# Sign Regulations in University Heights, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** University Heights, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/university-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/universityhts/latest/unhoh_oh/0-0-0-38765)

## At a glance

University Heights, Ohio regulates 6 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Signs in the Residential Districts (U-1, U-2, U-4) zoning district are capped at Four feet above grade tall and Six square feet per surface, with a At least 20 feet from nearest curb or 15 feet from inside edge of sidewalk setback (Sec. 1270.11(a)). Most commercial signs in University Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| U-3, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-8, U-9 | 3 | Not higher than the top of a parapet wall | 30 square feet per face | — |
| Residential Districts (U-1, U-2, U-4) | 2 | Four feet above grade | Six square feet per surface | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### U-3, U-5, U-6, U-7, U-8, U-9

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than the top of a parapet wall | — | — | — | — | On building wall adjacent to major street or parking area with direct customer entrance | — | 1270.09(a) |
| Free Standing Wall Sign | — | 30 square feet per face | 12 feet | At least five feet from nearest edge of public sidewalk | One | In front of building setback line, at least five feet from nearest edge of public sidewalk | — | 1270.09(d) |
| Accent Banner Sign | Eight feet | — | 32 inches | — | — | Attached no less than 13 feet above grade | — | 1270.12 |

### Residential Districts (U-1, U-2, U-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1270.02(b) |
| Temporary Sign | Four feet above grade | Six square feet per surface | — | At least 20 feet from nearest curb or 15 feet from inside edge of sidewalk | Two per parcel | Inside windows or in front yard | — | 1270.11(a) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Traffic Control Device | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | 1270.02(d) |

## Prohibited signs in University Heights

- Signs may not be located in front of the building setback line.
- Flimsy or nonweatherproof signs, including signs made of cloth or paper or insecurely mounted, are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Portable, flashing, moving or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Searchlights, balloons or sound attraction devices are prohibited.
- Signs containing wording and/or color combinations similar to traffic control signs or devices that are unsafe are prohibited.
- Back lit translucent signs integrated into or framed by any awning, canopy, marquee, or mansard are prohibited.
- Signs devoting 50% or more of the permitted sign face area or more than 15 square feet to logos, trademarks, insignias, emblems, devices or other symbols are prohibited.
- Signs, or portions of structures, awnings and/or fascia, neon or neon type or laser signs are prohibited.
- No temporary or permanent signs shall be mounted upon a utility pole or tree, except those placed for identification purposes or otherwise authorized by utility company owners.
- A sign shall not violate side yard or rear yard limitations and shall not be erected or located on any driveway or walkway or in front of any front setback.
- A sign shall not impair any motorist's view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- A sign shall not be related or connected in any way to sound attraction devices, or flashing illumination.

## Signs exempt from permit in University Heights

- Holiday lights and decorations during time periods proclaimed by the Mayor or resolved by Council to be holiday periods are exempt from this Chapter 1270.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications shall be accompanied by sketches and a completed application form as required by the Building Commissioner.
- The Building Commissioner may forward any sign application to the Architectural Review Board for review.
- The Building Commissioner may require any sign to be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for University Heights, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=University+Heights+OH&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-university-heights

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