# Sign Regulations in Auburn, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Auburn, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/auburn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://ci.auburn.in.us/DocumentCenter/View/317/Chapter-150---Unified-Development-Ordinance-PDF#page=157)

## At a glance

Auburn, Indiana regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Event Sign (General Standards)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Typically 6 ft; feathered flag signs may be up to 12 ft (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2) tall and Per zone table; noncommercial typically 32 sq ft; feathered flags up to 12 ft tall (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2), with a Per zone (typically 5 ft; see 5.69 SI-02) setback (Sec. UDO Art. 05: 5.70.L; 5.69 SI-02; 5.68.C.1). Most commercial signs in Auburn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line (parapet allowed) (5.70.A.2) | Per zone table; noncommercial typically 32 sq ft; feathered flags up to 12 ft tall (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2) | — |
| PR, AG, ER, R1, R2, R3, TR, M1A, M1, M2, M3, MH | 4 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 32 sq ft | — |
| AC, IS, C1 | 6 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 42 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Downtown Commercial (DC) | 5 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 32 sq ft | — |
| MX | 4 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 32 sq ft | — |
| C2, I1, I2, HI, PD | 8 | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 150 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General Standards) | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line (parapet allowed) (5.70.A.2) | 10% of facade area | — | — | Up to 4 per establishment where Wall Signs are permitted by zone (see zone tables, 5.69 SI-02) | Permitted on any side of building; may be attached to a parapet wall; not on roofs/chimneys except as may be permitted in DC (5.70.A.1; 5.68.F.1.f) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.68.H; 5.68.F.1.f; 5.68.J; 5.69 SI-02; 5.70.A |
| Under Canopy Sign (General Standards) | — | — | — | — | Allowed only where under-canopy signs are permitted by zone (see DC in 5.69 SI-02) | Oriented perpendicular to sidewalk; visible to pedestrians on sidewalk (5.70.B.1) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.B; 5.68.J |
| Freestanding Sign (General Standards) | — | — | — | See zone-specific setbacks in 5.69 SI-02 | See zone-specific limits in 5.69 SI-02 | Not within utility or drainage easement unless a Utility Service Agreement approval is obtained (5.70.E.3) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.E; 5.68.N.2; 5.68.J; 5.68.O; 5.68.F |
| Drive-Thru Menu Board (General Standards) | 8 ft where specified by zone tables; otherwise per zone (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.G) | — | — | Not in right-of-way; comply with Vision Clearance (5.70.H.5; 5.68.O.1) | Per zone tables (e.g., 2 per drive-thru window; 1 per curbside pick-up station where allowed, 5.69 SI-02) | Adjacent to queue lane for drive-up window; not in ROW; must maintain safe circulation (5.70.G.3; 5.70.H.5-6) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.G; 5.70.H; 5.68.J |
| Directional Device Sign (General Standards) | 36 inches | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | May only indicate vehicular points of entry/exit; not in right-of-way; must not interfere with safe circulation (5.70.H.1,5-6) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.H |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (General Standards) | — | — | — | Per freestanding sign rules and VC standards | One per side of each subdivision entrance (5.70.I.1) | Allowed at each entrance to subdivision – one sign on each side of the street; within a sign easement, common area, or private property (5.70.I.1-2) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.I; 5.68.B.4(d) |
| Inflatable Sign (General Standards) | 12 ft maximum (5.70.K.2) | — | — | Per Temporary Event Sign setback by zone (typically 5 ft) | — | On private property per Temporary Event Sign rules (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.K; 5.70.L; 5.68.B.4 |
| Temporary Event Sign (General Standards) | Typically 6 ft; feathered flag signs may be up to 12 ft (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2) | Per zone table; noncommercial typically 32 sq ft; feathered flags up to 12 ft tall (5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2) | — | Per zone (typically 5 ft; see 5.69 SI-02) | Per zone (typically 1 per street frontage per event/issue/belief for noncommercial; commercial varies by zone) | On private property only (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.L; 5.69 SI-02; 5.68.C.1 |

### AC, IS, C1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; not in easements without approval; comply with Vision Clearance (5.70.E; 5.68.O.1) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (AC/IS/C1 table); 5.70.E; 5.68.J |
| Drive-Thru Menu Board | 8 ft | 42 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft | 2 per drive-thru window | Adjacent to queue lane for drive-up window (5.70.G.3) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (AC/IS/C1 table); 5.70.G; 5.68.J |
| Curbside Pick-Up Station Menu Board | 8 ft (by table for menu boards generally) | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | 5 ft | 1 per curbside pick-up station | Adjacent to curbside service bays (5.70.G.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.70.G.4; 5.68.J; 5.69 SI-02 (AC/IS/C1 table) |
| Wall Sign | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 10% of facade area | — | — | 4 per establishment | Any side of building; parapet allowed (5.70.A.1-2) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02; 5.70.A; 5.68.H |
| Temporary Event Sign - Noncommercial Message | 6 ft; 12 ft for feathered flag signs | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage for each event, issue, or belief | Entirely on private property (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02; 5.70.K.2; 5.70.L.4; 5.68.B.4.c |
| Temporary Event Sign - Commercial Message | — | — | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage | Entirely on private property (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02; 5.70.L.2,5; 5.68.B.4.d |

### C2, I1, I2, HI, PD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (≤ 0.5 acre parcel) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; not in easements without approval; comply with Vision Clearance (5.70.E; 5.68.O.1) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table) |
| Freestanding Sign (> 0.5 and < 1 acre parcel) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; not in easements without approval; comply with Vision Clearance (5.70.E; 5.68.O.1) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table) |
| Freestanding Sign (≥ 1 acre parcel) | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; not in easements without approval; comply with Vision Clearance (5.70.E; 5.68.O.1) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table) |
| Drive-Thru Menu Board | 8 ft | — | — | 10 ft | 2 per drive-thru window | Adjacent to queue lane for drive-up window (5.70.G.3) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table); 5.70.G; 5.68.J |
| Curbside Pick-Up Station Menu Board | 8 ft (by menu board general) | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | 10 ft | 1 per curbside pick-up station | Adjacent to curbside service bays (5.70.G.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table); 5.70.G.4; 5.68.J |
| Wall Sign | May extend no more than 36 inches above roof line; max projection 12 inches (5.70.A.2-3) | 10% of facade area | — | — | 4 per establishment | Any side of building; parapet allowed (5.70.A.1-2) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table); 5.70.A; 5.68.H |
| Temporary Event Sign - Noncommercial Message | 6 ft; 12 ft for feathered flag signs (inflatable signs max 12 ft per 5.70.K) | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage for each event, issue, or belief | Entirely on private property (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table); 5.70.K.2; 5.70.L.4; 5.68.B.4.c |
| Temporary Event Sign - Commercial Message | — | — | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage | Entirely on private property (5.70.L.4) | — | UDO Art. 05: 5.69 SI-02 (C2/I1/I2/HI/PD table); 5.70.L.2,5; 5.68.B.4.d; 5.70.F.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Auburn

- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter
- Signs with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or changing light intensity, brightness, or color more than two times per second
- Signs that project laser light, cast intense visible light beams, or cast laser or projector-created images onto surfaces
- Vehicle signs with cumulative area greater than 8 square feet parked for the primary purpose of displaying the sign (exceptions for discreet overnight/non-business parking, active business use such as deliveries/sales/transport, and customary construction operations)
- Strobe lights, search lights, beacons, or any lights that rapidly flash or project beams skyward or horizontally in a circle, whether part of or independent of a sign
- Signs with moving or movable parts or devices with visibly moving parts
- Any sign displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter
- Signs in a public right-of-way unless authorized by the Board of Public Works and Safety (except as allowed in Section 5.70)
- Signs on any traffic control device, street sign, construction sign, or utility pole
- Permanent signs on fences (except sponsorship banners along playing fields)
- Signs attached to any tree, shrub, or other natural object
- Signs attached to or integrated into telecommunication antennae or towers, television antennae, or similar towers
- Signs attached to or perceived to be attached to roofs or chimneys (except as may be permitted in the DC zoning district), including signs integrated into roofing material
- Signs on a fire escape or placed such that they substantially block view from the right-of-way to a fire door
- Signs that obstruct or interfere with internal or external safe movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- Artificially altering ground elevation, increasing wall height, or creating parapet walls to improve sign height or visibility
- Signs located in areas prohibited by Vision Clearance Standards (VC)
- No sign may block or obstruct any vehicular entrance or exit to a parking lot, vehicular access way, parking space, or pedestrian sidewalk, path, or crosswalk

## Signs exempt from permit in Auburn

- Any allowed sign may display any lawful noncommercial message in lieu of other content, subject to size, height, and other requirements
- Permit exemptions: replacing or altering the message on a changeable copy sign; painting, repairing, cleaning, or maintaining a sign without structural change; noncommercial message signs; portable signs; real estate signs; election signs; subdivision entrance signs; property for lease signs; 'now hiring' signs
- Election signs are exempt from quantity, size, and duration regulations in the Sign Standards; must comply with Indiana Code 36-1-3-11 and the ordinance’s limits (maximum 32 square feet counted on one side; may be installed 60 days prior to an election and must be removed 6 days after; must follow Temporary Sign location standards for the zoning district)
- Home business signs are exempt from the Sign Standards and must comply with the Home Businesses (HB) standards
- Items not considered signs and therefore exempt from Sign Standards (unless noted conditions apply): flags/pennants/insignia of political units (unless integral to a commercial message); outdoor scoreboards used with legally-established sports fields (unless visible from a public street and containing a commercial message); posting of street addresses for identification (unless used as a commercial message); public safety or private property messages up to the standard temporary sign maximum or 4 square feet, whichever is greater; operational limitation/information postings up to 4 square feet; postings required by agencies or law at minimum required size/height; indoor commercial messages; miniscule commercial messages near a primary entrance (each ≤30 square inches; total ≤240 square inches per entrance); holiday decorations (unless integral to a commercial message); street banners approved by the Mayor and installed by the City Street Department; murals without commercial messages; hand-held items with messages carried by a person; memorial items such as historical markers or tablets

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Special Exception is required to install any sign type not allowed by the Article
- Variance of Development Standards is required to install any sign that does not conform to the Article’s standards (e.g., size, height, location)
- Improvement Location Permit is required for all permanent signs unless otherwise specified
- Temporary Improvement Location Permit is required for all temporary event signs unless otherwise specified
- Written approval from the Auburn Board of Public Works and Safety or the easement holder is required before locating a sign within an easement, prior to seeking an Improvement Location Permit
- Electrical permit is required for any illuminated sign; illuminated signs must be connected to permanent electrical service and wiring for newly constructed detached signs must be underground
- Freestanding signs may not be located in utility or drainage easements without a Utility Service Agreement approved by the Board of Public Works and Safety
- Temporary event signs containing a commercial message on non-residential property require a temporary event sign permit (maximum four per establishment per calendar year, 10-day gap between permits, permit effective upon placement and expires at event termination)
- No master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided sections

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Auburn — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Auburn+IN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-auburn

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