# Sign Regulations in Upland, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upland, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upland
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/16085994)

## At a glance

Upland, Pennsylvania regulates 35 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Identification - Non-dwelling Uses)s in the R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District zoning district are capped at ≤4 ft (height limit applies to freestanding/ground in this subsection) tall and ≤20 sq ft, with a Residential freestanding signs must be set back ≥6 ft from front property line; general ≥6 ft from street ROW applies. setback (Sec. § 185-1706A(2)(a)-(c); § 185-1703E). Most commercial signs in Upland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Top edge ≤5 ft above grade | Combined area ≤50% of the area of the door, window, or wall to which affixed | — |
| HPO Historic Preservation Overlay | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District | 7 | ≤4 ft (height limit applies to freestanding/ground in this subsection) | ≤288 sq in (2 sq ft) | — |
| PRD Planned Residential Development District | 4 | ≤4 ft | ≤20 sq ft | — |
| INS Institutional District, MCD Medical Campus District | 4 | ≤(Max permitted building height + 20 ft) | ≤150 sq ft | — |
| GC General Commercial District, WFMU Waterfront Mixed Use District | 11 | — | By reference to § 185-1706C(3) (0.5 sq ft per linear foot of building width) | — |
| IND Industrial District | 7 | ≤(Max permitted building height + 20 ft) | Per § 185-1706D(3) (1.0 sq ft per linear foot of building width) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Dwelling) | — | ≤288 sq in (2 sq ft) | — | — | Not more than one per dwelling. | At the dwelling (residential premises). | — | § 185-1706A(1); § 185-1704H |
| Wall Sign (Identification - Non-dwelling Uses) | — | ≤20 sq ft | — | — | Per frontage: ≤1 wall sign (plus ≤1 freestanding or ground). | On apartment buildings/complexes, schools, churches, hospitals, and similar permitted non-dwelling uses. | — | § 185-1706A(2)(a)-(c); § 185-1703C(9) |
| Freestanding Sign (Identification - Non-dwelling Uses) | ≤4 ft (height limit applies to freestanding/ground in this subsection) | ≤20 sq ft | — | Residential freestanding signs must be set back ≥6 ft from front property line; general ≥6 ft from street ROW applies. | Per frontage: ≤1 (freestanding or ground). | At apartment buildings/complexes, schools, churches, hospitals, and similar permitted non-dwelling uses. | — | § 185-1706A(2)(a)-(c); § 185-1703E |
| Ground Sign (Identification - Non-dwelling Uses) | Top edge ≤4 ft (by § 185-1706A(2)(a)) and ≤5 ft overall per general ground sign standards | ≤20 sq ft | — | Same as freestanding; general ≥6 ft from ROW; integrate with landscape/architecture. | Per frontage: ≤1 (freestanding or ground). | At apartment buildings/complexes, schools, churches, hospitals, and similar permitted non-dwelling uses. | — | § 185-1706A(2)(a)-(c); § 185-1703F |
| Wall/Freestanding/Ground Sign (Valid Nonconforming Use Identification) | Freestanding/Ground: ≤4 ft (per § 185-1706A(2)(a)); Ground top edge ≤5 ft per § 185-1703F(1) | ≤20 sq ft | — | Freestanding: follow § 185-1703E; Ground: follow § 185-1703F. | Per frontage: ≤1 wall and ≤1 freestanding or ground. | For nonresidential uses permitted as valid nonconforming uses within R districts. | — | § 185-1706A(3) (same as A(2)); § 185-1706A(5) |
| Wall Sign (Accessory Use - Major Home Occupation/Home Professional Office) | — | ≤6 sq ft | — | — | 1 total (ground or wall). | On dwelling with approved major home occupation or home professional office. | — | § 185-1706A(4)(a)-(c), (5) |
| Ground Sign (Accessory Use - Major Home Occupation/Home Professional Office) | — | ≤6 sq ft | — | Follow ground sign standards. | 1 total (ground or wall). | At dwelling with approved major home occupation or home professional office. | — | § 185-1706A(4)(a)-(c), (5); § 185-1703F |

### GC General Commercial District, WFMU Waterfront Mixed Use District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤1 sq ft per linear foot of building width | — | — | ≤1 per frontage; corner lot: +1 on side street. | On building wall; per frontage. | — | § 185-1706D(3)-(5) |
| Wall Sign - Second-Floor Business (Additional) | — | ≤8 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional for second-floor business. | For a business on the second floor. | — | § 185-1706D(9) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Substitute for Wall Sign) | — | By reference to § 185-1706C(3) (0.5 sq ft per linear foot of building width) | — | — | Counts toward wall sign allowance. | Mounted on canopy/awning on front wall. | — | § 185-1706D(7)-(8) (referencing § 185-1706C(3)-(4)); § 185-1703C(9) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤25% of total window area (permanent) | — | — | — | On windows. | — | § 185-1706D(2) (window signs permitted); § 185-1703G |
| Freestanding Sign (General - Non-Business/District ID) | — | ≤8 sq ft | — | General freestanding setbacks apply; GC District is excepted from ROW prohibition per § 185-1703C(4) (check with Borough). | — | On lot frontage; intended for district identification or similar, not for individual business identification within GC. | — | § 185-1706D(2), (6); § 185-1703A(8); § 185-1703E(5) |
| Shopping Center Identification - Freestanding Sign | — | ≤50 sq ft for center identification; plus tenant panels: ≤10 sq ft allotted per establishment | — | General freestanding setbacks apply; GC ROW exception per § 185-1703C(4). | One per road frontage. | At shopping center frontage(s). | — | § 185-1706D(12)(a)-(c) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center - Interior Establishments) | — | ≤1 sq ft per linear foot of building/establishment width | — | — | 1 per interior establishment; end/corner +1 up to 50% area. | For interior establishments within shopping centers. | — | § 185-1706D(12)(d)-(f) |
| Building Identification Sign (Multi-tenant Building) | — | Per § 185-1706C | — | — | Per tenant: 1 wall sign ≤4 sq ft; building ID sign per § 185-1706C. | At multi-tenant buildings (building identification). | — | § 185-1706D(10) (refers to § 185-1706C) |

### IND Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential-District Sign Types (by reference) | — | — | — | — | — | As permitted by § 185-1706A. | — | § 185-1706E(1) (refers to § 185-1706A) |
| Wall Sign | — | ≤1.5 sq ft per linear foot of building width | — | — | ≤1 per frontage. | On building wall; per frontage. | — | § 185-1706E(2)-(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | ≤60 sq ft | — | General ≥6 ft from ROW unless otherwise authorized; spacing ≥75 ft between freestanding signs; embed posts per standards. | ≤1 per frontage (freestanding or ground). | On lot frontage; per frontage. | — | § 185-1706E(2), (5)-(6); § 185-1703E |
| Ground Sign | Top edge ≤5 ft above grade | ≤60 sq ft | — | Same as freestanding; general ≥6 ft from ROW. | ≤1 per frontage (freestanding or ground). | On lot frontage; per frontage. | — | § 185-1706E(2), (5)-(6); § 185-1703F |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Substitute for Wall Sign) | — | Per § 185-1706D(3) (1.0 sq ft per linear foot of building width) | — | — | Counts toward wall sign allowance. | Mounted on canopy/awning on front wall. | — | § 185-1706E(7) (refers to § 185-1706D(3)-(4)); § 185-1703C(9) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤25% of total window area (permanent) | — | — | — | On windows. | — | § 185-1706E(8); § 185-1703G |
| Billboard | ≤(Max permitted building height + 20 ft) | ≤150 sq ft | — | ≥35 ft from street ROW; adhere to PennDOT sight distance standards. | 1 per lot. | Within 1,000 ft of Interstate 95; freestanding only; not on/attached to buildings; outside safe clear sight/stopping distance of signalized intersections. | — | § 185-1707A (IND by right); § 185-1707B-N |

## Prohibited signs in Upland

- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated, inflatable, aerial, crane or lighted moving signs, including automatic color-changing or rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention to the sign, are prohibited.
- Advertising cloth or paper banners or similar signs hung on property are prohibited, except for temporary banners; banners and pennants for public purposes are allowed in the GC district.
- Signs painted directly on the facade of a building or other structure (wall bulletins or painted signs) are prohibited.
- Curb or sidewalk signs, and signs painted on, attached to or suspended from outdoor benches, chairs or similar structures, are prohibited.
- Swinging and hanging signs are prohibited.
- Signs, letters, posters and advertisements tacked, pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences or other structures on public property or within public rights-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs placed, inscribed or supported upon the roofline or any structure extending above the roofline of any building are prohibited.
- Digital movable billboard signs are prohibited.
- No new projecting signs may be erected; existing projecting signs are nonconforming and may continue.
- No sign may be located, arranged or placed so that it creates a danger to traffic, including causing glare, blocking required sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, or causing confusion with traffic control devices by color, location, shape or other characteristics.
- Except for traffic signs, no sign may be erected within the right-of-way of any public street (GC district excepted), and no sign may be closer than six feet to a public street right-of-way line unless specifically authorized by applicable ordinances or other agencies.
- No illuminated sign may be lighted on days when the business or permitted use is not open.
- Except for traffic signs, incidental signs and billboards, permanent signs are prohibited off the property to which their message applies.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upland

- The provisions of the sign article do not apply to signage erected and maintained by the Borough for Borough purposes, provided all other required government permits are obtained.
- Public notice, warning or official traffic signs required by federal, state or local law are exempt from permits.
- Interior signs not attached to a window or door and not legible from more than three feet beyond the lot line are exempt from permits.
- Building markers limited to building name, date of construction or historical data (one per building, max six square feet) are exempt from permits.
- Flags of the United States, Pennsylvania, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, or any other flag adopted by an elected legislative body (max 60 square feet; pole max 40 feet) are exempt from permits.
- Incidental signs containing no commercial message (max eight square feet) are exempt from permits.
- For-sale/for-rent signs on the premises (one per street frontage; nonilluminated; max six square feet; removed by settlement) are exempt from permits.
- Signs advertising the development of the premises (max six square feet in residential districts; max 32 square feet in nonresidential districts; removed by settlement) are exempt from permits.
- Nameplate signs on private residences (max 144 square inches) are exempt from permits.
- Officially designated holiday decorations that do not create a traffic or fire hazard are exempt from permits.
- Yard or garage sale signs (max two square feet; removed within 24 hours after the sale) are exempt from permits.
- Signs announcing educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaigns or events (max eight square feet; up to 30 days per occurrence, no more than four times per year, total max 120 days annually) are exempt from permits, except a permit is required if placed on telephone poles.
- Changeable-copy signs for churches, schools and other uses that by their nature require such signs (one per property; corner properties may have one additional on the side; max 16 square feet) are exempt from permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO): On properties listed as historic resources, no sign may be erected or altered until a certificate of appropriateness is reviewed by the Historical Commission and approved by Borough Council. Applications must include a current color photo, a facade illustration showing the sign, a scaled drawing with size/materials/colors/lighting/lettering/attachment (with material samples if required), a site plan for ground signs, and the type of illumination.
- GC General Commercial and WFMU Waterfront Mixed Use Districts: Applicants must submit proposed signs to the Borough Code Official for compliance evaluation and are required to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss the proposal; the Planning Commission may suggest modifications.
- Billboards: Permitted by right in the IND district and by special exception in the MCD district; special exception requires Zoning Hearing Board approval.
- Nonconforming signs: If damaged more than 50% of value or removed/discontinued for 90 days, they may only be repaired/rebuilt as conforming signs or when authorized as a special exception (Zoning Hearing Board).

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

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