# Sign Regulations in Anderson, Indiana

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Anderson, Indiana, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Anderson, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/anderson
- **Data last verified:** 2024-12-12
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cityofanderson.com/DocumentCenter/View/46/Title-XV---Land-Usage?bidId=)

## At a glance

Anderson, Indiana regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Home occupations in the Residential zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 3 sq ft, and Not specified wide (Sec. § 160.67(A)(1), (2)). Most commercial signs in Anderson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential | 3 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | No |
| Commercial | 17 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | Yes |
| Industrial | 15 | 35 ft from street surface | 300 sq ft | Yes |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home occupation | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Residential zoning districts | No | § 160.67(A)(1), (2) |
| Subdivision or multiple-family entrance | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Residential zoning districts | No | § 160.67(A)(1), (2) |
| Temporary | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Residential zoning districts | No | § 160.67(A)(1), (2) |

### Commercial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing business | 25 ft | 125 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Shopping center | 35 ft | 250 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Shopping center outlot | 20 ft | 125 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Directional | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Temporary construction | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Temporary real estate or leasing | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Billboard | 35 ft from street surface | 300 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |
| Ground or monument | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Commercial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.68(A) |

### Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing business | 25 ft | 125 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Industrial ground | 5 ft | 250 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Industrial park | 5 ft | 64 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Directional | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Temporary construction | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Temporary real estate or leasing | 10 ft | 64 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Temporary directional | 2 ft | 2 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |
| Billboard | 35 ft from street surface | 300 sq ft | Not specified | — | — | Industrial zoning districts | Yes | § 160.69 |

## Prohibited signs in Anderson

- Signs bearing statements, words, or pictures of obscene and indecent character.
- Signs resembling or imitating highway traffic signs or signals.
- Signs with flashing, revolving, rotating, swinging, or moving parts (except electronic message signs with static images for 8 seconds and 2-second transitions).
- Signs interfering with, imitating, or obstructing authorized traffic signals, signs, or devices.
- Inactive or abandoned signs.
- Deteriorated, leaning, derelict, or structurally unsafe signs.
- Signs on trees or light poles (except on-premise with license).
- Signs on telephone or light poles on city streets, right-of-ways, alleys, or sidewalks (unless erected by the city or allowed by license).
- Signs obstructing ingress/egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or exits.
- Unlawfully erected or maintained signs.
- Vehicular signs not used in day-to-day business operations or vehicles parked for signage purposes.
- Rate, price, and sandwich signs.
- Temporary signs (except as permitted).
- Roof signs (except as permitted).
- Mobile or portable signs in B-6 districts.
- Neon used on wall signs abutting residential uses in B-6 districts.
- Signs placed on vehicles parked on public or private property for advertising purposes (except lawful deliveries, sales, or service vehicles during normal business hours or permanently affixed signs on business property, excluding overnight parking).
- Any sign not expressly designated as permissible under certain conditions.
- Billboards mounted to structures other than a single pole.
- Signs inactive for more than one year or in disrepair.
- Temporary signs placed on vehicles on public or private property for the purpose of displaying a business or product. This does not include lawful deliveries, sales, or service, which are customarily and/or regularly made during normal business hours. However, owner may park a vehicle with a permanently affixed sign on property exclusively used for the business operated by the owner. This is not to be construed to allow overnight parking on public right-of-ways or off-site parking areas.
- Any sign not expressly designated as permissible under certain conditions.
- Off premise advertising or wall billboards.
- Pennants, banners, streamers and wind signs
- Portable signs, whether free-standing or mounted on or otherwise affixed to a trailer or motor vehicle
- Statuary utilized and intended for commercial advertising purposes.
- Balloon and similar lighter-than-air or gas filled advertising devices.
- Beacon, strobe and similar flashing or animated light devices.
- Signs within a public right-of-way, except official governmental and public signs and projecting, awning, and canopy signs as regulated herein.
- Signs which obstruct or otherwise interfere with official signs and traffic devices.
- Signs which resemble official signs and traffic devices unless such signs are necessary for internal traffic circulation on the site.
- Signs affixed to utility poles, light standards, and public transportation or school bus shelters or benches.
- Signs on natural features such as trees and rocks.
- Commercial advertising other than temporary signs for a contractor doing work on the affected premises.
- Streamers and wind signs.
- Portable and/or flashing signs, whether free-standing, or mounted on or otherwise affixed to a trailer or motor vehicle.
- Commercial advertising other than temporary signs for a contractor doing work on the affected premises.
- Balloon and similar lighter-than-air or gas filled advertising devices.
- Beacon, strobe and similar flashing or animated light devices.
- Advertising or billboard signs.
- Signs within a public right-of-way, except official governmental and public signs and projecting, awning, and canopy signs as regulated herein.
- Signs which obstruct or otherwise interfere with official signs and traffic devices.
- Signs which resemble official signs and traffic devices unless such signs are necessary for internal traffic circulation on the site.
- Signs affixed to utility poles, light standards, and public transportation or school bus shelters or benches.
- Signs on natural features such as trees and rocks.
- Billboards mounted to structures other than a single pole.
- Signs inactive for more than one year or in disrepair.
- Beacon, strobe and similar flashing or animated light devices.
- Signs that are unlawfully erected.
- Temporary signs placed on vehicles on public or private property for the purpose of displaying a business or product. This does not include lawful deliveries, sales, or service, which are customarily and/or regularly made during normal business hours. However, owner may park a vehicle with a permanently affixed sign on property exclusively used for the business operated by the owner. This is not to be construed to allow overnight parking on public right-of-ways or off-site parking areas.
- Any sign not expressly designated as permissible under certain conditions.
- Off premise advertising or wall billboards.
- Pennants, banners, streamers and wind signs
- Portable signs, whether free-standing or mounted on or otherwise affixed to a trailer or motor vehicle
- Statuary utilized and intended for commercial advertising purposes.
- Balloon and similar lighter-than-air or gas filled advertising devices.
- Beacon, strobe and similar flashing or animated light devices.
- Signs within a public right-of-way, except official governmental and public signs and projecting, awning, and canopy signs as regulated herein.
- Signs which obstruct or otherwise interfere with official signs and traffic devices.
- Signs which resemble official signs and traffic devices unless such signs are necessary for internal traffic circulation on the site.
- Signs affixed to utility poles, light standards, and public transportation or school bus shelters or benches.
- Signs on natural features such as trees and rocks.
- Off premise advertising or wall billboards.
- Pennants, banners, streamers and wind signs1.
- Portable signs, whether free-standing or mounted on or otherwise affixed to a trailer or motor vehicle3.
- Statuary utilized and intended for commercial advertising purposes.
- Balloon and similar lighter-than-air or gas filled advertising devices.
- Beacon, strobe and similar flashing or animated light devices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Anderson

- Flags of any unit of government, institution of higher learning or church are not considered banners.
- Address name plates.
- Residential signs.
- Non-illuminated directional signs placed more than ten feet from right-of-way and property lines.
- Public service signs.
- Real estate sales or lease signs.
- Traffic and safety signs.
- Temporary signs placed for two weeks or less.
- Signs exempted by Indiana Code or Federal Law.
- Municipal government, municipal government sponsored activities, government approved non-profit organizations or public schools are exempt from paying any fees for banner and mobile signs

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Anderson, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Anderson+IN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-anderson

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