# Sign Regulations in Warsaw, Indiana

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Warsaw, Indiana (IN)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/indiana/warsaw
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IN/Warsaw/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH6AN_ARTVPODADAAN_DIV1GE_S6-151POSIOW)

## At a glance

Warsaw, Indiana regulates 19 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Entrance)s in the R-3 zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 16 sq. ft. (Sec. 13.4.3.3 (R-3), Table 6). Most commercial signs in Warsaw require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RR-1, R-1, R-2 | 8 | 4 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| R-3 | 13 | 6 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| M-1, C-2 | 9 | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| C-3 | 7 | 24 ft | 150 sq. ft. per sign (300 sq. ft. total per lot) | — |
| C-4 | 7 | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| C-5 | 7 | 32 ft | 300 sq. ft. per sign (600 sq. ft. total per lot) | — |
| I-1, I-2, I-3 | 7 | 12 ft | 120 sq. ft. per sign (200 sq. ft. total per lot) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — |

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

### R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Entrance) | 4 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per primary entrance | At each primary entrance to subdivision, apartment complex, or other residential development | — | 13.4.3.3 (R-3), Table 6 |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Lot) | 6 ft | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | 13.4.3.3 (R-3), Table 6 |
| Wall Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | Table 6 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | On wall, see projecting sign definition for mounting | — | Table 6, 13.4.3(i) |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Under canopy/marquee | — | Table 6 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Assists with traffic flow, e.g. entrances, exits, on site | — | 13.4.3(n), Table 6 |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Directly outside main entrance of business | — | 13.4.3(r), Table 6 |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot/right-of-way | On site, not in public right-of-way | — | 13.4.3(p), Table 6 |

### M-1, C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding or Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | Per lot | — | 13.4.3.3 (M-1, C-2); Table 6 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall | — | 13.4.3.3 (M-1, C-2), Table 6 |
| Window Sign | — | 40% coverage of all windows combined | — | — | — | Windows | — | 13.4.3.3 (D), Table 6 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 4 per frontage, 3 per additional frontage | — | — | 13.4.3.1, Table 6 |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Directly outside main entrance of business | — | 13.4.3(r), Table 6 |
| Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot/right-of-way | On site, not in right-of-way | — | 13.4.3 (p), Table 6 |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Below marquee/canopy | — | Table 6 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall; required 8 ft clearance, projection max 8 ft over right-of-way | — | 13.4.3(i), Table 6 |

### C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument or Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot | — | 13.4.3.3 (C-4), Table 6 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On wall/facade | — | 13.4.3.3 (C-4), Table 6 |
| Window Sign | — | 40% coverage of total window area | — | — | — | Window | — | 13.4.3.3 (D), Table 6 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 4 per frontage, 3 per additional | — | — | 13.4.3.1, Table 6 |
| Sidewalk Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Directly outside of main entrance | — | 13.4.3(r), Table 6 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | On wall/facade; minimum 8 ft clearance, max 8 ft projection | — | 13.4.3.3 (F), Table 6 |
| Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot/right-of-way | On site, not in right-of-way | — | 13.4.3(p), Table 6 |

## Prohibited signs in Warsaw

- No signs shall be erected in the public right-of-way.
- No temporary sign shall be placed in any portion of the public right-of-way nor shall they be so placed as to obstruct the view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at intersections or points of ingress and egress onto a public right-of-way.
- No visual obstruction shall hereafter be erected between three feet and eight feet above the ground within ten feet of the property line abutting a public right-of-way.
- No sign may be erected closer to an alley than three feet. The vision triangle in Article 3.5 must also be created.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited except as provided herein.
- Moving signs are prohibited except as provided herein.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited. Real estate signs and development signs are exempt from this provision.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Signs which are structurally unsafe, as determined by the Uniform Building Code, are prohibited.
- Signs obstructing free ingress or egress from a required exit, or which prevent light or ventilation as required in local codes and ordinances are prohibited.
- Signs which by reason of size, location, content, coloring or illumination violate municipal and state highway standards are prohibited.
- Signs bearing words, phrases, symbols, colors or characteristics which may mislead, interfere with, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Signs erected on or attached to any sidewalk, street, tree lawn, tree, curb, curbstone, hydrant, lamppost, barricade, temporary walkway, utility pole, public fence, or on a fixture of the fire alarm or police system except public service signs are prohibited.
- No sign originally manufactured, constructed or intended for use as a temporary sign shall be used as a permanent sign nor shall any temporary sign be converted to use as a permanent sign.
- All signs shall be maintained in good repair and in safe, neat, attractive, and structurally sound condition. The city may order the removal of any sign which becomes a public hazard due to lack of maintenance or repair.
- Projecting signs must have a minimum eight foot clearance above the ground, and cannot project into the public right-of-way more than eight feet.
- The lighting on signs shall not be allowed to change more frequently than every three seconds.
- If a sign is to be lit externally, the source of the light shall be concealed from view at each property line.
- All lit signs shall conform to existing lighting regulations.
- Directional signs shall not exceed six square feet in area and four feet in height and shall not count toward the sign allowance for a site.

## Signs exempt from permit in Warsaw

- Ordinary maintenance and repair to existing signs, provided that such work does not affect the structure to a degree greater than 50 percent of the current replacement cost, exclusive of the structural support of the sign, does not require a permit.
- Change of copy on signs does not require a permit.
- Repainting and posting of copy does not require a permit.
- Seasonal decorations and displays do not require a permit.
- Flags do not require a permit.
- Construction signs do not require a permit.
- Real estate signs do not require a permit.
- Public information signs do not require a permit.
- Sidewalk signs do not require a permit. They must be removed during non-business hours and may not exceed eight square feet in area.
- Street signs erected by a subdivider or by the municipality for the purpose of street identification do not require a permit.
- No permit fee is required for temporary signs used for a period of three days or less, or if the sign usage is by a not-for-profit organization, or if the signs are placed in a window.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless otherwise noted, all signs erected in the City of Warsaw shall require a permit from the Warsaw Planning Department.
- If a sign requiring a permit under the provision of this article is to be replaced, constructed, or erected on a zone lot, the owner of the lot shall secure a sign permit prior to construction, placement, or erection of such a sign.
- A legal nonconforming sign can be modified provided the modifications conform to this article.
- A sign permit application shall include a site plan that includes: location of the building, structure or land to or on which the sign is to be erected, dimensions of the sign, where applicable dimensions of the wall surface of the building to which it is to be attached, the dimensions of the sign's structural members, proposed location of the sign in relation to the face of the building or the lot lines of the property, agreement to maintain the sign, and any other information as required by the city planner's office. A sign permit fee shall accompany the application.
- Repair and regular maintenance of signs (conforming and legal non-conforming) does not require a permit provided the cost of work does not exceed 50 percent of the value of the sign.
- No sign, permanent or temporary, shall be erected or altered except in accordance with the provisions as set forth in section 13.4.
- Temporary signs are subject to specific permit requirements, with a permit and $15.00 fee required except as exempted.
- For businesses whose primary business is conducted outside, moving signs (banners, flags, streamers) may be used with a required setback of five feet from public right-of-way and do not require a permit. Balloons may be used if not inflated with helium; no other inflatable signs may be used.
- The city planner's office reviews applications for sign permits for compliance and issues such permit or rejects in writing.
- The building commissioner has the right of entry in order to inspect all signs for compliance.
- For major site developments, development plans including sign placement are required as per Section 13.6 (applicable to new industrial, commercial, multifamily, public or private nonresidential use not subject to the subdivision ordinance).
- Site/development plans required for sign permit application include sign location, dimensions, structural members, and compliance agreements.

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

---

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