Sign Regulations in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania
Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 56 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include All signs permitted in Residential Districts, Off-site outdoor advertising sign (Billboard), Official street and traffic 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 Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in Whitemarsh Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — |
| Institution sign (school, church, hospital, club, etc.) | — | 15 sq ft per side | — |
| Trespassing sign / Private ownership sign | — | 1 sq ft per side | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
56
- All signs permitted in Residential Districts
- Off-site outdoor advertising sign (Billboard)
- Official street and traffic sign
- Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
11
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Whitemarsh Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Whitemarsh 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 Whitemarsh 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 Whitemarsh Township, regulated sign types include All signs permitted in Residential Districts, Off-site outdoor advertising sign (Billboard), Official street and traffic sign, Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name 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 Whitemarsh 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 Whitemarsh Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Whitemarsh Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania regulates 56 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Freestanding sign (monument)s in the Village Commercial District (VC District, VC-1, VC-2, VC-3) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 25 sq ft per side (≤5 acres); 35 sq ft per side (>5 acres) (Sec. §116-207.1A(6)(a), §116-207.1B(6)). Most commercial signs in Whitemarsh Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Whitemarsh Township (11 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts | 13 | — | 35 sq ft per side | — |
| AR Districts | 3 | — | 25 sq ft face | — |
| CR Commercial Retail Districts | 6 | — | No more than 50% of glazed window area per window | — |
| Limited Industrial District, Industrial District | 2 | — | 200 sq ft (all such signs combined); max 50 sq ft within front yard | — |
| CLI District | 3 | Not to project higher than main cornice line | 300 sq ft (all sides facing road combined) | — |
| CLI-X Campus Limited Industrial – Modified District | 5 | 40 ft from elevation of Turnpike | 672 sq ft | — |
| Institutional (Overlay) District | 1 | 40 ft from elevation of Turnpike | 672 sq ft | — |
| Village Commercial District (VC District, VC-1, VC-2, VC-3) | 11 | 10 ft | 36 sq in | — |
| TDO District, TDO-1 District | 7 | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — |
| Historic District | 1 | — | As approved by HARB | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Whitemarsh Township(sample of 3 of 11 zones)
Residential Districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, accessory use, home occupation or name sign | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per permitted use or dwelling | On same lot with dwelling | — | Unlock | §116-205B, §116-210A(1) |
| Institution sign (school, church, hospital, club, etc.) | — | 15 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage per property | On same lot as institution | — | Unlock | §116-205C, §116-210A(2) |
| Trespassing sign / Private ownership sign | — | 1 sq ft per side | — | — | Spaced at intervals ≥100 ft | On same premises | — | Unlock | §116-205D |
| Real estate sign — Individual sale/rental | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On premises offered for sale/rental | — | Unlock | §116-205E(1) |
| Real estate sign — Subdivision <10 lots | — | 15 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per subdivision | On premises within subdivision | — | Unlock | §116-205E(2)&(4) |
| Real estate sign — Subdivision ≥10 lots/retirement community | — | 35 sq ft per side | — | — | Max 2 per subdivision or land development | On premises within subdivision/retirement community | — | Unlock | §116-205E(3)&(4) |
| Apartment/community entrance sign | — | 16 sq ft per face; 32 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each regular permanent entrance | — | Unlock | §116-205J, §116-210A(2) |
| Apartment/congregate building identifier | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per building | On each building | — | Unlock | §116-205K |
Village Commercial District (VC District, VC-1, VC-2, VC-3)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projecting sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 or 2 per use (see above) | Proj. from building facade | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(3)(a) |
| Window sign/window graphic | — | 30% of clear window area per building/space; maximum 25 sq ft | — | — | — | On/painted on shop windows | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(3)(b), §116-207.1B(3) |
| Wall sign (≤5 acres lot) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 per use (VC-1/VC-3); 1 per use in VC-2 | On wall | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(3)(c), §116-207.1B(3) |
| Wall sign (>5 acres lot) | — | 35 sq ft | — | — | — | On wall | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(3)(c) |
| Sandwich board sign (sidewalk) | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per use | Directly in front, on sidewalk, during business hours only | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(5) |
| Freestanding sign (monument) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft per side (≤5 acres); 35 sq ft per side (>5 acres) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On street frontage with landscaped base | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(6)(a), §116-207.1B(6) |
| Directory sign (monument) | 10 ft max | 25 sq ft per side (≤5 acres); 35 sq ft per side (>5 acres) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Pedestrian-oriented, at street; landscaped | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(6)(b), §116-207.1B(6) |
| Credit for amenity donor sign | — | 36 sq in | — | — | 1 per amenity | On amenity installed in public space | — | Unlock | §116-207.1A(7) |
TDO District, TDO-1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All signs permitted in Residential Districts | — | — | — | — | — | If use is permitted | — | Unlock | §116-327B(1) |
| Wall sign | — | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use/facade | On building facade along street | — | Unlock | §116-327B(2), §116-327A(5) |
| Directory sign (building attached) | — | Total 30 sq ft per sign; max 3 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building | — | Unlock | §116-327B(3) |
| Monument sign (TDO-1) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At property entrance in TDO-1 | — | Unlock | §116-327B(4) |
| Parking/traffic control sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property, as required | — | Unlock | §116-327B(5) |
| Riverfront identification sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On building or as monument sign facing trail | — | Unlock | §116-327B(6) |
| Freestanding (monument) sign | 10 ft | 10 ft height | — | — | — | Anchored in ground | — | Unlock | §116-327A(4) |
PermitPal covers all 11 zoning districts in Whitemarsh Township. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Whitemarsh Township
- No sign shall be so located or arranged that it interferes with traffic through glare, through blocking of reasonable sight lines for streets, sidewalks or driveways, through confusion with a traffic control device (by reasons of color, location, shape or other characteristics), or through any other means.
- No sign shall be erected containing information which states or implies that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance in the zoning district in which the property to which the sign relates is located.
- No sign or portion of any sign shall project more than 24 inches over a public walkway, and the lower edge of such projecting sign shall be not less than 10 feet above the walk level.
- No sign shall project above the roofline of a building unless it has been screened so as to be visible only from the street on which the building fronts.
- No sign shall be erected upon any property or within any building which contains flashing, revolving, moving, sound-producing or animated parts, with the exception of a sign that displays time and/or temperature exclusively or barber poles.
- No illumination of a flashing, intermittent or moving type is permitted for any sign.
- Signs shall not be internally illuminated or use neon lights (except window graphics as permitted in the Village Commercial District).
- Signs shall not hide architectural features of the associated buildings.
- Once an existing sign is removed for any reason other than maintenance or repair, replacement signs must comply with all current provisions.
- Modernization or changes in graphics, format or copy in the sign exceeding 50% require the sign to conform to current regulations.
- Any sign or its support deemed dangerous and/or hazardous to public health or safety must be immediately removed upon notification from the Zoning Officer.
- Any sign which violates the sign ordinance and does not have a valid zoning permit must be brought into compliance or removed.
- Abandoned signs (signs for vacant properties for 12 months, signs for former businesses or events) are prohibited and must be removed.
- Plastic, backlit awning signs are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Whitemarsh Township
- Official street and traffic signs and any signs required by law.
- Interior property parking and traffic control signs not exceeding four square feet, where authorized by the Zoning Officer on the advice of the Police Department.
- Legal display of the flag of the United States of America, the flag of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the flag of Whitemarsh Township, and the flag of any recognized governmental authority.
- Special information signs (e.g. 'men,' 'women,' 'rest rooms,' 'hours of operation,' 'credit cards accepted,' 'state inspection station,' gasoline pump identification and gallonage register) attached to the building or equipment, letters not exceeding four inches high, area not counted in permitted sign areas.
- A sign with an area not exceeding one square foot bearing only property number, street address, post box numbers or names of occupants in residential districts.
- Governmental insignia, public monuments, historic identification signs or plaques, and municipal identification signs.
- A legal notice.
- One or more signs applied to a windowpane, giving store hours or the names of credit or charge institutions, not exceeding two square feet in total area.
- A sign which is a permanent architectural feature of a building or structure, such as a cornerstone or identifying letters carved into or embossed on a building, provided not reflective and not contrasting in color.
- An emblem, logo, insignia or badge displayed to signify membership in or affiliation with any trade association, craftsman group, labor union, civic or fraternal group or similar organization, not exceeding one square foot.
- Off-site real estate signs for the purpose of directing and identifying the location of homes for sale can be placed on private property with the owner's permission on the day of an open house and must be removed within one hour after the event.
- Display of the flag by individuals as an expression of patriotism is exempt.
- Signs required for temporary posting of notice upon certain applications for change in zoning districts (§116-244).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Whitemarsh Township
- No sign shall be erected other than those provided in §116-205A and E as pertains to the sale or rental of single-family dwellings and §116-208A and B except pursuant to the provisions of a permit (§116-211).
- Historic District: No sign or permanent external advertising display shall be erected, altered or used except after review by the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) for conformity to historic requirements and issuance of a permit (§10-8A).
- For certain temporary and nonprofit signs, written permission of the property owner and indemnification of the Township may be required (§116-208C(3)).
- Signs in certain overlays or special districts (e.g., TDO District, Village Commercial, AR, CLI-X) must conform to the design concept/master sign plan or overall development plan as regulated by district-specific provisions.
- Multiuse developments in the Village Commercial District may have only one freestanding sign or directory sign for each street the development fronts, in addition to per-use signage.
Source: ecode360 municipal code