# Sign Regulations in Shawnee Township, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Shawnee Township, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/shawnee-township
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://shawneetownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SHAWNEE-TOWNSHIP-ZONING-RESOLUTION-AMENDED-APRIL-28-2025-.pdf#page=100)

## At a glance

Shawnee Township, Ohio regulates 52 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Real Estate Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft per side, with a 10 ft from road right-of-way setback (Sec. Article 1804.1; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Real Estate Sign row). Most commercial signs in Shawnee Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | 8 ft | Not specified in 1805.5(a) (must meet applicable requirements) | — |
| Agricultural District (A) | 11 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential District (R-I) | 12 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential Historical District (R-IH) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential District (R-II) | 12 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential Historical District (R-IIH) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential District (R-III, R-IV), Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.) | 12 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Business / Commercial District (B-I, B-II) | 22 | Per Article 1804 | Per Article 1804 (see General Regulations) | — |
| Business / Commercial District (B-III, B-IV) | 22 | 20 ft | ≤90 sq ft; height ≤20 ft | — |
| Industrial and Manufacturing District (I) | 13 | Per Article 1804 | Per Article 1804 | — |
| Mobile Home Park District (M.H.P.) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (FP) | 9 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from road right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | On the premises offered for sale/lease; outside the road right-of-way | — | Article 1804.1; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Real Estate Sign row |
| Real Estate Sign (Parcels 15 acres or larger) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from road right-of-way | 1 per frontage (Zoning Inspector may allow 1 per road if parcel fronts two roads) | On-site; outside the road right-of-way | — | Article 1805.1; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Real Estate on 15 acres+ row |
| Name and Address of Occupant | 8 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | 1 ft from road right-of-way | 1 | On residential property | — | Article 1804.3; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Name & Address Signs row |
| Temporary Community Event Signs | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from road right-of-way | Up to 2 per lot (table); total signage not exceeding 32 sq ft per lot (text) | Outside road right-of-way; on any parcel in any district | — | Article 1804.4; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Temporary Community Event Signs row |
| Historical/Commemorative Plaque or Cornerstone | 8 ft | <=9 sq ft | — | 1 ft from road right-of-way | 1 | Any district | — | Article 1804.9; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Historical/Commemorative Signs row |
| Yard/Garage/Moving Sale Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 1 ft from road right-of-way | 1 | On same lot as the sale; outside road right-of-way | — | Article 1804.10; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Yard, Garage, Moving Sale Signs row |
| Construction Sign - Single Residence | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from road right-of-way | 1 (plus additional temporary subcontractor signs as specified) | On the same parcel as the construction project; outside road right-of-way | — | Article 1804.11; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Construction Signs - Single Residence row |
| Construction Sign - Major Structure | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from road right-of-way | 1 | On the same parcel as the project; outside road right-of-way | — | Article 1804.11; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Construction Signs - Major Structure row |

### Business / Commercial District (B-I, B-II)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Business) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per entrance (text); table shows 2/Entrance - 2/Exit | On business property; outside ROW; one per street entrance per lot (text) | — | Article 1804.2; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Directional Signs - Business row |
| Off-Premises Directional Signage | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 | Off-site; outside ROW | — | Section 1810 Table (p.1) Off Premises Directional Signage row |
| Business/Professional Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | On building | 1 | On building | — | Article 1804.6; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Business/Professional Signs row |
| Window Sign (Hours & Information) | 8 ft | <=4 sq ft (table); text allows <2 sq ft for hours/entry/exit/payment logos | — | On building | 1 | On building | — | Article 1804.14 and 1803.10; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Signs in Window Display | Ground floor only | Up to 40% of total first floor window area | — | On building | Not specified | Ground floor windows | — | Article 1804.15; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Signs in Window Display row |
| Ground / Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from ROW | 1 | On ground; outside ROW | — | Article 1803.6; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Ground/Monument Signs row |
| Business Wall Sign | 15 ft (measured from established grade line) and cannot extend above roof line or parapet cap | Calculated by building width | — | On building | 1 (per table) | On building housing the business | — | Article 1805.9; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Business or Industrial Wall Signs row |
| Free-Standing Sign (Business - Two-lane Roadway) | Up to 15 ft above established grade line or 15 ft above street edge grade, whichever greater, not to exceed 20 ft | 36 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 15 ft from ROW and utility easements; ≥ building setback from other property lines | 1 (2nd allowed if frontage on two streets; each frontage >200 ft; ≥200 ft separation) | On property; outside ROW | — | Article 1805.10(a,c,d,e,f); Section 1810 Table (p.1) Free Standing Signs row |

### Business / Commercial District (B-III, B-IV)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Business) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft | 1 per entrance (text); table shows 2/Entrance - 2/Exit | On business property; outside ROW | — | Article 1804.2; Section 1810 Table (p.1) Directional Signs - Business row |
| Off-Premises Directional Signage | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 | Off-site; outside ROW | — | Section 1810 Table (p.1) Off Premises Directional Signage row |
| Business/Professional Sign | 8 ft | 4 sq ft | — | On building | 1 | On building | — | Article 1804.6; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Window Sign (Hours & Information) | 8 ft | <=4 sq ft (table); text allows <2 sq ft for hours/entry/payment logos | — | On building | 1 | On building | — | Article 1804.14; 1803.10; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Signs in Window Display | Ground floor only | Up to 40% of total first floor window area | — | On building | Not specified | On building windows | — | Article 1804.15; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Ground / Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from ROW | 1 | On ground; outside ROW | — | Article 1803.6; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Business Wall Sign | 15 ft (from established grade) and not above roof/parapet cap | Calculated by building width | — | On building | 1 (per table) | On building | — | Article 1805.9; Section 1810 Table (p.1) |
| Free-Standing Sign (Business - Two-lane Roadway) | Up to 15 ft above established grade or street edge; not to exceed 20 ft | 36 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from ROW; ≥ building setback to other property lines | 1 (with allowed second under conditions) | On property; outside ROW | — | Article 1805.10(a,c,d,e,f); Section 1810 Table (p.1) |

## Prohibited signs in Shawnee Township

- No sign may be located in or project into any public or private road right-of-way, or be installed in any utility easement.
- No sign may block or interfere with free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign may interfere with the visibility of pedestrian or vehicular traffic entering, leaving, or operating on thoroughfares.
- No sign may exceed the maximum height permitted by the code for its type and district.
- Sign design limits: no more than two lettering types and no more than three lettering sizes may be used on any sign.
- Signs may not use the words “STOP,” “LOOK,” “DANGER,” or similar words that may mislead or confuse traffic.
- Display signs may not closely resemble or approximate the shape, form, or color of official traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- Illumination is limited to: white steady, stationary, shielded external light; white interior light with logos/letters lit or silhouetted on a translucent background; or non-flashing LED/neon. Flashing or other illumination methods are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs may not create a demonstrable hazard to vehicular traffic and light trespass may not exceed 0.5 foot-candle at residential property lines and 1.0 foot-candle at other district property lines/right-of-way.
- Permanent ground-mounted signs must have required base landscaping and finished/screened foundations; lacking such treatment is prohibited.
- All signs must be constructed to withstand required wind loads and be safely fastened/supported; unsafe construction is prohibited.
- Signs and surroundings may not exhibit rust/corrosion, exposed wiring, chipped paint or faces, cracked/broken/missing faces, or loose materials.
- Roof-mounted signs and signs painted directly on roofs are prohibited.
- Signs not specifically authorized by the resolution, signs installed without a required township zoning permit, or signs that fail applicable building regulations/engineered calculations are prohibited.
- The following sign types/devices (used for advertising) are prohibited: bench signs, moving/rotating signs, semi-trailer signs, portable signs, portable billboards, pennants, streamers, spinners, banners, flashing signs, projected images, animated signs, fluctuating/blinking/intermittent lights, strings of lights, A-frame signs and sandwich boards, gas-inflatable signs/devices, and similar devices.
- Signs or advertising placed on trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Advertising devices that attempt to direct traffic movement or that interfere with, imitate, or resemble an official sign, signal, or device are prohibited.
- No signs may be posted, attached, or mounted on traffic control signs, fences, street signs, traffic signal poles, utility poles, or other unapproved supporting structures.
- Vehicles, trailers, or equipment may not be parked permanently (more than 30 days) on a premises for the purpose of advertising, or used primarily as static advertising displays/storage/shelter/distribution points; exemption only if operational, currently registered/licensed (as applicable), and actively used or available for daily business use.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shawnee Township

- Real estate signs on the premises (sale/lease/rent): one per street frontage, non-illuminated, max 6 sq ft per side, removed within 30 days after occupancy; no permit required (allowed in all districts).
- Temporary signs for community activities, local elections, and events: allowed in any district; outside right-of-way; posted no more than 60 days prior and removed within 7 days after; not attached to utility/light poles or fences; must list responsible party; max 8 ft height and 32 sq ft per side; lot total not more than 32 sq ft; max display 67 days per calendar year; no permit required.
- Historical signs, commemorative plaques, or cornerstones by recognized historical agencies: less than 9 sq ft and non-illuminated; no permit required.
- Yard/garage/moving sale signs: temporarily on same lot, not in right-of-way, no visibility obstruction; time-limited (7 days maximum per table); no permit required.
- Construction signs on the same parcel: permitted for length of project or up to 18 months (extension subject to approval); single dwelling up to 6 sq ft per sign; principal structures up to 32 sq ft per side; setbacks per code; additional subcontractor signs up to 6 sq ft while working or up to 90 days; no permit required.
- Property control signs (e.g., No Hunting/No Trespassing): not to exceed 2 sq ft; no permit required.
- Flags, pennants, or insignia of any Nation, State, City, or political unit (U.S. flags illuminated as required by law); no permit required.
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body (traffic/regulatory devices, legal notices, railroad crossing warnings); no permit required.
- Holiday/seasonal decoration signs: up to 60 aggregate days/year and up to 60 consecutive days; may be illuminated; animated/flashing permitted for residential uses only; must not create safety/visibility hazards; no permit required.
- Scoreboards for sporting events (including sponsorship signs up to 50% of the scoreboard area); no permit required.
- Security system signs up to 1 sq ft; no permit required.
- Construction trailer/vehicle signs temporarily in use on a construction site; no permit required.
- Transit shelter signage customarily applied by the transit authority; no permit required.
- Signs designating public uses or facilities (public use facility signs), provided they conform to the resolution; no permit required.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A total sign plan is required for multi-tenant properties and must be approved by the Township Zoning Inspector before any sign permit for the complex or any individual tenant will be issued; the plan must address locations, materials, illumination type, free-standing structure design, size, quantity, and uniform standards for non-business directional/informational signs (Section 1803.11).
- For Joint Identification Signs (multi-use sites), a total sign plan conforming to the code must be submitted to the Township Zoning Inspector before any sign permit for the complex or individual tenant will be issued (Section 1805.18).
- Off-site directional signage requires a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and a variance hearing (Section 1804.2; Section 1810 table note).
- Any sign not specifically permitted in Article 1800 requires a variance or conditional use permit from the Township Zoning Board of Appeals per Article 800 (Section 1806).
- All sign design plans must be reviewed for compliance with the Ohio Building Code by the City of Lima Building Department before construction can begin (Section 1800.2).
- Permit submittals must include scaled elevations, sealed structural/anchorage details and calculations by an Ohio-licensed professional engineer, and a dimensioned site plan; for freestanding and billboard signs, a sign base landscaping plan is also required (Section 1802.1).
- In Business and Industrial Districts, property owners must obtain both a Township Zoning Permit and a City of Lima Building Department permit before any construction, erection, modification, or design changes to signs (Section 1802).

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

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