# Sign Regulations in Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-merion-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11659490#11659490)

## At a glance

Upper Merion Township, Pennsylvania regulates 36 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the C-O, NC, LC, GC, SC, ARE, AR-1, SM, SM-1, LI, HI, KPMU zoning district are capped at Not above sign height line tall and 25 sq ft (Sec. §165-168G). Most commercial signs in Upper Merion Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AG, R-1A, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, R-3B, U-R | 3 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| R-3, R-3A, R-3B, G, HR | 2 | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| C-O, NC, LC, GC, SC, ARE, AR-1, SM, SM-1, LI, HI, KPMU | 12 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft per occupancy; additional 100 sq ft for additional building frontage | — |
| SC | 5 | 35 ft | 350 sq ft | — |
| HR, AR, AR-1, SM, SM-1, LI, HI, KPMU | 1 | — | 36 sq ft (total); 3 sq ft per establishment | — |
| Overlay District (within 200 feet of I-276 right-of-way) | 1 | 40 ft (measured from grade of I-276) | 336 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-3 (Commercial Districts) | 1 | — | See ground/freestanding sign regs (e.g., up to 50 sq ft depending on lot size), billboards per overlay | — |
| LI, HI (Industrial Districts) | 1 | Business signs may project 42 inches above sign height line, but not above top of parapet or roofline. | 200 sq ft per occupancy; additional 100 sq ft for additional building frontage | — |
| KPMU | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### C-O, NC, LC, GC, SC, ARE, AR-1, SM, SM-1, LI, HI, KPMU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall, Freestanding, Canopy, Awning, Projecting, Roof, Light Band) | As per zone, see individual sign types. Most not above sign height line, with limited extensions in some zones. | 200 sq ft per occupancy; additional 100 sq ft for additional building frontage | — | — | — | Per building frontage as defined | — | §165-168(A)-(F) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Lot <1 acre) | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot <1 acre in designated zoning districts | — | §165-168K(3)(a),(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Lot ≥1 acre <5 acres) | 15 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot between 1 and 5 acres in designated zoning districts | — | §165-168K(3)(b),(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Lot ≥5 acres) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot >5 acres in designated zoning districts | — | §165-168K(3)(c),(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Multibuilding Lot Entrance) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance, max 2 per lot | At each entrance from a primary arterial, arterial or primary collector road; multibuilding lot of 5+ acres | — | §165-168K(4) |
| Projecting Sign | Not above sign height line | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | In lieu of freestanding signage on street frontage with public entrance | — | §165-168G |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Under canopy or marquee, at each public entrance | — | §165-168H |
| Light Band | — | Included in total allowable sign area | Width not less than 2 inches | — | — | On building | — | §165-168R |

### SC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shopping Center Entrance Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per shopping center | At each vehicular entrance from public street | — | §165-168M(1) |
| Pedestrian Directory Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | Areas used solely by pedestrians in shopping center | — | §165-168M(2) |
| Regional Shopping Center Driveway/Entrance Sign | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Each driveway or vehicular entrance from public street | — | §165-168M(3)(a) |
| Regional Shopping Center Perimeter Identification Sign | 35 ft | 350 sq ft | — | — | 3 max per shopping center | Along perimeter highways or property lines | — | §165-168M(3)(c) |
| Regional Shopping Center Building Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building face; max 3 per building | Wall or building sign, per building face | — | §165-168M(3)(d) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Lot) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residential lot | On single residential lot | — | §165-169A(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision | — | §165-169A(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial Building) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Per street front | — | §165-169A(3) |
| Development/Construction Sign (Residential Lot) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residential lot | During construction on a single residential lot | — | §165-169B(1) |
| Development/Construction Sign (Residential Subdivision/Multi-lots) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance or lot | One at each entrance or on one of the lots being developed | — | §165-169B(2) |
| Temporary Special Promotion/Event Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | §165-169C |
| Portable Sign (Commercial/Industrial only) | 12 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property in commercial/industrial zones | — | §165-169E |
| Directional Sign (Institutional/Park Uses) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Any zoning district | — | §165-168N |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Merion Township

- No sign shall be erected or maintained except those in conformity with this article and other Township regulations.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress and egress to or from any door, window or fire escape.
- Only instructional design and certification signs may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs shall not be placed within the sight triangle of any intersection or driveway.
- No signs, except for public transit signs, may be placed upon or attached to utility poles or traffic light standards.
- No sign other than an official traffic sign or similar sign shall be erected within two feet of the lines of any street right-of-way or within any public way, unless specifically authorized.
- Signs projecting over public walkways must meet minimum height requirements and clearances for public safety.
- Floodlighting must be shielded so that the source is not visible from off the lot and only the sign is illuminated.
- It is unlawful to erect, alter, relocate, or remove a sign without first obtaining a permit, unless expressly exempted.
- All signs must comply with applicable Township Zoning, Building, and Electrical Codes.
- All signs must be plainly and permanently marked with the name of the person erecting, constructing or maintaining the sign.
- Obsolete sign copy must be removed or covered within 30 days after notification.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with official traffic signs, signals, or driver’s view of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way, or attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree, or other public facility within the public right-of-way, are prohibited except as otherwise provided.
- Signs which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause them to have the appearance of traffic safety signs or lights, or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance, are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed for temporary signs.
- Any sign attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property is prohibited unless conditions are met (not used primarily for sign display, signs integral to vehicle, vehicle registered and operational, not primarily a static display, legally parked).
- Balloons, streamers, or pinwheels are prohibited except as temporarily displayed for a special sale, promotion, or event (no more than 30 days/year).
- Animated signs are prohibited (except certain changeable signs on school/church properties as regulated).

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Merion Township

- Official federal, state, or municipal signs erected within the Township.
- Trade names, emblems, or directions on service facilities or product dispensers not greater than three square feet in area.
- Bus shelter signs on public rights-of-way pursuant to agreement with the Township.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by government entities.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs, and building cornerstones when integral to the building and made of specified material.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where there is no direct commercial gain.
- Flags of the United States, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Upper Merion Township, or noncommercial institutions.
- Corporate/Company flags flown in conjunction with the U.S. flag (with area limitations and restrictions on advertising).
- Trespassing signs indicating private ownership of driveway or property, not exceeding one square foot.
- Garage and yard sale signs not exceeding two square feet, not attached to utility poles, and removed within two days.
- Signs for public transit or signs affixed to bus shelters as approved by the Board of Supervisors.
- One identification sign for the occupant of a residence (not exceeding one square foot) and one for nonresidential or multi-family uses (not exceeding six square feet).
- Historic identification signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, alter, relocate, or remove any sign or other advertising device without first obtaining a permit from the Township and paying the required fees, unless expressly exempted from the permit requirement.
- All permit applications must be submitted with necessary construction documents, and, if required, engineering calculations signed and sealed by a registered design professional.
- Permit applications must include written consent of the owner (or authorized agent) of the premises.
- All signs for which a permit has been issued must be fully constructed within six months of issuance (with possible 3-month extension upon request).
- Any exemption from permit requirement does not relieve owner of responsibility for safe erection and maintenance in full compliance with the ordinance.
- All applications for sign permits must be granted or denied within 30 days of filing a completed application with the Township.
- Appeals of denied applications may be filed with the Zoning Hearing Board within specified time limits.
- Shopping center entrance signs: The location of such signs shall be as shown on the approved development plan, as required.
- Special signs (when architectural design prevents normal standards): May be permitted as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board (variance/special meeting required).
- Billboards require a conditional use approval from the Board of Supervisors.
- In the KPMU District, sign materials and design are subject to review and approval of the Board of Supervisors and must be submitted as part of the required design manual submission (which must also include an architectural lighting plan).

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

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