Sign Regulations in Ontario, Ohio
Ontario, Ohio has specific sign regulations covering 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Garage Sale Sign, Residential Real Estate Sign, Home Occupation Name and Address Plate. Height restrictions apply. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 11, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Ontario, Ohio
Sample Sign Requirements in Ontario
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way |
| Home Occupation Name and Address Plate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
22
- Garage Sale Sign
- Residential Real Estate Sign
- Home Occupation Name and Address Plate
- Commercial Real Estate Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Ontario
Other Cities in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Ontario vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Ontario, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Ontario, regulated sign types include Garage Sale Sign, Residential Real Estate Sign, Home Occupation Name and Address Plate, Commercial Real Estate Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Ontario vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Ontario are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Ontario has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Ontario, Ohio Sign Rules at a Glance
Ontario, Ohio regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Commercial Real Estate Signs in the Commercial and Industrial Areas zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 4 ft. by 8 ft. for commercial buildings over 5000 sq. ft./land parcels greater than 5 acres; 3 ft. by 4 ft. for commercial buildings under 5000 sq. ft./land parcels between 1 to 5 acres, with a Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way setback (Sec. 1146.03(c)(3)).
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Ontario, Ohio
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Ontario (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Areas | 3 | — | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial and Industrial Areas | 8 | 12 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 10 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Ontario
Residential Areas
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way | One per lot | One sign per lot | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(1) |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way | Two per lot | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(2) |
| Home Occupation Name and Address Plate | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per dwelling | Attached to dwelling | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(11) |
Commercial and Industrial Areas
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Real Estate Sign | 6 ft. | 4 ft. by 8 ft. for commercial buildings over 5000 sq. ft./land parcels greater than 5 acres; 3 ft. by 4 ft. for commercial buildings under 5000 sq. ft./land parcels between 1 to 5 acres | — | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way | One per lot | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(3) |
| New Business Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 15 feet from the edge of the road and 10 feet from the property line | — | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(1) |
| Business Promotional Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. per face | — | Minimum set back of 15 feet from the edge of the road and 10 feet from the property line | No more than 5 signs located on premises of event | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(2) |
| Inflatable Sign | — | — | — | Minimum set back of 15 feet from the edge of the road and 10 feet from the property line | — | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(3) |
| Outdoor Display Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 15 feet from the edge of the road and 10 feet from the property line | — | Attached or displayed within one foot of the merchandise on display | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(4) |
| Banners | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Attached to building façade or poles | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(5) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 18 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 15 feet from the edge of the road and 10 feet from the property line | One per business | Located not less than 15 ft. from the right of way line, and 20 ft. from lot line, and no less than 50 ft. from residential lot lines; May be attached on pole sign, the wall of a building, or on two (2) permanent posts | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(6) |
| Feather Banner/Flag | 12 ft. | — | 3 ft. | Minimum setback equal to pole height | No more than two (2) for every one hundred (100) ft. of frontage | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(d)(7) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Identification Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way | One per each street frontage and one additional sign if street frontage exceeds 1000 ft. | Developments larger than 3 acres may display one sign per each street frontage and one additional sign if street frontage exceeds 1000 ft. | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(4) |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Minimum set back of 10 feet from the right of way | — | During construction | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(6) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(7) |
| Open House Directional Sign | 3 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street intersection | One per street intersection | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(8) |
| Memorial Sign | 10 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per site or building | One per site or building | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(9) |
| Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. (area/side) for residential; 4 sq. ft. for business; 5 sq. ft. for industrial | — | — | Two per site | Two per site | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(12) |
| Flag | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | Minimum setback equal to pole height | — | On premises | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(13) |
| Community Activity/Special Event Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. signs may be placed fifteen feet (15') from the edge of the road; Signs larger than six (6) square feet not to exceed twenty seven (27) square feet are restricted to no more than four (4) within the city | — | Six (6) square foot signs may be placed fifteen feet (15') from the edge of the road; Signs larger than six (6) square feet may be placed fifteen feet (15') from the edge of the road and in intersections must be twenty feet (20') from the edge of both roads | Maximum of twenty (20) offsite | Maximum of twenty (20) offsite | — | Unlock | 1146.03(c)(14) |
Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Ontario — with a free PermitPal account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Ontario
- No signs are permitted within the public right of way.
- No roof signs.
- No beacons.
- No banners larger than 27 square feet.
- No accessory signs off of the premises.
Exempt Signs in Ontario
- Traffic control or other regulatory signs erected by federal, state, county, township, or city governmental authority.
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable state or local law, regulation, ordinance, or court.
- Signs advocating political, religious, or philosophical points of view located on private property.
- Temporary signs, banners, or decorations customarily associated with or in recognition of holidays, personal celebrations, or achievements such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, weddings, grand openings, and similar activities located on the premises of the event and not displayed for more than thirty (30) days.
- Hand-held signs.
- Temporary signs promoting institution activities and non-profit activities located on private property, not displayed for more than fourteen (14) days, not in the right-of-way, and with a maximum size of 60.4 sq. ft.
- Any announcements for City wide activities held by the City.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Ontario
- Signs located within the seventy five foot (75') setback from right-of-way or closest to the road will still have to go through the sign plan process, area fee and variance if required.
- Permit must be filed with the City of Ontario Zoning Inspector indicating all information required on existing sign permit, address of where sign is to be located, a site plan with measurements as to where sign will be placed and length of time sign will be in that location.
Source: amlegal municipal code