# Sign Regulations in Martinsville, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Martinsville, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/martinsville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Martinsville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH18BU_ARTVPESOTRME_DIV1GE_S18-194NOPESI)

## At a glance

Martinsville, Indiana regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Advertising Structures in the Major Business District (B3), Highway Business District (B4), Light Industrial District (I1), General Industrial District (I2), Heavy Industrial District (I3), Special Industrial District (I4) zoning district are capped at 40 feet (including supports and frame); display surface 16' high x 32' wide max. tall, 512 square feet per facing (maximum combined area), maximum 2 displays per facing, and 32 feet (per display) wide, with a Minimum 50 feet from right-of-way (Sec. 94-37(E)6); See other spacing rules above. setback (Sec. Sec. 94-37(E)1-8; Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(b)). Most commercial signs in Martinsville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Floodplain (FP), Agricultural District (AG), Open Space (OS), Rural Residential (RR, RR(a), RR(b), RR(c)), Single-Family Residential (R1, R1(a), R1(b), R1(c), R1(d)), Two-Family Residential (R2), Multi-Family Residential (R3), Neighborhood Business District (B1) | 3 | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — |
| General Business District (B2) | 6 | 32 feet | 192 square feet total (for 2 signs) | — |
| Major Business District (B3), Highway Business District (B4), Light Industrial District (I1), General Industrial District (I2), Heavy Industrial District (I3), Special Industrial District (I4) | 7 | 50 feet | 512 square feet per facing (maximum combined area), maximum 2 displays per facing | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 64 square feet (total per farm) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Floodplain (FP), Agricultural District (AG), Open Space (OS), Rural Residential (RR, RR(a), RR(b), RR(c)), Single-Family Residential (R1, R1(a), R1(b), R1(c), R1(d)), Two-Family Residential (R2), Multi-Family Residential (R3), Neighborhood Business District (B1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | Signs must be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the right-of-way line of any adjacent street for nameplates. | 1 per street frontage | Ground mounted; per street frontage; must be set back according to required setbacks (see general and district requirements). Nameplate signs must be set back a minimum of 5 feet from ROW. | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(1)(a)1,3; Table in Sec. 94-37(F)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 6 square feet per business | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building; each street frontage | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(1)(a)3; Table in Sec. 94-37(F)(4) |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign | — | 6 square feet per sign | — | — | 2 | Any lot or parcel | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(1)(a)4 |

### General Business District (B2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 32 feet | 192 square feet total (for 2 signs) | — | See Section 94-37(D)(5): 12 sqft/less: 5'; 12.1-50 sqft: 10'; 50.1-128 sqft: 20'; 128.1-256 sqft: 50'. Over 256 sqft prohibited. | 2 | On lot, out-lot or parcel | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(a)1 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(a)1 |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(a)2 |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 2 | Lot, building or occupancy | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(a)3 |
| Temporary Event Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(a)4 |
| Shopping Center / Multi-Business Sign | 32 feet | 192 square feet for center name; 16 square feet per business; total all signs on structure not to exceed 192 square feet | — | — | 1 per shopping center/multi-business | Shopping center or multi-business property | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(2)(b) |

### Major Business District (B3), Highway Business District (B4), Light Industrial District (I1), General Industrial District (I2), Heavy Industrial District (I3), Special Industrial District (I4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 40 feet | 256 square feet total (for up to 3 signs) | — | See Section 94-37(D)(5): 12 sqft/less: 5'; 12.1-50 sqft: 10'; 50.1-128 sqft: 20'; 128.1-256 sqft: 50'. Over 256 sqft prohibited. | 3 | On lot, out-lot or parcel | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)1; Table Sec. 94-37(F)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)1 |
| Shopping Center / Multi-Business Sign | 50 feet | 256 square feet for center name; 48 square feet per business; total all signs on structure not to exceed 384 square feet | — | — | 1 per shopping center/multi-business | At shopping center or multi-business property | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to building | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)3 |
| For Sale / For Rent Sign | — | 24 square feet per sign | — | — | 2 | Lot, building or occupancy | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)4 |
| Temporary Event Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | — | — | Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(a)5 |
| Advertising Structure | 40 feet (including supports and frame); display surface 16' high x 32' wide max. | 512 square feet per facing (maximum combined area), maximum 2 displays per facing | 32 feet (per display) | Minimum 50 feet from right-of-way (Sec. 94-37(E)6); See other spacing rules above. | No more than one advertising structure per 1,000 feet along road per side | Must be at least 1,000 feet from other advertising structures on same side of the road; at least 500 feet from highway intersections, access ramps, dwellings, schools, churches, or parks (unless property owner waives). | — | Sec. 94-37(E)1-8; Sec. 94-37(F)(3)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Martinsville

- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner so as to obstruct free and clear vision of operators of motor vehicles, or at a location where, by reason of its position, shape or color, it may interfere with or obstruct the vision of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or make use of any word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with or confuse traffic.
- No part of any sign, whether freestanding or attached to a building, shall exceed the height requirements of the district as established in Article III or 40 feet, whichever is less.
- No freestanding sign shall be erected or maintained on or within any easement or right-of-way, whether public or private, without express written approval from the person or agency empowered to grant such approval.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, wording, illumination, size, shape or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic-control sign, signal or device.
- No sign shall contain or make use of any phrase, symbol, shape, form or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse moving traffic.
- No exterior sign shall be permitted to display flashing, intermittent, revolving or animated lighting or illumination, or any illumination that simulates or displays motion. LED signs, and similar electronic displays, are permitted, provided, the display does not flash, show animation, or change screen message at less than eight second intervals. LED signs and electronic displays are not allowed on advertising structures.
- All signs not expressly exempted or permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- Off premises signs of any type or size that are attached to utility poles, fence posts, trees, light posts, traffic signal posts or poles, or any structure within the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- No part of any sign that is attached to the exterior wall of a building shall be erected to a height in excess of six feet above the roof or parapet line of such building.
- No illuminated sign shall be permitted within 50 feet of any residential district unless the illumination is so designed that it does not reflect or shine light onto such property.
- No part of any freestanding sign shall be erected to a height greater than that specified for other structures in the district in which the sign is located; rooftop sign structures shall not exceed more than six feet above the roof line, nor shall such sign structures extend beyond or overhang any exterior wall of the building upon which they are secured.
- Advertising structures are prohibited in all districts except B3, B4, and industrial districts.
- No advertising structure shall be located closer than 1,000 feet in any direction from any other advertising structure on the same side of the road, street or highway.
- No advertising structure shall be located closer than 500 feet to any access ramp of a limited access highway, nor closer than 500 feet to the intersection of two or more state highways.
- No advertising structure shall be placed within 500 feet of any dwelling or land platted and recorded for residential use, or any school, church, place of public assembly or park unless the property owner waives this requirement as it applies to his or her property.
- Advertising structures may not exceed 512 square feet per facing, and no more than two displays per facing.
- No advertising structure, excluding supports and frames, shall exceed 16 feet in height or 32 feet in length.
- The height of any advertising structure, including supports and frame, shall not exceed 40 feet measured from the ground elevation at its base or from the elevation of an adjacent road, street or highway whichever is higher.
- Each advertising structure shall be set back at least 50 feet beyond the street or highway right-of-way, measured from the closest edge of the advertising structure.
- No advertising structure shall be erected or maintained on or within an easement or right-of-way, public or private, without express written approval from the person or agency empowered to grant such approval.

## Signs exempt from permit in Martinsville

- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers and names of occupants of premises.
- Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification information or directional signs erected by or at the direction of governmental bodies.
- An integral decoration or architectural feature of a building, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic in parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter or logos.
- Permanent entrance signs to residential subdivisions or PUDs when the Commission, as part of plat approval for the development, approves the sign.
- Signs that identify a family farm, family farming operation or advertising farm products for sale on the farm are exempt provided the total area of sign(s) do not exceed 64 square feet.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs and advertising structures may be maintained in the districts where such uses are permitted after securing an improvement location permit approving the location, size and design, except where exempted by this section.
- An improvement location permit is required for the erection of an advertising structure, with the application to include a plot plan certified by a registered land surveyor and a notarized statement regarding future tax assessments.
- Temporary signs, certain directional, 'For Rent' and 'For Sale' signs, and specific small signs as listed are exempt from the improvement location permit requirement.
- Shopping centers or multi-business buildings desiring a multi-listing sign must comply with additional area and height rules; approval is required.
- Any sign proposed for a wall that faces and is within 200 feet of a residential use requires application to the board of zoning appeals for approval of the sign(s) and method of lighting.

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

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