# Sign Regulations in Batesville, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Batesville, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/batesville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://batesvilleindiana.us/download/batesville-ordinance-zoning-map-update/)

## At a glance

Batesville, Indiana regulates 67 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign: Monument Signs (Business Districts)s in the Business Districts (B1, B2, B3, B4) zoning district are capped at ≤12 ft to top of design embellishments; sign face between 2 ft and 10 ft above grade tall and 60 sq ft, with a ≥3 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. 6.4(I)(18)(b)-(c); 6.4(H)(4)). Most commercial signs in Batesville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Up to 30 ft without improvement location permit; above 30 ft requires permit | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R1, R2, R3, R4) | 12 | 45 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | 16 | 45 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B1, B2, B3, B4) | 29 | Sign height ≤80% of vertical dimension of sign band/wall space | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for identifying tenants/occupants of suites ≤5,000 sq ft) | — |
| Industrial Districts (I1, I2) | 20 | ≤80% of sign band/wall space vertical dimension | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for small tenants ≤5,000 sq ft) | — |
| Mixed-Use Districts | 19 | ≤80% of sign band/wall vertical dimension | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for small tenants ≤5,000 sq ft) | — |
| Downtown District (DT) | 4 | 45 inches | 32 sq ft (Nonresidential District column applies if treated as nonresidential) | — |
| Unit Development Plan District (UD) | 5 | 45 inches | 32 sq ft (Nonresidential District column applies if treated as nonresidential) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Business Districts (B1, B2, B3, B4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Uses - 1 Story Buildings) | Sign height ≤80% of vertical dimension of sign band/wall space | Minimum 32 sq ft per tenant wall sign; maximum per calculated sign allowance | Sign length ≤80% of horizontal length of exterior elevation of tenant suite | — | Per tenant suite; can be placed on multiple elevations within allowance | On any exterior wall of tenant/user suite | — | 6.4(I)(4)(a)-(f); 6.4(H)(2)(b); 6.4(H)(1)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign: Monument Signs (Business Districts) | ≤12 ft to top of design embellishments; sign face between 2 ft and 10 ft above grade | 60 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | 1 per 100 ft frontage; +1 per additional 300 ft; spacing ≥100 ft | Onsite; lot/parcel with minimum 100 ft street frontage | — | 6.4(I)(18)(b)-(c); 6.4(H)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign: Tower Signs | 15 ft | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for identifying tenants/occupants of suites ≤5,000 sq ft) | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | ≤1 per 500 ft; total freestanding signs ≤1 per 300 ft | Retail centers exceeding 40 acres (Business Districts) | — | 6.4(I)(19); 6.4(H)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign: Directory Signs | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | ≥75 ft from perimeter property line (except where noted) | 1 per 4 tenants/uses | Onsite within landscape islands/pedestrian areas | — | 6.4(I)(23); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Onsite Traffic Directional Signs | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | ≥25 ft from right-of-way | As necessary | Assist vehicular movement onsite; not within required perimeter landscape area | — | 6.4(I)(20); Table 6-5 |
| Temporary Signs (General - Nonresidential District Column Applies) | Freestanding: 6 ft; Wall: 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way; 15 ft spacing | Max 4 per parcel | On private property; not on public sidewalk/right-of-way; not within sight visibility triangle | — | Table 6-1 |
| A-Frame/T-Frame Signs (Temporary) | 45 inches | — | 31 inches | ≥5 ft from roadway | Up to 4 per business (combined with flying banners) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade; allowed on public sidewalk/right-of-way | — | 6.4(G)(2); Table 6-2 |
| Flying Banner Signs (Temporary) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥4 ft from curb or equal to sign height (whichever greater) | Up to 4 per business (combined with A-Frame/T-Frame) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade | — | 6.4(G)(4); Table 6-2 |

### Industrial Districts (I1, I2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign: Monument Signs | ≤12 ft to top of embellishments; sign face 2–10 ft above grade | 60 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | 1 per 100 ft frontage; +1 per additional 300 ft | Onsite; minimum 100 ft street frontage | — | 6.4(I)(18)(b)-(c); 6.4(H)(4); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Tower Signs | 15 ft | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for small tenants ≤5,000 sq ft) | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | Per frontage limits | Sites abutting a freeway and exceeding 40 acres (Industrial Districts) | — | 6.4(I)(19); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Directory Signs | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | ≥75 ft from perimeter property lines (except as noted) | 1 per 4 tenants/uses | Onsite | — | 6.4(I)(23); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Onsite Traffic Directional Signs | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | ≥25 ft from right-of-way | As necessary | Onsite; not in required perimeter landscape area | — | 6.4(I)(20); Table 6-5 |
| Temporary Signs (General - Nonresidential District Column Applies) | Freestanding: 6 ft; Wall: 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft from right-of-way; 15 ft spacing | Max 4 per parcel | On private property | — | Table 6-1 |
| A-Frame/T-Frame Signs (Temporary) | 45 inches | — | 31 inches | ≥5 ft from roadway | Up to 4 per business (combined with flying banners) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade; allowed on public sidewalks/right-of-way | — | 6.4(G)(2); Table 6-2 |
| Flying Banner Signs (Temporary) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥4 ft from curb or equal to sign height (whichever greater) | Up to 4 per business (combined with A-Frame/T-Frame) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade | — | 6.4(G)(4); Table 6-2 |
| Banner Signs (Temporary) | 8 ft if freestanding | Per Table 6-2 (up to 180 sq ft per side for large occupancies) | — | 3 ft if ground sign | 1 | On premises | — | 6.4(G)(3); Table 6-2 |

### Mixed-Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign: Monument Signs | ≤12 ft (embellishments) and sign face between 2–10 ft above grade | 60 sq ft | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | 1 per 100 ft; +1 per 300 ft; spacing ≥100 ft | Onsite; minimum 100 ft street frontage | — | 6.4(I)(18)(b)-(c); 6.4(H)(4); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Tower Signs | 15 ft | 80 sq ft (+20 sq ft for small tenants ≤5,000 sq ft) | — | ≥3 ft from right-of-way | Per frontage limits | Sites abutting a freeway and exceeding 40 acres (Mixed-Use Zoning Districts) | — | 6.4(I)(19); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Directory Signs | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | ≥75 ft | 1 per 4 tenants/uses | Onsite | — | 6.4(I)(23); Table 6-5 |
| Freestanding Sign: Onsite Traffic Directional Signs | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | ≥25 ft from right-of-way | As necessary | Onsite; not in required perimeter landscape area | — | 6.4(I)(20); Table 6-5 |
| Temporary Signs (General - Nonresidential Column Applies) | Freestanding: 6 ft; Wall: 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | ≥10 ft; 15 ft spacing | Max 4 per parcel | On private property | — | Table 6-1 |
| A-Frame/T-Frame Signs (Temporary) | 45 inches | — | 31 inches | ≥5 ft from roadway | Up to 4 per business (combined with flying banners) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade; allowed on public sidewalk/right-of-way | — | 6.4(G)(2); Table 6-2 |
| Flying Banner Signs (Temporary) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥4 ft from curb or equal to sign height | Up to 4 per business (combined with A-Frame/T-Frame) | Adjacent to parcel/business; at grade | — | 6.4(G)(4); Table 6-2 |
| Banner Signs (Temporary) | 8 ft if freestanding | Per Table 6-2 by occupancy size (up to 180 sq ft per side for >50,000 sq ft) | — | 3 ft if ground sign | 1 | On premises | — | 6.4(G)(3); Table 6-2 |

## Prohibited signs in Batesville

- Abandoned signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Animated, blinking, flashing, moving, rotating, or scrolling-text signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Balloon or inflatable signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Billboards or off-premise advertising signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Pole signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Reflective signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Signs attached to or painted on trees or natural features are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Signs within the right-of-way are prohibited unless protected by state statute or specifically permitted in this chapter (e.g., with an encroachment permit for projections)
- Signs installed, attached to, or painted on fences are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Signs or sign support structures obstructing a means of egress (fire escapes, windows, door openings, stairways, exits, walkways), any utility access, or fire department connection are prohibited
- Signs interfering with any opening required for ventilation are prohibited
- Signs resembling traffic control device signs are prohibited unless protected by state statute or otherwise allowed in this chapter
- Signs with exposed raceways are prohibited
- Snipe or bandit signs are prohibited
- Unlawful vehicle signs are prohibited
- Signs are prohibited within sight visibility triangles, except appropriately placed traffic control device signs
- Signs on public property are illegal unless required by state law or otherwise permitted by this chapter and are subject to confiscation
- Unless specifically exempted, it is unlawful to construct, install, attach, place, paint, alter, relocate, or otherwise maintain any sign without first obtaining a sign permit according to this chapter
- For permanent signs: exposed light sources are prohibited except for marquee signs; flashing, blinking, reflective, animated, or rotating lights, or signs with intermittent or varying intensity of illumination are prohibited except for changing message displays and marquee signs

## Signs exempt from permit in Batesville

- Government signs, including signs erected by the City for government purposes, are exempt from this chapter
- Signs located entirely inside the premises of a building or enclosed space, other than window signs, are exempt from this chapter
- Signs on a vehicle, other than an unlawful vehicle sign, are exempt from this chapter
- Signs protected by state statute are exempt from this chapter
- Traffic control device signs are exempt from this chapter
- Maintaining legal signs is allowed without a permit (like-for-like repair or replacement that does not change color, size, design, or style)
- Replacement of a tenant sign panel with the same design on an approved sign structure with removable panels does not require a permit

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign program is required for all projects consisting of multi-tenant buildings, nonresidential complexes with multiple buildings, or large-scale mixed-use developments
- Signs subject to an approved comprehensive sign program that comply with this chapter may be approved administratively by the Administrator (viewpoint-neutral)
- The Plan Commission may approve a master sign plan as an alternative to 6.4(I) Permanent Sign Types for: multiple-tenant commercial/office/employment uses; a multiple-building complex for a single commercial/employment use exceeding 40 net acres; stand-alone office/employment buildings exceeding 100,000 sq ft; indoor or outdoor entertainment and recreation uses; auto malls; hospitals; hotels/commercial lodging with at least 150 guest rooms and a full-service restaurant or conference/meeting rooms; regional retail shopping malls
- The Plan Commission may attach conditions to a master sign plan to avoid material detriment; decisions must not be based on message content
- Master sign plan evaluation criteria include placement, quantity, size (no freestanding sign may exceed maximum height by >50% and no wall sign may exceed maximum area by >25%), design features/materials, and development standards (may not reduce any sign development standard to less than 50% of any minimum standard nor increase by more than 100% of the maximum)
- The Administrator may administratively approve minor amendments to a master sign plan involving non-communicative activity with little or no visual impact consistent with the original approval
- Applications for permanent signs may be approved by: a comprehensive sign program; a master sign plan; or a separate sign permit approved by the Administrator; the Plan Commission considers applications except those subject to administrative approval
- For wall signs on one-story buildings, approval is required through a comprehensive sign program and/or a master sign plan if the building is multi-tenant or otherwise meets criteria for such review
- For wall signs on two-story buildings, approval is required through either a comprehensive sign program or a master sign plan
- For wall signs on buildings three or more stories, approval is required through either a comprehensive sign program or a master sign plan; top-floor wall sign maximums cannot be increased through a comprehensive sign program or master sign plan
- For wall signs on buildings one or more stories (general rule), approval is required through a comprehensive sign program or master sign plan; top-floor wall sign maximums cannot be increased through a comprehensive sign program or master sign plan
- Exposed neon tube type illumination is allowed only in Commercial Districts and only with administrative approval under a comprehensive sign program or master sign plan
- Projecting roof sign heights greater than the 25% cap may be approved by the Plan Commission through a comprehensive sign program, master sign plan, or a design review application when the sign is incorporated into building architecture (not to exceed 30% above roofline/parapet)
- Marquee signs must be approved by the Plan Commission as part of a design review application, a comprehensive sign program, or a master sign plan
- Flagpoles for nonresidential properties must be depicted on final design review plans or approved administratively as part of a sign plan
- Temporary signs at the perimeter of a multiple-tenant commercial/office complex or employment park may be allowed only pursuant to an approved sign plan

## 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 8 zoning districts in Batesville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Batesville+IN&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-batesville

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