# Sign Regulations in Lawrenceburg, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lawrenceburg, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/lawrenceburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Lawrenceburg, Indiana regulates 34 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Permanent Multi-Family Development Signs in the R-1 District, LR-1 District, LR-2 District, E District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 25 sq ft per side, with a 10 ft from street ROW setback (Sec. §154.40(D)(6)). Most commercial signs in Lawrenceburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 5 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| R-1 District, LR-1 District, LR-2 District, E District | 9 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| A District, B District | 1 | 15 ft total height or 15 ft above road grade (whichever greater) | 200 sq ft total area, max 10 ft sign face height | — |
| B District, LB District | 19 | 20 ft | 48 sq ft per side, one street frontage only | — |
| A District | 1 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall/Window Mural | — | — | — | — | — | Exterior of building/structure | — | §154.40(C)(2) |
| Directional/Informational Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §154.40(B) Def. |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Only on private property with owner permission; not in ROW or on utility poles. Each sign at least 6 inches from any other sign. | — | §154.40(H) |
| Historic Sign | 5 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Freestanding or wall mounted | — | §154.40(I) |
| Warning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Posted as determined by Chief of Police around hazardous sites like quarries/excavation | — | §151.01(B)-(D) |

### R-1 District, LR-1 District, LR-2 District, E District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Occupant Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | On residential structure | — | §154.40(D)(1) |
| Garage/Yard/Moving Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Not within public right-of-way | — | On premises of sale | — | §154.40(D)(2) |
| Directional Sign (Sale Use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property only, with owner's consent | — | §154.40(D)(3) |
| Permanent Subdivision Sign | 5 ft | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | Max 2 | Primary entrance(s) to subdivision | — | §154.40(D)(4) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | 5 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 2 max (1 if one entrance) | On property for sale or being developed | — | §154.40(D)(5) |
| Permanent Multi-Family Development Sign | 5 ft | 25 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from street ROW | 1 | No closer than 10 ft to any street ROW | — | §154.40(D)(6) |
| Temporary Residential Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | Not in ROW | 1 | On project property, not in ROW | — | §154.40(D)(7) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential, For Sale/Lease/Rent) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not in ROW | 1 active at a time | On the property for sale/rent/lease | — | §154.40(G)(1)(a),(c) |

### B District, LB District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Occupancy Building, B District) | Not higher than gutter line of building | Greater of 38 sq ft or 1 sq ft per lineal ft of store frontage; total 150/250 sq ft cap | — | — | — | On building wall (front) | — | §154.40(E)(2)(a)2 |
| Ground Mounted or Pole Sign (Single Occupancy, B District) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft per side, one street frontage only | — | 10 ft from street ROW | — | On premises, ground or pole mounted | — | §154.40(E)(2)(a)1 |
| Ground Mounted/Pole Sign (Multiple Occupancy, B District) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft (development) + 16 sq ft (tenant), total 140 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street ROW | 1 per development | On premises | — | §154.40(E)(2)(b)4 |
| Ground Mounted/Pole Sign (Single Occupancy, LB District) | 20 ft | 48 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from street ROW or 1 ft from sidewalk, whichever less | — | On premises | — | §154.40(E)(3)(a) |
| Ground Mounted/Pole Sign (Multiple Occupancy, LB District) | 20 ft | 15 sq ft (development) + 4 sq ft (tenant), total 35 sq ft | — | 5 ft from street ROW or 1 ft from sidewalk, whichever less | 1 per development | On premises | — | §154.40(E)(3)(b)4 |
| Portable/Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft (LB, portable); 4 ft (B, temporary) | 2 ft wide by 3 ft high (LB, portable stand up); 4 ft by 8 ft (B, temporary, see Temporary Business Sign) | 2 ft (LB, portable); 3 ft (B, temporary) | — | LB: 1 per storefront; B: max 3 per event | Directly in front of business storefront (LB/B) | — | §154.40(E)(3)(b)5 (LB); §154.40(E)(5) (B) |
| Temporary Business Sign | 4 ft (portable) | 32 sq ft or max 30% of window area (attached to building/window); up to 4 ft by 8 ft (portable B only) | 3 ft (portable) | — | B District: max 3 per event; LB: only portable sign noted (not detailed under temp) | On building, window or immediately in front of store | — | §154.40(E)(5), (1)(b)-(d) |
| Business Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per side | — | Not in ROW | 1 per project | On project property | — | §154.40(E)(1)(g) |

## Prohibited signs in Lawrenceburg

- No sign shall be permitted in any district except as hereinafter provided.
- No building wall or roof shall be used for painted advertising, identification, or display purposes. Existing painted wall or roof advertising or identification must be discontinued and painted over or removed when the message becomes unreadable, obsolete, or nonfunctional.
- No building window shall be used for advertising or identification unless specifically permitted.
- Existing nonconforming signs may not be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, structurally altered, redesigned, or modified unless such activity brings the sign into conformance and a permit is issued. Maintenance only is permitted without bringing the sign into conformance.
- The use of nonconforming signs and structures must cease when the message is changed or becomes unreadable, obsolete, or nonfunctional, except for existing signs in the B District/U.S. 50 corridor that may be refaced in the existing area upon change of business tenant or owner.
- No sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way except for publicly-owned signs, such as traffic control and directional signs.
- No sign in any district may flash, rotate, fluctuate in lighting, or allow any motion to its parts, except municipally-owned community message boards or those approved for use in the Redevelopment Overlay District.
- No sign previously having wheels or a changeable reader board may be used unless authorized.
- Vehicle signs may not be parked in the city for longer than two hours in any 24-hour period if visible from a street or highway, except if routinely used in commerce.
- Signs must comply with required district setbacks unless stated otherwise.
- Balloons used for advertising must comply with all sign section provisions.
- Historic signs may only display historic information; advertising is strictly prohibited.
- Signs shall not be located in any public right-of-way.
- Political signs are prohibited in any public right-of-way and on utility poles.
- Content on approved billboard signs is not regulated by the commission, but local elections or political issue signs must comply with posting and removal timelines.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lawrenceburg

- Murals are exempt from the prohibition against painted wall advertising if a zoning permit is obtained and Historic Preservation Commission requirements are satisfied.
- The flag, pennant, or insignia of any nation, state, city, political unit, or certain educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic, professional, or religious campaigns/events are not considered signs for regulatory purposes.
- Official notices issued by a court or public officer or posted as part of public duty are not considered signs.
- Incidental signs do not require a permit, provided the total area does not exceed three square feet and the sign is not illuminated.
- Flag-type banners used during business hours do not require a permit and are exempt from duration restrictions.
- Temporary signs, banners, and portable signs announcing or promoting community events/programs sponsored by nonprofit, public, educational, religious, and charitable organizations do not require a permit and may be in addition to permitted business temporary signs.
- Portable, stand up signs in the 'LB' District placed in front of businesses during business hours, one per store front, are permitted without a permit, subject to size and clearance restrictions.
- Bumper stickers and/or magnetic candidate signs placed on vehicles, less than two and one half square feet in size, are exempt from political sign restrictions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Murals are permitted if the applicant obtains a zoning permit and satisfies Historic Preservation Commission requirements.
- Permanent subdivision signs require approval of sign color by Plan Commission Staff.
- Permanent subdivision signs must have permanent maintenance provisions in subdivision covenants and if not maintained, the city may remove them; relocation requires Plan Commission approval.
- Historic signs require an Improvement Location Permit, but fees are waived; color, shape, and material must be approved by the Lawrenceburg Common Council.
- No billboard/off-premises sign permit may be issued unless a permit for an existing billboard/off-premises sign of equal or greater face size is surrendered to the Plan Commission and the sign is removed before the new erection.

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

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