# Sign Regulations in Bloomington, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bloomington, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/bloomington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Bloomington/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT4BULIRE_CH4.24TA_4.24.130TAIG)

## At a glance

Bloomington, Indiana regulates 27 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Individual Nonresidential Uses)s in the Mixed-Use District (MS, MN, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH), EM, PO zoning district are capped at 6 ft (MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO), 4 ft (MN) tall and 20 sq ft (street frontage > 30 ft ≤ 50 ft), 30 sq ft (≥ 50 ft < 75 ft), 45 sq ft (≥ 75 ft) (MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO); MN: 15 sq ft per side, with a Min 2 ft from proposed right-of-way or clear public sidewalk zone setback (Sec. 20.04.100(j)(4)(A)-(C), (k)(4)). Most commercial signs in Bloomington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R1, R2, R3, R4, RM, RH, RMH) | 8 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Mixed-Use District (MS, MN, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH), EM, PO | 10 | ≤ 20k sq ft: 6 ft; 20k–49,999 sq ft: 8 ft; ≥50k sq ft: 15 ft. | ≤20,000 sq ft GFA: per above; 20,000–34,999 sq ft: 60 sq ft; 35,000–49,999 sq ft: 75 sq ft; ≥50,000 sq ft: 125 sq ft. Individual tenant panels ≤36 sq ft. | — |
| Downtown Character Overlays (MD-CS, MD-DC, MD-UV, MD-DE, MD-DG, MD-ST), MD District (Mixed-Use Downtown) | 7 | 8 ft | 54 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | Up to 25% of the glass area of any individual window or glass door frame | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District (R1, R2, R3, R4, RM, RH, RMH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Family and Condominium Subdivision) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per entrance or 2 smaller signs | At each subdivision entrance | — | 20.04.100(i)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily, 3–14 units) | — | 24 sq ft per development | — | — | 1 per development | On building(s) within the development | — | 20.04.100(i)(3)(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multifamily, 15+ units) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per vehicle entrance | Per development vehicle entrance | — | 20.04.100(i)(3)(B)i |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily, 15+ units) | — | 24 sq ft per building | — | — | 1 per building | On each building | — | 20.04.100(i)(3)(B)ii |
| Wall Sign (Legal Nonconforming Multifamily, at least 3 units) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On building(s) | — | 20.04.100(i)(5) |
| Wall Sign (Legal Nonconforming Nonresidential Use) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | On building(s) | — | 20.04.100(i)(6)(A), (B), (C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Legal Nonconforming Nonresidential Use, lot ≥ 30 ft street frontage) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 | — | — | 20.04.100(i)(6)(C) |
| Temporary Sign (Multifamily 15+ units and Conforming Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft (freestanding temporary) | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 3 per period | — | — | 20.04.100(i)(9) |

### Mixed-Use District (MS, MN, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH), EM, PO

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Uses and Multi-Tenant Centers) | — | Up to 300 sq ft per tenant (if building < 200,000 sq ft), up to 400 sq ft (if building ≥ 200,000 sq ft) (MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO); Up to 100 sq ft per tenant (MN), minimum 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On lease space or tenant's building wall | — | 20.04.100(j)(2), (k)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 5 sq ft (MN, MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO); MD: See MD section | — | — | — | Tenant lease space | — | 20.04.100(j)(3), 20.04.100(k)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Nonresidential Uses) | 6 ft (MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO), 4 ft (MN) | 20 sq ft (street frontage > 30 ft ≤ 50 ft), 30 sq ft (≥ 50 ft < 75 ft), 45 sq ft (≥ 75 ft) (MS, MM, MC, ME, MI, MH, EM, PO); MN: 15 sq ft per side | — | Min 2 ft from proposed right-of-way or clear public sidewalk zone | See additional_requirements | On lot street frontage | — | 20.04.100(j)(4)(A)-(C), (k)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multi-Tenant Nonresidential Centers) | ≤ 20k sq ft: 6 ft; 20k–49,999 sq ft: 8 ft; ≥50k sq ft: 15 ft. | ≤20,000 sq ft GFA: per above; 20,000–34,999 sq ft: 60 sq ft; 35,000–49,999 sq ft: 75 sq ft; ≥50,000 sq ft: 125 sq ft. Individual tenant panels ≤36 sq ft. | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way or outside sidewalk clear zone | See formula and max in additional_requirements | On street frontage | — | 20.04.100(j)(4)(B)-(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multifamily 15+ units) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per vehicle entrance | Per vehicle entrance | — | 20.04.100(j)(7)(B)i |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily 15+ units) | — | 24 sq ft per building | — | — | 1 per building | On each building | — | 20.04.100(j)(7)(B)ii |
| Temporary Signs | 6 ft (freestanding temp) | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 3 per period for individual nonresidential uses | — | — | 20.04.100(j)(8), (k)(7) |
| Sandwich Board Signs | 4.5 ft | 5 sq ft per sign face | 2 ft 9 in | — | 1 per property, more if >1 tenant (with spacing rule) | On public sidewalk (must be at least 7 ft wide), max 2 ft from building or in tree plot outside sidewalk | — | 20.04.100(k)(9) |

### Downtown Character Overlays (MD-CS, MD-DC, MD-UV, MD-DE, MD-DG, MD-ST), MD District (Mixed-Use Downtown)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential/Main Use) | — | No less than 20 sq ft; no more than 100 sq ft per tenant. Multifamily (over 2 units): Max 24 sq ft. | — | — | — | On tenant lease space or within 5 ft of lease space on upper story | — | 20.04.100(l)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 54 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per tenant per frontage | Adjacent to lease space | — | 20.04.100(l)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign | 4 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft building setback from right-of-way required for sign | Max 1 per property | Front yard, at least 15 ft from public right-of-way | — | 20.04.100(l)(4) |
| Permanent Display Cabinet | 8 ft | 16 sq ft per display | — | — | — | — | — | 20.04.100(l)(5) |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily over 2 units) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On building(s) | — | 20.04.100(l)(2)(A)(iii) |
| Temporary Signs | 6 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per period | — | — | 20.04.100(l)(6) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4.5 ft | 5 sq ft per sign per face | 2 ft 9 in | — | 1 per property, or more with tenants (if spaced) | Public sidewalk (≥7 ft width), max 2 ft from building or in tree plot; not within B-Line Trail right-of-way. | — | 20.04.100(l)(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Bloomington

- No sign or advertising device shall be established, altered, changed, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, divided, enlarged, demolished or maintained except in compliance with Section 20.04.100 (Signs).
- Signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless specifically authorized by another provision of Section 20.04.100 (Signs): Animated signs, bench signs, signs imitating public signs, off-premises signs (with certain exceptions), vehicle signs (used as display and not in regular use), intermittent lights or flashing/blinking signs, pole signs, unpermitted temporary signs including pennants, streamers, balloons, inflatable signs, spinners and feather flags, projecting signs that extend more than twelve inches (except as provided), and unpermitted electronic reader board signs.
- Signs are prohibited in the following locations: Any public easement (unless it is a public sign or further authorized by the City), any public right-of-way (unless expressly permitted), on roofs or extending above the eave, roof line, or parapet (limited exceptions), within a vision clearance triangle, or on any traffic control sign, highway construction sign, fence, railing, utility pole, street sign, tree, or other natural object.
- All freestanding signs must be permanently affixed to the ground.
- Pole signs (mounted on a freestanding pole not part of or attached to a building/structure) are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs and electronic reader boards are prohibited in certain districts such as MD and MN, unless specifically permitted.
- No wall sign (other than an awning or projecting sign) may project more than twelve inches from the facade of a building.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited when the vehicle or trailer is parked continuously in the same general location for the purposes of sign display (unless the vehicle/trailer is in use on a regular basis).
- No sign shall be located in any public easement, public right-of-way, or vision clearance triangle, except as specifically allowed.
- Signs are not allowed on roofs or above the roof line, nor on the vertical portion of a mansard roof unless no vertical wall space is available.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bloomington

- Public signs erected or required by a unit of local, state, or federal government are exempt from sign permit requirements and signage regulations.
- Signs not more than 1.5 square feet in area are exempt from sign permit requirements and signage regulations except Section 20.04.100(f) (Prohibited Sign Locations).
- Temporary signs, within specified size and quantity limits: two signs per property up to five square feet each, and one sign up to eight square feet, in all zoning districts; additional temporary signs for vacant properties or those under construction in nonresidential and mixed-use districts (up to 32 square feet).
- Murals are exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit.
- Window signs not exceeding 25% of the glass area of any window or glass door are exempt from sign permit requirements and do not count toward wall sign allowance.
- Sandwich board signs are exempt from sign permit requirements provided they comply with the standards stated in Section 20.04.100.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted by Section 20.04.100 (Signs).
- No language in Section 20.04.100 indicates the requirement for a master sign plan, general sign plan, or sign variance meeting as a blanket requirement across all zones; sign permits are the primary procedural requirement.
- Certain types of actions, such as sign waivers for right to damages, may require a petition and waivers from all persons with an interest in the site or sign.
- If signage provisions are exceeded (for example, projecting sign length or number of temporary signs), or if a modification to standards is needed, approval processes such as a variance or conditional use may apply, as referenced in general procedural portions of the UDO.
- Changes or replacements of individual tenant panels in a multi-tenant sign do not require compliance of the entire sign but do require a sign permit.

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

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