# Sign Regulations in Nappanee, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Nappanee, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/nappanee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-19
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.nappanee.in.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/88/638085109558930000#page=96)

## At a glance

Nappanee, Indiana regulates 38 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Portable Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 7 feet tall and 32 square feet, with a 5 feet from public right-of-way setback (Sec. 7.8). Most commercial signs in Nappanee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | 7 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Low Density Residential District (R-1) | 7 | 6 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Medium Density Residential District (R-2), High Density Residential District (R-3) | 7 | 6 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Residential-Office District (R-4) | 7 | — | 100 square feet | — |
| Limited Business District (B-1), General Business District (B-2) | 7 | 35 feet (pole only) | 200 square feet per wall | — |
| Industrial District (I-1) | 4 | 9 feet | 200 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Damaged Sign | Original height | Original size | Original width | — | 1 (replacement) | Original location | — | 7.7 |
| Parking Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | 3 feet from right-of-way | — | Public or private parking areas | — | 7.7 |
| Private Traffic Direction Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — | 3 feet from curb or aisle | — | Directing traffic onto or within premises | — | 7.7 |
| Small Sign (Nameplate) | — | 2 square feet per dwelling unit | — | 3 feet from street right-of-way for for-sale/rent | 1 per dwelling | Each dwelling unit | — | 7.7 |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet per firm | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | Per firm | Construction site | — | 7.8 |
| Portable Sign | 7 feet | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from public right-of-way | 1 | Commercial or industrial districts | — | 7.8 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet in R-1/R-2; 32 square feet in R-3/R-4/B/I | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | 1 | On premises | — | 7.8 |
| Subdivision or Multi-Family Sign (Temporary) | — | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | 1 | Project site | — | 7.8 |

### Low Density Residential District (R-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | Single family homes | — | 7.11 A 1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | Home occupation premises | — | 7.11 A 2 |
| Ground Sign (Church/School/Golf Course/Lodge/Public Building) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | At major entrance | — | 7.11 A 3 |
| Wall Sign (Church/School/Golf Course/Lodge/Public Building) | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 | Building wall | — | 7.11 A 3 |
| Nameplate (Commercial Use) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | Commercial premises | — | 7.11 A 4 |
| Ground Sign (Commercial Use) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | Commercial premises | — | 7.11 A 4 |
| Subdivision Identity Sign | 6 feet | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | 2 for main entryway (additional per APC) | Main entryway | — | 7.11 A 6,7 |

### Medium Density Residential District (R-2), High Density Residential District (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 2 square feet per occupancy | — | — | 1 per occupancy | Each duplex/multi-family building | — | 7.11 B 1 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | Home occupation premises | — | 7.11 B 2 |
| Ground Sign (Church/School/Golf Course/Lodge/Public Building) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per major entrance | Each major entrance | — | 7.11 B 3 |
| Wall Sign (Church/School/Golf Course/Lodge/Public Building) | — | 100 square feet | — | — | 1 | Building wall | — | 7.11 B 3 |
| Nameplate (Commercial Use) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | Commercial premises | — | 7.11 B 5 |
| Ground Sign (Commercial Use) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | Commercial premises | — | 7.11 B 5 |
| Multi-Family Project Identity Sign | 6 feet | 100 square feet | — | 10 feet from street right-of-way | 2 for main entryway (additional per APC) | Main entryway | — | 7.11 B 6 |

## Prohibited signs in Nappanee

- "A" Frame Signs - "A" frame signs or sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs are prohibited if it is deemed hazardous to pedestrian traffic by the Zoning Administrator.
- Abandoned Signs - Such business signs that advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted or available.
- Animated and Intensely Lighted Signs - No sign shall be permitted which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights or any other device or means not providing constant illumination. Public service information signs and other electronic message centers classified as "changing signs" are permitted under special provision of this Section and by special sign permit approval of the Advisory Plan Commission.
- Lights and Balloons - Search lights, "twirling signs", balloons or other gas-filled figures shall be prohibited except as set forth below. Such items shall be permitted in a commercial or industrial district for a period not to exceed fourteen (14) days per event and may not be used for more than two (2) events per calendar year and will be permitted in residential districts in conjunction with an open house or model home demonstration conducted by a real estate agent for two (2) days after and not to exceed a total period of ten (10) days.
- Miscellaneous Signs and Posters - The tacking, pasting or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a roadway, located on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences, or other structures are prohibited unless otherwise permitted by this Ordinance.
- Moving Signs - No sign or any portion thereof shall be permitted which moves or assumes any motion or gives the illusion of moving.
- Off-Premises Signs - Off-premises signs shall be prohibited except as expressly permitted in this Ordinance.
- Projecting Signs - No privately owned sign shall project over or into the street cartway.
- Public Areas - No sign shall be permitted which is placed on any post, pole, electrolier, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on public property or over or across any street or roadway except as otherwise expressly authorized by this Ordinance.
- Towers (Water, Radio, Etc.) - No sign shall be placed on any tower or tank without the approval of the Advisory Plan Commission.
- Unclassified Signs - The following signs are prohibited which: a. Bear or contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene or pornographic character, or which contain advertising matter which is untruthful or will offend public morals or decency; or b. Are painted on or attached to any fence or any wall which is not structurally a part of a building except to identify a residence or residence structure by means of posting the name of the occupant or structure and the street address; or c. Operate or employ any motion picture projection or media in conjunction with any advertisements, or have visible moving parts of any portion of which moves or gives the illusion of movements except as permitted in this Ordinance; or d. Emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter; or e. Signs which, by reason of their size, shape, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal or device, or the light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle or which hide from view any traffic or roadway sign, signal, or device; or f. Obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway, or any opening intended to provide air, egress or ingress for any building or structure; or g. Are not included under the types of signs permitted in this Ordinance. h. Small, free-standing signs shall be prohibited unless otherwise permitted in this Ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Nappanee

- Business Identification Sign - An identification sign on or near (above or beside) a public entrance or service entrance to a business in a B-1, B-2, R-4, or 1-1 zone is permitted provided such signs are mounted flush against the wall, and that such signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the front of the building.
- Damaged Signs - A sign erected under a legally obtained permit which is damaged or destroyed fifty percent (50%) or more of the fair market value of the sign structure by wind, weather, or other accidental means beyond the control of the applicant may be replaced or restored to its original size, shape, and location (as prior to the accident) without obtaining an additional permit. Replacement of a damaged or destroyed sign with a new sign or different size or location from the original sign shall require a permit.
- Integral Signs - Names of building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.
- Parking Signs - Signs for public and private parking shall be permitted. Such signs shall be subject to a three- (3) foot setback from right-of-way and shall not be used for advertising purposes. Signs shall be no higher than six (6) feet and no greater than six (6) square feet in area. Such signs shall be installed so as to not present a hazard to traffic entering or leaving the premises.
- Private Traffic Direction Signs - Signs directing traffic movement onto or within a premise. Illumination of these signs shall be permitted in accordance with Section 7.9. The leading edge of such signs shall be a minimum of three (3) feet from any curb or traffic movement aisle, the sign shall be no higher than three (3) feet and no greater than six (6) square feet in area.
- Public Signs - Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of public officer(s) in the performance of his public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, signs directing the traveling public and quasi-public facilities, or signs on public buildings or structures and the like.
- Banners and Pennants - Banners and pennants shall be permitted only as a temporary sign as specified in Section 7.8 of this Ordinance.
- Small Signs - A nameplate which shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area is permitted for each dwelling unit of a single-family or multi-family dwelling; such nameplate shall state nothing other than the name and/or address of the occupant and/or legal customary home occupation. No other sign shall be allowed. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit each dwelling unit from also displaying a house number plate for identification. Signs on the premises announcing rooms, apartments, or house for sale or rent shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area. Also provided that the signs are located three (3) feet from the street right-of-way.
- Social or Charitable Organizations - Signs indicating the names and locations of churches, charitable organizations, and community service organizations are permitted provided that the sign area shall not exceed six (6) square feet, shall be located at least three (3) feet off the street right-of-way, and shall in no way obstruct the view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic. Such signs shall be permitted as "off-premises" signs; providing, however, such signs have a minimum spacing of five hundred (500) feet between any two (2) signs in this category, except where there is a community service central display.
- Vehicle Signs - Signs on vehicles are permitted provided the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the original motor-powered vehicle and does not project or extend beyond the original manufactured body proper of the motor-driven vehicle. Such vehicles and/or semi-trailers shall be parked a minimum distance of ten (10) feet from any street right-of-way and shall be located so as to not create an obstruction or hazard to the traveling public. Trucks and/or trailers may be used as signs for special events or sales for a maximum period of thirty (30) days.
- Window Signs - Window signs are permitted provided such signs conform to the construction, illumination, and safety regulations of this Ordinance.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances from sign regulations may be granted through procedures in Section 11.4 of the Ordinance.
- Special sign permit approval of the Advisory Plan Commission is required for public service information signs and electronic message centers classified as "changing signs".
- Approval of the Advisory Plan Commission is required for placing signs on towers or tanks.
- For shopping centers, pole signs may be made a part of the site development plan or erected later subject to approval of the Advisory Plan Commission.
- Marquee signs and awning signs in business districts are subject to approval of the Advisory Plan Commission or Plan Commission.
- Bench signs in business districts may be approved by the Plan Commission.
- Additional identity signs in residential districts may be permitted by the Advisory Plan Commission.
- Wall signs for churches, schools, etc., in residential districts may be approved by the Advisory Plan Commission up to 100 square feet.
- For commerce and industrial parks, off-premises directional signs require a permit and meet specific criteria, subject to provisions in Section 7.12 D.

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

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