Sign Regulations in Union Township, Pennsylvania
Union Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Directional, Legal or Governmental Sign, Private Property Sign, Personal Expression 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 Union Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Union Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Property Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Personal Expression Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
25
- Directional, Legal or Governmental Sign
- Private Property Sign
- Personal Expression Sign
- Temporary Political 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 Union Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Union Township vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Union 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 Union Township, regulated sign types include Directional, Legal or Governmental Sign, Private Property Sign, Personal Expression Sign, Temporary Political 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 Union 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 Union Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Union Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Union Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Union Township, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Flags in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 35 ft (flagpole) tall and 24 sq ft (res.); 35 sq ft (other districts) (Sec. §200-114C(10)). Most commercial signs in Union Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Union Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Union Township (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 35 ft (flagpole) | 24 sq ft (res.); 35 sq ft (other districts) | — |
| Agriculture (A), Conservation (C), Suburban Residential (SR) | 3 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Multifamily and/or Residential Land Development Projects | 4 | — | 32 sq ft (per side) | — |
| Village Commercial (VC), Highway Commercial (HC), Heavy Industrial, Quarry/Landfill | 5 | 48 in (ground-mounted) | Up to 300 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial (HC) (Billboards Only) | 2 | — | 300 sq ft (per face) | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Union Township(sample of 3 of 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directional, Legal or Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | All zoning districts; locations needed for direction, regulation, and control of traffic, road construction, legal notices, warnings, street names, regulatory and government use. | — | Unlock | §200-114C(1) |
| Private Property Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §200-114C(2) |
| Personal Expression Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | §200-114C(3) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Must have property owner's permission. | — | Unlock | §200-114C(4) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises | — | Unlock | §200-114C(6) |
| Agricultural Association/Hybrid Test Plot Sign | — | 12 sq ft (association), 4 sq ft (test plot per sign) | — | — | Test plot: 1 per 10 ft of road frontage | — | — | Unlock | §200-114C(8) |
| Temporary Civic/Institutional/Religious/Business Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises where event occurs | — | Unlock | §200-114C(9) |
| Flag | 35 ft (flagpole) | 24 sq ft (res.); 35 sq ft (other districts) | — | — | — | Not within street right-of-way | — | Unlock | §200-114C(10) |
Multifamily and/or Residential Land Development Projects
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Multifamily) | — | 32 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises advertising sale/rental | — | Unlock | §200-114E(1) |
| Directional Sign (Sales or Rental Office) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Within the project | — | Unlock | §200-114E(2) |
| Permanent Project Identification Sign (Entrance) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project entrance | At each project entrance from public street | — | Unlock | §200-114E(3) |
| Building Identification Sign (Within Project) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | At individual buildings within the project | — | Unlock | §200-114E(3) |
Village Commercial (VC), Highway Commercial (HC), Heavy Industrial, Quarry/Landfill
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Industrial Wall or Freestanding Sign | — | 160 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | Total max 2 freestanding per lot; aggregate sign area 160 sq ft | On same lot as use it relates | — | Unlock | §200-114F(1) |
| Business/Industrial Wall or Freestanding Sign (Conditional Use) | — | Up to 300 sq ft | — | — | — | On same lot as use it relates | — | Unlock | §200-114F(5) |
| Special Event/Seasonal/Promotional Sign (Ground-mounted) | 48 in (ground-mounted) | — | — | 10 ft from all property lines; not within R-O-W | — | Outside street right-of-way and 10 ft from all property lines | — | Unlock | §200-114F(3) |
| Freestanding Marquee Sign (Multi-Tenant Complex) | — | 160 sq ft (total) | — | — | 1 per complex | At building complex | — | Unlock | §200-114F(4) |
| Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant Complex Tenant) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per tenant | On building facing public street or parking lot | — | Unlock | §200-114F(4)(b) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Union 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 Union Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Union Township
- No sign shall project more than 12 inches from the building facade to which it is attached. No freestanding sign may project beyond the lot line or beyond a street right-of-way.
- No signs shall be permitted which are posted, stapled or otherwise permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within a street right-of-way.
- No portion of any freestanding sign shall be located within five feet of any side lot line.
- All signs, except temporary signs, shall be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition and repair. Any sign which is allowed to become dilapidated may, after 30 days' notification, be removed by the Township at the expense of the owner or lessee of the property on which it is located.
- Nongovernmental signs attached to utility poles within the public rights-of-way are prohibited.
- Portable signs used as a permanent freestanding sign are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs (signs painted on or affixed to vehicles, panel trucks or trailers parked on a property within 50 feet of the street right-of-way) are prohibited.
- Any sign that imitates, resembles, interferes with, or obstructs official traffic lights, signs or signals is prohibited.
- Signs which prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or that prevent free access from one part of a roof to any other part are prohibited. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor or contain open flames are prohibited.
- Signs containing vulgar messages or depicting any lewd, pornographic, lascivious or other offensive acts are prohibited.
- Any sign exceeding the provision for location, placement, type, area, height, clearance, visibility, sight distance, projection, quantity and illumination, as specified within this chapter, is prohibited.
- Signs prohibited under state or federal law are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Union Township
- Directional, legal or governmental signs necessary for direction, regulation, and control of traffic; road construction related signs; street name signs; legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings; and other official federal, state, county and Township governmental signs are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Private property signs such as 'No trespassing'; signs indicating the private nature of a road, driveway or premises; and signs controlling fishing or hunting on the premises (not exceeding four square feet) are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Personal expression signs expressing the opinion of the owners or occupants, provided they are not obscene, do not threaten public health or safety, do not exceed 12 square feet, and not more than one is erected per street frontage, are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Temporary political signs (not exceeding 12 square feet, placed with property owner's permission, and removed within seven days post-election) are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Real estate signs (one per property frontage, up to 12 sq ft in residential/agricultural/conservation, 32 sq ft in commercial/industrial; removed within 30 days of settlement or lease) are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Garage or yard sale signs (one on-premises sign per street frontage, up to 12 sq ft, erected one day prior and removed at end of sale day) are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations displayed for recognized federal, state or religious holidays are exempt from these regulations, except where they interfere with traffic safety or create a public safety hazard as determined by the Zoning Officer.
- Agricultural signs denoting membership in agricultural associations or indicating specialization (up to 12 sq ft), and test plot signs (up to 4 sq ft, not more than one per 10 feet of road frontage) are permitted in all districts without a permit.
- Temporary civic, institutional, religious and business signs (for campaigns, contractors, temporary events, not exceeding 12 sq ft, erected 30 days prior, removed within 14 days after event) are permitted without a permit.
- Flags (other than special event/promotional flags), as long as not in ROW, height/size limits met, and non-commercial; cemeteries and veteran's memorials are exempt from size/number limitations on flags.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Union Township
- All newly erected off-site advertising signs (billboards) require a permit application accompanied by five copies of a plan of the property to scale, identifying boundaries, adjacent owners, roadways, proposed sign location, easements/utilities, and five copies of a plan of the sign, prepared to scale, depicting supporting structure, signed and certified by a registered licensed professional engineer.
- Applications for billboard (Section 124-9) and sign lighting must be accompanied by catalog cuts of proposed fixtures, any glare reduction devices, and a description of lamps, mounting locations, aiming angles, proposed method of automatically extinguishing lighting by the required time, and a point-by-point plot of initial vertical illuminances (for billboards).
- Permit applications for billboards are reviewed by the Zoning Officer and Township Engineer for compliance (plan required), and final permit issued subject to such review. Permits are effective for three years and subject to renewal upon proof of continued compliance.
- Any on-site advertising signage for a single use in excess of the 160 sq ft maximum (up to 300 sq ft) requires conditional use approval and must comply with standards and specifications for billboards (which requires plan submittal and approval).
Source: ecode360 municipal code