Penn Hills, PA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Sign limit
- 1 sign, ≤1 sq ft
- Sign type
- Non-illuminated, non-animated only
- Approval needed
- Zoning Hearing Board special exception
- Governing code
- Penn Hills Zoning Code § 1260.07
Summary
Penn Hills, Pennsylvania limits home occupations approved by the Zoning Hearing Board to one non-illuminated, non-animated sign no larger than one square foot, with no other visible change to the property allowed.
There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the building or premises, or other visible evidence of the conduct of such home occupation, other than one sign, non-illuminated and non-animated, not exceeding one square foot in area.
(4) No home occupation shall be conducted in any accessory building.
(5) There shall be no stocking of goods or keeping of an inventory or finished goods in connection with such home occupation. Retail goods must be made to order or selected from catalogues and/or samples, and delivered to customers. There shall be no "over-the-counter" sales of retail or wholesale goods.
(6) No traffic shall be generated by such home occupation in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and any need for parking generated by the conduct of such home occupation shall be met off the street and in other than a required front yard.
(7) No equipment or process shall be used in such home occupation which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off the lot if the occupation is conducted in a single-family residence, or outside the dwelling unit if conducted in other than a single-family residence. In the case of electrical interference, no equipment or process shall be used which creates visual or audible interference in any radio or television receivers off the premises, or causes fluctuations in line voltage off the premises.
(8)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4434863; v5 updated 2025-07-21; through 07-21-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under the Municipality of Penn Hills Zoning Code, § 1260.07's definition of "Home Occupation," a business run from a home in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania requires special-exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board. Once approved, the home occupation may display only one sign, which must be non-illuminated, non-animated, and no larger than one square foot: no other change to the building's or lot's outside appearance is permitted. This is distinct from the separately defined no-impact home occupation category, which bars outside signage entirely.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the one-square-foot sign limit, illuminating or animating a home occupation sign, or making other visible changes to the property can draw a violation notice or special-exception revocation from the Code Enforcement Officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a home business in Penn Hills put up a lit sign?
How big can a home occupation sign be in Penn Hills?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Penn Hills
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Signage Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Allegheny County handle signage rules.