# Sign Regulations in Kettering, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kettering, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/kettering
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-22
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/ketteringoh/2025/04/9b9b0978-official-city-of-kettering-zoning-code-april-2025-secured.pdf)

## At a glance

Kettering, Ohio regulates 44 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Temporary Signs - R Districts (Ground, Window, Wall Banner)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Ground: 4 ft; Window: see section 1151.04.8.C; Wall Banner: NA tall and Ground: 12 sq ft total combined on lot (no single ground sign >6 sq ft); Window: 8 sq ft total for all window signs combined (subject to 50% window coverage cap); Wall Banner: 16 sq ft total for all wall banners combined, with a placement per 1151.04.10.J setback from the right-of-way (Sec. 1151.04.10.F; 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.04.10.A–J; 1151.02.2.E). Most commercial signs in Kettering require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Ground: 6 ft; Window: NA; Wall Banner: NA | Up to 50% of sign face may be changeable copy | — |
| Residential Districts (R-E(a), R-E(b), R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 6 | 4 ft | 24 sq ft per flag | — |
| Residential Districts (Civic Conditional Uses) | 5 | Ground: 4 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Residential Districts (Civic Conditional Uses - Care Facilities ≥ 3 acres) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Residential Districts (Residential Conditional Uses) | 3 | Ground: 4 ft | 24 sq ft per flag | — |
| Residential Districts (Lodging Conditional Uses) | 3 | 4 ft | 24 sq ft per flag | — |
| Office (O) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Office (O) (Multi-Tenant) | 5 | 6 ft | Total combined area for all tenant signs ≤125 sq ft or ≤1/4 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage (whichever is less) | — |
| Business (B) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Business (B) (Multi-Tenant Sites over 5 acres or ≥600’ of street frontage) | 5 | One sign ≤15 ft; any additional signs ≤6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Business (B) (Multi-Tenant Sites under 5 acres or <600’ of street frontage) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Business Park (BP) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Business Park (BP) (Multi-Tenant) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Community Center (CC) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Institutional (IS) | 5 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per window sign | — |
| Non-Residential Districts (Campus or Large Site) | 7 | ≤8 ft | ≤80 sq ft | — |
| TC Pattern District (TC) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — |
| NC Pattern District (NC) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | — | 24 sq ft per flag | — | — | No more than two flags per flag pole | Flags may only be flown from flag poles. Flag poles are regulated as accessory structures per Sections 1139.02.6 and 1139.03.12. | — | 1151.04.9 |
| Temporary Signs - R Districts (Ground, Window, Wall Banner) | Ground: 4 ft; Window: see section 1151.04.8.C; Wall Banner: NA | Ground: 12 sq ft total combined on lot (no single ground sign >6 sq ft); Window: 8 sq ft total for all window signs combined (subject to 50% window coverage cap); Wall Banner: 16 sq ft total for all wall banners combined | — | Ground signs: 3 ft from ROW; Window signs: 10 ft from ROW; Wall banners: placement per 1151.04.10.J | No limitation on total number, provided compliance with maximum area limits; duration ≤30 consecutive days. | Ground signs: minimum 3 ft setback from ROW; Window signs: minimum 10 ft setback from ROW (displayed on windows); Wall banners: location restrictions per 1151.04.10.J. | — | 1151.04.10.F; 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.04.10.A–J; 1151.02.2.E |
| Temporary Signs - Non-Residential Districts (Ground, Window, Wall Banner) | Ground: 6 ft; Window: NA; Wall Banner: NA | Ground: 12 sq ft; Window: 25 sq ft (subject to window sign limits); Wall Banner: 32 sq ft | — | Ground signs: ≥15 ft from ROW | Single Tenant: 1 per street frontage; Multi-Tenant: 1 per building unit, max 3 on property at one time. | Ground signs: minimum 15 ft setback from ROW; Window signs and wall banners: NA for setbacks. | — | 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.04.10.A–J |
| Vacancy/Construction Ground Sign - Lots >2 acres in R districts; and CC, O, B, BP, IS | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | ≥10' from ROW; ≥20' from side/rear lot lines | 1 per street frontage | Setbacks: ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥20 ft from side/rear lot lines; placed within a landscape area; constructed/placed to be easily removable; posts shall not be cemented. | — | 1151.04.11.A(1)-(2); 1151.04.11.C–F |
| Vacancy/Construction Ground Sign - Lots ≤2 acres in R districts | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10' from ROW; ≥20' from side/rear lot lines | 1 per street frontage | Setbacks: ≥10 ft from ROW; ≥20 ft from side/rear lot lines; placed within a landscape area; removable; posts not cemented. | — | 1151.04.11.A(1)-(2); 1151.04.11.C–F |
| Additional Signage - One-Way Access Sign (Non-Residential streets) | 3 ft | 2 sq ft (CC, O, B, BP, IS, and Civic conditional uses in all R districts); 1 sq ft elsewhere | — | — | 1 per access point | Each access point permitted a single sign located no further than 10 ft from the edge of pavement of such access point. | — | 1151.04.12.A |
| Additional Signage - Drive-Thru Lane Sign (Non-Residential Sites) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per sign | — | ≥5' from ROW within TC/NC; ≥20' elsewhere | 2 per drive-thru lane | Adjoining the drive-thru lane; setback from public ROW: 5 ft within TC and NC Pattern Districts; 20 ft elsewhere. | — | 1151.04.12.C(1)-(3) |
| Electronic Changeable Copy - Ground Signs Feature | — | Up to 50% of sign face may be changeable copy | — | Residential: ≥25'/≥20'; O/B/IS: ≥15'/≥20'; CC: per adopted plan sign policy | — | Permitted for Hospitals, Educational Institutions, Places of Worship, and Governmental Facilities; permitted within O-Office and B-Business districts; permitted within Community Center district if conforming to a sign policy consistent with the adopted development plan. Signs must be on lots with a minimum of 300 ft of frontage along an arterial or thoroughfare street. | — | 1151.04.4.E; 1151.05.1.A–G |

### Residential Districts (R-E(a), R-E(b), R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flag | — | 24 sq ft per flag | — | — | ≤2 flags per flag pole | Flag poles regulated as accessory structures. | — | 1151.04.3 Table 51.1; 1151.04.9 |
| Ground Sign (R-3, R-4 only) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | ≥10' from ROW; ≥20' from side/rear; ≥75' from residentially used property line (TC/NC multi-unit exception applies) | 1 per lot (lot ≥1 acre) | 1 per lot with a minimum lot size of 1 acre; must meet general ground sign setback and landscaping standards. | — | 1151.04.3 Table 51.1; 1151.04.5 Table 51.2; 1151.04.4.B–D |
| Building Sign (R-3, R-4 only) | — | 1/2 sq ft per total number of dwelling units | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage. | — | 1151.04.3 Table 51.1; 1151.04.7 Table 51.3; 1151.04.6.B–D |
| Temporary Ground Sign (R districts) | 4 ft | Up to 12 sq ft total combined on lot; no single ground sign >6 sq ft | — | ≥3' from ROW | No limit on number (subject to max area); duration ≤30 days | Minimum setback 3 ft from ROW. | — | 1151.04.10.F; 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.02.2.E; 1151.04.10.H |
| Temporary Window Sign (R districts) | — | 8 sq ft total for all window signs combined (subject to window sign limits) | — | ≥10' from ROW | No limit (subject to max area); duration ≤30 days | Minimum 10 ft from ROW. | — | 1151.04.10.F; 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.04.8 |
| Temporary Wall Banner (R districts) | — | 16 sq ft total for all wall banners combined | — | — | No limit (subject to max area); duration ≤30 days | — | — | 1151.04.10.F; 1151.04.10.K (Table 51.4); 1151.04.10.I–J |

### Non-Residential Districts (Campus or Large Site)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Signs (Campus/Large Site - General) | — | 2/3 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage; no single sign to exceed 50% of total allowable sign area | — | — | No maximum | No maximum number. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5; 1151.04.13.A(1) |
| Building Sign (Additional, for tall/large buildings) | — | Max copy height 10'; max length ≤30% of the building frontage on which the sign will be located | — | — | 1 per Campus or Large Site (if condition satisfied) | 1 per Campus or Large Site (condition: building >4 stories and ≥30,000 sq ft GFA). | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5; 1151.04.13.A |
| Ground Sign (Primary Access Drive) | 1 sign ≤8 ft; other signs ≤6 ft | 1 sign ≤120 sq ft; other signs ≤60 sq ft | — | — | Max 3; one each side plus possible third in median | Maximum of 3 signs. A single sign on each side of the access and a possible third sign permitted within a landscaped median within the access drive. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5 |
| Ground Sign (Major Access Drive) | ≤8 ft | ≤80 sq ft | — | — | 1 per major access drive | 1 per major access drive. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5 |
| Ground Sign (Minor Access Drive) | ≤6 ft | ≤24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per minor access drive | 1 per minor access drive. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5 |
| Ground Sign (General, 1 per lot) | ≤6 ft | ≤35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5 |
| Ground Sign (Additional at intersection feature) | ≤8 ft | ≤50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per Campus/Large Site (if condition satisfied) | 1 per Campus or Large Site when located within 60 ft of the intersection of a thoroughfare, arterial, or collector street with any other thoroughfare, arterial, or collector street. | — | 1151.04.14 Table 51.5; 1151.04.13.B(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Kettering

- Only the following sign types are permitted on private property; all others are prohibited: Ground Signs, Building Signs, Window Signs, Flags, Temporary Signs, and signs expressly exempted by Section 1151.02.2. (1151.04.1)
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or block any light or ventilation openings; no sign shall obstruct emergency facilities or equipment; no sign supported by or suspended from a building shall hang less than 8 feet above a pedestrian path or less than 15 feet above a vehicular path. (1151.07.4 A–C)
- No sign shall obstruct sight triangles at intersections; no sign shall interfere with or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; no private signs are permitted in any public right-of-way (except signs erected by municipal or state government). (1151.07.5 A–C)
- No sign shall constitute a hazard to safety or health due to inadequate or inappropriate design, construction, repair, or maintenance; no signs shall be located nearer than 8 feet vertically or 4 feet horizontally from any overhead electric wires, conductors, or public utility guy wires. (1151.07.6)
- Prohibited locations/mounting: no roof signs; no sign projecting above a parapet; no sign placed or projecting above the slope of a mansard roof or awning; no sign attached to or supported by a tree, bus shelter, utility pole, bench, trash receptacle, or newspaper vending machine (other than traffic control signs). (1151.07.7)
- Illumination limits: signs shall not be illuminated or emit light so as to cause objectionable brightness or glare onto residential premises or any public right-of-way; light sources shall not be of such brightness as to constitute a hazard and must be shielded so as not to cast more than 1 foot-candle on contiguous properties and not more than 0.1 foot-candles on residential properties; colored lights may not be used in a location or manner that could be confused with traffic control devices. (1151.07.8 A–C)
- Portable signs are prohibited. (1151.07.9)
- Vehicular signs are prohibited. (1151.07.10)
- No sign may have visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind. (1151.07.11)
- Flashing or similar dynamic illumination is prohibited (no flashing, moving, rotating, scintillating, blinking, flickering, varying intensity or color, or intermittent pulses). (1151.07.12)
- Windblown devices (banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, balloons and other inflatable devices, air-activated graphics, spinners, or similar objects) are prohibited, except flags as permitted. (1151.07.13)
- No sign or any part shall display fluorescent colors. (1151.07.14)
- Pole signs are not permitted in any zoning district. (1151.07.15)
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that allow the sign to swing due to wind; signs shall be anchored to prevent lateral movement that would cause wear. (1151.07.3)
- Outdated signs (advertising a business no longer in existence or a product no longer sold) are prohibited; the sign face must be replaced with a blank face within 30 days or the sign removed. (1151.08.2)
- Abandoned signs, or signs accessory to an abandoned use (use ceased for at least 180 days), are prohibited and shall be removed. (1151.08.3)

## Signs exempt from permit in Kettering

- Repair, repainting, or other maintenance that does not alter a sign does not require a sign permit (building/electrical permits may still be required if applicable). (1151.02.1 E)
- Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, or similar devices are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 A)
- Paper/cloth (or similar expendable material) signs attached to the inside of a window that do not exceed 8 sq ft and do not cover more than 25% of the window pane are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 B)
- Signs that are an integral part of the historic character of an officially designated landmark or historic structure are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 C)
- Hand-held signs not set on or affixed to the ground are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 D)
- Sign faces not visible from a public right-of-way or any residential use or property are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 F)
- Signs visible from the public right-of-way but not intended for public view and not discernible in message due to small text/copy/graphics (maximum 6 sq ft area and 6 ft height) are exempt from the sign permit requirement. (1151.02.2 G)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All multiple tenant properties must develop a Sign Policy, subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator; applications are processed per Section 1153.09 (Administrative Decisions). (1151.03.1)
- A Sign Policy for multiple tenant properties must coordinate: permitted maximum sign height and width; permitted sign design and materials; permitted locations on the building; permitted sign face and structure colors; and permitted illumination. (1151.03.2)
- In the Community Center district, electronic changeable copy is permitted only if it conforms with a sign policy consistent with the adopted development plan for the district. (1151.05.1 A.3)

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

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