# Sign Regulations in Knox, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Knox, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/knox
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Knox/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH8LIBURE_ARTIVYASASI)

## At a glance

Knox, Indiana regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Nameplate Sign (R-3)s in the Residential District (RR, R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at one story, or 10 ft above curb level, whichever is lower tall and 3 sq ft, with a At least 4 ft from front lot line or one-half depth of front yard. Max height one story or 10 ft above curb level. setback (Sec. Section 13.A.1.b, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98). Most commercial signs in Knox require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (RR, R-1, R-2, R-3) | 8 | one story, or 10 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — |
| Agriculture District (A) | 4 | 24 ft above grade; lower edge at least 12 ft above grade | For sale/rent: 4 sq ft; Real estate: 5 sq ft; Construction: See admin | — |
| Rural Residential District (RR) | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial District (C-2) | 6 | 24 ft above grade; lowest edge >=12 ft above grade | 150 sq ft | — |
| Light Manufacturing District (M-1), Heavy Manufacturing District (M-2), Manufacturing District | 4 | 24 ft above grade; bottom edge >= 12 ft above grade | For sale/rent: 4 sq ft; Real estate: 5 sq ft; others per code | — |
| Commercial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | For sale/rent: 4 sq ft; Real estate: 5 sq ft; Construction: by admin approval | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District (RR, R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (RR, R-1, R-2) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | — | — | Section 13.A.1.a, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98; Ord. No. 971A, 5-25-99 |
| Nameplate Sign (R-3) | one story, or 10 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 3 sq ft | — | At least 4 ft from front lot line or one-half depth of front yard. Max height one story or 10 ft above curb level. | 1 per dwelling | Front yard, not less than 4 ft from front lot line, or one-half the depth of the front yard, whichever is greater. | — | Section 13.A.1.b, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Temporary For Sale/For Rent Sign | one story, or 10 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 4 sq ft | — | 8 ft side/rear; 10 ft front or 1/2 yard | 1 per lot (2 on corner lots) | Not closer than 8 ft to any side/rear lot line and 10 ft to the front lot line, or one-half depth of front yard, whichever is greater. | — | Section 13.A.2, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Within lot lines. Not in public right-of-way, over sidewalks, or in view-obstructing locations. | — | Section 13.A.3, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 13.A.4, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Garage and Yard Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Only in authorized locations. | — | Section 13.A.5, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Temporary Political/Community/Not-for-Profit Event Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Not permitted on parkway, alley, public street, easement, or road right-of-way. | — | Section 13.A.6, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |
| Church Bulletin Sign | one story, or 10 ft above curb, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — | 8 ft side/rear, 4 ft front (or 1/2 depth of yard) | 1 per lot (2 on corner lots) | Not closer than 8 ft to any side/rear lot line, and 4 ft to the front lot line or 1/2 the front yard depth, whichever greater. | — | Section 13.A.7, Ord. No. 958, 2-10-98 |

### Agriculture District (A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Building-Mounted | 4 ft above building height; lower edge at least 12 ft above grade if projecting more than 15 in | — | — | Min 2 ft from abutting curb | — | On building | — | Section 13.B.1-5, 13.B.9 |
| Freestanding/Elevated Business Sign | 24 ft above grade; lower edge at least 12 ft above grade | — | — | 2 ft from right-of-way; 5 ft from side/rear; ground signs 10 ft from driveway/alley/curb cut | — | Min 2 ft from nearest street right-of-way, min 5 ft from side or rear lot line | — | Section 13.B.1-2, 4, 6-7, C.2 |
| Ground-Mounted Business Sign | 6 ft above natural grade | — | — | Min 10 ft from ROW/front; see also special intersection rule (30 ft triangle) | — | Min 10 ft from right-of-way in any front or side yard abutting street; not within intersection triangle (30 ft from each right-of-way at corner); ground signs 10 ft from driveway/alley/curb cut. | — | Section 13.B.7, C.2 |
| Temporary Signs (for sale/rent, real estate, construction, political, promotional, garage/yard) | — | For sale/rent: 4 sq ft; Real estate: 5 sq ft; Construction: See admin | — | — | — | Not in right-of-way, not over sidewalk, not obscuring motorists' view. Other setbacks as specified for residential. | — | Section 13.B.11, 13.A.2-6 |

### General Commercial District (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign - Building-Mounted | 4 ft above building height; projecting >15 in: lowest 12 ft from grade | — | — | 2 ft from abutting curb | — | On building | — | Section 13.B.1-3, 9; C.2 |
| Freestanding/Elevated Sign | 24 ft above grade; lowest edge >=12 ft above grade | — | — | Elevated: 2 ft from ROW, 5 ft from side/rear; Ground: 10 ft from ROW, 10 ft from driveways/alleys/curb cuts | — | Min 2 ft from street ROW, min 5 ft from side/rear, ground signs min 10 ft from edge of driveway/alley/curb cut | — | Section 13.B.4, 6 |
| Ground-Mounted Sign | 6 ft above natural grade | — | — | 10 ft from ROW; see special intersection and driveway placement | — | 10 ft min from ROW (street/side yard), not in intersection triangle (see above), ground sign 10 ft min from driveways/alleys. | — | Section 13.B.7; C.2 |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | 24 ft above curb | 150 sq ft | — | Half yard depth from any abutting street | 1 per center | Set back at least half of required yard depth from each abutting street | — | Section 13.B.8 |
| Temporary Inflatable Balloon Advertising Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 13.B.12 |
| Temporary Signs (for sale/rent, real estate, construction, garage/yard, political, promotional) | — | For sale/rent: 4 sq ft; Real estate: 5 sq ft; others as allowed | — | — | — | Same as in residential; not in ROW, not over sidewalks, not in obstructing view | — | Section 13.B.11; 13.A.2-6 |

## Prohibited signs in Knox

- Any sign which is in need of maintenance, or which is no longer functional or is abandoned.
- Any sign which is constructed, altered, located or illuminated in any manner which causes undue glare, distraction, confusion, nuisance, noise, or hazard to traffic or to other properties.
- No sign may be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. if it is located within or adjacent to any residential district, except those businesses remaining open beyond that time, in which case illumination shall cease upon closing.
- No sign which has rotating beam, beacon, flashing or alternating illumination shall be permitted for advertising or identification purposes where no hazard or need for caution exists. Scrolling signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that is attached to a tree or other living vegetation, utility pole, rock, curbstone, sidewalk, lamppost, hydrant, bridge, highway marker, or other sign, except for public informational signs.
- Any sign displayed on a stationary vehicle or trailer when said vehicle or trailer is used primarily for the purpose of and serving the function of a sign.
- Any sign so placed that it obstructs any window, door, fire escape, stairway, ladder, opening, or access intended for light, air, ingress to, or egress from any building.
- Signs advertising activities which are illegal under federal, state, or county laws or regulations or city ordinances.
- Any sign which makes use of a word such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or similar words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such manner as to imply the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger.

## Signs exempt from permit in Knox

- Temporary, unilluminated real estate signs not exceeding five square feet in area do not require a permit.
- Temporary, unilluminated construction signs authorized by the zoning administrator do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary political campaign signs and signs promoting community or not-for-profit events do not require a permit.
- Public informational signs attached to trees, utility poles, etc., are excepted from the prohibition against sign attachment to such objects.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs require a sign permit from the zoning administrator prior to erection, installation, or painting onto a building, structure, or window.
- No additions, modifications or attachments are permitted inconsistent with an approved sign permit without amendment of the sign permit using the same procedures as provided by the issuance of the original sign permit.
- Variance from setback and size dimensions may be granted by the board of zoning appeals upon finding that such variance will not adversely affect adjacent property owners or inhibit visual sight lines.

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

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