Sign Regulations in Harrison, Ohio
Harrison, Ohio has specific sign regulations covering 41 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Window Sign, Wall Sign, Ground Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Harrison, Ohio
Sample Sign Requirements in Harrison
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (General) | Varies by zone per 1163.16; must not extend above building roof line | 1 sf per linear foot of building face (cap varies by zone per 1163.16) | — |
| Ground Sign (General) | Varies by zone per 1163.16; measured from established grade; may not be artificially increased by mounding | Varies by zone per 1163.16 | General minimum 8 ft from any public right-of-way or property line unless zone-specific setback per 1163.16 applies |
| Permanent Window Sign (General) | — | Per window: ≤ 25% of window area or 10 sq ft (whichever is less); aggregate limits per use apply | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HarrisonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
41
- Window Sign
- Wall Sign
- Ground Sign
- Projecting Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Harrison
Other Cities in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
In Harrison, wall signs can be up to Varies by zone per 1163.16; must not extend above building roof line. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Harrison, 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 Harrison, regulated sign types include Window Sign, Wall Sign, Ground Sign, Projecting Sign, 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 Harrison 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 Harrison are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Harrison has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Harrison, Ohio Sign Rules at a Glance
Harrison, Ohio regulates 41 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the DRD – Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD) zoning district are capped at ≤ 42 inches (measured from sidewalk) tall, Base ≤ 4 sq ft; width ≤ 36 inches; height ≤ 42 inches, and ≤ 36 inches wide, with a ≥ 1 ft from curb; not in driveway/curb cut setback (Sec. 1163.10(f)(1)-(6)). Most commercial signs in Harrison require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Harrison, Ohio
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Harrison (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 26 | Varies by zone per 1163.16; must not extend above building roof line | Varies by zone per 1163.16 | — |
| Residential Districts (R-O, R-1, R-3, R-4) | 5 | ≤ 10 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| DRD – Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD) | 6 | ≤ 42 inches (measured from sidewalk) | NTE 120 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| B & M Districts Abutting I-74 (B-1, B-2, B-4) | 10 | ≤ 30 ft | NTE 400 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| All Other B Districts (B-1, B-2, B-4) | 5 | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | NTE 250 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| State Street Corridor | 6 | ≤ 16 ft | NTE 150 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| All Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 5 | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | NTE 300 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| B-1 Local Business District (B-1) | 5 | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | NTE 250 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| B-2 Mixed Use District (B-2) | 5 | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | NTE 250 sq ft (per formula) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Harrison(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 (General) | Varies by zone per 1163.16; must not extend above building roof line | 1 sf per linear foot of building face (cap varies by zone per 1163.16) | — | — | 1 per building/use; 2 permitted on qualifying corner lots (see additional requirements) | Attached to a building wall or architecturally integrated extension facing a street, parking lot, or service drive; may be attached to a canopy that projects beyond the building, provided no part extends above the roof or canopy. | — | Unlock | 1163.09(b)(1)-(7); 1163.08(c); 1163.03; 1163.04 |
| Ground Sign (General) | Varies by zone per 1163.16; measured from established grade; may not be artificially increased by mounding | Varies by zone per 1163.16 | — | General minimum 8 ft from any public right-of-way or property line unless zone-specific setback per 1163.16 applies | 1 per lot/use; 2 on qualifying corner lots (see additional requirements) | On-premise; shall not interfere with safe movement or sight lines of vehicular/pedestrian traffic. | — | Unlock | 1163.09(a)(1)-(5); 1163.08(b) |
| Seasonal Business Sign (Temporary) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premise; 1 sign per street frontage. | — | Unlock | 1163.10(e) |
| Entry Feature Sign (Residential subdivision/multi-family development) | Monument height ≤ 6 ft | Graphic area ≤ 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance (see additional requirements for spacing) | At entrance(s) to the development; installed on the property to which they refer; within public right-of-way only with Planning Commission and City Engineer approval. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(d) |
| Joint Identification Sign | May not exceed max permitted height of any ground sign identifying individual occupants | ≤ 80 sq ft | — | — | 1; 2 permitted with conditions (see additional requirements) | On the site of a building complex containing ≥ 3 users sharing the same site. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(e); 1163.04(a)(7) |
| Feather/Flutter Flag | ≤ 15 ft from immediate grade/pavement | Width ≤ 3 ft at widest dimension | — | ≥ 20 ft from roadway edge | ≤ 2 per business | Placed no closer than 20 ft from roadway edge; out of right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(i) |
| Development Sign (On- and Off-Premise) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | On-premise: 1 per entrance; Off-premise: ≤ 2 | On-Premise: max 1 per entrance from a dedicated/non-dedicated roadway; Off-Premise: max 2 conveying directions. | — | Unlock | 1163.07(d) |
| Real Estate Sign | Residential: ≤ 3 ft; Commercial/Industrial: ≤ 4 ft (<100 ft frontage) or ≤ 8 ft (≥100 ft frontage) | Residential: ≤ 6 sq ft; Commercial/Industrial: lots <100 ft frontage: ≤ 16 sq ft; lots ≥100 ft frontage: ≤ 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the property to which it refers; not in public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.07(o) |
DRD – Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD)
| 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 | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | ≤ 24 sq ft | — | — | 1; 2 on qualifying corner lots | Attached to building wall or integrated extension facing street/parking/service drive. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (DRD row); 1163.11(f); 1163.03(d) |
| Ground Sign | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 20 sq ft | — | ≥ 3 ft from right-of-way | 1 per lot/use; 2 on qualifying corner lots | On-premise. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (DRD row) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤ 10 sq ft (zone maximum) | — | — | 1 per window; aggregate limits apply | Ground/first-floor windows. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (DRD row); 1163.09(c) |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Projecting from building (perpendicular). | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (DRD row); 1163.02(zz) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | ≤ 42 inches (measured from sidewalk) | Base ≤ 4 sq ft; width ≤ 36 inches; height ≤ 42 inches | ≤ 36 inches | ≥ 1 ft from curb; not in driveway/curb cut | 1 per business; +1 allowed with multiple street frontages | On public sidewalk within DRD only; ≥ 1 ft from curb; must not obstruct pedestrian traffic or vehicular sight lines; not within any permanent curb cut or driveway. | — | Unlock | 1163.10(f)(1)-(6) |
| Maximum Total Sign Face Area (Overall Sign Allowance) | — | NTE 120 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (DRD row, Maximum Total Sign Face Area) |
B & M Districts Abutting I-74 (B-1, B-2, B-4)
| 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 (Interstate-Facing – Single Story, Setback ≥ 50 ft) | May not extend above roof line; may not attach to penthouse/roof structures or mechanical equipment/screening | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward max 2 signs per property (interstate-facing) | Facing Interstate 74 right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(a)(2)(A)-(D) |
| Wall Sign (Interstate-Facing – Multi-Story, Setback < 50 ft) | May not extend above roof line; may not attach to penthouse/roof structures or mechanical equipment/screening | ≤ 100 sq ft | — | — | Counts toward max 2 signs per property (interstate-facing) | Facing Interstate 74 right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(a)(2)(B)-(D) |
| Ground Sign (Interstate-Facing – Setback ≥ 100 ft) | ≤ 12 ft | ≤ 80 sq ft | — | Zone ground sign setback: ≥ 10 ft (per 1163.16, B & M Abutting I-74) | Counts toward max 2 signs per property (interstate-facing) | Facing Interstate 74 right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(a)(2)(E) |
| Ground Sign (Interstate-Facing – Setback < 100 ft) | ≤ 8 ft | ≤ 50 sq ft | — | Zone ground sign setback: ≥ 10 ft (per 1163.16, B & M Abutting I-74) | Counts toward max 2 signs per property (interstate-facing) | Facing Interstate 74 right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 1163.11(a)(2)(F) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Interstate-Facing) | ≤ 16 ft and shall not exceed height of building roof line | Per general rule (1 sf/lin ft); Interstate-facing sizes are per special conditions. | — | — | 1; 2 on qualifying corner lots | On building faces not facing Interstate. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (B & M Abutting I-74 row) |
| Ground Sign (Zone Standard) | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | ≥ 10 ft | 1 per lot/use; 2 on qualifying corner lots | On-premise. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (B & M Abutting I-74 row) |
| Pole Sign | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 150 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premise. | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (B & M Abutting I-74 row) |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Projecting from building (perpendicular). | — | Unlock | 1163.16 (B & M Abutting I-74 row); 1163.02(zz) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Harrison — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Harrison — start freeProhibited Signs in Harrison
- Prohibited sign types across all zones: animated signs; bench signs; billboards; bus shelter signs; changeable copy signs (except gasoline station price signs and drive‑thru menu boards); video electronic message display signs; external neon and neon look‑alike signs; flashing signs; laser lights; off‑premise signs (except Special Event, City‑Sponsored Event, and Development signs); portable signs; portable wheeled signs; projected images; roof signs; search lights; signs with moving or moveable parts; spinners; streamers; wire signs
- Prohibited sign locations across all zones: in any public right‑of‑way (except Traffic Control Signs, Governmental Signs, and City‑Sponsored Event Signs); in any utility easement or no‑build zone (unless identifying utilities); in any public park or other public property (unless posted by the City of Harrison); on traffic control sign poles, fences, utility poles, trees, or other natural objects; any location that obstructs the view of approaching or intersecting traffic or interferes with safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians; in any residential area except as expressly permitted in Section 1163.16; on any off‑premise location without prior written authorization of the property owner
- General design/operation prohibitions for all permanent and temporary signs: signs shall not resemble the color, shape, design, or other characteristics of traffic control, directional, or warning signs; animation and/or movement of messages or images is prohibited, including special effects such as starbursts, fireworks, sparklers, moving pictures, live or recorded video, revolving images, shimmy movement, and zooming; no exposed light sources are permitted; no additional background lighting, illuminated borders, or outlines are permitted; illumination may not be of an intensity that constitutes a hazard to vehicular traffic
- No advertising device may be erected, placed, or maintained within 600 feet of the edge of the right‑of‑way of any highway within the City of Harrison, except for directional and official signs and notices; signs advertising the sale or lease of the property upon which they are located; on‑premise business identification signs; and devices located on the premises of a professional sports facility that conform to zoning rules
Exempt Signs in Harrison
- ATM signs: no permit required; limited to 1 square foot with opaque background; may be internally illuminated
- Barber poles: no permit required; maximum 28 inches in height; traditional red‑white‑blue stripe may revolve and have internal illumination; mounting may be subject to building codes
- Construction trailer signs: no permit required
- Development signs: no permit required; one on‑premise sign per entrance; up to two off‑premise directional signs; each limited to 32 square feet and 8 feet in height; not illuminated; must not interfere with traffic safety
- Directional signs: no permit required; maximum 4 square feet and 3 feet in height; no advertising or logos; must be on the property they reference and not in the public right‑of‑way; must not obstruct traffic view
- Flags: no permit required for flags; maximum three flags per parcel; flagpoles up to 35 feet require a foundation permit and must comply with maximum flag sizes by pole height
- Garage/yard sale signs: no permit required; may be posted no more than three calendar days immediately preceding the event
- Governmental signs: no permit required
- Holiday signs: no permit required; limited to an aggregate total of 60 days per year and not more than 60 consecutive days; may be illuminated, animated, and/or flashing for residential uses provided no safety or visibility hazards; gas inflatable holiday signs require a sign permit
- Information signs: no permit required; only safety/convenience messages (e.g., "beware of dog," "no trespassing"); maximum 2 square feet; no advertising
- Open house signs: no permit required; applies to residential and commercial/industrial; limited to three signs per open house; may be installed no more than three days immediately preceding and must be removed within two hours after the event; maximum 7 square feet and 3 feet in height; must not interfere with traffic safety
- Political signs: no permit required
- Public banners: no permit required; established by the City; restricted to 8 square feet if in the public right‑of‑way and require City Engineer approval; consolidated with Governmental signs whenever possible
- Real estate signs: no permit required; one unlighted single or double‑faced freestanding sign per street frontage on the property; residential max 6 square feet and 3 feet high; commercial/industrial size limits vary by frontage (16–32 square feet and 4–8 feet high); must not interfere with traffic safety
- Scoreboards: no permit required; may be portable, built‑in, or free‑standing; top must not exceed the roof line of the tallest building on the premises (or nearest adjacent building, maximum 20 feet); illumination must not spill onto adjacent properties or cause harm; built‑in or ground‑mounted units may require Building and Zoning pre‑approval
- Street address signs: no permit required; residential numerals 3–8 inches high; non‑residential maximum numeral height varies by setback (12 inches under 100 feet; 18 inches for 100–200 feet; 24 inches over 200 feet); must contrast with mounting surface and be clearly identifiable
- Temporary window signs: no permit required; limited to one per window; each not exceeding 25% of window area or 6 square feet (whichever is less); aggregate maximum 24 square feet per business; displayed no longer than 30 days with a 14‑day break; business name limited to 25% of the sign area
- Traffic control signs: no permit required
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Harrison
- A comprehensive signage plan is required for multi‑tenant buildings or complexes: before any sign permit for the complex or an individual tenant will be issued, a plan for all signage conforming to Chapter 1163 must be submitted (Section 1163.11(e)(6))
- Permit applications must include a sign base landscaping plan for ground signs (Section 1163.04(a)(6))
- For multi‑tenant commercial and industrial properties, permit applications must include drawings showing all proposed and existing signs for the entire property (Section 1163.04(a)(7))
- Signs located within the Downtown Redevelopment District (DRD) require prior review and approval by the City of Harrison Planning Commission before a sign permit is issued (Sections 1163.03(d) and 1163.11(f))
- Variances and appeals for signs are handled by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) per Article XIII (Section 1163.15)
Source: other municipal code