# Sign Regulations in Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/upper-pottsgrove-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6645296#6645296)

## At a glance

Upper Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Off-Premises Signs in the General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (LI, RO), Route 100 Overlay District zoning district are capped at 30 ft (lowest edge at least 7 ft above grade) tall, 450 sq ft, structure length max 20 ft, and 20 ft (structure) wide, with a 50' from ROW, 500' from intersection/interchange, 100' from property line, 1000' from parks/schools/churches/residential, 50' from building/sign, 500' from another off-premises on same side setback (Sec. § 350-138F). Most commercial signs in Upper Pottsgrove Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-80, CL, AQ) | 8 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (LI, RO), Route 100 Overlay District | 8 | 30 ft | 450 sq ft, structure length max 20 ft | — |
| Park and Open Space Uses in All Districts | 4 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Uses in All Districts | 7 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 8 ft (large, freestanding/ wall/window); 6 ft (small); 24 ft (banner) | Varies by district and if small/large; see zone specific=default max 16 sq ft (large), 6 sq ft (small) | — |

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

### Residential Zoning Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-80, CL, AQ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Home Occupation) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | § 350-139A(3)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | Eaveline or bottom of second story window sill, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | § 350-139A(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Developments, Apartment Buildings) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street entrance | 1 per street entrance for property with >10 dwelling units | — | § 350-139A(4)(a) |
| Awning/Canopy/Under-Canopy Sign (Apartment Buildings) | Eaveline or bottom of second story window sill, whichever is lower | — | — | — | 1 per building entrance | 1 per building entrance to apartment/amenity building | — | § 350-139A(4)(b) |
| Limited Duration Sign - Large | 8 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property if requirements met | On premises, permitted on properties with >5 acres & 400+ ft frontage or >10,000 sq ft floor area | — | § 350-138B(4)(a) |
| Limited Duration Sign - Small | 6 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On premises | — | § 350-138B(4)(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Large | 8 ft for freestanding, window, or wall; 24 ft for banner | 16 sq ft for freestanding, window, or wall; 32 sq ft for banner | — | — | 1 per property if requirements met | On premises, permitted on properties with >5 acres & 400+ ft frontage or >10,000 sq ft floor area | — | § 350-138C(3)(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Small | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On premises | — | § 350-138C(3)(b) |

### General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (LI, RO), Route 100 Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Uses) | Eaveline | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, up to 2 per tenant. Additional 1 for parking lot entrance. | Building wall | — | § 350-139B(5) |
| Awning/Canopy/Under-Canopy Sign (Nonresidential Uses) | Eaveline | — | — | — | — | Building awning/canopy | — | § 350-139B(6) |
| Projecting Sign | Eaveline | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | See additional requirements | Projecting from building | — | § 350-139B(7) |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 25% of total window area (permanent); 35% for all signs | — | — | — | Storefront window | — | § 350-139B(8) |
| Marquee Sign | Eaveline | 200 sq ft per marquee structure | — | — | 1 marquee structure per building | Above principal public entrance | — | § 350-139B(9) |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per sign (including multiple tenants) | — | Setback from residential lot line as for other nonresidential structures. | 1 per street frontage, max 2 per lot; see additional requirements | One per street frontage, up to 2 per lot | — | § 350-139B(10) |
| Off-Premises Sign | 30 ft (lowest edge at least 7 ft above grade) | 450 sq ft, structure length max 20 ft | 20 ft (structure) | 50' from ROW, 500' from intersection/interchange, 100' from property line, 1000' from parks/schools/churches/residential, 50' from building/sign, 500' from another off-premises on same side | 1 per lot | Lots along PA Route 100 in LI or Route 100 Overlay | — | § 350-138F |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per establishment | On sidewalk within 12 ft of public entrance | — | § 350-138D(2) |

### Institutional Uses in All Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional - <2 acres) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street access, up to 2 per lot | 1 per street access, up to 2 per property | — | § 350-139D(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional - 2 to <5 acres) | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street access, up to 2 per lot | 1 per street access, up to 2 per property | — | § 350-139D(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Institutional - ≥5 acres) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street access, up to 2 per lot | 1 per street access, up to 2 per property | — | § 350-139D(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Interior/Directional - Institutional) | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Interior of site for information/direction | — | § 350-139D(1)(e) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional - <2 acres) | Eaveline | 24 sq ft per sign; 5% of wall area (all walls facing street/lot) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | § 350-139D(2)(a)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional - 2 to <5 acres) | Eaveline | 36 sq ft per sign; 6% of wall area (all walls facing street/lot) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | § 350-139D(2)(a)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Institutional - ≥5 acres) | Eaveline | 60 sq ft per sign; 7% of wall area (all walls facing street/lot) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | § 350-139D(2)(a)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Upper Pottsgrove Township

- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited, unless the vehicle is primarily and actively used for business purposes and/or personal transportation.
- Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs, are prohibited.
- Pennant strings and streamers are prohibited.
- Animated signs, flashing signs, or signs that scroll or flash text or graphics are prohibited.
- Inflatable devices or balloon signs are prohibited, except for balloons used in temporary, noncommercial situations.
- Any sign that imitates, resembles, interferes with, or obstructs official traffic lights, signs, or signals is prohibited.
- Any sign that prevents free ingress or egress from any door, window, fire escape or other exitway, or prevents free access from one part of a roof to any other part, is prohibited. No sign other than a safety sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, or odor, or contain open flames are prohibited.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Interactive signs are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting are prohibited.
- Any banner or sign suspended across a public street without the permission of the owner of the property and roadway is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner or authorized agent are prohibited, except those authorized or required by local, state, or federal government.
- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the Township Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.
- Signs that exhibit statements, words or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by the Township are prohibited.
- Any sign that promotes illegal activity is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Upper Pottsgrove Township

- Official traffic signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Government/regulatory signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Legal notices are exempt from permit requirements.
- Public signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs inside a building or other enclosed facility not meant to be viewed from the outside and that are more than three feet from the window are exempt from permit requirements.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations are exempt from permit requirements.
- Personal expression signs of any sign type, including flags, that do not exceed six square feet per side, are noncommercial, and are not illuminated are exempt from permit requirements.
- Address signs (up to two) are exempt from permit requirements, with area restrictions (residential: 2 sq ft; nonresidential: 5 sq ft).
- Signs or emblems of religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organizations not exceeding four square feet in area are exempt from permit requirements.
- Private drive signs (one per driveway entrance, up to two sq ft) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Security and warning signs are exempt from permit requirements, with area limitations (residential: 2 sq ft; nonresidential: one large sign up to 5 sq ft, others up to 2 sq ft).
- Flags are exempt from permit requirements (with restrictions: not within right-of-way, height limits, number per lot, size, etc.).
- Vending machine signs (as long as the machine is not placed in the front yard) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs, public monuments, plaques or historic identification markers erected by a government agency are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs which are a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure existing at the time of ordinance adoption are exempt from permit requirements.
- Signs advertising the variety of crops growing in a field (must be removed after the growing season) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Incidental signs, including incidental window signs, provided aggregate area does not exceed 3 sq ft, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Directional signs that do not contain commercial messaging are exempt from permit requirements, with area (max 4 sq ft), height (max 5 ft), and non-illuminated requirements.
- Art and murals that do not contain any commercial messaging are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs installed per ordinance are exempt from standard permit requirements.
- Street pole banner signs installed per ordinance are exempt from standard permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application is required to erect, construct, or significantly alter any sign unless explicitly exempted by §350-136 or specific sections pertaining to temporary, street pole banner, or limited duration signs.
- A site plan must be submitted as part of the sign permit application illustrating proposed signage and existing signage locations.
- For off-premises advertising signs, certified plans by a licensed engineer are required, including specifications on sign location, setbacks, surrounding trees, distance from right-of-way/property lines, and more as detailed in §350-138F(13).
- A written statement from the property owner, duly notarized, is required for off-premises sign applications, confirming the applicant's right to erect and maintain the sign, and a commitment to remove the sign at the owner's expense if use ceases.
- Sign permit applications require detailed design and construction information, including elevations, facade details, lighting, and other specifications per §350-140.1.
- Conversion of a permitted nondigital sign to a digital display or message center sign requires a new permit.
- Addition of any message center sign or digital display to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.
- Plans for signs may require stress sheets/calculations by a registered structural engineer if required by the Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer.
- Applications for limited duration signs, temporary signs (municipal notification), and street pole banners have specialized forms or requirements, but limited duration and street pole banners involve abbreviated or alternative approval processes.
- For signs associated with subdivisions or properties undergoing land development applications, all permanent signs must be brought into conformance and require approved plans as part of overall development review.
- Where a special exception or variance is required, the applicant bears the burden of proof regarding safety and compliance, and standard sign permit/zoning variance procedures apply as provided in the Township Zoning Ordinance.
- Applications for permit-exempt signs are not required except as expressly indicated by the 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 Pottsgrove Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Upper+Pottsgrove+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-upper-pottsgrove-township

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