Sign Regulations in Sunbury, Ohio
Sunbury, Ohio has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Window Sign, Ground/Monument Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: November 24, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Sunbury, Ohio
Sample Sign Requirements in Sunbury
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signs for Sale, Lease or Rent (Single Lot) | — | 6 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — |
| Name and Address of Occupant (Residential) | 5 ft above ground | 2 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Signs (Special Public or Institutional Events) | — | 32 sq ft per side | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SunburyFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
29
- Wall Sign
- Window Sign
- Ground/Monument Sign
- Home Occupation Sign - Wall
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Sunbury
Other Cities in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Sunbury vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Sunbury, 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 Sunbury, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Window Sign, Ground/Monument Sign, Home Occupation Sign - Wall, 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 Sunbury 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 Sunbury are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Sunbury has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Sunbury, Ohio Sign Rules at a Glance
Sunbury, Ohio regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Home Occupation Sign - Ground/Monuments in the R-1; R-2; R-3; R-4 Multiple Family Dwellings; R-5 Two Family Dwellings; PRD Planned Residential District zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 3 sq ft, with a 10 ft behind the right-of-way line setback (Sec. S81.17.02(2) HOME OCCUPATION; S81.17.01(3A)(d), S81.17.01(7)(c)). Most commercial signs in Sunbury require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Sunbury, Ohio
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Sunbury (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 5 ft above ground | Not to exceed 50% of total window area; total window sign area not to exceed 10 sq ft per business | — |
| A-1 District | 4 | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-1; R-2; R-3; R-4 Multiple Family Dwellings; R-5 Two Family Dwellings; PRD Planned Residential District | 8 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft maximum accumulation across all signs; 100 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Office District | 3 | 15 ft | Subject to aggregate formula; also limited to 50% of window area and 10 sq ft per business unless illuminated | — |
| C-3 Central Business District | 5 | Face over 5 ft in length shall not exceed 4 ft in height | 25 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-2 Commercial District; PCD Planned Commercial District; I Industrial District; Limited Industrial District (LI); Planned Industrial District (PID) | 7 | 25 ft | Counted within 150 sq ft total accumulation; 60 sq ft per sign maximum (unless otherwise governed by window sign specific limits) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Sunbury(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signs for Sale, Lease or Rent (Single Lot) | — | 6 sq ft per side; max 2 sides | — | — | Max 2 per lot or parcel | Outside the right-of-way of any public road. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(A) |
| Name and Address of Occupant (Residential) | 5 ft above ground | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residential property | Outside the right-of-way of any public road. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(B) |
| Farm Signs (General - All Districts) | — | Advertising signs: 32 sq ft per sign; All other farm-related signs: 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per farm (any type) | Outside the road right-of-way. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(E) |
| Window Display Signs (Non-Illuminated - No Permit) | — | Not to exceed 50% of total window area; total window sign area not to exceed 10 sq ft per business | — | — | — | Windows of the occupied premises. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(G)(i)-(iii) |
| Window Display Signs (Illuminated - Permit Required) | — | Not to exceed 50% of total window area; total window sign area not to exceed 10 sq ft per business (unless zone-specific area allocation applies) | — | — | — | Windows of the occupied premises. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(G)(iii), S81.17.01(3A)(f) |
| Private Traffic and On-Site Directional Signs (No Permit) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft (total area per sign) | — | — | — | On the property to which they refer; not within a public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(2)(H) |
| Vehicular Signs (Directional/Incidental - Permit Required) | — | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Outside the right-of-way of any public street or road; must not interfere or obstruct visibility when entering or leaving property. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(3A)(i) |
| Joint Identification Sign | — | Not to exceed the maximum square footage allowed for the site | — | — | 1 joint identification sign (either wall or ground) in addition to other permitted signage | For combined uses on the same lot, including shopping centers and group complexes. | — | Unlock | S81.17.01(6)(b) |
R-1; R-2; R-3; R-4 Multiple Family Dwellings; R-5 Two Family Dwellings; PRD Planned 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Occupation Sign - Wall | 5 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) HOME OCCUPATION; S81.17.01(3A)(a) |
| Home Occupation Sign - Ground/Monument | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 10 ft behind the right-of-way line | 1 per residence | Must be 10 ft behind the right-of-way line. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) HOME OCCUPATION; S81.17.01(3A)(d), S81.17.01(7)(c) |
| Complex Identification - Wall | — | 100 sq ft max | — | — | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) COMPLEX IDENTIFICATION; S81.17.01(3A)(a) |
| Complex Identification - Ground/Monument | 15 ft | 100 sq ft max | — | 15 ft behind the right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) COMPLEX IDENTIFICATION; S81.17.01(3A)(d), S81.17.01(7)(c) |
| Homes, Medical Complexes - Wall | Face over 5 ft in length shall not exceed 4 ft in height | 150 sq ft maximum accumulation across all signs; 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per major street frontage; 1 per secondary street frontage | Major/secondary street frontages (two signs per major, one per secondary). | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) HOMES, MEDICAL COMPLEXES |
| Homes, Medical Complexes - Ground/Monument | 15 ft | 150 sq ft maximum accumulation across all signs; 100 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft behind the right-of-way | 2 per major street frontage; 1 per secondary street frontage; only 1 ground sign per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) HOMES, MEDICAL COMPLEXES; S81.17.01(3A)(d), S81.17.01(7)(c) |
| Schools/Public Park/Church/Library/Recreation Area/Cemeteries - Wall | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 2 per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) (Schools, Public Park, Church, Library, Recreation Area, Cemeteries) |
| Schools/Public Park/Church/Library/Recreation Area/Cemeteries - Ground/Monument | 15 ft | 20 sq ft base; up to 40 sq ft with increased setback | — | 10 ft behind the right-of-way (may increase setback to increase area) | 2 per street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(2) (Schools, Public Park, Church, Library, Recreation Area, Cemeteries); S81.17.01(7)(c) |
C-2 Commercial District; PCD Planned Commercial District; I Industrial District; Limited Industrial District (LI); Planned Industrial District (PID)
| 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 | 25 ft | 60 sq ft per sign; 150 sq ft site accumulation | Any wall sign with a face over 5 ft in length shall not exceed 4 ft in width | — | Max 3 per major street frontage | Facing street right-of-way, parking lot or pedestrian mall on which the business faces. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Wall; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(a) |
| Window Sign | 25 ft | Counted within 150 sq ft total accumulation; 60 sq ft per sign maximum (unless otherwise governed by window sign specific limits) | — | — | Max 3 per major street frontage | Windows of premises. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Window; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(2)(G) |
| Ground/Monument Sign | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per sign; within 150 sq ft total accumulation | — | 10 ft behind the right-of-way | Max 3 per major street frontage | — | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Ground; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(d); S81.17.01(7)(c) |
| Canopy Sign | May extend up to 2 ft above canopy | 60 sq ft per sign (within total accumulation) | — | — | Max 3 per major street frontage | Mounted on or supported by canopy/marquee or roof extending beyond building face. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Canopy; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(e) |
| Roof Sign | Up to 15 ft above roof but not to exceed 25 ft total height | 60 sq ft per sign (within total accumulation); overall height limit applies | — | — | Max 3 per major street frontage | Mounted at or above roof line, wholly supported by building. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Roof; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(c) |
| Projecting Wall Sign | Cannot exceed the height of the building | 60 sq ft per sign (within total accumulation) | — | Must not project beyond a vertical plane 2 ft inside the curb line | Max 3 signs per major street frontage (aggregate across types); max 1 projecting sign per business frontage | Mounted at an angle to the building face and projecting more than 12 inches. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Projecting; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(b) |
| Billboard | 25 ft | 150 sq ft max area; length may not exceed 3 times the height of the sign face | — | 50 ft behind the right-of-way | Max 3 signs per major street frontage (aggregate across types) | Must be 50 ft behind the right-of-way; off-premise billboards only as allowed in these districts; must comply with all federal and state regulations. | — | Unlock | S81.17.02(5)(2) Billboards; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(g); S81.17.01(5)(g) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Sunbury — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Sunbury — start freeProhibited Signs in Sunbury
- All signs not specifically permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- Portable signs and portable billboards; pennants and streamers; strings of lights used as signs; A-frame signs; air-activated attraction devices; trailblazer signs; trailer signs; search lights; laser lights; spinners; flashing signs; projected images; animated signs; any signs with movable parts; off-premise signs; and look-alike versions of these types are prohibited.
- Signs or advertising on trees, or painted/drawn on rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs or billboards painted directly on a building wall or roof are prohibited, except identification signs on agricultural buildings.
- No sign may be attached to any fence within a road right-of-way; no sign may be attached to any board or wooden fence anywhere without the fence owner's permission.
- Signs or devices that attempt or appear to direct traffic, or that imitate/resemble official traffic signs, signals, or devices are prohibited.
- No sign may be installed in any public right-of-way unless specifically authorized by this section and the City Engineer.
- No sign may be installed in any utility easement or no-build zone.
- No sign may be installed in any public park or on other public property.
- No sign may be installed on traffic control signs, construction signs, fences, utility poles, street signs, trees, or other natural objects.
- No sign may be installed on any property without prior authorization of the property owner.
- No sign may be located where it would obstruct views of approaching or intersecting traffic, or interfere with the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians entering, leaving, or crossing a public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be located within the right-of-way of any public or private road.
- No sign may exceed a height of 25 feet within the municipality.
- No sign illumination may cause unnaturally high light levels on adjacent residential lots.
- No illuminating device may beam light directly onto thoroughfares creating a traffic hazard.
- No flashing, rotating, or moving light source is permitted on any sign.
- Signs shall not resemble in design, color, shape, or other characteristics any common traffic control device.
- Abandoned signs are declared a public nuisance and must be removed upon notice.
Exempt Signs in Sunbury
- Real estate signs for sale, lease, or rent of the single lot on which the sign is located (max two signs per lot; non-illuminated; max six square feet per side; removed within 30 days after occupancy; builder/contractor identification signs of same size).
- Residential name and address signs (max two square feet, outside the road right-of-way, max height five feet, one sign permitted).
- Political signs (outside road right-of-way; must not interfere with visibility; posted no more than 90 days prior to election and removed within 15 days after; must allow posting/removal without property damage; must list name and address of person responsible for removal).
- Temporary signs announcing special public or institutional events (max 32 square feet per side; allowed no more than 30 days prior and no more than 7 days after the event; must list responsible person's name and address).
- Farm signs denoting occupant name/address, on-premises produce/products for sale, or membership in organizations (max one sign; outside road right-of-way; advertising signs max 32 square feet; all other farm signs max 4 square feet per side).
- Holiday signs and decorations associated with national, state, local, or religious holidays (aggregate display limited to 60 days per year and no more than 60 consecutive days; may be illuminated if no safety/visibility hazards; animated and flashing holiday signs permitted for residential uses only and may not display commercial advertising).
- Window display signs (limited to ground/first-floor windows unless the use is above; total window sign area not to exceed 50% of window area and in no case more than 10 square feet per business; illuminated window signs require a permit and count toward total sign area; unlit window signs do not count toward total sign area).
- Private traffic and on-site directional signs (max four square feet total area and three feet in height; must not interfere with safe circulation or sight lines; limited to directional wording and arrows as approved by the zoning inspector; no advertising or logos; rectangular shape; must be on the property they refer to; not in public right-of-way).
- Change of copy on a previously permitted sign (no additional permit if only copy changes with no area/structural changes and the business use and primary ownership have not substantially changed).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Sunbury
- No master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is stated in this section.
- Each sign requiring a permit must include with the application: scale elevation drawings of the proposed sign(s); foundation and anchoring drawings; a dimensioned site plan showing sign location(s) and adjacent buildings/structures; for wall signs, a scaled building elevation showing sign and height from grade; and for ground signs, a sign base landscaping plan.
- Signs not specifically regulated by the chapter will have their classification determined by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Areas of Special Control may be established; signage within such areas is governed by separate legislation and generally more restrictive standards.
- Subdivision development signs may be erected only upon conditions and for a time period established by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Home occupation signs are permitted only where the home occupation has complied with conditions imposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission (conditional use approval).
- No explicit variance or sign plan hearing requirement is set out here; appeals/hearings are referenced for abandoned sign determinations and permit cancellations.
Source: other municipal code