# Sign Regulations in Hillsboro, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hillsboro, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/hillsboro
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/hillsboro_oh/latest/hillsboro_oh/0-0-0-12068)

## At a glance

Hillsboro, Ohio regulates 11 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Multi-family Identification Signs in the Residence "A" District, Residence "B" District, Residential Farm Land "F" zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 25 square feet, with a At least 10 feet from a side lot line and from any street right-of-way. setback (Sec. § 155.133(C)). Most commercial signs in Hillsboro require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residence "A" District, Residence "B" District, Residential Farm Land "F" | 5 | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Business "C" District, Business and Residential "D" District, Industrial "E" District | 5 | 30 feet | 200 square feet | — |
| Historic and Business "G" Zoning District | 5 | 4 feet | 25 square feet | — |

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

### Residence "A" District, Residence "B" District, Residential Farm Land "F"

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per individual lot. | On each individual lot used for residential purposes. | — | § 155.133(A) |
| Residential Development/Subdivision Sign | 6 feet | 25 square feet | — | 10 feet from the public right-of-way and 10 feet from any adjacent lot lines. | — | On both sides of a primary entrance to a residential subdivision on a collector or arterial street. | — | § 155.133(B) |
| Multi-family Identification Sign | 6 feet | 25 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from a side lot line and from any street right-of-way. | One per primary entrance. | At each primary entrance to a multi-family development. | — | § 155.133(C) |
| Nonresidential Use Monument Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from a side lot line and from any street right-of-way. | One per nonresidential use. | For nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts. | — | § 155.133(D) |
| Nonresidential Use Wall Sign | — | 25 square feet | — | — | One per nonresidential use. | For nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts. | — | § 155.133(D) |

### Business "C" District, Business and Residential "D" District, Industrial "E" District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per building frontage. | On building frontage. | — | § 155.134(B) |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | One per development; additional for corner or multiple frontage lots. | One per development; additional sign for corner or multiple frontage lots. | — | § 155.134(C) |
| Pole Sign | 30 feet | 200 square feet | — | — | One per development; additional for corner or multiple frontage lots. | One per development; additional sign for corner or multiple frontage lots. | — | § 155.134(D) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awnings or canopies. | — | § 155.134(E) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | One per parcel. | Attached to building wall or canopy. | — | § 155.134(F) |

### Historic and Business "G" Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One per building frontage. | On building frontage. | — | § 155.135(C)(1) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | One per parcel. | Attached to building. | — | § 155.135(C)(2) |
| Monument Sign | 4 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | One per parcel; additional for corner or multiple frontage lots. | One per parcel; additional for corner or multiple frontage lots. | — | § 155.135(C)(3) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awnings or canopies. | — | § 155.135(C)(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | One per parcel. | Attached to building wall or canopy. | — | § 155.135(C)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Hillsboro

- No sign shall be erected, established, modified, created, or maintained in the city unless it is in compliance with the regulations of this section.
- Signs shall not be erected to obstruct sight lines along any public rights-of-way, traffic control lights or signs, street name signs at intersections, or signals at railroad crossings.
- Signs shall not project over or obstruct the required windows or doors of any building, and shall not be attached to or obstruct a fire escape, or interfere with other safety provisions as may be further regulated in the Building Code.
- Any sign that has moving parts, animation, flashing lights, or changing colors except for electronic signs as regulated in § 155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy) is prohibited.
- Signs with illumination that flash on or off or displays that change degrees in intensity are prohibited.
- Signs visible from the sight lines along a street shall not contain content, coloring, or manner of illumination similar to traffic control signs.
- No sign shall be attached to or otherwise applied to trees, bus shelters, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, newspaper vending machines or boxes, or any other unapproved supporting structures.
- Signs placed in the public right-of-way except as specifically permitted within this section are prohibited.
- Tractor trailers displaying the business name or an advertisement, unless they are parked in an established off-street loading area or in an area not visible from the public right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Signs which are not securely affixed to the ground or otherwise affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs except as specifically permitted within this section are prohibited.
- Roof signs and signs that extend above or beyond the building facade, except as otherwise specifically permitted in this chapter, are prohibited.
- Flags intended for advertising or commercial purposes are prohibited.
- Signs emitting noise are prohibited.
- Beacons and searchlights, except for emergency purposes, are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs, obscene signs, and portable signs are declared to be a public nuisance and are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hillsboro

- The display of official specific notices is not regulated.
- Public seasonal or religious decorations are not regulated, except for the regulations listed in § 155.125(K) (Signs Not Requiring A Permit).
- The POW/MIA flag or the flag, emblem, or insignia of any governmental agency or political subdivision is not regulated. Proper flag etiquette should be observed.
- Governmental signs for traffic control and other regulatory purposes are not regulated.
- Street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies for the purpose of safety are not regulated.
- Public art and murals, provided such displays do not contain any commercial messaging, are not regulated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit shall be required for each sign unless specifically exempted from this code.
- A sign for which a permit has been issued shall not be modified, relocated, altered, or replaced unless an amended or new permit is obtained from the city.
- Internally illuminated signs shall be subject to the procedures set forth in § 155.046 (Conditional Use Permit) and § 155.132 (Illumination).
- Electronic signs shall be considered a conditional use for nonresidential uses in residential zoning districts and shall be subject to the procedures set forth in § 155.046 (Conditional Use Permit) along with the regulations set forth in § 155.136 (Electronic Signs and Changeable Copy).

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

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