# Sign Regulations in Upper Burrell Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Burrell Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-burrell-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15010307#15010307)

## At a glance

Upper Burrell Township, Pennsylvania regulates 28 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Agricultural Sales Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a At least 10 feet from property line or street ROW setback (Sec. § 350-115H). Most commercial signs in Upper Burrell 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 | 13 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| CC Community Center District, R Residential Districts (R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3) | 2 | 6 ft (if ground sign) | 12 sq ft | — |
| C-1 District | 2 | — | 64 sq ft | — |
| C-2 District, C-3 District, I Industrial District | 10 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| I Industrial District | 1 | 40 ft above curb | 300 sq ft per sign face (2 faces max, back to back or V within 90°) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Sign (Wall Mounted) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Wall of church, school, library or similar public or semipublic building | — | § 350-115A, § 350-114H, § 350-114K |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale or rent (Residential districts) | — | § 350-115B, § 350-114K |
| Real Estate Sign (Other Zones) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale or rent (All non-residential zones) | — | § 350-115B, § 350-114K |
| Development Sign (Primary) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | On development site (phase currently under construction) | — | § 350-115C, § 350-114K |
| Development Sign (Entrance Secondary) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development entrance | Entrance to development | — | § 350-115C, § 350-114K |
| Contractor Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises where work is ongoing | — | § 350-115D, § 350-114K |
| Agricultural Sales Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | At least 10 feet from property line or street ROW | 1 per use | Freestanding, not closer than 10 feet to any property line or street right-of-way | — | § 350-115H |
| Residential Identification Sign | 2 ft (if freestanding) | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Affixed to mailbox or wall, or as freestanding ground sign in front yard | — | § 350-115I, § 350-114K |

### CC Community Center District, R Residential Districts (R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Plan Identification Sign (Wall or Ground) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per plan or development entrance | Wall or freestanding ground sign at subdivision, multifamily, or planned development entrance; may be on a freestanding wall if compliant with visibility requirements | — | § 350-116A |
| Business Identification Sign (Legal nonconforming, conditional, or special exception use) | 6 ft (if ground sign) | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per allowed nonconforming business | Wall sign or freestanding ground sign | — | § 350-116B |

### C-2 District, C-3 District, I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (C-2, C-3, I) | — | 100 sq ft (200 sq ft for shopping centers set back over 500 ft) | — | — | Aggregate | On face of the wall occupied by business; not above building height | — | § 350-117C(1)(c), § 350-117C(1)(a), § 350-114H |
| Ground Sign (C-2) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line/right-of-way; must meet clear sight triangle | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; not if pole sign or monument sign exists/proposed | — | § 350-117C(2)(b)-(e), § 350-114G |
| Ground Sign (C-3, I) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | — | 15 ft from property line/right-of-way; must meet clear sight triangle | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; not if pole sign or monument sign exists/proposed | — | § 350-117C(2)(b)-(e), § 350-114G |
| Pole Sign (<3 businesses on lot) | 25 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Distance equal to height of sign from property lines; min 15 ft from ROW | 1 per lot | Freestanding, 1 per lot; only if no ground/monument sign exists/proposed | — | § 350-117C(3)(c)-(g) |
| Pole Sign (≥3 businesses on lot) | 25 ft | 64 sq ft | — | Distance equal to height of sign from property lines; min 15 ft from ROW | 1 per lot | Freestanding, 1 per lot; only if no ground/monument sign exists/proposed | — | § 350-117C(3)(c)-(g) |
| Monument Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from property line/right-of-way | 1 per eligible entrance | At main entrance to planned shopping center, industrial park, office park, or R&D park (1 per entrance); not if pole/ground sign exists at entrance | — | § 350-117C(4) |
| Arcade Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible business in arcade | One arcade sign per business in covered pedestrian areas in planned shopping centers or office parks | — | § 350-117C(5) |
| Canopy Sign | Height of letters max 6 inches | — | — | — | 1 per business entrance | At street-level entrance to building | — | § 350-117C(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Burrell Township

- Attention-getting devices are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Portable signs are not permitted in any zoning district, except where authorized as a temporary special event sign.
- Festoon lighting is not permitted in any zoning district.
- Moving or flashing signs are not permitted, except for that portion of an authorized sign that indicates time or temperature or an authorized electronic changeable copy sign.
- Signs attached to trees, utility poles, or official traffic control devices or signs within the public right-of-way are not permitted.
- Signs that imitate traffic control devices are not permitted.
- Signs painted on walls or chimneys of a building or on fences or freestanding walls are not permitted.
- Overhanging signs, as defined, are not permitted.
- Roof signs, as defined, are not permitted.
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, or on any public property or private property other than the site of the business it advertises, are not permitted where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity located on nearby property, except for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading or rendering a service at any location. Temporary construction trailers authorized by this chapter are not included.
- No sign shall be located so as to cause a hazard by obstructing visibility for traffic on a street or obscuring a traffic signal or other traffic control device.
- No sign, other than official traffic signs and authorized temporary off-premises directional signs, shall hang over or be erected within the right-of-way of any street.
- No sign shall be located within the clear sight triangle as defined by the ordinance.
- Illumination on signs, when authorized, must be directed upon the sign face and not toward adjoining properties or streets. Flashing or oscillating signs shall not be permitted. Lighting must be stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times, except that authorized electronic changeable copy signs may change message every three seconds. Illumination must not exceed 0.2 footcandle at the property line.
- All signs must be maintained in good condition and constructed of durable material. Signs in unsafe condition are declared a nuisance and must be repaired or removed within 10 days upon notice; otherwise, the Township may remove them at owner's expense.
- Signs for discontinued or vacated businesses with no intention to reopen must be removed within 30 days of closure/vacation, or the Township may remove them at the owner's expense.
- Except for billboards, all signs must be located on the premises they are intended to serve.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Burrell Township

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal or state holidays are exempt from these regulations and the requirement to obtain a permit, provided they do not interfere with traffic safety or become a public safety hazard.
- Memorial/historical plaques, as defined in the ordinance, are exempt from these regulations and the requirement to obtain a permit.
- Public signs, as defined in the ordinance (such as official signs/notices by public agencies, government flags, traffic control/warning signs), are exempt from these regulations and the requirement to obtain a permit.
- No permit is required for the following sign types: residential identification signs, notification signs, real estate signs, contractor signs, and window signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs except residential identification, notification, real estate, contractor, and window signs.
- Applications for a sign permit must be made in writing on a Township form and include: a description of the proposed sign, description and location on lot, description of other existing signs; and two copies of a drawing with details such as dimensions, height, area, clearances, distances to property lines/right-of-way, proposed message, construction specs, foundation and wind load info, illumination details, and compliance with visibility requirements.
- All required sign permits are reviewed and issued or denied by the Zoning Officer.
- Failure to obtain a required sign permit constitutes a violation of the chapter.
- For billboards, a conditional use approval (public hearing/meeting) is required, as well as sign permits subject to additional conditions and approvals (including PennDOT and possibly FAA).
- Master sign plan or similar terminology is not specifically referenced in the provided ordinance.

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

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