# Sign Regulations in Wysox Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wysox Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/wysox-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://wysoxtownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Wysox-Township-Zoning-Ordinance-amended-2025.pdf#page=191)

## At a glance

Wysox Township, Pennsylvania regulates 74 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at N/A (not specified in table; must also comply with general safety/vision standards) tall and 2 sq ft, with a General 10' minimum from property line/ROW for non‑wall signs (803.U). setback (Sec. Section 802 (SIGN, DIRECTIONAL); Section 813 table (Directional – ALL)). Most commercial signs in Wysox Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | Per district-specific standards; see zone regulations and Section 804.B | Maximum 64 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural/Residential District (A/R, AR) | 7 | 25' above highest elevation of surrounding natural grade (Section 809.C.4) | 250 sq ft per side (Section 809.C.3) | — |
| Commercial General District (CG) | 18 | Not exceeding top of ridge (for pitched roof); may not extend above top walk/edge of flat roof or eave line of gambrel/hip or deck line of mansard (definition & 804.B.2). | 250 sq ft per side | — |
| Conservation District (C) | 3 | Directional: N/A; Incidental: N/A; Identification: 5' | As per Section 814 for contractor, proposed residential/office development, special events, garage/yard sale, political, personal expression etc. | — |
| Limited Business/Residential District (LB/R, LB) | 15 | 25' above surrounding grade | Per Section 814 (real estate – CG/LB/M; proposed nonresidential development; contractor; special event; garage/yard; political; personal expression). | — |
| Manufacturing District (M) | 4 | Per 814. | Per 814 rows that list ‘All’ districts (contractor, proposed residential/office development, special event, garage/yard, political, personal expression). | — |
| R-1 Residential District (R-1, R1) | 5 | Per 814 table (generally 5' or 10' depending on type). | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| R-2 Residential District (R-2, R2) | 4 | Per 814 table. | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential (R1) Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential (R2) Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | N/A (not specified in table; must also comply with general safety/vision standards) | 2 sq ft | — | General 10' minimum from property line/ROW for non‑wall signs (803.U). | Not restricted (table). | On‑premises, used to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic (e.g., “one‑way”, “entrance”, “exit”). Allowed in all zoning districts (table). | — | Section 802 (SIGN, DIRECTIONAL); Section 813 table (Directional – ALL) |
| Incidental Sign | N/A (not specified) | 2 sq ft | — | If freestanding and not a flat wall sign, minimum 10' from property line or ROW (803.U). | Not restricted (table). | On‑premises; all zoning districts (table). | — | Section 802 (SIGN, INCIDENTAL); Section 813 table (Incidental – ALL) |
| Identification Sign | 5' | 2 sq ft | — | If freestanding and not flat wall, at least 10' from any property line or street ROW (803.U). | One per property (table). | On‑premises; all zoning districts (table). | — | Section 802 (SIGN, IDENTIFICATION); Section 813 table (Identification – ALL) |
| Temporary Contractor/Architect/Mechanic/Landscaper/Artisan Sign | 5' for freestanding | 6 sq ft per sign | — | General 10' rule for freestanding signs (803.U) plus safety/visibility rules (803.J). | 1 per firm whose work is in progress (table). | On the premises where actual work is in progress; all zoning districts (table). | — | Section 814, Temporary Sign Requirements table (row: Temporary signs of contractors, architects, mechanics, landscapers, and artisans) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign – Residential Zones (AG/R, R1, R2) | 5' for freestanding; flat wall signs allowed up to height of wall to which sign is attached | 6 sq ft per sign | — | Freestanding signs must comply with 10' setback from property lines/ROW (803.U) unless interpreted otherwise by practice. | 1 per street frontage, maximum 2 signs (table). | Placed upon the property/unit to be rented or sold; permitted in AG, R1, R2 districts (table). | — | Section 814 Temporary Sign Requirements table (Real estate sale, sold, or rent signs – AG, R1, R2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign – Nonresidential Zones (CG, LB, M) | 6' for freestanding; flat wall signs allowed up to height of wall; projecting not permitted | Up to 32 sq ft per sign (one 32 sq ft sign per frontage, or 2 small signs on each frontage – table indicates “1–32 ft²”) | — | Freestanding 10' from property line/ROW (803.U). | 1 per street frontage; table notes “1 per street frontage, 1 large, or 2 small on each street.” | On property/unit to be rented or sold; districts CG, LB, M (table). | — | Section 814 Temporary Sign Requirements table (Real estate sale, sold, or rent signs – CG, LB, M) |
| Temporary Proposed Development Sign – Residential/Office Complexes | 10' for freestanding; flat wall signs allowed up to height of wall; projecting not permitted | Maximum 32 sq ft | — | Freestanding 10' from property line/ROW (803.U). | 1 per street frontage, maximum 2 signs (table). | On property where residential, office, or mixed complexes are proposed; all zoning districts (table). | — | Section 814 Temporary Sign Requirements table (Proposed development signs for residential, office, or both, complexes.) |
| Temporary Proposed Development Sign – Commercial/Industrial/Other Nonresidential | 10' for freestanding; flat wall signs up to height of wall; projecting not permitted | Maximum 64 sq ft | — | Freestanding 10' from property line/ROW (803.U). | 1 per street frontage, maximum 2 (table). | On property where commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential uses are proposed; permitted in CG and LB (table). | — | Section 814 Temporary Sign Requirements table (Proposed development signs for commercial uses, industrial uses, other nonresidential uses) |

### Commercial General District (CG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (Attached) | N/A (height not specified; must comply with wall height and projection limits; projecting/marquee clearance 8.5' for projecting signs per 803.Y) | 4 sq ft | — | Attached to building; no 10' freestanding setback; must maintain minimum 8.5' clearance if projecting over walk/grade (803.Y). | One per entrance (table). | At ground level entrance of building in CG; attached to awning/canopy surface(s) on building. | — | Section 802 (SIGN, AWNING; CANOPY ATTACHED definition), Section 813 table (Awning/Canopy – Attached – CG) |
| Billboard (CG – Off‑Premises) | 25' above highest elevation of surrounding natural grade | 250 sq ft per side | — | CG building setbacks for off‑premises signs plus 10' minimum from property line/ROW; plus distance standards 1,500' / 250' / 1,000'. | One per 1,500' of roadway frontage (809.C.1; 813 table). | Off‑premises along roadway in CG. | — | Section 809; Section 813 table (Billboard – CG) |
| Canopy Sign (Freestanding) | 20' | 32 sq ft | — | District building setbacks (table: ‘DISTRICT’); and 10' from property line/ROW (803.U). | One per property (table). | On‑premises freestanding canopy in CG and LB. | — | Section 802 (SIGN, CANOPY – FREESTANDING), Section 804.B.3, Section 813 table (Canopy – Freestanding – CG, LB) |
| Digital Billboard (Off‑Premises – CG) | 25' above grade at centerline of main traveled way closest to structure (Section 810.A.16.b) | 250 sq ft per side | — | No portion may project into utility easement or be closer than 5' to ROW (810.A.6). Also must meet CG building setbacks and general 10' rule. Distance from residential, intersections, park/playground as above. | One digital billboard per 1,500' of roadway (810.A.7; 813 table). | Off‑premises along roadway in CG; not in other districts. | — | Section 810; Section 813 table (Digital Billboard – CG) |
| Directory Sign | 6' | 16 sq ft | — | Likely within interior of lot near building/parking, but still must respect 10' setback from property lines/ROW (803.U). | One per entrance (table). | Near building or parking entrance in CG or LB. | — | Section 802; Section 813 table (Directory – CG, LB) |
| Electronic Message Sign (On‑Premises – CG) | 6' | 12 sq ft per side | — | Depends on structural form (e.g., if used in monument or pylon sign, follow those setbacks). | One per property (table). | On‑premises in CG and LB. | — | Section 811; Section 813 table (Electronic Message – CG, LB) |
| Marquee Sign | 20' | 32 sq ft | — | Attached to building; must maintain 8.5' minimum height above grade for any projecting part over pedestrian areas (803.Y). | One per entrance (table). | Extending from building wall over doorway in CG (Section 802: SIGN, MARQUEE; 813 table). | — | Section 802 (SIGN, MARQUEE); Section 813 table (Marquee – CG) |
| Menu Board | 5' | 2 sq ft per side | — | Within site near entrance; still must meet 10' setback from property lines/ROW (803.U). | One per property (table). | Ground level entrance; CG and LB. | — | Section 802 (MENU BOARD definition); Section 813 table (Menu Board – CG, LB) |

### Limited Business/Residential District (LB/R, LB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign (Freestanding) | 20' | 32 sq ft | — | District setbacks plus 10' from property lines/ROW. | One per property. | On‑premises freestanding canopy in CG and LB. | — | Section 802 (SIGN, CANOPY FREESTANDING); Sections 804.B.3, 813 table (Canopy – Freestanding – CG, LB) |
| Directory Sign (LB) | 6' | 16 sq ft | — | 10' from property line/ROW if freestanding. | One per entrance. | Near building or parking entrance in LB (and CG). | — | Section 802; Section 813 table (Directory – CG, LB) |
| Electronic Message Sign (On‑Premises – LB) | 6' | 12 sq ft per side | — | Depends on host sign type (monument/pylon). | One per property. | LB (and CG) properties; must be on‑premises. | — | Section 811; Section 813 table (Electronic Message – CG, LB) |
| Menu Board (LB) | 5' | 2 sq ft per side | — | 10' setback if freestanding near property edge. | One per property. | Ground level entrance; LB and CG. | — | Section 802; Section 813 table (Menu Board – CG, LB) |
| Projecting Sign (LB) | 8' | 32 sq ft per side | — | Attached to building. | One per property. | Extending from building wall in LB (and CG). | — | Section 802; Section 803.Y; Section 813 table (Projecting – CG, LB) |
| Pylon Sign (LB) | 12' | 32 sq ft per side | — | District setbacks and 10' from property lines/ROW. | One per property. | On‑premises freestanding in LB (and CG). | — | Section 802; Sections 804.B.3; 813 table (Pylon – CG, LB) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (LB) | 5' | 10 sq ft per side | — | Near storefront on private property; ensure not in ROW. | One per property. | In area of storefront in LB, within 6' of building exterior. | — | Section 813 table (Sandwich Board – CG, LB) |
| Time & Temperature Display (LB) | N/A | 12 sq ft | — | As host sign type. | One per property. | On‑premises in LB (and CG). | — | Section 802; Section 813 table (Time & Temperature – CG, LB) |

## Prohibited signs in Wysox Township

- Signs may be erected and maintained only when in compliance with Article VIII and all other ordinances and regulations relating to the erection, alteration or maintenance of signs (Section 801).
- All permanent signs shall require an official Township Sign Permit except those identified under Sections 805 and 815 (Section 803, opening paragraph).
- Sign(s) must be constructed of durable material and maintained in good condition (Section 803.A).
- No sign shall be maintained in such a state of disrepair as to appear completely neglected, rotting, falling down, illegible, or with loose parts separated from original fastenings (Section 803.B).
- Whenever a sign becomes structurally unsafe or endangers building or public safety, the owner must make it safe or remove it within ten days of written notice from the Zoning Officer (Section 803.C).
- Sign(s) painted upon or displayed upon a building or structure are regulated as flat Wall Signs (Section 803.D).
- Sign(s) may only be interior lighted with non-glaring lights, or illuminated by shielded floodlights/spotlights so that no direct light is transmitted to other properties or public rights-of-way (Section 803.E).
- Internally illuminated signs are permitted only if the emitted light does not cause glare or emit light onto the surrounding area (Section 803.F).
- No sign or sign structure shall constitute a hazard to public safety or health, including failure to properly shield light sources from providing unacceptable glare to neighboring properties or public streets, as determined by the Zoning Officer (Section 803.G).
- All electrically illuminated signs shall be constructed to the standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters (Section 803.H).
- Flashing, blinking, strobe, twinkling, animated, streaming or moving signs of any type are prohibited; a sign may change from one message to another only if the message does not change more than once every minute; flashing lights visible from a street shall not be used to attract attention to a business; this includes window signs but not seasonal holiday lighting or displays that comply with the Article (Section 803.I).
- No sign shall, by reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers entering or leaving a roadway or obstruct/detract from the visibility or effectiveness of traffic signs or control devices (Section 803.J).
- No sign shall imitate or resemble any official traffic sign, signal or device or have characteristics likely to confuse or distract motor vehicle operators (Section 803.K).
- No commercial ads or signs, other than those approved by PennDOT, shall use words such as “stop”, “look”, “one-way”, “danger”, “yield” or similar words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads or confuses traffic (Section 803.L).
- No sign within 300 feet of any traffic light shall be illuminated with red, green, or yellow lights if in line of sight so as to cause a distraction (Section 803.M).
- No visible, internal or external sign shall display words or images that are obscene or pornographic, including graphic illustrations of specified sexual activities or anatomical areas or scenes using artificial devices or drawings to portray those (Section 803.N).
- No sign shall be erected or located so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door or fire escape (Section 803.O).
- No sign shall be permanently attached to public utility poles or trees within the right-of-way of any street (Section 803.P).
- No sign shall be painted on, attached to, or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object, except decorative signage designating the property owner (Section 803.Q).
- Within an area regulated by the Wysox Township Floodplain Ordinance, no Freestanding Sign shall be permitted within a designated Floodway (Section 803.R).
- If a symbol, trademark or figure is used as a sign post or standard indicating or identifying a use or business, it is counted as part of the total allowable sign area (Section 803.S).
- Only signs referring directly to services, materials or products made, sold or displayed on the premises are permitted, except as otherwise provided in Article VIII (Section 803.T).
- Except for flat Wall Signs, no point of any sign, including trim, border and supports, shall be located within ten feet of any property line or street right-of-way (Section 803.U).
- No sign shall emit smoke, visible vapors or particles, sound or odors (Section 803.V).
- No sign shall contain information that states or implies that a lot may be used for any purpose not permitted under the Ordinance (Section 803.W).
- Any sign attached to a building shall not be placed on the roof, be higher than the wall to which it is attached, or located on a parapet wall (Section 803.X).
- No point of a Wall Projecting Sign shall be located less than 8.5 feet above the grade directly below the sign (Section 803.Y).
- No sign shall be affixed to any motor vehicle or semi-trailer such that carrying the sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle’s primary purpose (Section 803.Z).
- No sign located on public, state, county or Township property or a public right-of-way shall bear any commercial advertising or announcement (Section 803.AA).
- No inflatable signs are permitted other than for special events as determined by the Zoning Officer (Section 803.BB).
- No person shall artificially increase the maximum height of a sign by altering the grade at the base of the sign (Section 804.B.1).
- Wall signs, parallel or projecting, shall not extend above the top of the wall to which they are attached (Section 804.B.2).
- Nonconforming signs may not have any expansion or increase in nonconformity (Section 806.A).
- If more than 50% of a nonconforming sign and its supporting structure must be replaced (cumulative), it may not exceed that 50% limit; any such replacement must be completed within six months of damage (Section 806.B).
- A nonconforming sign must be brought into conformity if for at least three months its message no longer applies to an activity on the premises (except billboards) (Section 806.C).
- Signs advertising a use no longer in existence must be removed within 90 days of cessation or may be removed by the Township at the owner’s expense after notice (Section 808.A).
- Signs incorporating electronic messages are not permitted outside the Limited Business, Commercial General, and Agricultural Residential districts, and not within 500 feet of a signalized traffic intersection, a residential use, or any R1/R2 district, and must use only simple static messages with instantaneous transitions and no blankouts, scrolling, fading, streaming, zooming, flashing, or other animated effects (Section 811).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain personal expression signs on or in public buildings and structures, public parks, lawns, vehicles, trees, shrubs, fences, walls, traffic signs or fire hydrants (Section Personal Expression B(1)).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign in a manner that damages or defaces public property (Section Personal Expression B(2)).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign so as to create a visibility hazard to pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic along streets or sidewalks or at streets (Section Personal Expression B(3)).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign on private property without the consent of the owner (Section Personal Expression C(1)).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain personal expression signs that create a visibility hazard to pedestrian or motor vehicle traffic along streets or sidewalks or on street corners (Section Personal Expression C(2)).
- It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain any personal expression sign exceeding 3 feet by 3 feet in size, or more than three such signs per property (Section Personal Expression C(3)).
- It is unlawful to maintain any personal expression signs relating to a candidate for public office outside the specified time windows before and after elections (Section Personal Expression C(4)).
- It is unlawful to maintain any personal expression sign not relating to a candidate for public office for more than 80 days in a calendar year (Section Personal Expression C(5)).
- No sign (of any type) shall be posted within a street right-of-way except a government sign, PennDOT sign, public utility sign or a non-profit organization sign approved by the Township or PennDOT (Section Personal Expression E(a)).
- No sign shall be painted, pasted, nailed, stapled or otherwise attached to utility poles, trees, fences, rocks, and fire hydrants or attached in any unauthorized manner to walls, unless authorized by the Township or allowed under the Sign Ordinance (Section Personal Expression E(b)).
- No sign shall be placed, erected or posted that is not allowed under the current Sign Ordinance (Section Personal Expression E(c)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Wysox Township

- Bulletin boards not exceeding 32 square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions located on the premises of such institutions are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.A).
- Decals affixed to windows or door glass panels, such as business group membership or credit card acceptance decals, are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.B).
- Handicap parking space signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.C).
- Historic signs memorializing an important historic place, event or person and specifically authorized by Wysox Township, Bradford County, the Commonwealth, or the Federal Government are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.D).
- Holiday decorations that commemorate a holiday recognized by Wysox Township, Bradford County, the Commonwealth, or the Federal Government and that do not include advertising are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.E).
- Home Occupation signs, subject to the size, illumination, attachment, and freestanding prohibitions stated (Section 805.F), are classified as “Signs Not Regulated by this Article.”
- Up to two name and address signs indicating address, number and/or name of occupants, with no commercial advertising or other identification, are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.G).
- Official signs erected by or specifically authorized by government for public purposes (e.g., identifying public transit stops) are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.H).
- Open house signs, placed for the periodic sale or rent of a house, displayed no more than four days before and removed within 24 hours after the open house, are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.I).
- On-premises private drive signs limited to one per driveway entrance with specified content are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.J).
- On-premises security and warning signs such as “No Trespassing”, “No Hunting”, “No Soliciting”, and home security company signs are not regulated by Article VIII (Section 805.K).
- Flags, pennants, banners, signs for sports teams (school, college, professional), holiday decorations celebrating a secular and/or religious holiday, artistic expressions in lawn ornaments or monuments that are not political expressions, and government recognition displays for veterans (e.g., gold star parents and veterans) are exempt from the Personal Expression sign restrictions (Personal Expression Section D).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs require an official Township Sign Permit under Section 803, except signs identified under Sections 805 and 815.
- For any sign use that does not comply with the regulations of the Ordinance, a Sign Permit may only be issued upon order of the Zoning Hearing Board granted through the variance procedure (Section 812.D).
- Signs for nonconforming uses or structures: any permit application to erect, alter or reconstruct a sign on premises with a Nonconforming Use or Structure must be referred by the Zoning Officer to the Zoning Hearing Board, which will determine whether to grant the permit based on specific criteria (Section 807).
- Certain temporary signs require permits: proposed development signs for residential/office complexes and for commercial/industrial/nonresidential developments must obtain a permit before installation (Temporary Sign Table, Section 814, 'Permit Required' = Yes).
- Permit applications must include owner information, affidavit of title, scaled location plan, scaled sign drawing including content for directional and on-premises signs, construction materials and installation description, and the required fee; all applications are reviewed by the Zoning Officer (Section 812.B–C).
- Any change in location, dimensions, or advertising/informative content of a sign requires a new permit (Section 812.G).
- All sign permits are subject to revocation upon 15 days’ written notice for violation of any provision or change of application information; revocation does not entitle the applicant to a refund of the permit fee (Section 812.H).

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

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