Bristol, PA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)

Temporary window signs in Bristol Borough are governed by § 27-602, subsection 1E. Temporary on-premises signs can be attached to or visible through a window for a period not exceeding 15 days, provided the total area of all such signs does not exceed 75% of the area of the window. The Code states that a sign permit shall not be required for this type of sign. The 75% cap counts every temporary sign together, not each sign alone, so a storefront that stacks several banners in one window shares a single limit.

Permanent window signs are a different category. Section 27-601 defines a WINDOW SIGN as a sign permanently affixed to a storefront window which can be seen through the window, containing only the name of the establishment and the type of establishment. A storefront window is a ground floor or first story window located in the main door to an establishment or on the same side of the building where the main door is located, or in the side of a building which faces a public street, right-of-way, or public parking lot. Table 27-6-B prints a window sign area of not exceeding 4 square feet for each 1 foot of length of the building wall devoted to the principal use, but not to exceed 25% of the total window area of such wall, in the TC, NC, GC, HC-2 and MX column and in the HC-1, II, LI and HI column, and prints N.P. in the R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 and C column.

Section 27-601, subsection 4B, exempts from the chapter's regulations signs applied to the door or window giving the store hours or the name or names of credit or charge institutions when the total area of all such signs does not exceed two square feet. Interior signs placed within a building more than 12 inches from the interior surface of a window or door are exempt under subsection 4K.

In the Historic District of Bristol Borough, subsection 6 requires a certificate of appropriateness from the Borough Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) for any sign for any use, and Section 4 notes an application must be made to the HARB for signs in the Historic District. Temporary signs also cannot be placed so as to obstruct or impair vision or traffic.