# Sign Regulations in Chandler, Indiana

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

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

## At a glance

Chandler, Indiana regulates 22 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Flags in the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-O, R-MH1, R-MH2 zoning district are capped at 25 feet or no higher than highest point of principal building tall and 15 sq ft per flag, with a Principal building setbacks setback (Sec. §174.05(D)(1)). Most commercial signs in Chandler 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 | 6 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Zoning Districts, R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-1D | 6 | 25 feet or no higher than the highest point of the principal building’s roof, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — |
| R-2, R-3, R-4, R-O, R-MH1, R-MH2 | 7 | 30 feet | 100 sq ft | — |
| C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 | 14 | 100 ft above mean level of roof, or max allowed in C-3, C-4 (see table 174.16(C)) | 300 sq ft (Total area of all signs per street frontage) | — |
| M-1, M-2, M-3 | 14 | 100 ft above roof (up to 65 ft above ground along elevated roads per Table 174.16(C)) | 700 sq ft (Total area per street frontage) | — |
| Agricultural District, Conservation District | 6 | 25 ft or not higher than the highest point of principal building roof | 100 sq ft | — |

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

### R-2, R-3, R-4, R-O, R-MH1, R-MH2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 25 feet or no higher than highest point of principal building | 15 sq ft per flag | — | Principal building setbacks | 2 flags, 1 flag pole | Yard setback minimums for principal building | — | §174.05(D)(1) |
| Temporary Sign - General Option | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 general + special event/election/for sale | Owner's property | — | §174.05(B) |
| Banner Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building. Not over right-of-way w/o permit. | — | §174.13 |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Curb, building, mailbox, etc. | — | Sign Table, §174.05(A)(2) |
| Ground or Monument Sign | 30 feet | — | — | — | — | On property, not obstructing traffic or building access | — | §174.09, Sign Table |
| Government Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sign Table |
| Traffic Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sign Table |

### C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | Max 50 ft, but not higher than highest point of nearest principal building’s roof | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Principal building setbacks or 10', whichever more restrictive | Max 6 | Must meet min. yard setback for principal building or 10 ft (whichever greater) | — | §174.05(D)(2) |
| Small Flag - Vehicle Establishments | No more than 2 ft above vehicle height at grade | 1 sq ft per vehicle | — | — | — | On displayed vehicle for sale/rent | — | §174.05(D)(3) |
| Temporary Sign - General Option | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2+ as per special types | On owner's property | — | §174.05(B) |
| Banner Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against the building. Not over ROW w/o permit | — | §174.13 |
| Flat Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft (Total area of all signs per street frontage) | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On building wall | — | Sign Table, §174.10, Table 174.16(A) |
| Roof Sign | 100 ft above mean level of roof, or max allowed in C-3, C-4 (see table 174.16(C)) | Max 40 sq ft total area (definition). May have differing special heights in some districts. | — | — | — | Erected upon/above roof/parapet supported by building | — | §174.14, Sign Table |
| Temporary Sign - Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | Subject to overall sign height | C-1/C-2: 32 sq ft; C-3/C-4: 32 sq ft (main table) or 12.5 sq ft in highway sign, per Table 174.16(C) | — | — | Max 1 EMS | On property, must be at least 200 ft from residence | — | §174.16(A)-(B), Table 174.16(C) |
| Highway Sign (see variations) | C-1,C-2: 30 ft; C-3,C-4: 50 ft (can go to 65 ft along elevated roads) | C-1,C-2: 300 sq ft; C-3,C-4: 700 sq ft | — | Equal to zoning code or controlled access thoroughfare setbacks, whichever stricter. | 2 per street frontage (non-highway); see spacing for highway | Along eligible highways | — | Table 174.16(C), §174.16(C) |

### M-1, M-2, M-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 50 ft or not higher than highest point of nearest principal building roof | 24 sq ft per flag | — | Principal building setbacks or 10', whichever more restrictive | 6 | Must meet principal building yard setback or 10 ft, whichever is more | — | §174.05(D)(2) |
| Small Flag - Vehicle Establishments | No more than 2 ft above vehicle height at grade | 1 sq ft per vehicle | — | — | — | On vehicle for sale/rent | — | §174.05(D)(3) |
| Temporary Sign - General Option | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2+ special cases | On owner's property | — | §174.05(B) |
| Banner Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building. Encroachment permit req'd for ROW. | — | §174.13 |
| Flat Wall Sign | — | 700 sq ft (Total area per street frontage) | — | — | 3 per street frontage | On building wall | — | Sign Table, Table 174.16(A) |
| Roof Sign | 100 ft above roof (up to 65 ft above ground along elevated roads per Table 174.16(C)) | 40 sq ft definition; 700 sq ft total sign area limit on property (per Table 174.16(A)); Specific districts allow taller signs. | — | — | — | On or above roof/parapet wall | — | §174.14, Sign Table |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | Subject to overall sign height for site (50/65 ft highway option) | 50 sq ft EMS (within 700 sq ft allowed); for highway sign, 50 sq ft EMS on 700 sq ft background | — | — | 1 EMS per lot or unified development | On property; at least 200 ft from residence | — | §174.16(A)-(B), Table 174.16(C) |
| Highway Sign | 50 ft (can be up to 65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq ft | — | Equal to zoning code or thoroughfare setbacks | — | Along eligible highways | — | Table 174.16(C), §174.16(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Chandler

- Signs are prohibited in all districts unless authorized under this code or constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required under the code.
- In residential zones or on property used for non-transient residential uses, commercial signs are prohibited except for those properties on which a home occupation or a transient residential use has been approved.
- No signs shall be attached to or placed on a building in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door, nor shall any sign be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape.
- Property owners may not accept a fee for posting or maintaining certain signs; any sign posted or maintained in violation of this provision is prohibited.
- Illumination from signs must be shielded from adjacent properties to prevent glare across property lines or into any thoroughfare.
- The following types and placement of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts: portable signs (except as specifically permitted), signs erected in a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of streets, alleys, or driveways, or designed or positioned to interfere with, obstruct, or be confused with authorized traffic signs, signs posted on public property (including utility poles, lighting fixtures, street signs, benches, and similar fixtures), billboards, signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter, signs that imitate official signs or traffic signals or could mislead/confuse traffic, signs resembling emergency vehicle lights, signs that obstruct or hide any traffic/roadway sign, or the visibility/use of any door/fire escape/stairway or opening intended as entrance or exit, signs located in any right-of-way or thoroughfare setback except pursuant to required permits, vehicle and trailer signs not meeting specified requirements, signs improperly illuminated or shielded resulting in glare onto adjacent property or thoroughfares, flashing signs that significantly distract drivers, parking interference (signs displacing, obstructing, or interfering with required parking or placed in a parking/access aisle without approval), electronic message signs in historic districts, signs containing obscene content as defined by Indiana law.
- Signs that are erected, maintained, or posted by the state, federal, or town government are not subject to these regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Chandler

- Government signs forming the expression of that government are allowed in every zoning district when erected and maintained pursuant to law.
- Traffic control devices on private or public property that comply with the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices are allowed.
- Each property owner may mark their property using address numerals for public safety identification purposes (with size and placement restrictions).
- Signs required by federal, state, or local law to warn of danger or prohibit access are allowed, provided that size and placement limits apply if not defined by regulation.
- Official notices or advertisements posted or displayed by or under the direction of any public or court officer in the performance of official or directed duties are allowed (must be removed no more than 10 days after their purpose has been accomplished).
- Flags adopted by the federal government, State of Indiana, or Town of Chandler may be displayed as provided by law.
- No sign permit is required for signs described in § 174.05 with a total area up to 32 square feet and a maximum height of 8 feet.
- No sign permit is required for official notices or advertisements posted by public/court officers as described above.
- Regulatory signs, including traffic and other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossings, danger, and other necessary, temporary, emergency, or non-advertising signs, do not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must be accompanied by the plans, drawings, and specifications as are necessary to fully advise the Executive Director of the type, size, shape, location, construction, and materials of the proposed sign and the building or structure on which the sign is to be placed.
- Permit approval for certain sign types may be subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, or other entity, as indicated in the Sign Table or code.
- For all roof signs, complete structural plans and details shall be submitted showing the construction of the sign and of the building on which the sign is to be placed.
- Signs not conforming to certain standards or requiring exceptions may require special use permits, Board of Zoning Appeals consideration, or additional sign plan review as shown in Table 174.16 or in the sign type-specific sections.
- Upon relocation or replacement of a sign (such as due to construction or an unsafe condition), a new sign permit and plan may be required, and documentation must be provided.

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

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