# Sign Regulations in Milan, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Milan, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/milan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/milan/latest/milan_oh/0-0-0-12696)

## At a glance

Milan, Ohio regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 8.5 feet tall and 32 square feet (Sec. 1186.06(a)(5)). Most commercial signs in Milan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 8.5 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts | 9 | — | 215 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 30 feet | 40 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 3 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | 1186.06(a)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 | One per street frontage | — | 1186.06(a)(2) |
| Subdivision Development Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | At the entrance to subdivision | — | 1186.06(a)(3) |
| Institution Sign | — | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | 1186.06(a)(4) |
| Monument Sign | 8.5 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | Per entrance | — | 1186.06(a)(5) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8.5 feet | — | — | — | — | Residential zoning district | — | 1186.06(a)(6) |

### Business and Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (25 mph) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall facing a public right-of-way | — | 1186.06(b)(1) |
| Wall Sign (35 mph, single lane) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall facing a public right-of-way | — | 1186.06(b)(1) |
| Wall Sign (35 mph, multi-lane or 45 mph single lane) | — | — | — | — | — | Building wall facing a public right-of-way | — | 1186.06(b)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (25 mph) | — | 215 square feet | — | — | 1 | Business or commercial district | — | 1186.06(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (35 mph, single lane) | — | 215 square feet | — | — | 1 | Business or commercial district | — | 1186.06(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (35 mph, multi-lane or 45 mph single lane) | — | 215 square feet | — | — | 1 | Business or commercial district | — | 1186.06(b)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (45 mph, multi-lane or single lane greater than 45 mph) | — | 215 square feet | — | — | 1 | Business or commercial district | — | 1186.06(b)(2) |
| Pylon Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 or 2 | Business or commercial district | — | 1186.06(b)(2) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign | — | 6 square feet (residential lot) | — | 5 feet | 1 | Not less than 5 feet from any front or side lot line | — | 1186.08(b)(1) |
| Directional Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 2 | Per street entrance | — | 1186.08(c) |
| Monument Sign | 8.5 feet | — | — | 15 feet or ½ the required front yard setback | — | Within required front yard | — | 1186.08(d) |
| Pylon Sign | 30 feet | — | — | 15 feet | — | Not closer than 15 feet to any right-of-way | — | 1186.08(e) |
| Political Sign | — | 32 square feet per side | 8 feet | — | 1 or 2 | Ground level street address | — | 1186.08(f) |
| Portable Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | 10 feet | 1 | Not within 10 feet of any street, alley, or public right-of-way | — | 1186.08(g) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet (residential lot) | — | 5 feet | 1 | One per street frontage | — | 1186.08(h) |
| Temporary Sign | 10 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 1 | One per street front | — | 1186.08(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Milan

- Off-premises signs.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, or being part of, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property for the primary purpose of advertising.
- Search lights, laser lights.
- Flashing lights, projected images or animated signs unless with a conditional use permit.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging a public right-of-way unless specifically authorized by the Village Council.
- Signs attached to utility poles, light poles, street trees or other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Air activated devices, i.e. balloons, streamers, pinwheels, etc. unless granted zoning clearance as a temporarily displayed (no more than 30 days) as part of a special sale, promotion or community event.
- Building or Structure Murals are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Village Council.
- Roof signs.
- Billboards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Milan

- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- The flag of a government, or noncommercial institution, such as a school or corporate flags.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs and which do not exceed 3 square feet.
- Public banners approved by the Village.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Unless specifically exempted, zoning clearance and a building permit shall be obtained for all signs exceeding nine (9) square feet in total area, before they are erected or altered.
- When applying for zoning clearance, a dimensioned site plan showing the location and size of proposed sign(s) and on-site buildings or other structures must be submitted.
- For free-standing signs, scaled elevation drawings shall be required.
- Construction documents may be required to be filed with the Building Inspector showing the dimensions, materials and required details of construction, including loads, stresses, anchorage and any other pertinent data.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Milan, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Milan+OH&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-milan

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