# Sign Regulations in Lakewood, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lakewood, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/lakewood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lakewood/latest/lakewood_oh/0-0-0-67994)

## At a glance

Lakewood, Ohio regulates 11 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Apartment ML and MH Districts zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 40 square feet (Sec. 1329.08(d)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1L, R-1M, R-1H, L, R-2) | 1 | — | 6 square feet | — |
| Apartment ML and MH Districts | 3 | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (Office C1, Retail C2, General Business C3, Public School C4) | 8 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Industrial I District | 3 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Apartment ML and MH Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One canopy sign permitted | Lowest structural member not less than 8 feet from sidewalk grade | — | 1329.08(a) |
| Awning Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.08(b) |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | One ground sign permitted | Above sidewalk grade | — | 1329.08(d) |

### Commercial Districts (Office C1, Retail C2, General Business C3, Public School C4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.09(a) |
| Electronic Reader Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.09(a) |
| Mural Sign | — | 100 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.09(a) |
| Awning Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.09(b)(5) |
| Canopy Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | — | Lowest structural member not less than 8 feet above sidewalk grade | — | 1329.09(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | One ground sign permitted | Not within required front and side yard setbacks unless approved | — | 1329.09(b)(3) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.09(b)(6) |
| A-Frame Sign | — | 32 inches wide and 36 inches tall | — | — | One per business | Minimum of 5 feet of unobstructed sidewalk | — | 1329.09(b)(7) |

### Industrial I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | No closer to any street than the required building setback line | — | 1329.10(d) |
| Pole Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.10(c) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1329.10(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Lakewood

- All signs not conforming with the provisions of this chapter are declared a nuisance.
- Flashing or moving illumination shall not be permitted in any district within the City.
- No sign shall be displayed on any utility pole, or in any tree lawn or public right-of-way except as permitted by Section 541.08.
- Portable signs, roof signs, billboards, pole signs, streamers, pennants, lighter-than-air objects, off-premises and wind signs shall not be permitted in certain zoning districts unless permitted by specific provisions of this chapter.
- Unauthorized signs, signals, markings or devices that resemble traffic control devices or railroad signs or signals are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lakewood

- Flags and signage with a total area that does not exceed one (1) square foot.
- This section does not apply to churches or schools existing as nonconforming uses in certain districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Electronic Reader Boards shall only be permitted as a part of Comprehensive Sign Plan.
- Comprehensive Sign Plan may be approved as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation or redevelopment of a commercially zoned site or building.
- The Board of Building Standards may approve special sign standards for a property as part of a Comprehensive Sign Plan.

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

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