Sign Regulations in Allentown, PA (2026)
6 verified sign regulations for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Political signs affixed to a utility pole or streetlight standard in Allentown may go up no earlier than 45 days before an election and must come down within seven days after. Signs are capped at 30 inches tall by 24 inches wide, cannot use nails or adhesive backing, and sponsors must register with the Zoning Office.
Allentown Political Signs: 45-Day Window, 7-Day Removal
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code of Ordinances § 505-3.A
Political signs may not be posted to a utility pole or streetlight standard earlier than 45 days prior to an election. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the election.
Garage Sale Signs
Yard or garage sale signs in Allentown may be affixed to a utility pole or streetlight standard no more than three days before the sale and must come down within 24 hours after it ends. Every sign must list the sale's address and date, and none may exceed 30 inches by 24 inches or use adhesive backing.
Allentown Garage Sale Signs: 3 Days Before, 24-Hr Removal
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code of Ordinances § 505-1, § 505-2.H and § 505-3.C
YARD OR GARAGE SALE SIGN: Any temporary sign announcing an upcoming public sale or items taking place at a private residence... No yard or garage sale sign which does not include the address and date of the sale may be posted... Yard or garage sale signs may not be affixed to a utility pole or streetlight standard earlier than three days prior to the sale advertised. Such signs shall be removed...
Holiday Displays
Allentown's zoning performance standards ban flashing, flickering, or strobe lighting on any sign or light source citywide, but Zoning Ordinance § 660-82.J(4) carves out seasonal holiday lights, letting them run only between October 25 and January 10 each year. Outside that roughly eleven-week window, the same flicker ban applies to holiday displays like any other lighting.
Allentown Exempts Holiday Lights From Flicker Ban
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-82.J(4) (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Flickering. Flashing, flickering or strobe lighting are prohibited, except for seasonal holiday lights between October 25 and January 10.
Digital Billboards
Digital billboards in Allentown are legal only as conversions of existing off-premise outdoor advertising signs, and only if they meet the full dynamic-display rulebook of § 660-105: no full-motion video, a minimum 10-second dwell time between messages (six seconds near I-78/US-22), and a one-second, effects-free transition.
Allentown Digital Billboards: 10-Second Dwell, Nits Capped
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance §§ 660-104.A(5) and 660-105.A(1)-(3) (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
(5) Dynamic display. An existing off-premise outdoor advertising sign may be converted to a dynamic display only if: (a) The dynamic display complies with the regulations of § 660-105; and (b) The off-premises outdoor advertising sign would be able to meet all of the current requirements that apply to off-premise outdoor advertising signs as if the outdoor advertising off-premises sign would be...
Window Signs
Citywide, Allentown allows non-illuminated and neon window signs in every zone without a permit, but § 660-97.J caps how much glass they can cover: no more than 25% of the window area, including window space in doors, which counts toward that limit.
Allentown Window Signs Capped at 25% of Glass
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-97.J (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Window signs. Non-illuminated signs displayed inside a window or on a window (decal or painted) and neon signs displayed inside a window are allowed in all zones. Such signs may not cover more than 25% of the subject window area. Window areas included in doors are subject to this regulations and are included in calculation of maximum allowed coverage. Internally illuminated window signs in exce...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Off-premise billboards facing Interstate 78 or U.S. Route 22 in Allentown get special treatment under § 660-104.A: a taller allowance when the sign sits below the highway grade, and a far larger sign-area cap, 672 square feet instead of the citywide 300, if the billboard is within 200 feet of the right-of-way and oriented toward those roads.
Allentown Billboards Near I-78/US-22 Get Bigger Size Cap
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-104.A(2), (4) (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
(2) Height. Off-premise outdoor advertising signs are limited to a maximum height of 30 feet. However, for off-premise outdoor advertising signs located adjacent to and directed toward an interstate highway and where the lot is below the grade of the highway that the sign is directed towards, then the total maximum height may be 25 feet above the grade of the highway centerline. ... (4) Sign ar...
Looking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
Sign Regulations in Lehigh County →