# Sign Regulations in West Cocalico Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Cocalico Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-cocalico-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37309052#37309052)

## At a glance

West Cocalico Township, Pennsylvania regulates 15 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Business or Industrial)s in the Industrial/Commercial District, I-C Industrial/Commercial District zoning district are capped at 20 ft from the ground tall and 80 sq ft per side (Sec. §27-1701.10A, §27-1701.10B, §27-1702.F). Most commercial signs in West Cocalico Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Industrial/Commercial District, I-C Industrial/Commercial District | 13 | 20 ft from the ground | 80 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 20 ft from the ground | 40 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Industrial/Commercial District, I-C Industrial/Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale or Rental of Premises) | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises to which they relate | — | §27-1701.2 |
| Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per 500 ft of frontage | — | — | §27-1701.3 |
| Mechanics/Artisans Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Only on premises where work is performed | — | §27-1701.4 |
| Public Institution Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §27-1701.5 |
| Organization, Home, Farm or Estate Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the same lot as the named entity | — | §27-1701.7 |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 | — | — | §27-1701.8 |
| Home Occupation/Accessory Use Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Only on premises with that use | — | §27-1701.9 |
| Freestanding Sign (Business or Industrial) | 20 ft from the ground | 80 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §27-1701.10A, §27-1701.10B, §27-1702.F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale or Rental of Premises) | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises to which they relate | — | §27-1701.2 |
| Development Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 per 500 ft of frontage | — | — | §27-1701.3 |
| Mechanics/Artisans Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Only on premises where work is performed | — | §27-1701.4 |
| Public Institution Sign | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §27-1701.5 |
| Organization, Home, Farm or Estate Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the same lot as the named entity | — | §27-1701.7 |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 10 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 | — | — | §27-1701.8 |
| Home Occupation/Accessory Use Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Only on premises with that use | — | §27-1701.9 |
| Freestanding Sign (Business or Industrial) - Option 1 | 20 ft from the ground | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | §27-1701.10A, §27-1701.10B, §27-1702.F, §27-1701.10D |

## Prohibited signs in West Cocalico Township

- No sign shall be placed in a position that will cause danger to traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
- No signs shall be allowed in the public right-of-way, except as specifically provided (e.g., governmental, public transit, utilities, approved temporary and emergency signs).
- Signs which incorporate flashing or moving illumination, or with illumination varying in intensity or color, or having visible moving/revolving/mechanical parts or movements, are prohibited, except clocks, time/temperature signs, barber poles, and certain hanging signs moving with air currents, provided they otherwise comply.
- Light sources illuminating signs must be shielded by opaque material so bulbs are not visible from off the property.
- Any sign or sign structure that constitutes a hazard to public safety or health is prohibited.
- Signs that, due to size, location, content, coloring, manner or intensity of illumination, distract/obstruct drivers' vision to a significant safety hazard or obstruct/detract from visibility or effectiveness of traffic signs/devices are prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required building exit is prohibited.
- Signs using words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'one-way,' 'danger,' 'yield,' or any similar phrasing, symbols, lights, or characters, in a manner interfering with/misleading/confusing traffic, are prohibited.
- Signs on public property or public rights-of-way are prohibited unless erected by a governmental body or required to be so by governmental order.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or supported by a street sign/light standard, stone, cliff, or other natural object are prohibited.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, banners, streamers, inflatable balloons, and similar devices are prohibited except for temporary occasions not exceeding 15 days (such as grand openings) and only with special permission from the Zoning Officer.
- Signs which utilize animated, sequential, intermittent, or automatic changing video displays are prohibited.
- No roof signs shall be permitted.
- No freestanding sign shall be higher than 20 feet from the ground.
- No sign shall be erected within or adjacent to a public right-of-way that would create a significant risk of harm in the event of a collision.
- Except for conforming banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs, all signs must be constructed of permanent materials and be permanently attached to the ground, a building or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.
- All signs must comply with applicable building and electrical codes as adopted by the Township.
- All signs must be maintained in good structural condition.
- After 180 days, any sign advertising a business or service no longer in existence on the premises is considered abandoned and must be removed within 30 days after notice.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property or within public right-of-way not in conformance with requirements is forfeited to the public and subject to removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in West Cocalico Township

- Identification, informational, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies are permitted.
- Public signs erected by or on behalf of governmental bodies to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, and direct or regulate pedestrian/vehicular traffic (permanent or temporary) are permitted in public right-of-way.
- Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company are permitted in the public right-of-way.
- Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes or facilities are permitted in the public right-of-way.
- Temporary public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body to post legal notices, convey public information, and direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic are permitted in the public right-of-way.
- Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company or contractor doing authorized work within the public right-of-way are permitted.
- Signs announcing special events of charitable or public service groups may be permitted in public right-of-way, if approved by the Zoning Officer and conforming to area and duration restrictions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for permits to erect, alter or modify permanent signs must be made to the Zoning Officer before any work commences.
- It is unlawful to commence the erection, moving, or alteration of any permanent sign until a sign permit is issued by the Zoning Officer.
- Applicants must submit a dimensional sketch or scale plan indicating the shape, size, height, and location of all signs to be erected, altered or moved with their permit application.
- The Zoning Officer may require additional information on the sign plan as necessary for review.
- Sign permit issuance does not waive any regulatory provisions.

## Full detail

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

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