# Sign Regulations in Upper Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-nazareth-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/31953245#31953245)

## At a glance

Upper Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Off-Premises Sign (Billboard, EX-1 District)s in the EX-1 District zoning district are capped at 35 ft above street center line elevation tall and 200 sq ft per side; two faces allowed, with a 25 ft from all lot lines and street rights-of-way. 300 ft from existing dwellings if over 20 sq ft. setback (Sec. § 27-712.4A-I). Most commercial signs in Upper Nazareth Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | Top of the roof along the wall to which attached. May be attached to a parapet roof extending up to 10 ft above structural roof, if parapet roof appears as an architectural extension of the building. | — | — |
| EX-1 District | 2 | 35 ft above street center line elevation | 200 sq ft per side; two faces allowed | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not specified; must be specifically authorized by the Township or government agency. | — | § 27-703.2A |
| Not Readable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not readable from any public street or exterior lot line. | — | § 27-703.2C |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Erected by government body or as authorized by Township ordinance/resolution. | — | § 27-703.2D; § 15-407 |
| Right-of-Way Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Posted within existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by Township or PennDOT. | — | § 27-703.2F |
| Wall Sign (General) | Top of the roof along the wall to which attached. May be attached to a parapet roof extending up to 10 ft above structural roof, if parapet roof appears as an architectural extension of the building. | — | — | — | — | Building wall; may be displayed upon an awning or canopy if other requirements met. | — | § 27-704.2; § 27-711.1G |
| Freestanding Sign on Freestanding Wall | 6 ft | — | — | — | — | Freestanding and attached to decorative wall. | — | § 27-704.5 |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | Exempt from 10 ft setback requirement; can be placed closer to street right-of-way. | — | Can be placed without 10 ft setback to show entrances and exits. | — | § 27-706.1A(1), (3) |
| Official Sign (Traffic, Safety, or Public Purposes) | — | — | — | Exempt from 10 ft setback. | — | By governmental agencies; exempt from general signage setbacks. | — | § 27-706.1A(3) |

### EX-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premises Sign (Billboard, EX-1 District) | 35 ft above street center line elevation | 200 sq ft per side; two faces allowed | — | 25 ft from all lot lines and street rights-of-way. 300 ft from existing dwellings if over 20 sq ft. | One per lot (except as specifically allowed by § 27-712.4F). | Set back minimum 25 ft from all lot lines and street rights-of-way; Only in EX-1 District. | — | § 27-712.4A-I |
| PennDOT Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Erected and maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. | — | § 27-712.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Nazareth Township

- Portable signs are prohibited in all districts, except as a temporary charitable event sign permitted by § 27-703.
- Signs shall be prohibited that involve electrical cords laying across parking lots, driveways or sidewalks, except on a residential property for seasonal lighting.
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence (other than a sign relating to a building that is clearly temporarily vacant and being offered to new tenants or for purchase) shall be removed within 180 days of the cessation of such use.
- No sign shall be so located that it interferes with the sight clearance requirements.
- No signs except permitted off-premises, official, political or public service signs shall be erected on a property to which it does not relate.
- No sign shall be posted on any property or sign pole or public utility pole, unless permission has been received by the owner.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole using metal fasteners, except by a utility or government agency.
- Any moving object used to attract attention to a commercial use is prohibited (except certain flags/banners as allowed by § 27-703).
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, animated scrolling or moving signs of any type are prohibited. Signs may change their message from time to time provided that each message is visible for at least 10 seconds, except: (1) if the sign includes a sign area of more than 100 square feet, the sign message shall not change more than once per 30 seconds, and (2) time and temperature signs may change more frequently.
- Flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business. This restriction specifically includes window signs, but does not prohibit Christmas lighting or displays within § 27-703.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odor are prohibited.
- Signs which contain information that states 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 that have any characteristics which are likely to confuse or distract the operator of a motor vehicle on a public street (such as prominent use of the words 'danger') are prohibited.
- Signs or displays visible from a lot line that include words or images that are obscene or pornographic are prohibited.
- Balloons of greater than 50 cubic feet that are tethered to the ground or a structure for periods of over a day and that are primarily intended for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Floodlights and outdoor lasers for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- To avoid distractions to motorists, neon lighting of more than 10 square feet per lot shall be prohibited as part of signs and if attached to the outside of a building.
- Every permanent sign permitted in this section shall be constructed of durable materials and shall be kept in good condition and repair. Dilapidated or unsafe signs must be repaired or removed when ordered, or the Township may do so at the expense of the owner.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Nazareth Township

- Signs meeting the requirements of § 27-703 and nonilluminated window signs constructed of paper, cardboard or similar materials and that are not of a permanent nature are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs not readable from any public street or any exterior lot line are not regulated by this chapter.
- Historic signs memorializing an important historic place, event, or person, specifically authorized by the Township or a county, state, or federal agency, are exempt.
- Holiday decorations commemorating a holiday recognized by the Township, county, state, or federal government and that do not include advertising are exempt.
- Official signs erected by the state, county, Township, or other legally constituted governmental body, or specifically authorized by Township ordinance or resolution, and which exist for public purposes, are exempt.
- Signs that only include information required to be posted outdoors by a government agency or the Township are exempt.
- Signs posted within the existing right-of-way of a public street and officially authorized by the Township or PennDOT are exempt.
- PennDOT signs are permitted by right in all districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning permit shall be required for all signs except those specifically exempted (signs meeting § 27-703 and certain nonilluminated window signs).
- Major residential development signs (for subdivisions over 20 units) require proof to the Zoning Officer that the signs will be of durable construction that requires little maintenance.
- Any lawfully existing sign may be painted, repaired, or changed in logo/message without a new permit, provided such changes do not increase the sign area or otherwise result in noncompliance or increased nonconformity.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Upper Nazareth Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Upper+Nazareth+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-upper-nazareth-township

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-nazareth-township