# Sign Regulations in Muncie, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Muncie, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/muncie
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=c555b66047344e87a4ba74930b5aef1d)

## At a glance

Muncie, Indiana regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Clustered Use Signs in the CB Central Business Zone (CB), BL Limited Business Zone (BL), BC Community Business Zone (BC), BV Variety Business Zone (BV), MT Major Trading Zone (MT), IL Limited Industrial Zone (IL), II Intense Industrial Zone (II), IP Industrial Park Zone (IP), Airport Development Zone (AD) zoning district are capped at 45 feet tall and 300 sq ft per side (sign board area); may exclude supports & area for development name, with a Min 50 ft between clustered use sign or pole sign; must not be in right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 150.212(E)(8)). Most commercial signs in Muncie require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Farming Zone (F) | 5 | 8 feet above grade | Maximum area per sign: 300 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Residence Zone (R-1), R-2 Residence Zone (R-2), R-3 Residence Zone (R-3), R-4 Residence Zone (R-4), R-4A Residence Zone (R-4A), R-5 Residence Zone (R-5), R-6 Residence Zone (R-6), Mobile Home Residence Zone (MHR), Student Social Service Zone (SSS), Business and Professional Office Zone (BP) | 3 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| CB Central Business Zone (CB), BL Limited Business Zone (BL), BC Community Business Zone (BC), BV Variety Business Zone (BV), MT Major Trading Zone (MT), IL Limited Industrial Zone (IL), II Intense Industrial Zone (II), IP Industrial Park Zone (IP), Airport Development Zone (AD) | 8 | 60 feet above grade or higher than building cornice (see exceptions) | 300 sq ft per side | — |
| HPD Historic Preservation Zone (HPD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | — | — |

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

### Farming Zone (F)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 3 feet if within 5 ft of right-of-way; 8 feet if 5 ft or more from right-of-way | — | — | — | — | On-premise, at least 3 feet from any building or 10 feet from any other sign | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(1) |
| Off-Premise Sign | — | Maximum area per sign: 300 sq ft | — | See location_of_sign | No more than 2 per mile on same side of street/highway | Shall not be closer than 100 feet to intersection/crossing/ingress-egress; min side yard setback: 3 ft; min 10 ft from right-of-way of any street or highway | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(2)c.1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Flat against residential structure | — | Sec. 150.212(D)(1), Sec. 150.222(C)(5) |
| Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Wall or ground sign, for professional or semi-professional, public, semi-public, religious institutions | — | Sec. 150.212(D)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet above grade | — | — | — | — | On-premise; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(6) |

### R-1 Residence Zone (R-1), R-2 Residence Zone (R-2), R-3 Residence Zone (R-3), R-4 Residence Zone (R-4), R-4A Residence Zone (R-4A), R-5 Residence Zone (R-5), R-6 Residence Zone (R-6), Mobile Home Residence Zone (MHR), Student Social Service Zone (SSS), Business and Professional Office Zone (BP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Flat against residential structure | — | Sec. 150.212(D)(1), Sec. 150.222(C)(5) |
| Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Wall or ground sign for professional/semiprofessional, public, semipublic, religious institutions | — | Sec. 150.212(D)(2) |
| Nursery/Day Care Sign (Ground Sign Option) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per nursery/day care entrance | Ground sign or placed flat against wall of nursery/day care center facility | — | Sec. 150.226(C)(3) |

### CB Central Business Zone (CB), BL Limited Business Zone (BL), BC Community Business Zone (BC), BV Variety Business Zone (BV), MT Major Trading Zone (MT), IL Limited Industrial Zone (IL), II Intense Industrial Zone (II), IP Industrial Park Zone (IP), Airport Development Zone (AD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 3 feet within 5 ft of right-of-way; 8 feet if 5+ ft from right-of-way | — | — | — | — | On-premise, at least 3 feet from building or 10 feet from any other sign | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(1) |
| Pole Sign | 45 feet | 300 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On-premise | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(3) |
| Off-Premise Sign (Non-Farm, Non-Residential) | — | 300 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from two-lane traffic ROW; 25 ft for four-lane traffic ROW | Not more than one per 1,000 feet | Minimum distance 1,000 ft between signs, not more than one sign per 1,000 linear feet on both sides of any street or highway; not closer than 10 ft (two-lane) or 25 ft (four-lane) to right-of-way line. | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(2)c.2 |
| Projecting Sign | 60 feet above grade or higher than building cornice (see exceptions) | 240 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Up to 2 ft from wall to which attached; shall not extend nearer to curb than 5 ft | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(4) |
| Roof Sign | 25-40 ft above roof, depending on construction (see text) | — | — | — | — | On-premise; not to project beyond edge of building walls | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Erected flat against wall | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(7) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet above grade (temporary sign); banners: minimum 10' clearance above grade | — | — | — | — | On-premise, not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(6) |
| Clustered Use Sign | 45 feet | 300 sq ft per side (sign board area); may exclude supports & area for development name | — | Min 50 ft between clustered use sign or pole sign; must not be in right-of-way | — | At major public right-of-way/driveway entrance to integrated development | — | Sec. 150.212(E)(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Muncie

- No sign shall at any point be over 45 feet in height above grade level unless the sign is located on a building which has a maximum permitted building height greater than 45 feet.
- No sign shall be located or maintained within the proposed or existing right-of-way of any street or highway, except for projecting signs which may not extend nearer to the curb line than five feet.
- No sign shall be located closer than 50 feet to a residence in a residential zone, a school, or a church.
- No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected closer than ten feet horizontally or vertically from any overhead electrical conductor or public utility guide wire.
- No sign shall obstruct ingress or egress from a door, window, fire escape, or exit, or be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained, or constructed without a permit issued by the administrative zoning officer, except certain specified exempted signs.
- The following types of signs are prohibited in all locations unless otherwise specified: signs with obscene or indecent statements or pictures; signs resembling highway or traffic signs that may create a traffic hazard; signs that interfere with traffic or street signs; inactive, deteriorated, derelict, or unsafe signs; signs attached to trees, utility poles, fences, or within city streets, rights-of-way, alleys, or sidewalks; signs obstructing doors, windows, or exits; unlawfully installed or maintained signs.
- Public address systems, loud speakers, or sound amplifying systems may not be used in conjunction with any outdoor advertising sign or structures.
- No sign or advertising display may be installed, erected, maintained, or constructed so as to obstruct any fire escape or exit or to be attached to any fire escape.
- No staples or nails shall be used to secure any projecting sign or display to any building or structure, unless the sign weighs less than one pound.
- Pole signs are prohibited along 29th Street and Madison Street corridor.
- No wall sign shall prevent free ingress to or egress from the building or any fire escape.
- No sign may be erected, maintained, or constructed without a permit and payment of the prescribed fee, except for signs specifically exempted
- Deteriorated or inactive signs must be removed within 30 days of notice from the administrative zoning officer.

## Signs exempt from permit in Muncie

- The following types of signs are allowed in all zoning districts without a permit: directional or warning signs, political signs, public service signs, real estate signs, and real estate development signs, subject to specific limitations.
- Ordinary maintenance, poster panel replacement, copy changes, or lettering, or repair not involving structural material or electrical changes may be conducted on existing nonconforming outdoor advertising signs without requiring compliance nor a new permit.
- A sign attached to a building for a permitted home occupation does not require a permit if it is less than or equal to one square foot, nonilluminated, and mounted flat against the wall of the building (provided the home occupation has required approvals).
- Governmental or traffic signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose are exempted from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be obtained prior to placement, installation, erection, or maintenance of any sign, except those specifically exempted. The application for a sign permit must include site plans, specifications, accurate description, location, photograph, and the date of installation.
- Clustered use signs require submission of a design plan with the permit application.
- For buildings or developments along 29th Street and Madison Street corridor, outdoor display and sales areas and other design features (including signage) for buildings 50,000 square feet or larger must be shown on the site or development plan.
- Multi-unit developments (25+ units) require a site plan as part of the special use application, which shall include details on signs and exterior lighting with reference to glare, traffic safety, and compatibility with adjacent properties.
- Planned unit developments must submit an application (site plan) to the commission, including use, location, height, bulk, location of buildings and other structures, and other site features, which may include signs.
- A gasoline service station applicant must submit a drawing describing the location of all permanent or floating signs and other requirements as part of the site plan.

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

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