# Sign Regulations in Sunbury, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sunbury, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/sunbury
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://sunburyohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/1368/Zoning-Ordinance---2023?bidId=#page=238)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign - Wall | 5 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per residence | — | — | 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. | — | 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 | — | — | 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 | — | — | 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). | — | 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 | — | — | 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 | — | — | 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 | — | — | 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 | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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 | — | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | S81.17.02(5)(2) Billboards; S81.17.02(5)(3); S81.17.01(3A)(g); S81.17.01(5)(g) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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