# Sign Regulations in Findlay, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Findlay, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/findlay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/findlay/latest/findlay_oh/0-0-0-59918)

## At a glance

Findlay, Ohio regulates 11 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Non-Residential Use Signs in the A-1 Residential District, R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, M-1 Residential District, M-2 Multi-Family Residential zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 10 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. 1161.12.7).

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-3 District, Downtown Business District (C-3) | 4 | — | 70 sq ft + 5 sq ft for each additional 10 ft of frontage | — |
| C-1 Local Business District, C-2 General Business District, I-1 Light Industrial District, I-2 General Industrial District | 4 | 90 ft | 300 sq ft per sign face | — |
| A-1 Residential District, R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, M-1 Residential District, M-2 Multi-Family Residential | 1 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| O-1 Offices & Institutions, C-1 Local Commercial, C-2 General Commercial, I-1 Light Industrial, I-2 General Industrial | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### C-3 District, Downtown Business District (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 70 sq ft + 5 sq ft for each additional 10 ft of frontage | — | — | — | — | — | 1161.12.9(a) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | 6 ft from curb face | — | 1161.12.9(b) |
| Low Profile Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Integrated into site landscaping | — | 1161.12.9(c) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per store front | In line with street furniture or adjacent to business entryway | — | 1161.12.9(d) |

### C-1 Local Business District, C-2 General Business District, I-1 Light Industrial District, I-2 General Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Off-Premise Sign - Non-Digital Billboard | 40 ft | 300 sq ft per sign face | — | Front: 25 ft, Side: 10 ft, Rear: 30 ft | — | — | — | 1161.12.17(a) |
| Off-Premise Sign - Digital Billboard | 40 ft | 300 sq ft | — | Front: 25 ft, Side: 10 ft, Rear: 30 ft | — | — | — | 1161.12.17(b) |
| Interstate High-Rise Sign | 90 ft | 300 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | Within 1500 ft of I-75 rights-of-way | — | 1161.12.11 |
| Roof Sign | Cannot exceed maximum building height | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 1161.12.13 |

### A-1 Residential District, R-1 Residential District, R-2 Residential District, R-3 Residential District, R-4 Residential District, M-1 Residential District, M-2 Multi-Family Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-Residential Use Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per non-residential use | — | — | 1161.12.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Findlay

- All signs are prohibited unless they are expressly permitted.
- No sign shall be placed within the public right-of-way of any public street unless with Council approval.
- No sign shall obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or any opening intended to provide air, egress or ingress for any building or structure.
- Digital signage is prohibited except those permitted under Electronic Message Boards and Billboards.
- Placement of all signs, regardless of size or design, shall be prohibited on all City-owned property, including street rights of way, boulevards and thoroughfares within the City.
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be, is an imitation of or resembles a traffic control device or railroad sign or signal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Findlay

- All governmental agencies are specifically excepted from the prohibition of sign placement on City-owned property.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Landscaping plans shall be included with the permit application for low-profile signs.

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

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