Sign Regulations in York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign), Real Estate Sign (Temporary), Freestanding Sign (Permanent). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: January 23, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for York, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in York
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Commercial Sign (Attached) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | Not within the required building setback for the District |
| Non-Commercial Sign (Freestanding) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | Not within the required building setback for the District |
| Commercial Sign for Permitted Business/Home Occupation or Nonconforming Use (Attached) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | Not within the required building setback for the District |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for YorkFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
23
- Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign)
- Real Estate Sign (Temporary)
- Freestanding Sign (Permanent)
- Freestanding Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for York
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In York, monument signs are limited to 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in York, 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 York, regulated sign types include Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign), Real Estate Sign (Temporary), Freestanding Sign (Permanent), Freestanding Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In York, monument signs typically require a Not within the required building setback for the District setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in York are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. York has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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York, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
York, Pennsylvania regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Permanent)s in the Central Business District (CBD) zoning district are capped at ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; in no case > 35 ft tall and 60 sq ft per sign; corner properties: total up to 90 sq ft (no one sign may exceed 60 sq ft), with a Minimum setback = 50% of the District’s building setback requirement, but not less than 10 ft. If not met, freestanding sign is not permitted. setback (Sec. 1308.08(b)(1) A–D). Most commercial signs in York require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for York, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in York (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Detached Residential Conservation District (RS-1); Single-Family Attached Residential Conservation District (RS-2); Urban Mixed Commercial Residential District (UN-1); Urban Residential Neighborhood District (UN-2); Mixed-Use Residential-Institutional District (MUI-1); Urban Residential Neighborhood District (MUI-2) | 9 | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 12 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) | 9 | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; in no case > 35 ft | 150 sq ft total; neither sign may exceed 100 sq ft | — |
| Employment Center District (EC) | 14 | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; in no case > 35 ft | 700 sq ft (surface area per sign) | — |
| Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 15 sq ft (absolute cap); or 10% of window area if that is less | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in York(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Single-Family Detached Residential Conservation District (RS-1); Single-Family Attached Residential Conservation District (RS-2); Urban Mixed Commercial Residential District (UN-1); Urban Residential Neighborhood District (UN-2); Mixed-Use Residential-Institutional District (MUI-1); Urban Residential Neighborhood District (MUI-2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Commercial Sign (Attached) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | Not within the required building setback for the District | — | Must be within 5 ft of the front wall of the principal structure; may not be within the required building setback for the District | — | Unlock | 1308.08(a)(1); 1308.07(b)(4); 1308.02(b)(2) |
| Non-Commercial Sign (Freestanding) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | Not within the required building setback for the District | — | Must be within 5 ft of the front wall of the principal structure; may not be within the required building setback for the District | — | Unlock | 1308.08(a)(1); 1308.07(b)(4) |
| Commercial Sign for Permitted Business/Home Occupation or Nonconforming Use (Attached) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | Not within the required building setback for the District | — | Must be within 5 ft of the front wall of the principal structure; may not be within the required building setback for the District | — | Unlock | 1308.08(a)(2); 1308.07(a); 1308.02(b)(2) |
| Commercial Sign for Permitted Business/Home Occupation or Nonconforming Use (Freestanding) (Permanent) | 4 ft (measured from natural grade to highest part of sign) | 6 sq ft | — | Not within the required building setback for the District | — | Must be within 5 ft of the front wall of the principal structure; may not be within the required building setback for the District | — | Unlock | 1308.08(a)(2); 1308.07(a) |
| Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not specified (for corner properties, up to two blade signs totaling ≤ 6 sq ft) | Mounted to a wall/building surface; must be at least 7 ft above walking surface; may not interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic | — | Unlock | 1308.08(a)(3); 1308.02(b)(5); 1308.07(a)-(b) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per property | On the property; not in a public right-of-way or on a sidewalk | — | Unlock | 1308.09(a)(1)(A) |
| Personal Expression Sign (Temporary) - RS-1, RS-2, UN-2, MUI-2 | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per property | On the property; not in a public right-of-way or on a sidewalk | — | Unlock | 1308.09(a)(3)(A) |
| Personal Expression Sign (Temporary) - UN-1, MUI-1 | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per property | On the property; not in a public right-of-way or on a sidewalk. Properties with no front yard: only in a window or attached to the front of the building. | — | Unlock | 1308.09(a)(3)(B) |
Central Business District (CBD)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; in no case > 35 ft | 60 sq ft per sign; corner properties: total up to 90 sq ft (no one sign may exceed 60 sq ft) | — | Minimum setback = 50% of the District’s building setback requirement, but not less than 10 ft. If not met, freestanding sign is not permitted. | One (1); corner properties: two (2) permitted | On premises | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(1) A–D |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property) | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; max 35 ft | Up to 90 sq ft total between two signs; no one sign may exceed 60 sq ft | — | Minimum setback = 50% of building setback for District; not less than 10 ft | Two (2) permitted on corner properties | On premises at a corner property | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(1) A–D |
| Attached Sign (Permanent) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One (1) | Parallel to wall or vertical building surface | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(2) A–C; 1308.02(b)(2); 1308.05(b) |
| Attached Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property) | — | 150 sq ft total; neither sign may exceed 100 sq ft | — | — | Two (2) (one on each side) | One sign on each side of the building | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(2) A–C; 1308.02(b)(2); 1308.05(b) |
| Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One (1) | Mounted perpendicular to wall; minimum 7 ft clearance above walking surface; projection ≤ 3 ft | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(3) A–C; 1308.02(b)(5) |
| Blade Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property) (Substitute for Attached Sign) | — | 24 sq ft total; neither sign may exceed 15 sq ft | — | — | Two (2) (one on each side) | One blade sign on each side of a corner building; minimum 7 ft clearance; projection ≤ 3 ft | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(3) A–C; 1308.02(b)(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One (1) per business | Displayed along business frontage; must not create traffic or pedestrian hazard | — | Unlock | 1308.09(a)(2)(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | Not specified (one per property implied by section heading) | On the property; not in a public right-of-way or on a sidewalk. Properties with no front yard may only place such signs in a window or attached to the front of the building. | — | Unlock | 1308.09(a)(1)(C) |
Employment Center District (EC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; in no case > 35 ft | 60 sq ft per sign; corner properties: total up to 90 sq ft (no one sign may exceed 60 sq ft) | — | Minimum setback = 50% of the District’s building setback requirement, but not less than 10 ft. If not met, freestanding sign is not permitted. | One (1); corner properties: two (2) permitted | On premises | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(1) A–D |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property) | ≤ 50% of sign's setback from closest street ROW; max 35 ft | Up to 90 sq ft total between two signs; no one sign may exceed 60 sq ft | — | Minimum setback = 50% of building setback for District; not less than 10 ft | Two (2) permitted on corner properties | On premises at a corner property | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(1) A–D |
| Attached Sign (Permanent) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One (1) | Parallel to wall or vertical building surface | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(2) A–C; 1308.02(b)(2); 1308.05(b) |
| Attached Sign (Permanent) (Corner Property) | — | 150 sq ft total; neither sign may exceed 100 sq ft | — | — | Two (2) (one on each side) | One sign on each side of the building | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(2) A–C; 1308.02(b)(2); 1308.05(b) |
| Blade Sign (Permanent) (Substitute for Attached Sign) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One (1) | Mounted perpendicular to wall; minimum 7 ft clearance above walking surface; projection ≤ 3 ft | — | Unlock | 1308.08(b)(3) A–C; 1308.02(b)(5) |
| Inflatable Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft | — | 10 ft | — | One (1) inflatable per occurrence | Securely attached to ground or building | — | Unlock | 1308.09(b)(2) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard) - Option 1 (Single Sign) | 35 ft (from natural grade to highest point) | 700 sq ft (surface area per sign) | — | Building setback line or 35 ft from street ROW (whichever greater) | One (1) single sign | EC District only | — | Unlock | 1308.10(a)-(e) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign (Billboard) - Option 2 (Two Single Signs) | 35 ft (from natural grade to highest point) | 300 sq ft per face (each single sign) | — | Building setback line or 35 ft from street ROW (whichever greater) | Two (2) single signs | EC District only | — | Unlock | 1308.10(a)-(e) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in York — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for York — start freeProhibited Signs in York
- No sign may create a public nuisance by emitting smoke, sound, vapor, beams or rays, particle emission, odors, or creating a safety or traffic hazard (as determined by the City Engineer).
- Animated signs are prohibited; a sign’s visual appearance may not change more often than once every 30 seconds, and colors/light intensity must remain constant for at least 30 seconds.
- Illuminated sign light sources must be shielded from adjacent properties and streets and may not be of such intensity as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or motorists.
- Mobile signs not fixed in place (including vehicles used primarily as signs and signs affixed to vehicles or trailers where carrying the sign becomes the primary purpose) are prohibited.
- Signs that appear similar to traffic signs, signals, or devices (including arrows or use of specific colors/words that could be confused with traffic control devices) are prohibited.
- Signs stating or implying that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs on trees, shrubs, rocks, or other natural objects are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles or other natural/manmade objects not specifically designed or approved for the specific sign are prohibited.
- Signs within public rights-of-way are prohibited except those installed by a duly constituted governmental body in accordance with MUTCD.
- Signs may not contain vulgar or pornographic content, hate or discriminatory messages, or otherwise violate any law.
Exempt Signs in York
- Permits are not required for governmental signs.
- Permits are not required for address signs.
- Permits are not required for street signs.
- Permits are not required for non-commercial signs.
- On-premises temporary window signs require no permit, provided they cover no more than 10% of the window area or 15 square feet, whichever is less.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for York
- All non-exempt signs require a sign permit; applications must include a detailed site plan showing the precise location of the proposed sign and details of all other signs on the property, plus detailed construction plans.
- Within the HARB Overlay District, all signs—whether or not a permit is otherwise required—must be reviewed by HARB and approved by York City Council; designs must comply with the York Design Guidelines.
- No master sign plan requirement is referenced in the ordinance.
- No specific variance or special exception process for signs is identified in Article 1308; signs for nonconforming uses or uses permitted by variance must still comply with all sign requirements.
Source: other municipal code