# Sign Regulations in Lawrence, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lawrence, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/lawrence
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-17
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIPUHEWE_CH744DEST_ARTIX2018RESIRE)

## At a glance

Lawrence, Indiana regulates 60 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Primary Building Signs (CBD) - Wall/Projecting/Projecting-Blade/Canopy/Marquee/Skyline/Roof-Integrals in the Central Business District One (CBD1) / Central Business District Two (CBD2) / Central Business District Three (CBD3) / Central Business District Special (CBDS) zoning district are capped at Max permitted extension above roof line: 4 ft. Skyline only permitted on buildings over 50 ft in height. No signs except Skyline and Projecting/Projecting-Blade may be mounted higher than 26 ft above grade. tall, Per formulas above (below 26 ft and above 26 ft), and Wall 80% tenant/elevation; Projecting 6 ft; Blade 6 ft; Canopy 80% canopy side; Skyline 80% building elevation; Roof-integral 80% tenant/elevation. wide, with a setbacks by district. setback from the right-of-way (Sec. Table 744-906-7 (A-L) and continuation tables on pp. 36-38). Most commercial signs in Lawrence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | Max distance top-to-bottom of canopy: 9 ft (including valance). | Sign copy on any canopy: max 45% of area of the canopy plane on which placed. | — |
| Office-Buffer District (C1) | 7 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; additionally no more than 30% (max 4 ft) of a sign may extend above limits of the wall. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial District (C3) | 4 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Community-Regional District (C4) / General Commercial District (C5) / High-Intensity Commercial District (C7) | 5 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign; digital portion max 40% of sign area or 100 sq ft (whichever lesser). | — |
| Commercial - Special District (CS) | 4 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Mixed-Use One District (MU1) / Mixed-Use Two District (MU2) | 3 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Mixed-Use Three District (MU3) / Mixed-Use Four District (MU4) | 4 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Central Business District One (CBD1) / Central Business District Two (CBD2) / Central Business District Three (CBD3) / Central Business District Special (CBDS) | 12 | 20 ft | Max 100 sq ft | — |
| Restricted Industrial District (I1) / Light Industrial District (I2) | 4 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign | — |
| Medium Industrial District (I3) / Heavy Industrial District (I4) | 5 | No sign except Skyline and Projecting Blade may be higher than 26 ft above grade; no more than 30% (max 4 ft) may extend above wall limits. | Per formula; absolute cap 300 sq ft per sign; digital portion max 40% of sign area or 100 sq ft (lesser). | — |
| Dwelling Agriculture District (DA) / Dwelling Suburban District (DS) / Dwelling District One (D1) / Dwelling District Two (D2) / Dwelling District Three (D3) / Dwelling District Four (D4) / Dwelling District Five (D5) / Dwelling District Five-Two (D5II) / Dwelling District Six (D6) / Dwelling District Six-Two (D6II) / Dwelling District Seven (D7) / Dwelling District Eight (D8) / Dwelling District Nine (D9) / Dwelling District Ten (D10) / Dwelling District Eleven (D11) | 9 | 10 ft max | Subject to additional requirements in Section 744-907(B) (including sign copy max 45% canopy plane). | — |
| Planned Unit Development District (DP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Hospital Districts (HD1, HD2) | 2 | 10 ft max | 32 sq ft max | — |
| Park Districts (PK1, PK2) / Speedway Districts (SZ1, SZ2) / University Quarter Districts (UQ1, UQ2) / Special Use (SU) Districts (SU1, SU2, SU3, SU5, SU6, SU7, SU8, SU9, SU10, SU13, SU16, SU18, SU20, SU23, SU28, SU34, SU35, SU37, SU38, SU39, SU41, SU42, SU43, SU44, SU45, SU46) | 8 | 15 ft | Max 240 sq ft (and also limited by 3% of oriented elevation) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs (general applicability) | — | — | — | — | — | Applies to all signs and sign structures in all zoning districts; no sign may be constructed/erected/converted/enlarged/extended/reconstructed/relocated except in conformity with Article IX. | — | Sec. 744-901(B)(1)-(2), (C); Sec. 744-903(B) |
| Signs in public right-of-way (general prohibition) | — | — | — | — | — | Prohibited on or in public right-of-way of an alley or street (including on utility poles/street signs) except public signs and signs associated with an approved outdoor café; also prohibited on/over public property or right-of-way unless specifically authorized; no signs on/over drainage/utility easement unless authorized by easement holder. | — | Sec. 744-903(A)(2); Sec. 744-903(G)(1); Sec. 744-905(C) |
| Vehicle Sign (prohibited when primary purpose is display) | — | — | — | — | — | Signs placed on vehicles parked on public/private property are prohibited where the primary purpose of the vehicle in that location is to display the sign. | — | Sec. 744-903(G)(7) |
| Traffic-interference / sight obstruction (general prohibition) | — | — | — | — | — | Prohibited if attempts/appears to regulate traffic; interferes with/obstructs view of official traffic sign/signal/device; can be confused with/imitation of same; must not obstruct clear sight visibility area. | — | Sec. 744-903(G)(2)(a)-(b) |
| Canopy sign standards (all districts where canopy signs are permitted) | Max distance top-to-bottom of canopy: 9 ft (including valance). | Sign copy on any canopy: max 45% of area of the canopy plane on which placed. | — | — | — | No canopy may extend closer than 2 ft from any street curb or edge of interior access drive; if over sidewalk, outer support columns cannot obstruct continuous effective walkway; effective walkway min width: 8 ft in CBD; 5 ft in all other districts. | — | Sec. 744-907(B) and (B)(1)-(4) |
| Pedestrian Sign (A-frame/T-frame) | 5 ft max | 8 sq ft max | — | — | Maximum one sign per use | Within 20 ft of a pedestrian entrance; not in any right-of-way (as limited by specific rule: shall not be located in any designated parking area or parking space, street or pedestrian ramp or within the clear visibility area). | — | Sec. 744-903(E)(7); Sec. 744-910(C)(1)-(9) |
| Yard Sign (general) | — | 6 sq ft max (definition) | — | — | Election period: unlimited | In the yard of a lot. | — | Sec. 744-902 (Yard sign definition); Sec. 744-903(E)(2); Sec. 744-910(E)(1)-(6) |
| Temporary Banner Sign (permitted in specified districts) | 6 ft max | 32 sq ft max | — | — | Maximum one banner sign per use | Not in any right-of-way. | — | Sec. 744-910(A)(1)-(13) |

### Central Business District One (CBD1) / Central Business District Two (CBD2) / Central Business District Three (CBD3) / Central Business District Special (CBDS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Primary Freestanding Sign - Monument | 10 ft | Max 100 sq ft | — | 0 ft from existing right-of-way | Max one per street frontage | One per street frontage. | — | Table 744-906-5 (A-H); CBD illumination/digital/additional standards text following table |
| Primary Freestanding Sign - Pylon | 20 ft | Max 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from existing right-of-way | Max one per street frontage | One per street frontage. | — | Table 744-906-5 (A-H); CBD illumination/digital/additional standards text following table |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Vehicle Entry Point | 2.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 2 ft min front setback | Two per driveway | Two per driveway. | — | Table 744-906-6 (B-H) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Incidental | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 10 ft min front setback | One per building entrance | One per building entrance. | — | Table 744-906-6 (B-H) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Drive-Thru | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Front setback: NA (table) | 1 per lane | 1 per lane. | — | Table 744-906-6 (B-H); Sec. 744-908(B)(1) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Auto- or Bike-Sharing or Taxi Cab Stand Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per stand or station | 1 per stand or station. | — | Table 744-906-6 (B-H); Sec. 744-908(G) |
| Primary Building Signs (CBD) - Wall/Projecting/Projecting-Blade/Canopy/Marquee/Skyline/Roof-Integral | Max permitted extension above roof line: 4 ft. Skyline only permitted on buildings over 50 ft in height. No signs except Skyline and Projecting/Projecting-Blade may be mounted higher than 26 ft above grade. | Per formulas above (below 26 ft and above 26 ft) | Wall 80% tenant/elevation; Projecting 6 ft; Blade 6 ft; Canopy 80% canopy side; Skyline 80% building elevation; Roof-integral 80% tenant/elevation. | Compact: ROW encroachment up to 6 ft (projecting/blade/canopy) and up to 12 ft (marquee), min 2 ft from curb; Metro: setbacks by district. | Wall: no limit within 26 ft; Projecting: 1 per building façade; Blade: 1 per building façade; Canopy: no limit within 26 ft; Skyline: 1 per elevation (max 4/building) (only on buildings >50 ft); Roof-integral: CBD-1 not permitted, otherwise 1 per building elevation | On elevations facing street (area provisions); special view corridor restriction in CBD: projecting and projecting blade signs on lots fronting Market St (Capitol to Delaware) and Meridian St (Washington to Ohio) cannot obstruct view of Monument Circle or State Capital. | — | Table 744-906-7 (A-L) and continuation tables on pp. 36-38 |
| Secondary Building Sign - Pedestrian Oriented Projecting (CBD) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | 3 ft maximum width | — | One per pedestrian entrance | One per pedestrian entrance. | — | Table 744-906-8 (A-F) |

### Park Districts (PK1, PK2) / Speedway Districts (SZ1, SZ2) / University Quarter Districts (UQ1, UQ2) / Special Use (SU) Districts (SU1, SU2, SU3, SU5, SU6, SU7, SU8, SU9, SU10, SU13, SU16, SU18, SU20, SU23, SU28, SU34, SU35, SU37, SU38, SU39, SU41, SU42, SU43, SU44, SU45, SU46)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Undeveloped Lot Freestanding Sign (SU/PK/SZ/UQ) | 10 ft max | 32 sq ft max | — | — | One per improved street right-of-way | Along each improved street right-of-way on lot not improved with building in any SU, PK, SZ, or UQ-1 district (per ordinance text). | — | Sec. 744-906(E) (Undeveloped lots paragraph); Sec. 744-906(E)(2)(a)-(b) |
| Primary Freestanding Sign - Monument (Special Districts) | 5 ft | Max 240 sq ft (and also limited by 3% of oriented elevation) | — | 10 ft from existing right-of-way | Max 2 per frontage; monument: max 2 if frontage >500 ft; 300 ft separation | Front setback: 10 ft from existing right-of-way. Must not be in proposed right-of-way without relocation commitment. | — | Table 744-906-12 (A-C) and continuation table (D-H); Sec. 744-906(E)(2)(a) |
| Primary Freestanding Sign - Pylon (Special Districts) | 15 ft | Max 240 sq ft (and also limited by 3% of oriented elevation) | — | 10 ft from existing right-of-way | Max 1 pylon per street frontage; possible additional monument if frontage >500 ft; 300 ft separation; max 2 per frontage | Front setback: 10 ft from existing right-of-way. | — | Table 744-906-12 (A-C) and continuation table (D-H) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Vehicle Entry Point (Special Districts) | 2.5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 2 ft min front setback | Two per driveway | Two per driveway; 2 ft min front setback. | — | Table 744-906-13 (A-H) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Incidental (Special Districts) | 8 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 10 ft min front setback | 2 per acre | 2 per acre; 10 ft min front setback. | — | Table 744-906-13 (A-H) |
| Secondary Freestanding Sign - Auto- or Bike-Sharing Sign (Special Districts) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | NA (table) | 1 per station | 1 per station. | — | Table 744-906-13 (A-H); Sec. 744-908(G) |
| Primary Building Signs (Special Districts) - Wall/Canopy/Marquee/Roof-Integral | — | 3% of oriented elevation | Wall 80% tenant/elevation; Canopy 80% canopy side; Roof-Integral 80% tenant/elevation; Marquee max width 30 ft except CBD no limit (if using 744-908(D) standard where applicable). | Compact: canopy may encroach into ROW up to 6 ft; marquee up to 12 ft; min 2 ft from curb. Metro: setbacks by district. | Wall: no limit; Canopy: no limit; Roof-integral: one per building elevation | Compact Context Area: canopy may encroach into ROW up to 6 ft and marquee up to 12 ft; no sign closer than 2 ft from curb. Metro Context: setbacks by district. | — | Table 744-906-14 (A-I); Sec. 744-908(D) |
| Secondary Building Signs (Special Districts) - Window/Pedestrian Oriented Projecting/Suspended/Point of Entrance/Incidental | — | Window: max 20% window area per window, max 100 sq ft (separate from other signs); Pedestrian oriented projecting/suspended: 6 sq ft per sign; Point of Entrance: 6 sq ft per sign; Incidental: 4 sq ft per sign. | Pedestrian oriented projecting: 3 ft maximum width | — | As stated in table | Pedestrian oriented: 1 per pedestrian entrance; Point of entrance: 2 per pedestrian entrance on front façade and 1 per entrance on other facades; Incidental: 2 per acre; window unlimited (subject to transparency requirements). | — | Table 744-906-15 (A-G); Sec. 744-903(E)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Lawrence

- No sign or sign structure shall be constructed, erected, converted, enlarged, extended, reconstructed or relocated except in conformity with Chapter 744, Article IX.
- No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the expressed written consent of the property owner/authorized controller.
- No sign (other than authorized government signs) shall be located, used, or maintained on or over public property or a public right-of-way, except as specifically authorized by this chapter and, if applicable, any requisite encroachment license.
- No sign may be installed, used, or maintained on or over a drainage or utility easement, except as specifically authorized by the entity granted the easement.
- Any sign not identified as a permitted sign type in Section 744-906 is prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited (including signs posted on utility poles or street signs), except public signs and signs associated with an approved outdoor café (and encroachment license where applicable).
- Signs that attempt/appear to regulate traffic, or that interfere with/obstruct the view of, can be confused with, imitate, or resemble an official traffic sign/signal/device are prohibited; rotating beams, beacons, or flashing illumination resembling emergency lights are prohibited in connection with any sign display.
- Signs that obstruct a driver's view of any traffic/roadway sign, signal, device, or that interfere with the clear sight visibility area are prohibited.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or maintained upon trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Banners are prohibited except where allowed under specified exceptions (e.g., temporary banners under Sec. 744-910, pole banners under Sec. 744-909(B), non-commercial banners over private property, or banners regulated as wall signs if secured on all four corners).
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited where the primary purpose of parking the vehicle in that location is to display the sign (with exceptions for lawful deliveries/service calls and permanent markings on business/commercial vehicles).
- Signs that produce or utilize sound are prohibited, except sound speakers that are components of drive-thru signs and gasoline pump islands.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted by Section 744-911 (noncommercial message content not limited by on-/off-premises distinction).
- No sign or sign structure between 2.5 feet and 9 feet above the driving surface may be located within the 25-foot-by-25-foot clear sight visibility triangle at intersections.
- No sign may be located in a way that obstructs or blocks any public right-of-way, sidewalk, walkway, intersection, ingress/egress point, transit stop, pedestrian ramp, parking space, drive aisle, driveway, building entrance, fire escape, or accessibility ramp.
- Any sign portion extending over a pedestrian traffic area/walkway/sidewalk must maintain at least 9 feet of vertical clearance; any sign portion extending over a vehicle area must maintain at least 12 feet of vertical clearance.
- Freestanding signs must maintain at least 10 feet of vertical clearance from any overhead power line.
- Visible transformers are prohibited on signs (electrical components should be integrated/hidden to the extent technically feasible).
- No signs may be painted on, attached to, or maintained upon trees, rock outcroppings, or other natural features (reiterated in construction standards).
- No sign may be located, used, or maintained on or over a public property or public right-of-way except as authorized by the chapter and, if applicable, an encroachment license (reiterated as a general provision).
- Illumination: No sign using an intermittent or flashing light source to attract attention is permitted or maintained (digital signs compliant with Sec. 744-907(C) are not considered flashing/animated).
- Digital displays: No digital display may be located within 600 feet of a Protected District unless visibly obstructed; in no instance may it be located within 400 feet of a Protected District.
- Digital displays: Digital displays are not permitted in a federally or locally designated historic district or within 600 feet of the boundary of such a district or historic site.
- Digital displays: Digital displays may only display static messages; no movement/illusion of movement, flashing, varying light intensity, or scrolling; prohibited transition effects; message change must complete in 1 second or less; each message must display at least 10 seconds.
- Outdoor advertising signs: roof top outdoor advertising signs are not permitted in any zoning district.
- Outdoor advertising signs: advertising signs shall not be located on, above, or below any portion of primary buildings.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lawrence

- Noncommercial content may be substituted for other content on any permitted sign or any legal nonconforming sign.
- Signs within federally or locally designated historic districts (under IHPC jurisdiction): any primary or secondary sign on a building/lot within such a district is exempt from the provisions of this chapter; sign standards are determined by IHPC via Certificate of Appropriateness procedures.
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) not required to change a sign face on a sign with an existing ILP, except an ILP is required to change a sign face from static to a digital display.
- ILP not required for maintenance of a sign with an existing ILP, provided maintenance does not alter surface area/height, render the sign nonconforming, or increase nonconformity.
- Signs that may be erected and maintained without a permit or fee (provided they comply with applicable standards): signs on municipal bus shelters/benches; yard signs; non-commercial flags, non-commercial banners, or similar non-commercial emblems suspended entirely over private property; parking structure signs not oriented to a right-of-way; signs within/on railway property or railway easement for railway operation; window signs; pedestrian signs; signs integrated into/on a coin-operated machine/vending machine/fuel pump related to its purpose; public signs; address signs; signs permitted on undeveloped lots.
- Features not considered a sign (not regulated by this article): tombstones in a cemetery/graveyard; building outline lighting in commercial/industrial/mixed-use districts (subject to stated limitations); certain works of art unless they contain a business name/brand/logo beyond creator signature/mark (with limited sponsorship element exception).
- Ghost signs existing at the effective date of the article are exempt from these requirements and are considered conforming (IHPC approval needed to repaint/restore).
- Heritage sign area is not counted toward total primary/secondary sign area permitted; and for an existing freestanding heritage sign, area/height standards may be waived upon designation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Planned Unit Development District (D-P): submissions shall include a sign program identifying permitted signs and development standards, or a reference to the section of the Sign Ordinance to be applied for signage compliance.
- Hospital Districts (HD): submissions shall include a sign program identifying permitted signs and development standards, or a reference to the section of the Sign Ordinance to be applied for signage compliance; development must conform to the approved sign program.
- Special Use (SU), Park (PK), Speedway (SZ), and University Quarter (UQ) Districts: all sign applications shall be submitted for and subject to Administrative Approval.
- Speedway districts SZ-1 and SZ-2: sign applications must comply with additional standards in the Speedway District Regulations (Section 744-108.E).
- Banners on light/utility/freestanding poles: Administrator's approval is required; and where applicable a one-time permit for banner attachment hardware is required plus an encroachment/right-of-way permit/license (and agreement for municipal-owned poles) if within a right-of-way.
- Outdoor Advertising Signs elevated/relocated due to certain state actions: relocation/elevation requires approval of a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals; an ILP is required for signs elevated/relocated under I.C. 8-23-20-25.6.

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

---

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