# Sign Regulations in Tallmadge, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tallmadge, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/tallmadge
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.tallmadgeoh.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2302/Tallmadge-Zoning-Code#page=229)

## At a glance

Tallmadge, Ohio regulates 50 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Projecting Sign - Generals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Clearance: bottom ≥8 ft above grade tall and 12 sq ft, with a ≥5 ft from ROW/easement (outermost portion) setback (Sec. Sec. 1108.06(C)(1)-(7)). Most commercial signs in Tallmadge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | Flagpoles max 30 ft | Each additional freestanding sign must comply with Sec. 1108.06 area limits; aggregated signs may have up to 150% of the maximum area permitted for a single sign face when combining permissible sign area into fewer signs | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, PRD) | 8 | Per Sec. 1108.06(F): max 5 ft; copy 6 in below top and 12 in above grade | Up to 100% of allowable wall/monument sign area (must meet host sign limit) | — |
| Non-Residential Districts (C-3, C-4, C-5, I-1) | 10 | Up to 15 ft (per frontage tier and 75% of tallest building) | Up to 90 sq ft (per frontage tier) | — |
| West Avenue Overlay District (O-WA) | 8 | Max 10 ft | Per Sec. 1108.06(B) | — |
| Southeast Gateway Overlay District (O-SE) | 5 | 10 ft | Per Sec. 1108.06(B) | — |
| Neighborhood Center Overlay District (O-NC) | 7 | 10 ft | Per Sec. 1108.06(B) | — |
| Innovation and Employment Overlay District (O-IE) | 5 | 8 ft | Per Sec. 1108.06(B) | — |
| Design Control Overlay District (O-DC) | 6 | Clearance ≥8 ft | Per Sec. 1108.06(B) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign - General | Lowest edge ≥8 ft above grade; Max height at eave line or bottom of second-story windowsill (whichever lower) | Up to 20% of front/side valance faces; single emblem/logo ≤3 sq ft on angled/top | — | Shall not project into right-of-way | — | Centered over primary architectural elements (to extent practicable); may project ≤4 ft from façade; shall not project into ROW | — | Sec. 1108.06(B)(1)-(6) |
| Projecting Sign - General | Clearance: bottom ≥8 ft above grade | 12 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW/easement (outermost portion) | 1 per tenant space or building frontage | Per tenant space or building frontage; min 25 ft separation from any other projecting sign on same site/building | — | Sec. 1108.06(C)(1)-(7) |
| Freestanding Signs - General Standards (Pole, Monument, Shared/Complex) | Pole: 12 ft (with 4-ft clearance); Monument: 6 ft; Shared: up to 15 ft and also limited to ≤75% of tallest building height on site | Pole: 60 sq ft; Monument: 24 sq ft (sign area fully incorporated into monument with ≥2-inch decorative trim); Shared: up to 90 sq ft (see frontage tiers) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW/easement; ≥25 ft from any interior side lot line; ≥30 ft from any residential district (Sec. 1108.06(E) footnote ³; Sec. 1108.06(E)(5)(ii)-(v)) | Pole: 1 per lot; Monument: 1 per road frontage; Shared: 1 per complex entry | Ground-mounted; supported by ground/structure other than principal building; cannot be on sites without street frontage; cannot occupy required unobstructed areas | — | Sec. 1108.06(E) incl. Table 1108.06-01; Sec. 1108.06(E)(6) incl. Table 1108.06-02 |
| Wall Signs on Entry Fences or Walls (General) | Max 5 ft above grade; copy min 6 in below top of wall and 12 in above ground | Up to 24 sq ft total; not to cover more than 40% of the landscape wall/fence background area | — | — | Multiple allowed up to 24 sq ft total (if two signs, min 50 ft separation) | Mounted to a decorative wall/fence running generally parallel to street | — | Sec. 1108.06(F)(1)-(5) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - General | Same as height limit for the host sign type/location | Not to exceed maximum allowable size for the host monument or wall sign | — | Must meet host sign setback/location requirements | Max 1 per street frontage; up to 2 per property | Permitted only as part of freestanding monument signs and wall signs | — | Sec. 1108.06(H)(1)-(5); 1108.06(E)(4) |
| Portable Sandwich Board / A-frame | Max 3.5 ft; Max width 2 ft | 7 sq ft per sign face | 2 ft | — | 1 per establishment | - Maintain ≥36 in unobstructed sidewalk clearance. - Within 8 ft of the primary public entrance of the establishment it advertises; within the tenant’s frontage width and ≤5 ft from building façade where multiple tenants. - Not within required sight triangle; remove during non-operational hours and inclement weather; weighted/secured. | — | Sec. 1108.09(A)-(B) |
| Directional Signs (Exempt) | Max 5 ft | Max 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On private property; may include campus signage on corporate/institutional campuses | — | Sec. 1108.04(O) |
| Flags (Government, Service Branch) (Exempt) | Flagpoles max 30 ft | Max flag size 35 sq ft | — | — | As above | Not within ROW or easement; may encroach into setback areas | — | Sec. 1108.04(I) |

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, PRD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation - Wall/Window Sign | At or below eave line or bottom of second story of principal structure | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Window or wall on principal structure | — | Sec. 1108.10(B)(1)-(2) and Table 1108.10-01 (Home Occupations) |
| Residential Subdivisions/Apartment Complexes/Multi-Family/Condominiums - Freestanding (Monument) | 8 ft (text); Table shows placement 5 ft from ROW | 15 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW | 1 per lot | Monument at entries; mounted outside ROW | — | Table 1108.10-01 (Residential Subdivisions...); Sec. 1108.10(C)(2)-(4) |
| Residential Subdivisions/Apartment Complexes/Multi-Family/Condominiums - Wall Signs | — | 5% of façade | — | — | 1 per façade | On building façades within development | — | Table 1108.10-01 (Residential Subdivisions...) |
| Residential Subdivisions/Apartment Complexes/Multi-Family/Condominiums - Wall Signs on Entry Fences/Walls | Per Sec. 1108.06(F): max 5 ft; copy 6 in below top and 12 in above grade | 24 sq ft total; not more than 40% of fence/wall background area | — | 5 ft from ROW (table) | 1 per entry | Decorative wall or fence at entries | — | Table 1108.10-01; Sec. 1108.06(F) |
| Permitted Non-Residential Uses in Residential Districts - Monument Sign | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot, plus per separate frontage/entrance per Sec. 1108.10(D) | Per frontage/entrance | — | Table 1108.10-01; Sec. 1108.10(D) |
| Permitted Non-Residential Uses in Residential Districts - Wall Signs | — | 5% of façade | — | — | 1 per façade | On façades serving the permitted use | — | Table 1108.10-01; Sec. 1108.10(D) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Permitted Non-Residential Uses in Residential Zones (Major Thoroughfare only) | Host sign height limit applies | Up to 100% of allowable wall/monument sign area (must meet host sign limit) | — | Host sign setbacks apply | Max 1 per street frontage; up to 2 per property | As part of wall or monument sign | — | Sec. 1108.10(E); Sec. 1108.06(H); Sec. 1108.05(F)(1)(v) |
| Temporary Signs - Residential (Grouped) | - Large Freestanding: 6 ft; Banner hang ≤24 ft above grade. - Medium: 6 ft. - Small: 6 ft. - Projects/Developments: 8 ft. | - Large: Freestanding/Window/Wall: 16 sq ft; Banner: 32 sq ft. - Medium: 8 sq ft. - Small: 4 sq ft. - Projects/Developments: 32 sq ft. | — | As listed above (e.g., 5 ft from ROW for Large FS; 15 ft for Projects/Dev); outside ROW for medium/small | As summarized per category and lot/frontage size | Outside ROW; specific setbacks by subtype/location; see additional requirements. | — | Sec. 1108.08(A)-(E); Table 1108.08-01; Sec. 1108.08(D)(1) |

### Non-Residential Districts (C-3, C-4, C-5, I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Up to 40 sq ft per tenant space (per Sec. 1108.11(D)(2)) | — | — | 1 per tenant | Per tenant space frontage | — | Sec. 1108.11(C)-(D); Table 1108.11-01 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 8-ft clearance height; top at/below eave or bottom of second-story windowsill (whichever lower) | As above; counts toward 1.5 sq ft/lf aggregate with wall/projecting signs | — | Shall not project into ROW | 1 per principal entrance (plus 1 additional at second patron entrance if conditions met) | At principal entrance (1 per principal entrance; one additional allowed at second patron entrance fronting parking if not on same elevation as principal entrance) | — | Sec. 1108.11(E)(1); Sec. 1108.06(B); Table 1108.11-01 |
| Projecting Sign | Bottom clearance ≥8 ft; No higher than 25 ft and first story level of building (per Table 1108.11-01) | Up to 12 sq ft (per 1108.06(C)(2)) | — | ≥5 ft from ROW/easement (outermost portion) | 1 per tenant | Per tenant | — | Sec. 1108.06(C); Table 1108.11-01 |
| Freestanding - Pole Sign | 12 ft | 60 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; ≥25 ft from interior side lot line; ≥30 ft from any residential district | 1 per lot | On lot with street frontage; not in required unobstructed areas or sight triangle | — | Table 1108.06-01; Table 1108.11-01; Sec. 1108.06(E)(4)-(5) |
| Freestanding - Monument Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW; ≥25 ft from interior side lot line; ≥30 ft from any residential district | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage; ground-mounted on a base extending full width and at least 1/4 of total sign height for shared signs | — | Table 1108.06-01; Sec. 1108.06(E) |
| Shared Freestanding (Complex) Sign | Up to 15 ft (per frontage tier and 75% of tallest building) | Up to 90 sq ft (per frontage tier) | — | General freestanding setbacks apply | 1 per development entry | 1 per development entry | — | Sec. 1108.06(E)(6); Table 1108.06-02; Table 1108.11-01 |
| Electronic Message Centers (EMC) - Monument or Wall | — | As per host sign limit (e.g., Monument 24 sq ft; Wall sign per frontage formula up to 40 sq ft) | — | Host sign setbacks apply | 1 per lot (Table 1108.11-01); also 1 per street frontage up to max 2 per property (Sec. 1108.06(H)(4)) | Only as part of monument or wall sign | — | Table 1108.11-01; Sec. 1108.06(H) |
| Temporary Signs - Non-Residential (Grouped) | - Large Freestanding: 6 ft; Banner hang ≤24 ft above grade; Light pole banners: min 8-ft clearance. - Medium: 6 ft. - Small: 5 ft (for freestanding small per table). - Project Real Estate/Construction: 8 ft. | - Large: Freestanding/Window/Wall: 16 sq ft; Banner: 48 sq ft; Light Pole Banners: 4.5 sq ft each (aggregate up to 48 or 49 sq ft per table row). - Medium: 8 sq ft. - Small: 4 sq ft. - Project Real Estate/Construction: 32 sq ft. | — | As above (e.g., 5 ft for Large FS; 15 ft for Project/Construction; otherwise outside ROW) | As summarized per category and lot/frontage size | Outside ROW; specific setbacks by class: Large FS 5 ft from ROW; Project/Construction 15 ft from ROW; others outside ROW | — | Sec. 1108.08(A)-(E); Table 1108.08-02; Sec. 1108.08(2)(iv) |

## Prohibited signs in Tallmadge

- Animated, flashing, moving, blinker, racer-type, intermittent, rotating, or revolving signs, except digital signage where expressly permitted (Sec. 1108.03 A).
- Illuminated signs comprised of exposed lightbulbs (Sec. 1108.03 B).
- Strings of lights accessory to any sign that are not permanently mounted to a rigid background (Sec. 1108.03 C).
- Billboards (Sec. 1108.03 D).
- Use of merchandise, equipment, products, or other items (not themselves for sale or rent) as signs to draw attention to a commercial enterprise (Sec. 1108.03 E).
- Signs or devices that attempt or appear to direct the movement of traffic or imitate/interfere with official governmental signs (Sec. 1108.03 F).
- Roof signs (Sec. 1108.03 G).
- Abandoned signs (Sec. 1108.03 H).
- Snipe signs (Sec. 1108.03 I).
- Pennant strings and streamers (Sec. 1108.03 J).
- Inflatable devices or balloon signs, except balloons used in temporary, non-commercial situations; balloons or other inflatable devices shall not be attached to any sign (Sec. 1108.03 K).
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or contain open flames (Sec. 1108.03 L).
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors (Sec. 1108.03 M).
- Interactive signs (Sec. 1108.03 N).
- Signs incorporating beacon or festoon lighting (Sec. 1108.03 O).
- Any banner or sign suspended across a public street without permission of the property owner and the City (Sec. 1108.03 P).
- Signs erected without the permission of the property owner, except those authorized or required by government (Sec. 1108.03 Q).
- Portable marquee signs (Sec. 1108.03 R).
- Portable Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs; no EMC may be included as part of any temporary sign (Sec. 1108.03 S; 1108.06 H(5) iii).
- No sign shall be placed so as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic by obscuring views or interfering with official street signs or signals by position or color (Sec. 1108.05 A(1)).
- No sign may occupy any part of a sight triangle at any driveway or street intersection (25 feet along curb/edge of pavement on each leg) (Sec. 1108.05 A(2); 1108.13 A(3)).
- No signs are permitted within any road right-of-way, unless specifically exempted in the chapter (Sec. 1108.05 A(4); 1108.13 A(3)).
- Signs and supporting structures may not interfere with surface or underground utility and communications lines/equipment (Sec. 1108.05 A(3)).
- Illumination limits: sign lighting shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient at 50 feet; lights shall not cause hazardous glare or reasonably objectionable brightness to adjacent residential zones (Sec. 1108.05 F(ii)-(iii)).
- Sign illumination shall not obstruct traffic control or other public informational signs; signs visible from street sight lines shall not contain symbols/words or red/green lights resembling highway devices (Sec. 1108.05 F(iv)).
- Erecting, altering, repairing, or relocating any sign without first obtaining a zoning certificate and sign permit (unless specifically exempt) is unlawful (Sec. 1108.14 A).

## Signs exempt from permit in Tallmadge

- Official traffic signs (Sec. 1108.04 A).
- Government regulatory signs (Sec. 1108.04 B).
- Interior signs not intended to be visible from the public right-of-way and located more than 3 feet from the window (Sec. 1108.04 C).
- Holiday and seasonal decorations (Sec. 1108.04 D).
- Address signs: up to two signs stating address/number/name of occupants with no commercial advertising (Sec. 1108.04 E).
- Historic building markers, memorial signs, public monument signs, and plaques erected by the City, not exceeding 4 sq ft (Sec. 1108.04 F).
- Private drive signs: one per driveway entrance, maximum 2 sq ft (Sec. 1108.04 G).
- Security and warning signs (not including “No Trespassing” signs): Residential—one additional security sign up to 2 sq ft; Non-residential—maximum one large sign up to 5 sq ft; all other posted security/warning signs up to 2 sq ft (Sec. 1108.04 H).
- Flags of federal, state, or local government or service branches (excluding business names/logos/ads); not in ROW/easements, may encroach setbacks; max height 30 ft; number—Residential: max 3 per lot; Non-residential: 1 per 50 ft lot frontage, max 4; size: max 35 sq ft (Sec. 1108.04 I).
- Legal notices (Sec. 1108.04 J).
- Vending machine signs visible from the public right-of-way (Sec. 1108.04 K).
- Signs projecting above gasoline station pumps; fuel pumps shall not be illuminated (Sec. 1108.04 L).
- Permanent architectural features of a building/structure existing at the time of the Zoning Code (Sec. 1108.04 M).
- Incidental signs (including incidental window signs such as store hours/open/close); combined area per establishment not to exceed 2 sq ft (Sec. 1108.04 N).
- Directional signs (including campus signage): max area 4 sq ft per sign; max height 5 ft; may be internally illuminated except in the Design Control Overlay (O-DC) (Sec. 1108.04 O).
- Art and murals without commercial messaging (except an incidental donor/patron plaque up to 3 sq ft) (Sec. 1108.04 P).
- Temporary signs installed and maintained per Section 1108.08; no permit required if standards are met (Sec. 1108.04 Q; 1108.08 B).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A zoning certificate and sign permit are required to erect, alter, repair, or relocate any sign unless the sign is specifically exempt (Sec. 1108.14 A).
- Applications for sign permits must follow Chapter 1102 Administration and Procedures and submittal requirements specified by the Zoning Administrator (Sec. 1108.14 B).
- Temporary signs on private property that comply with Section 1108.08 do not require a sign permit (Sec. 1108.08 B).
- Any proposed sign not in compliance with the objective standards may be reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission for a modification; approval is based on specific criteria (Sec. 1108.17).
- In Residential Zones, Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) require a modification to Site Plan approval (Sec. 1108.10 E).
- In Overlay Districts, signage must comply with the associated Overlay District Guidebook and overlay standards supersede base zoning sign standards (Sec. 1108.12; 1101.06).

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

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