Sign Regulations in Plain, Ohio
Plain, Ohio has specific sign regulations covering 7 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Sandwich Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 11, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Plain, Ohio
Sample Sign Requirements in Plain
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not above second story window sill | See Section 1199.06 | — |
| Projecting Sign | Not lower than 8 ft above walkway | 9 sq ft | — |
| Sandwich Sign | 42 inches | 2 ft x 3 ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
7
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Sandwich Sign
- Institutional Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
In Plain, wall signs can be up to Not above second story window sill. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Plain, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Plain, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Sandwich Sign, Institutional 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 Plain 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 Plain are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Plain has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
Ready to Research Plain Sign Permits?
Stop spending hours searching through municipal codes. Get instant access to Plain, Ohio sign regulations with PermitPal's AI-powered platform.
No credit card required · Get results in seconds
Plain, Ohio Sign Rules at a Glance
Plain, Ohio regulates 7 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Non-residential district zoning district are capped at See Section 1199.06 tall and See Section 1199.06, with a 8 ft setback (Sec. 1199.05(b)). Most commercial signs in Plain require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Plain, Ohio
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Plain (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Development Overlay District | 3 | 42 inches | See Section 1199.06 | — |
| Residential District | 1 | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential district | 2 | See Section 1199.06 | See Section 1199.06 | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Plain(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Central Development Overlay District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not above second story window sill | See Section 1199.06 | — | — | One per building or use | Building wall facing street, parking lot, or service drive | — | Unlock | 1199.05(a) |
| Projecting Sign | Not lower than 8 ft above walkway | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per business or use per public right of way | Building face | — | Unlock | 1199.05(c) |
| Sandwich Sign | 42 inches | 2 ft x 3 ft | — | — | One per building frontage | Sidewalk | — | Unlock | 1199.08(f) |
Non-residential district
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Not above second story window sill | See Section 1199.06 | — | — | One per building or use | Building wall facing street, parking lot, or service drive | — | Unlock | 1199.05(a) |
| Ground Sign | See Section 1199.06 | See Section 1199.06 | — | 8 ft | One per lot | On property | — | Unlock | 1199.05(b) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per event | On property | — | Unlock | 1199.07(a) |
| Banner Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per event | Building exterior | — | Unlock | 1199.07(b) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Plain — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Plain — start freeProhibited Signs in Plain
- Any sign bearing a commercial message related to a product or service not offered on the premises on which the sign is located.
- Portable signs with a size limit of two (2) feet by three (3) feet and no higher than forty-two (42) inches from the sidewalk surface, except in the Uptown Plain City Historic District and the Central Development Overlay District.
- Pole signs.
- Signs mounted on the roof of any building or structure.
- Ghost signs.
- Neon and neon look-alike signs except in Section 1199.03(c)(14).
- Changeable copy (except for gasoline station price signs, drive-thru menu boards, and signs for institutional uses).
- Pennants.
- Ribbons or streamers.
- Spinners.
- Bench signs.
- Flashing, intermittently lighted, or blinking signs.
- Projected images and animated signs.
- Signs with moving or moveable parts except barber poles.
- Mobile placards.
- Marquee type signs with changeable message.
- Air actuated attraction devices.
Exempt Signs in Plain
- Any sign located entirely inside a building and not visible from the public right-of-way or from private property other than the property on which such sign is located.
- The flag, pennant or insignia of any nation, state, city or other political subdivision.
- Signs conforming with the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and bearing no commercial message.
- Signs bearing no commercial message and installed by employees or officials of a state or federal agency or of Plain City or Union or Madison Counties in the course of their governmental duties.
- Signs required by a state or federal statute.
- Signs required by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Signs installed by public utilities in their rights-of-way or on their facilities and bearing no commercial message other than such message is necessary to identify the user.
- Signs installed by a transit company with a franchise or other right to operate in Union and/or Madison Counties, where such signs are installed along its routes and relate to schedules or other information about the transit route.
- Signs in the nature of cornerstones, commemorative tables and historical signs, provided such signs are limited to six square feet or less and are not illuminated.
- Signs clearly in the nature of decorations customarily associated with any national, state, local or religious holiday to be limited to sixty days in any one year, and to be displayed not more than sixty consecutive days.
- Political signs or posters concerning candidates for elective office, public issues and similar matters to be decided by public election should be removed no later than seven days after such election.
- Signs not exceeding one square foot in area, bearing only property numbers, postal box numbers or names of occupants or premises.
- Signs indicating the sale, rental or lease of real estate, provided such signs are limited in size to eight square feet in area, no more than six feet in height, and with one sign per street front.
- Signs for the promotion of school, community, or church activities associated with an organization with a facility in Madison or Union County.
- Window display signs incorporated into the window display of a business.
- Window signage with a total area of less than two square feet and bearing only information about entry and exit, business hours and/or discount and credit systems accepted in that establishment.
- A business or use located in a nonresidential district may have one neon 'open' sign along each public street right-of-way of which the building fronts containing the business or use.
- Traffic and directional signs indicating points of entry or exit for a facility or off-street parking area.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Plain
- For all buildings or complexes designed and/or intended for multi-tenant usage, a total sign plan which must conform to all requirements of this section must be submitted before any sign permit for the complex or an individual tenant will be issued.