# Sign Regulations in Wanatah, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wanatah, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/wanatah
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Wanatah/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TOCO_CH62SI)

## At a glance

Wanatah, Indiana regulates 14 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial districts, Industrial districts zoning district are capped at 50 sq ft, with a Set back at least 20 feet from property lines or public rights-of-way (see Sec. 22-8-3) setback (Sec. Sec. 22-5-5, Sec. 22-7-4). Most commercial signs in Wanatah require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential uses | 4 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial districts, Industrial districts | 4 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Shopping centers or malls | 4 | — | 80 sq ft per retail business or 300 sq ft total, whichever is less | — |
| Agricultural district | 1 | 8 ft (measured to bottom edge from ground) | 6 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 20 sq ft (excess of usual size allowed) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential uses

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On the dwelling unit | — | Sec. 22-4-2 |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | As placed by the Town of Wanatah, county highway department, or state highway department | — | Sec. 22-4-3 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance of subdivision | — | Sec. 22-4-3.1 |
| For Sale Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On residential lot | — | Sec. 22-4-4 |

### Commercial districts, Industrial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | As placed by the Town of Wanatah, county highway department, or state highway department | — | Sec. 22-5-2, Sec. 22-7-2 |
| For Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 22-5-3, Sec. 22-7-3 |
| Wall Sign | — | No size limitation | — | — | — | Flat against the wall of the building | — | Sec. 22-5-4, Sec. 22-5-4.1, Sec. 22-7-4 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | Set back at least 20 feet from property lines or public rights-of-way (see Sec. 22-8-3) | 1 per lot | On lot advertising use(s) of the property | — | Sec. 22-5-5, Sec. 22-7-4 |

### Shopping centers or malls

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | As placed by the Town of Wanatah, county highway department, or state highway department | — | Sec. 22-6-2 |
| For Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 22-6-3 |
| Wall Sign | — | No size limitation | — | — | — | Flat against the wall of the building | — | Sec. 22-6-4, referencing Sec. 22-5-4 and 22-5-4.1 |
| Shopping Center Directory/Identification Sign | — | 80 sq ft per retail business or 300 sq ft total, whichever is less | — | — | One additional sign per shopping center | Within shopping center; must not obstruct traffic view | — | Sec. 22-6-5 |

## Prohibited signs in Wanatah

- Signs or advertising devices which advertise or promote businesses, products, sales or services on premises other than those on which the sign is located shall be prohibited (off-premises signs are prohibited).
- Any sign or advertising device, either proposed or existing, which in the opinion of the plan commission poses a safety hazard, shall be removed upon the order of the commission.
- All signs shall be set back from property lines or any public rights-of-way a distance of not less than 20 feet.
- All signs and advertising devices shall be subject to the height limitations of the district in which it is to be located.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wanatah

- No permit shall be required for directional signs, public information signs and/or traffic control signs and 'For Sale' signs.
- Existing legal nonconforming signs in existence and fully constructed and erected upon the adoption of this ordinance which are not in violation of previous ordinances may be maintained but not replaced or enlarged.

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

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