# Sign Regulations in Monticello, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monticello, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/monticello
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.in.gov/counties/white/files/2008-Zoning-Ordinances-through-072125.pdf#page=225)

## At a glance

Monticello, Indiana regulates 26 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business Dense Development District (B-4), Transitional Business District (B-5) zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 150 square feet, with a 10 feet from right-of-way to leading edge setback (Sec. Table 10.2). Most commercial signs in Monticello require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Agriculture District (A-1), Agricultural Industry District (A-2), Rural Residential District (RR) | 8 | 45 feet | 300-450 square feet per advertising face | — |
| Lake District (L-1), Single-family Residential District (R-1), Single and Two-family Residential District (R-2), Mobile Home Park Residential District (R-4) - Single/Two Family Use | 4 | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Multi-family Residential District (R-3), Mobile Home Park Residential District (R-4) - Multi-Family Use | 4 | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business Dense Development District (B-4), Transitional Business District (B-5) | 12 | 40 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| General Business District (B-2), Highway Business District (B-3) | 13 | 45 feet | 300-450 square feet per advertising face | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2) | 13 | 45 feet | 300-450 square feet per advertising face | — |
| Industrial Park (I-3) | 12 | 40 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Amusement & Entertainment District (AED) | 5 | 40 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| Conservation and Flood Plain Overlay District (CFO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| All Residential Districts Used For Institutional Purposes | 3 | 25 feet | 150 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business Dense Development District (B-4), Transitional Business District (B-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 150 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way to leading edge | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Pole Sign | 25 feet | 90 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Electronic Messaging Sign | Restricted based on sign type (ground or pole) | 100 square feet | — | Based on sign type (10 feet) | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2, §10.4.5 |
| Vehicle or Trailer Sign | No more than 2 feet above the roof surface | 16 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 1 on each hood, trunk, roof, side; 1 per trailer surface | On vehicle or trailer | — | Table 10.2 |
| Multiple Entity Sign | 40 feet | 60 square feet per sign face; 1 sign face per entity | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per 300 feet radially | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Roof Sign | Per BZA approval | Per BZA approval | — | Per BZA | Per BZA | On roof | — | Table 10.2, §10.8.4 |
| Off-Premise Yard Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | Reasonable and safe location | Multiple, separated by 50 feet | On premises | — | §10.9.5 |
| Off-Premise Disposable Sign | 3 feet | 4 square feet | — | Reasonable and safe | Multiple, separated by 50 feet | On premises, not in right-of-way | — | §10.9.6 |

### General Business District (B-2), Highway Business District (B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 150 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way to leading edge | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Pole Sign | 25 feet | 90 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Electronic Messaging Sign | Restricted based on sign type (ground or pole) | 100 square feet | — | Based on sign type (10 feet) | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2, §10.4.5 |
| Vehicle or Trailer Sign | No more than 2 feet above the roof surface | 16 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 1 on each hood, trunk, roof, side; 1 per trailer surface | On vehicle or trailer | — | Table 10.2 |
| Multiple Entity Sign | 40 feet | 60 square feet per sign face; 1 sign face per entity | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per 300 feet radially | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Roof Sign | Per BZA approval | Per BZA approval | — | Per BZA | Per BZA | On roof | — | Table 10.2, §10.8.4 |
| Billboard (Off-Premise Sign) | 45 feet | 300-450 square feet per advertising face | — | 1000 feet from residential district, public institution, school or church | Spaced 1000 feet radially from other billboards | On premises in B-2, B-3 | — | §10.9.2, §10.9.3 |
| Off-Premise Yard Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | Reasonable and safe location | Multiple, separated by 50 feet | On premises | — | §10.9.5 |

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 feet | 150 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way to leading edge | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Pole Sign | 25 feet | 90 square feet | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Electronic Messaging Sign | Restricted based on sign type (ground or pole) | 100 square feet | — | Based on sign type (10 feet) | 1 per parcel + 1 per 200 feet frontage | On premises | — | Table 10.2, §10.4.5 |
| Vehicle or Trailer Sign | No more than 2 feet above the roof surface | 16 square feet per sign | — | N/A | 1 on each hood, trunk, roof, side; 1 per trailer surface | On vehicle or trailer | — | Table 10.2 |
| Multiple Entity Sign | 40 feet | 60 square feet per sign face; 1 sign face per entity | — | 10 feet from right-of-way | 1 per 300 feet radially | On premises | — | Table 10.2 |
| Roof Sign | Per BZA approval | Per BZA approval | — | Per BZA | Per BZA | On roof | — | Table 10.2, §10.8.4 |
| Billboard (Off-Premise Sign) | 45 feet | 300-450 square feet per advertising face | — | 1000 feet from residential district, public institution, school or church | Spaced 1000 feet radially from other billboards | On premises in I-1, I-2 | — | §10.9.2, §10.9.3 |
| Off-Premise Yard Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet | — | Reasonable and safe location | Multiple, separated by 50 feet | On premises | — | §10.9.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Monticello

- Off-premises signs are prohibited, including temporary signs, except as expressly permitted by this chapter.
- No sign shall make use of words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse motorists.
- No sign shall bear or contain statements, words or pictures which would violate the standards and definitions provided in IC 35-49-2-1 (obscenity standards).
- No sign shall contain advertising matter that is untruthful or misleading.
- Signs which emit audible sound or visible matter are prohibited unless authorized by the Area Board of Zoning Appeals or elsewhere in this Chapter.
- Signs shall not hide or block any traffic or roadway sign, signal or device from view except where authorized.
- Signs shall not obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway or any opening intended to provide ingress or egress to any structure.
- No sign shall be allowed which is in violation of any Federal or State law or regulation.
- Search lights are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed on any communication, radio or cell tower without approval of the owner and Staff; signs on Wind Energy Conversion Systems are prohibited except as compliant with Chapter 7.
- Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or emergency vehicle light, are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway, sidewalk or any opening intended to provide air, egress or ingress for any building or structure are prohibited unless expressly allowed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monticello

- Signs indicating the names and locations of churches, charitable organizations, community service organizations and governmental offices or agencies are exempted from all provisions except construction and safety regulations, provided they do not exceed four square feet, are at least ten feet off the street right-of-way, do not obstruct views, and have 500 feet minimum spacing.
- All signs required by a compelling governmental interest are exempt from these standards.
- The following signs are exempt from permit requirements if they comply with restrictions: cylindrical poles, agricultural signs under 2 sq ft with 50 ft spacing, drive-through boards, feather flag banners, flags (non-governmental under 60 sq ft), historical location signs, government signs, integral signs, incidental parking lot signs, other incidental signage up to 60 sq ft, yard signs (on-premise under 6 sq ft), disposable signs (on-premise under 4 sq ft), suspended signs, window signs, A-frame/T-frame signs, decorative signs (banners etc. for 60 days), community service displays, bench signs, portable changeable copy signs (60 days or less), neighborhood watch signs, barn quilt signs, water tower signs (non-commercial), retail signage under 2 sq ft, natural composite signs, vehicle signs (if vehicle operational), murals/works of art (non-commercial), public signs, utility marker signs, park/athletic field signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Pole signs at shopping centers in business-zoned areas may be made a part of the site development plan or erected later, subject to city approval and compliance with White County Zoning Ordinance sign requirements.
- Sign permit applications require a site plan showing the location of the sign and all other signs on the premises, along with drawings of dimensions, construction, and other details; applications are reviewed and approved by the City Council.
- In White County, sign permit applications require a site plan showing sign locations and existing/anticipated free-standing signs, plus drawings, sketches, or certifications for compliance.
- Certain signs, such as roof signs, digital billboards, and prohibited sign types comparable to allowed types, require approval or variance from the Area Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Overlay districts impose additional standards and restrictions on signage, including controls on signage to unify streetscape or manage traffic.

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

---

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