# Sign Regulations in York Township, Pennsylvania

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

- **Jurisdiction:** York Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/york-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://yorktownshippa.gov/wp-content/uploads/Zoning-Ordinance-last-amendment-3-14-23.pdf#page=119)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | 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) | — | 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 | — | 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.) | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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.) | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Table 7.D - Shopping Center Sign Requirements (Outparcel signs) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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