# Sign Regulations in Valley Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Valley Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/valley-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34330186#34330186)

## At a glance

Valley Township, Pennsylvania regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Development Identification Sign (Residential developments 20+ units)s in the R-1, R-2, MFR Overlay Zoning District zoning district are capped at 10 ft (freestanding); wall/fence support max 8 ft high or 100 sq ft area tall and 32 sq ft per sign, with a 5 ft from street right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines setback (Sec. §27-315.4C). Most commercial signs in Valley Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, MFR Overlay Zoning District | 6 | 10 ft (freestanding); wall/fence support max 8 ft high or 100 sq ft area | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residentially zoned district (Multifamily apartment complex) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nonresidential zoning district, Neighborhood Commercial Office (NCO) Zone, Highway Commercial (HC) Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nonresidential zoning district | 7 | No less than 7 ft, no more than 18 ft (freestanding); 8 ft (ground sign, wall or fence support max 8 ft high or 150 sq ft area) | 100 sq ft | — |
| I Zone, PD Zone | 1 | Min 15 ft to bottom edge, max 45 ft to top edge | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | Not to exceed roofline (except balloons, max 60 ft above grade) | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### R-1, R-2, MFR Overlay Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Street Address Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | 2 ft from street right-of-way, 5 ft from property lines | — | At least 2 feet from street right-of-way and 5 feet from all other property lines | — | §27-315.4A |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft (one side) | — | 2 ft from street right-of-way, 5 ft from property lines (if in front yard) | 1 per permitted use or dwelling | Fixed flat on main wall (max 6 in projection), or front yard (min 2 ft from right-of-way and 5 ft from property lines) | — | §27-315.4B |
| Development Identification Sign (Residential developments 20+ units) | 10 ft (freestanding); wall/fence support max 8 ft high or 100 sq ft area | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft from street right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines | 1 per entrance | At least 5 feet from street right-of-way, 20 feet from property lines, not in clear sight triangle | — | §27-315.4C |
| Directional Sign (Interior of Residential Development) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street | Interior only, 1 per street | — | §27-315.4D |
| Property Control/Restrictions Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §27-315.4E, §27-315.5E |
| Illuminated Signs (Emergency/Institutional Use Only) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-315.2J(7) |

### Nonresidential zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Office/Business/Medical/Hospital/Industrial Park) | No less than 7 ft, no more than 18 ft (freestanding); 8 ft (ground sign, wall or fence support max 8 ft high or 150 sq ft area) | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per street with >300 ft of frontage | One per street with >300 ft frontage | — | §27-315.5B(1) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Shopping center/mall <30,000 sq ft floor area) | No less than 7 ft, no more than 18 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | — | — | §27-315.5B(2) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Shopping center/mall ≥30,000 sq ft floor area) | No less than 7 ft, no more than 25 ft (freestanding); 8 ft (ground sign); wall/fence support max 8 ft high or 150 sq ft area | 100 sq ft | — | — | No more than 1 per street with >300 ft of frontage | No more than one per street with >300 ft of frontage | — | §27-315.5B(3) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Other individual nonresidential uses) | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | §27-315.5B(4) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Municipal/Governmental/Recreational/Institutional) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per frontage (2 max if ≥2 streets) | One per street with >300 ft frontage (max 2 if property fronts ≥2 streets) | — | §27-315.5C |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Agricultural use) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | §27-315.5D |
| Digital/Electronic Changing-Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-315.5F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On building, perpendicular/right angle to wall | — | §27-315.2H |
| Special Event/Promotional Sign (Nonresidential Use, Nonresidential District) | Ground sign max 32 in high, banner/wall sign not above roofline | 32 sq ft | — | Special event sign: 2 ft from right-of-way; banners/flags: 20 ft from right-of-way, 30 ft from property lines | 1 per lot per event (max 30 days/year) | Min 2 ft from right-of-way (special event sign); plot plan required | — | §27-315.7B |
| Grand Opening/Promotional Sign (New Nonresidential Use) | Not to exceed roofline (except balloons, max 60 ft above grade) | 24 sq ft per sign (2 max) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines (signs); 5 ft from right-of-way for banners/flags/balloons, 20 ft from property lines | 2 | 10 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines (signs); banners/flags/balloons: 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines | — | §27-315.7C |
| Banner Across Public Street (Promoting Community Events) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street | Across public street or right-of-way | — | §27-315.7D |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Property) | — | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way/property lines | 1 (or 2 if >1 frontage/200 ft apart) | Min 5 ft from right-of-way and all other property lines | — | §27-315.7A(5) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential Property) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from property lines, 200 ft spacing between signs | — | §27-315.7A(6) |
| Contractor/Developer Sign (Temporary) | 18 ft max | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street | On site where work is performed; 1 per street frontage | — | §27-315.7A(11) |
| Sports Facility/Venue Business Advertising Sign | — | 12 sq ft per 500 sq ft of field area | — | — | 1 per 500 sq ft of playing field | Within sports facility/venue for youth sports teams | — | §27-315.7A(12) |

## Prohibited signs in Valley Township

- No person shall destroy, remove, deface, obliterate or cover up any lamp, sign or barricade erected as a warning of danger by the authorities of the Township or authorized persons on public areas.
- No sign shall be posted, stapled or otherwise permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within a street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be located, placed or arranged in any manner that interferes with vehicular traffic or is within the clear sight triangle of a street intersection unless otherwise permitted.
- No sign shall be erected or located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obscure light or air from a building or which would create a traffic danger.
- Rotating, traveling, pulsing, flashing, or oscillating light sources, lasers, beacons, searchlights, or strobe lighting shall not be permitted.
- Red, green or amber lights are prohibited on any sign within 200 feet of a street intersection.
- The use of illuminated signs within R-1, R-2, and MFR Overlay Zoning Districts is prohibited unless specifically related to emergency management, medical, municipal, institutional, or other approved uses.
- Spinning, animated, twirling or any other moving objects used for commercial advertising purposes, where movement occurs in intervals of less than 30 seconds or more than one complete rotation within a thirty-second interval, are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking, twinkling, or animated signs are prohibited.
- Highly reflective signage that creates nuisance glare or a safety hazard is prohibited.
- Signs placed, inscribed, or supported upon the highest roofline or upon any structure extending above the highest roofline of any building are prohibited.
- Roof signs erected on top of a principal or accessory building are prohibited.
- Signs located on parked vehicles within 50 feet of the street right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs containing vulgar messages or depicting any lewd, pornographic, lascivious, or other offensive acts are prohibited.
- Caution tape or crime scene tape not utilized for emergency management purposes is prohibited.
- No sign shall be maintained or permitted on premises if it is abandoned, with removal required within 10 days of abandonment.
- Off-premises signs or billboards shall not resemble any official governmental marker, logo, or insignia without written consent.
- No off-premises sign or billboard shall be located so as to disrupt or distract drivers, obstruct the view of motorists, or obstruct views of adjoining uses dependent on visibility for identification.

## Signs exempt from permit in Valley Township

- Permits are not required for maintenance and cleaning of signs.
- Traffic control and directional signs within street right-of-way are permitted by the Township and/or the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- Artistic murals depicting scenic, historical, cultural, educational or other similar visual scenes may be painted on the side of a building, provided their content is approved by the Township Board of Supervisors.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit application is required for all signs unless otherwise specified; must include plans showing lot, sign dimensions, location, construction, materials, and installation details.
- No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with regulations, unless granted by Zoning Hearing Board via variance procedure.
- Special event sign permit required for each special event sign. Plot plan showing sign location must accompany the permit application.
- Permit applications for off-premises advertising signs or billboards must include signed and sealed plans from a licensed engineer, written agreement regarding property use, and complete site diagrams. Permit is granted or refused within 30 days.
- In the event of a dispute about sign regulations or their interpretation, an appeal may be filed with the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Matrix Chart 1, referenced throughout, summarizes permit procedures and requirements; where discrepancies exist, textual provisions prevail.
- Banner permits for banners displayed across public streets must be submitted at least 45 days prior and approved by the Board of Supervisors.

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

---

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