# Sign Regulations in Kokomo, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kokomo, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/kokomo
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms4files1.revize.com/kokomoin/Full%20Ordinance%20Updated%2005.18.2023.pdf#page=174)

## At a glance

Kokomo, Indiana regulates 67 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - Bases in the NC, OC, DC zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft per side, with a At least 10 ft from property line. setback (Sec. 6.40 SI-07(A)(d), (F)). Most commercial signs in Kokomo require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AG, PR | 2 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft (per sign face total area) | — |
| AR | 6 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft (sign area) | — |
| R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 | 4 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft (sign area) | — |
| M1, M2, M3, MP | 4 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| NC, OC, DC | 36 | 15 ft | 320 sq ft | — |
| IS | 15 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft max | — |
| C1, C2 | 22 | 20 ft (overall); min 10 ft clear zone under sign | 400 sq ft | — |
| LI, MI, HI | 20 | 20 ft (overall); min 10 ft clear zone under sign | 350 sq ft max (per tenant) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | Not higher than 60 ft above grade or higher than the cornice of a building ≥3 stories | 200 sq ft (combined for two signs at ingress) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### NC, OC, DC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - Base | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | On the lot for which it relates | — | 6.40 SI-07(A)(d), (F) |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - High Speed Roadway (>43 mph) | 6 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.40 SI-07(G)(b) |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant) | Bottom ≥10 ft above grade; overall height subject to 60 ft cap or building cornice (see additional requirements) | 20 sq ft per face | — | ≥5 ft from curb; ≥10 ft clearance above sidewalk. | — | Attached to building façade | — | 6.40 SI-07(A)(g); 6.34 SI-01(J)(g)(1)-(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Per Tenant) | Bottom ≥10 ft above grade | 20 sq ft per face | — | ≥5 ft from curb; ≥10 ft clearance. | — | Tenant façade | — | 6.40 SI-07(B)(a)6; 6.34 SI-01(J)(g) |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 15 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Primary entrance to multi-tenant structure(s) | — | 6.40 SI-07(B)(b)1,3 |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 15 ft | 250 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.40 SI-07(G)(c) |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Secondary entrance off a different street than primary | — | 6.40 SI-07(B)(b)1,4 |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.40 SI-07(G)(d) |

### C1, C2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - Base | 8 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | On the lot for which it relates | — | 6.41 SI-08(A)(d), (E), (H) |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - High Speed Roadway (>43 mph) | 8 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.41 SI-08(J)(a)2; (E) |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant) | Bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk | 20 sq ft per face | — | ≥5 ft from curb; ≥8 ft clearance. | — | Attached to building façade | — | 6.41 SI-08(A)(h) |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 20 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Primary entrance to multi-tenant structure(s) | — | 6.41 SI-08(B)(b)1,3,5 |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 20 ft | 300 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.41 SI-08(J)(a)3 |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Secondary entrance off a different street than primary | — | 6.41 SI-08(B)(b)1,4,6 |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.41 SI-08(J)(a)4 |
| Directional Sign (On-site, Permanent) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft (each) | — | — | Max 2 per curb cut | On-site at driveways/curb cuts; not in right-of-way | — | 6.41 SI-08(C); 6.34 SI-01(I)(e) |

### LI, MI, HI

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - Base | 8 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | On the lot for which it relates | — | 6.42 SI-09(A) (4th bullet); 6.42(E), (H) |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant) - High Speed Roadway (>43 mph) | 8 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — | At least 10 ft from property line. | — | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.42 SI-09(J)(a)2; 6.42(E), (H) |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant) | Bottom ≥8 ft above sidewalk | 20 sq ft per face | — | ≥5 ft from curb; ≥8 ft clearance. | — | Attached to building façade | — | 6.42 SI-09(A) (8th bullet) |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 20 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Primary entrance to multi-tenant structure(s) | — | 6.42 SI-09(b)3,5 |
| Gateway Sign (Primary, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 20 ft | 300 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 primary gateway sign | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.42 SI-09(J)(a)3 |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - Base | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Secondary entrance off a different street than primary | — | 6.42 SI-09(b)4,6 |
| Gateway Sign (Secondary Entrance, Multi-Tenant Structure) - High Speed | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per side | — | — | Single secondary gateway sign per secondary entrance | Along public roadway >43 mph | — | 6.42 SI-09(J)(a)4 |
| Directional Sign (On-site, Permanent) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft (each) | — | — | Max 2 per curb cut | On-site at driveways/curb cuts; not in right-of-way | — | 6.42 SI-09(C); 6.34 SI-01(I)(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Kokomo

- Signs that utilize any motion picture, laser, or visual projection of images or copy
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter
- Signs that purport to be, imitate, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal
- Signs bearing the words 'stop', 'slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or similar words
- Lights that resemble an emergency or road equipment vehicle
- Signs located in a public right-of-way
- Signs that hide or partially hide any traffic or roadway sign, signal, or device
- Signs within the vision clearance triangle
- Signs that extend above the roof line or parapet of a building
- Signs mounted on the roof of a structure
- Signs with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights
- Signs with changing light intensity, brightness, or color, or that give such illusion
- Signs that obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide entrance or exit
- Signs placed on vehicles parked primarily for the purpose of displaying the sign (except vehicles used for deliveries, random sales/service, customary transport vehicles, or vehicles parked at a driver's residence during non-business hours or for incidental purposes)
- Any sign that is not expressly permitted in the Zoning Ordinance
- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content that offend public morals or decency
- Advertising benches
- Temporary or moveable signs that have been altered or fixed to the ground to create a permanent sign
- Permanent signs with changeable copy encompassing more than 50% of the total sign area
- Off-premise signs

## Signs exempt from permit in Kokomo

- Flags of any country, state, unit of local government, institution of higher learning, or similar institutional flags
- Names of buildings, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and similar when carved into stone/concrete or on a commemorative plaque of permanent material integral to the structure (no commercial messages or logos)
- Noncommercial public-interest signs erected by a City officer (e.g., safety, no trespassing, traffic signs, memorial plaques, historical interest signs, and signs directing people to public and quasi-public facilities)
- Utility signs used to mark cables, pipes, and lines for public or private utilities (except if determined to be a hazard by the Planning Director)
- Freedom of speech signs (e.g., political or issue signs) permitted; maximum size 18 sq ft in agricultural or residential districts or 32 sq ft in commercial or industrial districts; no changeable copy
- Residential identification sign: one per dwelling; may be affixed to a mailbox, fence, or structure; house numbers up to 3 sq ft allowed
- Exterior building directories on multiple tenancy structures up to 6 sq ft
- Directional or warning signs erected by a governing body or public utility (traffic-control/safety signs, handicapped parking, railroad signs, entrance/exit, municipal facility signs, public directional signs, memorial plaques); if illuminated, light should not be directed toward streets or adjoining residential property; must not interfere with visibility
- On-premise directional signs up to 4 sq ft; not in public right-of-way; maximum height 5 ft
- On-premise warning signs (e.g., no hunting/fishing/dumping/trespassing, dangerous animals, no swimming), attached to a fence or structure; maximum 4 sq ft
- Public service signs established by a public service agency or permitted by legislative body, franchise, or special permit of the City Plan Commission
- Real estate signs: up to two per property being sold/leased/developed; not illuminated; not in right-of-way; maximum 18 sq ft in residential districts or 32 sq ft in commercial/industrial; remove within 30 days after completion of sale/lease/development
- Seasonal displays and decorations for events such as religious or civic holidays (provided they do not advertise a product or service)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit from the Planning Director is required to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or convert any sign unless otherwise provided
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) is required for signs listed in Section J (e.g., wall, gateway, ground, identification, institutional, portable, projecting, pole signs) and for any alteration or re-facing of an existing sign except minor repairs
- Certain signs are allowable in all zoning districts without an ILP (e.g., residential identification, building directories, governmental/utility directional/warning, on-premise directional/warning, public service signs, real estate signs, seasonal displays); note: home occupation signs require an ILP per Section 6.22 HO-02; on-premise construction signs require an ILP prior to placement
- Permanent signs must be located on the lot to which they relate unless approved as a special exception
- Off-premises signs are generally prohibited; if sought, a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required and may be evaluated using the guidelines provided (e.g., size, spacing, setbacks, height, clearance, embellishments)
- Projecting signs may encroach on the street right-of-way only with approval by the Kokomo Board of Public Works and Safety
- Public service signs may be authorized by legislative body, franchise, or special permit of the City Plan Commission
- Home occupation signs are permitted only under Home Occupation Standards (Section 6.22) and require an ILP
- On-premise construction signs (max 32 sq ft; one per entrance) require an ILP prior to placement and must be removed within 30 days after completion or occupancy

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

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