# Sign Regulations in West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-norriton-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15475890#15475890)

## At a glance

West Norriton Township, Pennsylvania regulates 33 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District (C), Limited Commercial District (L-C), Limited Commercial and Industrial (LC&I), Business and Professional (B-P), Industrial District (I) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and Up to 64 sq ft, with a ≥15' from vehicular access setback (Sec. §27-1613(H)). Most commercial signs in West Norriton Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | No portion above eaveline. Lowest edge at least 10 ft above grade. | 32 sq ft per face, max 64 sq ft aggregate | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, A, RR) | 5 | 15 ft | Large: 16 sq ft, Small: 6 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District (C), Limited Commercial District (L-C), Limited Commercial and Industrial (LC&I), Business and Professional (B-P), Industrial District (I) | 12 | Max 35 ft; additional building sign 25 ft; access signs along res. district max 35 ft | One sign: 350 sq ft/face, 700 sq ft aggregate; Access sign: 100 sq ft/face, 200 sq ft aggregate (along res. district: 64/128); Additional building sign: 64/128 per face/agg. (along res. district: 32/64) | — |
| Rural Residence District (RA) | 4 | Eaveline or 20 ft | 10 sq ft | — |
| Recreation District (RE) | 7 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft (scoreboard); 25% max for commercial messages | — |
| Revitalization and Traffic Management Overlay District (RTMO) | 2 | 15 ft; never above eaveline | 50 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No portion less than 8 feet above grade OR if projects less than 3 inches from wall, exempt from 8' rule | — | — | — | — | Exterior wall, substantially parallel to exterior wall | — | §27-1607(1) |
| Canopy or Awning Sign | Lowest edge at least 8 ft above grade | Emblem/logo up to 3 sq ft; otherwise not specified | No wider than building wall/tenant space it identifies | — | — | Center over window/door; letters on front/side vertical face, logos on angled portion | — | §27-1607(2) |
| Marquee Sign | No portion above eaveline. Lowest edge at least 10 ft above grade. | — | No wider than entrance it serves plus 2 ft on each side | — | — | Only above principal public entrance of building, facing public street or parking lot | — | §27-1607(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | Pole sign: lowest edge <4ft or >7ft above ground | — | — | 5 feet from right-of-way | — | Set back 5 feet from right-of-way; not in parking/loading/walk/driveway/fire lane/easement/cartway | — | §27-1607(5) |
| Roof Sign | No higher than highest point of roof/building | 32 sq ft per face, max 64 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 1 per premises | Rooftop | — | §27-1607(7) |
| Manual Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Integrated into freestanding, marquee, wall, or portable sign | — | §27-1607(6) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §27-1611(1) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3.5 ft | 7 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per establishment | Max 12 ft from primary public entrance; on sidewalk must leave 36" clearance | — | §27-1611(2) |

### Commercial District (C), Limited Commercial District (L-C), Limited Commercial and Industrial (LC&I), Business and Professional (B-P), Industrial District (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Eaveline | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per tenant per street frontage, up to 2 | Exterior wall facing public street or parking lot | — | §27-1613(D), §27-1613(P) Table |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Eaveline | As per wall sign, subject to overall limit (not individually specified) | — | — | 1 per principal building | Front/side face of awning/canopy over window or door | — | §27-1613(E) |
| Marquee Sign | Eaveline | Max 24 sq ft, not >50% of face of marquee | — | — | 1 per building | Above principal entrance of building | — | §27-1613(G) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | Up to 64 sq ft | — | ≥15' from vehicular access | 1 per street frontage, up to 2; extra options for specific uses | Any required yard, not within 15' of access | — | §27-1613(H) |
| Roof Sign (C, LC&I only) | No higher than roof | 32 sq ft per face, max 64 sq ft aggregate | — | — | 1 per premises | C and LC&I only; not in other commercial districts | — | §27-1613(I) |
| Manual Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft | 10 sq ft per face, 20 sq ft aggregate | — | ≥15' from vehicular access | 1 per retail/wholesale commercial premises | Freestanding ground sign (attraction board); any required yard, not within 15' of access | — | §27-1613(J) |
| Unified Development Sign (Ground) | Max 35 ft; additional building sign 25 ft; access signs along res. district max 35 ft | One sign: 350 sq ft/face, 700 sq ft aggregate; Access sign: 100 sq ft/face, 200 sq ft aggregate (along res. district: 64/128); Additional building sign: 64/128 per face/agg. (along res. district: 32/64) | — | Behind ultimate ROW | Per access as specified | Along any street frontage, behind ultimate ROW, fronts nonresidential use/classification or residential district (subject to lower size) | — | §27-1613(N) |
| Off-premises Sign (Billboard) - LC&I Only | Max 20 ft to lowest edge; max overall structure 35 ft from centerline grade | See formula | — | Front setback: height or 25'. Also: 15' from property line, 20' from building, 500' from next billboard, 200'/1,000' special | 1 per lot | LC&I only; frontage on Trooper Rd required; min lot size 1 acre | — | §27-1613(O), §27-1608 |

### Recreation District (RE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Park/Open Space) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street access | 1 per street access to park/open space | — | §27-1615(D)(1) |
| Interior Directional/Informational Sign (Exempt) | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Interior areas | — | §27-1615(D)(2) |
| Stadium/Fence Interior Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Interior wall or fence of stadium/field | — | §27-1615(D)(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Scoreboard | 20 ft | 200 sq ft (scoreboard); 25% max for commercial messages | — | — | 1 per field | One per playing field, face toward recreation/spectator area | — | §27-1615(D)(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per street access, up to 2 | 1 per street access, up to 2 per lot | — | §27-1615(E) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | Eaveline or bottom of second story window | 20 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per tenant per building frontage, max 2 per tenant | 1 per tenant per building frontage, up to 2 per tenant | — | §27-1615(F) |
| Window Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 15% total window area | — | — | — | Window | — | §27-1615(G) |

## Prohibited signs in West Norriton Township

- Banners, pennant strings, streamers, balloon signs, and other inflatable devices are prohibited, except balloons in temporary, noncommercial situations.
- Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs, are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs, flashing signs, digital displays, signs that scroll or flash text or graphics, or signs that display video or streaming images are prohibited.
- Signs which imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited except as attached to utility poles in conformance with state and utility regulations and this Part.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or contain open flames are prohibited.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Interactive signs are prohibited.
- Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting are prohibited.
- Any banner or sign suspended across a public street, without the permission of the property and road owner, is prohibited.
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner are prohibited, except those authorized or required by government.
- Any sign containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under township ordinances is prohibited.
- Signs that exhibit statements, words, or pictures of obscene or pornographic subjects as determined by the Township are prohibited.
- Any sign that promotes illegal activity is prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic by obscuring the view or interfering with official street signs or signals.
- No sign may occupy a sight triangle.
- Signs and supporting structures must maintain clearance and noninterference with all surface and underground utility and communications lines or equipment.
- All signs must be kept in safe condition and good repair; unsafe or deteriorated signs must be removed upon notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in West Norriton Township

- Official traffic signs.
- Government/regulatory signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, erected by a public officer or employee in performance of duty.
- Signs inside a building or enclosed facility not meant to be viewed from outside and located more than three feet from a window.
- Holiday and seasonal decorations.
- Personal expression signs, including flags (not exceeding three square feet per side, noncommercial, and not illuminated).
- Up to two address/name/number signs per premises (not more than four square feet each, no commercial advertising or other identification).
- Public signs erected or required by government agencies or utilities for traffic, utility, safety, railroad crossing, and public facility identification/directional purposes.
- For sale/rent signs per property (not to exceed 16 square feet and 4 feet in height; must be removed within 10 days of sale or lease).
- Signs identifying companies involved in construction, wrecking, financing, or development when placed on the premises during construction/wrecking.
- Signs or emblems of religious, civil, philanthropic, historical, or educational organizations not to exceed 4 square feet.
- One private drive sign per driveway entrance, not to exceed 2 square feet.
- Security/warning signs: in residential districts up to 2 square feet each, in nonresidential districts 1 large sign up to 5 square feet, others up to 2 square feet.
- Flags (with specific location, number, height, and size restrictions) provided they meet specified size, number, and noncommercial standards.
- Legal notices.
- Vending machine signs.
- Memorial signs, public monument or historical identification signs erected by the Township, including plaque signs up to 3 square feet.
- Signs as permanent architectural features of a building or structure existing at time of ordinance adoption.
- Signs advertising crop variety in a field (must be removed after growing season).
- Incidental signs, including incidental window signs, with no commercial advertising.
- Directional signs (no commercial messaging, up to 4 square feet, up to 5 feet high, nonilluminated).
- Art and murals without commercial messaging.
- Patron advertising signs on youth athletic fields (up to 32 sq ft; on scoreboards, sponsors may not exceed 25% of scoreboard area).
- Temporary signs in accordance with temporary sign regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempt per §27-1605.
- Plans for off-premises (billboard) signs must be certified by a licensed engineer, and must include sign location, setbacks, tree locations/species, proximity to other signage/buildings/rights-of-way, and engineering certification of compliance.
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan and scaled drawings showing sign locations, dimensions, building elevations, existing and proposed signage, lighting scheme, and photographs of the premises.
- Permit applications for illuminated signs require certification of compliance with brightness standards by an independent contractor.
- Conversion of any permitted non-message-center or nondigital sign to a message center or digital sign requires a new permit.
- Addition of a message center or digital display sign to a nonconforming sign is prohibited.
- Limited duration signs require a permit and an application describing the sign, site sketch, and number of signs.
- Temporary signs are exempt from permit requirements but require the date of erection to be marked on the sign.
- For nonconforming signs, submission of a plan (with details similar to a sign permit application) is required to determine status if major changes/alterations are made.
- A sign plan with detailed specifications is required with any sign permit application unless the sign is permit-exempt.
- All illuminated signs require recertification of brightness standards every three years.

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

---

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