# Sign Regulations in Richmond, Indiana

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

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

## At a glance

Richmond, Indiana regulates 33 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Single-Tenant Building)s in the Parks District (PR), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Limited Commercial District (LC), Central Business District (CB) zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 40 sq. ft., with a 5 ft. from right-of-way/curb, 10 ft. from property lines setback (Sec. § 165.350(B)(2)). Most commercial signs in Richmond require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |
| Parks District (PR), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Limited Commercial District (LC), Central Business District (CB) | 14 | 36 in. | 85 sq. ft. (front), 25 sq. ft. (side/rear) | — |
| Agricultural District (AG) | 4 | 15 ft. | 36 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Residential District (R1, R2, R3, UR) | 1 | 5 ft. | 10 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential and Manufactured Home Park District (M1, M2, MP) | 6 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. (main), 60 sq. ft. (additional) | — |
| Intense Agriculture District (IA), University District (UV), Institutional District (IS) | 13 | 36 in. | 65 sq. ft. | — |
| General Commercial District (GC), Outdoor Commercial District (OC), Industrial Commercial District (IC) | 14 | 36 in. | 200 sq. ft. (front), 70 sq. ft. (other) | — |
| Highway Commercial District (HC) | 13 | 36 in. | Up to 225 sq. ft. | — |
| Employment Park District (EP), Light Industrial District (I1, I2), Heavy Industrial District (HI) | 9 | 36 in. | 400 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Parks District (PR), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), Limited Commercial District (LC), Central Business District (CB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/curb, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way, pavement, or curb. Setback 10 ft from all property lines. | — | § 165.350(B)(2) |
| Ground Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/curb, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way, pavement, or curb. Setback 10 ft from all property lines. | — | § 165.350(B)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 14 ft. max (8 ft. min) | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 (2 for corner) | Within 10 ft of the primary entrance; at least 2 ft from curb or driving surface. | — | § 165.350(B)(3) |
| Projecting Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 14 ft. max (8 ft. min) | 14 sq. ft. per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant space | Within 10 ft of the primary entrance; at least 2 ft from curb or driving surface. | — | § 165.350(B)(3) |
| Display Board Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 7 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Attached to building or designated window | — | § 165.350(B)(5) |
| Display Board Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 7 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant | Attached to building or designated window | — | § 165.350(B)(5) |
| Tenant Listing Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 7 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lobby/stairway | Within 10 ft of entrance to common lobby/stairway | — | § 165.350(B)(6) |
| Directional Device Sign | 36 in. | 3 sq. ft. per side per entrance | — | — | 2 per lot | Indicating vehicular entry/exit, not in right-of-way | — | § 165.350(B)(7) |

### General Commercial District (GC), Outdoor Commercial District (OC), Industrial Commercial District (IC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 8 ft. | 120 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way/pavement, 10 ft from property lines | — | § 165.351(B)(2) |
| Gateway Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 15 ft. | 160 sq. ft. overall, 50 sq. ft./tenant | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way/edge, 10 ft from property lines | — | § 165.351(B)(3) |
| Pole Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from right-of-way/curb, 20 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 10 ft from right-of-way/curb/edge, 20 ft from property lines | — | § 165.351(B)(4) |
| Pole Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from right-of-way/curb, 20 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 10 ft from right-of-way/curb/edge, 20 ft from property lines | — | § 165.351(B)(4) |
| Display Board Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Attached to or designated window | — | § 165.351(B)(6) |
| Display Board Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant | Attached or window | — | § 165.351(B)(6) |
| Directional Device Sign | 36 in. | 3 sq. ft. per side per entrance | — | — | 2 per frontage, 4 per lot | Vehicular entry/exit only, not in right-of-way | — | § 165.351(B)(7) |
| Standard Temporary Sign | 5 ft. | 30 sq. ft. per side | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb | As above | Min 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb, unless in first floor window | — | § 165.351(C)(4) |

### Highway Commercial District (HC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 8 ft. | 120 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way/edge/curb, 10 ft from property lines | — | § 165.352(B)(2) |
| Gateway Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 8 ft. | 160 sq. ft. overall, 50 sq. ft. per tenant | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb, 10 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 5 ft from right-of-way/edge/curb, 10 ft from property lines | — | § 165.352(B)(3) |
| Pole Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 35-75 ft. (depends on sign area) | Up to 225 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from right-of-way/edge, 20 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 10 ft from right-of-way/edge, 20 ft from property lines | — | § 165.352(B)(4) |
| Pole Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 35-75 ft. (depends on sign area) | Up to 225 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from right-of-way/edge, 20 ft. from property lines | 1 | Min 10 ft from right-of-way/edge, 20 ft from property lines | — | § 165.352(B)(4) |
| Display Board Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Attached or window | — | § 165.352(B)(6) |
| Display Board Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. per tenant | — | — | 1 per tenant | Attached or window | — | § 165.352(B)(6) |
| Directional Device Sign | 36 in. | 3 sq. ft. per side per entrance | — | — | 2 per frontage, 4 per lot | Vehicular entry/exit only, not in right-of-way | — | § 165.352(B)(7) |
| Standard Temporary Sign | 5 ft. | 30 sq. ft. per side | — | 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb | As above | Min 5 ft. from right-of-way/edge/curb unless in first floor window | — | § 165.352(C)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Richmond

- Signs that gain attention through flashing (i.e., flashing signs) are prohibited.
- Vehicles with a sign area greater than 50 square feet parked for the primary purpose of displaying the sign are prohibited.
- Strobe lights, search lights, beacons, or any light that rapidly flashes, projects light skyward or horizontally in a circle are prohibited except as approved for special events on a temporary basis.
- Signs or devices with visibly moving parts are prohibited.
- Animated signs that gain attention through animation are prohibited.
- Signs that convey obscene, indecent, or profane content not allowable on broadcast television or radio during daytime hours per FCC rules are prohibited.
- Signs that emulate emergency service vehicles or common traffic signs or signals, or use words and formats that may cause driver confusion or unsafe conditions are prohibited.
- Signs are prohibited in the right-of-way unless authorized by the Board of Public Works and Safety, except as specified elsewhere.
- Signs are prohibited on any traffic-control device, street sign, construction sign or utility pole.
- Permanent signs are prohibited on any fence.
- Signs may not be attached to any tree, shrub or other natural object.
- Signs may not be attached to or integrated into any bench or outdoor seating.
- Signs may not be attached to or integrated into telecommunication antennas, towers, television antennas, or similar towers.
- Signs may not be attached to or perceived to be attached to the roof of a structure, including as part of roofing material.
- Signs are prohibited on a fire escape or if they block the view from the right-of-way to a fire door.
- Signs that obstruct or interfere with internal or external safe movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic are prohibited.
- Artificially altering the elevation of the ground, increasing wall or parapet wall height to improve visibility of a sign is prohibited.
- Signs are prohibited in areas where vision clearance is required by the Vision Clearance Triangle Standards.
- Signs must comply with all applicable lighting standards regarding glare, light trespass, and separation from residential dwellings.
- All signs and sign components must be kept in good repair and safe, clean, and working condition with any required landscaping maintained.

## Signs exempt from permit in Richmond

- The flag of any nation, state, city or other political unit is exempt from sign regulation.
- Outdoor scoreboards used in conjunction with legally-established sport fields are exempt, unless visible from a public street and containing a commercial message.
- Posting of street addresses for property identification is exempt.
- Public safety or private property messages (e.g., 'Beware of Dog', 'No Trespassing', 'Video Surveillance') are exempt.
- Posting of operational limitations or information (e.g., hours of operation, admittance requirements, parking instructions) is exempt.
- Messages required by state agency, state law, federal agency, or federal law are exempt.
- Religious symbols incorporated into the architecture of places of worship or religious organizations are exempt.
- Holiday decorations conveying no commercial message are exempt.
- Artistic expression on building walls not conveying commercial messages is exempt; art with a commercial message is regulated as a wall sign.
- Political campaign signs are considered freedom of speech and are not regulated as signs.
- Signs permitted by the controlling agency of a right-of-way are exempt.
- Entryway features regulated by and approved as a subdivision design feature are exempt.
- Changing the face of a conforming or legal non-conforming permanent sign (face-out, face-in change) is exempt from permit and standards provided size, height, mass, lighting intensity, location, face method, and structure type are unchanged.
- Changeable content on a permitted changeable copy sign is exempt from sign regulations as long as content does not extend outside the permitted sign area.
- Postings on permitted permanent display board signs are exempt.
- Commercial messages displayed inside a building and not legible from outside by pedestrians or drivers are exempt.
- Minuscule commercial messages at entrances (up to 30 square inches each, 240 square inches total per entrance) such as credit card logos are exempt.
- Menu boards for drive-through or walk-up window service are exempt.
- Signs displayed on the inside of windows are exempt.
- Signs for home businesses are exempt from this section but are covered by home business standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An improvement location permit is required for all signs that are located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless otherwise specified as exempt.
- A state sign permit or written authorization is required from the State Department of Transportation for signs along state-owned interstates or highways prior to obtaining a local improvement location permit.
- Signs proposed within an easement require written approval from the easement holder before applying for an improvement location permit.
- For non-exempt standard temporary signs, an improvement location permit is generally not required provided applicable standards are met.
- Special temporary signs generally require obtaining an improvement location permit.
- Multiple-tenant building signs: The sign envelope (area, location, character) permitted for tenants and consistent sign appearance standards are identified during the permitting process and should not exceed 150% of allowable wall sign area per tenant.
- Wayfinding system sign proposals must be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator, who will consider need, size, location, number, and appearance of signs.
- Any proposal for wayfinding systems, as well as for Master Sign Plans where required by zoning overlay or special district, must be reviewed/approved by the appropriate authority (e.g., Zoning Administrator).

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

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