# Sign Regulations in Warren, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Warren, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/warren
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-11
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/warren/latest/warren_oh/0-0-0-6891)

## At a glance

Warren, Ohio regulates 28 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Subdivision Entry Signs in the Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 30 square feet, with a 10 feet from the right-of-way and any property line setback (Sec. 1325.08(a)(1)). Most commercial signs in Warren require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 6 | 6 feet | 30 square feet | — |
| Commercial/Manufacturing District | 11 | 35 feet | 120 square feet per side | — |
| Central Business District | 3 | — | 8 inches in height | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 feet | 50 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Entry Sign | 6 feet | 30 square feet | — | 10 feet from the right-of-way and any property line | One per entrance | At or near each public or private road entrance to a platted subdivision | — | 1325.08(a)(1) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | One | On the building wall | — | 1325.08(a)(1)A |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 feet | 10 square feet | — | 10 feet from the right-of-way, 30 feet from any property line | One | For non-dwelling use (e.g., church, school, public building) | — | 1325.08(a)(1)B |
| Wall or Freestanding Sign | 2 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | Two | For identifying property address and/or name only | — | 1325.08(b)(1)A |
| Window Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | — | Bearing non-commercial messages | — | 1325.08(b)(2)A |
| Wall or Freestanding Sign | 5 feet | 6 square feet per side | — | 5 feet side setback, 5 feet front setback | One per issue | Bearing non-commercial messages | — | 1325.08(b)(2)B |

### Commercial/Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Low Profile | 8 feet | 20 square feet per side | — | 10 feet front and side | One per lot | Per lot | — | 1325.09(a)(1)C |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Mounted (1 Business) | 20 feet | 40 square feet per side | — | 10 feet front and side | One per lot | Per lot | — | 1325.09(a)(1)C |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Mounted (2-6 Businesses) | 25 feet | 80 square feet per side | — | 10 feet front and side | One per lot | Per lot | — | 1325.09(a)(1)C |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole Mounted (7-10 Businesses) | 35 feet | 120 square feet per side | — | 10 feet front and side | One per lot | Per lot | — | 1325.09(a)(1)C |
| Industrial Subdivision Entry Sign | 6 feet | 30 square feet | — | 10 feet from the right-of-way | One | At or near a public or private road entrance to a platted industrial subdivision | — | 1325.09(a)(1)D |
| Temporary Sign (Construction) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | 15 feet from public right-of-way, 10 feet from other property lines | One per lot | During construction | — | 1325.09(a)(2)A |
| Temporary Sign (Calendar Year) | 7 feet | 32 square feet | — | 15 feet from street right-of-way | One per lot | During two periods in one calendar year | — | 1325.09(a)(2)B |
| Banner | — | 60 square feet | — | — | One per 30 days | Firmly affixed to the building | — | 1325.09(a)(2)C |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development and Construction Sign | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One | During construction | — | 1325.11(a) |
| Special Promotion, Event and Grand Opening Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street front | For nonresidential uses in a residential district, and for all commercial and manufacturing districts | — | 1325.11(b) |
| Special Event Sign in Public Ways | — | — | — | — | — | In or over public rights-of-way | — | 1325.11(c) |
| Portable Sign | 7 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per property | In commercial and manufacturing districts | — | 1325.11(d) |
| Canopy and Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed or applied to canopy, marquee or architectural projection | — | 1325.11(e)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 square feet per sign face | — | — | One per occupancy | In lieu of free-standing signage on any street frontage | — | 1325.11(e)(3) |
| Menu Board | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | Drive-through lane for a restaurant | — | 1325.11(e)(5) |
| Development Complex Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street front | Multiple-occupancy development complex | — | 1325.11(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Warren

- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right-of-way, except as provided for elsewhere in this code.
- No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public facility located within the public right-of-way.
- Animated Signs. Animated signs shall not be permitted in any district.
- Signs or lights which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion.
- No sign or part thereof shall contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, or other similar devices installed in a manner which permits movement, except as otherwise specifically permitted by this chapter.
- Balloons, streamers or pinwheels except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event.
- Inflatable Signs. No sign, sign supports or other elements shall be constructed or supported by inflation by air or other gases.
- Flags intended for advertising or commercial purposes.
- Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except for signs meeting specific conditions.
- Indoor Advertising Signs.
- Roof Signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Warren

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety official.
- Traffic control signs and devices authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate public holiday season.
- Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise where the enterprise does not receive direct commercial gain.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six square feet in area.
- Directional signs provided that the number of signs used shall be the minimum number necessary to provide information.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master sign plan required for all landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy development complexes on parcels exceeding 8 acres in size, such as shopping centers or planned industrial parks, prior to issuance of new sign permits.
- The master sign plan shall establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits.

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

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