Are LED Signs Allowed in York, York County, Pennsylvania? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
⚠️ Uncertain / not explicitly permitted.
York’s sign rules permit illuminated signs under certain conditions and restrict direct illumination, glare, etc.
But York’s code does not include definitions or provisions specific to “electronic message center,” “digital sign,” “changeable copy,” or dynamic displays.
Thus, any EMC proposal would likely be treated as a standard illuminated sign—or possibly as a special/exception to the sign rules—and may require interpretation or approval by the Zoning Officer or Zoning Hearing Board.
If a variance or interpretation process is available under the York municipal code, that should be explored when proposing EMCs.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of York Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of York Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table (inferred / speculative)
| Feature | Answer (based on York code) |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that might allow EMCs | Commercial & industrial districts (where illuminated signs are allowed) |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Not defined — would have to fit within permitted sign types (wall, freestanding, etc.) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | Not addressed — likely no or subject to separate rules |
| EMCs in public right-of-way | ❌Not permitted (no explicit allowance) |
| Minimum setback required | Sign with setback rules for free-standing signs (see code) |
| Use restrictions | Must comply with general illumination, shielding, glare, and non-nuisance standards |
Zoning District / Sign Regulation Overview
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York’s municipal code includes Part Thirteen covering planning and zoning, including Art. 1308, Sign Regulations.
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The code also includes Art. 1309, which contains the Regulation of Signs by Zoning District (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional) per district.
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The municipal code provides definitions, permitted uses, general sign rules, and illumination standards, but no EMC-specific section.
You would need to (a) find the zoning district for a particular address via York’s GIS/zoning map, and (b) check which sign rules apply to that district (commercial, industrial, etc.) under Art. 1309.
Zoning-Specific Sign Standards
Below are some of the York code’s specific sign rules categorized by district, with notes about how they might apply (or limit) EMCs.
Residential Districts (Art. 1309.09)
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Only nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs are permitted in residential districts. Directly illuminated signs are prohibited in residential zones.
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Signs must be setback 4 ft from the street line.
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Maximum sign areas are small (e.g., 12 sq ft aggregate, etc.).
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Projecting and roof signs are regulated (roof signs are disallowed).
Because EMCs almost always involve direct illumination and changing content, they would likely conflict with these residential restrictions.
Commercial Districts (Art. 1309.10)
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In commercial zones, the code permits several types of on-premises signs: parallel (wall) signs, window signs, announcement/professional signs (nonilluminated), etc.
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The code allows advertising / off-premises signs in certain commercial zoning districts (CG, CH, CBD) with size, spacing, and placement restrictions. Sign height restrictions:
– Measurement: from grade level at street centerline to the highest part of the sign.
– In nonresidential zones: On-premises business signs up to 20 ft. Off-premises signs up to 40 ft. -
Sign construction, maintenance, condition: signs must be built of durable materials, maintained, and meet building & fire codes.
Because the code allows illuminated signage in commercial zones (so long as it meets shielding, glare, etc.), an EMC might be argued to be a type of illuminated sign. But absent explicit EMC rules, the Zoning Officer or board might impose conditions or deny based on distraction, animation, or novelty.
Industrial Districts (Art. 1309.11)
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In industrial zones, signs are permitted with area limits based on linear lot frontage (e.g., 2 sq ft per foot frontage, up to 150 sq ft).
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Off-premises signs are also allowed under some conditions, with similar spacing rules as in commercial zones.
An EMC in an industrial zone has a better chance of being allowable (compared to residential), provided the illumination and visual effects meet the municipal standards.
Permit Filing Requirements
Under York’s sign regulation framework:
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You must apply for a Sign Permit, including plans, dimensions, materials, and electrical/illumination details.
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The permit must show compliance with building codes, fire codes, and the York sign regulations (height, area, illumination, shielding).
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For ambiguous cases (such as EMC or digital signage), the application may require submission of supporting justification (e.g., brightness controls, no animation, dimming, static periods).
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If denied or unclear, one would likely seek a variance, special exception, or interpretation via the Zoning Hearing Board under York’s ordinance. The municipal code includes provisions for use, variance, and appeals (in other articles) in Part Thirteen.
You should check York’s planning/zoning department or permit office for the current sign permit form, associated fees, and submission requirements.
Local Project Examples
I did not find documented examples in the York City code PDF or public materials of EMC/digital signage projects that received explicit approval under York’s code.
If you find a business in York that has a digital sign, you might request its permit records to see how the city treated it (i.e. was it allowed via a variance, amortized as nonconforming, or grandfathered).
Full Ordinance Text (Relevant Excerpts)
Here are some relevant excerpts from York’s Part 13 / Art. 1308 / Art. 1309:
Art. 1309.09 – Residential Districts
“Only nonilluminated or indirectly illuminated signs are permitted. Directly illuminated signs shall be prohibited.”Art. 1309.10 – Commercial Districts
“Parallel, window business signs … total area shall not exceed 25% of the building face … not to exceed 150 square feet.”
“Measurement: Height shall be measured from grade level at the centerline of the nearest street to the highest part of the sign. In nonresidential zoning districts, on-premises business signs shall be no higher than twenty (20) feet; off-premises signs no more than forty (40) feet.”
“All signs except temporary signs must be constructed of durable material and kept in good condition … Electrical signs shall be subject to performance criteria of Underwriters’ Laboratory, NFPA, or similar.”
These text portions show how York regulates illumination and sign types in a general sense, but there is no direct language regarding electronic changeable displays.
External Reference Links
🗺️ York Zoning & GIS Map
📘 York Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal