# Sign Regulations in Middleburg Heights, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Middleburg Heights, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/middleburg-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-31
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/middleburghtsoh/latest/middleburghtszone_oh/0-0-0-11530)

## At a glance

Middleburg Heights, Ohio regulates 13 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Mounted Signs in the RMF - Residential Multifamily District, RSL - Senior Facility District, SF - Senior Facility District zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a 1/2 height setback from street ROW, not closer than 7 ft to front property line; 10 ft from side lot line setback (Sec. 1153.07(b)(2)A, (b)(3)C). Most commercial signs in Middleburg Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| R1-A - One-Family A Residential District, R1-C - One-Family Cluster Units District, R2-F - Townhouse Cluster Residential District | 3 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| RMF - Residential Multifamily District, RSL - Senior Facility District, SF - Senior Facility District | 7 | Bottom 8 ft over sidewalk, 15 ft over driveway | 32 sq ft (new development) | — |
| GB - General Business District, O - Office District, PMU - Planned Mixed Use District, P-I - Public - Institutional District | 11 | Bottom 8 ft over sidewalk, 15 ft over driveway | 100 sq ft | — |
| GI - General Industrial District | 5 | 8 ft | 80 sq ft | — |

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

### RMF - Residential Multifamily District, RSL - Senior Facility District, SF - Senior Facility District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 30 sq ft max | — | 25' from adjacent residential land use/zoning if affixed to nonresidential bldg | One per use | On front building wall | — | 1153.07(b)(2)D, (b)(3)A |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom 8 ft over sidewalk, 15 ft over driveway | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per use | Perpendicular to building; may project over 2/3 width of sidewalk or 5 ft from building (lesser) | — | 1153.07(b)(2)C, (b)(3)D, (c)(2) |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 1/2 height setback from street ROW, not closer than 7 ft to front property line; 10 ft from side lot line | One per use | Primary vehicular entrance; must be on same lot | — | 1153.07(b)(2)A, (b)(3)C |
| Temporary Commercial Sign | 5 ft | 32 sq ft (new development) | — | — | One per use | On same lot as use | — | 1153.07(b)(2)A, (b)(3)B |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per use | On lot under construction | — | 1153.07(b)(2)E, (b)(3)F |
| Directional / Informational Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | As determined by Planning Commission | As approved by Planning Commission | — | 1153.07(b)(2)B, (b)(3)E |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Sign | 5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per use | On same lot as use | — | 1153.07(b)(3)G |

### GB - General Business District, O - Office District, PMU - Planned Mixed Use District, P-I - Public - Institutional District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Primary | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per occupant (primary and secondary); extra sign for corner lots | On front building wall | — | 1153.08(b)(1)B, (b)(3)A, 1153.10(p) |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom 8 ft over sidewalk, 15 ft over driveway | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Perpendicular to building; may project over 2/3 width of sidewalk or 5 ft from building (lesser) | — | 1153.08(b)(2)B, (b)(3)D, (c)(5) |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5' from street ROW, 10' from access drive, 25' from non-residential lot, 50' from residential lot; 100' if digital changeable copy | One per lot; in multi-tenant, only one shared sign | On same lot as use, set back at least 5' from street ROW, 25' from other non-residential, 50' from residential | — | 1153.08(b)(2)D, (b)(3)C, (c)(2), (d)(5) |
| Portable Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On private property | — | 1153.08(b)(2)C, (b)(3)E, (d)(3) |
| Directional / Informational Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 15' from side lot line, 5' from ROW | As needed | On same lot, minimum 15' from side lot line, 5' from ROW | — | 1153.08(b)(2)E, (b)(3)F, (c)(3) |
| Temporary Commercial Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft unless otherwise provided | — | — | 1 per use per event; see permit duration | On same lot as use | — | 1153.08(b)(3)G, (h)(3) in 1153.17 |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 100' from residential; 25' from non-residential lot/ST ROW | 1 per use | On lot of proposed development/construction; 100' from residential, 25' from non-residential lot and street ROW | — | 1153.08(b)(3)J, (c)(7) |
| Canopy Sign | No part less than 7.5 ft above sidewalk/street; cannot extend past canopy | 24 sq ft | — | — | 2 per use | On canopy structure | — | 1153.08(b)(3)I, (b)(2)H, (c)(8) |

### GI - General Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 80 sq ft | — | — | One per occupant | On building wall | — | 1153.09(b)(2)A, (b)(3)A |
| Ground Mounted Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Min 10' from street ROW, 35' from pavement edge, at least 25' from property line/public ROW, at least 100' from residential use/district | One per lot/site, plus one additional wall sign per occupant | On same lot as use | — | 1153.09(b)(2)B, (b)(3)B |
| Temporary Commercial Sign | 5 ft | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per occupant | On same lot | — | 1153.09(b)(2)D, (b)(3)D |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10' from street ROW, 35' from pavement, 25' from property line/public ROW, 100' from residential | One per project | On lot under construction; not less than 10' from street ROW, 35' from private drive, 25' from property line/public ROW, 100' from residential | — | 1153.09(b)(2)E, (b)(3)E, (c)(2) |
| Directional / Informational Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | As needed | On same lot | — | 1153.09(b)(2)C, (b)(3)C |

## Prohibited signs in Middleburg Heights

- Signs are prohibited in the public right-of-way except governmental signs such as traffic control or directional signs.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Signs exceeding the roofline or affixed to the roof are prohibited.
- Streamers or banners used by private or public corporations are prohibited unless permitted as a community activity or special event sign.
- Exposed neon and/or skeleton tubing is prohibited unless expressly permitted under exemptions.
- Dynamic signs are prohibited unless expressly permitted within the chapter.
- Pole signs are strictly prohibited unless expressly permitted.
- Any sign attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property is prohibited, except for signs attached by magnetic or static decals, or painted as integral part of the vehicle, that do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
- Mobile or portable signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Awning signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention except signs performing service functions, such as indication of time or temperature.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar moving devices, or strings of lights for advertising or attracting attention when not part of a sign.
- No sign shall be installed, erected, or attached in any form to a fire escape or any door or window giving access to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected that interferes with the protection of property or public safety.
- No sign shall project over or obstruct required windows or doors or block a fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected to obstruct sight lines along a public way, traffic control lights, street name signs at intersections, or street sight lines, or signals at railroad crossings.
- No sign visible from a street shall contain an arrow or words such as “stop,” “go,” “slow,” nor have movement, content, coloring, or illumination resembling a highway traffic sign.
- No flashing or moving illumination is permitted.
- No sign painted on the inside or outside of a window is permitted (window painting is not considered a wall sign and is prohibited).
- Flashing, blinking, running or sequential lights used in any element of a sign are prohibited unless expressly provided.
- Use of glaring, unshielded or undiffused lights or bulbs for sign illumination is prohibited.
- Sign illumination that could distract motorists or create a traffic hazard is prohibited.
- Illumination by bare bulbs or flames is prohibited.
- Sign illumination must not exceed prescribed limits at residential property lines or rights-of-way.
- Scrolling animations on electronic changeable copy signs (LED/LCD) are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Middleburg Heights

- Permanent or temporary signs, flags, or banners erected and maintained by the City of Middleburg Heights pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function, or required by law, ordinance, or governmental regulation, are exempt.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of any governmental agency are exempt.
- Commemorative plaques placed by recognized historical agencies are exempt.
- Signs located inside a stadium, open air theatre, shopping center, arena, or other use, that can be viewed only by persons within such venue, are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all permanent or repaired signs unless exempted by the ordinance.
- A completed sign permit application, including dimensioned drawings, site plans, elevations, and owner's consent, must be submitted and reviewed by the Building Commissioner and Planning Commission.
- A new or amended sign permit is required if a permitted sign is to be modified, relocated, altered, or replaced.
- Temporary sign permits are required and reviewed/decided by the Building Commissioner.
- The Planning Commission must approve sign permit applications before the Building Commissioner issues a sign permit.
- For ground signs, a sign base landscaping plan must be provided with the application.
- A construction-level landscape plan and landscape maintenance plan must be submitted with the sign application for ground mounted signs.
- For signs within 660 feet of the right-of-way of an interstate or primary State highway, an application for a permit must first be made to the Ohio Department of Transportation prior to applying for a city sign permit.
- Conditional uses may have specific sign standards that override general standards; such standards are subject to Planning Commission approval.
- Signs requiring a variance, specific approvals (such as digital copy or menu boards), or unique situations may need to be reviewed in a public meeting of the Planning Commission.
- Portable sandwich board signs placed on private property in certain zoning districts do not require a sign permit.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/middleburg-heights