# Sign Regulations in Gahanna, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gahanna, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/gahanna
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OH/Gahanna/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTELEVENZOCO_CH1111SIST)

## At a glance

Gahanna, Ohio regulates 15 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Entrance)s in the Estate Residential (ER), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Residential District (R-2, R-3, R-4), Residential Zoning Districts (ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) zoning district are capped at 8 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 15 ft. setback (Sec. Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; Section 1111.03). Most commercial signs in Gahanna require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Estate Residential (ER), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Residential District (R-2, R-3, R-4), Residential Zoning Districts (ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 3 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Office District (OF), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), General Commercial District (GC), Restricted Institutional (RI), Industrial/Manufacturing District (IM), Conservation (CON) | 11 | See Section 1111.05(d)(2) – bottom of awning must be min. 7 ft. above grade, structural components min. 8 ft. above grade | 80 sq. ft. | — |
| Creekside Mixed Use (CMU), Creekside Residential (CR), Creekside Zoning Districts (CMU, CR) | 10 | See Section 1111.05(d)(2) – bottom of awning must be min. 7 ft. above grade, structural components min. 8 ft. above grade | 50% of awning area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 100 – 400 sq. ft., or 0.005 per lot area (whichever applies) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Estate Residential (ER), Single-Family Residential (R-1), Residential District (R-2, R-3, R-4), Residential Zoning Districts (ER, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 2 per subdivision entrance | Subdivision entrance | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; Section 1111.03 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (One- and Two-Unit Dwellings) | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per lot | On the lot | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 |
| Temporary Sign - General (Residential Zoned, Except One- and Two-Unit Dwellings) | — | See individual sign types | — | See individual sign types | Max 2 building and/or freestanding temporary signs per street frontage | On the lot | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards |

### Office District (OF), Neighborhood Commercial District (NC), General Commercial District (GC), Restricted Institutional (RI), Industrial/Manufacturing District (IM), Conservation (CON)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | See Section 1111.05(d)(2) – bottom of awning must be min. 7 ft. above grade, structural components min. 8 ft. above grade | 50% of awning area | 80% of storefront width | — | 1 per public entrance | On awning/canopy over public entrance | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(d) |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | Within 10 ft. of right-of-way and 10 ft. of curb cut/accessway | — | Within 10 ft. of street right-of-way and 10 ft. of curb cut or vehicular accessway | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(e) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft. | 80 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(f) |
| Projecting Sign | See Section 1111.05(g)(2) – minimum clearance of 9 ft. to bottom; may not project more than 4 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage, on building | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Wall facing street frontage | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(h) |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | See Note 1: No more than 2 building and/or freestanding temporary signs per street frontage | On building | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | See Note 1: No more than 2 building and/or freestanding temporary signs per street frontage | On lot | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 |
| Electronic Sign (as part of Freestanding Sign) | — | Electronic portion: up to 1/3 of freestanding sign area (i.e., up to 26.7 sq. ft. if sign is max 80 sq. ft.) | — | Same as parent freestanding sign | See parent freestanding sign | As part of permitted freestanding sign | — | 1111.05(j) |

### Creekside Mixed Use (CMU), Creekside Residential (CR), Creekside Zoning Districts (CMU, CR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | See Section 1111.05(d)(2) – bottom of awning must be min. 7 ft. above grade, structural components min. 8 ft. above grade | 50% of awning area | 80% of storefront width | — | 1 per public entrance | On awning/canopy over public entrance | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(d) |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | Within 10 ft. of right-of-way and curb cut/accessway | — | Within 10 ft. of right-of-way and 10 ft. of curb cut/accessway | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(e) |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards |
| Projecting Sign | See Section 1111.05(g)(2) – minimum clearance 9 ft. to bottom; may not project more than 4 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | 4 ft. | — | 1 per public entrance | On building, per public entrance | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(g) |
| Wall Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. per public entrance | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Wall at public entrance | — | Table 19: Permanent Sign Standards; 1111.05(h) |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 40 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 2 building and/or freestanding temporary signs per street frontage | On building | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 10 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | Max 2 building and/or freestanding temporary signs per street frontage | On lot | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 5 ft. | — | — | Within 5 ft. of public entrance | — | Within 5 ft. of public entrance; must not obstruct walkways | — | Table 20: Temporary Sign Standards; Section 1111.04 Note 2 |

## Prohibited signs in Gahanna

- Abandoned signs
- Bench signs
- Flashing signs
- Hazardous signs
- Inflatable, lighter-than-air, or kite-type materials containing commercial messages
- Merchandise, equipment, products, trailers, or other items not themselves for sale and placed for advertising purposes (except normal vehicular signage unless the primary purpose is advertising)
- Off-premises signs
- Portable signs
- Roof signs
- Street banners
- Pole signs
- Signs constructed of non-weatherproof materials such as cardboard, posterboard, or other similar material as determined by the City's Designee
- Signs within the sight triangle of an intersection
- Signs within the public right-of-way located on utility or street light poles, utility boxes, or street signs, unless granted permission by the right-of-way authority
- Signs resembling traffic signs or traffic control devices on a public street or road
- Signs which obstruct ingress or egress of a property
- Signs with reflective materials, except for those required by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)

## Signs exempt from permit in Gahanna

- The copy and message of signs are not regulated
- Official traffic signs, or signs mounted in the public right-of-way by government agencies having jurisdiction within such right-of-way are exempt
- A public art mural designated by the City is exempt
- Flags are exempt
- Scoreboards on athletic fields are exempt
- Gravestones are exempt
- The display of street numbers is exempt
- Any display or construction not defined as a sign in the ordinance is exempt
- A menu board sign at a drive-thru establishment is not considered a sign if it meets Section 1109.01(n)
- A sign not clearly visible from outside the property and used only to communicate information within the lot boundaries is exempt

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan (MSP) is required to establish uniform sign character and quality for multi-tenant buildings or multi-building developments if signage not specifically allowed outside this section is desired.
- All approved master sign plans prior to this ordinance are considered in compliance and are administered by the City's Designee.
- If a sign regulation is not identified in an approved master sign plan, the general zoning ordinance regulations apply.
- All master sign plans are reviewed under Section 1117.06.
- If there is no approved master sign plan for a multi-tenant or multi-building development, tenant signage may be approved under specific criteria (regarding wall and window signs).
- Owner's authorization is required for each sign permit application in the absence of an approved MSP.
- Signage not specifically allowed without an approved master sign plan is prohibited.

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

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