# Sign Regulations in Arcadia, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Arcadia, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/arcadia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Arcadia, Indiana regulates 32 sign types across 1 zoning district. Ground Sign (Institutional Uses and Parklands)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a Minimum 15 ft from edge of pavement setback (Sec. § 156.189(A)(4)(a), (d)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 32 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gateway Sign (Subdivision) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance | Per entrance to subdivision | — | § 156.189(A)(3) |
| Ground Sign (Institutional Uses and Parklands) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from edge of pavement | 1 per entrance | Per entrance, minimum 15 ft from edge of pavement | — | § 156.189(A)(4)(a), (d) |
| Temporary Agricultural Product Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from edge of pavement; not in vision clearance area | 1 | On property where agricultural product is raised | — | § 156.188(A)(2) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sales Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from edge of pavement; not in vision clearance area | 1 | On subdivision property being sold | — | § 156.188(A)(3) |
| Portable Sign (Temporary) | 9 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | For grand openings or special promotions | — | § 156.188(B)(3) |
| Ground Sign (PS-03) | 9 ft | 80 sq ft (ground sign max) | — | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 156.189(C)(1)-(4), (7) |
| Freestanding Sign (PS-04) | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 156.189(D)(4), (6), (8) |
| Freestanding Sign (PS-05) | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot | Min. 10 ft from right-of-way | — | § 156.189(E)(4), (6), (8) |

## Prohibited signs in Arcadia

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign, or change the permanent copy on an existing sign structure within the jurisdiction of the town's Advisory Plan Commission, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit from the Plan Commission, except as otherwise provided.
- Signs that utilize any motion picture, laser or visual projection of images or copy in conjunction with any business or advertisement are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that purport to be or imitate, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or which bear the words 'stop', 'slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning' or similar words are prohibited.
- Signs that may be construed as a light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle are prohibited.
- Signs that hide from view any traffic or roadway sign, signal or device are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with the vision clearance area are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or any opening intended to provide entrance or exit for any building or structure are prohibited.
- Any sign that is not expressly permitted in this subchapter is prohibited.
- No illuminated sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights, nor shall any device be utilized which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, or give such illusion.
- The direct or reflected light from a primary light source shall not create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and/or private roadways.
- The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed such that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to the surrounding properties. No light shall shine directly onto adjacent property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Arcadia

- Flags of any country, state, unit of local government, institution of higher learning or similar institutional flags are exempt. No commercial messages or logos are permitted on such flags.
- Names of building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and similar signs when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure are exempt. No commercial messages or logos are permitted on such integral signs.
- Public signs of a non-commercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of public officer(s) in the performance of public duty, such as signs to promote safety, no trespassing, or traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest and signs directing people to public and quasi-public facilities are exempt.
- Utility signs are permitted to mark cables and lines for public and private utilities, except if determined to be a hazard by the Plan Commission.
- Seasonal or holiday signs, including lighting erected in connection with observance of holidays, provided that such signs shall be removed no later than 30 days following the holiday, are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before any person may erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign, or change the permanent copy on an existing sign structure within the town's jurisdiction, except as otherwise provided.
- Applications for a sign permit must include the name and address of the property owner and sign owner, legible drawings and descriptions of the sign location, and list all signs on the same parcel or owned by the same business.
- Exempt signs, normal maintenance, and change of copy on certain signs do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary signs generally require a temporary sign permit unless otherwise specified.
- All permanent signs require a permit unless otherwise specified.

## Full detail

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

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