Sign Regulations in Washington Township, Pennsylvania
Washington Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Official Street and Traffic Sign, Sign Required by Law, Occupant Identification/Home Occupation Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 28, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Washington Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Washington Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant Identification/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft (per side) | — |
| Institution Sign (e.g. Park, School, Church, Hospital, Sanitarium, Club) | — | 15 sq ft (per side) | — |
| No Trespassing/Private Property Sign | — | 1 sq ft (each) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
24
- Official Street and Traffic Sign
- Sign Required by Law
- Occupant Identification/Home Occupation Sign
- Institution Sign (e.g. Park, School, Church, Hospital, Sanitarium, Club)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Washington Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Washington Township vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Washington Township, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Washington Township, regulated sign types include Official Street and Traffic Sign, Sign Required by Law, Occupant Identification/Home Occupation Sign, Institution Sign (e.g. Park, School, Church, Hospital, Sanitarium, Club), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Washington Township vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Washington Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Washington Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Washington Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Washington Township, Pennsylvania regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Signs in the Commercial (C), Light Industrial (LI), General Industrial (GI), Quarry (Q) zoning district are capped at 35 ft (measured from adjacent street bed to top) tall, 200 sq ft per sign face, and 20 ft (including border/trim) wide, with a Min 15 ft from ROW/ultimate ROW or total sign height, whichever is greater setback (Sec. § 131-78C(3)(a-j)). Most commercial signs in Washington Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Washington Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Washington Township (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural (A), Watershed Conservation (WSC), Rural Residential (R-1), Suburban Residential (R-2) | 12 | — | 35 sq ft (per side) | — |
| High-Density Residential and Village (HDV) | 6 | 48 in | 100 sq ft (max), 300 sq ft (by special exception) | — |
| Commercial (C), Light Industrial (LI), General Industrial (GI), Quarry (Q) | 3 | 35 ft (measured from adjacent street bed to top) | 200 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 32 sq ft (per side) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Washington Township(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Agricultural (A), Watershed Conservation (WSC), Rural Residential (R-1), Suburban Residential (R-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupant Identification/Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 1 per lot | On residential lot | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(3); § 131-78E(1)(a) |
| Institution Sign (e.g. Park, School, Church, Hospital, Sanitarium, Club) | — | 15 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On institution lot | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(4); § 131-78E(1)(b) |
| No Trespassing/Private Property Sign | — | 1 sq ft (each) | — | — | 1 per 100 feet of frontage | Property line or frontage, on property referred to | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(5) |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale or Rental) | — | 6 sq ft (per side) | — | — | — | On the premises for sale/rental | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(6)(a); § 131-98A(2) |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign (<10 lots) | — | 15 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 1 per subdivision | On the subdivision premises (<10 lots) | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(6)(b) |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign (10+ lots) | — | 35 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 2 per subdivision | On the subdivision premises (10+ lots) | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(6)(c) |
| Public Utility/Municipal Operation Sign | — | 8 sq ft (per street frontage) | — | — | — | On utility or municipal site | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(7) |
| Agricultural Product Sign | — | 35 sq ft (per street frontage) | — | — | — | On lot where agricultural products are sold | — | Unlock | § 131-78A(8) |
High-Density Residential and Village (HDV)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs Permitted in A/WSC/R-1/R-2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(1) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 12 ft above ground | 100 sq ft (max), 300 sq ft (by special exception) | — | — | — | Mounted on building | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(2)(a); § 131-78E |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 10 ft above ground | 100 sq ft (max), 300 sq ft (by special exception) | — | — | — | Freestanding on property | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(2)(b); § 131-78E |
| Wall-Mounted Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Perpendicular to wall | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(2)(c) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Freestanding Temporary Placard in Pedestrian Area) | 48 in | — | 2 ft | — | — | Pedestrian areas | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(2)(d) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | Unlock | § 131-78B(2)(e) |
Commercial (C), Light Industrial (LI), General Industrial (GI), Quarry (Q)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs Permitted in Lower Zones | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 131-78C(1) |
| Tourist Home or Rooming House Sign | — | 6 sq ft (per side) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property (same lot) | — | Unlock | § 131-78C(2) |
| Off-Premises Outdoor Advertising Sign | 35 ft (measured from adjacent street bed to top) | 200 sq ft per sign face | 20 ft (including border/trim) | Min 15 ft from ROW/ultimate ROW or total sign height, whichever is greater | — | Frontage on controlled/semi-controlled access highway (per Township map) | — | Unlock | § 131-78C(3)(a-j) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Washington Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Washington Township — start freeProhibited Signs in Washington Township
- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring a clear view or by confusion with official street signs or signals, by virtue of position or color.
- No sign other than official street signs shall be erected or maintained within a street right-of-way.
- No sign shall be erected at or near the intersection of streets or upon a curve so as to obstruct free and clear vision of motorists.
- No red-, amber- or green-colored lights, discs or shapes are permitted within 100 feet of a street intersection or any other location where the Zoning Officer shall determine that such lights or shapes may reasonably be confused with traffic signals.
- No signs shall be permitted which move, rotate, oscillate, vibrate or shimmer.
- No sign shall be permitted which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights or by any other means not providing a constant level of illumination, except certain public service or barber pole signs as specified.
- Vehicular signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- There shall be no illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving type for signs in any district.
- Floodlighting shall be shielded such that the source of light shall not be visible from any point off the lot of origin.
- Signs must be constructed of durable materials and maintained in good condition and repair at all times.
- Whenever a sign becomes dilapidated, structurally unsafe, or otherwise hazardous to safety, it must be repaired or removed within 10 days of written notice.
Exempt Signs in Washington Township
- The provisions of this section shall not apply to signs erected at the direction of the federal, state or local government.
- Trade names, emblems, or directions on service facilities or product dispensers (e.g. gasoline pumps, telephone booths, vending machines) are not deemed a sign when such area does not exceed two square feet.
- Nonilluminated signs with an area of less than four square feet are exempt from permit requirements.
- Nonilluminated signs with an area of less than 12 square feet advertising the sale or lease of the land upon which such sign is located are exempt from permit requirements.
- Existing lawful nonconforming signs may be repaired and/or repainted with the same logo but shall not be altered or changed in overall dimensions except to be brought into conformance.
- Lawful nonconforming outdoor advertising signs are exempt from the initial permit application process but require a renewal permit at three-year intervals.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Washington Township
- No express requirement for a master sign plan or general sign plan covering multiple signs or developments is stated in the ordinance text provided.
- For outdoor advertising signs, a permit is required which must include five copies of a plan of the property and five copies of a plan of the sign, both drawn to scale and certified by a registered professional engineer or land surveyor.
- Applications for sign permits must include a detailed drawing to scale, a map of the lot (for freestanding signs), and, for outdoor advertising, additional property and sign plan documentation.
Source: ecode360 municipal code