# Sign Regulations in Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-chichester-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/30872303#30872303)

## At a glance

Upper Chichester Township, Pennsylvania regulates 35 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Billboard (By Right)s in the C-2 Highway Commercial District zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a Minimum 35 ft from street R.O.W. setback (Sec. §600-151A–E). Most commercial signs in Upper Chichester Township 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 | 17 | 5 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, Apartment, Townhouse, Mobile Home, Planned Residential Development District (PRD), Planned Retirement Community District (PRC), Continuing Care Retirement Community District (CCRC)) | 4 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District | 7 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Highway Commercial District | 9 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| I-C Industrial Commercial District | 8 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| I Industrial District | 8 | 40 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §600-148H |
| Real Estate Sign (≤6 sq ft) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises/lot; 1 per street frontage if applicable | On premises/lot advertised. Not in public right-of-way. | — | §600-149A |
| Real Estate Sign (6-20 sq ft) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises/lot; 1 per street frontage if applicable | On premises/lot advertised. Not in public right-of-way. | — | §600-149A |
| Owner/Occupant/Address Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On lot or dwelling. | — | §600-149D |
| Temporary Campaign/Event Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from right-of-way | — | — | — | §600-149F |
| Contractor/Mechanic/Artisan Sign (Residential District) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises/lot where work is performed. | — | §600-149J |
| Contractor/Mechanic/Artisan Sign (Nonresidential District) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises/lot where work is performed. | — | §600-149J |
| Farm Product Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises; 1 per street frontage if applicable | On premises. | — | §600-149K |

### C-2 Highway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached Building or ≤9 Attached Establishments) | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 1 additional if >1 street frontage | — | — | §600-150B(2); §600-150B(2)(a)[2]; §600-150B(2)(b)[2][a] |
| Freestanding Sign (≥10 Attached Establishments or Multiple Buildings) | 25 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 1 additional if >1 street frontage | — | — | §600-150B(2); §600-150B(2)(a)[2]; §600-150B(2)(b)[2][b] |
| Wall Sign (Attached Establishment) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment; 1 per wall at corner | On wall facing right-of-way | — | §600-150B(5); §600-150B(5)(b)[1] |
| Wall Sign (Detached Building) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 1 per wall at corner | On wall facing right-of-way | — | §600-150B(5); §600-150B(5)(b)[2] |
| Billboard (By Right) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 35 ft from street R.O.W. | One billboard per 500 feet | — | — | §600-151A–E |
| Billboard (Special Exception) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 35 ft from street R.O.W. | One billboard per 500 feet | — | — | §600-151C(2) |
| Wall Sign (No Parking Access—Interior Establishment) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Interior of building | — | §600-150B(5)(b)[5] |
| Wall Sign (Above Ground Floor) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Second or upper floors | — | §600-150B(5)(b)[6] |

### I Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Industrial Park Entrance) | 40 ft | 80 sq ft (exterior road), 60 sq ft (interior park) | — | — | 1 exterior; 1 interior | Exterior road and within industrial park | — | §600-150B(2)(b)[4][a] |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Building) | 40 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per road frontage | One per road frontage | — | §600-150B(2)(b)[4][b] |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment; 1 per wall at corner | On wall facing right-of-way | — | §600-150B(5)(b)[4] |
| Wall Sign (No Parking Access—Interior Establishment) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Interior of building | — | §600-150B(5)(b)[5] |
| Wall Sign (Above Ground Floor) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Second or upper floors | — | §600-150B(5)(b)[6] |
| Billboard (By Right) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 35 ft from street R.O.W. | One billboard per 500 feet | — | — | §600-151A–E |
| Billboard (Special Exception) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Minimum 35 ft from street R.O.W. | One billboard per 500 feet | — | — | §600-151C(2) |
| Awning Sign | — | See Wall Sign regulations | — | — | — | — | — | §600-150B(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Chichester Township

- It is unlawful to erect or maintain flashing, blinking, twinkling, spinning, animated, inflatable, aerial, crane signs or lighted moving signs including automatic color changing and rotating lamps and other moving objects that call attention to the sign. (Exception: The use of rotating search lights for advertising is allowed.)
- Advertising cloth, paper banner or signs of any similar character suspended or hung on any property are considered temporary banners and are not permitted except by special permission.
- Wall bulletins or any other signs painted or adhered directly on the facade of a building or other structure are prohibited.
- Curb or sidewalk signs or signs painted, attached or suspended from any outdoor bench, chair or other structure are prohibited.
- Swinging and hanging signs are prohibited.
- Signs, letters, posters and advertisements which are tacked, pasted, tied or otherwise affixed to poles, posts, buildings, fences or other structures located on public or private property or within public right-of-way in the Township are prohibited.
- No sign shall be temporarily or permanently placed, erected, attached or painted on any vehicle if such sign identifies, advertises or gives information with respect to premises or any sale or special event, except for legal requirements or specifically outlined exceptions.
- No new projecting signs shall be erected after the enactment of this chapter.
- No sign shall be located, arranged or placed in a position where it will cause danger to traffic or interfere with traffic through glare, blocking required sight lines, confusion with traffic control device, or other means.
- All signs must comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
- No sign shall be erected within the right-of-way lines of any public street, nor shall any such sign be closer than five feet to the right-of-way line of a public street, unless specifically authorized.
- No sign shall be designed or lighted or placed so as to cause danger to street traffic by obstructing or hindering the view.
- No sign shall be illuminated by anything other than electrical means, and all electrical signs must conform to the National Electrical Code.
- No sign shall be designed, lighted or placed in a way that presents an unreasonable risk of injury to persons or damage to property.
- Every sign must be constructed of durable materials and solidly and firmly attached, supported and/or anchored.
- Signs must be kept in good condition and repair; any dilapidated sign must be removed at the owner's or lessee's expense.
- No sign may remain after the circumstances leading to its erection no longer apply; such signs must be removed within 10 days, unless otherwise provided.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Chichester Township

- Official and governmental signs, including safety signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, and traffic signs, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Decorations for a recognized officially designated holiday, provided they do not create a traffic or fire hazard, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs designating the name of the owner or occupant of a property, or the address, or the private ownership of roadway or other property are exempt if not in excess of one square foot in area and not more than one is erected for each use.
- Temporary yard sale or garage sale signs not exceeding two square feet and removed within 24 hours after the sale are exempt.
- Temporary signs announcing a political, public, educational, charitable, civic, religious or similar campaign or event, subject to size, location, and duration limitations, are exempt.
- Window signs (used as accessory to principal use) are exempt in Commercial District and where nonconforming commercial uses occur elsewhere, not exceeding 25% of window area.
- Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet are exempt.
- Official traffic signs are exempt.
- Trespassing signs or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway or premises, not exceeding six square feet, are exempt.
- Signs of contractors, mechanics and artisans erected only on the premises for work being performed, within size and duration limits, are exempt.
- Signs advertising the sale of farm products grown on the premises, subject to size, illumination, number and time restrictions, are exempt.
- Informational signs such as 'entrance,' 'exit,' 'no parking,' etc., on the same lot as the use to which the sign relates and not exceeding six square feet, with no advertising, are exempt.
- The provisions of the article do not apply to signage erected and maintained by the Township for township purposes, provided all other required governmental permits are obtained.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must be accompanied by a plan drawn to scale, showing the sign, its size and its location with respect to the building and to the boundaries of the lot (see §600-152E).
- When submitting for a sign permit, full particulars including size, shape, material, and support details, as well as a sketch of location, are required (§600-152B).
- Whenever any sign is replaced by another sign, enlarged, altered, or repaired as a result of damage exceeding 50% of value, a permit and accompanying plan is required, except for signs exempted under §600-149.
- Nonconforming signs may require authorization as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board to be replaced or rebuilt as a nonconforming sign (§600-153B, §600-153C).

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

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