# Sign Regulations in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/wilkinsburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-29
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/8425947#8425947)

## At a glance

Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) - IND and C-1 Onlys in the CBD, MU, INST, IND, TOD, C-1 zoning district are capped at ≤30 ft (measured from grade of roadway from which the message is visible); bottom edge ≤8 ft above adjacent roadway elevation tall and 300 sq ft display area (12 ft × 25 ft), with a ≥300 ft from roadway intersection; ≥1,200 ft from any outdoor advertising sign on same side of roadway; ≥600 ft from any outdoor advertising sign on opposite side of roadway. setback (Sec. §260-709A-R). Most commercial signs in Wilkinsburg 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 | 4 | — | — | — |
| R-1, R-1S, R-2 | 4 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| R-3 | 5 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| CBD, MU, INST, IND, TOD, C-1 | 12 | 30 ft | 300 sq ft display area (12 ft × 25 ft) | — |

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

### R-1, R-1S, R-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Placed directly against a building wall. | — | §260-706A; §260-706E; §260-706D; §260-706 (intro sentence) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Institutional on Residential Premises) | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from sidewalk facing sign or from street right-of-way if no sidewalk. | 1 per premises | Freestanding on premises of educational, philanthropic or religious institution (including church, hospital or similar institution). | — | §260-706B; §260-706E |
| Temporary Sign (Rental/Lease) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property; max 1 facing any one street | On the property being advertised for rental or lease. | — | §260-706C; §260-704A(12) |
| Directional/Incidental Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Only in conjunction with site drive entrances and/or internal traffic drive aisles. | — | §260-706I; §260-703 (Directional, incidental definition) |

### R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Placed directly against a building wall. | — | §260-706A; §260-706E; §260-706D |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Institutional on Residential Premises) | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from sidewalk facing sign or from street right-of-way if no sidewalk. | 1 per premises | Freestanding on premises of educational, philanthropic or religious institution (including church, hospital or similar institution). | — | §260-706B; §260-706E |
| Temporary Sign (Rental/Lease) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per property; max 1 facing any one street | On the property being advertised for rental or lease. | — | §260-706C; §260-704A(12) |
| Freestanding Identification Sign (R-3 - Multifamily/Institutional Home/Funeral Home) | — | 12 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft back from the street right-of-way. | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding; one sign for each street frontage. | — | §260-706H; §260-706E |
| Directional/Incidental Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Only in conjunction with site drive entrances and/or internal traffic drive aisles. | — | §260-706I; §260-703 (Directional, incidental definition) |

### CBD, MU, INST, IND, TOD, C-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One wall sign per wall with public road frontage (each may meet the formula). | Attached to a front or side wall. May be flush or project ≤12 inches. | — | §260-707B; §260-707B(1) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 30 ft | 60 sq ft per side (absolute cap). | — | ≥15 ft from street right-of-way; ≥5 ft from any building; ≥10 ft from any side property line plus extra separation for signs >10 sq ft. | — | At or behind the building setback line; not permitted in the public right-of-way. | — | §260-707C(1)-(5) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign | 30 ft | 60 sq ft per side (absolute cap). | — | ≥15 ft from street right-of-way; ≥5 ft from any building; ≥10 ft from any side property line plus extra separation for signs >10 sq ft. | — | At or behind the building setback line; not permitted in the public right-of-way. | — | §260-707C(1)-(5) |
| Permanent Identification Sign (No Building on Property) | — | 40 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from street right-of-way | 1 | On property occupied by a business without a building. | — | §260-707D |
| Wall Plaque | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted to wall surface. | — | §260-707E(1)-(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Perpendicular to Wall Surface) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to wall surface; may extend over public right-of-way subject to clearances and insurance. | — | §260-707F(1)-(4); §260-708I(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥15 ft from any property line or right-of-way line | — | Must be located on the same lot as the use advertised; must comply with all height and location requirements of the category of permanent signs they emulate. | — | §260-707G(1)-(4) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard) - IND and C-1 Only | ≤30 ft (measured from grade of roadway from which the message is visible); bottom edge ≤8 ft above adjacent roadway elevation | 300 sq ft display area (12 ft × 25 ft) | — | ≥300 ft from roadway intersection; ≥1,200 ft from any outdoor advertising sign on same side of roadway; ≥600 ft from any outdoor advertising sign on opposite side of roadway. | Each sign is single-face only (one display face). | Only in IND and C-1 districts as a conditional use on lots with ≥5,000 sq ft portion devoted to the sign; utility lines serving the sign must be underground unless powered by nontraditional alternative energy. | — | §260-709A-R |

## Prohibited signs in Wilkinsburg

- Flashing, blinking, animated or moving signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Pennants, flags or streamers are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs advertising a property for sale or rent that list an improper use of the property are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs that resemble traffic signals or any sort of traffic device are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs that contain obscene or pornographic material are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Off-premises signs (other than outdoor advertising/billboards) are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Projection signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Roof signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs on trees, utility poles, and traffic devices are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Signs that are hazardous to public safety are not permitted in any zoning district.
- No sign may obstruct free and clear vision, be confused with authorized traffic control devices, or use words or phrases (such as “Stop,” “Look,” “Drive-In,” “Danger”) in a manner that misleads or confuses traffic.
- Illuminated signs may not be glaring or flashing.
- All signs must be nonanimated with no exterior moving parts.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property or within a public right-of-way, except in conformance with this article, is prohibited and subject to confiscation.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wilkinsburg

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized state and federal holidays.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
- Memorial or historical plaques.
- Memorial signs and tablets when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other sculptured materials.
- Flags of a government organization or corporate entity.
- Signs authorized by the Borough, such as street signs, safety control signs and traffic control signs.
- Public notice/public warning signs.
- Temporary auction or garage sale signs.
- Address numbering.
- Temporary construction signs.
- Signs of any type placed on public or parks property by authorization of Wilkinsburg Borough.
- Real estate signs advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located when less than six square feet.
- A-frame (sandwich board) signs on sidewalks, limited to one per premises, must not obstruct pedestrian travel, must be removed each evening upon closing, and must not exceed six square feet per side.
- Political candidacy signs, provided they are not installed on utility poles, are not installed more than 60 days before the relevant election, and are removed within seven days following the election.
- Exempt signs are authorized but are exempt from regulation under this chapter and do not require zoning approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Zoning approval (a sign permit) is required for signs in all zoning districts; signs not expressly permitted are prohibited.
- A permit must be obtained prior to construction, installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, modification or moving of any exterior sign, including replacement or relocated signs.
- Alteration of a sign face or supporting structure is treated as construction of a new sign and requires zoning approval.
- Permit applications must include a site plan or sketch drawn to scale showing the lot and buildings/structures, the proposed sign location and relationships; a written description of materials, construction and mounting; a description of the information and visuals on all sign surfaces; illumination details; and photographs of the proposed location from each approach.
- Exempt signs do not require zoning approval.
- Permit fees must be paid as specified by the Borough.
- Illuminated signs must be inspected by the Borough’s authorized electrical inspection agency during construction to verify compliance with the electrical code.
- Signs projecting or hanging over the public right-of-way require a public liability insurance policy meeting specified minimum coverage; proof must be on file and renewals submitted, or the sign will be ordered removed; no permit is issued until compliant.
- Temporary signs must have the sign permit attached to the sign for the duration of the permitted use and be easily visible from the street.
- Outdoor advertising (billboard) signs require conditional use approval by Borough Council and are allowed only in IND and C-1 districts; applicants must submit a land development application per the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
- Outdoor advertising signs also require a Borough permit, verification by a registered engineer of compliance with structural standards, and any necessary Commonwealth of Pennsylvania permits (e.g., PennDOT); displays must be stationary and illumination must be external and shielded.
- Temporary signs may advertise grand openings, distress sales, change in ownership, or temporary businesses only when those businesses have been approved by the Planning Commission, Borough Council or Zoning Hearing Board.

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

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