Sign Regulations in West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania
West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 33 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Future Development Sign, Government Sign, Real Estate Sign / Real Estate Open House 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 West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in West Donegal Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign / Real Estate Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft | Not within street right-of-way. |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | Not within street right-of-way. |
| Special Event Sign | — | 20 sq ft | Outside of street right-of-way. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
33
- Future Development Sign
- Government Sign
- Real Estate Sign / Real Estate Open House Sign
- Garage/Yard Sale Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for West Donegal Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in West Donegal 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 West Donegal 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 West Donegal Township, regulated sign types include Future Development Sign, Government Sign, Real Estate Sign / Real Estate Open House Sign, Garage/Yard Sale Sign, 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 West Donegal 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 West Donegal Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. West Donegal Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania regulates 33 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Planned Center Freestanding Signs in the Institutional District, General Commercial (GC) District, Limited Commercial (LC) District, General Industrial (GI) District, Mining and Natural Extraction (MNE) District zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 100 sq ft per principal entrance, max two (unless entrances 1,200 ft apart), with a Not within street right-of-way. setback (Sec. § 175-5C(4)(a), (c), (e)). Most commercial signs in West Donegal Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for West Donegal Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in West Donegal Township (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District, Rural District, R-1 Low Density Residential District, R-2 Medium Density Residential District, R-3 High Density Residential District | 17 | 4 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Institutional District, General Commercial (GC) District, Limited Commercial (LC) District, General Industrial (GI) District, Mining and Natural Extraction (MNE) District | 15 | 25 ft above road cartway grade | 100 sq ft per principal entrance, max two (unless entrances 1,200 ft apart) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 20 ft | 6 sq ft per side (floodplain) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in West Donegal Township
Agricultural District, Rural District, R-1 Low Density Residential District, R-2 Medium Density Residential District, R-3 High Density Residential District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign / Real Estate Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot or one per street frontage (corner lot); 2 directional signs allowed | On premises to which they relate; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4A(2), (b)-(f) |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot or one per street frontage (corner lot); 2 directional signs allowed | On premises to which they relate; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4A(3), (b)-(f) |
| Special Event Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | Outside of street right-of-way. | One per lot; up to 6 directional signs | Outside of street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4A(4) |
| Farm Product Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot or one per street frontage (corner lot) | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4A(6) |
| Contractor/Architect/Mechanic/Artisan Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign; 18 sq ft cumulative if multiple contractors | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per contractor per lot or one per street frontage | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4A(7) |
| Farm-related Business Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4B(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4B(2) |
| Public Use Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | Up to two per use per lot | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-4B(3) |
Institutional District, General Commercial (GC) District, Limited Commercial (LC) District, General Industrial (GI) District, Mining and Natural Extraction (MNE) District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | 40 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot or one per street frontage | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(1) |
| Future Development Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot or one per street frontage | On premises; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 50 sq ft per sign, 100 sq ft if lot has 4+ commercial establishments | — | — | 1 per lot per street frontage, max 2 in some cases | One per lot per street frontage; additional (50 sq ft max) for certain vehicle sales. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(3)(a) |
| Wall Projecting Sign | — | 15% of wall area | Projects max 10 ft from wall; may not project less than 12 ft from street cartway edge. | At least 12 ft from edge of street cartway. | — | On building wall; lower edge at least 8 ft above grade. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(3)(c) |
| Planned Center Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per principal entrance, max two (unless entrances 1,200 ft apart) | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per principal entrance, max two except if entrances at least 1,200 ft apart | At principal entrances; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(4)(a), (c), (e) |
| Planned Center Individual Building Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per freestanding building | Freestanding buildings off internal street of planned center. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(4)(b) |
| Temporary Business/Commercial/Industrial Sign (incl. Outdoor Display/Banner) | — | 24 sq ft | — | Not within street right-of-way. | One per lot | On lot; not within street right-of-way. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(5) |
| Billboard | 25 ft above road cartway grade | 100 sq ft per side | — | 30 ft from street right-of-way | One per location | May not be within 300 ft of certain district boundaries. | — | Unlock | § 175-5C(8) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Sign Regulation - Height (Freestanding Sign) | 20 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 175-6H |
| General Sign Regulation - Floodplain Area | — | 6 sq ft per side (floodplain) | — | — | — | In floodplain area | — | Unlock | § 175-6Q |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in West Donegal Township are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in West Donegal Township
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to vehicular or pedestrian traffic on a street by obscuring the view.
- No sign located within 300 feet of any traffic light shall be illuminated with red, green or yellow lighting.
- No sign or sign-bearing structure, other than official traffic signals, public utility signs, or temporary off-premises directional signs, shall be erected within or extend into the right-of-way of a street.
- No sign shall contain or use flashing, intermittent or rotating illumination, except official traffic control signs and as permitted on electronic message center signs and on dynamic-display-type signs.
- No objectionable glare should result from any illuminated signs.
- No freestanding sign shall be higher than 20 feet, unless otherwise permitted, and no sign which is attached to a building shall be higher than the height limit of the permitted principal uses in the district in which the sign is located; if other provisions establish lower height restrictions for certain types of signs, the lower height limit shall control.
- No sign shall be erected or located so as to prevent ingress or egress from any window, door, or fire escape.
- No sign shall be permitted which is pasted, stapled or otherwise attached to public utility poles, except any necessary public utility signs as defined by this chapter.
- No signs shall be pasted, stapled or otherwise attached to any trees within the public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be allowed to become dilapidated within the Township and in such a state of disrepair as to have the appearance of complete neglect, which is rotting or falling down, which is illegible or has loose parts separated from original fastenings.
- No sign shall be placed on an automobile, truck or other vehicle if that vehicle is used primarily for displaying such sign.
- No sign located within the identified floodplain area shall exceed six square feet of area per side.
- No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors, particles, sound or odor.
- No sign shall be permitted which fails to comply with any other provision of this chapter.
- No person shall destroy, remove, deface, obliterate or cover up any lamp, sign, or barricade erected as a warning of danger by authorities.
- It is a violation to install a sign for which a permit is required prior to obtaining a permit or in a manner which violates the terms and conditions of any permit.
- It is a violation to place false information on or omit relevant information from an application for a permit.
Exempt Signs in West Donegal Township
- Governmental signs (official traffic, street name, identification, informational and/or directional signs erected by a governmental body or authority) are permitted without requirement of a permit for erection.
- Temporary signs of contractors, architects, mechanics, and artisans are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Real estate sale-sold-rent-open house-development signs are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Functional signs (e.g. incidental signs, public utility signs) are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Directional signs are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Garage or yard sale signs are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Window displays are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Election signs are permitted without requirement of a permit when erected and maintained in conformity with this chapter.
- Placing required trespassing warning signs on fences for industrial and commercial holding ponds and lagoons (as per § 88-3) is required but not regulated as general signage.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for West Donegal Township
- All applications for sign permits must be accompanied by scaled plans or diagrams showing exact lot and right-of-way dimensions, dimensions and locations of the sign, construction details, and any other information required by the Zoning Officer.
- No sign permit shall be issued except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter, except upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board granted pursuant to the procedures established for the issuance of a variance.
- A lighting diagram or other documentation acceptable to the Zoning Officer must be submitted with the application for dynamic display signs to demonstrate compliance with the lighting regulations.
- Applicants proposing a dynamic display sign are required to obtain a sign permit and a Uniform Construction Code permit.
- If a Master Sign Plan or sign plan requirement is not explicitly referenced in this chapter, all sign applications are subject to general application requirements as described, with detailed plans and possible variance review when needed.
Source: ecode360 municipal code