# Sign Regulations in Wilmington, Ohio

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Wilmington, Ohio (OH)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/ohio/wilmington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/oh/wilmington/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_PT11PLZOCO_TITELEVENSIDEPR_CH1173SI)

## At a glance

Wilmington, Ohio regulates 16 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Arch Signs in the Business Districts zoning district are capped at 25 feet tall, 2 feet x width of span of arch, and width of passageway or paved roadway plus 5 feet (2.5 ft minimum each side) wide, with a 10 ft from right-of-way, property lines setback (Sec. 1173.08(c)(1)). Most commercial signs in Wilmington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Districts | 14 | 25 feet | 150 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Districts | 11 | 25 feet | 150 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 9 | 25 feet | 150 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 4,000 sq ft (Downtown Core [DC] only); otherwise wall sign max applies | — |

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

### Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arch Sign | 25 feet | 2 feet x width of span of arch | width of passageway or paved roadway plus 5 feet (2.5 ft minimum each side) | 10 ft from right-of-way, property lines | One per street frontage | Minimum 10 ft setback from right-of-way and adjoining property lines | — | 1173.08(c)(1) |
| Canopy Sign (Awning Sign) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | Attached to building; min. 8 ft clearance above sidewalk | — | 1173.08(c)(2) |
| Gateway Sign | 10 feet | 60 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW & driveways, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | Two per entrance (as described) | At entrance; 10 ft from property lines, right-of-way, and edge of driveway; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.08(c)(4) |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 32 sq ft (per lot, cumulative per frontage) | — | 10 ft from ROW & driveways, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | One per street frontage, not to exceed area limit | 10 ft from property lines, right-of-way & driveway; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.08(c)(5) |
| Pole Sign | 8-20 feet | 150 sq ft | — | 10 ft | One per street frontage | 10 ft from property lines and right-of-way | — | 1173.08(c)(6) |
| Blade/Feather Sign (Temporary) | 12 feet | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft | Two per building unit | At least 10 ft setback from ROW/adjoining properties; on premises of business | — | 1173.08(d)(2) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 feet | 36 sq ft | — | 10 ft; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | One per building unit | 10 ft from ROW/property line & driveway; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.08(d)(3) |
| Portable Sign (A-Frame, Sandwich Board, Temporary) | 6 feet | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | Not on sidewalk in public ROW | — | 1173.08(d)(4) |

### Mixed Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arch Sign | 25 feet | 2 feet x width of span of arch | width of passageway or paved roadway plus 5 feet (2.5 ft minimum each side) | 10 ft from ROW/property lines | As approved by Planning Commission | 10 ft setback from right-of-way and related property lines | — | 1173.09(b)(1) |
| Canopy Sign (Awning Sign) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | Attached to building; min. 8 ft clearance above sidewalk | — | 1173.09(b)(2) |
| Flag Sign | No higher than highest eave | — | — | — | One per building unit | Attached to side of building, diagonally projecting | — | 1173.09(b)(3) |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 32 sq ft (per lot, cumulative per frontage) | — | 10 ft from ROW & driveways, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | One per street frontage, not to exceed area limit | 10 ft from property lines, right-of-way & driveway; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.09(b)(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | Attached to principal building | — | 1173.09(b)(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | On building wall | — | 1173.09(b)(6) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 feet | 36 sq ft | — | 10 ft; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | One per building unit | 10 ft from ROW/property line & driveway; 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.09(c)(2) |
| Portable Sign (A-Frame, Sandwich Board, Temporary) | 3 feet | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per building unit | On private property or, if on sidewalk in public ROW, with special restrictions (see Additional Requirements) | — | 1173.09(c)(3) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arch Sign | 25 feet | 2 feet x width of span of arch | width of passageway or paved driveway/roadway plus 5 feet (min 2.5 ft each side) | 10 ft from ROW/property lines | One per property | 10 ft setback from right-of-way and property lines | — | 1173.10(b)(1) |
| Canopy Sign (Awning Sign) | — | — | — | — | One per multi-family or non-residential site | — | — | 1173.10(a) |
| Gateway Sign | 10 feet | 36 sq ft | — | 10 ft/5 ft as described | One per entrance side | 10 ft from property lines/ROW, 10 ft from driveway, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.10(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 6 feet | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft/5 ft as above | One per multi-family/non-residential site | 10 ft from property/ROW, 10 ft from driveway, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.10(b)(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per non-residential site | Attached to principal building | — | 1173.10(b)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 150 sq ft | — | — | One per site | On exterior wall; only for multi-family or non-residential development site | — | 1173.10(b)(5) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary) | 6 feet | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft/5 ft as above | One per property | 10 ft property/ROW, 10 ft from driveway, 5 ft from sidewalk/path | — | 1173.10(c)(1) |
| Portable Sign (A-Frame, Sandwich Board, Temporary) | 6 feet | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per property | Not on sidewalk in public ROW | — | 1173.10(c)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Wilmington

- Permanent off-premise signs are prohibited.
- Signs or portions of signs that revolve, whirl, spin, or otherwise make use of motion to attract attention are prohibited.
- Signs attached to, painted on, or placed on a motor vehicle, trailer, or other licensed or unlicensed vehicle or conveyance which is located in such a manner to serve exclusively as a permanent, temporary, or portable sign are prohibited.
- Signs which blink or flash to attract attention, including flashing neon, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or supported by a tree, utility pole, trash receptacle, bench, vending machine, or public shelter are prohibited.
- Signs which contain words, images, or graphic illustrations of an obscene nature are prohibited.
- Signs with audio message delivery are prohibited.
- Signs that emit any flames, smoke, fumes, vapor, or any similar substance are prohibited.
- Signs located in public right-of-way, except government signs and authorized portable signs, are prohibited.
- Signs made of cardboard, cardstock, or other similar paper products are prohibited.
- Signs which obstruct windows, doors, fire escapes, balconies, stairways, ladders, vents, or other means of building ingress/egress are prohibited.
- Snipe signs, roof signs, and graffiti are prohibited.
- Any signage types which are otherwise prohibited in certain zoning districts pursuant to Section 1173.08, 1173.09, or 1173.10 are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained at any location where by reason of its position, wording, illumination, shape, symbol, color, form or character it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or interfere with, mislead, confuse, or disrupt traffic safety or flow.
- No sign shall be erected at or near any intersection of any street, or any railway and any street, in a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where, by reason of position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or which otherwise misleads or confuses traffic.
- Light sources for illuminated signs shall not be of brightness as to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Any exterior illumination of signs shall be accomplished by a concealed source, so as not to interfere with the vision of persons on the adjacent roadways or adjacent properties.
- No rotating beam, beacon, or flashing illumination resembling an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.
- It is unlawful and a violation to fasten, place, paint, or attach any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement or notice in or upon any curbstone, lamp post, telecommunication pole, electric light or power pole, hydrant, bridge, culvert, public drinking fountain, public trash container, courtesy bench, rest station building, tree, or in or upon any portion of any public sidewalk, street or sign, except as specifically permitted.
- No person may damage, trim, destroy, or remove any trees, shrubs, or other vegetation within any right-of-way or any area where landscaping is required, for the purpose of increasing or enhancing visibility of any sign, unless express written authorization is obtained from the agency having jurisdiction.
- Murals are regulated as wall signs and are only permitted as provided for wall signs.
- Violation of general safety, building, or electrical code renders sign unlawful.

## Signs exempt from permit in Wilmington

- Government signs are completely exempt from the provisions of this chapter and do not require a zoning permit.
- Numeric address signs not exceeding two square feet for identification purposes to assist in fire and safety protection are exempt.
- Official flags bearing the insignia of any local, state, or federal government or agency, including the American flag, are exempt.
- Commemorative plaques placed by recognized historical agencies are exempt from maximum number of signs limitations.
- Portable temporary signs (e.g., yard signs) no larger than two square feet in area and no more than four feet in height are exempt from maximum number of signs limitations, except as otherwise restricted for signs in the public right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require a zoning permit unless expressly exempted.
- No zoning permit is required for maintenance or change of copy (manually or electronically) on changeable copy signs.
- A zoning permit, but no fee, is required for changing a sign face other than a copy change on a changeable copy sign.
- The relocation, alteration, or enlargement of any sign requires a zoning permit.
- The Zoning Administrator may require additional information as part of the zoning permit application, including plans illustrating position, dimensions, materials, construction, attachment, and placement.
- Signs proposed as part of a development requiring site plan review are also subject to review under site plan procedures (Section 1135.05).
- For gateway signs (e.g., at community/subdivision entrances), proof of an established mechanism to ensure ongoing maintenance and associated landscaping must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator as part of the zoning permit application.

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

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