# Sign Regulations in Evansville, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Evansville, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/evansville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/IN/Evansville/#!/html/Evansville18/Evansville18140.html)

## At a glance

Evansville, Indiana regulates 6 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Off-Premises Advertising Signs in the C-2 zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 300 sq.ft., with a EMC 18.130.010 setbacks setback (Sec. EMC 18.140.080(C),(D)). Most commercial signs in Evansville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A, CON, R-1, R-2 | 2 | 6 ft (top of screen from grade) | 18 sq.ft. of 100 sq.ft. allowed (with special use) | — |
| R-3, R-4, R-5, CO-1, CO-2 | 2 | 6 ft (top of screen from grade) | 200 sq.ft. | — |
| C-1 | 2 | — | 300 sq.ft. | — |
| C-2 | 3 | 30 ft | 500 sq.ft. | — |
| C-3 | 2 | — | 150 sq.ft. | — |
| W-R, C-4 | 3 | 50 ft (65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq.ft. | — |
| W-1 | 2 | — | 500 sq.ft. | — |
| M-1, M-2, M-3, W-I | 3 | 50 ft (65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq.ft. | — |
| AIR | 3 | 50 ft (65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq.ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft | 25% of total window area per business use | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General On-Premises Sign | — | 500 sq.ft. | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On-premises only | — | EMC 18.140.080 Table 18.140.080(A) |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | — | 32 sq.ft. of max. area allowed | — | — | 1 per business | On-premises only; must be at least 200 feet from any residence/dwelling | — | EMC 18.140.080(A), (B), (C), (D) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign | 30 ft | 300 sq.ft. | — | EMC 18.130.010 setbacks | — | Off-premises | — | EMC 18.140.080(C),(D) |

### W-R, C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General On-Premises Sign | — | 500 sq.ft. | — | — | 3 per street frontage | On-premises only | — | EMC 18.140.080 Table 18.140.080(A) |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | — | 50 sq.ft. of max. area allowed | — | — | 1 per business | On-premises only; must be at least 200 feet from any residence/dwelling | — | EMC 18.140.080(A), (B) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign | 50 ft (65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq.ft. | — | — | — | Off-premises only | — | EMC 18.140.080(C),(D) |

### M-1, M-2, M-3, W-I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General On-Premises Sign | — | 500 sq.ft. | — | — | 3 per street frontage | On-premises only | — | EMC 18.140.080 Table 18.140.080(A) |
| Electronic Message Sign (EMS) | — | 50 sq.ft. of max. area allowed | — | — | 1 per business | On-premises only; must be at least 200 feet from any residence/dwelling | — | EMC 18.140.080(A), (B) |
| Off-Premises Advertising Sign | 50 ft (65 ft along elevated roads) | 700 sq.ft. | — | — | — | Off-premises only | — | EMC 18.140.080(C),(D) |

## Prohibited signs in Evansville

- Erecting, constructing, enlarging or moving any sign without first obtaining an improvement location permit (sign permit), except as otherwise provided.
- Placing any sign on private or public property without the consent of the owner or agent.
- Placing any sign in or overhanging any public right-of-way or thoroughfare setback, except for publicly owned signs or as allowed by a recorded encroachment permit or thoroughfare permit.
- Allowing a sign to block any type of accessibility, including but not limited to sidewalks and driveways.
- Any portable sign not defined as exempt in section 18.140.030 is prohibited, unless a permitted rigid portable sign or marquee sign subject to additional restrictions.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter.
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic signs or signals to the extent that they create a danger or confusion.
- Signs or displays resembling emergency vehicle lights or equipment signals.
- Signs that hide or obstruct any traffic or roadway sign, signal, or device from view.
- Signs at a location where they interfere with motorist's or pedestrian's view at intersections or materially impede view at railroad crossings.
- Signs containing statements, words, or pictures which are obscene as defined by Indiana Code.
- Signs located in any right-of-way or thoroughfare setback, including projecting signs and signs on utility poles or street signs, except as permitted.
- Signs that obstruct visibility or use of any door, fire escape, stairway, or any opening intended to provide entrance or exit.
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles or trailers except when the sign is an integral part of the functioning vehicle/trailer and not for the primary purpose of sign display (with further listed conditions).
- Properties with an electronic message sign are not eligible to have temporary signs.
- Signs that are improperly illuminated/shielded resulting in glare across property lines or into any thoroughfare.
- Signs that flash in a manner that poses significant distraction to drivers.
- Signs that displace, obstruct, or interfere with the use of a required parking space, or are placed in any parking or access aisle without approval.
- Placement of off-premises signs on unplatted lots or partially developed subdivisions before establishment of required improvements.
- Placement of off-premises signs within 300 feet of the center of designated Greenway Passage paths.
- Electronic message signs are not allowed in historic districts unless on a property in a redevelopment area and subject to design review approval.

## Signs exempt from permit in Evansville

- Name and address identification signs not exceeding two square feet which identify names and addresses of occupants but do not denote commercial activity.
- Flags and insignias of a governmental unit, not-for-profit organization, or church, except in connection with a commercial promotion.
- Integral identification features such as building names, date of erection, commemorative tablets when made an integral part of the structure.
- Public signs placed by or at the instruction of public officers in the performance of their duty, including safety, legal notices, traffic signs, public memorial plaques, historical interest signs, and certain charitable beautification signs (max 18 square feet).
- Emergency signs used by fire or police departments, on- or off-premises.
- Political campaign signs, on- or off-premises.
- Utility marker signs necessary for marking cables and lines for public and private utilities unless determined to be a hazard.
- Sandwich board signs (one per business) for commercial businesses, not exceeding 12 square feet, not illuminated, removed at close of business each day, and not in the public right-of-way unless permitted.
- On-premises directional signs not over four feet high and three square feet in area each.
- Window signs not covering more than 25% of total window area for each business use.
- Real estate signs (with specified quantity, area, content, and duration requirements, varying by district).
- Auction signs (with similar restrictions to real estate signs and limits on area, number, etc.).
- For commercial and not-for-profit organizations: one banner (general, award, or feather type) per property or organization subject to size, time, and, for award banners, BZA exemption determination.
- One pennant, streamer, wind dancer or other inflatable per business or organization, up to 30 consecutive days per year.
- One on-premises garage sale sign (and one off-premises 'lead in' sign if meeting area, time, and placement restrictions).
- Construction signs (max two per property; single-family/duplex, max 9 sq ft per sign; multifamily/nonresidential, max 50 sq ft; must be removed upon certificate of occupancy).
- Sponsorship signs at recreational facilities if placed facing facility structures and visible only to facility users.
- Special event signs meeting area, duration, and event-qualification requirements, after Site Review Committee exemption determination.
- Electronic/digital signs that display time/temperature or gas prices and do not otherwise advertise a product/service.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan detailing the location of any signs not affixed to a building is required as part of sign permit application for on-premises signs.
- Commercial site plans meeting requirements for Site Review Committee (including surveyor certification and multiple distance measurements) are required for off-premises sign permits.
- Sign plans (including engineered structural plans and legal/boundary descriptions) are required for off-premises sign applications.
- Outline of pole location must be indicated on the site at the time of application for off-premises sign permits.
- Award banners are exempt only if the organization presenting the award obtains a determination from the Board of Zoning Appeals at a regular meeting.
- Exemption for special event signs requires a determination by the Site Review Committee that the event qualifies; event must meet listed criteria and receive this classification only one time.
- Approval of Redevelopment Commission is required for all signs in the C-3 district.
- In the AIR district, all signs require approval of the EVAAD; commercial businesses unrelated to the airport must comply with sign requirements for their district.
- Electronic message signs commonly require 'Special Use 13' approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals in specified districts.
- Electronic message signs in historic districts require design review approval by the Redevelopment Commission if allowed.

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

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