# Sign Regulations in Springfield, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Springfield, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/springfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-18
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/springfield/latest/springfield_oh/0-0-0-43597)

## At a glance

Springfield, Ohio regulates 14 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the High Density Residential (R-HD) District, Neighborhood Commercial (C-NC) District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 50 sf, with a 5 ft from property lines setback (Sec. Table 1119.07.1: Monument Sign Standards). Most commercial signs in Springfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture (R-AG) District, Low Density Residential (R-LD) District, Parks and Recreation (P-PR) District, Institutional and Education (P-IE) District | 8 | 6 ft | 50 sf | — |
| High Density Residential (R-HD) District, Neighborhood Commercial (C-NC) District | 11 | 20 ft | 75 sf | — |
| Light Commercial Corridor (C-LC) District | 12 | 35 ft | 500 sf | — |
| Heavy Commercial Corridor (C-HC) District, Light Industrial (I-LI) District, Heavy Industrial (I-HI) District | 12 | 35 ft | 500 sf | — |
| Downtown (C-DT) District, Downtown (C-DT) District (Core (C-DT-C) Subdistrict), Downtown (C-DT) District (Edge (C-DT-E) Subdistrict), Downtown Medical Campus (P-DM) District | 8 | 10 ft | 50 sf | — |
| Planned Development (S-PD) District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### High Density Residential (R-HD) District, Neighborhood Commercial (C-NC) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft | 50 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.1: Monument Sign Standards |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft | 75 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.2: Pole Sign Standards |
| Wall Sign | Roofline | — | — | — | No limit | Affixed to exterior building wall | — | Table 1119.07.3: Wall Sign Standards |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | Top of first story | — | — | — | No limit | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Table 1119.07.4: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sf | — | — | No limit | Affixed perpendicular to exterior wall | — | Table 1119.07.5: Projecting Sign Standards |
| General Incidental Signs | 4 ft | 20 sf per sign | — | 5 ft from property lines; 20 ft from freestanding sign | No limit | Freestanding or attached | — | Table 1119.07.9: General Incidental Sign Standards |
| Speaker Board | 6 ft | 25 sf per sign | — | 25 ft from front property line; 15 ft from adjacent property line; 50 ft from residential | 2 per lot | Drive-through lane | — | Table 1119.07.10: Speaker Board Standards |
| Subdivision Entry Sign (Off-premise) | 8 ft | 50 sf | — | 5 ft from property lines | Up to 2 per subdivision entrance | At entry of platted subdivision | — | Table 1119.08.2: Subdivision Entry Sign Standards |

### Light Commercial Corridor (C-LC) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 150 sf | — | 10 ft from front and adjacent property lines; 50 ft from another freestanding sign | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.1: Monument Sign Standards |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft | 150 sf | — | 10 ft from front and adjacent property lines | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.2: Pole Sign Standards |
| Wall Sign | Roofline | — | — | — | No limit | Affixed to exterior wall | — | Table 1119.07.3: Wall Sign Standards |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | Top of first story | — | — | — | No limit | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Table 1119.07.4: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards |
| General Incidental Signs | 6 ft | 35 sf per sign | — | 5 ft setbacks; 35 ft from freestanding sign | No limit | Freestanding or attached | — | Table 1119.07.9: General Incidental Sign Standards |
| Speaker Board | 8 ft | 40 sf per sign | — | 50 ft front, 25 ft adjacent, 100 ft from residential | No limit | Drive-through lane | — | Table 1119.07.10: Speaker Board Standards |
| Billboard (Off-premise) | 35 ft | 500 sf | — | 10 ft property lines; 1000 ft other billboards; 200 ft from residential, public parking, schools, religious, etc | 1 per lot | Off-premise | — | Table 1119.08.1: Billboard Standards |
| Subdivision Entry Sign (Off-premise) | 8 ft | 75 sf | — | 10 ft from property lines | Up to 2 per entry | At entry of subdivision | — | Table 1119.08.2: Subdivision Entry Sign Standards |

### Heavy Commercial Corridor (C-HC) District, Light Industrial (I-LI) District, Heavy Industrial (I-HI) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 400 sf | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.1: Monument Sign Standards |
| Pole Sign | 35 ft | 150 sf | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per lot | On-premises | — | Table 1119.07.2: Pole Sign Standards |
| Wall Sign | Roofline | — | — | — | Unlimited | Affixed to exterior building wall | — | Table 1119.07.3: Wall Sign Standards |
| Attached Awning/Canopy Sign | Top of first story | — | — | — | Unlimited | Affixed to awning/canopy | — | Table 1119.07.4: Attached Awning/Canopy Sign Standards |
| General Incidental Signs | 6 ft | 50 sf per sign | — | 5 ft from property lines; 50 ft from freestanding sign | Unlimited | Freestanding or attached | — | Table 1119.07.9: General Incidental Sign Standards |
| Speaker Board | 8 ft | 40 sf per sign | — | C-LC: 50 ft front, 25 ft adjacent, 100 ft from residential | Unlimited in C-LC | Drive-through lane | — | Table 1119.07.10: Speaker Board Standards |
| Billboard (Off-premise) | 35 ft | 500 sf | — | 10 ft property lines, 1000 ft billboards, 200 ft residential/public parking/school/religious/gov/cemetery | 1 per lot | Off-premise | — | Table 1119.08.1: Billboard Standards |
| Subdivision Entry Sign (Off-premise) | 8 ft | 75 sf | — | 10 ft property lines | Up to 2 per entry | At subdivision entry | — | Table 1119.08.2: Subdivision Entry Sign Standards |

## Prohibited signs in Springfield

- No person shall erect, operate, display, or otherwise use any sign that this Chapter prohibits.
- No person shall erect, operate, display, or otherwise use any sign at a time, place, or manner that this Chapter prohibits.
- Signs may not be located in front of the building setback line, unless expressly permitted.
- Flimsy or non-weatherproof signs, including signs made of cloth or paper or insecurely mounted, are prohibited.
- Portable, flashing, moving, or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Searchlights, balloons, or sound attraction devices are prohibited.
- Signs containing wording or color combinations similar to traffic control signs or devices are prohibited if likely to confuse motorists and pedestrians.
- Back-lit translucent signs integrated into or framed by any awning, canopy, marquee, or mansard are prohibited.
- Signs, or portions of structures, awnings or fascia, neon or neon type or laser signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located within a sight visibility triangle unless specified otherwise.
- No sign shall violate zoning district dimensional standards unless specified otherwise.
- No sign shall impair any motorist's view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign shall be related or connected in any way to sound attraction devices unless specified otherwise.
- Any electrical service to a freestanding sign must be underground.
- All freestanding signs shall be placed in concrete bases or footings.
- All freestanding signs must be landscaped around the base as required.
- All attached signs must be affixed flush against the wall/canopy/awning, or as flush as possible.
- All on-premise signs projecting over a right-of-way, sidewalk, walkway, or driveway must maintain required vertical clearance.
- Features such as artificial light sources not shaded or concealed to prevent interference with motorists' vision, or illumination that flashes or simulates movement, are prohibited.
- No sign may be of such intensity or brilliance as to impair the vision of a motorist or interfere with traffic device effectiveness.
- No signs may use illumination that interferes with official traffic signs, devices or signals.
- Malfunctioning illuminated or digital signs must be turned off if ordered by the City for safety reasons.
- Digital dynamic display signs are prohibited from displaying moving or flashing images, scrolling, or special effects; transitions must be instantaneous and static as required.
- Digital display signs may not be located where they distract from or prevent viewing of traffic control devices, or create harsh visual contrast with their surroundings.
- Bench billboards may not be placed in public right-of-way unless an agreement with the City exists and they do not obstruct clear vision or pedestrian/cycle travel.
- Expired or non-permitted temporary signs are 'rubbish' and may be removed by the City.
- No temporary sign is allowed if it is injurious or contrary to the purposes of the sign chapter.
- Temporary signs not firmly attached must withstand wind pressure of not less than 80 miles per hour.
- No sign may be maintained in poor or dangerous condition.
- No sign may be erected in violation of state or federal law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Springfield

- Any signs and signals properly authorized by law, or authorized by statute or a state agency, as well as other traffic signals, public warnings, or legal notices installed as required by law.
- Nonconforming signs.
- Existing billboards.
- Signs required by governmental bodies or agencies having proper jurisdiction for a public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance, including City Commission signs by ordinance or resolution.
- Signs on vehicles, trailers, or equipment are exempt if incidental to the primary use of the vehicle/trailer/equipment, kept in good mechanical repair, and not left in one place for more than 72 hours without being moved.
- City-erected signs that direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, including arrows or symbols indicating directions.
- Address numerals and similar information required by law, provided they don't exceed required size.
- Signs contained within a walled, fenced, or secured property or area.
- Signs that are interior facing and not visible from public right-of-way.
- Signs erected by governmental bodies or agencies serving the public that are less than 32 square feet in area.
- Decorations, lights, pennants, and similar devices on public property with City permission and supervision.
- Seasonal lights and decorations customarily displayed during federally, state, or local recognized holidays.
- Burglar/security alarms and signs less than eight square feet in area.
- Signs in plaza or public space structures in the City's right-of-way, installed/maintained by the City or a City contractor.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Wherever a development is under one ownership or operated as a unit with a single development, signs shall be relatively consistent and similar in appearance and location (either on the building or on awning but not both), size, type, style, and architectural scale.
- For Planned Development (S-PD) Districts, the ordinance granting the PD district may establish dimensional and development standards for signs. These may include but are not limited to uses, density, lot area, lot width, lot depth, yard depths and widths, building height, building elevations, coverage, floor area ratio, parking, access, screening, landscaping, accessory buildings, signs, lighting, management associations, and other requirements as the City Commission may deem appropriate.
- Sign requirements as stated by this Chapter are applicable to any land zoned Planned Development District (S-PD). Establishment or amendment of requirements shall follow Chapter 1128.02 and Chapter 1113.01.
- Off-premise signs, including billboards, are considered accessory uses and require a conditional use permit as approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Digital dynamic displays may be subject to conditional use permit review by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Temporary signage or exceptions may be requested through a conditional use permit application to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
- Multi-color digital signs are allowed only by conditional use permit in specified districts and sign types.

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

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