# Sign Regulations in Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-milford-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Upper Milford Township, Pennsylvania regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the CON District, R-A District, AC District, Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 16 sq. ft. per sign, 1 sign on each street the lot abuts, with a See § 155.141(A) – 10 feet from ROW unless 25 feet from street centerline setback (Sec. § 155.138(A) Table). Most commercial signs in Upper Milford Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CON District, R-A District, AC District, Residential Districts | 4 | Equal to top of roof along wall to which they are attached; may be attached to a parapet roof extending up to 10 ft above the structural roof | 30 sq. ft. per side of principal nonresidential building or allowed nursing home/personal care center | — |
| Village Commercial District (VC) | 4 | To top of roof along wall; or to top of a parapet up to 10 ft above roof | 32 sq. ft. per sign; up to 10 sq. ft. of this may be used for a projecting sign | — |
| Commercial District (C), Industrial District (I) | 6 | 35 feet above adjacent street (measured at street centerline) | 300 sq. ft. per face (2 faces allowed at up to 45-degree angle) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 8 feet | Total 60 sq. ft. of all banners, flags, temporary signs (nonresidential only) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### CON District, R-A District, AC District, Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 feet | 16 sq. ft. per sign, 1 sign on each street the lot abuts | — | See § 155.141(A) – 10 feet from ROW unless 25 feet from street centerline | 1 sign per street abutted | On premises | — | § 155.138(A) Table |
| Wall Sign | Equal to top of roof along wall to which they are attached; may be attached to a parapet roof extending up to 10 ft above the structural roof | 30 sq. ft. per side of principal nonresidential building or allowed nursing home/personal care center | — | — | — | On building wall (may also be on awning or canopy) | — | § 155.138(A)-(B) |
| Window Sign | — | May be used in place of a wall sign with the same restrictions | — | — | — | On windows/doors | — | § 155.138(A) |
| Major Residential Development Sign | 6 feet | 30 sq. ft. per sign (up to 2 signs per project) | — | — | Up to 2 per project | At up to 2 vehicle entrances from exterior public streets | — | § 155.146 |

### Commercial District (C), Industrial District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 40 sq. ft. per sign; if lot has multiple principal nonresidential uses, area increases by 10 sq. ft. for each additional use | — | See § 155.141(A) – 10 feet from ROW unless 25 feet from street centerline | 1 per street abutted | On premises | — | § 155.138(A) Table |
| Wall Sign | To top of roof along wall; may be attached to parapet roof up to 10 ft above | Dependent on building length | — | — | — | On wall/awning/canopy | — | § 155.138(A)-(B) |
| Window Sign | — | Temporary non-illuminated window signs not regulated; other window signs considered wall signs | — | — | — | On window/door | — | § 155.138(A) |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard) (I District Only) | 35 feet above adjacent street (measured at street centerline) | 300 sq. ft. per face (2 faces allowed at up to 45-degree angle) | — | 25 ft from all lot lines and ROW; not within 200 ft of any dwelling or residential district | 1 per lot, except see §155.140(E) for directional signs | Not less than 25 ft from any lot line or street right-of-way, and not within 200 ft of a dwelling or residential district | — | § 155.140(D)-(E) |
| Projecting Sign | — | Up to 10 sq. ft. of allowed freestanding sign area may be used for projecting sign (VC, C, I districts) | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building face | — | § 155.136, § 155.138 |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign (I, C, VC, VR, and on arterial/collector roads in R-A, AC districts) | 8 feet | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | up to 2, or 6 (seasonal <90 days) | With property owner's permission, along allowed roads | — | § 155.140(E) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Sales or Christmas Tree Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign (residential lot), 24 sq. ft. per sign (nonresidential lot) | — | — | 2 per lot | — | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Charitable Event Sign | — | 4 sq. ft. (residential), 40 sq. ft. (nonresidential) | — | — | 2 per lot | — | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Contractor's Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. (residential), 32 sq. ft. (nonresidential), or 60 sq. ft. if shared by multiple contractors | — | — | 1 per contractor | — | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Directional Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | No max | Same lot as sign for traffic direction, entry/exit, loading/service etc. | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Flag | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. (residential), 2 sq. ft. (nonresidential) | — | 10 ft from ROW unless on mailbox | 1 per lot | Freestanding, attached flat to building or within window | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Identification Sign | 8 feet | 1 sq. ft. (residential), 2 sq. ft. (nonresidential principal use), 6 sq. ft. (other nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 for principal nonresidential | — | — | § 155.137(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. per sign (residential), 30 sq. ft. per sign (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per street abutted | On property for sale, rent or lease | — | § 155.137(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Milford Township

- Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited, except certain flags and banners as provided in § 155.137.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated, scrolling or moving signs of any type are prohibited. Signs may change their message only if each message is visible for a minimum of ten seconds, with exceptions for time/temperature signs and signs over 100 square feet (minimum 30 seconds per change).
- Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction includes window signs but excludes Christmas lighting or displays allowed under § 155.137.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information stating that a lot may be used for a purpose not permitted under this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs that are of such form, shape, or color that they resemble an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or those likely to confuse/distract motorists (e.g. prominent use of 'Danger') are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons greater than 50 cubic feet that are tethered for periods over a day and are primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Neon, argon or similar gaseous internal illumination is prohibited except in the C Commercial Zoning District.
- Portable signs (signs that are not permanently affixed and are not an allowed temporary sign) are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event sign under § 155.137.
- No sign shall be located within ten feet from an existing street right-of-way, except as provided for signs at least 25 feet from the street centerline, or for official, nameplate, public service, and directional signs.
- No sign shall interfere with the sight clearance requirements of § 155.092.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which they do not relate, except for a major development sign.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or utility pole without the owner's permission.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
- Signs shall not involve electrical cords laying across parking lots, driveways, or sidewalks, except on residential property for seasonal lighting.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence shall be removed within 180 days of cessation (exceptions for temporarily vacant buildings actively for lease/sale).

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Milford Township

- Signs meeting the requirements of § 155.137 (Miscellaneous signs not requiring permits) are exempt from needing a zoning permit.
- Non-illuminated window signs do not require a zoning permit.
- Signs that are memorializations of important historic places, events or persons authorized by the township or government agency are not regulated.
- Holiday decorations commemorating a recognized holiday and that do not include advertising are not regulated.
- Signs not readable from any public street or exterior lot line are not regulated.
- Official signs erected by or specifically authorized by a government body or township ordinance/resolution for public purposes are not regulated.
- Required signs, which include only information mandated to be posted outdoors by a government agency or township, are not regulated.
- Signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the township or PennDOT, including decorative banners hung from street lights, are not regulated.
- Small signs of one square foot or less displayed independently of other signs are not regulated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit is required for all signs except for signs meeting § 155.137 and non-illuminated window signs.
- Only sign types, sizes and heights specifically permitted by the chapter within the applicable district are allowed.
- If a subdivision or land development is approved to include over 15 dwelling units, the applicant must prove to the Zoning Officer that major residential development signs will be of durable construction requiring little maintenance (§ 155.146).
- Changes to a lawfully existing sign (including nonconforming signs) such as painting, repairs, or changes in logo/message do not require a new permit as long as the sign area is not increased and compliance is maintained.

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

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