# Sign Regulations in Greenwood, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Greenwood, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/greenwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-17
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/greenwood/latest/greenwood_in/0-0-0-24112)

## At a glance

Greenwood, Indiana regulates 25 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Dual Pier Ground Signs in the Medium Format Commercial (CM) zoning district are capped at 10 ft. tall and 25 sq. ft., with a Min. ground sign setbacks setback (Sec. Sec. 10-03-08.L). Most commercial signs in Greenwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Old Town (OT) | 10 | 10 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Small Format Commercial (CS) | 10 | 23 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Medium Format Commercial (CM) | 11 | 35 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Large Format Commercial (CL) | 11 | 35 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Medium Format Industrial (IM) | 8 | 23 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Large Format Industrial (IL) | 8 | 23 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Interstate Commerce (IC) | 9 | 35 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Airport Commercial (AC) | 4 | 10 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Open Space (OS) | 3 | 8 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| Old Town Residential (OTR) | 1 | 8 ft. | 32–100 sq. ft. | — |
| Large Lot Residential (RL), Medium Lot Residential (RM), Attached Single-Family Residential (RA), Multi-Unit Complex Residential (RMC), Mobile Homes Residential (RMH) | 1 | 8 ft. | 32–100 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 85 ft. | 750 sq. ft. (includes extensions) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Medium Format Commercial (CM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per storefront | Above principal public entrance facing street, sidewalk, or parking lot. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Projecting / Blade Sign | — | — | 48 in.; depth 12 in.; projects ≤ 4 ft. | — | 1 per storefront | Perpendicular; multi-tenant 2nd story ≤ 18 in. tall. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Hanging Sign | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Supported by structure other than building. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Dual Pier Ground Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | Min. ground sign setbacks | 1 per street front | 2 sup. piers, not pole or attached to building. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Multiple Use Site Ground Sign | 23 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — | — | 1 per street front | Multiple business site. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Ground mounted with surround/base. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Monument Sign, Changeable Copy | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Ground mounted, brick/stone surround. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business parcel | Freestanding, pole-mounted, not supported by building or base structure. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |

### Large Format Commercial (CL)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per storefront | Above principal public entrance facing public street, sidewalk, or parking lot. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L; Marquee Sign standards |
| Projecting / Blade Sign | — | — | 48 in.; depth 12 in.; projects ≤ 4 ft. | — | 1 per storefront | Perpendicular to building; multi-tenant: 2nd story tenant sign ≤ 18 in. tall. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Hanging Sign | 8 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Supported by structure other than building. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Dual Pier Ground Sign | 10 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | General ground sign setbacks | 1 per street front | 2 support piers, non-pole/non-building. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Multiple Use Site Ground Sign | 23 ft. | 240 sq. ft. (tenant max 100 sq. ft.) | — | — | 1 per street front | Multi-business property. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Ground mounted with surrounding structure/base. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Monument Sign, Changeable Copy | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street front | Ground mounted, brick/stone surround. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business parcel | Freestanding, pole, not building/base-supported. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.L |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sidewalk/A-Frame Sign | 3.5 ft. | 7 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per property | On premises and within 12 ft. of primary public entrance; must maintain minimum 36 in. sidewalk clearance. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.D.13 |
| Construction Sign | 7 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per construction site | On construction site private property. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.E.3 |
| Traffic Direction Sign | 3 ft. (IM/IL: 6 ft.) | 6 sq. ft. (IM/IL: 16 sq. ft.) | — | 3 ft. from curb/aisle | — | Directing traffic onto / within premises; leading edge ≥ 3 ft. from curb/aisle. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.D.7 |
| Street Pole Banner | — | 18 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | Up to 2 per street pole | On street pole not interfering w/ traffic or signals; not extending beyond curb line. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.N.2 |
| Pole Banner | — | 24 sq. ft. | 4 ft. | — | Up to 2 per light pole | On light pole, not interfering w/ traffic or signals. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.N.3 |
| Flag (Single-Family District) | 25 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | Up to 10 per premises | On property. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.N.4 |
| Flag (Non-residential/Multi-Family) | 50 ft. | 96 sq. ft. | — | Flag poles ≥10 ft. from right-of-way | Up to 10 per premises | On non-residential/multi-family property. | — | Sec. 10-03-08.N.4 |
| Off-premises Billboard | 40 ft. | 750 sq. ft. (includes extensions) | — | 20 ft. from right-of-way; 1,000 ft. from another billboard; 500 ft. from IC | — | Along an interstate highway (zones: commercial/industrial). | — | Sec. 10-03-08.M |

## Prohibited signs in Greenwood

- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Animated and intensely lighted signs (flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights) are prohibited, except as allowed for Digital/Electronic Variable Message (EVMS) Signs.
- Search lights, twirling signs, balloons or other gas-filled figures are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except as specifically allowed.
- Signs placed on any curb, sidewalk (excepting permitted A-frame signs), post, pole, electrolier, hydrant, bridge, tree, or surface on public property, public right-of-way, or over/across any street/roadway (except permitted exceptions) are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene or pornographic statements, words, or pictures are prohibited.
- Signs that employ motion picture projection, have visible moving parts, or give the illusion of movement are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or obscure such signs/devices, or resemble emergency/road equipment lighting, are prohibited.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs (mounted letters, painted letters, or any type on a roof or roof deck) are prohibited.
- Pennant strings and streamers are prohibited.
- Signs that prevent ingress/egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or block access across the roof, or are attached to standpipes/fire escapes (other than safety signs) are prohibited.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors are prohibited.
- Interactive signs are prohibited.
- Signs erected without permission of the property owner (except Government/Regulatory signs) are prohibited.
- Signs that promote an illegal activity are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs: Parking or using a vehicle to function as a sign within specified distances from right-of-way is prohibited, except for certain operational vehicles or those with permanently affixed signage as outlined.
- Banners and pennants are prohibited unless used as temporary wall signs or as Pole Banner Signs/Streetscape signs, and shall not be used as a freestanding sign except in the outlined exceptions.
- Signs erected or maintained in such a way as to create a distracting or hazardous condition to motorists, pedestrians, or adjacent properties (including by light rays shining off-premises) are prohibited.
- Portable or temporary EVMS (electronic message centers) are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising structures with more than two faces are prohibited.
- Signs may not be placed in the right-of-way, on utility or drainage easements, or in the visibility triangle.
- Signs must not endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic by obscuring views or interfering with official signage.
- Signs that do not comply with illumination, duration, glare control, or other general standards described in section K.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials and maintained in safe, legible, and good repair.
- Signs must not be installed in a manner that obstructs vision or creates a hazard to traffic entering or leaving premises.
- All illegal signs must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Greenwood

- Government/Regulatory signs when erected and maintained pursuant to law are exempt from permit requirements.
- Traffic control devices on private or public property required to comply with uniform traffic control device manuals are exempt.
- Property numerals to identify the address (size and location as specified) are exempt.
- Legally required signs (danger, prohibiting access, displaying required info), not exceeding nine square feet, are exempt.
- Parking signs (public and private), subject to setback and size/height limits, are exempt.
- Traffic direction signs (on-premises), subject to setback, size, and height limits, are exempt.
- Interior signs located inside buildings/structures, not intended to be seen from the exterior and at least three feet from windows, are exempt.
- Official notices/advertisements by public/court officers, provided removed within ten days of completion of purpose, are exempt.
- Additional temporary sign on commercial, industrial, and multi-family property during periods of property for sale or lease, provided removed within 7 days of sale/lease, is exempt.
- Window signs on commercial properties comprising less than 10% of a window (max two per window) are exempt; over 10% require a permit.
- Small temporary residential signs (one, up to 4 sq ft, at any time) are exempt.
- During Nov 20 - Jan 10, residential property owners may place unlimited additional temporary signs and decorate with lights as measured at property line, regardless if lights form a sign.
- One portable sidewalk/A-frame sign per property (with restrictions on illumination, size, height, placement, and operational hours) is exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempted in subsection D (Authorized Without a Permit).
- A temporary sign permit is required for temporary banners, pole banners, and most temporary signs, unless specifically exempted (e.g., small temporary residential signs).
- An application for a sign permit must be filed with the Department of Community Development Services, including sufficient information to determine compliance.
- All permanent and temporary signs requiring permits are subject to review and approval by the Department of Community Development Services.
- If a permit is denied, appeals may be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Certain types of signage (e.g., for Special Exceptions) may require a Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
- Off-premise (billboard) signs require a permit and must comply with specified locational, size, and structural regulations.
- A construction sign requires a construction sign permit issued prior to installation.
- Nonconforming signs that are structurally altered, relocated, or replaced must immediately comply with all provisions and may require new permits.
- No explicit mention of a required master or comprehensive sign plan in the provided ordinance text.
- Old Town Business District must follow the 'Business Façade Signage Guidelines', which may constitute a sign plan for that area.

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

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