# Sign Regulations in Independence, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Independence, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/independence
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/independence/latest/independence_oh/0-0-0-39443)

## At a glance

Independence, Ohio regulates 12 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the U-4, U-4A, U-6A Business District zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall, 8 square feet per side, and 2 linear feet wide, with a Not less than 25 feet from any side lot line or 15 feet from any street right-of-way line setback (Sec. 1151.12(l)). Most commercial signs in Independence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| U-1 Single Family Residential District | 3 | 5 feet | 30 square feet | — |
| U-3 City and Public Owned Facility/Building | 1 | — | — | — |
| U-4, U-4A, U-6A Business District | 7 | 18 inches vertical dimension | 75 square feet | — |
| U-5, U-5HR - Office District | 5 | 18 inches vertical dimension | 50 square feet | — |
| U-5A, U6 Manufacturing, Industrial District | 4 | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Planned Mixed-Use Development District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown PUD District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Rockside PUD District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Campus Office Building District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### U-4, U-4A, U-6A Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 3 feet vertical dimension | 75 square feet | — | — | One per business use | On business building | — | 1151.12(e) |
| Monument Sign | 5 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 10 feet from street right-of-way line | One per business use | Not less than 25 feet from another business lot and 100 feet from residential district line | — | 1151.12(f) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 square feet | — | Not less than 8 feet above sidewalk grade | One per business use | Attached to building wall | — | 1151.12(h) |
| Canopy Sign | 18 inches vertical dimension | 5 square feet | — | — | One per business use | On canopy | — | 1151.12(i) |
| Directional Sign | 3 feet | 3 square feet | — | — | As needed for traffic control | Indicating traffic routes | — | 1151.12(j) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per construction site | On lot of proposed building or building under construction | — | 1151.12(k) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 8 square feet per side | 2 linear feet | Not less than 25 feet from any side lot line or 15 feet from any street right-of-way line | One per establishment | On lot of business establishment | — | 1151.12(l) |

### U-5, U-5HR - Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 5 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 25 feet from side property line and 100 feet from residential district line | One per office building | On lot of each office building | — | 1151.13(d) |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 square feet | — | — | One per building | On office building | — | 1151.13(e) |
| Canopy Sign | 18 inches vertical dimension | 5 square feet | — | — | One per business use | On canopy | — | 1151.13(f) |
| Directional Sign | 3 feet | 3 square feet | — | — | As needed for traffic control | Indicating traffic routes | — | 1151.13(g) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per construction site | On lot of proposed building or building under construction | — | 1151.13(h) |

### U-5A, U6 Manufacturing, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 5 feet | 50 square feet | — | Not less than 25 feet from side property line and 100 feet from residential district line | One per industrial use | On lot of each industrial use | — | 1151.14(a)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | One per separate use occupying a building | On industrial building | — | 1151.14(a)(2) |
| Directional Sign | 3 feet | 3 square feet | — | — | As needed for traffic control | Indicating traffic routes | — | 1151.14(a)(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per construction site | On lot of proposed building or building under construction | — | 1151.14(a)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Independence

- No sign shall be placed on any curb, sidewalk, public right-of-way, post, pole, hydrant, bridge, wall, tree or other surface located on public property or over or across any public street except as expressly authorized in writing by the Mayor or Building Official.
- No gas-filled balloons, or air activated graphics, socks, flags or search lights shall be used for advertising on a permanent basis.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Changeable copy signs, both manual and electronic, are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Independence

- Signage which is an integral part of the original construction of vending machines, fuel pumps or similar devices.
- Cornerstones and permanent building plaques displaying the date of construction, building name or similar information.
- Street name signs.
- Holiday decorations displayed for customary periods of time.
- Special signage determined by the Board of Zoning Appeals to be reasonable considering the intent and regulations of this Chapter.
- Painted wall murals or other similar artwork if approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals and Architectural Review Board.
- Signs erected by the City for public purposes.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign package for the Downtown PUD District shall be submitted for review and approval by the Architectural Board of Review.
- A sign package for the Rockside PUD District shall be submitted for review and approval by the Architectural Board of Review.
- Signs in the Planned Mixed-Use Development District shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission as part of the approval of the Site Development Plan approval.

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

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