# Sign Regulations in Schererville, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Schererville, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/schererville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-09
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.schererville.org/egov/documents/1727462512_15665.pdf#page=315)

## At a glance

Schererville, Indiana regulates 42 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Sign (General Construction)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Residential / O.L.: 4' in median, 6' elsewhere; Single/multi-occupant: 8’ (plus 2’ base) tall, See zone regulations or default: Single occupant: 8’ x 8’, Multi-occupant: 8’ x 12’, and Single occupant: 8'; Multi-occupant: 12' wide, with a 10’ minimum from public right-of-way/driveways setback (Sec. Section 6.C). Most commercial signs in Schererville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 18 ft | Max single display: 24 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 9 | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Zoning District (IN) | 5 | 6 ft (plus 2’ base) | 48 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District (C-1), Community Commercial Zoning District (C-2), Professional Office Zoning District (P.O.) | 12 | 8 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Business Park Zoning District (B.P.), Highway Commercial Zoning District (C-3), Commercial Entertainment Zoning District (C-4), General Industrial Zoning District (G.I.) | 14 | 8 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Open Land Zoning District (O.L.) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Planned Signage District (Planned Unit Development, PUD District) | 1 | — | As permitted by approved plan | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | As regulated for the zone | — | None within 10’ of property line, unless otherwise provided | 1 per occupancy frontage | On property owned by sign owner or with owner's written authorization; not within 10' of any property line unless otherwise specified | — | Sections 2.H–I, 2.L, 3.B, 19-1 through 19-3 |
| Political/Election Sign (Temporary) | — | As allowed for temporary signs in zone | — | — | — | Anywhere temporary signs allowed in the zone | — | Section 2.P |
| Wall-Mounted Sign (General Construction) | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted on face of building | — | Section 6.D |
| Monument Sign (General Construction) | Residential / O.L.: 4' in median, 6' elsewhere; Single/multi-occupant: 8’ (plus 2’ base) | See zone regulations or default: Single occupant: 8’ x 8’, Multi-occupant: 8’ x 12’ | Single occupant: 8'; Multi-occupant: 12' | 10’ minimum from public right-of-way/driveways | Per zone regulations | At street/primary entries, 10’ setback from right-of-way/driveway, not within landscaped strip/buffer | — | Section 6.C |
| Pole-Mounted Sign (General Use) | 8 ft | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Within development site (not on streetscape) | — | Section 6.E |
| Free-standing Sign (General Design Standard) | 18 ft | Max single display: 24 sq ft | 12 ft | 10’ from property line; 300’ from other free-standing signs | — | Lots >500' wide, where building is at least 50' from front right-of-way | — | Section 6.G, Section 6, Free-standing Signs |
| Programmable Message Display Sign | — | 12' length max (area not specified but applies to sign surface dimension) | — | — | — | Mounted flush with building/sign surface, visible from ROW | — | Section 6.G |
| Public Light Pole Banner | — | 12.5 sq ft | — | — | — | On existing light poles | — | Section 6.F |

### Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District (C-1), Community Commercial Zoning District (C-2), Professional Office Zoning District (P.O.)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Principal) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 principal sign per business | Above front entrance of business | — | Section 9.A.1 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of total window area | — | — | — | On windows of business | — | Section 9.A.2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | 5’ max projection | — | Max 3 per business | Above windows/doors of business | — | Section 9.A.3 |
| Identification Sign (Street Level) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On/within 1’ of primary business entrance | — | Section 9.A.4.i |
| Identification Sign (Multi-story, Above Ground Floor) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business above ground floor | At principal entrance to building for each business above ground floor | — | Section 9.A.4.ii |
| Monument Sign (Coordinated Sign, Permanent) | — | 24 sq ft per display/portion | — | — | 2 per development | Vehicular entrance to retail/business complex | — | Section 9.C(6) |
| Property Development Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1 per property | Window or primary development sign | — | Section 9.C(2), Exhibit 42 |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 10 ft | — | 1 per site | On-premises of construction | — | Section 9.C(3), Exhibit 43 |

### Business Park Zoning District (B.P.), Highway Commercial Zoning District (C-3), Commercial Entertainment Zoning District (C-4), General Industrial Zoning District (G.I.)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Principal) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 principal sign per business | Above front entrance of business | — | Section 9.A.1 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | 5’ max projection | — | Max 3 per business | Above windows/doors of business | — | Section 9.A.3 |
| Identification Sign (Street Level) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On/within 1’ of primary business entrance | — | Section 9.A.4.i |
| Identification Sign (Multi-story, Above Ground Floor) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business above ground floor | At principal entrance to building for each business above ground floor | — | Section 9.A.4.ii |
| Monument Sign (Coordinated Sign, Permanent) | — | 24 sq ft per display/portion | — | — | 2 per development | Vehicular entrance to retail/business complex | — | Section 9.C(6) |
| Property Development Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per face (max two faces) | — | — | 1 per property | Window or primary development sign | — | Section 9.C(2), Exhibit 42 |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 10 ft | — | 1 per site | On-premises of construction | — | Section 9.C(3), Exhibit 43 |
| Free-standing Sign | — | As per general free-standing sign regulations; Max 2 per business/development | — | — | Max 2 per business/development | Vehicular entrance(s) to property on public street | — | Section 10.B(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Schererville

- No sign shall be placed in such a manner that it would block or obscure the vision of the driver of a motor vehicle stopped at a stop sign, traffic light, or entrance to a public street for a distance of two hundred feet (200') in any direction in which there is oncoming traffic.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or public walkway.
- All public signs erected in the Town shall comply with the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), as amended from time to time.
- All temporary signs shall be removed no more than three (3) days after the conclusion of the event to which the sign advertises or denotes, unless otherwise provided.
- No more than one (1) temporary sign may be displayed at any one time for each occupancy frontage, except between the dates of April 1 and May 10 and between October 1 and November 10 annually, unless otherwise provided.
- No person shall erect or display, or cause or authorize any person to erect or display, any sign on any property not owned by such person, unless authorized in writing by the owner of such property.
- Except for temporary signs authorized under this Title, no unattended sign or display may be placed on public property and no person shall affix any sign to public property.
- No signs shall impede the view of traffic signs, traffic signals, other traffic devices or intersections.
- Unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance, no signs shall be permitted within ten feet (10’) of any property line.
- Flashing signs are prohibited, except for those giving safety warnings or public service information.
- Signs that rotate, move or give the visual impression of movement are prohibited, except for those giving safety warnings or public service information.
- Signs that emit audible sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Obscene signs, or signs depicting or containing graphics or content of an adult nature as defined in TITLE XXIII, are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited, except for directional development signs as provided and temporary signs that comply with this Ordinance.
- Signs within the public right-of-way are prohibited unless a permit is obtained.
- Signs on fences, streetlights, utility poles are prohibited, except as provided in Institutional (IN) Zoning Districts.
- Signs on trees or flag poles, including painted signs, are prohibited.
- Signs using reflecting material are prohibited, except governmental signs and name plate signs displaying the address of the occupant.
- Signs that are confusingly similar or in any way imitate any official marker erected by the Town, State, or other governmental unit or agency, or which by reason of position, shape, or color would confuse or conflict with the proper functioning of any traffic sign or signal or railroad device, are prohibited.
- Signs on any property, without the consent of the property owner, are prohibited.
- Billboards, outdoor advertising structures, and similar free standing signage are prohibited.
- Single pole signs are prohibited except where expressly provided in this Ordinance.
- Vehicle-mounted signs or similar signs placed on vehicles parked on public or private property are prohibited, except for business identification on vehicles used for deliveries, sales or service, or legally parked operational vehicles at the driver’s home or business.
- Neon signs are prohibited in any Residential, Open Land, Institutional, and Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) Zoning District.
- Spotlights, and signs illuminated by spotlights, are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable advertising is prohibited.
- Signs not specifically allowed by the provisions of this Ordinance are prohibited.
- Sign construction permits are only valid for six (6) months after issuance; an expired permit requires a new permit before construction can resume.
- Signs shall not be illuminated with lights that glare into or upon the surrounding area or any residential premises or distract operators of vehicles or pedestrians on the public right-of-way in such a manner as to cause brightness to a degree that it constitutes a hazard or nuisance.
- Illuminated signs using mercury arc or mercury vapor light sources are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Schererville

- Nameplate and owner identification signs, provided they comply with this Ordinance.
- Temporary signs that otherwise comply with the requirements of this Ordinance.
- Utility marker signs necessary to mark cables and lines for public and private utilities, provided such signs are determined by the Town as being required for public safety and welfare.
- Traffic, directional, and informational signs authorized by a governmental unit for legitimate health, safety, and public purposes.
- Informational signs, such as No Dumping, No Trespassing, No Hunting, Beware of Dog, etc.
- Political and election signs are allowed as temporary signs in all zoning districts, subject to requirements for temporary signs in the applicable zoning district.
- Temporary signs for events on public and private property, subject to restrictions on number, size, location, and display time, do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs (except for nameplate and identification signs as allowed, or certain temporary residential signs) require a Building/Zoning Permit from the Town Staff prior to erection, repair (other than ordinary maintenance), alteration, or relocation.
- Permit applications must include plans, specifications, methods of construction and attachment, site layout, and other supporting materials as required by the Planning Department.
- Permit issuance may require wind load calculations by a registered professional engineer if deemed necessary by the Building Inspector.
- Written consent of the property owner is required for permit submission if the applicant is not the owner.
- A final determination by the Zoning Administrator concerning a permit can be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals via a petition.
- A Planned Signage District may be approved as part of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and may require an overall signage plan as part of PUD approval.
- Subdivision identifying monument signs require consideration and approval as part of the subdivision platting process, including provisions for maintenance and upkeep.

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

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