# Sign Regulations in Mishawaka, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mishawaka, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/mishawaka
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Mishawaka/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADECO_CH129EMSIST)

## At a glance

Mishawaka, Indiana regulates 4 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Off-Premises Sign (Non-Limited-Access Highway)s in the Commercial C-1 District (C-1), Commercial C-4 District (C-4), Commercial C-7 District (C-7), Commercial C-8 District (C-8), Commercial C-9 District (C-9), Commercial C-10 District (C-10) zoning district are capped at 35 feet tall and 300 sq ft, up to 350 sq ft with extensions (max extension 50 sq ft/face, up to 4 ft above sign height), with a 25 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft rear yard, 5 ft side yard setback (Sec. Sec. 137-380(13), 137-457(13), 137-510(13), 137-530(13)). Most commercial signs in Mishawaka require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential R-1 District (R-1), Residential R-2 District (R-2), Residential R-3 District (R-3), Residential R-4 District (R-4) | 1 | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Commercial C-1 District (C-1), Commercial C-4 District (C-4), Commercial C-7 District (C-7), Commercial C-8 District (C-8), Commercial C-9 District (C-9), Commercial C-10 District (C-10) | 1 | 35 feet | 300 sq ft, up to 350 sq ft with extensions (max extension 50 sq ft/face, up to 4 ft above sign height) | — |
| Commercial C-2 District (C-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial C-3 District (C-3), Commercial C-5 District (C-5), Commercial C-6 District (C-6) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial I-1 District (I-1), Industrial I-2 District (I-2) | 1 | 35 feet | 300 sq ft (max 350 sq ft with extensions, maximum 4 ft above sign height) | — |
| Special S-1 District (S-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Unit Development S-2 District (S-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Overlay District (H) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential R-1 District (R-1), Residential R-2 District (R-2), Residential R-3 District (R-3), Residential R-4 District (R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Professional/Home Occupation Identification) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per principal use | Attached to an outside wall and flush mounted | — | Sec. 137-165.6.b (R-1), 137-187.6.b (R-2), 137-216.12.b (R-3), 137-244.6.b (R-4) |

### Commercial C-1 District (C-1), Commercial C-4 District (C-4), Commercial C-7 District (C-7), Commercial C-8 District (C-8), Commercial C-9 District (C-9), Commercial C-10 District (C-10)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Sign (Non-Limited-Access Highway) | 35 feet | 300 sq ft, up to 350 sq ft with extensions (max extension 50 sq ft/face, up to 4 ft above sign height) | — | 25 ft from right-of-way, 25 ft rear yard, 5 ft side yard | 1 per location (per separation distance rules) | Must comply with required setbacks (see below) | — | Sec. 137-380(13), 137-457(13), 137-510(13), 137-530(13) |

### Industrial I-1 District (I-1), Industrial I-2 District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Off-Premises Sign (Non-Limited-Access Highway) | 35 feet | 300 sq ft (max 350 sq ft with extensions, maximum 4 ft above sign height) | — | 25 ft from public road, 25 ft rear, 5 ft side | 1 per location (per separation distance rules) | Must comply with separation/setback standards. | — | Sec. 137-587(12), 137-610(12) |

## Prohibited signs in Mishawaka

- All signs erected in all zones shall conform to the requirements of chapter 129.
- No sign shall in any manner or design resemble any emergency warning device or traffic regulation device.
- Revolving or stationary beacon lights are prohibited.
- No electrical sign exhibiting the colors red, green, or amber shall in any manner or design resemble any emergency warning device or traffic regulation signal.
- All signs erected in commercial, industrial, and special zones shall conform to the requirements of chapter 129, on-premises sign standards, the state department of transportation, and IC 8-23-20 et seq., as may be amended from time to time.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mishawaka

- Exemptions to the outdoor lighting trespass regulation include: nighttime field sports facilities, such as little league baseball diamonds, high school football fields, high school soccer fields, and municipal street lights.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs erected in all zones shall conform to the requirements of chapter 129, which sets the main sign standards.
- All commercial, industrial, and special zone signs must conform to chapter 129 on-premises sign standards.
- Site plans submitted for review must include the location and description of proposed and existing signs (Sec. 137-36(b)(2)).
- Final PUD (Planned Unit Development) site plans must include all signs and must conform with the requirements of chapter 129 (Sec. 137-675(5)).
- Certain sign types (including off-premises signs) have additional application/planning, submittal, and separation requirements detailed in the relevant zoning district sections and chapter 129.
- A variance from sign regulations may be granted only by the Board of Zoning Appeals following specific findings.

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

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