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Franklin Township, PA Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

Light Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Size limit: 4 square feet
Removal deadline: Within 48 hours of sale's end
Permit: None required, exempt under § 27-2003.1.G
Placement exception: Allowed on trees/poles, § 27-2001.1.I
General standards still apply: § 27-2001 (no flashing, no ROW)
Enforcement: Zoning Officer, § 27-2002

Summary

Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, exempts temporary yard or garage sale signs from a zoning permit under Code § 27-2003, but caps each sign at four square feet and requires it to come down within 48 hours of the sale's end. The sign must still meet the Township's general sign standards in § 27-2001.

1. No permit shall be required before erecting any of the following signs, provided they conform to all the provisions established under §§ 27-2001 and 27-2008. ... ... G. Temporary yard or garage sale signs not exceeding four square feet in area and are removed within 48 hours of the completion of the sale.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Section 27-2003, Exempt Signs, lists the categories of signage that do not need a Township permit, provided they still conform to §§ 27-2001 and 27-2008. G covers temporary yard or garage sale signs specifically: they may not exceed four square feet in area, and they must be removed within 48 hours of the completion of the sale. That is a tighter removal window than several other exempt sign categories: a temporary real estate sign gets 14 days after a signing, and a temporary contractor sign gets 14 days after work is finished, while a garage sale sign has only two days.

Because the sign is exempt rather than unregulated, it still has to satisfy § 27-2001's general standards, meaning it cannot flash, move or be lit in a way that distracts motorists, and it cannot be placed within a street right-of-way. I singles out 'temporary removable yard or garage sale signs' as an exception to the Township's general ban on posting signs to trees and poles.

Violations & Fines

A garage sale sign larger than four square feet, one left up beyond 48 hours after the sale ends, or one that flashes or is otherwise placed contrary to § 27-2001, is a sign-code violation. The Zoning Officer can order it removed under § 27-2002, and repeated or unaddressed violations expose the property owner to a civil judgment of up to $500 per day plus court costs under § 27-2304.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a garage sale sign?

No. Section 27-2003.1.G exempts temporary yard or garage sale signs from the Township's sign permit requirement, as long as the sign is four square feet or smaller and still conforms to the general standards in § 27-2001, such as not flashing or blocking a street right-of-way.

How long can I leave my garage sale sign up?

Only until 48 hours after the sale ends. Section 27-2003.1.G sets that removal deadline, which is far shorter than the 14 days the Township allows for real estate or contractor signs, so pull the sign down promptly once the sale is over.

Can I attach my sign to a utility pole or tree?

Yes, for a garage sale sign specifically. Section 27-2001.1.I bans posting signs on trees, utility poles or natural features generally, but it expressly exempts removable political signs and temporary removable yard or garage sale signs from that ban.

How big can the sign be?

No larger than four square feet under § 27-2003.1.G. That is smaller than the six-square-foot allowance the Township gives temporary real estate, contractor and political signs, so measure the sign face carefully before posting it at the curb.

Sources & Official References

[1]Franklin Township Code, Chapter 27 (eCode360)

Other rules in Franklin Township

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Digital BillboardsHeavy Restrictions Political SignsLight Restrictions Window SignsSome Restrictions Holiday DisplaysLight Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant Restrictions Landscaping Rules: Native PlantsFew Restrictions

All Franklin Township rules

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