# Sign Regulations in Anderson Township, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Anderson Township, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/anderson-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-29
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://andersontownshipoh.gov/Portals/andersontownship/Documents/Forms/Anderson%20Township%20Zoning%20Resolution%20Final%2011_3.pdf#page=132)

## At a glance

Anderson Township, Ohio regulates 23 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Standard)s in the Retail Business District (E), Planned Business District (EE) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 100 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides), or 0.5 sq ft per foot of street frontage (whichever is less), with a 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines setback (Sec. 5.5.G.1). Most commercial signs in Anderson Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence District (AA, A-30, A, A2, B, B2, C, D), Planned Multiple Residence District (DD) | 8 | 10 ft or max allowable height for a freestanding sign in district | 40 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — |
| Mobile Home Park District (MHP) | 4 | 10 ft or max allowable height for a freestanding sign in district | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Office District (O), Limited Office District (O1), Planned Office District (OO) | 8 | 10 ft | 50% of permitted total signage per side | — |
| Retail Business District (E), Planned Business District (EE) | 9 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides); 72 sq ft in neighborhood retail | — |
| Industrial Development District (ID), Planned Light Industrial District (FF), Planned Heavy Industrial District (GG) | 8 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Riverfront District (H) | 8 | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Excavation and Landfill District (EF) | 3 | 10 ft or max allowable height for freestanding sign in district | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| Historic District (HD) | 2 | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — |
| Flood Plain Management (FPM) | 1 | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 12 in | 20% of glass door panel or 50% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Retail Business District (E), Planned Business District (EE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Standard) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides), or 0.5 sq ft per foot of street frontage (whichever is less) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines | 1 per premises, more if >400 ft street frontage | Within landscaped area equal/larger to sign area | — | 5.5.G.1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per structure OR 20% of facade area, whichever is less (may increase for large facade per formula) | — | — | — | On any building facade | — | 5.5.G.2 |
| Variable Message Sign | 15 ft (same as freestanding sign in this district) | 50% of permitted total signage per side | — | Same as freestanding sign | 1 per street frontage per premises | One per street frontage per premises | — | 5.5.G.3 |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 5 ft side yard | 1 per driveway | Per driveway | — | 5.5.G.4 |
| Private Traffic Control Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from all other property lines | No limit | — | — | 5.5.G.5 |
| Temporary Sign (≤ 8 sq ft, total 16 sq ft per premises) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft per sign, total 16 sq ft per premises | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 2 | On premises | — | 5.5.E.8 |
| Temporary Sign (>8 sq ft, ≤32 sq ft) | 15 ft (freestanding sign max height) | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 1 per 400 ft street frontage | On premises | — | 5.5.E.11 |
| Off-Premise Business Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides); 72 sq ft in neighborhood retail | — | Same as building setback for zone; min 50 ft to residential zone; min 15 ft side/rear to property line | — | On permitted site (see State and local setbacks) | — | 5.5.G.6 |

### Industrial Development District (ID), Planned Light Industrial District (FF), Planned Heavy Industrial District (GG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Standard) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides), or 0.5 sq ft per ft street frontage (whichever is less) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines | 1 per premises, more if >400 ft street frontage | Within landscaped area equal/larger to sign area | — | 5.5.G.1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per structure OR 20% of facade area, may be increased for large facade | — | — | — | On any building facade | — | 5.5.G.2 |
| Variable Message Sign | 25 ft | 50% of permitted total signage per side | — | Same as freestanding sign | 1 per street frontage per premises | One per street frontage per premises | — | 5.5.G.3 |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 5 ft side yard | 1 per driveway | Per driveway | — | 5.5.G.4 |
| Private Traffic Control Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from all other property lines | No limit | — | — | 5.5.G.5 |
| Temporary Sign (≤8 sq ft, total 16 sq ft per premises) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft per sign, total 16 sq ft per premises | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 2 | On premises | — | 5.5.E.8 |
| Temporary Sign (>8 sq ft, ≤32 sq ft) | 25 ft (freestanding sign max in district) | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 1 per 400 ft street frontage | On premises | — | 5.5.E.11 |
| Off-Premise Business Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Same as building setback for zone; min 50 ft residential zone; min 15 ft side/rear | — | On permitted site (see State and local setback) | — | 5.5.G.6 |

### Riverfront District (H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Standard) | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides), or 0.5 sq ft per ft street frontage (whichever is less) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 10 ft from side/rear property lines | 1 per premises, more if >400 ft street frontage | Within landscaped area equal/larger to sign area | — | 5.5.G.1 |
| Wall Sign | — | 250 sq ft per structure OR 20% of facade area, may be increased for large facade | — | — | — | On any building facade | — | 5.5.G.2 |
| Variable Message Sign | 25 ft | 50% of permitted total signage per side | — | Same as freestanding sign | 1 per street frontage per premises | One per street frontage per premises | — | 5.5.G.3 |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 5 ft side yard | 1 per driveway | Per driveway | — | 5.5.G.4 |
| Private Traffic Control Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per side (limit 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from all other property lines | No limit | — | — | 5.5.G.5 |
| Temporary Sign (≤8 sq ft, total 16 sq ft per premises) | 10 ft | 8 sq ft per sign, total 16 sq ft per premises | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 2 | On premises | — | 5.5.E.8 |
| Temporary Sign (>8 sq ft, ≤32 sq ft) | 25 ft (freestanding sign max in district) | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 10 ft from pavement/right-of-way; 5 ft from other property lines/signs | 1 per 400 ft street frontage | On premises | — | 5.5.E.11 |
| Off-Premise Business Sign | 35 ft | 300 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Same as building setback for zone; min 50 ft residential zone; min 15 ft side/rear | — | On permitted site (see State and local setback) | — | 5.5.G.6 |

## Prohibited signs in Anderson Township

- No sign shall display flashing, moving or intermittent lights and symbols or lights, letters and symbols of changing degrees of intensity, except as otherwise provided.
- Flashing, intermittent or moving lights are prohibited when placed so as to be open to the outdoor public view.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained or continued which is fraudulent or obscene.
- No off-premise sign shall be permitted except as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained or extended over or into any street, right-of-way, public way or alley right-of-way, unless specifically provided for.
- No sign shall be erected, maintained or continued which constricts the access or the flow of air through any window or door required by building or fire codes.
- No sign, handbill, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind shall be fastened, placed or painted on or to any curbstone (except address numbers 4” high), utility service equipment, hydrant, bridge, culvert, drinking fountain, trash container, courtesy bench, rest station building, tree, sidewalk, street, street sign, or other structure in the public right-of-way or which constitutes public property.
- All signs must be capable of being removed without altering the building structure or affecting its integrity.
- No radio, phonograph, tape recorder, whistle, bell, gong, siren, or other sound or noise-making or transmitting device or instrument shall be allowed, permitted or continued in connection with any sign, nor may it be used separately for advertising or attention-gaining for commercial purposes.
- No search lights, strobe lights or beacons are permitted in any district.
- Illumination for signs must be shielded from adjacent residential districts and all streets. Lighting must comply with referenced standards.
- Variable message signs must not malfunction to cause motion, movement, flashing, or similar effects; must be repaired/disconnected within 24 hours if malfunctioning.
- Signs that violate provisions 7 (fraud/obscene), 9 (over/into right-of-way), 10 (block windows/doors), 15 (noise devices), 20 (illumination), or 21 (searchlights, strobe, beacons) must be removed if nonconforming.
- Off-premise signs may not advertise tobacco, alcohol, or alcoholic beverages within 500 feet of any school, hospital, park, or church.
- There shall be no off-premise advertising signs erected on specified sections of State Route 52 or Roundbottom Road (Scenic Riverfront View restriction).

## Signs exempt from permit in Anderson Township

- Transportable signs and other signs affixed to a vehicle, provided they are limited to two square feet and do not extend higher than 18 inches above the vehicle surface.
- Window signs not exceeding 20% of a glass door panel or 50% of a window area.
- Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, or similar devices.
- Signs integral to the historic character of structures designated as landmarks or official historic structures by appropriate agencies.
- Hand-held signs not set on or affixed to the ground.
- Monuments and markings within a cemetery.
- Address numbers required by Anderson Township or safety organizations, unless larger than twelve inches in height.
- Two permanent signs not to exceed one square foot per side and maximum of two sides, in any zone district, provided they are not animated or illuminated.
- Temporary signs that are eight square feet or less in size in single family and multi family residence districts, displayed without a fee and do not require a zoning certificate.
- Temporary signs totaling sixteen square feet or less per premises (in up to two signs and not to exceed ten feet in height) in O, O-1, OO, E, EE, H, ID, FF, and GG Districts, displayed without a fee and not requiring a zoning certificate.
- Private traffic control signs are permitted in all zoning districts with no limit to number.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs must be erected in compliance with plans approved by Anderson Township and the regulations contained in the ordinance.
- When erected, all signs must comply with approved plans and applicable regulations.
- Applications for a Zoning Certificate must include a site plan showing the exact location of the sign in relation to the building, property lines, and rights-of-way.
- Any sign displayed, erected, relocated, or altered requires submission of a zoning certificate application (unless specifically exempted); the application must be approved before proceeding.
- For freestanding sign 'bonus' provisions, the applicant must present the relevant bonus calculations to the Township.
- For use of temporary signage in lieu of permanent signage beyond standard periods, a Special Temporary Use Zoning Certificate from the Zoning Inspector is required, with specified terms and conditions.
- The Zoning Inspector may require any other information as deemed necessary for sign approval, such as Ohio Department of Transportation approval.
- Every sign requiring a Zoning Certificate in existence at the time of adoption of this resolution must be registered within 180 days by the owner on forms provided by the Township Zoning Department.

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

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