# Sign Regulations in Monroe, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monroe, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/monroe
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/oh/monroe/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTTWELVEPLZOCO_CH1204DEDEST_ART04.06SI)

## At a glance

Monroe, Ohio regulates 47 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Access Sign (Freestanding)s in the RR, Rural Residential; SR, Suburban Residential; GR, General Residential; NC, Neighborhood Conservation; UR, Urban Residential zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 4 sq ft per sign, with a Min 3 ft from property line; must respect sight triangle; at least 3 ft from building-side edge of sidewalk (general note 4). setback (Sec. Table 1204.26-3 Access Sign). Most commercial signs in Monroe require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | See max_area note. | Plaques: 48 sq ft area, 6 ft height max (1204.24.F.3). Private traffic control signs: 6 sq ft area, 4 ft height (1204.24.F.7). Ancillary window/door signs: each <5 sq ft; total ≤5 sq ft (1204.24.F.8). | — |
| RR, Rural Residential; SR, Suburban Residential; GR, General Residential; NC, Neighborhood Conservation; UR, Urban Residential | 10 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| MU, Mixed-Use; HC, Highway Commercial; GC, General Commercial; EC, Employment Center; LI, Light Industrial; HI, Heavy Industrial | 22 | 100 ft | Max 225 sq ft per sign panel/cumulative | — |
| DT, Downtown | 8 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — |
| DWP-O, Delineated Wellhead Protection Overlay District; WPB-O, Wellhead Protection Buffer Overlay District; FPOD, Floodplain Protection Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| PUD, Planned Unit Development | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### RR, Rural Residential; SR, Suburban Residential; GR, General Residential; NC, Neighborhood Conservation; UR, Urban Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | At or below the eave line or the bottom of the second-story windowsill, whichever is lower. | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot (nonresidential only). | Attached to principal building of a nonresidential use within these residential districts. | — | Table 1204.26-1 (Wall); Table 1204.26-2 Wall Sign; 1204.26.D.1–2 |
| Access Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Min 3 ft from property line; must respect sight triangle; at least 3 ft from building-side edge of sidewalk (general note 4). | No more than 3 per principal use. | Freestanding directional/access signs serving driveways or access points for permitted uses in residential districts. | — | Table 1204.26-3 Access Sign |
| Monument Sign (Residential Districts – Nonresidential Uses) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW, 20 ft from any adjacent lot line; at least 3 ft from building-side edge of sidewalk; must be outside sight triangles and utilities (subdivision entry notes). | 1 per property street frontage on nonresidential properties (2 on sites with 3+ public street frontages, per table note 3). | On nonresidential properties within residential districts, including subdivision entrances where allowed by plat approval (note 1). | — | Table 1204.26-1 (Monument); Table 1204.26-3 Monument Sign; 1204.29.A.6; Monument sign notes 2–4 |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from street ROW or private street property line; outside utilities and sight triangles. | 2 at one primary entry; 1 at all other subdivision entries. | At subdivision entries within residential districts, at least 10 ft from street ROW or property line for a private street, and located outside existing/future utilities and required sight triangle. | — | Table 1204.26-3 Subdivision Entry Sign and associated notes |
| Temporary Banner Sign | Attached: below eave line or parapet wall; Ground-mounted: 5 ft. | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property (subject to overall temporary sign cap). | On private property in these districts; attached to building or ground-mounted; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Banner Sign |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign (Construction/Development) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | Min 5 ft from property line; 5 ft separation from other temporary signs. | 1 per development project or subdivision. | On site of development project or subdivision actively under construction in these districts; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Freestanding Temporary Sign |
| H-Frame / Frame Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | 6 ft from edge of pavement; 20 ft from intersections. | 1 per street frontage. | Yard or frontage area on private property; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Frame Sign |
| Yard Sign (Temporary – Residential Districts) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from edge of pavement. | No maximum number. | Yard/frontage on private property in RR, SR, GR, NC, UR; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Yard Sign |

### MU, Mixed-Use; HC, Highway Commercial; GC, General Commercial; EC, Employment Center; LI, Light Industrial; HI, Heavy Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hanging Sign | Not to project above the roofline of the building. | 6 sq ft | — | Must leave at least 2 ft clearance from curb line when projecting over sidewalk/ROW. | 1 per tenant/occupant with ground-floor entry/storefront. | Suspended under a marquee, canopy, or awning, above ground-floor entry/storefront in MU, HC, GC (not permitted in EC, LI, HI). | — | Table 1204.26-1; Table 1204.26-2 Hanging Sign |
| Mural Sign (Commercial Mural) – MU Only | 30 ft from grade | 75% of façade or 1,500 sq ft, whichever is less (MU only). | 75% of façade width | — | 1 per building. | On building façade in MU district. | — | Table 1204.26-2 Mural Sign; MU column entries for mural dimensions |
| Access Sign (Freestanding) – MU; HC, GC, EC, LI, HI | 4 ft | MU: 4 sq ft; HC/GC/EC/LI/HI: 6 sq ft per sign (table splits: 4 sq ft for residential + MU + DT; 6 sq ft for HC/GC/EC/LI/HI). | — | Min 3 ft from property line; ≥3 ft from building-side edge of sidewalk; outside sight triangle. | No more than 3 per principal use. | Freestanding directional/access signs at entrances/driveways in MU and all nonresidential districts. | — | Table 1204.26-1; Table 1204.26-3 Access Sign |
| Directory Sign – MU; HC, GC, EC, LI, HI | 10 ft | Up to 2 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage, max 100 sq ft. | — | Min 5 ft from property line; at least 3 ft from building-side sidewalk edge; outside sight triangle. | 1 per property with multi-tenant building. | Freestanding directory sign on property with a multi-tenant building in MU, HC, GC, EC, LI, HI (not in residential districts). | — | Table 1204.26-1; Table 1204.26-3 Directory Sign |
| Monument Sign – MU; HC, GC, EC, LI, HI | MU/DT: 8 ft; HC/GC/EC/LI/HI: 10 ft. | 60 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from property line and ≥3 ft from building-side sidewalk edge; outside sight triangle. | As per table (generally 1 per street frontage or 1 per establishment, with up to 2 for triple-frontage lots). | Freestanding along street frontage in MU, HC, GC, EC, LI, HI. | — | Table 1204.26-1; Table 1204.26-3 Monument Sign and notes |
| Pole Sign – HC Only | 100 ft | Max 225 sq ft per sign panel/cumulative | — | Min 10 ft from property line; 3 ft from building-side sidewalk edge; outside sight triangle. | 1 per street frontage where frontage ≥50 ft. | Freestanding high-rise pole sign in HC district only, along street frontage. | — | Table 1204.26-3 Pole Sign and table notes |
| Subdivision Pylon Sign – HC, GC, EC, LI, HI | 25 ft | 35 sq ft per sign panel; max cumulative 1 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage, up to 250 sq ft. | — | Min 10 ft from property line and ≥3 ft from building-side sidewalk edge; outside sight triangle. | 1 per subdivision entry. | At subdivision entry in mixed-use/nonresidential districts (HC, GC, EC, LI, HI). | — | Table 1204.26-1; Table 1204.26-3 Subdivision Pylon Sign |
| Feather Sign (Temporary) – MU; DT; HC, GC, EC, LI, HI | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from property line. | Up to 3 per street frontage (1 per 50 ft of frontage). | On private property in mixed-use and nonresidential districts; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Feather Sign |

### DT, Downtown

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Signs (General DT Provisions) | — | — | — | — | — | Within DT zoning district boundaries as mapped in Official Zoning Map. | — | Table 1204.26-1 DT column; 1204.26.J.1–3; 1204.24.C |
| Allowed Attached Sign Types (DT) | — | — | — | — | — | On buildings within DT district. | — | Table 1204.26-1; 1204.26.J |
| Temporary Banner Sign – DT | Attached: below eave line or parapet wall; Ground-mounted: 5 ft. | May not exceed size of permitted wall sign for DT (exact size governed by Section 2.06(I)). | — | — | 1 per property or per tenant in multitenant building. | On private property in DT, attached to buildings or ground-mounted; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Banner Sign (DT column); 1204.26.J.3 |
| Feather Sign – DT | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line. | Up to 3 per street frontage (1 per 50 ft). | On private property in DT; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Feather Sign |
| Freestanding Temporary Sign (Construction) – DT | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per side (max 2 sides) | — | 5 ft from property line; 5 ft separation from other temporary signs. | 1 per construction site. | On sites under construction in DT. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Freestanding Temporary Sign |
| Frame Sign (Temporary) – DT | 6 ft | 9 sq ft | — | 6 ft from edge of pavement; 20 ft from intersections. | 1 per street frontage. | On DT properties; not in ROW. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Frame Sign |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) – DT | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum setback; maintain 5 ft unobstructed sidewalk clearance. | 1 per ground-floor entrance. | On sidewalk or private property within DT; within 12 ft of main entrance; in front of establishment advertised. | — | Table 1204.27-1 Sandwich Board Sign; 1204.26.J (materials and external illumination only) |
| Yard Sign – DT | — | Not explicitly specified for DT; yard sign table has residential and HC/GC columns only; thus yard signs appear not explicitly allowed as a separate temporary type in DT. | — | — | — | — | — | Table 1204.27-1 Yard Sign |

## Prohibited signs in Monroe

- No sign may be erected, installed, converted, relocated, enlarged, or structurally modified within the City limits without a sign permit, except where expressly exempted in the ordinance.
- No sign, other than subdivision entrance signs, may be the principal use on a premises; signs are allowed only as accessory uses unless otherwise specified.
- Off‑premises signage and billboards are prohibited within the City of Monroe.
- Signs attached to motor vehicles or tractor trailers that are not utilized as an integral part of a business located on the subject site are prohibited; vehicles with commercial messages must be parked out of public view during non‑business hours.
- Signs applied to or attached to trees, bus shelters, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, newspaper vending machines/boxes, or any other unapproved supporting structure, or otherwise placed in the public right‑of‑way, are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, and other similar devices are prohibited as signs.
- Signs not securely affixed to the ground or permanently affixed to an approved supporting structure are prohibited, unless specifically permitted as temporary signs; covering a permanent sign with temporary material for more than 30 days is prohibited.
- Projecting signs that extend above the wall or parapet of the building to which they are affixed are prohibited.
- Signs that employ parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, or otherwise use motion to attract attention are prohibited.
- Portable advertising signs (mobile signs on wheels) are prohibited except for sandwich board signs permitted as temporary signs.
- Beacons and searchlights used for advertising are prohibited, except for emergency purposes.
- Balloons or air‑activated graphics used for commercial purposes and attached to a structure, vehicle, or ground are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited except in the DT district.
- Neon signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or may be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices because of position, shape, or color are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a hazard to safety or health due to inadequate design, construction, repair, or maintenance are prohibited.
- Signs using words, phrases, symbols, or characters such as “stop,” “look,” “go slow,” “caution,” “danger,” or “warning” in a manner that misleads or confuses pedestrians or traffic are prohibited.
- Signs illuminated with lights that cause glare onto surrounding property or distract drivers or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Signs containing reflectors, lights, or illumination that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsation are prohibited (except where specifically allowed for electronic message centers under changeable copy regulations).
- Signs containing obscene, indecent, or immoral statements, words, or pictures that offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Signs with visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind (other than allowed changeable copy signs) are prohibited.
- Signs that emit sound, smoke, heat, or odor are prohibited.
- Back‑lit awnings and awnings made of plastic or vinyl (excluding substitute materials) are prohibited.
- Unfinished wood support structures are prohibited, except that unfinished stakes may be used for stake signs.
- Bare light bulbs and flashing lights on signs are prohibited, except on holiday displays that are exempt.
- Signs advertising a business or product that is no longer in existence (abandoned business signs) are prohibited.
- Signs that prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or other required exitway are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained at street intersections so as to obstruct free and clear vision of the intersection are prohibited.
- Snipe signs or signs attached to or located upon outdoor amenities such as trees, street signs, or utility poles that are visible from any street are prohibited.
- Signs painted on or attached to a motor vehicle are prohibited unless the vehicle is operable with current registration, the sign is on‑premise, the vehicle is legally parked in a parking space, and the display of the sign is incidental to vehicle use.
- Signs may not encroach or be located in any public right‑of‑way or on other public property, except marquees, projecting signs, and hanging signs that comply with permanent sign standards.
- Signs painted on or attached to semi‑trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units (other than brand name identification) are prohibited.
- No sign or sign structure may be placed on private or public property without the consent of the owner or authorized agent.
- Signs that are not listed as permitted permanent sign types in Section 1204.26 are prohibited as permanent signs.
- Signs that are not listed in Table 1204.27‑1 are prohibited as temporary signs.
- Temporary signs may not be located within a public right‑of‑way.
- Off‑premise temporary signage is prohibited.
- Temporary signs may not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed, or secured by permanent means to any building, permanent sign, other structure, or to the ground.
- Temporary signs may not be mounted, attached, affixed, installed, or otherwise secured so as to protrude above the roof of a structure.
- Lighting for temporary signs is prohibited (only ambient illumination is allowed).
- Portable temporary signs may not be located on a wheeled or other transport chassis.
- A detached (freestanding) temporary sign is prohibited on a property that already has a permanent freestanding sign.
- Every permitted sign must display the date of erection, permit number, sign manufacturer and installer, and voltage; signs not complying with permitting or maintenance requirements are subject to removal and penalties.
- Abandoned signs (signs not displaying a message for more than 90 days) are prohibited.
- Off‑premises advertising devices and signs within 660 feet of interstate or primary state highway right‑of‑way must comply with state law and obtain ODOT permits before City zoning permits; failure to do so is a violation.
- In the DT district, plastic, translucent, and foam signs are prohibited.
- In the DT district, internally illuminated signs are prohibited; only external illumination is permitted for signs there.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monroe

- Noncommercial holiday signs and decorations are not regulated by the sign ordinance.
- Public informational and public safety signs are not regulated by the sign ordinance.
- Signs required by law are not regulated by the sign ordinance.
- Routine maintenance of signs that does not involve structural changes does not require a sign permit.
- Changing the message on an electronic message sign or changeable copy sign, within allowed frequency limits, does not require a sign permit.
- Temporary signage is generally allowed without a sign permit, except where specifically stated (e.g., certain freestanding nonresidential temporary signs).
- Governmental signs for traffic control and other regulatory purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, wayfinding signs, and public service company safety signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Flags of reasonable, customary size and color, and emblems and insignia of any governmental agency or political subdivision, and temporary patriotic, religious, charitable, or civic displays are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Commemorative plaques placed by a local, state, or federally recognized historical agency, or a government entity, up to 48 square feet in area and 6 feet in height, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Interior signs within a stadium, open‑air theater, shopping center, arena, park, or similar facility, which are viewable only by persons within the facility, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Signs protected by federal law are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Noncommercial art and murals (with no commercial messaging) are exempt from sign permit requirements; murals in MU and DT districts are exempt provided the mural is not on a primary facade.
- Private, non‑advertising traffic control signs on private property that direct traffic, warn of obstacles, or control parking (including entrance/exit signs) are exempt from sign permit requirements when they do not exceed 6 square feet in area and 4 feet in height.
- Up to three ancillary signs per premises are exempt from sign permit requirements when they are no‑trespassing type signs less than 5 square feet, placed on a door, exterior wall, or window, with total area no larger than 5 square feet and projecting no more than 6 inches from the wall.
- Banners installed on utility poles in the public right‑of‑way that are approved by the City Engineer are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Utility and hazard warning signs such as high‑voltage, explosives, hazardous materials, or other safety warnings are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Installation or maintenance of temporary signs under Section 1204.27 (other than specified freestanding nonresidential temporary signs) does not require a sign permit.
- Repair, relettering, or repainting of an existing sign may be done without a new sign permit, provided there is no alteration or remodeling of the sign structure or mounting, no enlargement or dimensional increase, and the sign remains accessory to a legally permitted or legally nonconforming use.
- Signs lawfully permitted before the effective date of this code may be completed and maintained under their existing permits and are treated as nonconforming signs subject to nonconforming sign provisions.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All freestanding signs must be permanently installed in locations designated in the sign plan for the site.
- All attached signs must be affixed within the designated sign area established by the sign plan.
- Additional sign area and sign height beyond the base limits are allowed if a Master Sign Plan is approved for an eligible property pursuant to Section 1207.18, Master Sign Plan.
- A Master Sign Program is required for any multi‑tenant development exceeding 20,000 square feet of gross floor area in any mixed‑use or nonresidential zoning district.
- A Master Sign Program is required for any PUD district that has land categorized for mixed‑use or that exceeds 25 acres of residential property.
- Prohibited signs and prohibited sign elements cannot be included or authorized through a Master Sign Program.
- A Master Sign Program must establish a unified architectural theme for signage on the parcel(s), coordinating at least three elements such as colors, shape, mounting, lighting, lettering style, graphics, or materials.
- The Director may impose conditions on a Master Sign Program regarding sign design, materials, locations, placements, orientations, and specifications (not related to message content or viewpoints) to ensure compliance with the sign standards.
- Submittal requirements and detailed procedures for a Master Sign Plan/Master Sign Program are contained in Section 1207.18, Master Sign Plan.
- Owners of electronic message centers must submit a signed letter with their zoning permit application certifying compliance with brightness limits; these signs are typically coordinated with the overall sign plan or master sign program on the site.

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

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