# Sign Regulations in Fowler, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fowler, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/fowler
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Fowler/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH20TRVE_ARTVSTSTPA_DIV1GE_S20-175OBPASIMA)

## At a glance

Fowler, Indiana regulates 9 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Real Estate Signs in the Local Business District (LB) zoning district are capped at 12 square feet, with a 12 feet from front lot line if detached setback (Sec. Sec. 152.134(A)). Most commercial signs in Fowler require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential District (R-1), Two-Family and Multiple-Family Residential District (R-2) | 3 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Local Business District (LB) | 6 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| General Business District (GB) | 7 | Not higher than the height regulation established for the district (40 feet or 2 stories per Sec. 152.130(A)(4)) | 12 square feet | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 7 | Not higher than the height regulation established for the district (40 feet or 2 stories per Sec. 152.130(A)(4)) | 12 square feet | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Local Business District (LB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May be attached to the building at any point below the roof line | — | Sec. 152.134(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Painted) | — | — | — | — | — | May be painted upon the building | — | Sec. 152.134(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached) | — | 24 square feet | — | Not within the required front yard | — | On the business lot, but not within the required front yard | — | Sec. 152.134(B)(3) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Churches, Institutions, Governmental Purposes) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Freestanding Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | 12 feet from front lot line if detached | 1 per property | Must be attached to the building or, if detached, set back at least 12 feet from the front lot line | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Window or display sign | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |

### General Business District (GB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Including Roof Attachment) | Not higher than the height regulation established for the district (40 feet or 2 stories per Sec. 152.130(A)(4)) | — | — | — | — | May be attached to or painted upon the principal building; if attached to the roof, cannot exceed zone height regs | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(1), 152.130(A)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached) | — | — | — | — | — | On the same lot as the principal building | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | May extend up to 10 feet beyond street lot line, 10 feet minimum height above sidewalk | — | Attached to the principal building or supported wholly from within the lot line, projecting beyond the street lot line up to 10 feet | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(3) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | 25 feet from street lot line; 100 feet from center of any street intersection | — | On a lot not otherwise occupied or used | — | Sec. 152.134(D) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Churches, Institutions, Governmental Purposes) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Freestanding Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | 12 feet from front lot line if detached | 1 per property | Must be attached to the building or, if detached, set back at least 12 feet from the front lot line | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Window or display sign | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |

### Light Industrial District (LI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Including Roof Attachment) | Not higher than the height regulation established for the district (40 feet or 2 stories per Sec. 152.130(A)(4)) | — | — | — | — | May be attached to or painted upon the principal building; if attached to the roof, cannot exceed zone height regs | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(1), 152.130(A)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Detached) | — | — | — | — | — | On the same lot as the principal building | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | May extend up to 10 feet beyond street lot line, 10 feet minimum height above sidewalk | — | Attached to the principal building or supported wholly from within the lot line, projecting beyond the street lot line up to 10 feet | — | Sec. 152.134(C)(3) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | 25 feet from street lot line; 100 feet from center of any street intersection | — | On a lot not otherwise occupied or used | — | Sec. 152.134(D) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Churches, Institutions, Governmental Purposes) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Freestanding Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | 12 feet from front lot line if detached | 1 per property | Must be attached to the building or, if detached, set back at least 12 feet from the front lot line | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Window or display sign | — | Sec. 152.134(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Fowler

- No building or structure shall be erected, altered, or used for any purpose other than a use permitted in the district in which it is located.
- No building or structure shall be altered or used so as to produce greater heights, smaller yards or less unoccupied area, and no building shall be occupied by more facilities than prescribed for the district.
- No lot dedicated to a use shall be reduced in area so that yards, open spaces, and other areas will be smaller than prescribed by this ordinance.
- No building designed principally as a residence shall be remodeled or altered or converted into or used as a business or industrial building, and no building or premises used in whole or part for industrial use shall be used or occupied for residence purposes.
- No fence, wall, sign, shrubbery or other matter shall be permitted, constructed, allowed or maintained upon any lot or in any parkway which obstructs vision from one street to an intersecting street at an approach of 30 feet to the nearest intersecting street line.
- No advertising sign shall be attached to or painted upon any fence or wall.
- No billboard or advertising sign shall be established on a lot not otherwise occupied or used in a General Business or Light Industrial District except by certificate of occupancy from the Board of Zoning Appeals, and they must be set back at least 25 feet from the street lot line and have open clearance of at least 100 feet of the center of any street intersection.
- No sign, fence, barrier, or other installation (except as specified) shall be placed in parkway areas between the street lot line and the traveled portion of the street.
- No accessory building shall be erected or altered nearer than prescribed setback and yard requirements for each district.
- No outside stairway, excepting a fire escape, leading to any part of the premises above the ground floor shall be permitted in Local Business or General Business Districts.
- No permanent part of any building shall extend more than six inches beyond any street lot line in General Business Districts, except for certain specified attachments (e.g., awnings, canopies, marquees, signs) up to ten feet and at least ten feet in height above sidewalk grade.
- The front yard shall not be used for off-street parking nor for any other business purpose in Local and General Business Districts.
- It is prohibited to engage in any use enumerated in Sec. 152.136(B) in any district unless a variance is granted (e.g., nuisances, heavy industry, temporary structures, outdoor theaters, etc.).

## Signs exempt from permit in Fowler

- Signs authorized in a Residential District pursuant to Section 152.056 shall be permitted in all other districts established under this chapter.
- Public utility poles and installations, power lines, attached or detached flagpoles, public water tanks or towers, other public structures, and fences or walls around public grounds are exempt from height regulations.
- Church towers or spires, chimneys associated with the heating system of a building, and private television or radio antennae are exempt from height regulations.
- Steps, porches not exceeding 15 square feet (including any covering or enclosure thereof), walks and driveways, yard lights, necessary public utility facilities, underground sanitary and water installations, fences, landscaping, trees, plant and vegetation, and any other appurtenances not expressly prohibited which are indispensable for the use and enjoyment of the premises are permitted in the front and side yards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No reference is made to a Master Sign Plan or sign plan requirement for signs in any district; sign regulations are established per district and by general regulations.
- Billboards or advertising signs not accessory to a principal use in General Business and Light Industrial Districts require a certificate of occupancy from the Board of Zoning Appeals, limited to one year and renewable.
- Variances for signs or other exceptions can be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals after public notice and hearing.
- Any sign or support for a sign existing in the parkway and any other unauthorized obstruction must be removed or relocated within six months from the effective date of the chapter.

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

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