# Sign Regulations in West Caln Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Caln Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-caln-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/38019885#38019885)

## At a glance

West Caln Township, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Option 1, flush mounted)s in the Village District zoning district are capped at 8 sq ft, max 8 ft wide and 8 ft wide (Sec. §350-1408B(1)(a), (2)(a)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Site-Responsive Residential District, Rural Residential District | 5 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Village District | 6 | — | 10 sq ft (may increase to 16 sq ft if multiple uses; +2 sq ft per use) | — |
| Agricultural Preservation District, Rural Center District, Multi-Purpose District | 10 | — | 28 sq ft for single establishment, increase by 4 sq ft per additional establishment, max 44 sq ft | — |

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

### Site-Responsive Residential District, Rural Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Identification Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per permitted use or dwelling unit | On premises of the dwelling | — | §350-1407A |
| Identification Sign (Farm, Religious, Educational, and Other Permitted Uses) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises per street frontage | On the premises; one per street frontage | — | §350-1407B |
| Residential Development Entrance Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side, 24 sq ft total | — | — | 2 per tract | On the development tract to which they pertain | — | §350-1407C |
| Temporary Sign of Mechanics and Artisans | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises where such work is being performed | — | §350-1407D |
| Agricultural Business Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On agricultural tract on which use is located | — | §350-1407E |

### Village District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Freestanding Sign | — | 10 sq ft (may increase to 16 sq ft if multiple uses; +2 sq ft per use) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Lot or development; per street frontage | — | §350-1408B(1), (4), (3) |
| Wall Sign (Option 1, flush mounted) | — | 8 sq ft, max 8 ft wide | 8 ft | — | 1 | Mounted parallel on wall | — | §350-1408B(1)(a), (2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Option 2, architectural lettering) | — | — | 8 ft | — | 1 | Consisting of individual letters or symbols, as part of building architectural design | — | §350-1408B(1)(b), (2)(b) |
| Awning Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | §350-1408B(1)(c), (2)(c) |
| Window Sign (Commercial) | — | — | — | — | 1 | On window, consisting of individual letters or symbols | — | §350-1408B(1)(d), (2)(d) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | §350-1408B(2) |

### Agricultural Preservation District, Rural Center District, Multi-Purpose District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Individual Commercial/Industrial Establishment) | — | — | 12 ft | — | 1 per establishment | On front facade | — | §350-1409B(1)(a) |
| Awning Sign (Individual Commercial/Industrial Establishment) | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | — | — | §350-1409B(1)(b) |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign (Individual Commercial/Industrial Establishment) | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | Attached to marquee/canopy | — | §350-1409B(1)(c) |
| Window Sign (Individual Commercial/Industrial Establishment) | — | — | — | — | — | On window(s) of building front facade | — | §350-1409B(2) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Individual Commercial/Industrial Establishment) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per lot or development | On lot or development, per street frontage | — | §350-1409B(3) |
| Wall Sign (For Multi-Establishment Development) | — | — | 12 ft | — | 1 per establishment | On front facade | — | §350-1409C(1)(a) |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign (For Multi-Establishment Development) | — | — | — | — | 1 per establishment | Attached to marquee/canopy | — | §350-1409C(1)(c) |
| Freestanding or Ground Sign (Multi-Establishment Development) | — | 28 sq ft for single establishment, increase by 4 sq ft per additional establishment, max 44 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per lot or development | On lot or in development per street frontage | — | §350-1409C(3) |

## Prohibited signs in West Caln Township

- No sign shall be permitted to be placed close enough to any intersection to impact the clear sight triangle.
- Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or create a safety hazard.
- No sign shall be erected within the lines of any public street or public sidewalk, or shall be closer to a street line than 10 feet, except for single dwelling real estate signs unless authorized by ordinance.
- No sign shall project over a public sidewalk or street, unless authorized as a special exception or as otherwise provided.
- Advertising signs within 400 feet of a public park of five acres or more, or other designated parks or scenic areas, shall not obscure or detract from the view as determined by the Board of Supervisors.
- No sign shall protrude above the building height as defined in the district where it is located.
- Any sign along the right-of-way of a state or federal highway must comply with more restrictive federal or state requirements.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No freestanding business sign may be located nearer to a residence or residential lot line than permitted. If nearer than 30 feet and facing into a residence or lot, it must not shine or reflect light on the residence or lot.
- No roof signs are permitted.
- A truck or vehicle not used for normal business operations or not regularly moved may not be used as a sign.
- No sign or display may be placed across a public street or right-of-way.
- Sign area for business signs or any other sign over four square feet requires a permit unless specifically exempted.
- No animated sign, rotating, swinging, or movable part sign, or sign with flashing lights or reflectors (except barbershop poles) is permitted.
- All signs must be constructed of durable material, firmly supported, and maintained in good condition.
- All signs requiring electricity must be manufactured in accordance with UL specifications and the National Electrical Code.
- All signs must be securely mounted or fastened, with breakaway signs required next to vehicular facilities as required by Board of Supervisors.
- Prohibited signs include flashing, moving, rotating, oscillating, animated, or revolving signs (except barbershop poles).
- Any sign erected, painted, or drawn on a tree, rock, or natural feature is prohibited unless approved by the Board of Supervisors.
- Any sign containing information that states or implies a property may be used for any purpose not permitted by ordinance is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in West Caln Township

- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, directional, or other official federal, state, county, or Township signs.
- Temporary signs or emblems of religious, civic, philanthropic, historical, community, or educational organizations not exceeding four square feet total. Max four off-premises signs, with property owner approval, posted no sooner than two weeks prior and removed one day after event.
- Temporary signs of mechanics and artisans under 8 feet per side or 16 square feet total, located on premises where work is performed, removed upon completion.
- Directional or public service signs (e.g. rest rooms, telephone, meeting times for nonprofit/service/charitable organizations) under two square feet and not primarily advertising commercial establishments except public utilities.
- Trespassing signs or signs indicating private status of a road/driveway/premises, hunting/fishing prohibition/ownership signs up to two square feet.
- Temporary real estate signs for sale/rent/sold, within the lot, removed upon completion, not over 24 square feet unless otherwise specified.
- Personal name and address signs not over one square foot (one per property, or one per street frontage if property fronts multiple streets).
- Legal notices.
- Window signs indicating operating hours or institution names up to two square feet.
- Vending machine signs showing the brand name or price of product being sold.
- Memorial signs or historical tablets up to four square feet unless otherwise authorized.
- Signs that are permanent architectural features (e.g. cornerstone, carved letters), not reflective or contrasting in color.
- Agricultural signs advertising crops growing in a field (must be removed after growing season).
- Garage or yard sale signs in accordance with § 350-1101C(4).
- Temporary window signs for a charity drive or civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious event, under four square feet in store or office window.
- Temporary signs or emblems of a political organization or campaign not exceeding four square feet; off-premises political signs allowed under stated conditions and must be removed one day after relevant activity.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs made as part of the design for new construction or substantial improvement of existing buildings must have drawings submitted for sign permits showing size, location, and illumination in detail.
- All business signs and any sign exceeding four square feet require a permit, unless specifically exempted in § 350-1404.
- Permit applications must be filed with detailed plans and specifications and any other information necessary for zoning review.
- Property owner written consent must accompany sign permit applications if owner of sign differs from property owner.
- Any application or plan involving a change or enlargement of use or activity triggering parking requirements must include necessary additional parking (per § 350-1502F(2)).
- Registration and listing of all nonconforming signs must be maintained by the Township Zoning Officer.

## 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 West Caln Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=West+Caln+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-west-caln-township

---

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