# Sign Regulations in Fishers, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fishers, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/fishers
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/fishers-in/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=894#secid-894)

## At a glance

Fishers, Indiana regulates 41 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Sign - Subdivision/Condominium/Apartment Complex Entrances in the residential districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sf per face, with a Minimum 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. Sec. 6.17.6.B (table)). Most commercial signs in Fishers 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 | Lettering height limit defines max sign height; architectural elements may extend 25% above lettering height | Aggregate ≤25% of total window area; illuminated window signs ≤15 sf count toward 25% | — |
| residential districts | 9 | 6 ft | 32 sf per face | — |
| non-residential districts | 22 | 42 inches | 300 sf total on primary frontage; each secondary frontage sign ≤75% of allowable primary sign; primary sign area must be reduced by size of each secondary frontage sign | — |
| PUD District | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sf per face | — |
| special districts encompassing the I-69 highway interchange | 1 | 28 ft (overall height) | 240 sf (per face) | — |
| SR. 37 Corridor | 3 | 28 ft | 240 sf per face | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - General Standards | Lettering height limit defines max sign height; architectural elements may extend 25% above lettering height | — | — | Minimum 5 ft to property line | — | On private property; minimum 5 ft from property line | — | Sec. 6.17.6.A(1)-(5) |
| Wall Sign - General Standards | — | — | — | — | — | Attached flat to or mounted away from but parallel to the building wall; cabinet signs allowed if flush and routed out letters with internal illumination | — | Sec. 6.17.7.A-B(1)-(15) |
| Signs at Site Vehicular Entrances / Drive Lanes | 3 ft (ground mounted) | 4 sf | — | — | — | On private property at vehicular entrances and proximate to drive aisles; horizontal signs on paved areas are exempt from these standards | — | Sec. 6.17.9.C |
| Window Sign | — | Aggregate ≤25% of total window area; illuminated window signs ≤15 sf count toward 25% | — | — | — | First-floor tenant window(s) | — | Sec. 6.17.9.D |
| Pole Banner Sign (Institutional Uses Only) | — | 2 sf | — | — | — | On poles (institutional campuses/grounds) | — | Sec. 6.17.9.E(1)-(2) |
| Official Pond Safety Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Public or private property where required by UDO | — | Sec. 6.17.2.C; Sec. 6.17.5.I |

### residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign - Subdivision/Condominium/Apartment Complex Entrance | 6 ft | 32 sf per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | Either one sign with two faces, or two signs with one face each per subdivision entrance | At intersecting right-of-way defining entrance to subdivision/condominium/apartment complex | — | Sec. 6.17.6.B (table) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign - Interior Neighborhood Entrance (within larger subdivision) | 3 ft | 16 sf per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | Either one sign with two faces, or two signs with one face each | At intersecting right-of-way at entrance to individual neighborhood within larger subdivision | — | Sec. 6.17.6.C (table) |
| Signature Monument Sign - Subdivision/Apartment Complex Entrance | 6 ft | 32 sf per face | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At intersection of two collector streets or higher classification roadways | — | Sec. 6.17.6.D (table) |
| Temporary Post Sign (Residential lots < 3 acres) | 5 ft | 6 sf (each) | — | At least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; outside right-of-way; only in yards with road frontage | 1 per frontage | Residential lots less than 3 acres; 1 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.B (table) |
| Temporary Post Sign (Residential lots ≥ 3 acres) | 6 ft | 32 sf (each) | — | At least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; outside right-of-way; only in yards with road frontage | 1 per frontage | Residential lots 3 acres or more; 1 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.B (table) |
| Temporary Post Sign (Subdivision) | 6 ft | 32 sf (each) | — | At least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; outside right-of-way | 1 per major entrance or 1 per corner of an external intersection | At major entrance, or one per corner of an external intersection (subdivision) | — | Sec. 6.17.8.B (table) |
| Temporary Post Sign (Model Home) | 5 ft | 32 sf (aggregate) | — | At least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; outside right-of-way | 2 per frontage | Model home; 2 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.B (table) |
| Temporary Yard Sign (Residential Lots) | 3 ft | 6 sf (each) | — | At least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; outside right-of-way; only in yards with road frontage; not in medians; not interfering with pedestrian traffic/ADA features | 1 per frontage | Residential lots; 1 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.C (table) |

### non-residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (0–250 ft Property Frontage) | 6 ft | 32 sf per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per lot | Standalone non-residential lot not part of an integrated center | — | Sec. 6.17.6.E (table) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (250–500 ft Property Frontage) | Option 1: 6 ft each; Option 2: one at 8 ft | Option 1: 32 sf each (2 signs); Option 2: one 60 sf sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 2 per lot (same frontage) or 1 larger sign (Option X) | Standalone non-residential lot not part of an integrated center | — | Sec. 6.17.6.E (table) |
| Freestanding Ground Sign (>500 ft Property Frontage) | Option 1: 7 ft each; Option 2: one at 10 ft | Option 1: 45 sf each (2 signs); Option 2: one 90 sf sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 2 per lot (same frontage) or 1 larger sign (Option X) | Standalone non-residential lot not part of an integrated center | — | Sec. 6.17.6.E (table) |
| Integrated Center Sign - Other 5-acre sites along primary arterials | 20 ft | 180 sf per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per qualifying frontage; optional second sign with 50% area reduction if second entrance on primary arterial | Integrated center development along primary arterial; frontage requirement: none | — | Sec. 6.17.6.F (tables and miscellaneous) |
| Integrated Center Sign - Other 5-acre sites along a secondary street | 10 ft | 90 sf per face | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per qualifying frontage | Integrated center development along a secondary street; frontage requirement: none | — | Sec. 6.17.6.F (tables and miscellaneous) |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft (single level bldg); 18 ft (multi-level bldg) | Per Sec. 6.17.7.C and 6.17.7.D | 3 ft (single level bldg); 4 ft (multi-level bldg) | — | 1 per ground floor tenant space or second-floor tenant space with ground floor entrance | Vertically oriented, perpendicular to building facade; individually mounted letters on panel or internal raceway; cabinets allowed if flush with facade and routed letters | — | Sec. 6.17.7.G (table) and Sec. 6.17.7 general provisions |
| Temporary Post Sign (Non-Residential - SR 37/I-69 Frontage) | 10 ft | 64 sf | — | Outside public right-of-way; at least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; only in yards with road frontage; not in medians; no interference with pedestrian/ADA features | 1 per frontage | Non-residential lots with frontage along State Road 37 and Interstate 69; 1 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.D (table); General Temporary Sign Requirements Sec. 6.17.8.A(4) |
| Temporary Post Sign (Non-Residential - Other Frontages) | 6 ft | 32 sf | — | Outside public right-of-way; at least 10 ft from edge of road pavement; only in yards with road frontage; not in medians; no interference with pedestrian/ADA features | 1 per frontage | Non-residential lots along all other frontages; 1 per frontage | — | Sec. 6.17.8.D (table); Sec. 6.17.8.A(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Fishers

- Only signs permitted by Article 6.17 are allowed; all other signs are prohibited unless otherwise stated in the UDO (Sec. 6.17.2.A).
- If a new zoning district is created after enactment, no signs are allowed in that district until Article 6.17 is amended to govern it (Sec. 6.17.2.B).
- It is unlawful to place or alter a sign without first obtaining an approved sign permit unless the sign is exempt; it is also unlawful to deviate from the terms of an issued permit without prior approval (Sec. 6.17.3.A–B).
- No sign with visible moving parts or with flashing, animated, or intermittent illumination (Sec. 6.17.5.A).
- No sign may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device; no rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling emergency lights; no sign may emit sound (Sec. 6.17.5.B).
- No permanent sign may contain fluorescent paint or mirrors that intensify reflected light (Sec. 6.17.5.C).
- No sign (permanent or temporary) may be affixed to any fence, tree, or utility structure (Sec. 6.17.5.D).
- Ribbons, pennants, balloons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, feather flags or similar devices are prohibited unless otherwise allowed in the UDO (Sec. 6.17.5.E).
- No sign structure may obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide air, egress, or ingress (Sec. 6.17.5.F).
- No sign may be placed within the City of Fishers right-of-way except traffic/designation signs or others approved by the City or its designee; limited exemptions exist for government, utility/construction, and immediate public safety signs; violating signs may be removed by the City (Sec. 6.17.5.G).
- No sign may be placed on vehicles or trailers parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign; this does not apply to buses, taxis, or vehicles operating in the normal course of business (Sec. 6.17.5.H).
- Electronic message boards and digital sign panels are prohibited unless otherwise allowed in the UDO (Sec. 6.17.5.I).
- Off-premise signs are prohibited (Sec. 6.17.5.J).

## Signs exempt from permit in Fishers

- Official signs: official traffic, fire, or police signs; temporary traffic-control signs used during construction and maintenance of utility facilities; substructure location and identification signs required to protect facilities; devices and markings of the state Department of Transportation, Director, Council, or other competent public authorities; and notices required by law. Official Pond Safety Signs are considered Official Signs regardless of location/responsibility (Sec. 6.17.2.C).
- Corner stone signs up to 9 square feet per face that are carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent construction and integral to the structure (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Signs on an ATM up to 20% of the entire ATM machine (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Artwork, murals, sculpted elements, and similar as reviewed and confirmed by the Director (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Three flags per site (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Decorations for holidays and special events (note: signs for special events must comply with the Article) (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Changes to sign copy or panel replacement that do not alter or relocate the sign structure (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Maintenance such as painting, repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair that does not include a structural change (Sec. 6.17.4).
- Public safety, traffic control, and other signs established on City-owned property or within the right-of-way that have been reviewed and approved by the City (Sec. 6.17.4).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before placing or altering any sign unless the sign is exempt; changes to an issued permit require prior approval (Sec. 6.17.3.A–B).
- Freestanding signs must include a landscaping plan with the permit application; landscaping around the sign equal to at least the area of one sign face is required and must be at least 50% evergreen shrubs (Sec. 6.17.6.A.1).
- To replace an existing pole sign (within special districts encompassing the I-69 interchange), a written request and permit application must be submitted to the Department for review (Sec. 6.17.6.A.6).
- Signature monuments within a PUD District must be reviewed and approved by the PUD Committee (Sec. 6.17.6.D).
- Temporary signs greater than 32 square feet displayed longer than six months must install landscaping; landscaping plans must be included for review with the sign permit application, and required landscaping must be at least 50% evergreen (Sec. 6.17.8, Temporary Signs Regulations item 4).
- Projecting signs and pedestrian blade signs that project into the right-of-way may require an encroachment permit, proof of insurance, and certified engineered attachment drawings (Sec. 6.17.7.F and 6.17.7.G).
- Feather flags/blade signs and balloon/air-activated signs are not permitted unless approved as part of a Temporary Use Permit (Sec. 6.17.8.H–I).
- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.

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

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