# Sign Regulations in Amherst, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Amherst, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/amherst
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/amherst/latest/amherst_oh/0-0-0-39615)

## At a glance

Amherst, Ohio regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Pole Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial District (I-1) zoning district are capped at 25 ft. tall and 200 sq. ft., with a Minimum of 10 ft of unobstructed distance from grade to bottom of sign if located within 10 ft. of the right-of-way or 30 ft. of an intersecting right-of-way setback (Sec. 1149.04). Most commercial signs in Amherst require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1, R-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial District (I-1) | 5 | The average height of the lettering or components shall not exceed 36 inches | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Downtown Historic District | 5 | Minimum vertical clearance to grade, eight (8) feet | 12 sq. ft. total | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 5 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Pole Sign | 25 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 10 ft of unobstructed distance from grade to bottom of sign if located within 10 ft. of the right-of-way or 30 ft. of an intersecting right-of-way | One (1) ground pole sign is permitted on a corner lot. | Minimum of 10 ft of unobstructed distance from grade to bottom of sign if located within 10 ft. of the right-of-way or 30 ft. of an intersecting right-of-way | — | 1149.04 |
| Wall Sign | The average height of the lettering or components shall not exceed 36 inches | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | Each premises shall not be permitted more than two (2) signs or any function permitted, provided that the total combined area of both signs does not exceed the area permitted in the largest wall sign on the parcel. | — | — | 1149.04 |
| Marquee Sign | Height shall not exceed top of face or variance of the marquee, awning or canopy | 35 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.04 |
| Projecting Sign | Height shall not exceed 25 ft. nor extend more than 3 ft. above the roof line | 50 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 10 ft. of unobstructed distance from grade to bottom of sign if located within 10 ft. of the right-of-way or 30 ft of an intersecting right-of-way | — | — | — | 1149.04 |
| Electronic Changeable Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.03 |

### Downtown Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.15 |
| Directory Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. per occupant | — | — | One (1) directory sign per entrance. | — | — | 1149.15 |
| Painted Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.15 |
| Perpendicular Projecting Sign | Minimum vertical clearance to grade, eight (8) feet | 12 sq. ft. total | — | — | One projecting sign shall be allowed for each business occupying a building. | — | — | 1149.15 |
| Sidewalk Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | One (1) sandwich board sign shall be allowed for each building entrance. | — | — | 1149.15 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Numbers, Nameplates | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.07 |
| Memorial Signs or Tablets | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.07 |
| Gasoline Service Station Signs | — | 3 sq. ft. on each pump | — | — | — | — | — | 1149.07 |
| Temporary Signs | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | No more than ten (10) temporary signs shall be placed on a single parcel of land. | No temporary sign shall be placed in a right-of-way and no temporary sign shall be placed at or near intersecting roadways or rights-of-way in a manner which obstructs the view of the traveling public or which hinders pedestrian traffic. | — | 1149.06 |
| Institutional Bulletin Boards | — | — | — | — | One (1) ground pole sign. | — | — | 1149.07 |
| Residential Development Identification Signs | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | One (1) sign per vehicle entrance. | Each vehicle entrance | — | 1149.07 |
| Vending Machine Signs | — | 10% of the wall area where the vending machines are located | — | — | Two (2) signs. | — | — | 1149.07 |
| Merchandise or Showcase Signs | — | 10% of the largest visible face area | — | — | One (1) sign per rack or showcase. | — | — | 1149.07 |

## Prohibited signs in Amherst

- Signs stationary or movable which incorporate any flashing or moving light sources, except ECMs as permitted.
- String lights or banners, pennants, spinners and streamers used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes, other than holiday decorations.
- Any sign or sign structure which is structurally unsafe, constitutes a hazard to safety or health, is not kept in good repair, or is capable of causing electrical shocks.
- Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by obstructing the vision of drivers or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device.
- Signs placed upon any public utility pole, light pole, street sign or traffic sign.
- Any sign which obstructs free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required entrance or exit way.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'Stop', 'Look', 'Danger', or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters, in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Any sign or other advertising structure containing any obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold on the premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Amherst

- House numbers, nameplates identifying the occupant or address of a parcel of land not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Signs painted, temporarily or permanently attached to motor vehicles or trailers which are legally licensed and primarily used upon the highways for transporting persons, goods or equipment.
- Traffic or other municipal signs such as legal notices, railroad crossing, danger and other emergency signs as approved by the Mayor.
- Custom lettering or other insignia on a gasoline pump not exceeding a total of three sq. ft. on each pump.
- A single non-illuminated double-faced sign per gasoline pump island not exceeding four sq. ft. in area.
- A single non-illuminated double-faced pricing sign for each street not exceeding six ft. in height and four ft. in width.
- Temporary signs.
- Institutional bulletin boards, church or synagogue signs.
- Residential development identification signs for each vehicle entrance not exceeding sixteen sq. ft.
- Vending machines and vending structures permitted two signs not exceeding ten percent of the wall area where located.
- Merchandise or showcases displayed in reasonable quantities for not over thirty days per calendar year.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Before any permit is granted for the erection of any exterior signage, plans shall be filed with the Building Department showing the sign dimensions, materials, setback dimensions and any required details of construction.
- Application for Sign in Downtown Historic District must be filed with the Building Department and reviewed by the Building Official and potentially forwarded to the Design Review Board.

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

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