# Sign Regulations in Bellevue, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Bellevue, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/bellevue
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/bellevue/latest/bellevue_oh/0-0-0-28377)

## At a glance

Bellevue, Ohio regulates 10 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Free-standing Signs in the I-1, I-2 zoning district are capped at 25 feet tall and 100 square feet, with a Minimum of 2 feet from the right-of-way setback (Sec. 1223.11(a)(1)). Most commercial signs in Bellevue require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-H | 1 | — | 35 square feet | — |
| B-1 | 2 | — | 100 square feet per entrance | — |
| B-2 | 1 | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 2 | 25 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| B-1 Central Downtown Business District | 2 | — | 12 square feet | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 25 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 100 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign | — | 100 square feet per entrance | — | — | 1 per entrance | Affixed to the main building at every entrance | — | 1223.11(b)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | 1223.11(b)(1) |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Free-standing Sign | 25 feet | 100 square feet | — | Minimum of 2 feet from the right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | On the same property as the main building | — | 1223.11(a)(1) |
| Off-premises Sign | — | 300 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | No closer than 300 feet from another Off-premises Sign | — | 1223.08 |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-illuminated Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Attached to the building | — | 1223.13(b) |
| Manufactured-home Park Sign | — | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 per park | Located on the premises | — | 1223.13(c) |
| Bed and Breakfast Homestead Sign | — | 3 square feet | — | — | 1 per homestead | Attached to and parallel to the front wall of the building | — | 1223.13(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Bellevue

- Signs and/or Advertising Signs that incorporate flashing or moving lights, except message center signs and time/temperature signs and small, stock 'open' signs that do not exceed two (2) square feet in size, and are lit only when the business is open
- Signs and/or Advertising Signs attached to any utility pole, tree, hedge, railing or fence
- Signs and/or Advertising Signs that are unsafe or constitute a traffic hazard, as determined by the Zoning Administrator
- Projecting Signs that extend to or into the public right-of-way, except as permitted within the B-1 Central Business District
- Temporary or Portable Signs and/or Temporary or Portable Advertising Signs that are provided with electrical power
- Portable signs that are to be used as free-standing or attached business signs are prohibited
- Portable advertising signs that exceed twelve (12) square feet
- Portable signs and/or Advertising Signs located in the right-of-way except in Central Business District with Zero Building Setback
- Abandoned Signs and/or Abandoned Advertising Signs
- Signs that exceed thirty-five feet (35') height
- Roof Signs, Business or Advertising
- Signs and/or Advertising Signs located in a public right-of-way
- A pennant, banner, streamer or similar type device, unless they are announcing temporary charitable or community functions
- Search lights and beacons
- All signs and/or Advertising Signs of an unprofessional or inappropriate nature as determined by the Zoning Administrator or Designee

## Signs exempt from permit in Bellevue

- Any sign erected and maintained for any governmental function or regulation or for public utility
- Non-illuminated nameplates, including historical name or number plates, and residential nameplates, not greater than two (2) square feet, mounted on a residence or commercial building
- Signs, such as 'Enter' or 'Exit', warning or directing the viewer of action to be taken on private property, if not located in a public right-of-way, and less than nine (9) square feet
- Temporary, non-illuminated signs, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet and not located in a public right-of-way, used to advertise the sale, rental or lease of the property on which they are located; and similar signs used to advertise events sponsored by churches or other non-profit organizations
- One (1) sign for each painter, roofer, or other contractor during the period when the contractor is performing the work and on the lot which the work is being conducted
- Professional Name Plates not exceeding six (6) square feet and mounted on the building
- Temporary Signs associated with garage sales that do not exceed six (6) square feet, are removed after the sale is completed and are not located in the street right-of-way
- Signs associated with a campaign, election or other civic affairs that do not exceed sixteen (16) square feet and are removed within five (5) days after the event and are not located within the public right-of-way
- Non-illuminated signs associated with home occupations, provided they do not exceed six (6) square feet, and are affixed to the structure
- Non-illuminated signs identifying the name and address of a multiple-family dwelling, located in an R-3 Multiple Family District, and provided that such sign does not exceed twenty-four (24) square feet, is located outside of the street right-of-way and, if located on a corner lot, meets corner clearance requirements
- Updating an existing sign, where all of the following apply: The name of the business has not changed; The owner of the business has not changed; and The exterior dimensions of the existing sign remain the same or smaller
- Signs which are part of the construction of a vending machine, fuel pump or similar device
- Days and hours of operation alone, do not constitute a Business Sign
- Window Signs, whether business or advertising, are exempt from obtaining a Zoning Permit; however, All Window Signs located in the B-1 District must be approved by the Downtown Architectural Standards Board prior to being placed in the window

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be erected, moved or altered without first obtaining approval either with an individual Sign Permit or as part of another application within which the sign is only one portion of the project
- A Revocable Use Permit must be signed by owner for Projecting Signs that extend to or into the public right-of-way, except as permitted within the B-1 Central Business District
- A Zoning Permit for Projecting Signs in a B-1 Central Business District with zero building setback from the right-of-way may be revocable pursuant to state and federal law
- Additional attached signage may be permissible by variance request

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

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