# Sign Regulations in Ottawa, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ottawa, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/ottawa
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ottawa/latest/ottawa_oh/0-0-0-41598)

## At a glance

Ottawa, Ohio regulates 15 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District zoning district are capped at 25 feet tall, with a Minimum setback of ten feet from the edge of the public right-of-way. setback (Sec. 1171.06(e)). Most commercial signs in Ottawa require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District | 9 | 25 feet | 25% of available window space | — |
| Industrial District | 6 | 25 feet | 25% of available window space | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 3 | 25 feet | 25% of available window space | — |
| Institutional Uses | 6 | 25 feet | 25% of available window space | — |
| Central Commercial District | 10 | 25 feet | 25% of available window space | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 6 square feet | — |

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

### Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(g) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | — | — | Minimum setback of ten feet from the edge of the public right-of-way. | — | — | — | 1171.06(e) |
| Marquee | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Pennant | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(t) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(u) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of available window space | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(z) |

### Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | — | — | Minimum setback of ten feet from the edge of the public right-of-way. | — | — | — | 1171.06(e) |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(t) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(u) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(e) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of available window space | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(z) |

### Central Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Central Commercial District Sidewalk Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Sidewalk or tree lawn in front of a business establishment | — | 1171.03(f) |
| Banner | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(g) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | — | — | Minimum setback of ten feet from the edge of the public right-of-way. | — | — | — | 1171.06(e) |
| Marquee | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Pennant | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Table A - Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District, 1171.08 |
| Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(t) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of available window space | — | — | — | — | — | 1171.03(z) |

## Prohibited signs in Ottawa

- To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.
- No signs shall be allowed in the public right of way, except for specified exceptions.
- Unauthorized signs and signals are prohibited.
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be, is an imitation of or resembles a traffic control device or railroad sign or signal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ottawa

- Construction Signs: One construction sign per construction project not exceeding thirty-two square feet in sign area.
- Governmental Signs: Signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety.
- Holiday Signs and Decorations: Signs and decorations associated with any national, local or religious holiday, displayed for a period of not more than sixty consecutive days.
- Political and Campaign Signs: Political and campaign signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures or issues that will appear on election ballots placed on private property with the permission of the owner.
- Public Notices: Official notices posted by public officers or employees in the performance of their duties.
- Public Signs: Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance.
- Real Estate Signs: One real estate sign on any lot or parcel, not illuminated, not exceeding six square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each sign plan shall have a landscape design submitted with the permit application.
- Upon application to the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission may approve a special permit for permanent off-premises commercial signage.

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

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