Philadelphia City Zoning Code
Verify the Zoning District of the Property
§ 14-904. Accessory Sign Control. 942 { Section 14-904 - Recent Amendment }
No accessory sign shall be erected anywhere in the City except in conformity with the applicable provisions of this § 14-904 and all applicable sections of this Zoning Code, except where the provisions of this § 14-904 or other applicable provision of this Zoning Code is expressly superseded. Any accessory sign that does not conform to the requirements of this Zoning Code is declared a public nuisance. No reference to a particular type of use in this § 14-904 shall be construed to imply that the use is allowed under circumstances different from those allowed under Chapter 14-600 (Use Regulations).
Accessory and public service signs are permitted as set forth in Table 14-406-1, below, except as stated in § 14-406(9)(c), below. For the purposes of this § 14-406(9) Accessory Sign, "public service sign" shall mean a sign that exclusively gives public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather, or similar information.
📋 Accessory Sign Control for CMX-2 and CMX-2.5 Zoning District
| Category | Standard |
|---|---|
| Permitted Sign Types | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding |
| Max Number of Signs | - Wall: N/A - Projecting: 1 per frontage - Freestanding: 1 per building |
| Max Area – Lots with One Building Frontage | - 3 sq. ft. per linear foot of building frontage OR - One 25 sq. ft. wall sign - 100 sq. ft. total for all signs |
| Max Area – Lots with Multiple Building Frontages | - Short side(s): 3 sq. ft. per linear foot - Long side: 2 sq. ft. per linear foot OR - One 25 sq. ft. wall sign per frontage |
| Max Height | The lower of roofline or second-floor window sill, maximum 20 ft. |
| Static Illumination | ✅ Yes (except internally-illuminated cabinet signs are prohibited in CMX-2.5) |
| Animated Illumination | ❌ Not permitted |
| Mechanical Motion | ✅ Permitted |
📋 Accessory Sign Control for CMX-4 & CMX-5 Zoning District
| Feature | Standard |
|---|---|
| Permitted Sign Types | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding |
| Max Number | Projecting: 1 per frontage |
| Max Area (Wall Signs) | 2 sq. ft. per linear ft. of ground floor frontage (max 100 sq. ft. per sign) |
| Max Area (Freestanding) | 50 sq. ft. per face, up to 4 faces |
| Max Height | Lower of roofline or second-floor window sill; max 10 ft. |
| Projection Limit | Max 24 in. over public right-of-way (for projecting signs) |
| Static Illumination | Allowed |
| Digital Wall Signs | Allowed |
| Digital Freestanding / Projecting | Not allowed in CMX-4; allowed in CMX-5 |
| News Tickers | Allowed per §14-906(6) |
| Mechanical Motion | Allowed |
📋Accessory Sign Control for CA-1, CA-2, IRMX, ICMX, I-1 Zoning District
| Feature | CA-1 | CA-2 | IRMX / ICMX | I-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permitted Sign Types | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding, Portable | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding, Portable | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding | Wall, Projecting, Marquee, Freestanding |
| Max Number (Freestanding) | 1 per lot | 1 per 15,000 sq. ft. of lot area | 1 per lot frontage | 1 per lot frontage |
| Max Area (Wall) | 10 sq. ft./linear ft. of ground floor frontage | 10 sq. ft./linear ft. of ground floor frontage | 3 sq. ft./ft. (short), 2 sq. ft./ft. (long sides) | 100 sq. ft. per lot frontage |
| Max Area (Freestanding) | 200 sq. ft. / face (up to 2 faces) | 150 sq. ft. / face (up to 4 faces) | 100 sq. ft. / face (up to 4 faces) | 100 sq. ft. / face (up to 4 faces) |
| Max Height (Wall) | Up to roofline or parapet wall | Up to roofline or parapet wall | Lower of roofline or 2nd floor sill | Lower of roofline or 2nd floor sill |
| Max Height (Freestanding) | 40 ft. | 40 ft. | 20 ft. | 20 ft. |
| Max Height (Portable) | 5 ft. | 5 ft. | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Static Illumination | Wall & Free: Yes, Portable: No | Wall & Free: Yes, Portable: No | Yes (all) | Yes (all) |
| Digital Sign – Wall | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Sign – Others | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Message – Wall | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Message – Others | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| News Ticker | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Mechanical Motion | Wall & Free: Yes, Portable: No | Wall & Free: Yes, Portable: No | Yes | Yes |