316 confirmed rules from the City of Lancaster's sign code for 9 sign types, each quoted word for word with its code section and a link to the official source. Last checked Nov 13, 2026.
What the confirmed rules cover
Wall sign rules in Lancaster
39 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum areagreater of 40 sq ft or 2 sq ft per lineal ft of building or store frontage“Wall signs shall be no larger than 40 square feet or the product of two times the lineal footage of the building or store…”Sec. 12.04(n)1 · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
39 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, minimum setback, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum areagreater of 40 sq ft or 2 sq ft per lineal ft of building or store frontageApplies to: Channel letters mounted on a building wall, treated as a wall sign (§ 13.02 wall sign: mounted flat against and projecting less than 12 inches from a wall)“Wall signs shall be no larger than 40 square feet or the product of two times the lineal footage of the building or store…”Sec. 12.04(n)1 · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
Allowed, with conditions. 50 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area100 sq ftNote: Business fronting an interstate highway“that sign would be allowed a maximum sign area of one (100) hundred square feet and a maximum sign structure height of fifteen (15)…”Sec. 12.04(h)1 · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
Allowed in some districts. 50 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, maximum height, number allowed, minimum setback, minimum spacing, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area225 sq ftNote: Property fronting an interstate highway“Maximum Areas, two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet.”Sec. 12.04(j)3 · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
Pole signs only on interstate frontage. Pole signs are allowed only on property adjacent to and fronting an interstate highway (Sec. 12.04(j)).
34 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum heightheight of the building to which the sign is attached“The height of the sign shall not exceed the height of the building to which it is attached.”Sec. 12.04(l)1(C) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
41 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum height, minimum clearance, number allowed, minimum setback, illumination, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum height, Town Square14 in“The maximum height of the sign shall be fourteen (14) inches;”Sec. 12.06(b)(2)A · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
5 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, illumination, other limit.
Example: Maximum area50%“The 50% visibility shall be maintained for the total window area on the facade of this premises and any side facing a street or…”Sec. 12.03(g) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
Allowed, with conditions. 35 confirmed rules: permit required, minimum setback, illumination, electronic message limits, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Minimum setback100 ftApplies to: Illuminated sign, unless shielded so light is not directed toward the residential district“provided that they shall not be erected within one hundred (100) feet of any residential district unless properly and adequately shielded”Sec. 12.03(a)(1) · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
Allowed, with conditions. 23 confirmed rules: permit required, maximum area, number allowed, minimum setback, permit fee, submit with the application, other limit.
Example: Maximum area40 sq ft“Maximum size banner shall be forty (40) square feet.”Sec. 12.04(a)7 · View source · last checked Nov 13, 2026
39 more lines could not be confirmed by our automatic checks, so no figures are shown for them. A lookup lists them with the section to check.
Before you file in Lancaster
Recent amendments not checkedThe online city code lists two 2026 ordinances (2026-07-29 and 2026-08-31) that amend the Lancaster Development Code and are not yet in the code text. They were not checked and may change these sign rules. Ask the city. Source
Planned developmentsA planned development (PD) is zoned by its own ordinance, which can set its own sign rules. Ask the city which rules apply.
Overlay and design districtsThe Medical, Campus, Lanport, Mills Branch, Downtown Design, Historic Landmark Design and Neighborhood Preservation districts have their own design standards, which may include sign rules not shown here. Ask the city.
Historic Landmark District and Town SquareIn Historic Landmark District A, attached signs have their own size, color and lighting limits and need a Certificate of Appropriateness; Town Square canopy signs follow special size, material and placement rules (Sec. 12.06, 12.11).
Permit fee depends on valuationThe fee schedule sets sign permit fees by the valuation table (Table 1-A); banners, flags and temporary portable signs have a separate flat fee. The fee schedule also mentions a per-face table by sign area that could not be found. Ask the city for the exact fee.
Not legal advice. The city has the final say. Planned developments, master sign plans and special sign districts can override the general sign code. Check the linked section before you file.
Rules are extracted from official city documents by AI and checked automatically, not reviewed by a person. How the checks work