# Sign Regulations in Morristown, Indiana

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

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

## At a glance

Morristown, Indiana regulates 19 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Subdivision/Multi-family Project Identity Sign (Permanent)s in the Residential (A, A-1, A-2, B, C, SR, Single Family, Multiple Family, Cluster Housing, Condominiums, High-Rise Apartments) zoning district are capped at 4 ft for ground sign; 20 ft for pole sign (no part less than 9 ft above grade) tall and 32 sq ft; can increase 1 sq ft per 1 ft setback over 10 ft, max 100 sq ft, with a 10 ft min; can increase size with additional setback. setback (Sec. § 110.51(B)(5), (D), (C)(5)). Most commercial signs in Morristown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
| Residential (A, A-1, A-2, B, C, SR, Single Family, Multiple Family, Cluster Housing, Condominiums, High-Rise Apartments) | 6 | 4 ft for ground sign; 20 ft for pole sign (no part less than 9 ft above grade) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (CBD, GB, LB) | 4 | 4 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Districts (Industrial Business, OI, EI, RB) | 9 | 35 ft (pole sign only); 4 ft (top of any ground sign) | 400 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential (A, A-1, A-2, B, C, SR, Single Family, Multiple Family, Cluster Housing, Condominiums, High-Rise Apartments)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On dwelling | — | § 110.51(B)(1), (C)(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | § 110.51(B)(2), (C)(2) |
| Church or Public Building Bulletin Board/Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | § 110.51(B)(3), (C)(3) |
| Subdivision/Multi-family Project Identity Sign (Permanent) | 4 ft for ground sign; 20 ft for pole sign (no part less than 9 ft above grade) | 32 sq ft; can increase 1 sq ft per 1 ft setback over 10 ft, max 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft min; can increase size with additional setback. | 1 (additional for multiple entries with permission) | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way; not on easements. | — | § 110.51(B)(5), (D), (C)(5) |
| Funeral Home/Mortuary Nameplate | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 110.51(C)(4) |
| Ground Sign (Residential) | 4 ft for ground sign; 20 ft for pole sign | 32 sq ft, up to 100 sq ft if more than 10 ft from ROW | — | Min 10 ft from ROW | — | Min 10 ft from ROW, not on easements | — | § 110.51(D)(1), (3), (4), (6), (7) |

### Commercial Districts (CBD, GB, LB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from ROW | 1 per business parcel | Placed min 10 ft from street right-of-way | — | § 110.52(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Single-business) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building, location per § 110.53(D) | — | § 110.52(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-business Option 1: 2-3 businesses) | — | 87.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building façade | — | § 110.52(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-business Option 2: >3 businesses) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building façade | — | § 110.52(B)(2) |

### Commercial and Industrial Districts (Industrial Business, OI, EI, RB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Freestanding Building Option) | 35 ft (pole sign only); 4 ft (top of any ground sign) | 100 sq ft (see multi-faced sign definition for exceptions) | — | Min 10 ft from ROW, min 15 ft from side property line or 35% of frontage. | 1 per business | See § 110.53(D); Min 10 ft from ROW; 15 ft from side property line or 35% of frontage. | — | § 110.53(B)(1)(a), (D) |
| Wall Sign (Freestanding buildings) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business; 2 permitted on corner lot | Flush mounted; not projecting above roof line | — | § 110.53(B)(1)(b), (C), (D)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-business Option 1: 2-3 businesses) | — | 350 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Flush mounted; not projecting above roof line | — | § 110.53(B)(1)(b), (C) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-business Option 2: >3 businesses) | — | 400 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Flush mounted; not projecting above roof line | — | § 110.53(B)(1)(b), (C) |
| Pole Sign (Strip Shopping Center or Industrial Zone) | 35 ft (if not otherwise limited) | 200 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1; more allowed by special approval | — | — | § 110.53(B)(2)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Strip Shopping Center or Industrial Zone) | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Flush mounted; not above roof line | — | § 110.53(B)(2)(b) |
| Pole Sign (Enclosed Mall Shopping Center) | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per sign; 400 sq ft max with multi-business increase | — | — | 1 per abutting street; more allowed by special approval | — | — | § 110.53(B)(3)(a) |
| Off-premises Directional Sign (for Commercial/Industrial Parks) | — | 100 sq ft | — | Max 10 ft from ROW | — | Min 500 ft from any residential zoning district and from any other off-premises sign; max 10 ft from ROW; 9 ft min height above grade | — | § 110.53(B)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Morristown

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or convert any sign without first obtaining a sign permit unless otherwise provided.
- A-frame, sandwich board, sidewalk, or curb signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs (advertising a business no longer operating) are prohibited.
- Animated signs or signs with flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights, or any sign not providing constant illumination, are prohibited.
- Moving signs, or signs that move or give the illusion of movement, are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted.
- No sign may project over or into the street right-of-way.
- No sign may be placed on public property or over/across any street or roadway except as expressly authorized.
- Overhead swinging signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be placed on any tower or tank without Town Plan Commission approval.
- Signs bearing obscene, pornographic, immoral, untruthful, or offensive material are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or use words such as stop, caution, danger, etc., are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- Signs that obstruct doors, fire escapes, stairways, or any opening intended for air, egress, or ingress are prohibited.
- Signs erected before the code's effective date without a proper permit are prohibited.
- Signs not listed as permitted within the code are prohibited.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Signs that present a traffic hazard or are improperly mounted or erected are prohibited.
- Signs on fences or walls not structurally part of a building (with certain exceptions for residence identification) are prohibited.
- Signs operated or employing motion picture projection or moving parts, except as permitted by the code, are prohibited.
- The tacking, pasting, or affixing of miscellaneous signs on buildings, trees, fences, etc., is prohibited unless otherwise permitted.
- Search lights, twirling signs, balloons, or gas-filled figures are prohibited except for limited duration in specific circumstances.
- No sign may be less than seven feet above a sidewalk if overhanging.
- No sign may be maintained on a building such that any part is less than seven feet above the sidewalk.
- Signs not meeting minimum construction and safety requirements are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Morristown

- Changing the copy or message on an approved changeable copy sign, such as a theater marquee or electronic message center, does not require a new sign permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure does not require a permit unless structural change or change in copy is involved.
- Political campaign signs on private property (and not within street right-of-way), erected no more than 60 days before and removed within 14 days after election, do not require a permit.
- Business identification signs mounted flush against the wall, stating only the street address and name, not exceeding four square feet, are exempt (with certain restrictions).
- Signs erected under a legal permit, if damaged by wind, weather, or accident, may be replaced or restored to original size, shape, and location without an additional permit.
- Integral signs (e.g., building name, date, commemorative tablets) that are carved or made part of the structure are exempt from permit requirements.
- Parking signs for public/private parking (with conditions on size/setback/use) do not require a permit.
- Private traffic direction signs (subject to location/illumination/size limits) are exempt.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature, erected by public officers in discharge of public duty (e.g., safety, traffic, historical markers) are exempt.
- Small nameplate signs for single-family dwellings (not exceeding two square feet), and house numbering plates, are exempt.
- Signs on premises announcing rooms, apartments, or houses for rent (not exceeding four square feet, and 10 feet from the right-of-way) are exempt.
- Signs indicating names and locations of churches, charities, community groups (up to four square feet, off-premise allowed with spacing) are exempt.
- Signs on vehicles permanently painted or attached to the vehicle body, not projecting beyond the body, are exempt (with limitations on parking location and hazard creation).
- Trucks and trailers used as signs for special events or sales (up to 30 days if loaded with sale items) are exempt.
- Window signs, provided they conform to construction, illumination, and safety regulations, are exempt.
- Garage sale signs (maximum four square feet, limited duration) do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs (one per premises, limited size and setback, limited duration) do not require a permit.
- Street banners advertising a public event (limited duration, in approved locations) do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Site development plans for pole signs at strip shopping centers and in industrial zones must be approved by the Town Planning Commission.
- Pole signs for enclosed mall shopping centers must be made part of the site development plan and approved by the Town Plan Commission.
- Additional pole (freestanding) signs for shopping centers or industrial zones require Town Plan Commission approval if more than one sign is proposed.
- No sign shall be permitted in a new or omitted zone until the Outdoor Advertising Sign Code is amended to include that zone.
- Engineering data certified by a licensed engineer may be required for plans submitted with the permit application, as determined by the Town Building Commissioner.
- Where a subdivision or multi-family project has entries from more than one street, additional identity signs may be permitted by the Town Building Commissioner.
- Off-premises directional signs for commercial or industrial parks require a permit and must meet specific criteria.

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

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