# Sign Regulations in West Rockhill Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Rockhill Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/west-rockhill-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-27
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/34156618#34156618)

## At a glance

West Rockhill Township, Pennsylvania regulates 25 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Off-Premises Sign (PC-2, special exception)s in the PC, PC-2, PI, EXT zoning district are capped at 20 ft (from road shoulder)/25 ft (from undisturbed ground) tall and 160 sq ft (one side); double-sided (not >45°): 100 sq ft each side (max 200 sq ft total), with a Min. 50 ft from ROW, side/rear lines; min. 2000 ft from other off-premises sign; min. 500 ft to residential; min. 30 ft to any structure. setback (Sec. §450-2011). Most commercial signs in West Rockhill Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| RA, RC, SR, VR, REC, MHP | 12 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — |
| PC, PC-2, PI, EXT | 9 | 20 ft (from road shoulder)/25 ft (from undisturbed ground) | 160 sq ft (one side); double-sided (not >45°): 100 sq ft each side (max 200 sq ft total) | — |
| IS | 7 | 12 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| VC | 9 | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### RA, RC, SR, VR, REC, MHP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant Street Number/Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2007A |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2007B |
| Identification Sign (Nonconforming Use) | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2007C |
| Sale/Development Sign | — | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises being developed/sold | — | §450-2007E |
| Professional/Home Occupation/Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | At dwelling | — | §450-2007G |
| Development/Entry Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance to a subdivision/development from abutting street. | — | §450-2007H |
| Agricultural Products Sale Sign (On-premises) | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On lot where products sold | — | §450-2007I |
| Agricultural Products Sale Sign (Off-premises) | — | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 7 | Off-premises, within Township | — | §450-2007I |

### PC, PC-2, PI, EXT

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant Street Number/Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2008A referencing §450-2007A |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 20 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2008A referencing §450-2007B |
| Wall Sign (Individual Use) | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building or inside of window/door | — | §450-2008B(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Use) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per property (1 per frontage if multiple frontages) | Front yard of lot. | — | §450-2008B(2) |
| Directory Sign (Joint Use) | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Freestanding, joint use lot | — | §450-2008C(1) |
| Wall/Window Sign (Joint Use - Multiple Establishments) | — | 36 sq ft | — | — | 2 per establishment | On wall or window. | — | §450-2008C(2) |
| Temporary Exterior Sign | — | 24 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On the site where the use is conducted. | — | §450-2008D |
| Off-Premises Sign (PC-2, special exception) | 20 ft (from road shoulder)/25 ft (from undisturbed ground) | 160 sq ft (one side); double-sided (not >45°): 100 sq ft each side (max 200 sq ft total) | — | Min. 50 ft from ROW, side/rear lines; min. 2000 ft from other off-premises sign; min. 500 ft to residential; min. 30 ft to any structure. | 1 per parcel | Bethlehem Pike and Route 309 Bypass (not allowed in SR, VR, VC) | — | §450-2011 |

### VC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Occupant Street Number/Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §450-2010A, referencing §450-2007A |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises. | — | §450-2010C(1) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall. | — | §450-2010C(2)(a) |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Wall, projecting at right angles. | — | §450-2010C(2)(b) |
| Directory Sign (Joint Use) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | Freestanding, joint use lot. | — | §450-2010D(1) |
| Wall Sign (Joint Use - Multiple Establishments) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | On wall. | — | §450-2010D(2) |
| Directional Sign | — | 2 sq ft or less | — | — | — | At each driveway. | — | §450-2010E |
| Temporary Exterior Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On the site where the use is conducted. | — | §450-2010F |

## Prohibited signs in West Rockhill Township

- Signs may be placed only on the same lot with the use or establishment to which the sign relates, unless specifically stated otherwise.
- No sign shall be placed in such a position that it will cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view or which hides or interferes with official traffic control devices; no sign shall be placed in a clear sight triangle.
- No sign (except official traffic and street signs) shall be placed so as to interfere with the line of sight on a public street, and in no case (except for official traffic signs) be located closer than 50 feet to any intersection.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 15 feet of the edge of the cartway or curb or project over the legal right-of-way of any existing or proposed street or road, whichever is greater, except for certain professional, home occupation, or name signs.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within 20 feet of the sideline of a lot.
- No overhanging or projecting sign shall be less than seven feet six inches above any walkway.
- All signs over two square feet in size, other than those permitted within the street right-of-way, shall be considered structures and shall conform to the sign ordinance, Municipal Building Code, and other regulations.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained within a parking space or fire lane.
- No sign shall be placed along a state road or right-of-way in violation of PennDOT regulations.
- Signs of a flashing, rotating, or revolving-type are prohibited (except barber poles).
- Novelty signs, including but not limited to objects, pennants, banners, balloons, bulletin boards, and animated signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs or any sign placed above or at the same level as the roofline of a flat roof or lowest point of eaves of a sloping/mansard roof are prohibited.
- Signs emitting smoke, vapors/particles, sound, or odor are prohibited.
- Electronic graphic or video signs are prohibited.
- Any sign suspended between poles and lighted by a series of lights is prohibited.
- Any sign imitating official traffic sign, signal, or device is prohibited.
- Any vehicle or trailer not regularly used for transporting persons/property but parked with signs for advertising purposes is prohibited.
- Signs erected on trees or utility poles, or painted/drawn on a rock or natural feature are prohibited (except for permitted 'no trespassing' signs).
- Any banner/sign across a public street or on any private property is prohibited except those approved by the Township for general benefit or public convenience.
- Any sign suspended between poles which is a pennant blowing in the wind or a spinner in the wind is prohibited.
- A series of lights or lighting outlining edges of commercial buildings/elements is considered a prohibited sign.
- Any sign not conforming to the requirements effective when erected is prohibited.
- Signs containing information that states or implies property may be used for a non-permitted purpose are prohibited.
- Any sign facing an occupied dwelling unit in a residential district is prohibited within 200 feet of such dwelling.
- Illuminated signs with any form of exposed neon or other tubes are prohibited.
- No red, green or yellow illuminated sign is permitted within 300 feet of a traffic signal.
- Signs illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights are prohibited, except for those giving public service information (time, date, temperature, weather, etc.).

## Signs exempt from permit in West Rockhill Township

- Official highway route number signs, street name signs, and other official traffic signs for public safety or regulation of traffic.
- Directional, informational, or public service signs not advertising commercial establishments (except public utilities) and not exceeding two square feet.
- Governmental flag or insignia.
- Legal notice signs.
- Store window signs giving store hours or credit/charge institution names, not exceeding one square foot in total area.
- Cornerstone or historical plaque/sign affixed to building wall not exceeding 200 square inches.
- Barber pole signs, revolving, not exceeding 36 inches in height, and only in commercial districts with a barbershop.
- Temporary bunting, pennants, and similar materials announcing opening of a new business/industry, to be removed after 14 days.
- Official and governmental signs including safety signs, point-of-interest signs, and signs identifying Township buildings/facilities; such signs may be illuminated by exterior lights.
- Temporary signs advertising garage or yard sales not exceeding four square feet, posted only on the property where sale is taking place and only for the duration of the sale.
- Political signs for candidacy for elected office, subject to removal timelines and placement restrictions, and not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Signs announcing 'no trespassing', private nature of premises, or controlling fishing/hunting, not exceeding two square feet.
- Temporary signs announcing a nonpolitical campaign, drive, or event for civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, not exceeding 12 square feet and removed immediately after the event.
- Temporary 'for sale' or 'for rent' signs not exceeding six square feet.
- Interior signs placed within a building more than 12 inches from the interior window surface.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must be submitted to the Zoning Officer (unless the sign is exempt) and must include drawings of the proposed work showing structural details and any other details the Zoning Officer may require.
- Applications for sign permits require a written application, full names and addresses of applicant and owner, affidavits of ownership/authorization, description of work, and drawings (sign plan).
- Permit required for erection, construction, or alteration of any non-exempt sign, subject to review and approval.
- Certain types of temporary signs (e.g., for commercial sales) require an application, permit fee, and escrow deposit to the Township as a guarantee of removal.
- No explicit mention of a required Master Sign Plan or variance meeting in the general regulations; however, sign permit applications require submittal of plans/drawings.

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

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