Sign Regulations in Centerville, Ohio
Centerville, Ohio has specific sign regulations covering 19 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Ground Sign (Temporary), Real Estate Sign (Temporary), Ground Sign (Neighborhood Identification). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: September 23, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Centerville, Ohio
Sample Sign Requirements in Centerville
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | Max 64 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Ground Sign (Neighborhood Identification) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
19
- Ground Sign (Temporary)
- Real Estate Sign (Temporary)
- Ground Sign (Neighborhood Identification)
- Wall Sign (Permanent)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
11
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Centerville
Other Cities in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Centerville vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Centerville, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Centerville, regulated sign types include Ground Sign (Temporary), Real Estate Sign (Temporary), Ground Sign (Neighborhood Identification), Wall Sign (Permanent), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Centerville vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Centerville are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Centerville has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Centerville, Ohio Sign Rules at a Glance
Centerville, Ohio regulates 19 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Sign or Projecting Sign (Permanent)s in the Office-Service District (O-S), Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business District (B-2), Light Industrial District (I-1), Office Planned Development (O-PD), Business Planned Development (B-PD), Industrial Planned Development (I-PD), Office-Flex (OF) zoning district are capped at 6 ft at minimum setback; +1 ft per every add'l 5 ft setback, up to max 16 ft tall and 64 sq ft (sign area), 32 sq ft (sign face), with a Setback determined per location, height increases per additional setback setback (Sec. 9.51(G)(2)). Most commercial signs in Centerville require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Centerville, Ohio
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Centerville (11 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural District (A), Undeveloped Agricultural Land | 1 | 6 ft | Max 64 sq ft | — |
| One-Family Residential District (R-1a, R-1b, R-1c, R-1d, R-1e), Residential Planned Development (R-PD), Neighborhood Residential (NR), Residential Conservation (RC), Lifestyle Community (LC) | 4 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| Two-Family Residential District (R-2) | 4 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| Multi-Family Residential District (R-3) | 3 | 6 ft | 64 sq ft (sign area), 32 sq ft (sign face) | — |
| Office-Service District (O-S), Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business District (B-2), Light Industrial District (I-1), Office Planned Development (O-PD), Business Planned Development (B-PD), Industrial Planned Development (I-PD), Office-Flex (OF) | 6 | 6 ft at minimum setback; +1 ft per every add'l 5 ft setback, up to max 16 ft | 64 sq ft (sign area), 32 sq ft (sign face) | — |
| Architectural Preservation District (APD) | 6 | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per sign | — |
| Floodplain District (FP), Wireless Telecommunications District (WTC), Corporate Business (CB), Community Center (CC), Neighborhood Center (NC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 3 ft (if within 25 ft of right-of-way), otherwise 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Residential (NR), Residential Conservation (RC), Lifestyle Community (LC) | 4 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| Community Center (CC), Neighborhood Center (NC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Corporate Business (CB) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Centerville(sample of 3 of 11 zones)
One-Family Residential District (R-1a, R-1b, R-1c, R-1d, R-1e), Residential Planned Development (R-PD), Neighborhood Residential (NR), Residential Conservation (RC), Lifestyle Community (LC)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On dwelling unit | — | Unlock | 9.51(F)(1)(c) |
| Ground Sign (Neighborhood Identification) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Entrance to neighborhood, fronting on thoroughfare | — | Unlock | 9.51(F)(1)(b)(ii) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary - Garage Sale) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Outside public right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9.51(F)(1)(d) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft (sign area), 6 sq ft (sign face) | — | — | 1 per lot frontage | Ground or wall sign | — | Unlock | 9.51(D)(21)(b)(ii) |
Office-Service District (O-S), Neighborhood Business District (B-1), General Business District (B-2), Light Industrial District (I-1), Office Planned Development (O-PD), Business Planned Development (B-PD), Industrial Planned Development (I-PD), Office-Flex (OF)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign or Projecting Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft at minimum setback; +1 ft per every add'l 5 ft setback, up to max 16 ft | 64 sq ft (sign area), 32 sq ft (sign face) | — | Setback determined per location, height increases per additional setback | 1 | Outside public right-of-way, with required landscape | — | Unlock | 9.51(G)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Permanent) | — | — | — | — | Max 3 per frontage | On building wall | — | Unlock | 9.51(G)(3) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (sign area), 16 sq ft (sign face) | — | — | 1 per premises | Outside public right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9.51(G)(4)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Temporary) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage per quarter | Building wall | — | Unlock | 9.51(G)(4)(b) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) Ground or Wall Sign | — | 24 sq ft per side (EMC portion) | — | — | — | Non-residential zoning districts, frontage of thoroughfare street only | — | Unlock | 9.51(G)(1)(c) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | Varies by frontage | — | — | 1 per lot frontage | Ground sign | — | Unlock | 9.51(D)(21)(b)(iii) |
Architectural Preservation District (APD)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft (face area) | — | — | 1 | On premises, not in right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(a) |
| Wall Sign (Permanent) | — | 36 sq ft per sign | Overall width not to exceed 60% of wall | — | 2 per business | Front facade or facade adjacent to public park/parking lot | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(b) |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot extend above top of 2nd story window | Incl. in Wall Sign max area | — | — | Included in max 2 wall/projecting signs per business | Front facade or facade adjacent to public park/parking lot; cannot project into public right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(b) |
| Daily Display Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Near front porch/stoop, out of right-of-way, not conflicting with pedestrian/vehicular path | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(c) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (in lieu of daily display sign) | Outside public right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(c)(viii) |
| Wall Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (in lieu of daily display sign) | Building wall | — | Unlock | 9.51(H)(5)(c)(viii) |
PermitPal covers all 11 zoning districts in Centerville — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 11 zones for Centerville — start freeProhibited Signs in Centerville
- Any sign or part thereof erected within or above a public right-of-way is prohibited, including commercial, non-commercial, and political signs.
- Any sign erected at or near intersections that obstructs vision, is confusing to traffic, or uses the words 'stop', 'look', 'danger', or similar in a misleading way is prohibited.
- Any sign mounted onto, above, or incorporated into the roof of any building is prohibited unless specifically permitted.
- Any lighter-than-air or inflatable sign on, attached, or tethered to premises, structures, or vehicles is prohibited except balloons up to 24 inches at certain dwellings.
- Any sign utilizing artificial illumination devices that interfere with vision off-premises is prohibited.
- Any sign using fixed or mobile beacon, strobe light, searchlight, signaling light, or spotlight to attract unusual attention off-premises is prohibited.
- Any sign or part thereof utilizing flame as a source of light is prohibited.
- Any sign with an energized lamp bulb where the bulb surface is directly visible off-premises is prohibited.
- Any sign conveying misleading or unlawful commercial information is prohibited.
- Any sign conveying visual information that is obscene, indecent, or immoral is prohibited.
- Vehicle mounted signs are prohibited.
- Signs in dangerous or defective condition are prohibited and must be removed or repaired.
- The sign face of permanent signs may not be constructed with non-durable materials such as vinyl, PVC, corrugated plastic, paper, cardboard, plywood, particle board, or foam; exceptions only by City Planner approval.
- Any temporary sign with illumination is prohibited.
- Electronic message centers are prohibited for temporary signs and signs in the Architectural Preservation District (APD).
- Temporary signs with motion, visible moving, revolving, rotating parts, mechanical movement, or non-constant visual image are prohibited.
- Permanent signs with external visible moving, revolving, rotating parts, or non-constant visual image are prohibited, except a permanent sign may have internal rotation that does not extend beyond the sign area when in motion.
- Any sign with more than one internally illuminated window sign per window is prohibited (window signs).
- Any wall sign masking or interrupting major architectural features is prohibited.
- Ground signs on individual lots in single or two-family residential districts are prohibited.
- Projecting signs in single or two-family residential districts are prohibited.
- A permanent sign that is not maintained in a safe or presentable condition is prohibited.
- All commercial signs must pertain to the premises on which they are located.
Exempt Signs in Centerville
- Window signs located inside or behind a window in commercial or industrial buildings are exempt from all provisions except the prohibited signs section, provided not more than 25% of the window area is devoted to signage.
- A balloon up to, but not exceeding, 24 inches in any dimension at single-family, two-family, or 3-4 family dwellings is exempt if not displayed with any other sign.
- Non-commercial flags, limited to three per premises and with a maximum sign face area of 60 square feet per flag, are exempt.
- A property owner may install an American Flag in the public right-of-way adjacent to their property in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 723.012 ('Installation of flagpole in sidewalk').
- Directional signs meeting specific size, height, and location criteria are permitted in addition to other signs and are exempt from general ground sign setback provisions.
- Temporary real estate signs in residential and non-residential districts and on undeveloped/agricultural land are exempt from sign permit requirements if they meet size, location, and duration restrictions.
- Temporary signs for new businesses that have received a zoning certificate and building occupancy permits are permitted for 30 days (once per premise, within six months of opening); no permit required.
- Temporary signs during construction (one ground, projecting, or wall sign) are permitted without a permit until business commencement.
- Daily display signs in APD are permitted without sign permit for businesses, subject to size and display hour restrictions.
- Temporary ground signs advertising garage sales or non-commercial events are permitted in residential zones for limited durations and sizes.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Centerville
- A Zoning Permit (and in some cases a Zoning Certificate) is required for erection, construction, relocation, or alteration of any sign unless exempted by the City Development Department.
- Plans for neighborhood identification signs (ground signs in residential districts) including location, fences, walls, earth mounds, and landscaping must be submitted for approval prior to construction.
- Splitting a ground sign into two signs for multi-family residential developments requires a Zoning Certificate and submission of plans for approval including all landscaping, fences, walls, or earth mounds.
- Exchange of permitted ground sign for a wall sign in business/industrial/non-residential districts requires sign permit before installation.
- Site plan for zoning must be approved by the City before a sign permit may be issued for wall signs on overhanging roof surfaces.
- Temporary sign requests exceeding allowed durations for business/industrial/non-residential uses may be approved by Planning Commission.
- Plans for ground signs in the APD and signs using non-standard materials or illumination must be submitted to the Board of Architectural Review for approval under Design Review Criteria.
- Use of translucent sign materials in APD requires conditional approval from the Board of Architectural Review.
- Internally illuminated wall signs in APD require Board of Architectural Review approval considering character, scope, scale, and historical significance.
- For construction of permanent signs in APD, plans (type, size, height, number, placement, materials, illumination) must complement architecture as reviewed by Board of Architectural Review.
- Approvals for signs in APD: see Section 5.09 of the UDO, which references Master Sign Plans and variance meetings as required.
Source: amlegal municipal code