# Sign Regulations in Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-allen-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/32901423#32901423)

## At a glance

Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Development Entrance Sign (Freestanding Monument Style)s in the Agricultural District (Ag), Low-Density Residential District (R-1), Medium-Density Residential District (R-2), High-Density Residential District (R-3), Planned Residential Development Overlay District (PRD) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 36 square feet, with a 10 feet from ROW and 10 feet from adjacent lot lines setback (Sec. Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11). Most commercial signs in Upper Allen Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District (Ag), Low-Density Residential District (R-1), Medium-Density Residential District (R-2), High-Density Residential District (R-3), Planned Residential Development Overlay District (PRD) | 13 | 8 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Village District (VIL) | 7 | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1) | 8 | 10 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Highway Commercial District (C-2), Professional Office District (PO), Institutional District (INS), Industrial District (IND) | 10 | 35 feet from grade; no higher than highest arch. point of building | 100 square feet (C-2, PO, INS, IND); 60 sq ft (C-1, VIL) | — |
| Historic Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (IND) - Billboards | 1 | 25 feet | 725 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 5 feet | 18 square feet | — |

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

### Agricultural District (Ag), Low-Density Residential District (R-1), Medium-Density Residential District (R-2), High-Density Residential District (R-3), Planned Residential Development Overlay District (PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Home Based Business or Home Occupation) | — | Maximum area of all signs shall not exceed 8 square feet per dwelling unit | — | — | Unlimited | Individual dwelling units | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Window Sign (Home Based Business or Home Occupation) | — | Maximum area of all signs shall not exceed 8 square feet per dwelling unit | — | — | Unlimited | Individual dwelling units | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Projecting Sign (Home Based Business or Home Occupation) | — | Maximum area of all signs shall not exceed 8 square feet per dwelling unit | — | — | Unlimited | Individual dwelling units | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Permitted within Agricultural District only; 1 per dwelling unit | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Development Entrance Sign (Freestanding Monument Style) | 8 feet | 36 square feet | — | 10 feet from ROW and 10 feet from adjacent lot lines | 1 per side of entrance; additional 2 at another entrance if more than 1,000 ft apart | Residential subdivisions, apartment, multifamily, or mixed-use developments; 1 per each side of each access street for developments with six or more lots or buildings; additional 2 signs at another entrance if more than 1,000 linear feet from the other | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Development Entrance Sign (Wall Sign on Retaining Wall/Entry Wall/Fence) | 5 feet | 36 square feet; sign area shall not include wall or fence area | — | 10 feet from ROW and 10 feet from adjacent lot lines | — | Wall sign mounted to retaining wall, decorative wall, or fence generally parallel with the street, in lieu of freestanding monument sign | — | Table XVIII-1; § 245-18.11 |
| Light Pole Banner Sign | — | 18 square feet | 3 feet | — | One per light pole | On a light pole | — | 245-18.13L (applicable in all districts); referenced Table XVIII-1 |
| Freestanding Monument Style Sign (Nonresidential Uses) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | 10 ft from ROW and 10 ft from adjacent lot lines | 1 per lot; +1 per additional street frontage with access | 1 per lot; additional 1 for each street frontage with vehicular access; for shared entrance only one sign for multiple lots | — | Table XVIII-1 |

### Neighborhood Commercial District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.12C, 18.13G |
| Canopy or Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Canopy or marquee attached to building or freestanding | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.12C, 18.13H |
| Directional Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13I |
| Drive-Through Menu Sign | 10 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | Two per stacking lane | Max 2 per stacking lane; not permitted in front yard | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13J |
| Freestanding Monument Style Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | One per lot plus one for each separate street frontage with vehicular access (max 3 total per lot) | One per lot; additional for lots with vehicular access on more than one street | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.12C, 18.15 (EMC) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13M |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13O |
| Window Sign | — | 32 square feet (for total of all permitted window signs) | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13P |

### Highway Commercial District (C-2), Professional Office District (PO), Institutional District (INS), Industrial District (IND)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13I |
| Drive-Through Menu Sign | 10 feet | 36 square feet per sign | — | — | Two per stacking lane | Two per stacking lane, not in front yard | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13J |
| Freestanding Monument Style Sign | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 10 ft from ROW and adjacent lot lines | One per lot plus one for each additional street frontage (+ extra if frontage is 800ft+) | One per lot, additional one for each street frontage with vehicular access; if frontage >=800 ft, one additional sign allowed along that frontage | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.12C, 18.13K, 18.15 |
| Freestanding Ground Pole Style Sign | 25 feet | 60 square feet | — | 10 ft from ROW and adjacent lot lines | — | Permitted only in C-2, PO, and IND; not permitted in INS | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13K |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13M |
| Roof Sign | 35 feet from grade; no higher than highest arch. point of building | 60 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13N |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than 35 feet from grade | 100 square feet (C-2, PO, INS, IND); 60 sq ft (C-1, VIL) | — | — | — | — | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13O |
| Window Sign | Not higher than 12 feet from grade | 32 square feet (total for all window signs) | — | — | — | On windows of public access side | — | Table XVIII-2; § 245-18.13P |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Allen Township

- It is unlawful to display, erect, place, establish, paint, or maintain a nonexempt sign except in conformance with the standards and procedures of this chapter.
- No sign shall be erected, affixed, or displayed without a required permit, unless exempt.
- No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the property owner or agent.
- Messages and structures shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable codes and maintained in good repair and condition at all times.
- Where there is a conflict between a sign and another regulation in this chapter, or other conflicts, the most restrictive regulation applies.
- Signs containing strobe lights, floodlights, outdoor lasers, flashing lights or changing colors, or mirrors or other reflective devices are prohibited.
- Abandoned and outdated signs and sign structures are prohibited.
- Deteriorated signs and sign structures that are unsafe or unsecure are prohibited.
- Physically animated signs or digitally animated signs, or signs with any moving parts are prohibited.
- Inflatable and stuffed signs, including balloons over 30 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or structure, unless otherwise permitted as temporary signs, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on, attached or affixed to, or supported by structures, bus shelters, utility poles, benches, trash receptables, trees, rocks, or placed in public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs which may obstruct the view of, or imitate, resemble, or may be confused with traffic signals, or obstruct sight-distance triangle at intersections, or extend into any right-of-way, planting strip or easement (unless otherwise permitted) are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures that prevent free ingress or egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or prevent free access from one part of a roof to another, or are attached to a stand-pipe or fire escape (except approved safety signs), are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures that obstruct building openings reducing ventilation, light, or exhaust below required levels are prohibited.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound, or odor and open flames used to attract attention are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating full motion video or film display via electronic file or streamed in real time are prohibited.
- Signs on public property or within a public right-of-way, unless erected or required by a governmental body, are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Festoon lighting unshielded from off the property is prohibited.
- Vehicle signs viewed from a public road with the primary purpose of providing signage not otherwise allowed by this article are prohibited.
- Beacons and searchlights are prohibited except for emergency purposes.
- Signs which promote illegal activity or state or imply a lot may be used for any nonpermitted purpose are prohibited.
- Signs mounted above the roofline of a building, except for permitted roof signs, are prohibited.
- Any banner or sign suspended across a public street, without the permission of the property and road owner, is prohibited.
- Pennants, spinners, banners, and streamers, except as permitted by a temporary sign permit, are prohibited.
- Any other sign (including portable signs), not specifically permitted in the chapter, is prohibited.
- Signs must not be set back less than 10 feet from any legal right-of-way, unless otherwise permitted.
- No sign shall be permitted to extend into, over, or be placed within any legal right-of-way, planting strip, or easement, unless otherwise permitted.
- No sign shall obstruct the clear sight triangle at any street intersection or impair sight distance.
- Signs must be erected and attached totally on or within the site or lot, except as specifically permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Allen Township

- Interior signs.
- Signs required by federal, state, or Township law, or a municipal authority.
- Signs or notices issued by a court, officer, or other person/organization in performance of public duty or required by law.
- Flags and individual pennants (not on a string) without commercial advertising; if containing commercial advertising, they must meet requirements for projecting signs.
- Painted/applied/erected building facade or wall accents and decorations not containing commercial advertising (may be illuminated).
- Public art not containing commercial advertising, including original art murals.
- Name and address signs: For single-family dwellings, up to two wall or projecting address/name signs not exceeding 3 sq ft each and with no commercial advertising; For multifamily and nonresidential uses, up to two freestanding/projecting/wall signs for address/building number not exceeding 16 sq ft each.
- Decals/logos affixed to windows/doors for hours of operation, group membership, or credit card identification.
- Handicapped parking signs not exceeding two sq ft; also decals and stenciled/painted signs inside parking spaces.
- Private drive signs (on-premise) limited to one per driveway entrance, not exceeding two sq ft.
- Public signs by government agencies/utilities (traffic, safety, utility, railroad crossing, or ID signs for public facilities).
- Any signs by the Township or its authorized authority for uses on Township-owned property.
- On-premise security and warning signs (e.g. 'no trespassing', 'no hunting', 'no soliciting'), max two sq ft in residential districts, five sq ft in others.
- Sign face changes with no structural, area, or height change or alteration to sign cabinet (face replacement, repainting, etc.).
- Signs on/integral to vending machines, fuel pumps, or storage tanks, including a digital display up to two sq ft per side per machine.
- Signs on/integral to electronic vehicle charging stations, including a digital display up to two sq ft per side per station.
- Signs or images permanently embroidered, screened, dyed, stenciled, or painted into umbrella fabric for outdoor dining (not counted towards sign requirements if removed or protected in inclement weather or nonuse).
- Holiday decorations commemorating recognized holidays, not containing commercial messaging.
- One sandwich board sign per establishment (not allowed for residential uses/home occupations), max 8 sq ft area, max 3.5 ft high, displayed only during business hours, not illuminated/digital/electronic, must meet placement and safety guidelines.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All multioccupant nonresidential and/or mixed-use properties—including shopping centers, plazas, planned business/industrial parks, business/retail centers, professional office buildings—must submit a comprehensive sign application package (sign plan) prior to issuance of any new sign permit. The sign application must establish standards and criteria for all permit-required signs in the complex.
- Any amendments to the sign application package (including uniform standards) must be signed and approved by the owner(s) before becoming effective.
- Master sign plan: For nonresidential or mixed-use (containing both residential and nonresidential uses) developments in Highway Commercial and Institutional Districts (such as schools/campuses, shopping centers, malls, business/industrial parks, or two or more businesses on the same lot with shared access), an applicant may submit a single master sign plan. Master sign plan approval is by conditional use of the Board of Commissioners, and may permit additional or modified signage to promote cohesive/development-wide design.
- A master sign plan application must include a scaled site plan (showing all sign locations), elevations, materials, sign details, illumination information, health/safety impact information, and justification for any deviations from ordinance standards.
- Amendments to a master sign plan must be approved and signed by affected owner(s) and then approved by the Board of Commissioners.
- No sign approved in a master sign plan may be erected or placed until the appropriate permit is issued.

## 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 Upper Allen Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Upper+Allen+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-upper-allen-township

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