# Sign Regulations in Salem Township, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Salem Township, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/salem-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.salemtownship-warrencounty.com/media/departments/zoning/Salem%20Township%20Zoning%20Code%203-22-2022.pdf#page=231)

## At a glance

Salem Township, Ohio regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Sign - Residential (R-1, A)s in the Residential Zoning District (R-1, R-2, A) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 7 sq ft, with a At least 10 ft from street right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 3.611(A)). Most commercial signs in Salem Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning District (R-1, R-2, A) | 6 | 10 ft | Calculated by formula; max combined area 32 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning District | 13 | 25 ft (more by site plan) | 150 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 30 in | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Zoning District (R-1, R-2, A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building wall | — | Sec. 3.614; Sec. 3.602; Sec. 3.611(D) |
| Pole Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Freestanding | — | Sec. 3.614 |
| Wall Sign (Large Building > 4,000 sq ft) | — | Calculated by formula; max combined area 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building wall | — | Sec. 3.614 |
| Temporary Sign - Residential (R-1, A) | 4 ft | 7 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per residence/lot | On lot | — | Sec. 3.611(A) |
| Temporary Sign - Residential (R-2) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from street right-of-way | 1 per residence/lot | On lot | — | Sec. 3.611(A) |
| Gateway Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 10 ft from driveway, 5 ft from walk/paved path | 1 per side of entrance | Each entry point (2 per entrance, one each side) | — | Sec. 3.612(A) |

### Non-Residential Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single User Building) | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per exterior building wall | Each exterior building wall; side walls included | — | Sec. 3.613(A), 3.613(B)(1) |
| Ground Sign (< 50,000 sq ft GFA) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage or lot | Freestanding, ground-mounted | — | Sec. 3.613(A)(Single user/multi-tenant)/ 3.613(C)(2) |
| Ground Sign (>= 50,000 sq ft GFA) | 12 ft | 96 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage or lot | Freestanding, ground-mounted | — | Sec. 3.613(C)(2) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW/adjacent property, clear sight triangle (Sec. 3.103.1) | 1 per street frontage or lot (cannot combine with ground or arch sign) | Freestanding, on poles | — | Sec. 3.613(D) |
| Arch Sign | 25 ft (more by site plan) | 2 ft × width of arch span | — | 2.5 ft from driveway/lot; 10 ft from ROW | 1 per side of driveway/roadway/entry | At driveway/roadway (entry points) | — | Sec. 3.612(C) |
| Gateway Sign (Non-Residential) | — | See Table 3.613-2 for ground sign max area | — | 10 ft ROW, 10 ft driveway, 5 ft sidewalk | 1 per side of entrance | Each side of entry point | — | Sec. 3.612(A) |
| Temporary Sign - Non-Residential | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street ROW | 1 per property | On property | — | Sec. 3.611(B) |
| Portable Sign (A-frame, inverted T, Banner) | — | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from public ROW | 1 per property/business | On property | — | Sec. 3.611(C) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Vehicular Directional Sign | 30 in | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per parcel (1 per access point) | On-site within development | — | Sec. 3.611(F) |
| Pedestrian Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On-site | — | Sec. 3.611(G) |
| Professional Name Plate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building/lot | — | Sec. 3.611(D) |
| Comprehensive Sign Program | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 3.616 |

## Prohibited signs in Salem Township

- No exterior or window signage shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, expanded, structurally altered, relocated, or reconstructed unless a zoning permit and building/electrical permit evidencing compliance have been issued by the Zoning Inspector, unless expressly exempted.
- No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light or lights.
- In no event shall an illuminated sign be placed or directed so as to be a visual nuisance or traffic hazard.
- No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of traffic on public or private property.
- Signs shall not obstruct windows, doors, fire escapes, balconies, stairways, ladders, vents, or other means of building ingress/egress.
- All permanent pennants, banners, streamers, and similar-type devices are prohibited.
- Signs or portions of a sign that cycle, revolve, rotate, whirl, spin, or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention are prohibited.
- Beacons and searchlights are prohibited, except for temporary events and emergency purposes.
- Signs attached to, painted on, or placed on a motor vehicle, trailer, or other licensed or unlicensed vehicle or conveyance, which is located so as to serve exclusively as a permanent, temporary, or portable sign, are prohibited.
- Promotional balloons suspended from, or affixed to, a structure, vehicle, or ground are prohibited.
- Flashing neon signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except roof signs used for identification purposes on agricultural buildings.
- Window signs that occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the window surface are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs must be removed.
- No signs shall be attached to or supported by a tree, utility pole, trash receptacle, bench, vending machine, or public shelter or placed in any public right-of-way.
- No sign shall contain words, images, or graphic illustrations of an obscene nature.
- Audio message delivery signage is prohibited.
- Signs that emit any flames, smoke, fumes, vapor, or any similar substance are prohibited.
- Plywood, plastic, and unfinished wood are not permitted as free-standing and ground sign materials.
- No exposed structural members will be permitted unless they contribute to the sign concept.
- Temporary, moveable, or portable signs shall not be illuminated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Salem Township

- Signs erected and maintained pursuant to a government's function, ordinances, or regulation are excluded from regulation.
- Repainting, replacement of parts, and preventative maintenance of a sign do not require a permit (so long as there is no alteration to sign face, lettering, base, or support; no enlargement or new structure; and the sign is accessory to a legally allowed use).
- Temporary signs within residential zoning districts are exempt if: removed within thirty (30) days following event/activity, limited to one per residence or lot, area limits (7 sq ft in R-1 and A; 12 sq ft in R-2; height max 4 ft), and with property owner's permission.
- Temporary signs within non-residential zoning districts are exempt if: area max 24 sq ft, height max 6 ft, removed within 7 days following event, not more than 60 days per calendar year, and with property owner's permission.
- Portable 'A' frame, inverted 'T' signs, banners: one per property or business, area max 12 sq ft, minimum 10 ft from public right-of-way, with property owner's permission.
- Professional name plates not exceeding 2 sq ft in area, identifying the business or occupants of a building or lot, are exempt.
- Window signs not exceeding more than fifty percent (50%) of the window surface are exempt.
- Vehicular directional signs (on-site in multi-family/non-residential): area max 6 sq ft, one per access point (max 4 per parcel), height max 30 in, no logos or advertising copy.
- Pedestrian directional signs, containing no advertising, in multi-family or non-residential developments are exempt if not exceeding 4 sq ft per side and causing no visibility problems.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The review of signs submitted in conjunction with a development requiring site plan shall be in accordance with Section 1.303; this implies a site plan is required as part of the sign review process for such developments.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program (sign plan) is required whenever: (A) multiple tenants or use signs are proposed for a new or existing development; (B) multiple tenant or use signs are proposed for a single structure or separate structures that are physically or functionally related; (C) for a planned shopping center; or (D) when the Zoning Inspector determines it is needed because of special project characteristics.
- The comprehensive sign plan shall be submitted in conjunction with the required preliminary Site Plan for the development.
- The Zoning Inspector may convene the Board of Zoning Appeals to make determinations on signs not specifically listed in the ordinance when he or she believes the sign is not easily categorized.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Salem Township, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Salem+Township+OH&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-salem-township

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