# Sign Regulations in North Ridgeville, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Ridgeville, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/north-ridgeville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OH/North_Ridgeville/codes/Codified_Ordinances?nodeId=PTTWELVEPLZOCO_TITSIXZO_CH1286SI)

## At a glance

North Ridgeville, Ohio regulates 22 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use)s in the R-1 Residence District (R-1), R-2 Multiple Residence District (R-2), R-3 Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-4 Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Estate Residence District (R-5), RS-1 Special Residence District (RS-1), RS-2 General Residence District (RS-2), Single-Family Detached and Cluster Developments, Cluster Subdivisions (R-1 and R-2, Cluster Subdivision overlays) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and Max 65 sq ft (height ≤ 8 ft), or 50 sq ft (max height 10 ft), with a 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from side/rear lot lines. setback (Sec. Section 1286.11(c)). Most commercial signs in North Ridgeville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Residence District (R-1), R-2 Multiple Residence District (R-2), R-3 Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-4 Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Estate Residence District (R-5), RS-1 Special Residence District (RS-1), RS-2 General Residence District (RS-2), Single-Family Detached and Cluster Developments, Cluster Subdivisions (R-1 and R-2, Cluster Subdivision overlays) | 10 | 10 ft | Max 65 sq ft (height ≤ 8 ft), or 50 sq ft (max height 10 ft) | — |
| B-1 Neighborhood Business District (B-1), B-2 Central Business District (B-2), B-3 Highway Commercial District (B-3), B-4 Commercial Parkway District (B-4), B-5 Architectural Business District (B-5) | 11 | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (height ≤ 8 ft) or 50 sq ft (≤10 ft height) | — |
| I-1 Industrial Park District (I-1), I-2 Light Industrial District (I-2), I-3 Heavy Industrial District (I-3) | 10 | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (≤8 ft height) or 50 sq ft (≤10 ft height) | — |
| PCD Planned Community Development District (PCD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| SDD Special Development District (SDD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### R-1 Residence District (R-1), R-2 Multiple Residence District (R-2), R-3 Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-4 Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Estate Residence District (R-5), RS-1 Special Residence District (RS-1), RS-2 General Residence District (RS-2), Single-Family Detached and Cluster Developments, Cluster Subdivisions (R-1 and R-2, Cluster Subdivision overlays)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One projecting sign per building unit | Perpendicular to wall, not to project more than 4 feet, min. 6 inch clearance from façade. | — | Section 1286.11(a)(4) |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 10 ft | Max 65 sq ft (height ≤ 8 ft), or 50 sq ft (max height 10 ft) | — | 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from side/rear lot lines. | 1 per lot, or 2 if lot >5 acres or >500 ft frontage. | Set back min 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from side/rear lot line, located in a landscaped area at least equal to sign area. | — | Section 1286.11(c) |
| Electronic Message Center (Nonresidential Use Monument Sign) | — | — | — | See monument sign | Only 1 EMC permitted per lot | Integrated into allowed monument sign only. | — | Section 1286.11(c)(8) |
| Driveway Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from all lot lines, no more than 10 ft from driveway edge. | 1 per driveway | Set back at least 5 ft from all lot lines; no more than 10 ft from the edge of the driveway. | — | Section 1286.11(e) |
| Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Within 150 ft of the entrance point from public street (on private property or median, subject to safety/traffic visibility) | — | Section 1286.11(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial Message) | 4 ft (residential yards), 6 ft (nonresidential yards) | Total area not to exceed 64 sq ft per lot; no individual yard sign to exceed 24 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way (yard signs) | No maximum, aggregate area limit applies | Yard signs: at least 5 ft from public right-of-way; window: inside window | — | Section 1286.12(c), (a-b) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial Message, Nonresidential Use) | Yard: 6 ft | Without permit: 12 sq ft per 100 ft of frontage per lot (signs ≤12 sq ft each); With permit: 36 sq ft per building unit for up to 15 consecutive days, 4 times/year (yard, banner, feather signs) | — | Min 5 ft from right-of-way (yard signs) | No maximum, area limits apply; max 2 banners per lot; 1 sidewalk sign per unit | Yard signs: at least 5 ft from public right-of-way; sidewalk signs: within 10 ft of entrance, not in ROW; banners may be on building or structure. | — | Section 1286.12(e) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial Message, Residential District) | — | 8 sq ft, 1 sign per lot | — | — | 1 per lot | Yard or window | — | Section 1286.12(d) |

### B-1 Neighborhood Business District (B-1), B-2 Central Business District (B-2), B-3 Highway Commercial District (B-3), B-4 Commercial Parkway District (B-4), B-5 Architectural Business District (B-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft (plus 6 sq ft supporting structure) | May project up to 4 ft from wall, min. 6-inch clearance from façade. | — | One per building unit | Perpendicular to wall. Not to encroach into right-of-way. | — | Section 1286.11(a)(4) |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (height ≤ 8 ft) or 50 sq ft (≤10 ft height) | — | 5 ft from ROW, 20 ft from side/rear lot lines | 1 per lot, or 2 if lot >5 acres or >500 ft frontage | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way, 20 ft from side/rear lines. | — | Section 1286.11(c) |
| Electronic Message Center (Monument Sign only) | — | Part of monument sign area | — | See monument sign. | Maximum 1 EMC per lot. | In monument sign only. | — | Section 1286.11(c)(8) |
| Driveway Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5–10 ft from driveway edge/lots lines. | One per driveway. | 5–10 ft from driveway edge; min. 5 ft from all lot lines. | — | Section 1286.11(e) |
| Drive-Through Sign | Primary: 8 ft; Secondary: 6 ft | Primary: 36 sq ft, ≤8 ft tall; Secondary: 15 sq ft, ≤6 ft tall | — | — | Up to 2 primary and 2 secondary per lot | At drive-through lanes only, oriented to vehicle stacking lanes | — | Section 1286.11(d) |
| Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft; max 6 ft high. | — | — | 1 per entrance | Within 150 ft of development entrance, Planning Commission location approval. | — | Section 1286.11(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial Message) | Yard: 6 ft. | Aggregate 64 sq ft per lot; individual yard sign max 24 sq ft. | — | Min 5 ft from row (yard). | No maximum. | Yard: min. 5 ft from ROW; inside window; banner on faces. | — | Section 1286.12(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial Message) | Yard: 6 ft; Feather: 10 ft; Sidewalk: 3 ft/6 sq ft. | Without permit: up to 12 sq ft per 100 linear ft of frontage, max 12 sq ft per sign; With permit: 36 sq ft per building unit (for up to 15 days, 4x/year); one feather sign/unit up to 10 ft tall. | — | — | See form. | Yard: min. 5 ft from ROW; sidewalk: within 10 ft of entrance (not in ROW); banner on wall/fence. | — | Section 1286.12(e) |

### I-1 Industrial Park District (I-1), I-2 Light Industrial District (I-2), I-3 Heavy Industrial District (I-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy or Projecting Sign | — | Projecting: 6 sq ft + 6 sq ft support | — | — | One projecting per unit. | Attached to wall/canopy; projecting up to 4 ft; min 6-inch clearance to façade. | — | Section 1286.11(a)(4) |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (≤8 ft height) or 50 sq ft (≤10 ft height) | — | 5 ft from ROW, 20 ft from lot lines. | One per lot, or 2 if >5 acres or >500' frontage. | Min. 5 ft from ROW, 20 ft from side/rear lines. | — | Section 1286.11(c) |
| Electronic Message Center (Monument Sign only) | — | Counts to monument sign area | — | — | 1 per lot | In allowed monument sign. | — | Section 1286.11(c)(8) |
| Driveway Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from lot lines, no more than 10 ft from driveway edge. | 1 per driveway | 5–10 ft from driveway edge; at least 5 ft from lot lines. | — | Section 1286.11(e) |
| Drive-Through Sign | — | Primary: 36 sq ft, max 8 ft high; Secondary: 15 sq ft, max 6 ft high | — | — | 2 primary, 2 secondary per lot. | At drive-through lanes, visible from stacking area. | — | Section 1286.11(d) |
| Entrance Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft, 6 ft high | — | — | 1 per entrance | Within 150 ft of entrance | — | Section 1286.11(f) |
| Temporary Sign (Noncommercial Message) | Yard: 6 ft. | Aggregate 64 sq ft per lot; yard sign up to 24 sq ft each. | — | 5 ft from ROW (yard) | — | Yard/sign: min. 5 ft from ROW. | — | Section 1286.12(c) |
| Temporary Sign (Commercial Message) | Yard: 6 ft; Feather: 10 ft. | No permit: 12 sq ft per 100 ft frontage (max per sign: 12 sq ft); With permit: 36 sq ft per unit up to 15 days, 4 times/year. One feather sign per unit (10 ft tall). | — | — | — | Yard: min. 5 ft from ROW; sidewalk: within 10 ft of entrance; window: interior or affixed. | — | Section 1286.12(e) |

## Prohibited signs in North Ridgeville

- Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are similar in appearance to any legally authorized traffic sign, signal, or device because of its position, shape, or color.
- Signs that constitute a hazard to safety or health due to inadequate or inappropriate design, construction, repair, or maintenance, as determined by the Chief Building Official.
- Any sign that copies or imitates signs that are installed by the City or any other governmental agencies or falsely purports to have been authorized by the City or other governmental agency.
- Signs that are accessory to an abandoned use of property. A use shall be determined to be abandoned if it has voluntarily ceased operations for a period of six (6) consecutive months unless the use is determined to be seasonal in nature.
- Signs that are placed on trees, utility poles, benches, trash receptacles, or any other unapproved supporting structure, or otherwise placed in the public right-of-way except as provided for in Section 1286.08(f).
- Off-premise signs, including billboards.
- Pole signs.
- Signs mounted on or above the roofline of any building.
- Signs that employ any parts or elements which revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, use moving or flashing lights, or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention.
- Pennants, streamers, windblown devices, and signs that flutter with the exception of flags and feather signs as permitted in this chapter.
- Signs which are not securely affixed in a permanent manner to an approved supporting structure unless specifically permitted as a temporary sign.
- Vehicle signs viewable from a public road if the vehicle or trailer has signage attached to it and either fails to display current license plates and registration or is inoperable. Furthermore, vehicles or trailers shall not be parked continuously in one location to be used primarily as additional signage. (Not applicable to fleet and delivery vehicles that are actively used for business or as personal transport.)
- Any sign not specifically allowed or addressed by this chapter shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct or interfere with fire ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape; block any light or ventilation openings; obstruct or interfere with traffic or vehicular or pedestrian traffic visibility or resemble or imitate signs or signals erected by the City or other governmental agency for the regulation of traffic or parking.
- No sign shall be installed in or project over the right-of-way, nor shall any sign be installed on public property with the exception of signs installed or authorized by the City of North Ridgeville, Lorain County, State of Ohio, or United States.
- No sign shall exceed 36 inches in height, measured from the top of the curb, within any vision clearance triangle area as defined.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- Temporary signs shall not be affixed to any permanent sign or permanent structure except as specifically permitted.
- No temporary sign shall be displayed continuously for a period of time greater than six (6) months unless a more limited period is established.
- No signs with streamers, spinning, flashing, windblown devices, or similarly moving devices are allowed as part or attachment to temporary signs.
- Mobile signs on wheels, runners, casters, parked trailers, or parked vehicles shall not be permitted (unless exempted per vehicle signage exemption).

## Signs exempt from permit in North Ridgeville

- Sign face changes where the sign structure is designed with interchangeable panels and one of the panels is replaced without changing the structure, total sign face area, height, or the sign cabinet (except that a copy of the sign face change should be filed with the Building Department for informational purposes).
- Changes of copy on signs with changeable copy.
- Any sign that is located completely inside a building that is not visible from the exterior (see also the definition of window sign).
- Signs installed or required by a governmental agency including the City of North Ridgeville, Lorain County, State of Ohio, and the United States.
- Signs and/or notices issued by any court, officer, or other person in performance of a public duty.
- Signs which are an integral part of the historic character of a structure that has been designated an official landmark or historic structure by a governmental agency.
- Monuments, markers, and signage within a cemetery.
- One wall sign not exceeding two square feet mounted flush to the façade of a single or two-family dwelling unit.
- Signs that are an integral part of the original construction of vending or similar machines, fuel pumps, automated teller machines, or similar devices that are not of a size or design as to be visible from a street or by any person other than those using the machine or device.
- Any signs located on umbrellas, seating, or similar patio furniture provided they are located outside of the right-of-way and comply with any other applicable standards of this chapter.
- Parking space signs not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Signs that are located within a stadium, open-air theater, park, arena, or other outdoor use that are not visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, and can be viewed only by persons within such stadium, open-air theater, park, arena or other outdoor use.
- Flags that do not contain a commercial message provided there shall be no more than three such flags on any lot and the size of each flag does not exceed 40 square feet.
- Certain temporary signs as established in Section 1286.12 (see definitions for which temporary signs do not require a permit).
- Any signs, including illuminated signs or related decorations erected in observance of religious, national, or state holidays which are not intended to be permanent in nature and which do not contain a commercial message.
- Public art approved by the North Ridgeville Planning Commission.
- General maintenance, painting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or any sign structure unless a structural change is made.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs except those noted as exempt in Section 1286.06(b).
- Sign permit application procedures and requirements are outlined in Section 1286.07; the sign application must include site plans, scaled drawings, construction methods, and signatures.
- Review of sign permits is handled by the Chief Building Official, who will issue or deny the permit within 30 days, unless otherwise delayed by a variance application or applicant delay.
- Appeals of sign permit denials are to the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals (BZA), which must hear the appeal at its next available meeting.
- If a sign variance is required, the applicant must submit an application for a zoning variance and may require a public meeting with the Board of Zoning and Building Appeals, per Chapter 1244.
- Major development plans (new principal structure, substantial exterior alterations, conditional uses, or proposals involving variances except signage) require Council review and often Planning Commission recommendation (see Section 1243.03). For signage, routine sign permits are generally managed solely by the Chief Building Official.
- As part of the development plan submission requirements (Section 1243.05), plans must include dimensions and locations of all permanent signs along with detail of any sign base for signs requiring a permit.
- All permanent signs are considered accessory uses and must be approved as part of a site or building development plan where such review is required.
- Any deviation from approved development or sign plans may require filing for an amended plan or permit and may be subject to further review or penalty.

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

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