# Sign Regulations in Cortland, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cortland, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/cortland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cortland/latest/cortland_oh/0-0-0-18247)

## At a glance

Cortland, Ohio regulates 5 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial/Business Districts zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 48 square feet (3 occupants), 60 square feet (more than 3 occupants), 72 square feet (more than 10 occupants), with a At least 1 foot from the right-of-way setback (Sec. 1321.14, 1321.15, 1321.02, 1321.05). Most commercial signs in Cortland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial/Business Districts | 3 | 10 feet | 48 square feet (3 occupants), 60 square feet (more than 3 occupants), 72 square feet (more than 10 occupants) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial/Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per tenant in a multiple-tenant building | Affixed to the building wall | — | 1321.14, 1321.15, 1321.07, 1321.02, 1321.05 |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet | 48 square feet (3 occupants), 60 square feet (more than 3 occupants), 72 square feet (more than 10 occupants) | — | At least 1 foot from the right-of-way | One per building | Ground mounted | — | 1321.14, 1321.15, 1321.02, 1321.05 |
| Marquee Sign | — | 10 square feet per face | — | — | One per tenant in a multiple-tenant building | Affixed to the building wall or canopy | — | 1321.14, 1321.15, 1321.07, 1321.02, 1321.05 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | 10 feet from the edge of the pavement | — | Set back at least 10 feet from the edge of the pavement | — | 1321.09 |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | — | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | 10 feet from the edge of the pavement | One per property | Set back at least 10 feet from the edge of the pavement or halfway between the street and the building | — | 1321.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Cortland

- Billboards.
- Temporary changeable copy signs, except as specifically allowed in this code.
- Flag signs.
- Flashing, moving, animated signs, or search lights.
- Electronically variable message signs.
- Inflatable, floating, balloon-blimp like, lighter than air, and all other air or gas filled displays, including those that are tethered.
- Off-premises signs, except otherwise permitted by this code.
- Signs that overhang the public right-of-way, except as otherwise provided in this code.
- Portable signs, including trailered signs, except for allowed temporary signs which are portable.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles or attached to other signs.
- Windblown devices such as pennant displays, spinners, streamers, balloon displays and similar displays.
- Signs on vehicles, such as signs on or attached to parked trucks or trailers, located on private or public property and visible from a public street, which have the basic purpose of directing attention to products sold or activity on the premises on which the vehicle is located or on other premises. This does not prohibit signs on delivery or service vehicles, provided that such signs do not exceed ten square feet (10') per side of the vehicle.
- All signs not expressly allowed by this Chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cortland

- Municipal signs, Street signs, Traffic Control signs, Legal Notices and other signs placed by the City, County, or State and used primarily for traffic control.
- Informational or directional signs, such as 'Parking', 'Entrance', 'Exit', 'Service', 'Parts', 'Shipping', 'Receiving', etc. provided they conform to the requirements of this chapter in all other respects, and that they further meet the following criteria: The number and placement on the property shall be the minimum required to perform the function needed; All signs shall be permanently mounted, attached directly to a building or if free standing shall be no higher than 3'0" above grade. In no case shall a sign exceed (8) eight square feet in area, per face, with a maximum of two (2) faces; All such signs shall clear the right-of-way, said right-of-way as determined by Trumbull County Tax Maps; No such sign shall be located in a manner as to obstruct egress or ingress to adjacent property, pedestrian traffic on the public way, or as to obstruct the vision of drivers at an intersection.
- Garage sale signs are exempt from this chapter and referred to in Section 721.04.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for a sign permit shall be made through City Hall, sign permits for new businesses shall be referred to the Planning, Zoning & Building Commission on a standard form which shall contain the following information: The name, address and telephone number of the applicant. The address of the property on which the sign will be erected; A scaled drawing of the sign, showing the location of the sign on the property or building, a fully dimensioned drawing of the sign faces(s), and the means of attachment to the building or permanent foundation; For new businesses any other information necessary for the Planning, Zoning, and Building Commission to determine the sign's compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
- The City Planning, Zoning and Building Commission may grant variances from the requirements of this Chapter in accordance with the procedures and standards of Section 1189.05 of the Zoning Code.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Cortland, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cortland+OH&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cortland

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