# Sign Regulations in Portland, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Portland, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/portland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://thecityofportland.net/e107_images/file/portlandzoningordinance.pdf#page=157)

## At a glance

Portland, Indiana regulates 39 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (General)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 18 sq ft (sign face), with a Prohibited in right-of-way; maintain at least 10 ft from adjoining residential lots setback (Sec. Section 8.8; 8.8-1(A)-(E)). Most commercial signs in Portland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per firm | — |
| Rural Residential District (RR); Low Density Residential District (R-4) | 5 | 6 ft (per residential ground sign limit) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Medium Density Residential District (R-8); High Density Residential District (R-10) | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NB) | 6 | 36 in | 100 sq ft cap per single business | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 9 | 36 in | 100 sq ft cap per single business | — |
| Highway Service District (HS) | 10 | 36 in | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (IND) | 5 | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Historical Districts (Portland Downtown Historic Preservation District Corridor) | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (General) | 5 ft | 18 sq ft (sign face) | — | Prohibited in right-of-way; maintain at least 10 ft from adjoining residential lots | 1 per parcel; up to 2 on corner lots | On-premise only; not within any public right-of-way; not between right-of-way and sidewalk; may not encroach upon or impede mobility on a sidewalk | — | Section 8.8; 8.8-1(A)-(E) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per firm | — | Minimum 10 ft from any street right-of-way | — | Confined to the site of construction | — | Section 8.8-2(B) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential & Neighborhood Business Districts) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | 1 | On the premises of sale/rental/lease | — | Section 8.8-2(E) (first sentence) |
| Real Estate Sign (Central Business, Highway Service, and Industrial Districts) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | 1 | On the premises of sale/rental/lease | — | Section 8.8-2(E) (second sentence) |
| Parking Sign (Public or Private) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 3 ft from right-of-way | — | Minimum 3 ft setback from street right-of-way; positioned to not present a hazard to traffic entering or leaving the premises | — | Section 8.7(D) |
| Private Traffic Direction Sign / Business Entrance Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | Leading edge ≥3 ft from curb/aisle | — | On-premise; directing traffic movement onto or within a premise | — | Section 8.7(E) |
| Small Sign (Residential Nameplate) | — | 2 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | Sale/rent signs: minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | On dwelling unit | — | Section 8.7(G) |
| Social/Charitable Organization Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Off the street right-of-way; shall not obstruct view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic | — | Section 8.7(H) |

### Central Business District (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft cap per single business | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way (district placement requirement) | 1 per building | Building-mounted | — | Sections 8.14-2(A); 8.14-1(A)-(C) |
| Wall Sign - Corner Lot (Intersecting Local or Arterial Streets) | — | 100 sq ft cap per single business | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way (district placement requirement) | Up to 2 (corner lot allowance) | On corner lot buildings | — | Section 8.14-2(A) (corner lot provision) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤35 ft above grade and not higher than the cornice | 32 sq ft per face (maximum area of one face) | — | Minimum 5 ft from curb line | — | Attached to building; must not extend into State or Federal highway right-of-ways | — | Section 8.14-2(B)(1)-(5) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning face or valance | — | Section 8.14-2(C) |
| Banner (Temporary) | — | Up to 24 sq ft (≤8 ft long x ≤3 ft wide) | — | — | — | Building-mounted flat | — | Section 8.14-2(D) |
| Pole Sign (Special Exception Required) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | Limit of one (where lot frontage ≤100 ft, only ground sign permitted) | On-premise; minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Section 8.14(E)(1)-(5) |
| Ground Sign (Special Exception Required) | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 (where frontage ≤100 ft) | Minimum 10 ft from any street right-of-way | — | Section 8.14(F)(1)-(5) |
| A Frame Sign | 36 in | — | 18 in | — | — | On public sidewalk, not obstructing pedestrian access | — | Section 8.14(G) |

### Highway Service District (HS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from street right-of-way | 1 (where frontage ≤100 ft) | On-premise; minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | — | Section 8.15-2(A)(1)-(5) |
| Pole Sign - Shopping Center Frontage ≥200 ft | 35 ft | 100 sq ft (per sign) | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 additional pole sign may be approved where frontage exceeds 200 ft | Shopping centers/strip centers/developed parcels with >200 ft street frontage | — | Section 8.15-2(A)(6) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 (where frontage ≤100 ft) | Minimum 10 ft from any street right-of-way | — | Section 8.15-2(B)(1)-(5); 8.15-1(A)-(C) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤35 ft above grade and not higher than the cornice | 32 sq ft per face (maximum area of one face) | — | Minimum 5 ft from curb line | — | Attached to building; projecting signs are not permitted in State or Federal Highways right-of-ways | — | Section 8.15(D)(1)-(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft cap per single business | — | — | — | Building-mounted | — | Section 8.15(E) |
| Entrance Sign (On-site) | 3 ft (per Section 8.7(E)) | 6 sq ft (per Section 8.7(E)) | — | Leading edge ≥3 ft from curb/aisle | Two (2) on-site entrance signs permitted at each entrance | At each entrance | — | Section 8.15(F) (references 8.7); 8.7(E) |
| Off-Premise Sign (Commerce/Industrial Parks Directional) | 9 ft above grade | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 15 ft from street right-of-way | — | Minimum 15 ft setback from street right-of-way; not within 100 ft of any residential zoning district; not within 500 ft of any other off-premise sign | — | Section 8.15(G)(1)-(6) |
| A Frame Sign | 36 in | — | 18 in | — | — | On public sidewalk, not obstructing pedestrian access | — | Section 8.15(H) |

## Prohibited signs in Portland

- No sign may be erected, constructed, enlarged, moved, converted, or have permanent copy changed without first obtaining a sign permit, unless exempt (Section 8.3 A).
- Animated or intensely lighted signs using flashing, scintillating, blinking, traveling lights or devices not providing constant illumination are prohibited; only electronic message centers classified as changing signs may be permitted by special sign permit approval (Section 8.6; Section 8.9 B).
- Billboards/outdoor advertising signs are prohibited except as expressly permitted in the ordinance (Section 8.6).
- No sign may be placed on posts, poles, hydrants, bridges, trees, or other surfaces on public property, or over/across any street or roadway, except as expressly authorized (Section 8.6).
- No sign may be placed on any tower or tank without Plan Commission approval (Section 8.6).
- Prohibited content includes statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, pornographic, immoral, or untruthful nature, or that offend public morals or decency (Section 8.6 Unclassified A).
- Signs may not be painted on or attached to any fence or wall not structurally part of a building, except to identify a residence with occupant name and street address (Section 8.6 Unclassified B).
- Signs may not employ motion picture projection, have visible moving parts, or give the illusion of movement except as permitted elsewhere in the ordinance (Section 8.6 Unclassified C).
- Signs may not emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter (Section 8.6 Unclassified D).
- Signs may not imitate or resemble official traffic signs or signals or bear words such as Stop, Go Slow, Caution, Danger, Warning, except as permitted (Section 8.6 Unclassified E).
- Signs that, due to size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination, may be confused with traffic control signs/devices or emergency lights, or that hide traffic/roadway signs or devices, are prohibited (Section 8.6 Unclassified F).
- Signs may not obstruct any door, fire escape, stairway, or openings intended to provide air, egress, or ingress (Section 8.6 Unclassified G).
- Signs not included among the types permitted by the ordinance are prohibited (Section 8.6 Unclassified H).
- Small free-standing signs are prohibited unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance (Section 8.6 Unclassified I).
- Illuminated signs may not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color, nor give such illusions (Section 8.9 B).
- Sign lighting may not create a traffic hazard; must be shaded/shielded/directed so intensity/brightness is not objectionable; no light shall shine directly onto adjacent property (Section 8.9 D–E).
- Signs must meet Sight Visibility Standards and may not obstruct motorists’ visibility of the public right-of-way (Section 8.11 B; repeated in district sections).
- Abandoned signs (for businesses no longer conducted on the premises) are prohibited and must be removed or blanked; failure to remove allows City removal at owner’s cost (Section 8.4 D).

## Signs exempt from permit in Portland

- Changing copy on approved changeable signs (e.g., theater marquees) does not require a new sign permit after the original installation (Section 8.3 F).
- Normal maintenance (painting, repainting, cleaning, repair) without structural change or change in copy does not require a sign permit; updating logo/verbiage without changing ownership or company name is permitted (Section 8.3 F).
- Damaged permitted signs (50% or more damaged by wind, weather, or accident) may be replaced or restored to original size, shape, and location without an additional permit (Section 8.7 B).
- Integral building inscriptions (names, dates, monumental citations, commemorative tablets) that are part of the structure are exempt (Section 8.7 C).
- Public/private parking signs (non-advertising; minimum 3 ft setback from right-of-way; max height 6 ft; max area 6 sq ft; installed to avoid traffic hazards) are exempt (Section 8.7 D).
- Private traffic direction/business entrance signs (minimum 3 ft from any curb or traffic aisle; max height 3 ft; max area 6 sq ft; illumination per Section 8.9) are exempt (Section 8.7 E).
- Public signs erected by or on order of public officers in the performance of duty (safety/danger/traffic signs, memorial plaques, historical interest, directional signs to public/quasi-public facilities) are exempt (Section 8.7 F).
- Small residential signs: nameplates up to 2 sq ft per dwelling; real estate signs allowed with size limits by district and minimum 10 ft setback; house number plates also allowed (Section 8.7 G).
- Signs indicating names/locations of churches, charitable organizations, and community service organizations (max area 6 sq ft; off the street right-of-way; spaced at least 500 ft apart except at a community service central display) are exempt and may be off-premises (Section 8.7 H).
- Vehicle signs painted or attached directly to the original vehicle body (not projecting beyond the manufactured body; parked at least 10 ft from street right-of-way; not creating traffic hazards) are exempt; trucks/trailers may be used as signs for special events up to 30 days (Section 8.7 I).
- Service and charitable organizations may use temporary/portable signs four times per calendar year for up to 14 days each without a sign permit (Section 8.8-2 A).
- Construction signs (on-site; identify project participants; no product advertising; max 32 sq ft per firm; minimum 10 ft setback; removed within 30 days after construction; max duration two years or the construction period, whichever is shorter) do not require a permit (Section 8.8-2 B).
- Garage/yard sale signs restricted to the sale location do not require a permit (City Ordinance Chapter 112; Section 8.8-2 C).
- Political campaign signs on private property are allowed up to 90 days before an election and must be removed within 14 days after; no permit required (Section 8.8-2 D).
- Real estate signs (size limits by district; minimum 10 ft setback; removed within 14 days of sale/rental/lease) and A-frame real estate directional signs (permitted 48 hours in a 7-day period) do not require a permit (Section 8.8-2 E).
- Exempt signs listed in Section 8.7 are exempt from permit requirements unless specified elsewhere (Section 8.3 F).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Variances from sign regulations (e.g., height, setback) require a determination from the Zoning Administrator and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals; after approval, a sign permit must be obtained (Section 8.3 G).
- Special exceptions require a determination from the Zoning Administrator and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals; after approval, a sign permit must be obtained (Section 8.3 H).
- Electronic message centers (changing signs) are permitted only under special provisions and with special sign permit approval by the Plan Commission (Section 8.6).
- Signs on towers or tanks require Plan Commission approval (Section 8.6).
- Murals in the Central Business District require a mural permit; if within the Downtown Historic Preservation District Corridor, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Portland Historic Preservation Commission is required before the mural permit is issued; applications must include site plan, scaled elevation, colored rendering, maintenance schedule, and materials (Section 8.10 F–H).
- In the Downtown Historic Preservation District Corridor, signage in Residential, Neighborhood Business, and Central Business Districts requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Portland Historic Preservation Commission prior to issuance of any sign permit (Sections 8.12, 8.13, 8.14).
- Shopping center or strip center pole signs may be included as part of the site development plan and are subject to Technical Review Committee approval; additional free-standing pole signs may be approved by the Technical Review Committee where street frontage exceeds 200 feet (Section 8.15-2 A.6).
- Subdivisions and multi-family projects with multiple street entrances may obtain Technical Review Committee approval for additional identity signs beyond the base allowance (Sections 8.12-2 D and 8.12-3 C).
- Ground and pole signs in the Central Business District require special exception authorization from the Board of Zoning Appeals (Section 8.14 E–F).
- Awning signs require permits (NB, CB, HS) and, where applicable, must comply with Historic Preservation guidelines and approvals (Sections 8.13 F, 8.14 C, 8.15-2 C).

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

---

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