# Sign Regulations in Knightstown, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Knightstown, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/knightstown
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms5.revize.com/revize/knightstown/Knightstown%20Zoning%20Ordinance%202017.pdf#page=123)

## At a glance

Knightstown, Indiana regulates 37 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground/Monument Signs in the Commercial zoning districts (C1, C2, C3, C4) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 36 sq ft, with a No closer than 10 ft from any existing or planned public right-of-way setback (Sec. Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(2)). Most commercial signs in Knightstown 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 | 9 | — | Up to 10% of window area | — |
| Residential zoning districts (R1, R2, R3, M1, M2) | 6 | Mounted no higher than 12 ft from grade | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Commercial zoning districts (C1, C2, C3, C4) | 13 | 16 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Industrial zoning districts (I1) | 13 | 16 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| C1 Heritage Commercial zoning district (C1) | 14 | 16 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| public/semi-public districts | 1 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| Town Center zoning districts | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| single-family residential district | 6 | Mounted no higher than 12 ft from grade | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| multi-family residential district | 6 | Mounted no higher than 12 ft from grade | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| commercial regional | 14 | 16 ft | 150 sq ft | — |

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

### Commercial zoning districts (C1, C2, C3, C4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unified Development Sign (5 - <20 acres) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On unified developments ≥5 acres; in lieu of other ground signage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(1)(a)(i)-(ii) |
| Unified Development Sign (≥20 acres) | 16 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | — | On unified developments ≥20 acres; in lieu of other ground signage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(1)(a)(i)-(ii) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | No closer than 10 ft from any existing or planned public right-of-way | Max one per public roadway frontage; overall max two per lot/parcel/property/site | Per public roadway frontage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(2) |
| Awning Sign | Bottom of awning must be ≥8.5 ft above grade | Counts toward wall sign area allowance | — | — | Counts toward wall sign limits | On awnings mounted to façade of principal structure | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(4) |
| Minor Ground Sign | 3.5 ft | 2.5 sq ft | — | No closer than 2 ft from any existing or planned right-of-way | Max three per property | On properties in commercial zoning districts | — | Section 7/Page 105, B. Minor ground signs |
| A-frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | If placed in right-of-way, must be ≥5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane | Max one per occupied tenant space | On properties in commercial districts; may be in right-of-way at least 5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane; must be within 10 ft of primary structure | — | Section 7/Page 106, K. A-frame signs |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any planned right-of-way and any other property line | Max one per property; exception for >10-acre properties: one per frontage | On properties in commercial districts | — | Section 7/Page 109, 7.5(B)(1)-(3),(6)-(8) |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any planned right-of-way and any other property line (general temporary sign setback) | Max one per occupied tenant space per use period | On occupied tenant spaces in commercial districts | — | Section 7/Page 109, 7.5(B)(2)(b), (4), (6) |

### C1 Heritage Commercial zoning district (C1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unified Development Sign (5 - <20 acres) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On unified developments ≥5 acres; in lieu of other ground signage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(1) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | No closer than 10 ft from any existing or planned public right-of-way | Max one per public roadway frontage; overall max two per lot/parcel/property/site | Per public roadway frontage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(2) |
| Awning Sign | Bottom of awning must be ≥8.5 ft above grade | Counts toward wall sign area allowance | — | — | Counts toward wall sign limits | On awnings mounted to façade of principal structure | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(4) |
| Minor Ground Sign | 3.5 ft | 2.5 sq ft | — | No closer than 2 ft from any existing or planned right-of-way | Max three per property | On properties in C1 Heritage Commercial zoning district | — | Section 7/Page 105, B. Minor ground signs |
| A-frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | If placed in right-of-way, must be ≥5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane | Max one per occupied tenant space | On properties in C1 Heritage Commercial district; may be in right-of-way at least 5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane; must be within 10 ft of primary structure | — | Section 7/Page 106, K. A-frame signs |
| Yard Sign (C1 Heritage) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Outside of right-of-way line | Up to 3 displays per year | On properties in the C1 Heritage Commercial district | — | Section 7/Page 105, G. Yard signs |
| Supplementary Wall Sign (C1 Heritage) | Mounted no higher than 12 ft from grade | 3 sq ft | — | — | Max one per lot at any time | On the primary structure of the lot | — | Section 7/Page 105, H. Supplementary wall signs |
| Temporary Ground Sign (C1 Heritage) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (commercial/industrial temporary ground maximum applies in Section 7.5(B)(3); however, C1 temporary signs are limited to ground signs per Section 7.5(A)(6)) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any planned right-of-way and any other property line | No more than one temporary ground sign per property/lot/parcel; Exception for properties >10 acres: one per frontage (apply general commercial temporary sign count if applicable) | On properties in C1 Heritage Commercial district | — | Section 7/Page 109, 7.5(A)(6); 7.5(B)(3) |

### commercial regional

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Board (EMB) | — | 24 sq ft | — | ≥125 ft from a signalized intersection; ≥300 ft from any other EMB; ≥300 ft from single-family district/use; ≥200 ft from multi-family district/use (unless part of mixed use) | — | On site of the use identified/advertised by the sign; only permitted in commercial regional districts | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(7)(a)-(h) |
| Unified Development Sign (5 - <20 acres) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On unified developments ≥5 acres; in lieu of other ground signage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(1) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 6 ft | 36 sq ft | — | No closer than 10 ft from any existing or planned public right-of-way | Max one per public roadway frontage; overall max two per lot/parcel/property/site | Per public roadway frontage | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(2) |
| Awning Sign | Bottom of awning must be ≥8.5 ft above grade | Counts toward wall sign area allowance | — | — | Counts toward wall sign limits | On awnings mounted to façade of principal structure | — | Section 7/Page 113, 7.8(A)(4) |
| Minor Ground Sign | 3.5 ft | 2.5 sq ft | — | No closer than 2 ft from any existing or planned right-of-way | Max three per property | On properties in commercial regional districts | — | Section 7/Page 105, B. Minor ground signs |
| A-frame Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | If placed in right-of-way, must be ≥5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane | Max one per occupied tenant space | On properties in commercial regional districts; may be in right-of-way at least 5 ft from nearest roadway travel or parking lane; must be within 10 ft of primary structure | — | Section 7/Page 106, K. A-frame signs |
| Temporary Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any planned right-of-way and any other property line | Max one per property; exception for >10-acre properties: one per frontage | On properties in commercial regional districts | — | Section 7/Page 109, 7.5(B)(1)-(3),(6)-(8) |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from any planned right-of-way and any other property line (general temporary sign setback) | Max one per occupied tenant space per use period | On occupied tenant spaces in commercial regional districts | — | Section 7/Page 109, 7.5(B)(2)(b), (4), (6) |

## Prohibited signs in Knightstown

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or convert any sign without first obtaining a sign permit unless expressly exempt by the ordinance.
- Permanent signs are not permitted on properties without a primary structure (vacant land).
- Abandoned sign structures (unused for six months or longer) must be removed by the property owner at the owner's expense.
- When the use to which a sign relates is no longer in existence or operational for at least 30 days, the sign face for that use must be removed and replaced with another sign, a sign blank, or a sign bag; under no circumstances may the inside of a cabinet sign be exposed.
- Illuminated signs may not create a traffic hazard due to direct or reflected light.
- Light spillage from illuminated signs onto adjacent properties is prohibited above 0.3 foot-candles at property lines of residential districts/uses and 0.5 foot-candles at property lines of nonresidential districts/uses.
- Exposed electrical wiring on illuminated signs is prohibited; all electrical wiring must be in conduit and protected from the elements and external stress.
- Illuminated signs lacking a readily accessible disconnect switch are prohibited.
- Signs may not compete with or obstruct the visibility of the compliant signage of an adjacent property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Knightstown

- Public signs erected by or on the order of public officials in the performance of public duty (e.g., safety, no trespassing, traffic signs; memorial plaques; signs of historical interest; signs directing people to public facilities), subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator or designee.
- Utility marker signs necessary to mark cables and lines for public and private utilities, unless determined to be a hazard by the Zoning Administrator or designee.
- Emergency signs authorized by the Zoning Administrator, Public Works, Utilities, Fire Department, Police Department, or legally required workplace emergency information.
- Window signs that do not exceed 10% of the window area and where no individual letter exceeds three inches in size.
- Private directional traffic signs and pavement markings intended to direct and control movement of traffic into, out of, and within a site, provided they comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
- Required pond safety/warning signs for all newly constructed ponds (e.g., No Swimming/No Ice Skating with symbol; spacing, materials, and installation responsibilities as specified).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, or converting any sign unless expressly exempt.
- Temporary signs require a permit each time they are used; time limits apply. A one-time 12-month extension may be granted by the Zoning Administrator; further extensions require a development standards variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Subdivision entrance signs, associated landscaping, and decorative walls must be shown on development plans, site plans, and subdivision plats.
- Projecting signs require proof of insurance with liability limits subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator or as established by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Public signs by or on the order of public officials require approval by the Zoning Administrator or designee.

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

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