# Sign Regulations in Hammond, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hammond, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/hammond
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.gohammond.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Zoning-Ordinance-8514.pdf#page=148)

## At a glance

Hammond, Indiana regulates 48 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - A-frame / T-frames in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 feet (1.22 m) tall and 6 sq ft (0.56 sq m), with a Subject to Section 21.02(G) and 21.02(H). setback (Sec. Section 21.11(B)(1) and 21.11(A)(2)-(7)). Most commercial signs in Hammond require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 20 feet (6.10 m) maximum height above grade | Cumulative area of all temporary signs on a lot: 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m), unless otherwise specified; plus the cumulative area of all permanent signs cannot be exceeded by the sum of all temporary plus all permanent signs. | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-1U, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 6 | Not higher than 12 feet (3.65 m) above curb level | 32 sq ft (2.976 sq m) total | — |
| Local Commercial District (C-1) | 3 | — | 32 sq ft (2.976 sq m) | — |
| Shopping Center Commercial District (C-2) | 7 | 24 feet (7.31 m); bottom edge at least 10 feet (3.05 m) above grade | 150 sq ft (13.95 sq m) | — |
| Central Business District (C-3) | 3 | Freestanding signs subject to 20 ft max height unless otherwise provided | No more than 25% of the window area may be covered | — |
| General Commercial District (C-4) | 3 | Freestanding signs subject to 20 ft max height unless otherwise provided | No more than 25% of the window area may be covered | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 4 | 35 feet (10.7 m), measured from the edge of pavement of the limited access highway to the top of the sign structure | 672 sq ft (62.4 sq m) maximum display area per face | — |
| Open Space and Recreational Facilities District (S-1) | 3 | 12 feet (3.65 m) above curb level | 32 sq ft (2.976 sq m) | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Areas | 3 | 5 feet (1.52 m), including support structure | 4 sq ft (1.22 sq m) sign face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building-Attached Signs - Projection and Clearance | Shall not extend above the height of the building | — | Projection from wall not more than 30 inches (0.762 m) | Minimum 2 feet (0.61 m) horizontal clearance from abutting curb for any projection. | — | Attached to building walls; placement must not impede movement on public ways. | — | Section 21.02(B) |
| Temporary Signs - General | — | Cumulative area of all temporary signs on a lot: 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m), unless otherwise specified; plus the cumulative area of all permanent signs cannot be exceeded by the sum of all temporary plus all permanent signs. | — | Subject to Section 21.02(G) minimum setbacks and Section 21.02(H) vision clearance. | 1 temporary sign per zoning lot, unless otherwise allowed in Section 21.11. | Not within the public right-of-way or parkway; subject to general setbacks and vision clearance. | — | Section 21.11 (intro), 21.11(A)(1)-(8) |
| Temporary Sign - A-frame / T-frame | 4 feet (1.22 m) | 6 sq ft (0.56 sq m) | — | Subject to Section 21.02(G) and 21.02(H). | 1 per zoning lot | On private property, outside right-of-way; subject to setbacks and vision clearance. | — | Section 21.11(B)(1) and 21.11(A)(2)-(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Banner, Blade, or Feather | 6 feet (1.83 m) | 5 sq ft (0.46 sq m) | — | Subject to Section 21.02(G) and 21.02(H). | — | On private property, outside right-of-way; subject to setbacks and vision clearance. | — | Section 21.11(B)(2) and 21.11(A)(2)-(7) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event | 6 feet (1.83 m) | 32 sq ft (2.97 sq m) | — | Subject to Section 21.02(G) and 21.02(H). | 1 per zoning lot | On private property, outside right-of-way; subject to setbacks and vision clearance. | — | Section 21.11(B)(4) and 21.11(A)(2)-(7) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential Districts | Maximum 12 feet (3.65 m) above natural grade, but not higher than 6 feet (1.83 m) in any residential district | 6 sq ft (0.56 sq m) | — | Minimum 8 feet (2.44 m) from any side and rear lot line; and 4 feet (1.22 m) from the front lot line or 1/2 the depth of the front yard, whichever is greater. | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lots | On the subject property. | — | Section 21.22(A), 21.22(A)(5)-(6), Section 21.50(4) |
| Real Estate Sign - Commercial/Industrial Sites (≥ 1 acre) | — | 32 sq ft (2.96 sq m) per sign | — | Subject to general ground sign setbacks (Section 21.02(G)) and vision clearance (Section 21.02(H)). | 1 per site (≥1 acre); 2 on corner lots | On the subject property. | — | Section 21.22(B), Section 21.50(4) |
| Institutional Use Sign (Conditional Use in Non-S-1 Districts) | 12 feet (3.65 m) above curb level | 32 sq ft (2.96 sq m) maximum | — | As specified: 8' side/rear; 4' or 1/2 front yard depth at front lot line. | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lots | Minimum 8 feet (2.44 m) from side/rear lot lines; and 4 feet (1.22 m) from front lot line or 1/2 the front yard depth, whichever is greater. | — | Section 21.21(A)-(B) |

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-1U, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate - Single-Family or Two-Family Dwelling | — | 1 sq ft (0.093 sq m) | — | — | Per dwelling | On the dwelling or premises. | — | Section 21.20(A) |
| Nameplate - Multiple Family Dwelling (3 to 9 units) | — | 3 sq ft (0.279 sq m) total | — | — | 1 per building (total area limit applies) | On the building or premises. | — | Section 21.20(B) |
| Nameplate - Multiple Family Dwelling (more than 9 units) | Not higher than 12 feet (3.65 m) above curb level | 32 sq ft (2.976 sq m) total | — | Not less than 4 feet (1.22 m) from the front lot line, or one-half the depth of the front yard, whichever is greater. | 1 per building (total area limit applies) | May be located in a front yard. | — | Section 21.20(C) |
| Home Occupation Identification Sign | — | 1 sq ft (0.093 sq m) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On the dwelling or premises. | — | Section 21.20(D) |
| Institutional Use Identification Sign (Conditional Use) | 12 feet (3.65 m) above curb level | 32 sq ft (2.96 sq m) | — | 8' side/rear; 4' or 1/2 front yard depth at the front lot line. | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lots | Minimum 8 ft from side/rear lot lines; and either 4 ft from front lot line or 1/2 the front yard depth, whichever greater. | — | Section 21.21(A)-(B) |
| Temporary Signs (Residential Districts) | — | — | — | — | 0 (prohibited) | Prohibited. | — | Section 21.11(A)(1) |

### Shopping Center Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Per Business Unit) | — | 100 sq ft (9.29 sq m) per business unit for all wall signs; no individual wall sign > 54 sq ft (5 sq m) | — | — | Multiple wall signs allowed per tenant, subject to cumulative area limits | On one or more building walls of the business unit. | — | Section 21.23(B)(1), 21.23(D)(2)-(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Primary Shopping Center Sign with Directory | 24 feet (7.31 m); bottom edge at least 10 feet (3.05 m) above grade | 150 sq ft (13.95 sq m) | — | At least one-third of the required yard depth from each abutting street; in front yard. | 1 per shopping center | Located in a front yard and setback at least one-third of the required yard depth from each abutting street. | — | Section 21.23(B)(2), 21.23(B)(4) (PMD limit), 21.23(D)(2)-(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Secondary Shopping Center Sign | 20 feet (6.01 m) | 100 sq ft (9.29 sq m) | — | At least one-third of the required yard depth from each abutting street; in front yard along secondary street. | 1 secondary sign (only for centers > 4 acres) | Located in a front yard along the secondary abutting street and setback at least one-third of the required yard depth from each abutting street. | — | Section 21.23(B)(2), 21.23(B)(4), 21.23(D)(2)-(3) |
| Freestanding Sign - Outlot (Approved Platted Commercial Outlot) | 10 feet (3.05 m) | — | — | Same as 21.23(B)(2): at least one-third of required yard depth from abutting streets; in front yard. | 1 per approved platted outlot | On approved platted commercial outlot; subject to setback requirements of Section 21.23(B)(2) (one-third yard depth from abutting streets; front yard). | — | Section 21.23(B)(3)-(4), 21.23(D)(2)-(3) |
| General Signage Allocation (C-2) | — | — | — | — | — | Distributed per approved development plan. | — | Section 21.23(B)(3)-(5) |
| Programmable Message Display (PMD) on Freestanding Signs (C-2) | — | ≤ 25% of the freestanding sign area | PMD length ≤ 10 feet unless otherwise compliant with Section 21.26 | — | — | On freestanding signs in C-2. | — | Section 21.23(B)(4), Section 21.26(A)-(E) |
| Window Signs (C-2) | — | No more than 25% of the window area may be covered | — | — | — | Inside windows facing outside. | — | Section 21.23(D)(1)-(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Hammond

- No sign may be erected, installed, altered, or maintained except in conformity with Title XXI and the applicable district regulations.
- Building-attached signs: may not extend above the height of the building; may not project more than 30 inches from the wall; may not project so as to impede movement on a public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public way; if projecting more than 15 inches, the bottom must be at least 10 feet above grade; may not project to within 2 feet of the abutting curb.
- Supporting structures for signs shall not use bracing such as guy wires or cables.
- No sign shall obstruct any door, fire escape, or free passage over any public right-of-way or create a traffic hazard; placement shall not unreasonably obscure existing conforming signs on adjacent properties.
- Ground signs: may not exceed 20 feet in height; may not extend over the property line at the right-of-way; supports must be at least 5 feet from any property line (subject to corner vision obstruction and landscaping requirements).
- No signs are permitted in any vision clearance area between 2 feet and 10 feet above grade, except for the pole structure whose vertical element may not exceed 16 inches in width/diameter.
- Prohibited sign types citywide: roof signs; signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers used for advertising; signs resembling or conflicting with traffic control devices; signs that create a safety hazard; signs that obstruct any door, window, fire escape, or other emergency exit; signs erected in the public right-of-way or on public utility poles, benches, bus shelters, or other public structures (except when posted by a public officer performing a public duty); signs on fences, trees, or streetlights; portable electric signs; beacons; balloon or inflatable signs or devices; bench signs; signs that give the appearance of movement caused by wind, including pennants, banners, streamers, strings of lights, spinners, or other similar devices, and all other signs which undulate, swing, rotate, oscillate, or otherwise move by natural or artificial means.
- Abandoned signs (signs advertising a use/facility/product/event no longer available on the premises) must be removed within 90 days of discontinuance; remaining signs are considered abandoned and may be removed by the City.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hammond

- Incidental or directional signs (permit exempt).
- Properly displayed national, state, or local flags (permit exempt).
- Seasonal holiday decorations (permit exempt).
- Real estate signs in conformance with this chapter (permit exempt).
- Bulletin boards on the site of a public facility, religious, charitable, or educational institution (permit exempt).
- Official traffic, fire, and police-related signs; temporary traffic control signs; utility location and identification signs and markers; and any signs required by the City or other public authority (permit exempt).
- Notices required to be posted by law (permit exempt).
- Cornerstones or names of building or year constructed inscribed in stone or bronze as part of the building, not larger than 10 square feet per display surface (permit exempt).
- Accessible parking signs (permit exempt).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- C-2 Shopping Center District: Through the development plan approval process, the Plan Commission may modify or reallocate signage square footage so long as maximum allowable signage is not exceeded; any signage above the allowance requires a developmental variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- C-2 Shopping Center District: Distribution of the additional signage allowance may be allocated among tenants and commercial outlots in accordance with the development plan; approved platted outlots may have a single free-standing sign subject to the overall allocation and setbacks.
- PUD District: Signage must follow the preliminary PUD plan; through preliminary or final development plan approval, the Plan Commission may modify or reallocate signage square footage; the Plan Commission may grant a waiver to the maximum signage allowance subject to Title XXVII.
- Historic areas: All signs for local historic districts or local historic landmarks require approval by the Hammond Historic Preservation Commission; historic designation signs or plaques also require Historic Preservation Commission approval.
- Outdoor Advertising (Billboards): An improvement location permit application must include a plat of survey with ownership/lease information and legal description, sign design/elevations, and location/distance data to nearby regulated features; certain developmental variances may not be granted (e.g., more than one face per facing or exceeding area limits except for a temporary extension).
- Outdoor Advertising (Digital Billboards): Conversions or new installations must comply with T/S 21.30 and T/S 21.26 and include a default mechanism to freeze the display if a malfunction occurs.

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

---

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