Lower Merion, PA Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max duration
- 45 calendar days
- Max size
- 6 square feet
- Curb clearance
- 18 inches minimum
- Property placement
- Owner permission required
- Removal deadline
- 5 days after notice
- Penalty
- Up to $600 per offense
Summary
A garage-sale sign in Lower Merion Township's public right-of-way qualifies as a "temporary sign" under § 133-2.1 and may stay up no more than 45 calendar days, must not exceed six square feet, and cannot sit within 18 inches of the curbline or block a motorist's view of traffic or street signs.
§ 133-2.1. Temporary signs within the public right-of-way. ... ... B. Temporary sign, definition. For purposes of this section, a "temporary sign" is one which promotes a sporadically scheduled event, such as an election or candidates for that election, a fair, a social event, a garage sale and the like, which shall be in place no more than 45 calendar days and which does not exceed six square feet in size. ... ... D. Placement of temporary signs. No temporary sign may be erected: (1) Which would interfere with a motorist's view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, traffic signs, street signs or street numbers. (2) Any part of which is within 18 inches of a curbline. ... ... E. Improperly erected signs. Any sign erected in the public right-of-way which is placed in violation of this section may be removed by the Township or the abutting property owner, if placed without permission, and must be removed by the party responsible for placing the sign within five days of notice from the Township to do so.
Full Breakdown
Section 133-2.1A explains the Board of Commissioners' intent: rights-of-way must stay safe for travel, but they're also a traditional forum for public speech about sporadic local events like a garage sale, so limited temporary signage is allowed under reasonable controls. Subsection D lists six placement bans beyond the 45-day, six-square-foot limit: no interfering with a motorist's view of traffic, traffic signs or street signs; no part within 18 inches of a curbline; none in front of a property without that owner's permission; none on a traffic island or between traffic lanes; none on or in front of public property; and none attached to a permanent pole or structure or otherwise obstructing pedestrians on a sidewalk.
Subsection E lets the Township or the abutting property owner remove a sign placed in violation, and the person responsible must take it down within five days of a Township notice. A decision under this section can be appealed in writing to the Public Works Committee within 10 days under § 133-2.2.
Violations & Fines
A garage-sale sign left up past 45 days, larger than six square feet, or placed within 18 inches of the curb violates § 133-2.1 and can be removed by the Township or the abutting property owner under Subsection E, with the responsible party required to take it down within five days of notice. Beyond removal, Article I's general penalty in § 133-3 allows a fine of up to $600 per offense, enforced by Public Works officials and police under § 133-3.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave a garage sale sign in the right-of-way?
Can I put my garage sale sign right at the curb?
Do I need the property owner's permission to put a sign on their lawn strip?
What happens if I leave the sign up too long?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lower Merion
Compare Lower Merion to another location·View the Pennsylvania sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Garage Sale Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Montgomery County handle garage sale signs.