# Sign Regulations in Whiteland, Indiana

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

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

## At a glance

Whiteland, Indiana regulates 34 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Pole/Pylons in the C-1, C-2, I-1, L-1 zoning district are capped at 35 ft. (minimum 9 ft. clearance from grade) tall and 100 sq. ft., with a 10 ft. from R/W; reduced to 5 ft. if the primary structure is set back less than 25 ft. setback (Sec. § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1). Most commercial signs in Whiteland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-1, C-2, I-1, L-1 | 15 | 35 ft. (minimum 9 ft. clearance from grade) | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1, Business District (B-1) | 4 | 6 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts, R-1, R-2, R-3, Apartment District (A-1), A-1, Agricultural Districts | 5 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Institutional Uses | 4 | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Max overall height: 60 ft. to top of frame; min height to bottom: 45 ft. | 672 sq. ft. | — |

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

### C-1, C-2, I-1, L-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole/Pylon | 35 ft. (minimum 9 ft. clearance from grade) | 100 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from R/W; reduced to 5 ft. if the primary structure is set back less than 25 ft. | One | Minimum 10 ft. setback from right-of-way (R/W). If principal structure is set back less than 25 ft from R/W, setback is reduced to 5 ft. | — | § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Ground | 4 ft. (sign) / 6 ft. (structure) | 100 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from R/W (5 ft. in B-1) | One | C-1, C-2, I-1, L-1: 10 ft. setback from R/W (5 ft. in B-1); B-1: 5 ft. setback. | — | § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Major Development or Multi-Tenant | 35 ft. (minimum 9 ft. clearance from grade) | 200 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from R/W | One | 10 ft. from R/W | — | § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Shingle (B-1 only) | 6 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from R/W | One | 5 ft. from R/W in B-1 | — | § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | One | Perpendicular to building façade. | — | § 156.400(D)(1), Table 1 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) Freestanding Sign | — | EMC: Up to 50% (C-1, C-2, L-1); 60% (I-1); 40% in B-1 (ground sign only); | — | — | One | Part of permitted Freestanding Sign | — | § 156.400(D)(3), Table 2 |
| Temporary Sign or Banner | 8 ft. (vertical), 5 ft. (horizontal) | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. from public R/W and from adjoining residential property. | One per business | Minimum 10 ft. from public R/W and adjoining residential property. | — | § 156.400(D)(4) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 24-30 in. | 5 sq. ft. | 24 in. | — | One per first-floor business | On sidewalk in front of business (with 40 in. clear path min; not within site visibility triangle). | — | § 156.400(D)(8) |

### Residential Districts, R-1, R-2, R-3, Apartment District (A-1), A-1, Agricultural Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per structure | On the primary structure. | — | § 156.400(E)(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | One per home occupation | — | — | § 156.400(E)(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | As required for identification sign (not explicitly stated). | One per property | — | — | § 156.400(E)(3) |
| Subdivision/Development Entry Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft.; increase by 1 sq. ft. per additional foot of setback beyond 10 ft., up to 100 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft. from public street R/W. | Two per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision/complex; must be 10 ft. from public right-of-way unless in boulevard median (PC approval needed). | — | § 156.400(E)(4) |
| Model Home Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Group sign: 10 ft.; individual: 5 ft. | One group sign per group, one per model home | Group sign: min 10 ft. from public R/W; Individual model home sign: 5 ft. min. | — | § 156.400(E)(5) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential and Apartment) | 8 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | One per property (two per corner lot) | On property for sale or lease; not in right-of-way or sight triangle. | — | § 156.400(C)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (All Other Districts) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per property (two per corner lot) | As above. | — | § 156.400(C)(4) |
| Directional Sign (On Premises) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 2 ft. | — | Minimum 2 ft. from R/W, not in site triangle. | — | § 156.400(C)(8) |
| Social or Charitable Organization Directional Sign (Off Premises) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | — | At least 10 ft. from R/W; no less than 500 ft. from another such sign. | — | § 156.400(C)(9) |
| Construction/Contractor Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | Min 10 ft. from public R/W. | Max two per property | On construction site, not in R/W. | — | § 156.400(C)(7) |
| Construction/Contractor Sign (All Other Districts) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 10 ft. from public R/W. | Max two per property | On construction site, not in R/W. | — | § 156.400(C)(7) |
| General Sign (Commercial Nature) | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. | One per 50 ft. of street or building frontage | Not in R/W; min 5 ft. from side or rear property line. | — | § 156.400(D)(5) |
| Billboard | Max overall height: 60 ft. to top of frame; min height to bottom: 45 ft. | 672 sq. ft. | — | Min 10 ft. from R/W; 1000 ft. from other billboards; 500 ft. from listed zones. | — | I-1 and L-1 only, abutting interstate/federal highway, 1000 ft. separation from any other billboard, 500 ft. from residential and most commercial/apartment zones. | — | § 156.400(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Whiteland

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move, or convert any sign within the town, or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a sign permit, except as otherwise provided in this section.
- Signs shall not create a hazardous condition to vehicular traffic or pedestrians, on or off the premises, nor to any surrounding properties.
- All illuminated signs must comply with the National Electric Code and must not create a traffic hazard to motor vehicle operators.
- Signs must not exceed illumination standards: not to exceed 0.3 foot-candle at the property line upon any adjoining residentially zoned property or above 0.5 foot-candle upon any adjoining non-residential property.
- Signs whose direct or reflected light creates a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Signs by their location, size, height, or other elements shall not create a hazardous condition.
- Abandoned signs (unused for a period of 12 months or longer) must be removed, unless designated historic.
- Signs that are hazardous by virtue of their conditions or locations are prohibited.
- Prohibited sign types: animated signs with flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights not providing constant illumination (excludes electronic message displays as permitted), signs emitting audible sound, odor, or visible matter, the use of pyrotechnics, moving picture projection.
- Signs that imitate or impair official signs and vehicles, including those that may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control sign or signal or device, or a light of an emergency or road equipment vehicle.
- Signs that hide from view or interfere with any official graphic, roadway sign, signal, or device, or that interfere with the sight visibility area.
- Use of search lights, twirling signs, balloons exceeding 25 feet in height and/or 24 inches in diameter, inflatable objects or figures, fan-blown streamers, and similar devices, except as explicitly permitted.
- Signs placed on or attached to vehicles parked on public or private property primarily for the purpose of displaying the sign.
- Roof-mounted signs or those that extend higher than the roof wall (banners exempted).
- Signs located in any public right-of-way, including those placed on utility poles or street signs (unless specifically permitted elsewhere in the sign code).
- Signs that bear or contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, pornographic, immoral character, or which contain advertising that is untruthful or will offend public morals or decency.

## Signs exempt from permit in Whiteland

- Names of buildings, date of construction, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.
- Public signs erected by or on the order of public officer(s) in the performance of public duty, such as signs to promote safety, no trespassing, or traffic signs; memorial plaques; address numbers; signs of historical interest; and signs directing people to public facilities.
- Utility marker signs, emergency signs, public safety signs, and the like, installed by public agencies or utilities, unless such signs are determined to be a hazard by the Planning Director.
- Real estate signs located on the property for sale or lease, provided they meet the specific size, height, location, and quantity requirements of the ordinance.
- Interior signs—those located on the interior of buildings, courts, athletic fields, fences, or other structures not intended to be seen from the exterior—as well as exterior signs intended only for occupants and not legible from adjacent properties or public rights-of-way.
- Holiday decorations and displays, provided they are not located in a public right-of-way, are displayed no more than 30 days before the holiday, and are removed within 30 days after the holiday.
- Construction/contractor signs posted on a construction site meeting specific setback, quantity, size, and removal timing requirements.
- On-premises vehicle directional signs of four feet or less in height and six square feet or less in area, meeting setback and placement requirements.
- Off-site signs for churches, charitable, and community service organizations subject to area, location, and separation requirements.
- Pennants and flags provided they do not encroach upon the public right-of-way.
- Antique signs (over 40 years in age, or replicas) used solely for aesthetic/educational and not primarily for advertising or identification.
- Murals which do not contain commercial messages, with sponsor labelling limitations.
- Signs painted on or attached directly to operable vehicles regularly used in conducting business (various limitations apply as described).
- Permanent window signs not exceeding 25% of any one window and all window signs together not exceeding 75% of window area.
- Weekend signs erected after 5:30 p.m. on Fridays and removed before 7:30 a.m. on Mondays, not exceeding six square feet, not encroaching on pavement/sidewalk, and not illuminated.
- Non-commercial or non-profit general signs not exceeding four square feet in area, four feet in height, not located in the public right-of-way and a minimum five feet from side or rear property lines; no terrain alterations to increase height.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, unless otherwise specified in this code. Permit applications must include a site plan showing property dimensions, location of all existing structures, and proposed sign location.
- All signs not specifically exempted must obtain a permit before installation or modification.
- Permit application documentation may be supplemented by other requirements as determined necessary by the Planning Director or Plan Commission.
- Subdivision/development entry signs located in boulevard medians require Plan Commission approval.
- Historic signs may be designated by the Plan Commission upon written request, and designation may allow flexibility from strict application of the sign code.
- Sign permit applications require submission of clear, legible drawings, construction specifications, site plans, supporting documents, and fee.
- In some cases, variance procedures or Plan Commission approval is required, such as for off-site major development signs or entry signs in boulevard medians.

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

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