signs; mechanical movement signs; reflective signs or mirrors; revolving signs; roof signs; snipe signs; trailer signs; under-marquee signs; vehicular signs (excepting vehicles primarily and actively used for business or personal transportation); any sign imitating or obstructing governmental signs or signals; signs blocking ingress/egress from doors, windows, fire escape or preventing roof access (other than safety signs); signs emitting smoke, vapors, particulates, sound, odor, or open flames; banner or other signs suspended over a public street without permission; signs erected without property owner's permission (except as authorized by government); signs stating or implying property uses not permitted by zoning; signs with obscene or pornographic content (as determined by the Township); signs promoting illegal activity; any exterior sign affixed only with adhesives.
- No sign is to be erected or maintained within the ultimate right-of-way of any public street (other than government regulatory or official traffic signs) unless a waiver of damages is recorded.
- No sign may occupy any sight triangle as defined by the Township Engineer.
- No freestanding sign may occupy a designated parking area, walkway, driveway or similar area.
- Signs must not be placed to endanger traffic by obstructing clear view, or causing confusion with traffic/prohibited color or location, or causing glare or blocking reasonable sight lines.
- Signs and supporting structures must maintain clearance/noninterference with utility/communication lines or equipment.
- Illumination from signs must not be visible from the street/right-of-way nor cause hazardous or distracting glare to pedestrians, drivers, or adjacent properties; more than 0.2 footcandle of light at property boundaries is prohibited.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs may not extend into or over public right-of-way.
- Temporary signs may not be attached to any pole or structure within a street or public right-of-way.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials, using noncorrosive fastenings, structurally safe, and maintained in good repair.
- All unmaintained or abandoned signs are subject to removal.
- Signs not properly maintained are subject to removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Towamencin Township

- The ordinance does not apply to notices posted by order of court or notices to the public required by law to be posted in a public place.
- Official traffic signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Governmental regulatory signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs inside a building, or other enclosed facility, not meant to be viewed from the outside and located farther than three feet from the window or glass door, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Holiday decorations are exempt from permit requirements.
- Up to two address or nameplate signs not exceeding one square foot, nonilluminated, and with no commercial advertising are exempt from permit requirements.
- Residential district signs permitted by §153-808, provided they do not create a sign group and do not exceed four square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Nonresidential district signs permitted by §153-808, provided they do not create a sign group and do not exceed five square feet, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Public signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organization (up to four square feet, name/location only, not in sign group) are exempt from permit requirements.
- One private drive sign per driveway entrance (up to two square feet, nonilluminated) is exempt from permit requirements.
- Security and warning signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet per 100 square feet of street frontage, and conventional 'No Trespassing' signs as per state law, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Legal notices are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification sign erected by the Township are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of existing buildings/structures at the time of adoption of the article are exempt from permit requirements.
- Farmstand signs (up to two, not larger than six square feet each, displayed only when products are on sale, not in right-of-way, not illuminated) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental signs, including incidental window signs, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Directional signs (noncommercial, up to four square feet, max height five feet, nonilluminated) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Art and murals not containing commercial messaging are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs meeting requirements of §153-806C are exempt from permit requirements.
- On-premises directional signs used to identify facilities and for safety/convenience along internal private roads within large nursing home/personal care communities (IN district), meeting area and height limits, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Political signs meeting specified conditions in §153-806C(3) are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for permits for the erection, construction or alteration of signs must be accompanied by a site plan, drawings of the proposed work, zoning district, and structural details of the sign, all drawn to scale, and any other details as may be required by the Zoning Officer (see §153-809B).
- Detailed plans showing supporting structural members and foundations must be submitted to the Code Enforcement Department for approval before the issuance of a permit; for freestanding signs over 50 sq ft on one side and over 16 feet high, a registered professional engineer's seal is required (see §153-802C).
- A permit is required for all signs except those listed in §153-804 (exempt signs), and for all illuminated signs regardless of size or location (see §153-809A).
- Sign groups (except those containing only permit-exempt signs) require a permit.
- For certain sign types (e.g., conversion to message center sign or digital display, sign group of pole banners), the issuance of an additional sign permit is required.

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

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