# Sign Regulations in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Mifflin, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-mifflin
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/40351151)

## At a glance

West Mifflin, Pennsylvania regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft (each sign), with a ≥10 ft from the property line setback (Sec. § 290-139A(2); § 290-135A(1)). Most commercial signs in West Mifflin 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 | 9 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft (aggregate per sign) | — |
| R-1 Low-Density Residence District; R-2 Medium-Density Residence District; R-3 High-Density Residence District; R-4 Mobile Home Park District; PRD Planned Residential Development | 3 | — | 15 sq ft | — |
| C-1 General Commercial District; C-2 Shopping Center District; I-1 Industrial District; I-2 Restricted Industrial District; WD Waterfront District | 12 | 25 ft (top of sign) | Up to 100 sq ft per establishment; if >2 establishments on a site, site-wide aggregate at any one time ≤100 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Shopping Center District (75 contiguous acres or more) | 2 | — | 800 sq ft per face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board (School/Church/Hospital/Public or Semipublic) | — | 40 sq ft (surface area) | — | — | 1 | In connection with any school, college, church, hospital or similar institution | — | § 290-139A(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft (each sign) | — | ≥10 ft from the property line | Up to 2 per property | On the property being sold, leased or developed; not in any required side or rear yard | — | § 290-139A(2); § 290-135A(1) |
| Contractor’s or Artisan’s Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft (per § 290-139A(3)) | — | — | 1 | On the lot where work is being performed | — | § 290-139A(3); § 290-135A(3) |
| Temporary Special Event Display (Public Building/Church/Nonprofit) | — | 100 sq ft (aggregate per sign) | — | — | 1 per qualifying building | Affixed to the face of the building (public building, church, or building housing a nonprofit organization) | — | § 290-139A(4) |
| Personal Expression Sign (Exempt) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from the street right-of-way | — | On-premises | — | § 290-134E |
| Public Convenience/Nonprofit Information Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Where needed for public conveniences (e.g., restrooms, telephones) or to advertise meeting times/places of nonprofit service or charitable clubs/organizations | — | § 290-134A |
| Nameplate (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building or premises | — | § 290-134C |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | Prohibited within restricted public ROW (roadway + 5 ft each side) | — | Outside the restricted public right-of-way (roadway plus 5 ft on each side); prohibited on median barriers, telephone poles/pillars, and trees in restricted ROW; prohibited on Borough-owned property unless permitted under § 224-24 | — | § 224-23(A)-(E); § 224-24; § 224-25; § 224-26 |

### R-1 Low-Density Residence District; R-2 Medium-Density Residence District; R-3 High-Density Residence District; R-4 Mobile Home Park District; PRD Planned Residential Development

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Identification Sign (Subdivision or Multifamily) — Wall Identification Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to a building wall, or affixed to a freestanding decorative wall that meets chapter requirements and does not obstruct visibility | — | § 290-139B(1) |
| Residential Identification Sign (Subdivision or Multifamily) — Freestanding Ground Sign (on decorative wall) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Affixed to a freestanding decorative wall at development entrance | — | § 290-139B(1) |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to the dwelling serving the authorized home occupation | — | § 290-139B(2) |

### C-1 General Commercial District; C-2 Shopping Center District; I-1 Industrial District; I-2 Restricted Industrial District; WD Waterfront District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Special Event Display (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Up to 100 sq ft per establishment; if >2 establishments on a site, site-wide aggregate at any one time ≤100 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per establishment at any one time | Securely attached to the building | — | § 290-139C(1) |
| Directional Sign (20,000 sq ft to <1 acre lot) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Prohibited in public street right-of-way | Up to 6 per lot (20,000 sq ft to <1 acre) | On-premises; not on public street right-of-way; placed ≤25 ft from the entrance they identify or, if an interior directional sign, ≤10 ft from the parking area, driveway or other facility they identify | — | § 290-139C(2)(a)-(c) |
| Directional Sign (>1 acre lot) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Prohibited in public street right-of-way | 6 + 2 per additional acre or fraction thereof | On-premises; not in ROW; placed ≤25 ft from entrance or ≤10 ft from the interior facility they identify | — | § 290-139C(2)(b)-(c) |
| Wall Identification Sign (Single Occupant Building) | — | 2 sq ft/linear ft (of wall) | — | No projection over public sidewalk or street right-of-way | 1 (or 2 if building fronts two streets) | On any side of building except on side facing residentially zoned property; must not project over any public sidewalk or street right-of-way | — | § 290-139C(4)(a)-(e); § 290-138(I) |
| Wall Identification Sign (Multi-Tenant Building) | — | 2 sq ft/linear ft (of each tenant’s facade) | — | No projection over public sidewalk or street right-of-way | More than one permitted (per tenant), subject to limits | All tenant wall identification signs must be located on the front of the building; may not face residentially zoned property | — | § 290-139C(4)(b), (c), (f) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign — Ground Sign | 6 ft (above adjacent ground) | 0.5 sq ft/linear ft of frontage OR 100 sq ft (whichever more restrictive) | — | ≥10 ft from any property line; where abutting a public right-of-way, ≥10 ft from the right-of-way; not within the traffic sight triangle | 1 per lot (see § 290-140 for multiple frontages >2 acres) | On commercially or industrially zoned property | — | § 290-139C(5) (intro), (d), (e), (g) |
| Freestanding Identification Pole Sign (20,000 sq ft to <1 acre; frontage >100 ft) | 18 ft (top of sign) | 0.5 sq ft/linear ft of frontage OR 100 sq ft (whichever more restrictive) | — | Setback ≥35 ft from the front property line and ≥10 ft from all other property lines; where property abuts a public right-of-way, setback ≥10 ft from the right-of-way | 1 per lot (see § 290-140 for multiple frontages >2 acres) | On lots 20,000 sq ft to <1 acre AND width >100 ft | — | § 290-139C(5)(a)-(b) |
| Freestanding Identification Pole Sign (Property >1 acre) | 25 ft (top of sign) | — | — | ≥10 ft from every property line; where abutting a public right-of-way, setback ≥35 ft from the right-of-way | 1 per lot (see § 290-140 for multiple frontages >2 acres) | On properties greater than one acre | — | § 290-139C(5)(c) |

## Prohibited signs in West Mifflin

- A-frame or sandwich board signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (§290-133A).
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited (§290-133B).
- Banners and pennants are prohibited except for temporary special event displays expressly authorized by the code (§290-133C; §290-135; §290-139).
- Flashing, moving, or oscillating signs/lights are prohibited, except for limited time/temperature portions or electronic changeable copy signs that comply with §290-148 (§290-133D; §290-138D; §290-145).
- Signs on trees, guard and/or guide rails, and utility poles are prohibited (excludes official traffic signs/devices) (§290-133E).
- Signs that interfere with, imitate, or may be mistaken for traffic control devices or signals are prohibited (§290-133F).
- Signs on or affixed to vehicles/trailers parked on public right‑of‑way, public property, or private property and visible from the right‑of‑way, where the apparent purpose is to advertise or direct people to a business or activity, are prohibited (except temporary overnight storage at the business site or for maintenance, repair, loading, unloading, or service) (§290-133G).
- Signs painted directly on exterior walls of buildings are prohibited (§290-133H; §290-138K).
- Overhanging signs and roof signs are prohibited (§290-133I).
- No sign may be erected within, or project into, a public street right‑of‑way, except official traffic/regulatory signs (§290-138A; §290-144).
- No artificial light or reflecting device may be used as part of a sign if it interferes with, competes with, or may be mistaken for a traffic signal (§290-138B).
- Floodlighting must be arranged so the light source is not visible off the lot and only the sign is directly illuminated; illumination must be directed at the sign face and not toward adjoining properties or roadways; illumination intensity must be controlled to avoid glare (§290-138C; §290-145).
- No sign may move, flash, oscillate, or emit noise unless expressly permitted by the chapter (§290-145).
- No sign may be constructed, located, or illuminated so as to cause a nuisance, undue glare, distraction, confusion, visual difficulties, or any other hazardous condition for drivers, pedestrians, or aircraft operators (§290-146).
- Signs must not obstruct required clear sight triangles or be placed where they create a visibility hazard or obscure traffic control devices (§290-142; §290-143).
- No sign may be placed so as to prevent free ingress to/egress from any door, window, or fire escape, nor attached to any fire escape; and no sign may be placed where it interferes with the view or operation of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device (§224-8B).
- No sign may be located so as to interfere with the proper view by motorists or pedestrians for a reasonably safe distance, or reflect lights/cast shadows in a manner that interferes with safe walking or driving, or create a menace or hazard to life, limb, or property (§224-8A).
- No signs may be mounted on communications towers, antennas, or communications equipment buildings, except as required by the FCC/FAA or other agencies, or to warn of danger (§290-138H).
- No projecting business sign may face an abutting residential district, and no sign in any commercial or industrial district may be placed to face an abutting residential district, unless authorized as a special exception (§290-138G; §290-141).
- No sign may contain information stating or implying that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the zoning chapter (§290-138E).
- Dilapidated or unsafe signs are prohibited and must be repaired or removed upon notice; abandoned signs must be removed within 180 days; remaining sign shells must be removed or replaced within 180 days after message removal (§290-149A–C; §290-150A–B).
- It is unlawful to nail, tack, hang, or append signs on trees, posts, poles, utility poles, stakes, or pillars within the Borough (subject to limited exceptions in Chapter 224) (§224-13).

## Signs exempt from permit in West Mifflin

- Directional, information, or public service signs for public conveniences and nonprofit clubs/organizations (noncommercial), up to 2 square feet in area (§290-134A).
- Identity/activity/service signs for schools, colleges, churches, hospitals, or similar institutions, limited to one sign per separate use and up to 12 square feet (§290-134B).
- Nameplates up to 2 square feet (§290-134C).
- Signs on Borough‑owned rights‑of‑way or Borough realty installed under a written agreement with the Borough (agreement term not to exceed two years) (§290-134D).
- Personal expression (noncommercial) on‑premises signs, up to 15 square feet in area, maximum 6 feet in height, and at least 10 feet setback from the street right‑of‑way (§290-134E).
- Temporary real estate signs are permitted without a sign permit if they do not exceed 6 square feet, with no more than two per property, and are removed upon completion of the sale or rental (§290-135A(1)).
- Temporary special event displays are permitted without a sign permit if they do not exceed 32 square feet and are limited to one per property (§290-135A(2)).
- Other temporary signs (e.g., contractors/mechanics/artisans) are permitted without a sign permit if they do not exceed 18 square feet, are limited to one per property, and are removed immediately upon completion of the work (§290-135A(3)).
- Official traffic signs and similar regulatory notices of a duly constituted governmental body are exempt from right‑of‑way restrictions (§290-138A; §290-144).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for all signs unless expressly exempted (e.g., §290-134 exempt signs; temporary signs listed in §290-135). Permits are issued by the Zoning Officer (§290-131A, D).
- Sign permit applications must include to‑scale drawings showing design, letter/character color and size, lines/symbols, method of illumination, exact locations of existing and proposed signs on the building and property, and construction details/specifications; applications must also include computations of sign area, height, and number, and evidence of required bonding/insurance (§290-131E–G).
- All signs must comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (§290-132).
- Special exception required if a projecting business sign would face an abutting residential district or if any sign in a commercial/industrial district would face an abutting residential district (§290-138G; §290-141; Article IX).
- A variance or special exception may be required to allow a wall identification sign to extend above the height of the building for copyrighted logo identification (§290-139C(4)(c)).
- Billboards require a permit from the Building Inspector; applications must include a plan and specifications (location, design, dimensions, materials, type of illumination, height/grade, owner and site owner information, and cost). The Building Inspector may refuse permits for safety/aesthetic/detrimental impacts; appeals may be made to Borough Council (§224-2 to §224-5).
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.
- Political signs on public property outside the restricted public right‑of‑way require an application to the Borough Community Development Department and a refundable fee (§224-24 to §224-25).

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

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