Lower Paxton, PA Sign Regulations: Holiday Displays (2026)

Section 203-1011 of the Lower Paxton Township zoning chapter covers seasonal decorations: noncommercial signs, structures and materials such as air-filled figures, strings of holiday or twinkle lights, ornaments and cut-out figures that are temporarily displayed. They cannot be placed in any way that affects traffic safety or visibility, cannot pose a hazard or threat to public safety, cannot negatively affect surrounding properties and neighbors, and cannot advertise any business sales, marketing, grand opening or other commercial event.

The numbers are short. Maximum height is the height of the main structure on the lot. On the roof of a structure in an agricultural or residential zoning district, decorations cannot extend more than eight feet above the top of the roof. Maximum size and area: no limit. Maximum number: no limit. Allowed in all zoning districts. Duration: not more than 59 days. Permit is not required. Placement is completely on private property and never in the public right-of-way. Decorations can be erected or affixed to the roof, trees, fences and other fixtures, and they can be illuminated or animated. Roof mounting is allowed only in agricultural and residential zoning districts, only if the decoration is securely tethered or secured to minimize movement, and only if it does not exceed eight feet in height.

Two other sections back this up. Section 203-1007(A)(8) exempts holiday decorations displayed for recognized holidays from zoning permit requirements, except where they interfere with traffic safety or in any other way become a safety hazard. Section 203-1004(C)(3) bars strings of bulbs on signs, except as part of a holiday celebration. The general ban on animated signs in § 203-1003(D) does not reach seasonal decorations because § 203-1011 says they can be animated. The 59-day clock is the figure to plan around when decorations go up in the fall and stay through the winter.