Sign Regulations in York Township, Pennsylvania
York Township, Pennsylvania has specific sign regulations covering 55 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding, Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof, Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: November 2, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for York Township, Pennsylvania
Sample Sign Requirements in York Township
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Development/Neighborhood Sign - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. per sign (and not more than 1 sq. ft. per dwelling unit) | Freestanding signs must be set back from any street right-of-way and/or property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign (except along Interstates, per PennDOT standards) |
| Individual Business Sign (Residential Uses) - Freestanding | 6 feet (freestanding) | 10 sq. ft. per sign (Home occupation signs: max 1 sq. ft.) | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) |
| Individual Business Sign (Residential Uses) - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof | Height of wall/roof (for flat wall/flat roof/projecting) | 10 sq. ft. per sign (Home occupation signs: max 1 sq. ft.) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for York TownshipFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
55
- Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding
- Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof
- Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding
- Roadside Market Sign - Wall/Projecting
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for York Township
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
In York Township, wall signs can be up to Height of wall/roof (for flat wall/flat roof/projecting) and monument signs are limited to 20 feet (freestanding). 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 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 York Township, regulated sign types include Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding, Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof, Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding, Roadside Market Sign - Wall/Projecting, 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 Township, monument signs typically require a Freestanding signs must be set back from any street right-of-way and/or property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign (except along Interstates, per PennDOT standards) 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 Township are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. York Township has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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York Township, Pennsylvania Sign Rules at a Glance
York Township, Pennsylvania regulates 55 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Residential Development/Neighborhood Sign - Freestandings in the Residential - Low Density (RL); Residential - Medium Density (RM); Residential - High Density (RH); Residential Agricultural (RA) zoning district are capped at 20 feet (freestanding) tall and 32 sq. ft. per sign (and not more than 1 sq. ft. per dwelling unit), with a Freestanding signs must be set back from any street right-of-way and/or property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign (except along Interstates, per PennDOT standards) setback (Sec. Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Residential Development/neighborhood signs); 265-702; 265-704.F). Most commercial signs in York Township require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for York Township, Pennsylvania
Sign Rules by Zoning District in York Township (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential - Low Density (RL); Residential - Medium Density (RM); Residential - High Density (RH); Residential Agricultural (RA) | 24 | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Mixed Residential - Commercial (MRC) | 15 | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial - Office (CO) | 13 | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial - Shopping (CS) | 19 | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial - Industrial (CI); Industrial (I) | 15 | 80 feet | 300 sq. ft. (overall size) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 10 feet (from grade below sign) | 20 sq. ft. per sign (no more than 25% of area devoted to commercial advertisement) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in York Township(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Residential - Low Density (RL); Residential - Medium Density (RM); Residential - High Density (RH); Residential Agricultural (RA)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Development/Neighborhood Sign - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. per sign (and not more than 1 sq. ft. per dwelling unit) | — | Freestanding signs must be set back from any street right-of-way and/or property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign (except along Interstates, per PennDOT standards) | 1 per street entrance, max 2 total | At subdivision/neighborhood street entrances | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Residential Development/neighborhood signs); 265-702; 265-704.F |
| Individual Business Sign (Residential Uses) - Freestanding | 6 feet (freestanding) | 10 sq. ft. per sign (Home occupation signs: max 1 sq. ft.) | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 1 per lot | On the lot of the use (e.g., home occupation, auction house, day care home, bed-and-breakfast) | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs in RA, RL, RM, RH); 265-704.F |
| Individual Business Sign (Residential Uses) - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof | Height of wall/roof (for flat wall/flat roof/projecting) | 10 sq. ft. per sign (Home occupation signs: max 1 sq. ft.) | — | — | 1 per lot | Attached to building wall/roof or projecting from wall | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs in RA, RL, RM, RH) |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Residential/MRC group) | 10 feet | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 4 per lot frontage | On the lot to direct internal circulation (entrance, exit, office, open/closed, etc.) | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (On-site directional signs) |
| Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 40 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 1 per lot frontage, max 2 per principal use | On lots with schools, houses of worship, utilities, hospitals, libraries, fire stations, similar uses | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Public and semipublic uses) |
| Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding | 10 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use; only 1 freestanding | On the lot of the roadside market use | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Roadside Market Signs) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign to Public/Semipublic Use | 10 feet (freestanding) | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use | Off-premises on private property with written permission of landowner | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Off-premises directional signs) |
| Interchange Business Sign (All Zones) - Freestanding | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — | Setback per 265-711.A (and any applicable PennDOT standards) | 1 per use or lot, whichever is less | On premises of a business directly abutting an interchange of Route I-83 | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Interchange business signs) |
Mixed Residential - Commercial (MRC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Development/Neighborhood Sign - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. per sign (and not more than 1 sq. ft. per dwelling unit) | — | Freestanding signs must be set back from any street right-of-way and/or property line a distance equal to or greater than the height of the sign (265-711.A) | 1 per street entrance, max 2 total | At subdivision/neighborhood street entrances | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Residential Development/neighborhood signs); 265-702 |
| Individual Business Sign (MRC) - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 32 sq. ft. per sign (MRC cap) | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per principal use (+1 if frontage >1,000 ft) | On the lot of the business | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs – MRC); 265-711.A |
| Individual Business Sign (MRC) - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof | Height of wall/roof (for flat wall/flat roof/projecting) | 32 sq. ft. per sign (MRC cap) and not larger than 15% of the wall area to which attached (for flat wall or wall projecting) | — | — | 2 per principal use (+1 if frontage >1,000 ft) | Attached to wall/roof or projecting from wall | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs – MRC); Other requirements note |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Residential/MRC group) | 10 feet | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 4 per lot frontage | On the lot to direct internal circulation (entrance, exit, office, open/closed, etc.) | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (On-site directional signs) |
| Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding | 20 feet | 40 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 1 per lot frontage, max 2 per principal use | On lots with schools, houses of worship, utilities, hospitals, libraries, fire stations, similar uses | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Public and semipublic uses) |
| Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding | 10 feet | 32 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use; only 1 freestanding | On the lot of the roadside market use | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Roadside Market Signs) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign to Public/Semipublic Use | 10 feet | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use | Off-premises on private property with written permission | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Off-premises directional signs) |
| Interchange Business Sign (All Zones) - Freestanding | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — | Per 265-711.A and PennDOT | 1 per use or lot | On premises directly abutting a Route I-83 interchange | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Interchange business signs) |
Commercial - Shopping (CS)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Business Sign (CS) - Freestanding | 20 feet (freestanding) | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per principal use (+1 if frontage >1,000 ft) | On the lot of the business | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs – CS); 265-711.A |
| Individual Business Sign (CS) - Wall/Projecting/Flat Roof | Height of wall/roof (for flat wall/flat roof/projecting) | 100 sq. ft. per sign; and not larger than 15% of the wall area to which attached (for flat wall or wall projecting) | — | — | 2 per principal use (+1 if frontage >1,000 ft) | Attached to wall/roof or projecting from wall | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Individual business signs – CS) |
| Signs Identifying Public and Semipublic Uses - Freestanding | 20 feet | 40 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 1 per lot frontage, max 2 per principal use | On lots with schools, houses of worship, utilities, hospitals, libraries, fire stations, similar uses | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Public and semipublic uses) |
| Roadside Market Sign - Freestanding | 10 feet | 32 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use; only 1 freestanding | On the lot of the roadside market use | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Roadside Market Signs) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign to Public/Semipublic Use | 10 feet | 2 sq. ft. per sign | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per use | Off-premises on private property with written permission | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Off-premises directional signs) |
| Interchange Business Sign (All Zones) - Freestanding | 80 feet | 200 sq. ft. | — | Per 265-711.A and PennDOT | 1 per use or lot | On premises directly abutting a Route I-83 interchange | — | Unlock | Table 7.B - Permanent Sign Requirements (Interchange business signs) |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign | 20 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — | Setback from ROW/property line at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 1 per lot frontage with entrance/exit | At shopping center lot frontage with entrance or exit | — | Unlock | Table 7.D - Shopping Center Sign Requirements (Freestanding shopping center sign) |
| Shopping Center Outparcel Signs - Wall and Freestanding | Wall: height of wall; Freestanding: 12 feet | Wall: 75 sq. ft. per sign (not exceeding 20% of wall area); Freestanding: max 40 sq. ft. | — | Freestanding signs: setback at least equal to sign height (265-711.A) | 2 per principal use, but only 1 per wall or road frontage | On outparcels with single principal freestanding use sharing common ingress/egress | — | Unlock | Table 7.D - Shopping Center Sign Requirements (Outparcel signs) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in York Township — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for York Township — start freeProhibited Signs in York Township
- It is unlawful to erect or place any sign in the Township unless it is specifically permitted in this Chapter.
- No erection, placement, moving, establishment, creation, or alteration of any permanent sign is allowed without first obtaining a sign permit.
- No signs may be painted on, attached to, or supported by a street sign or street light standard, stone, cliff, or other natural object.
- No sign shall be maintained in a state of disrepair (appearance of complete neglect, rotting, falling down, illegible, or with loose parts separated from original fastenings).
- Except for billboards, signs must relate to a use located and/or conducted within York Township (off‑site advertising otherwise prohibited).
- Signs placed on public property or within public rights‑of‑way are prohibited and subject to removal unless expressly allowed by Township permission.
- Signs that use colors or shapes that conflict with or resemble a traffic sign or signal device are prohibited.
- Flashing or moving illumination, or illumination that varies in intensity or color, is prohibited except as allowed under the electronic sign standards.
- Searchlights, pennants, spinners, tinsel, banners, streamers, inflatable balloons, and similar devices are prohibited except when used in accordance with the Temporary Sign Requirements for special sales/events.
- Signs illuminated in red, green, yellow, or amber, or that are highly reflective (e.g., fluorescent paint or glass), are prohibited within 300 feet of a traffic light or similar safety device.
- No sign may, by size, location, content, color, or manner/intensity of illumination, distract or obstruct drivers’ vision or reduce the visibility/effectiveness of traffic signs or control devices.
- Vehicles or trailers with signs visible from a public right‑of‑way are prohibited unless the vehicle/trailer is actively in use (e.g., deliveries, pickups) and the sign face does not protrude more than one inch from the vehicle.
- Any lighted sign that becomes damaged and creates an electrical hazard must be turned off and electrically isolated until repaired.
Exempt Signs in York Township
- With Township permission, the following may be erected on public property or in public rights‑of‑way: permanent government signs (legal notices, public property identification, public information, pedestrian/vehicular control), bus stop/route signs by a public transit company, public utility information signs, temporary government signs (legal notices, public information, pedestrian/vehicular control), and emergency warning signs by government, utilities, or authorized contractors.
- Signs and signals owned and operated by the Township or a government agency do not require a permit (permitted in all districts).
- Property control signs (e.g., No Trespassing, Private Property) do not require a permit (permitted in all districts); must be spaced at no less than 25‑foot intervals and may only have reflective lighting.
- On‑site directional signs (e.g., entrance, exit, open/closed, office) do not require a permit (permitted in all districts); any business name or logo may not exceed 50% of the sign area.
- Banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs that comply with this section are exempt from the requirement to be constructed of permanent materials and permanently attached.
- For double‑faced signs, only one face is counted toward sign area if both faces are identical and no point on the two faces is more than three feet apart.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for York Township
- A sign permit application must include a dimensioned sketch or scale plan showing the shape, size, height, and location of all signs, evidence the sign will not create a sight obstruction, and any additional information required by the Zoning Officer.
- Campus signage requires submission of a master plan with the building permit application, including: (1) a map showing locations of all signs with parcel and right‑of‑way boundaries; and (2) a sketch of each sign with dimensions, square footage, height, type (freestanding or wall), and type of construction.
- Billboards are permitted only by special exception in the C‑I and I Districts (except bus shelters), requiring Zoning Hearing Board approval.
- New signs or changes to existing signs for businesses operating as nonconforming uses may be permitted only by special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board; conditions may be attached to approval.
- Interchange business signs require demonstration of applicable PennDOT approvals prior to permit issuance.
Source: other municipal code