# Sign Regulations in Dublin, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dublin, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/dublin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-09
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/dublin/latest/dublin_oh/0-0-0-99896)

## At a glance

Dublin, Ohio regulates 38 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Office, Administrative, Professional)s in the Commercial Districts (SO, NC, CC, CB, CCC) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 8 ft min setback (Sec. § 153.161; § 153.162 Table). Most commercial signs in Dublin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-10, R-12) | 7 | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (SO, NC, CC, CB, CCC) | 12 | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts (RI, LI, GI, OLR) | 3 | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Innovation Districts (ID-1, ID-2, ID-3, ID-4, ID-5, TF) | 2 | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| Planned Districts (PLR, PHR, PSC, PHS, PIP, PUD, POLR) | 1 | See underlying permitted use per table § 153.162 | See underlying permitted use per table § 153.162 | — |
| Special Districts (FP, EQ, OG, EU) | 1 | Refer to use category in § 153.162 Table | Refer to use category as listed in § 153.162 Table | — |
| Bridge Street Corridor Districts (BSC-R, BSC-OR, BSC-O, BSC-C, BSC-HC, BSC-HR, BSC-SCN, BSC-HTN, BSC-IRN, BSC-VMU, BSC-P), BSD-R Residential, BSD-OR Office Residential, BSD-O Office, BSD-C Commercial, BSD-SCN Sawmill Center Neighborhood, BSD-HTN Historic Transition Neighborhood, BSD-IRN Indian Run Neighborhood, BSD-SRN Scioto River Neighborhood, BSD-VMU Vertical Mixed Use, BSD Public, BSD Historic Core, BSD Historic Residential | 8 | 15 ft max; not above roof line | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 15 ft if on building | 32 sq ft | — |
| BSD Historic Core | 7 | 15 ft (not above roofline) | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| BSD Historic Residential | 2 | As per general code | As per general code (e.g., 20 sq ft for institutional, less for others) | — |

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

### Commercial Districts (SO, NC, CC, CB, CCC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Office, Administrative, Professional) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/use; see § 153.157(A)(4) for multiple frontages | On building wall | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (Office, Administrative, Professional) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | 1 per lot; 2 per corner lot with required separation | On property | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Wall Sign (General Commerce: Retail, Restaurant, Lodging, Consumer Service, Personal Service, Entertainment, Wholesaling, Bank, Hospital, Manufacturing, Research) | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/use; see § 153.157(A)(4) | On building wall | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (General Commerce: Retail, Restaurant, Lodging, Consumer Service, Personal Service, Entertainment, Wholesaling, Bank, Hospital, Manufacturing, Research) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | 1 per lot; see corner lot rules | On property | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (School, Church, Library) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | 1 per use | On property | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (Joint Identification) | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | Up to 2 if site has two street frontages and 1,000 ft of total lot frontage | Shopping centers/multi-tenant complexes | — | § 153.159(B); § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (Development) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | 1 per use | On property | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |
| Ground Sign (Day Care/Nursing Homes) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | 8 ft min | 1 per use | On property | — | § 153.161; § 153.162 Table |

### Bridge Street Corridor Districts (BSC-R, BSC-OR, BSC-O, BSC-C, BSC-HC, BSC-HR, BSC-SCN, BSC-HTN, BSC-IRN, BSC-VMU, BSC-P), BSD-R Residential, BSD-OR Office Residential, BSD-O Office, BSD-C Commercial, BSD-SCN Sawmill Center Neighborhood, BSD-HTN Historic Transition Neighborhood, BSD-IRN Indian Run Neighborhood, BSD-SRN Scioto River Neighborhood, BSD-VMU Vertical Mixed Use, BSD Public, BSD Historic Core, BSD Historic Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 15 ft max; not above roof line | 50 sq ft (all BSD zones but Historic Transition); 8 sq ft (BSD Historic Transition) | — | — | Single tenant: 1 per street frontage; Multi-tenant w/ storefronts: 2 per tenant + possible additional for secondary entrance | On wall facing street (public); within first story; for Historic Core/Transition per elevations allowed | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b), Table 153.065-I; § 153.065(H)(6)(b)-(d) |
| Awning Sign | 15 ft max | 8 sq ft (BSD Historic Transition); 50 sq ft (all others) | — | — | See above | On awning | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft max and not above second story sill or roofline | 8 sq ft (BSD Historic Transition); 16 sq ft (all others) | — | — | See per allowance in § 153.065(H)(6) | Within 6 ft of tenant or public entrance | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I |
| Window Sign | Ground floor only | 8 sq ft (BSD Historic Transition); generally 20% of cumulative window area per window elsewhere; plus small sign at main entrance allowed | — | — | See small sign entrance allowance, plus specifics per code | On window; ground floor only | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft (all BSD except Historic Transition); 6 ft (BSD Historic Transition) | 24 sq ft (all BSD except Historic Transition); 8 sq ft (BSD Historic Transition) | — | 8 ft min | 1 per building/parcel per street frontage (max 2), additional for corner lots per code | 8 ft from min required building zone, setback, or street ROW; different street frontage for multiple ground signs | — | Table 153.065-H; § 153.065(H)(7)(a) |
| Building Identification Sign (for buildings 3 or more stories, not BSD Historic Transition) | Shall not extend above roofline | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/street frontage, max 2 | Façade facing street | — | Table 153.065-J; § 153.065(H)(7)(c) |
| Directory Sign | Ground floor only | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Mounted flat to wall within 6 ft of entrance | — | Table 153.065-K |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per ground floor tenant | Within 6 ft of primary ground floor entrance, on sidewalk, must not block access | — | Table 153.065-K |

### BSD Historic Core

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 15 ft (not above roofline) | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | Two types permitted per façade, not two of the same type | On wall facing public street | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I; § 153.065(H)(6)(d) |
| Awning Sign | 15 ft; min 8 ft above sidewalk | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per awning/tenant | Flat to awning face, no overhang beyond awning edge | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I; § 153.065(H)(6)(d) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft (not above 2nd story window sill or roofline); min 8 ft above sidewalk | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | As per code, subject to combination limits | Within 6 ft of principal entrance | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I; § 153.065(H)(6)(d) |
| Window Sign | Ground floor only | 8 sq. ft. per window; 1 sq. ft. at entrance (exempt) | — | — | 1 per window; entrance sign exempt | On window, ground floor | — | § 153.065(H)(7)(b); Table 153.065-I; § 153.065(H)(6)(d) |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq. ft. | — | 8 ft min | Per sign type/tenant, up to a maximum per lot frontage per code | Min 8 ft from ROW or lot line; attached to freestanding wall or like structure | — | Table 153.065-H; § 153.065(H)(7)(a); § 153.065(H)(6)(d) |
| Directory Sign | Ground floor only | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Within 6 ft of entrance | — | Table 153.065-K; § 153.065(H)(7)(d) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per ground floor tenant | Within 6 ft of public entrance, on sidewalk with 5 ft clear passage | — | Table 153.065-K; § 153.065(H)(7)(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Dublin

- Off-premise signs are prohibited unless specifically allowed by master sign plan approval in BSD districts.
- All of the following are prohibited: trailblazer signs, externally visible neon/neon look-alike signs, trailer signs, search lights, laser lights, pennants, streamers, spinners, bench signs, portable signs (except sandwich board), roof signs, billboards, changeable copy signs (except as expressly permitted), flashing signs, projected images and animated signs, signs with moving or movable parts, and any look-alike version of any of these prohibited sign types.
- Signs that resemble the color, shape, design, or other characteristics of any government traffic control, directional, or warning sign are prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct the view of approaching/intersecting traffic or interfere with safe vehicle/pedestrian movement near right-of-way.
- Signs are prohibited in public right-of-way, unless specifically authorized by applicable code and the City Engineer.
- Signs are prohibited in utility easements, no-build zones, public parks, or on any public property (except as otherwise permitted).
- Signs may not be installed on traffic control signs, construction signs, fences, utility poles, street signs, trees, or other natural objects.
- Signs may not be placed on any property without the prior authorization of the property owner.
- Externally visible neon and neon look-alike signs are prohibited universally.
- No sign shall be located in any residential area except as expressly permitted.
- No sign may be installed in a location creating a safety hazard or interfering with traffic visibility.
- No sign shall show exposed wiring or structural elements except as designed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dublin

- Permanent flags meeting pole height and area limits and with foundation permit for poles.
- Governmental signs as consolidated and color-limited unless otherwise required by government regulation. If in right-of-way, approval is required by City Engineer.
- Street address signs aiding first responders and meeting dimension, contrast, and location standards. These are required for every building.
- Private traffic and on-site directional signs (max 4 sq ft area, 3 ft height), without advertising/logos, rectangular, located on same property, not in right-of-way.
- Residential information signs displaying necessary safety/convenience info only, max 2 sq ft, no advertising.
- Security system signs, max 1 sq ft area.
- Barber poles per state law, not exceeding 28 inches in height.
- ATM signage up to 1 sq ft, color limited, with logo illumination and orientation restrictions.
- Residential sale or leasing period signs (for sale/lease signs in residential areas), for premises actively offered for sale or lease, not requiring a sign permit but subject to other code provisions and size/placement/duration restrictions.
- Seasonal decorations (temporary), without a sign permit, subject to safety and lighting standards.
- Model home period signs, temporary, not requiring a variance or special meeting.
- Other temporary signs, subject to general restrictions, not requiring a sign permit, with number/size/height/duration limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Plan is required in the BSD Sawmill Center Neighborhood, Indian Run Neighborhood, and Scioto River Neighborhood districts for buildings within designated shopping corridors; submission is required prior to or concurrent with site plan review.
- A Master Sign Plan is required for projects in the Bridge Street District (BSD) meeting the criteria of § 153.066(K)(1)(d).
- A Master Sign Plan may be requested for any project within BSD and permits flexibility in sign regulations; it is reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- A total sign plan is required for multi-tenant buildings or complexes before issuance of any individual tenant or complex sign permit.
- For drive-thru menu board signs, a total sign plan conforming to all code requirements must be submitted and approved before issuance of a permit; if not code-compliant, the sign plan is reviewed by the required reviewing body.
- Master sign plans in BSD may allow alternative sign types, numbers, size, heights, locations, colors, or lighting, if approved.
- For any variation from the code for signage (i.e., not meeting code standards), a master sign plan or sign variance/waiver may be required and is subject to review by the appropriate reviewing body.
- A sign permit is otherwise required for all non-exempt signs as part of site plan or development review.

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

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