# Sign Regulations in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-conshohocken
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-13
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8252545)

## At a glance

West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Limited Commercial District (LC), Interchange Business District (IB), Office District (O-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Heavy Industrial District (HI) zoning district are capped at 15 ft above highest point of street upon which sign faces tall and 32 sq ft, with a ≥10 ft from ultimate right-of-way; within building line; ≥10 ft separation from other ground signs/buildings/structures setback (Sec. § 113-166B(3); § 113-166C(1)-(5)). Most commercial signs in West Conshohocken require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | No sign on a building may exceed the height of the building; ground signs may not exceed 15 feet tall. | — | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2), Garden Apartment District (GA) | 19 | — | 32 sq ft per single face | — |
| Limited Commercial District (LC), Interchange Business District (IB), Office District (O-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Heavy Industrial District (HI) | 16 | Shall not extend above parapet wall, eaves, or building facade; cannot exceed building height (§ 113-161). | Up to 180 sq ft per wall sign; aggregate square footage of both signs ≤305 sq ft | — |
| Office District (O) | 17 | Shall not extend above parapet wall, eaves, or building facade; cannot exceed building height (§ 113-161). | 900 sq ft per face; max 2 faces | — |

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

### Residential District (R-1, R-2), Garden Apartment District (GA)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Professional/Home Occupation/Name Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | At the residence | — | § 113-165B |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Identification Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | At the residence | — | § 113-165C |
| Identification Sign or Bulletin Board (Institutional) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage of the property | — | § 113-165D |
| Trespassing Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | As needed | On private property/driveway | — | § 113-165E |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily Development) | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One sign on each street frontage | — | § 113-165F(1) |
| Building Name/Number Sign (Multifamily Development) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On each building | — | § 113-165F(2) |
| Incidental Sign (Convenience/Safety, No Advertising) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | Multiple allowed if spaced ≥50 ft apart | Off the public right-of-way on private property | — | § 113-165G |
| Temporary Sign - Project Developer | — | 32 sq ft per single face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the property while actually for sale or rent | — | § 113-165H(2) |

### Limited Commercial District (LC), Interchange Business District (IB), Office District (O-1), Limited Industrial District (LI), Heavy Industrial District (HI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Individual Business Signs - Total Allowed | — | Max 32 sq ft per building side total (subject to 1 sq ft per linear foot formula) | — | — | Per subsections; total area cap applies | On building(s) and/or as allowed ground/window/projecting signs per this section | — | § 113-166B(1)-(6) |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend above parapet wall, eaves, or building facade; cannot exceed building height (§ 113-161). | Up to 32 sq ft, and not more than 25% of the wall area (including windows/doors/cornices to which attached) | — | — | — | Affixed parallel to exterior building wall; may also be on parking garage or accessory building (max 16 sq ft for those) | — | § 113-166B(1), (5); § 113-166G(1)-(4); § 113-158 (wall sign definition) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft above highest point of street upon which sign faces | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ultimate right-of-way; within building line; ≥10 ft separation from other ground signs/buildings/structures | 1 per street frontage | On-site; per street frontage | — | § 113-166B(3); § 113-166C(1)-(5) |
| Directory Sign | ≤15 ft | Total sign area ≤36 sq ft; permitted areas of information: no more than 3 sq ft per first listed; no more than 10 sq ft for general sign title. | — | ≥10 ft from the street curb | 1 per vehicular entrance or a total of not more than 3 per building | On the property served by the sign; minimum 10 ft from street curb | — | § 113-166D(1)-(7) |
| Projecting Sign | Top of sign ≤15 ft above ground and ≤roof line of building; lowest part ≥10 ft above any private road/alley over which it extends | 16 sq ft per side (both sides count toward total permitted area) | — | — | Max 1 projecting sign per building/structure | Mounted perpendicular to wall; not over public sidewalks/streets in positions that obstruct/imitate/confuse traffic devices | — | § 113-166E(1)-(5); § 113-158 (projecting sign definition) |
| Temporary Sign - Project Developer | — | 32 sq ft per single face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises while property is actually for sale or rent | — | § 113-166H(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Agent | — | 16 sq ft per single face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises while property is actually for sale or rent | — | § 113-166H(2) |
| Temporary Sign - Financial Lending Institution | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per financial lending institution | On premises while a structure is being built | — | § 113-166H(3) |

### Office District (O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Individual Business Signs - Total Allowed | — | Max 32 sq ft per building side total (subject to 1 sq ft per linear foot formula) | — | — | Per subsections; total area cap applies | On building(s) and/or as allowed ground/window/projecting signs per this section | — | § 113-166B(1)-(6) |
| Wall Sign | Shall not extend above parapet wall, eaves, or building facade; cannot exceed building height (§ 113-161). | Up to 32 sq ft, and not more than 25% of the wall area (including windows/doors/cornices to which attached) | — | — | — | Affixed parallel to exterior building wall; may also be on parking garage or accessory building (max 16 sq ft for those) | — | § 113-166B(1), (5); § 113-166G(1)-(4); § 113-158 (wall sign definition) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft above highest point of street upon which sign faces | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from ultimate right-of-way; within building line; ≥10 ft separation from other ground signs/buildings/structures | 1 per street frontage | On-site; per street frontage | — | § 113-166B(3); § 113-166C(1)-(5) |
| Directory Sign | ≤15 ft | Total sign area ≤36 sq ft; permitted areas of information: no more than 3 sq ft per first listed; no more than 10 sq ft for general sign title. | — | ≥10 ft from the street curb | 1 per vehicular entrance or a total of not more than 3 per building | On the property served by the sign; minimum 10 ft from street curb | — | § 113-166D(1)-(7) |
| Projecting Sign | Top of sign ≤15 ft above ground and ≤roof line of building; lowest part ≥10 ft above any private road/alley over which it extends | 16 sq ft per side (both sides count toward total permitted area) | — | — | Max 1 projecting sign per building/structure | Mounted perpendicular to wall; not over public sidewalks/streets in positions that obstruct/imitate/confuse traffic devices | — | § 113-166E(1)-(5); § 113-158 (projecting sign definition) |
| Temporary Sign - Project Developer | — | 32 sq ft per single face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises while property is actually for sale or rent | — | § 113-166H(1) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate Agent | — | 16 sq ft per single face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises while property is actually for sale or rent | — | § 113-166H(2) |
| Off-Premises Sign (VCT Billboard) | Sign structure height ≤50 ft measured from I-76 roadway grade; top of VCT active area ≤35 ft measured from I-76 roadway grade | 900 sq ft per face; max 2 faces | — | Nearest edge of active area ≤35 ft from legal I-76 ROW; ≥400 ft from existing single-family detached residences; spacing ≥150 ft from other off-premises signs | Max 2 faces per sign; off-premises sign is the sole principal use on a lot | Only permitted in O District; primarily visible to the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76). | — | § 113-166L(1)-(19) |

## Prohibited signs in West Conshohocken

- No sign may prevent free ingress or egress to or from any door, window, or fire escape (§113-159A(1)).
- Only instructional signs may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape; all other sign types are prohibited from such attachment (§113-159A(2)).
- No sign may be placed so as to endanger pedestrians or traffic by obscuring clear views or by creating confusion with official street signs or signals due to position or color (§113-159A(3)).
- No sign other than highway or traffic signs may be erected within or project into the existing right-of-way, nor be within 10 feet of the shoulder or curb of the existing right-of-way (§113-159A(4)).
- Signs located within 75 feet of a right-of-way or within 200 feet of a traffic control device shall not: use the words "stop," "look," or "danger"; contain red or green lights; or use words/symbols/characters that imitate or resemble official traffic signs (§113-159A(5)(a)-(c)).
- No sign may interfere with any opening required for ventilation (§113-159A(6)).
- Sign placement may not interfere with or fail to maintain clearance from surface or underground utilities, conduits, or natural/artificial drainage or surface/underground water (§113-159A(7)).
- No signs or their supports may be constructed, erected, or located upon any sidewalk or street in the Borough except for official street signs (§113-159A(8)).
- No sign may be placed on vehicles or trailers parked or located primarily to display the sign (does not apply to buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during normal business) (§113-159A(9)).
- Offensive signs are prohibited (§113-159A(10)).
- No sign may block or obstruct any exit or entrance (including emergency exits/entrances), nor be attached to any fire escape, fire tower, or fire door (§113-159A(11)).
- No sign may be erected or maintained on Borough-owned property without prior written permission (§113-159A(12)).
- No sign may be erected or maintained in any parking space or fire lane so as to obstruct, impede, or impair free use or access (§113-159A(13)).
- No sign painted or printed on flammable or flimsy materials (paper, fabric, similar) may be posted or secured to any projecting sign, awning, or canopy (§113-159A(15)).
- No ground sign is permitted within 660 feet of a PennDOT-owned/maintained highway without PennDOT review, approval, and a highway occupancy permit (§113-159A(16)).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the article (signs must advertise activity conducted on the premises) (§113-159B).
- The following sign types are prohibited Borough-wide: changeable-copy signs (except off-premises signs may have changeable copy), trailer signs, holographic or 3D signs, and outdoor projection signs (§113-159C(1)-(4)).
- No sign affixed, painted, or represented on a building may exceed the height of that building; no ground sign may exceed 15 feet in height (§113-161).
- No sign may have revolving, moving, sound-producing, or animated parts, except barber poles (§113-162A).
- No sign may have flashing, intermittent, animated, or revolving illumination, except stationary signs that display time and/or temperature (§113-162B(1)).
- External floodlighting must be shielded so the light source is not visible off the lot and so only the target area is illuminated; unshielded floodlighting visible off-lot is prohibited (§113-162B(2)).
- Installing any electrical sign without a prominently affixed Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) label is illegal (§113-160C).
- No electrical equipment or apparatus that causes interference with radio/television reception or other electronic equipment may be used in the operation of illuminated signs (§113-163).

## Signs exempt from permit in West Conshohocken

- Official federal, state, or municipal signs erected within the Borough are exempt (§113-172A).
- Trade names, emblems, or directions on service facilities or product dispensers (e.g., gasoline pumps, telephone booths, vending machines) are not considered signs when the display is not more than 3 square feet (§113-172A).
- Off-highway route number signs, street name signs, directional or other traffic signs erected and maintained on rights-of-way for public safety or traffic regulation are exempt (§113-172B(1)).
- Government flags or insignia not greater than 5 feet by 8 feet are exempt (§113-172B(2)).
- Legal notices are exempt (§113-172B(3)).
- Christmas trees, other holiday displays, or window displays of merchandise are exempt (except as specifically prohibited elsewhere) (§113-172B(4)).
- Public service and information signs advertising availability of restrooms, telephones, or similar public conveniences, and signs advertising meeting times/places of nonprofit, service, or charitable organizations, up to 4 square feet, are exempt (§113-172B(5)).
- Public monuments, historic identification signs, or plaques erected by a governmental agency are exempt (§113-172B(6)).
- One sign applied to a window or door giving business hours or the name/charge of institutions, up to 2 square feet, is exempt (§113-172B(7)).
- A cornerstone or identifying letters carved/embossed on a building are exempt if not reflective, not contrasting with the building color, and not more than 2 feet by 3 feet (§113-172B(8)).
- Bulletin boards not over 8 square feet for public, charitable, religious, or educational institutions located entirely on the premises of such institution are exempt (§113-172B(9)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless otherwise provided; no sign construction may begin until a permit has been issued (§113-168).
- Permit applications must include detailed plans and specifications and any other information the Zoning Officer deems necessary to determine location and construction details (§113-168A).
- Detailed plans showing supporting structural members and foundations must be submitted for approval before permit issuance; freestanding signs exceeding 32 square feet on one side and over 15 feet in height require plans sealed by a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer (§113-160D).
- Electrical signs must bear a UL label; the contractor must provide the UL label number to the Building Inspector, and installing an electrical sign without the UL label is prohibited (§113-160C).
- Ground signs within 660 feet of a PennDOT highway require PennDOT review/approval and a highway occupancy permit (§113-159A(16)).
- Temporary banner signs erected over a state highway right-of-way require approval from PennDOT and submission of the state highway occupancy permit to the Borough (§113-165H(6)(d); §113-166K(4)).
- For off-premises signs (permitted only in the O Office District), a specialized permit process applies: the Zoning Officer consults with Borough Council, and Council may request the applicant attend one or more meetings to discuss the sign design (§113-166L(18)(a)).
- Off-premises sign applications must include conceptual architectural renderings (3D elevations), proposed materials, and demonstrate consistency with surrounding architecture/landscaping and applicable design objectives (§113-166L(17)-(18)(f)).
- Off-premises sign operators must enter into a maintenance and operation agreement with the Borough and post escrow; periodic inspections and engineer certification are required (§113-166L(15)(b)-(c)).
- Permit packages for off-premises signs must show size, location, materials, colors, and content, and demonstrate compliance with public safety standards (§113-166L(18)(f)).
- Once a permit has been issued for an off-premises sign, substantial design changes require a permit modification (§113-166L(18)(g)).
- Applicants must agree in writing to indemnify and hold the Borough harmless and provide evidence of public liability insurance naming the Borough as an additional insured before a sign permit is issued (§113-168B(1)(b)).
- After installation, the Zoning Officer inspects signs for compliance; noncompliant signs must be corrected within 10 days or may be removed by the Borough at the owner's expense (§113-168C).
- Every permitted sign must display on its front the name of the owner and the permit number (§113-159A(14)).

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

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