# Sign Regulations in Barberton, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Barberton, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/barberton
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-12
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/barberton/latest/barberton_oh_ldc/0-0-0-2639)

## At a glance

Barberton, Ohio regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Single- & Two-Family Residential - Permanent)s in the Residential District zoning district are capped at Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of parapet/roof/sill of second-floor window tall and 2 sq ft, with a N/A setback (Sec. Table 1230B(B)(1); Table 1230D(A); Table 1230E(A)(1) and footnote [b]; Table 1230F; 1230.04(b)(5); 1230.04(c)(7)(A)). Most commercial signs in Barberton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of: top of parapet, highest point of the roof for wall signs on roofs, or sill of the second-floor window | Up to 40% of window surface area (cumulative for permanent and temporary) | — |
| PO Preservation Overlay District | 4 | Up to 20 ft, or lowest of parapet/roof/sill of second-floor window | Up to 40% of face | — |
| Residential District | 9 | Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of parapet/roof/sill of second-floor window | 32 sq ft (up to 96 sq ft with bonuses) | — |
| Zoned Non-Residential | 3 | 8 ft | Up to 32 sq ft (up to 96 sq ft with bonuses) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General) | Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of: top of parapet, highest point of the roof for wall signs on roofs, or sill of the second-floor window | — | — | N/A for wall signs | — | On exterior building wall or roof surface not exceeding roof line or parapet | — | Table 1230E(A)(1) and footnote [b]; Table 1230F (Permanent Wall Signs); 1230.04(b)(5); 1230.04(c)(3)-(7); 1230.07(a)(1); Table 1230J |
| Window Sign (General) | — | Up to 40% of window surface area (cumulative for permanent and temporary) | — | N/A | No explicit numeric limit; subject to area limits and any land use-specific allowances | Inside or upon a window in a wall or door, visible from outside | — | Table 1230D(B)(2)(c); 1230.04(c)(5)-(7); 1230.07(a)(1); Table 1230J |
| Projecting Sign (General) | Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of: top of parapet, highest point of the roof, or sill of the second-floor window | Up to 12 sq ft (Under Canopy and Projecting signs) | — | Must comply with Vision Clearance Triangle restrictions (1240.02(e)(8)) | — | Displayed on or from a wall where the sign or projection extends more than 1 ft from the wall | — | Table 1230E(B); 1230.04(b)(6); Table 1230F; Table 1230G; 1230.04(c)(7)(B); 1230.07(a)(1) |
| Awning and Canopy Sign (General, excluding Under Canopy) | Up to highest point of awning/canopy/panel on which sign is displayed | Up to 40% of face area (theatre marquees excepted from this limit) | — | N/A | — | On awning or canopy faces/panels | — | Table 1230D(B)(2)(a) and (D)(1)(f); 1230.04(c)(3)-(6); 1230.05(e); 1140.01(b)(4) |
| Under Canopy Sign (General) | — | Up to 12 sq ft | — | N/A | — | Projecting from and beneath a canopy or awning | — | Table 1230D(B)(2)(b); Table 1230F; 1230.04(b)(6); 1230.04(c)(5)-(7) |
| Ground Sign (General) | Permanent Entrance Signs: 8 ft for all non-retail uses; 12 ft for retail/principal parking uses. Other permanent ground signs: 6 ft. Temporary ground signs: 6 ft (higher may be approved as Conditional Use). | — | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; additional setbacks per Vision Clearance Triangles; 20 ft from any Residential District if sign area >200 sq ft | — | On the ground, supported by poles/pylons or base anchored to ground (not on trailers/moveable supports) | — | 1230.04(a)(1); Table 1230E(C); 1230.05(b); 1230.05(a)(1)-(3); 1230.04(b)(2)(A)-(B); 1230.04(b)(6); Table 1230G |
| Portable A-Frame/Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary sidewalk) | — | — | — | Must comply with Vision Clearance Triangles and right-of-way regulations | — | On sidewalks along frontages where principal building is within 2 ft of street right-of-way (e.g., Downtown) | — | 1230.02(c)(1); 1230.04(b)(1); 1230.05(c); Table 1230H; 1230.04(c)(7)(A) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single- & Two-Family Residential - Permanent) | Up to 20 ft, or the lowest of parapet/roof/sill of second-floor window | 2 sq ft | — | N/A | 1 per dwelling unit (DU) | Facade (wall/door) of dwelling | — | Table 1230B(B)(1); Table 1230D(A); Table 1230E(A)(1) and footnote [b]; Table 1230F; 1230.04(b)(5); 1230.04(c)(7)(A) |
| Ground Sign - Temporary (Single- & Two-Family Residential) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | Up to 2 per lot | On the ground on same lot | — | Table 1230B(B)(2); Table 1230E(C)(2)(b); Table 1230H; 1230.02(d)(12); footnote [c] to Tables 1230B/1230C; 1230.05(c)(4) |
| Entrance Sign (Single- & Two-Family Residential Development Entry) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (up to 96 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per street entrance to development/neighborhood (not per lot), plus one additional per 300 ft of frontage for large frontage developments | At street entrances to qualifying residential developments/neighborhoods | — | Table 1230C(B)(1) and footnotes [e]-[g]; Table 1230D(A)(1)(b); Table 1230E(C)(1)(b); Table 1230G; footnote [c] |
| Entrance Sign (Multi-Family Residential) | 8 ft | Up to 32 sq ft (96 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per frontage; one additional per 300 ft (or fraction) of additional frontage for large frontage developments | At lot frontage entrances serving multi-family residential | — | Table 1230C(C)(1); Table 1230D(A)(1)(c); Table 1230E(C)(1)(b); footnote [g]; Table 1230G |
| Building Identification Sign (Multi-Family Residential) (Facade/Awning/Projecting) | Wall/Projecting up to 20 ft (subject to lowest of parapet/roof/sill of second-floor window); Awning/Canopy up to highest point of awning/canopy face | Up to 8 sq ft (up to 14.8 sq ft with bonuses) | — | N/A | 1 per building | On building facade, awning/canopy, or as projecting sign for building identification | — | Table 1230C(C)(1) (second row); Table 1230D(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(a)-(b); Table 1230E(A)(1), (B); Table 1230F; Table 1230G; 1230.04(b)(5); 1230.04(c)(7)(B) |
| Ground Sign - Other Permanent (Multi-Family Residential) (Without Permit) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | Up to 2 per lot | On the ground on same lot | — | Table 1230B(C)(1); Table 1230D(A)(2)(c)(2) (permanent signs max area 8/24); Table 1230E(C)(2)(a); 1230.04(c)(7)(A); 1230.04(b)(2)(A)-(B) |
| Ground Sign - Other Permanent (Multi-Family Residential) (With Permit) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft (up to 24 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | Up to 4 per lot | On the ground on same lot | — | Table 1230C(C)(2); Table 1230D(A)(2)(c)(2); Table 1230E(C)(2)(a); 1230.04(b)(2)(A)-(B) |
| Temporary Sign - Ground (Multi-Family Residential) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft (up to 36 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per lot | On the ground on same lot | — | Table 1230B(C)(2); Table 1230C(C)(3); Table 1230D(A)(2)(c)(1); Table 1230E(C)(2)(b); 1230.05(c)(2)-(5); Table 1230H |

### Zoned Non-Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entrance Sign (Vacant or Agricultural) | 8 ft | Up to 32 sq ft (up to 96 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per lot frontage; plus one additional per 300 ft (or fraction) of additional frontage for large frontage developments | At lot frontage entrances serving vacant/agricultural land | — | Table 1230C(A)(1); Table 1230D(A)(1)(a); Table 1230E(C)(1)(b); footnote [g]; Table 1230G |
| Ground Sign - Other Permanent (Vacant or Agricultural - Zoned Non-Residential) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft (up to 72 sq ft with bonuses) | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per frontage | On the ground on same lot frontage | — | Table 1230D(A)(2)(a)(1); Table 1230E(C)(2)(a); Table 1230B(A)(1); Table 1230C(A)(2); Table 1230G; footnote [c] |
| Temporary Sign - Ground (Vacant or Agricultural) | 6 ft (Building Commissioner may specify different maximum for safety) | 12 sq ft (without permit); with permit, allowable per Table 1230D applies if specified by Building Commissioner | — | Minimum 5 ft from street lines; comply with Vision Clearance Triangles | 1 per frontage (without permit) | On the ground on same lot frontage | — | Table 1230B(A)(2); Table 1230C(A)(3); Table 1230E(E) and (C)(2)(b); 1230.05(c)(2)-(5); Table 1230H; 1230.04(b)(1)-(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Barberton

- Air-activated signs are prohibited citywide (both permanent and temporary).
- Festoons are prohibited except during recognized holiday periods, seasonal festivals, or special community events.
- Flashing signs are prohibited except on canopy signs.
- Moving signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs (vehicles parked primarily to display a sign) are prohibited.
- Signs on lighting or utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs on trees are prohibited.
- Street bench signs are prohibited.
- Signs displayed on bus shelters are prohibited.
- Cold-air inflatable balloon signs are prohibited.
- Signs containing strobe lights visible beyond the property line are prohibited.
- Temporary ground signs with changeable copy areas are prohibited.
- Markings on street pavements, curbs, or sidewalks are prohibited except Government/Utility signs or child play-related temporary markings.
- Signs that violate any City regulation on emission of noise, odor, or particulate or gaseous matter are prohibited.
- Right-of-way signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- No sign or associated light fixture may be located within, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way except where expressly permitted by the code (e.g., Table 1230F or 1230.02(c)(1)).
- Signs must not significantly obstruct driver vision or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic signal or control device.
- Signs may not obstruct fire escapes, doors, entrances/exits, or windows required for ventilation.
- No sign may interfere with overhead utility lines or cause hazards related to them.
- Illumination by bare bulbs is prohibited except for neon or similar tubing, shielded external lighting, changing signs, theatre marquees, and Landmark Signs.
- External lighting for signs must be shaded/shielded to avoid glare on surrounding properties and streets; sign lighting may not create a traffic hazard.
- Projecting signs may not have internal illumination.
- Signs may not resemble traffic control devices or signals in a way that could interfere with traffic movement or safety.
- Multiple signs may not be arrayed together to create the visual effect of a sign exceeding maximum permitted area.
- Permanent ground signs must be permanently attached to the ground (not mounted on trailers or other movable supports).
- Permanent signs (other than flags or awning signs) may not be fabricated from canvas, cloth, or flexible vinyl.
- Displaying a sign on private property without the written permission of the property owner is prohibited.
- Displaying signs on public property is prohibited unless allowed by the relevant public agency; signs in street rights-of-way must comply with Right-of-Way provisions; Government/Utility signs are exempt from these restrictions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Barberton

- Displays not regulated by the sign chapter (exempt from all provisions): non-sign displays; cornerstone inscriptions or integral masonry signs on older buildings; signs on moving vehicles/boats/aircraft except vehicle signs; very small signs under 1 sq ft (e.g., address numbers, security stickers, store hours, credit card emblems, membership seals); vending machine signs up to 20 sq ft per lot; signs accompanying outdoor retail displays totaling less than 10 sq ft per display; manufacturer signage on merchandise/packaging in outdoor sales displays where such displays are otherwise permitted; signs/accessories to juvenile activities (e.g., lemonade stands, child play markings); graffiti; displays inside store show windows; non-affixed signs under 1 sq ft within window merchandise displays; other interior signs not attached to a window/door and not legible beyond the lot/building site; bulletin boards and bulletin board signs; Government/Utility signs; cemetery monuments or monument sales lots; City Council-designated works of art; outdoor storage/display of signs for sign fabricators where outdoor storage/display is permitted; signs on umbrellas at outdoor cafe tables; distinctive architectural treatments; clocks/thermometers/meters; displays in the interior of roofless buildings intended to be seen only from inside (e.g., stadium scoreboards); Landmark Signs; and other similar displays as judged by the Building Commissioner.
- Government/Utility signs are not subject to the provisions of the sign chapter.
- Landmark Signs are exempt from the sign chapter and are not considered nonconforming (alterations require a Certificate of Appropriateness; unsafe conditions may trigger repair/removal orders).
- Decorative lighting that does not constitute a sign (e.g., facade illumination, neon accent lighting, backlit awnings without sign copy, holiday lights) is not subject to the sign chapter (though may be subject to other City regulations).
- Temporary signs do not require a Temporary Use Permit (they may still require a Sign Permit unless exempted).
- Signs exempt from permit requirement (still subject to other sign standards): signs listed as permit-exempt in Table 1230B; copy changes on changeable copy areas; bill/poster changes on panel-type signs (e.g., billboards, bulletin boards); maintenance/cleaning/repair or in-kind replacement of worn/broken parts not involving removal/reinstallation or alteration of support structure; existing signs that did not require a Sign Permit prior to the effective date of the chapter.
- Grandfathering: the chapter does not apply retroactively to legally installed signs prior to its effective date, except for maintenance requirements and any applicable transition provisions (noting Section 1230.06 was repealed).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in Chapter 1230.
- A Sign Permit is required for most signs citywide unless specifically exempt (1230.07(a)(1); 1230.02(a)-(b)).
- Sign Permit applications must include a site/plat plan showing the position of the proposed sign relative to structures/rights-of-way/grade and the locations and areas of all existing and proposed signs on the same premises (Table 1230J).
- A refundable deposit/financial guarantee is required with Sign Permit applications for permanent signs; a deposit/financial guarantee may also be required to assure removal of temporary signs that require a permit (1230.07(a)(5); 1230.05(c)(4)).
- Variances to area, height, location, number, or sign form may be approved per 1310.03(a) when needed for reasonable visibility due to topography/landscaping/existing development (1230.07(c)(1)).
- Special Design Exceptions may be approved by the Planning Commission with written findings when literal conformance would be detrimental to a sign of unusual/outstanding design quality (1230.07(c)(2)).
- Exceptions for replicated historic signs may be allowed by the Design Review Board upon documentation that the sign once existed on the property and contributes to historic character (1230.07(c)(4)).
- A Certificate of Appropriateness may be required for signs or actions in the PO Preservation Overlay District and for alterations to Landmark Signs (1230.02(a) note; 1230.05(d); 1310.08).
- ODOT-regulated signs must comply with applicable ODOT regulations; the more restrictive standard between ODOT rules and the chapter applies (1230.04(g)(8)).

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

---

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