# Sign Regulations in Newburgh, Indiana

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

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

## At a glance

Newburgh, Indiana regulates 12 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Flags in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 25 feet or no higher than the highest point of the principal building's roof, whichever is lower tall and 30 square feet per flag, with a Flag poles must meet principal building minimum yard setbacks setback (Sec. § 157.198(B)(1)). Most commercial signs in Newburgh require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 6 | 25 feet or no higher than the highest point of the principal building's roof, whichever is lower | 30 square feet per flag | — |
| Nonresidential District | 10 | 50 feet or no higher than highest point of nearest principal building's roof, whichever is lower | 96 square feet per flag | — |
| Historic District | 8 | 25 feet or no higher than the roof of the principal building | 40 square feet per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | See specific government requirement; address: 1 sq ft; warning: 2 sq ft unless more required | — |

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

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 25 feet or no higher than the highest point of the principal building's roof, whichever is lower | 30 square feet per flag | — | Flag poles must meet principal building minimum yard setbacks | 2 flags and 1 flag pole per premises | Flag pole must meet the minimum yard setback requirements for a principal building | — | § 157.198(B)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Special Use) | — | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Front facade, not on door or window; cannot protrude more than 15 inches from wall | — | § 157.202(E), § 157.214(B)(3) |
| Ground Sign (Special Use) | 5 feet | 20 square feet | — | — | 1 per qualifying use | On premises, must have at least 100 feet of frontage and not less than 20 dwelling units (multi-family) | — | § 157.204(G), § 157.214(B)(3) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 4 square feet (regular); 16 square feet (during 60 days before election or for development site or new business up to 30 days after opening) | — | — | 4 plus certain additional signs for specific events/situations | Must be on property owner’s own property or with property owner’s express consent | — | § 157.208(A) and (B) |
| Government Sign | — | Address/facility identifiers: 1 square foot; Warning/no trespassing: 2 square feet unless otherwise specified by law | — | — | As specified by law | As required by law | — | § 157.198(A) |
| Seasonal Decoration | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 157.198(G) |

### Nonresidential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 50 feet or no higher than highest point of nearest principal building's roof, whichever is lower | 96 square feet per flag | — | Minimum yard setback for building or 10 feet (whichever more restrictive) | Up to 6 per premises | Flag poles must meet minimum yard setback for principal building or 10 feet, whichever is more restrictive | — | § 157.198(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On any part of front facade except doors or windows | — | § 157.202(A)-(D), § 157.200 |
| Ground Sign | 15 feet | 40 square feet per sign face | — | Not in public right-of-way, must meet requirements to avoid obscuring vehicular visibility | Varies by frontage (see additional requirements) | On premises, not in public right-of-way, must not obscure vehicular visibility | — | § 157.204(A)-(F), § 157.200 |
| Sandwich Board or A-frame Sign | — | 12 square feet per side (sandwich/A-frame); 8 square feet (easel) | — | — | 1 per property | Must not obstruct sidewalk/pedestrian traffic or vehicular view; must be taken in at night | — | § 157.207 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per window | Windows of business | — | § 157.206(A), § 157.200 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 4 square feet (regular); 32 square feet (during 60 days before election, development, or new business events up to 30 days after opening) | — | — | 4 plus additional per event | On property or with owner consent | — | § 157.208(A)-(B) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Special Use) | — | 40 square feet | — | 200 feet from residence (100 for schools); 400 feet from other EMS | 1 per single or combined use | Not within 200 ft of residential structure or 400 ft of another EMS | — | § 157.214(B)(4), § 157.219 |
| Government Sign | — | Address/facility: max 1 sq ft; Warnings: 2 sq ft unless larger required by law | — | — | As specified by law | As required by law | — | § 157.198(A) |

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | 25 feet or no higher than the roof of the principal building | 30 square feet per flag | — | Principal building yard setback | 2 flags and 1 flag pole per premises | Flag pole must meet the minimum yard setback requirements for principal building | — | § 157.198(B)(1), § 157.201(B)(2)(e) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Front facade, not covering features, flush mounted preferred | — | § 157.201(B)(2), § 157.202(A)-(D) |
| Ground Sign | 15 feet | 40 square feet per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage, additional for >300 ft | On premises, not in public right-of-way | — | § 157.201(B)(2)(d)-(e), § 157.204(B)-(D) |
| Sandwich Board or A-frame Sign | — | 12 square feet per side (sandwich/A-frame); 8 square feet (easel) | — | — | 1 per property | Must not obstruct sidewalk/pedestrian/vehicular view; must be taken in at night | — | § 157.201(B)(2)(f), § 157.207 |
| Canopy and Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | No portion <7 feet above the sidewalk/street; no part extends beyond curb line; fabric preferred | — | § 157.201(B)(2)(g), § 157.205 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 4 square feet (regular); 16 square feet (60 days prior to election, development sites, or for new businesses up to 30 days after opening) | — | — | 4 plus event-based exceptions | On property owner’s property or with owner's consent | — | § 157.208(A), § 157.201(B) |
| Government Sign | — | Address/facility identifiers: 1 square foot; Warning/no trespassing: 2 square feet unless otherwise required by law | — | — | As specified by law | As required by law | — | § 157.198(A) |
| Seasonal Decoration | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 157.198(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Newburgh

- Signs are prohibited in all districts unless authorized under this code or constructed pursuant to a valid building permit when required.
- A property owner may not accept a fee for posting or maintaining a sign allowed under § 157.198(D); any sign posted or maintained in violation of this is prohibited.
- Signs containing any flashing or running lights or lights creating an illusion of movement are prohibited, except for permitted or conditionally approved electronic message signs.
- Commercial signs in residential zones or on property used for non-transient residential use are prohibited unless approved as a special use.
- Signs which imitate official traffic signs are prohibited (exceptions for parking lot/driveway accessory signs).
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles/trailers are prohibited, except where such vehicles are not primarily used for display of signs, and the signs meet specified requirements (magnetic, adhesive decal, painted, delivery vehicle sign, etc.).
- Signs in residential districts exceeding a height of 3.5 feet above street grade within 12 feet of intersecting street lines on a corner lot are prohibited.
- Signs in business districts within 8 feet of intersecting street lines on a corner lot are prohibited.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited, except as specifically permitted under § 157.198(A) and § 157.198(C).
- Signs on utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs which move or appear to move are prohibited, except as provided under § 157.198(G). This includes pennants, streamers, inflatable signs, balloons, 'garrison' flags, and similar movable signs, but excludes seasonal decorations.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited unless the sign is a temporary sign placed with the property owner's consent.
- Rooftop signs are not allowed in any zoning district.
- Private signs are prohibited in the public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Newburgh

- Signs erected, maintained, posted, owned, or leased by the State of Indiana, United States government, or the Town of Newburgh are not regulated by this code.
- Government signs (traffic control devices, property address numerals, legally required danger or prohibition signs, official notices/advertisements by or under the direction of a public/court officer, directional/instructional signs for parking/driveways, signs directing to public facilities without advertising, off-premises wayfinding signs coordinated/approved by the town, and temporary signs by non-profits for certain events at the southeast corner of State and Jennings Streets) are allowed in all districts and exempt.
- Flags are allowed in all sign districts, subject to size, number, and height restrictions.
- Sandwich board, A-frame, or easel signs erected/displayed according to § 157.207 are allowed.
- Temporary signs erected/displayed according to § 157.208 are allowed.
- Notices placed on bulletin boards maintained by town government are allowed.
- Signs not in an enclosed building and not exposed to view from public streets, rights-of-way, public place, or other property are allowed (i.e., signs not visible from the outside).
- Seasonal decorations are allowed in all sign districts, provided they are not a fire or safety hazard.
- Routine maintenance or changing of parts of a sign that does not alter surface area, height, or create nonconformity is exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit is required for erection, alteration, or relocation of any wall sign, ground sign, permanent window sign, canopy, awning, or mural, except for exempted signs as listed in § 157.198.
- The Zoning Administrator may require plans, specifications, and inspection of premises before issuing a permit.
- Application for a sign permit must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator.
- All signs using electrical wiring and connections require compliance with the town's electrical code.
- Signs in Historic Preservation Districts require approval of the Historic Preservation Commission as well as any required permits.
- If a sign is classified as nonconforming, the owner may file an appeal or request a variance with the Board of Zoning Appeals within 30 days of notice.
- Certain signs such as memorial plaques, cornerstones, projecting signs, residential wall and ground signs, electronic message signs, and others, require approval by special use permit (variance) from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Electronic message signs generally require approval of a conditional use permit by the Board of Zoning Appeals, except for certain school uses per § 157.219.
- Regulations for appeals, variances, and special use permits, including required meetings, are outlined in administrative and enforcement sections.

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

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