# Sign Regulations in Goshen, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Goshen, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/goshen
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://goshenindiana.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/15005_Article-V-pp-143-198-3-25-24.pdf#page=13)

## At a glance

Goshen, Indiana regulates 37 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Wall Sign - Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Top of any wall sign no higher than 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) tall and By district: 20% or 40% of signable wall area; in other zones wall signs may be prohibited. (Sections 5100.2(C)(1), 5100.3(B)(2), 5100.3(C)(3)), with a Attached to building; must not project into right-of-way more than allowed (18 in projection limit; also must respect any separate right-of-way encroachment rules, though not specified here). setback (Sec. Section 5100.1(C); Section 5100.2(C)(1)-(6); Section 5100.3(B)(2), 5100.3(C)(3)). Most commercial signs in Goshen 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 | 16 | Top of any wall sign no higher than 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | In districts where allowed by Section 5100.3(B)(6) and (C)(9): maximum 25% of total window area facing street frontage, up to 20 sq ft. (Those rules are district-specific but size rule itself is general where applied.) | — |
| A-1 Agricultural District (A-1), Residential District (Single Family) (R-1), Special Residential District (R-1S), Residential District (Two Family) (R-2), Residential District (Multi-Family) (R-3), Residential District (Mobile Home Park and Mobile Home Park Subdivisions) (R-4) | 3 | Maximum 8 ft. (Section 5100.3(A)(5)) | Maximum 32 sq ft per sign. (Section 5100.3(A)(5)) | — |
| Commercial District (Neighborhood Commercial) (B-1) | 6 | General wall sign limit: ≤ 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | Subject to general temporary/mobile sign max of 50 sq ft. (Section 5100.2(E)(2)) | — |
| Commercial District (Central Business District - CBD) (B-2), Commercial District (General Commercial) (B-3), Commercial District (Planned Shopping Center) (B-4), Industrial District (Light Industrial) (M-1), Industrial District (Heavy Industrial) (M-2) | 10 | ≤ 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | EMC portion ≤ 75% of sign area. (Section 5100.2(B)(2)(i)) | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (Overlay District) (PUD) | 1 | — | 10 sq ft. (Section 5100(F)(2)) | — |
| Historic Commercial District (Overlay District) (HD) | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 | By lot width: 1–100 ft lot width → 8 ft; 101–200 ft → 15 ft; over 200 ft → 20 ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(a)) | By lot width: 1–100 ft lot width → 32 sq ft; 101–200 ft → 50 sq ft; over 200 ft → 60 sq ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(a)) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line; must be entirely on private property. (Section 5100.2(A)(1)(a), (c)) | — | Shall not extend beyond property line or into public right-of-way; minimum 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line; must be located in landscaped area separated and protected from vehicular circulation and parking areas. (Section 5100.2(A)(1)(a), (c), (f)) | — | Section 5100.1; Section 5100.2(A)(1)-(2); Section 5100.6-5100.8 |
| Freestanding Sign - B-3 along US 33 (≤ 200 ft lot width) | 20 ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b)) | 60 sq ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b)) | — | Same as general freestanding signs (minimum 5 ft from property/right-of-way line; on private property). | — | Applicable only in Commercial B-3 District along US 33, south of College Avenue and north of Riverside Boulevard. (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b)) | — | Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - B-3 along US 33 (> 200 ft lot width) | 22 ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b)) | 90 sq ft (Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b)) | — | Same as general freestanding signs (minimum 5 ft from property/right-of-way line). | — | Applicable only in Commercial B-3 District along US 33, south of College Avenue and north of Riverside Boulevard, with lot width greater than 200 ft. | — | Section 5100.2(A)(2)(b) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign - Arterial or Collector Streets | — | Electronic message center may not exceed 75% of total sign area; counts as part of total sign area. (Section 5100.2(B)(2)(i)) | — | Same as the host sign (wall or freestanding). | Maximum 1 electronic message center per zoning lot. | Must be incorporated into a permitted wall or freestanding sign in eligible districts. (Section 5100.3(C)(7)) | — | Section 5100.2(B)(2)(a)-(j); Section 5100.3(C)(7) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign - Other Streets | — | Electronic message center area ≤ 75% of total sign area. (Section 5100.2(B)(2)(i)) | — | Same as host sign. | Maximum 1 per zoning lot. | As part of a permitted wall or freestanding sign; not in Core Historic Overlay District. | — | Section 5100.2(B)(2)(a)-(j) |
| Wall Sign - General | Top of any wall sign no higher than 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | By district: 20% or 40% of signable wall area; in other zones wall signs may be prohibited. (Sections 5100.2(C)(1), 5100.3(B)(2), 5100.3(C)(3)) | — | Attached to building; must not project into right-of-way more than allowed (18 in projection limit; also must respect any separate right-of-way encroachment rules, though not specified here). | Any number permitted per wall, subject to aggregate area limit. | Permitted on any wall of a primary building provided the wall is visible from a dedicated public street. (Section 5100.2(C)(2)) | — | Section 5100.1(C); Section 5100.2(C)(1)-(6); Section 5100.3(B)(2), 5100.3(C)(3) |
| Projecting Sign | Top of projecting sign shall not extend above roof line of building or 16 ft from grade, whichever is less; lowest point not less than 10 ft above grade. (Section 5100.2(D)(5)) | Maximum 25 sq ft per projecting sign. (Section 5100.2(D)(1)) | — | Closest point of sign must be ≥ 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line. (Section 5100.2(D)(6)) | One per street frontage for each ground floor use with separate entrance (with corner sign alternative). | Mounted projecting from a building wall. May project up to 5 ft from building wall, provided closest point is at least 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line. One projecting sign per street frontage for each ground floor use with a separate entrance, provided no other signs for such use are located on same building wall. Corner frontage alternative rule applies. (Sections 5100.2(D)(2), (3), (6)) | — | Section 5100.2(D)(1)-(7) |
| Temporary or Mobile Sign | — | Maximum 50 sq ft in area, excluding temporary pennants. (Section 5100.2(E)(2)) | — | Must comply with general prohibitions against signs in rights‑of‑way and visibility requirements; otherwise not specified beyond “on private property” implication. | Maximum one temporary or mobile sign per zoning lot (excluding pennants). | Must comply with visibility requirements at intersections (cross-referenced by human sign section) and be located where permitted by district; mobile signs likely on private property (public right-of-way generally prohibited under Section 5100.10(F)). | — | Section 5100.2(E)(1)-(6); Section 5100.6(B) |

### Commercial District (Neighborhood Commercial) (B-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (B-1) | — | Subject to general temporary/mobile sign max of 50 sq ft. (Section 5100.2(E)(2)) | — | Must comply with general location rules; no numeric setback specified beyond being on private property and clear of right-of-way. | One temporary sign per zoning lot. | On private property, respecting visibility and general prohibitions. | — | Section 5100.3(B)(1); Section 5100.2(E) |
| Wall Sign (B-1) | General wall sign limit: ≤ 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | 20% of signable wall area of street-facing façade. (Section 5100.3(B)(2)) | — | Attached to building; projection may not encroach into right-of-way more than allowed; must remain at least 8 ft clear above sidewalk for any canopy component. (Section 5100.2(C)(4),(6)) | Unlimited number on the qualifying wall, within aggregate area limit. | On façade of the wall facing a public street; wall must be visible from a dedicated public street. (Sections 5100.3(B)(2), 5100.2(C)(2)) | — | Section 5100.3(B)(2); Section 5100.2(C)(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument Style (B-1) | Maximum 8 ft. (Section 5100.3(B)(3)) | Maximum 32 sq ft. (Section 5100.3(B)(3)) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line; in landscaped area as per general freestanding rules. | One monument style freestanding sign per zoning lot. | On zoning lot, meeting setback and landscaping requirements of the ordinance. (Section 5100.3(B)(3)) | — | Section 5100.3(B)(3); Section 5100.2(A)(1) |
| Ground Sign (B-1) | — | — | — | Must meet required setbacks and remain off public right-of-way. | One ground sign per zoning lot. | On private property within B-1 zoning lot; details not further specified in excerpt. | — | Section 5100.3(B)(4); Section 5100.9(D) |
| Real Estate Sign (B-1) | — | Maximum 7 sq ft per sign. (Section 5100.3(B)(5)) | — | On private property with required setbacks. | One additional real estate sign per lot currently for sale or rent. | On private property; must meet setbacks. | — | Section 5100.3(B)(5) |
| Window Sign (B-1) | — | Maximum 20 sq ft, and not more than 25% of total window area facing a street frontage. (Section 5100.3(B)(6)) | — | Not applicable (within building). | One window sign per lot where a business is operated. | Within or on windows facing a street frontage of a lot where a business is operated in B-1. | — | Section 5100.3(B)(6) |

### Commercial District (Central Business District - CBD) (B-2), Commercial District (General Commercial) (B-3), Commercial District (Planned Shopping Center) (B-4), Industrial District (Light Industrial) (M-1), Industrial District (Heavy Industrial) (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary or Mobile Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | — | Maximum 50 sq ft. (Section 5100.2(E)(2)) | — | Must be on private property and comply with general visibility and safety requirements. | One temporary or mobile sign per zoning lot. | On private property; must satisfy intersection visibility requirements and avoid right-of-way encroachment. | — | Section 5100.3(C)(1); Section 5100.2(E)(1)-(6) |
| Projecting Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | Top not above roof line or 16 ft, whichever is less; bottom at least 10 ft above grade. (Section 5100.2(D)(5)) | Maximum 25 sq ft. (Section 5100.2(D)(1)) | — | Closest point ≥ 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line. (Section 5100.2(D)(6)) | One per street frontage per ground-floor use with separate entrance, subject to corner sign alternative. | One projecting sign per street frontage for each ground-floor use with separate entrance, provided no other signs for that use are on same wall; alternative of one corner projecting sign based on combined frontage. (Section 5100.2(D)(2)-(3)) | — | Section 5100.3(C)(2); Section 5100.2(D)(1)-(7) |
| Wall Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | ≤ 30 ft above finished grade or 2 stories, whichever is less. (Section 5100.2(C)(5)) | 40% of signable wall area per wall. (Section 5100.3(C)(3)) | — | Attached to building; projection limited to 18 inches into any surrounding space, must not encroach into right-of-way contrary to local codes. | Unlimited per façade within area limits. | On any wall of primary building that is visible from a dedicated public street. (Section 5100.2(C)(2)) | — | Section 5100.3(C)(3); Section 5100.2(C)(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign - General (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | General freestanding sign height per lot width (8/15/20 ft) and special B-3 US 33 rules apply. (Section 5100.2(A)(2)) | General freestanding sign area per lot width (32/50/60 sq ft) and special B-3 US 33 rules apply. (Section 5100.2(A)(2)) | — | At least 5 ft from any property and right-of-way line; in landscaped area. (Section 5100.2(A)(1)(c), (f)) | One freestanding sign per zoning lot (except as noted for large centers/parks). | On commercial or industrial lots, must not extend beyond property line or into right-of-way; at least 5 ft from all property and right-of-way lines; in a landscaped area separated from vehicular circulation and parking. (Section 5100.2(A)(1)) | — | Section 5100.3(C)(4); Section 5100.2(A)(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding Sign - Planned Shopping Center / Planned Industrial Park | Each freestanding sign subject to general freestanding sign height limits, or special corridor rules for B-3 along US 33. | Each freestanding sign subject to general freestanding sign area limits (32/50/60 sq ft) or special corridor rules, depending on lot width and location; the ordinance does not increase size for centers, only number. | — | Same as general freestanding signs; each sign ≥ 5 ft from property/right-of-way and in landscaped area. | One for first 200 ft of frontage, plus one additional for each additional 300 ft of frontage for the project. | In Planned Shopping Centers (B-4) and Planned Industrial Parks (M-1/M-2 or PUD-based), one freestanding sign for first 200 ft of frontage and one additional freestanding sign for every additional 300 ft of frontage contained in the project. (Section 5100.3(C)(5)) | — | Section 5100.3(C)(5); Section 5100.2(A)(1)-(2) |
| Manual Changeable Copy Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | — | Changeable copy portion ≤ 60% of sign area. (Section 5100.2(B)(1)(d)) | — | Same as host freestanding or wall sign. | No additional limit beyond host sign limitations. | Must be incorporated into a permitted wall or freestanding sign per district. (Section 5100.3(C)(7)) | — | Section 5100.3(C)(7); Section 5100.2(B)(1) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | — | EMC portion ≤ 75% of sign area. (Section 5100.2(B)(2)(i)) | — | Same as host freestanding sign or wall sign. | Maximum one electronic message center sign per zoning lot. | May be incorporated into permitted wall or freestanding signs; generally allowed for schools and churches in any district (excluding Core Historic Overlay); these commercial/industrial districts also explicitly permit EMC by reference. (Section 5100.3(C)(7)) | — | Section 5100.2(B)(2)(a)-(j); Section 5100.3(C)(7) |
| Real Estate Sign (B-2/B-3/B-4/M-1/M-2) | — | Maximum 32 sq ft per sign. (Section 5100.3(C)(8)) | — | On private property; meet zoning setbacks. | One additional real estate sign per lot currently for sale or rent. | On private property, in compliance with setbacks. | — | Section 5100.3(C)(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Goshen

- All signs must comply with applicable building and electrical codes and be maintained in a good state of repair.
- Illumination for any sign shall be prevented from striking or causing a glare on the street or adjacent properties.
- Illumination for any sign shall be constant in intensity and color and shall not consist of flashing, animated, chasing or scintillating lights.
- Cool white lights are required for any sign that is interior lit.
- The intensity of illumination for any sign shall be even over the face of the sign with no bright spots.
- Freestanding signs that are illuminated externally must be lit by concealed fixtures so that no reflectors, extension arms, or fixtures are visible from the street.
- Signs that are part of a building must have internal lighting or a concealed means of illumination; only decorative fixtures consistent with the style of the building may be exposed.
- All freestanding signs must be located entirely on private property and shall not extend beyond the property line or into the public right-of-way.
- All freestanding signs must be located in a landscaped area separated and protected from vehicular circulation and parking areas, with at least two square feet of landscaping per one square foot of sign face, maintained in good repair.
- Any freestanding sign adjacent to a residential use or residential zoning district shall not be illuminated, either internally or externally.
- Any wall sign adjacent to a residential use or residential zoning district shall not be illuminated, either internally or externally.
- Any projecting sign adjacent to a residential use or residential zoning district shall not be illuminated, either internally or externally.
- Electronic message center signs shall not have illumination that is in continuous motion or appears to be in continuous motion; continuous scrolling of messages is prohibited.
- Electronic message center signs must show the entire message at one time.
- Electronic message center signs shall not consist of flashing, scintillating, chasing or animated lights and must remain static and depicted for a minimum of three seconds per message.
- The intensity of illumination for an electronic message center sign shall not change within the context of the same message.
- An electronic message center sign shall not be added to any non-conforming sign.
- Only one electronic message center sign is permitted per zoning lot.
- Human signs are prohibited outside commercial and industrial zoning districts (or outside commercial/industrial areas of a PUD) and where prohibited in the Historic Commercial District.
- Spinning, waving, bouncing, tossing, throwing or juggling of a human sign is prohibited.
- No audio devices to attract attention to a human sign or business shall be permitted.
- Human signs must be located entirely on private property; display on public property is prohibited without permission of the Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety.
- No sign, permanent or temporary, shall be erected or altered except in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and applicable permit requirements.
- Mobile and temporary signs shall not be permitted except under a Temporary Sign Permit.
- Signs which are structurally unsafe, as determined by the Building Commissioner, are not permitted in any district.
- Signs obstructing free ingress or egress from a required exit, or which prevent light or ventilation as required in local codes and ordinances, are prohibited.
- Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring, or illumination violate state highway standards are prohibited.
- Signs, words, phrases, symbols, colors, or characteristics which may mislead, interfere with, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Signs erected on or attached to any sidewalk, street, highway right-of-way, curb, curbstone, hydrant, lamp pole, tree, barricade, temporary walkway, telephone, telegraph, or electric light pole, other utility pole, public fence, or on a fixture of the fire alarm or police system are prohibited.
- Signs which involve revolving or rotating beams of light are prohibited.
- Inflatable displays used as signs are prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Revolving signs are prohibited.
- Strings of pennants, propellers, pinwheels, streamers and other similar small objects are prohibited except as specifically permitted as temporary signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Goshen

- Ordinary maintenance and repair to existing signs does not require a sign permit, provided that such work does not affect the structure to a degree greater than 25 percent of the current replacement cost, exclusive of the structural support of the sign.
- Change of copy on changeable copy signs does not require a sign permit.
- Home occupation signs meeting the conditions of the home occupation criteria in the ordinance do not require a sign permit.
- Ground signs do not require a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign, permanent or temporary, to be erected or altered after the effective date of the ordinance, unless specifically exempted in the sign permit exceptions.
- Temporary signs are allowed only under a Temporary Sign Permit, for a period not to exceed 60 days, unless otherwise exempted.
- Applications for sign permits must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator and include location, dimensions of the sign and supporting structure, proposed location relative to building face or lot lines, and a hold-harmless statement from the owner regarding construction and maintenance.
- The Zoning Administrator must review a sign permit application and approve or deny it within ten working days; if no action is taken within the specified period, the sign permit shall be granted upon demand by the applicant.
- Where required by other provisions of the ordinance (e.g., within the Historic Commercial District / HPD / HD overlays), the Historic Preservation Commission must also review sign applications, and the Zoning Administrator issues or denies the permit within ten days of the Commission’s recommendation.
- This ordinance does not explicitly require a master sign plan; instead it uses individual sign permits, temporary sign permits, and (in overlay areas such as the Historic Commercial District) additional review by the Historic Preservation Commission.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/goshen