# Sign Regulations in Rittman, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rittman, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/rittman
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/OH/Rittman/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TITONEBUCO_CH1325SIRE)

## At a glance

Rittman, Ohio regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Pole Sign (Conditional)s in the C-1 Districts zoning district are capped at 15 ft or height of addressed building (lesser) tall and 10 sq. ft. per side, with a Half the required yard depth. setback (Sec. 1325.08(a)). Most commercial signs in Rittman require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 10 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3) | 10 | — | 50 sq. ft. per side | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 3 | 20 ft or height of addressed building (lesser) | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| C-2 Districts | 3 | 25 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Districts (M Districts) | 3 | 20 ft or height of building (lesser) | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| C-1 Districts | 4 | 15 ft or height of addressed building (lesser) | 12 in. x 18 in. | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Safety Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permitted only when provided or approved by the City Manager in accordance with the Traffic Code; location as necessary for public safety. | — | 1325.05(a), 1325.07(a)(5) |
| Illuminated Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.05(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Community Event | — | — | — | — | — | Not to create hazard at curves or intersections. | — | 1325.05(l) |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.05(m) |
| "No Hunting" and "No Trespassing" Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 6 ft. from road right-of-way. | — | No closer to ROW than 6 ft.; not within 50 ft. of similar sign. | — | 1325.05(n) |
| Temporary Garage/Yard Sale Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.05(o) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.05(c) |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.05(c) |

### Residential Districts (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On dwelling. | — | 1325.07(a)(1) |
| Announcement Sign or Bulletin Board (Institutional Use) | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per institution | On premises of the institution. | — | 1325.07(a)(2) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Sale/Lease/Rental) | — | 6 sq. ft. per sign | — | At least 10 ft from road edge if no sidewalk. | 2 per property | Behind sidewalk; if no sidewalk, at least 10 ft from road edge. | — | 1325.07(a)(3) |
| Temporary Directional Sign (Open House/Auction) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | Max 2 per house | Behind sidewalk or 10 ft from road edge. | — | 1325.07(a)(3) |
| Temporary Auction Sign (On-site) | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 10 ft from road edge. | — | No closer than 10 ft to road edge. | — | 1325.07(a)(3) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Development/Subdivision) | — | 50 sq. ft. per side | — | At least 25 ft from street ROW. | 1 | Not closer than 25 ft to any street right of way. | — | 1325.07(a)(4) |
| Roadside Stand Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | On roadside stand - for agricultural products produced on the premises. | — | 1325.07(a)(6) |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily Apartment Development) | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | 6 ft from ROW; 10 ft from side lot line. | 1 | Not closer than 6 ft to street ROW and 10 ft to any side lot line. | — | 1325.07(a)(7) |

### C-1 Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Permitted Residential Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1325.08(a) |
| Wall Sign (Conditional) | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Affixed flat against wall. | — | 1325.08(a) |
| Pole Sign (Conditional) | 15 ft or height of addressed building (lesser) | 10 sq. ft. per side | — | Half the required yard depth. | 1 | Set back minimum half the required yard depth. | — | 1325.08(a) |
| Directional Sign (Conditional) | — | 12 in. x 18 in. | — | — | — | May be placed in right of way with permit. | — | 1325.08(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Rittman

- No sign shall be erected or altered unless a sign permit has been issued by the City Manager, except as otherwise provided.
- Flashing, moving or intermittent illumination and outline lighting is not permitted.
- The source of light for illuminated signs shall not be visible. Illumination shall not cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or vehicular traffic or be objectionable to adjacent Residential Districts.
- The colors red, green or yellow, either in direct illumination or reflection, shall not be used where it may interfere with the sight lines of a traffic signal.
- Projecting signs, roof signs, pennants, banners and flags except as otherwise stated in this chapter, are not permitted.
- Signs must not obstruct the use of windows, doors or fire escapes.
- Signs must not obstruct traffic sight lines, traffic sign signals at railroad grade crossings or other safety signs.
- Business signs visible from the street shall not resemble any safety sign.
- No signs shall be erected in a public right of way except those provided or approved by the City Manager and those affixed to the surface of a mailbox located in a public right of way.
- No wall sign shall project beyond the ends or top of the building wall to which it is attached nor shall the face of the sign be set out more than one (1) foot from the face of the building.
- No pole sign shall exceed the height of the main building on the lot.
- Signs must be maintained in good repair at all times.
- All signs and portions thereof shall be stationary.
- Billboard signs shall not be permitted, except for governmental and nonprofit organizations, subject to the approval of the City Manager.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rittman

- Safety signs, including those providing information, warnings, prohibition or commands which promote or protect the safety of pedestrians or vehicles, are permitted only when provided or approved by the City Manager.
- Signs incident to legal process and necessary to the public safety and welfare, as required by law or provided or approved by the City Manager.
- The word 'sign' does not include the American flag, the insignia of any government, governmental agency or of any charitable organization.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any application for a conditional sign permit must include a plat plan and/or building elevations drawn to scale showing the exact locations and dimensions for all business signs, as well as detailed description and drawings indicating the color, style, materials, and lighting of proposed signs. Council may require any other pertinent data as necessary.
- Application for conditional permits (such as for conditionally permitted signs in C-1 Districts) requires Council review considering compatibility, harmony, and impact.
- No references in the ordinance to a master sign plan or variance meeting procedure, but a site plan with detailed information is required for any conditional sign permit.

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

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