# Sign Regulations in Piqua, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Piqua, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/piqua
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-22
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://piquaoh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2333/2024---Development-Code---Updated-82024#page=212)

## At a glance

Piqua, Ohio regulates 58 sign types across 22 zoning districts. Canopy Signs in the Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX) zoning district are capped at 3 ft (sign height); clear height: 9 ft over sidewalk; 14 ft over drive/parking tall, 32 SF (individual sign), and Depth (thickness) ≤8 inches wide, with a May project over sidewalk per §4.7.4.D.2. setback (Sec. §4.7.6.B (Canopy ■ in NX); §4.7.7.B.). Most commercial signs in Piqua require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (22 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Estate (RE-20, RE-10, RE-6) | 9 | Mounted no higher than 24 ft above sidewalk; cannot extend above roof line or parapet. | Up to 50% of a first-floor window panel area (25% max in Downtown districts, though Downtown districts are not applicable to RE). | — |
| Residential Attached (S-RA) | 9 | Max 24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | Up to 50% of a first-floor window panel (Downtown exception 25% not applicable here). | — |
| Residential Multi-Unit (S-RM) | 8 | Max 24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | Up to 50% of a first-floor window panel | — |
| Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX) | 16 | Max 24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF (individual sign) | — |
| Corridor Mixed Use (CX), Corridor Office (CO) | 17 | ≤24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | Monument: 200 SF; High-Rise: 150 SF per sign face | — |
| Regional Mixed Use (RX) | 7 | ≤24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | Up to 50% of a first-floor window panel | — |
| Traditional Residential (Low, Medium, High Density) (T-RL, T-RM, T-RH) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Traditional Residential Medium Density Estate (T-RM-E) | 8 | 10 ft | Up to 50% of first-floor window panel | — |
| Traditional Flex Mixed Use (T-FX) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Traditional Neighborhood Mixed Use (T-NX) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Traditional General Mixed Use (T-GX) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Traditional Shopfront Mixed Use (T-SX) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Downtown Riverfront Mixed Use (D-RF) | 12 | ≤24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Downtown General Mixed Use (D-GX) | 12 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Downtown Shopfront Mixed Use (D-SX) | 14 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Industrial Light (IL) | 8 | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | — |
| Industrial Heavy (IH) | 3 | 10 ft | 16 SF | — |
| Agriculture (AG) | 2 | 6–8 ft by lot size | 25–50 SF by lot size | — |
| Parks (PK) | 2 | 6–8 ft by lot size | 25–50 SF by lot size | — |
| Conservation (CN) | 2 | 6–8 ft by lot size | 25–50 SF by lot size | — |
| Civic (CV) | 2 | 6–8 ft by lot size | 25–50 SF by lot size | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | Nonresidential pole: 40 ft max; Residential pole: 30 ft max | Total per lot: 12 SF; individual sign ≤6 SF | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 22 zones)

### Neighborhood Mixed Use (NX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | 3 ft (sign height); clear height: 9 ft over sidewalk; 14 ft over drive/parking | 32 SF (individual sign) | Depth (thickness) ≤8 inches | May project over sidewalk per §4.7.4.D.2. | Max 1 per canopy. | Attached to canopy with display parallel to building facade; on facades facing ROW or internal private drives. | — | §4.7.6.B (Canopy ■ in NX); §4.7.7.B. |
| Crown Sign | 10 ft sign height; projection from wall ≤2 ft; width ≤75% of facade width | 150 SF (individual sign) | Projection ≤2 ft | — | Max 2 per building (1 per facade). | On wall more than 24 ft above ground. | — | §4.7.6.B (Crown ■ in NX); §4.7.7.C. |
| Directional Sign (Vehicle-Oriented) | 4 ft | 6 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear. | Max 1 per driveway entrance. | Detached; setbacks apply. | — | §4.7.6.B (Directional ■ in NX); §4.7.7.A. |
| Directional Sign (Pedestrian-Oriented) | 10 ft | 16 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear. | As approved; vehicle limit per driveway applies. | Detached; setbacks apply. | — | §4.7.6.B; §4.7.7.A. |
| Monument Sign (Permanent) | Lot <1 acre: 6 ft; Lot ≥1 acre: 8 ft | Lot <1 acre: 25 SF; Lot ≥1 acre: 50 SF | — | ≥5 ft from frontage; ≥10 ft from common lot line. | Frontage ≤500 ft: 1; 501–1,000 ft: 2; >1,000 ft: 3. | Detached; ground-attached along entire length. | — | §4.7.6.B (Monument ■ in NX); §4.7.7.F. |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft sign height; top may extend up to 2 ft above top of building; clear height 9 ft sidewalk, 14 ft driveway | 50 SF (individual sign) | Projection ≤6 ft; depth ≤1 ft; spacing from facade 1 inch–2 inches | May project over sidewalk; ≥18 inches inside curb/edge of pavement; no projection over public street (§4.7.4.D.2). | Max 1 per lot. | Attached at ~90° to building facade. | — | §4.7.6.B (Projecting ■ in NX); §4.7.7.H. |
| Shingle Sign | 3 ft sign height; clear height 9 ft sidewalk, 14 ft drive | 6 SF | Projection ≤3 ft; depth ≤6 inches; spacing from facade 6 inches–1 ft | May project over sidewalk; ≥18 inches inside curb/edge of pavement; no projection over public street (§4.7.4.D.2). | Max 1 per building entrance. | Hanging perpendicular to facade from bracket/support. | — | §4.7.6.B (Shingle ■ in NX); §4.7.7.I. |
| Wall Sign | Max 24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | 0–49 ft: 50 SF; 50–149 ft: 100 SF; ≥150 ft: 150 SF | Projection ≤1 ft | N/A (building-attached). | Max 1 per lot or per 75 ft of facade, whichever greater; second sign up to 25% of allotted area. | Attached to building facade; ≤1 ft projection. | — | §4.7.6.B (Wall ■ in NX); §4.7.7.J. |

### Corridor Mixed Use (CX), Corridor Office (CO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | 3 ft sign height; clear height 9 ft sidewalk; 14 ft drive | 32 SF | Depth ≤8 inches | May project over sidewalk per §4.7.4.D.2. | 1 per canopy. | Attached to canopy; facades facing ROW or internal drives. | — | §4.7.6.B (Canopy ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.B. |
| Crown Sign | 10 ft (sign height); located above 24 ft from grade; not above roofline | 150 SF; width ≤75% of facade; projection ≤2 ft | Projection ≤2 ft | — | Max 2 per building (1 per facade). | Upper wall of building. | — | §4.7.6.B (Crown ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.C. |
| Directional Sign (Vehicle-Oriented) | 4 ft | 6 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear. | Max 1 per driveway entrance. | Detached; observe setbacks. | — | §4.7.6.B (Directional ■); §4.7.7.A. |
| Directional Sign (Pedestrian-Oriented) | 10 ft | 16 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear. | As approved; vehicle limit per driveway applies. | Detached; observe setbacks. | — | §4.7.6.B; §4.7.7.A. |
| Highway Sign (Monument or High-Rise) | Monument: 12 ft; High-Rise: 90 ft | Monument: 200 SF; High-Rise: 150 SF per sign face | — | ≥20 ft from all lot lines (§4.7.7.E.2.c). | Max 1 highway sign per lot/site. | Detached on private property within 1,500 ft of I-75; anywhere on lot meeting setback. | — | §4.7.6.B (Highway Sign ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.E.1–4. |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft; top may extend up to 2 ft above building; clear height 9 ft sidewalk; 14 ft drive | 50 SF | Projection ≤6 ft; depth ≤1 ft; spacing from facade 1 inch–2 inches | May project over sidewalk; ≥18 inches inside curb/edge; no projection over street. | Max 1 per lot. | Perpendicular to building facade. | — | §4.7.6.B (Projecting ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.H. |
| Shingle Sign | 3 ft; clear height 9 ft sidewalk; 14 ft drive | 6 SF | Projection ≤3 ft; depth ≤6 inches; spacing from facade 6 inches–1 ft | May project over sidewalk; ≥18 inches inside curb/edge; no projection over street. | Max 1 per building entrance. | Hanging perpendicular from bracket. | — | §4.7.6.B (Shingle ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.I. |
| Wall Sign | ≤24 ft above sidewalk; not above roof/parapet | 0–49 ft: 50 SF; 50–149 ft: 100 SF; ≥150 ft: 150 SF | Projection ≤1 ft | N/A | Max 1 per lot or per 75 ft of facade, whichever greater; second sign up to 25% of allotted area. | Attached to facade. | — | §4.7.6.B (Wall ■ in CX/CO); §4.7.7.J. |

### Traditional Residential (Low, Medium, High Density) (T-RL, T-RM, T-RH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Vehicle-Oriented) (All: T-RL, T-RM, T-RH) | 4 ft | 6 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear (Downtown exception does not apply). | Max 1 per driveway entrance. | Detached; setbacks apply. | — | §4.7.6.B (Directional ■ in T-RL, T-RM/-E, T-RH); §4.7.7.A. |
| Directional Sign (Pedestrian-Oriented) (All: T-RL, T-RM, T-RH) | 10 ft | 16 SF | — | ≥2 ft front/side street; ≥5 ft side/rear. | As approved; vehicle cap per driveway applies. | Detached; setbacks apply. | — | §4.7.6.B; §4.7.7.A. |
| Monument Sign (Permanent) (All: T-RL, T-RM, T-RH) | Lot <1 acre: 6 ft; Lot ≥1 acre: 8 ft | Lot <1 acre: 25 SF; Lot ≥1 acre: 50 SF | — | In Traditional Districts, Director may reduce setbacks to 1 ft (frontage) and 5 ft (common) (§4.7.7.F.2.a). Otherwise default ≥5 ft frontage; ≥10 ft common lot line. | Frontage-based 1/2/3. | Detached; ground-attached. | — | §4.7.6.B (Monument ■ in T-RL, T-RM/-E, T-RH); §4.7.7.F. |
| Canopy Sign (T-RH Only) | 3 ft; clear height 9 ft sidewalk; 14 ft drive | 32 SF | Depth ≤8 inches | May project over sidewalk per §4.7.4.D.2. | 1 per canopy. | Attached to canopy. | — | §4.7.6.B (Canopy ■ in T-RH); §4.7.7.B. |
| Crown Sign (T-RH Only) | 10 ft sign height; above 24 ft; not above roofline | 150 SF; width ≤75% facade; projection ≤2 ft | Projection ≤2 ft | — | Max 2 per building. | Upper wall of building. | — | §4.7.6.B (Crown ■ in T-RH); §4.7.7.C. |
| Projecting Sign (T-RH Only) | 12 ft; clear height 9 ft sidewalk; 14 ft drive; top may extend 2 ft above building | 50 SF | Projection ≤6 ft; depth ≤1 ft; spacing from facade 1 inch–2 inches | May project over sidewalk; ≥18 inches inside curb; no projection over street. | Max 1 per lot. | Perpendicular to facade. | — | §4.7.6.B (Projecting ■ in T-RH); §4.7.7.H. |
| Wall Sign (T-RH Only) | ≤24 ft; not above roof/parapet | 0–49 ft: 50 SF; 50–149 ft: 100 SF; ≥150 ft: 150 SF | Projection ≤1 ft | — | Max 1 per lot or per 75 ft facade, whichever greater; second sign up to 25% allotted area. | Attached to facade. | — | §4.7.6.B (Wall ■ in T-RH; not in T-RL/T-RM-E); §4.7.7.J. |
| Large Temporary Monument Sign (All: T-RL, T-RM, T-RH) | 6–8 ft by lot size | 25–50 SF by lot size | — | Default ≥5 ft frontage; ≥10 ft common; may be reduced in Traditional to 1 ft and 5 ft with Director approval. | Area/time govern. | Detached; monument setbacks (with Traditional reductions possible by Director). | — | §4.7.6.B (Large Temp Monument ■ in T-RL, T-RM/-E, T-RH); §4.7.7.M.1.a; §4.7.7.F. |

## Prohibited signs in Piqua

- Signs constructed or maintained wholly upon or over the roof of a building are prohibited (§4.7.3.1).
- Rotating or animated signs involving motion or sound are prohibited (§4.7.3.2).
- Flashing, blinking, varying light intensity, scrolling messages, and video signs are prohibited (§4.7.3.3).
- Signs intended to flutter in the wind to attract attention are prohibited (§4.7.3.4).
- Reflective or mirrored signs are prohibited (§4.7.3.5).
- Signs that are or imitate an official traffic sign or signal are prohibited (§4.7.3.6).
- Search lights are prohibited (§4.7.3.7).
- Signs mounted to a tree, traffic sign, utility pole or similar structure are prohibited (§4.7.3.8).
- Signs advertising illegal activity are prohibited (§4.7.3.9).
- Signs may not obstruct vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic and must comply with ADA clearance and accessibility (§4.7.4.A).
- Signs may not cover windows or architectural details (except window signs) (§4.7.4.B).
- Signs may not obstruct visibility within required sight triangles at intersections (§4.7.4.C).
- Signs must be placed on private property with owner consent; placement in the public right-of-way is prohibited except by government entities (§4.7.D.1).
- Signs may not project over any public street; any sign projecting over a sidewalk must be at least 18 inches inside the curb line or edge of pavement (§4.7.D.2).
- Permanent signs may not be used for rotational or permanent off-premise advertising (messages must be of the site occupant) (§4.7.G).
- Prohibited illumination/light sources for any sign: blinking, flashing, chasing; bare bulb illumination; colored lights that could be construed as traffic control devices; direct reflected light creating a hazard to motorists (§4.7.9.A).
- Illuminated sign brightness may not exceed 0.4 foot-candles above ambient light (§4.7.9.B).
- External illumination must be shielded so light does not shine directly onto right-of-way or adjacent properties (§4.7.9.D.1).
- Raceways may not extend beyond the area of the sign, and visible transformers are not allowed (§4.7.9.E.1–3).

## Signs exempt from permit in Piqua

- Public interest signs erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of duty (public notices, safety, danger, trespassing, traffic and street signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest) do not require a permit (§4.7.5.B).
- Any sign internal to a development and not visible from a right-of-way or neighboring property does not require a permit (§4.7.5.C).
- Flags meeting the stated standards (number, size, height, setback, and mounting limits) do not require a permit (§4.7.5.D).
- Sidewalk signs meeting the stated standards (size, placement along building facade, distance from facade, number limits, daily removal, no illumination) do not require a permit (§4.7.5.E).
- Home occupation signs meeting the stated standards (1 sq ft permanent wall sign near entry; no internal or external illumination) do not require a permit (§4.7.5.F).
- Small temporary signs (≤12 sq ft) meeting the stated standards (area, number, duration limits; no illumination for residential; area cap and duration for other uses; possible Director-approved additional posting time) do not require a permit (§4.7.4.F.2 and §4.7.5.G).
- Signs not requiring a permit may not be internally illuminated (§4.7.5.A).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A development permit (§7.2.5) is required before posting, displaying, substantially changing, or erecting the listed permanent sign types (awning, canopy, crown, directional, entrance, highway, monument, mural, pole, projecting, shingle, wall, window) and large temporary signs (banner, monument, pole/post and panel, window) (§4.7.6.A).
- Alternate sign types may be allowed only with Planning Commission approval; the Development Director will analyze the closest permitted sign type and determine how approval affects the site's total sign allowance (§4.7.6.B.2).
- All new murals within the Downtown zoning districts require Planning Commission approval to examine location, color palette, and effects on building materials and architectural features (§4.7.10.6).
- No explicit master sign plan requirement is stated in the provided text.

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

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