Cincinnati sign permit requirements

Yes — a building permit is required unless the sign is listed as an exempt sign in § 1427-11. Exempt signs include, e.g., one identification sign per business not exceeding one square foot, and sandwich board signs.

“A sign regulated by this Chapter may not be erected or displayed unless a building permit is obtained or the sign is listed as an exempt sign in § 1427-11.”

Varies by commercial district: CN-P & CC-P: 1 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage per establishment; CN-M, CC-M & UM: 1.5 sq ft per linear foot; CC-A & CG-A: 2 sq ft per linear foot per establishment

“CC-A and CG-A Districts: Two square feet for every linear foot of building frontage per establishment.”

Ground sign max area varies by commercial district: CN-M, CC-M & UM: 36 sq ft per sign face; CC-A & CG-A: 72 sq ft per sign face (also subject to per-linear-foot ground sign area limits)

Ground sign max height varies by commercial district: CN-P & CC-P: 6 ft; CN-M, CC-M & UM: 10 ft; CC-A & CG-A: 15 ft (40 ft if adjacent to and oriented toward an interstate)

Set out in the same table as freestanding sign — maximum area above.

One-half the height of the sign (general rule: not closer to a lot line or right-of-way than the greater of one-half the sign height or 15 ft when within a sight triangle)

“A ground sign may not be closer to a lot line or right-of-way than the greater of one-half the sign height or 15' when within a sight triangle.”

At least 10 ft above the surface over which it projects, or at least 16 ft above a private vehicular passageway; may not extend more than 6 ft from the wall to which it is attached

“A projecting sign must be at least ten feet above the surface over which it projects, or at least 16 feet above a private vehicular passageway.”

May not cover more than 20 percent of the total area of the particular window

“Window signs may not cover more than 20 percent of the total area of the particular window to which they are attached or related.”

In general commercial (C and UM) districts, external or internal illumination is permitted for ground, window, projecting, wall, marquee, and awning/canopy signs

No true digital EMC; Changeable Copy Signs are permitted in CN-M, CC-M, CC-A, and CG-A Districts, may not change at less than a ten-second interval and may not include streaming, animating, or flashing text or images, except time/temperature signs that may change up to twenty times per minute

“A Changeable Copy Sign may not be changed or rearranged at less than a ten second interval and may not include streaming, animating, or flashing text or images, except for time/temperature signs that may change up to twenty times per minute.”

Banners/decorations for events may be installed for a period not to exceed 30 days, with a minimum of 30 days between installation periods, for a maximum of four times per calendar year; a banner may not exceed 12 feet in any dimension

“These signs may be installed for a period not to exceed 30 days with a minimum of 30 days between installation periods for a maximum of four times for every calendar year.”

Moving, flashing or animated signs, balloons, gas inflated/inflated signs, portable signs, searchlights, streamers, spinners, flags (other than permitted), outdoor image projections, and roof signs

“Moving, flashing or animated signs, balloons, gas inflated signs or similar inflated signs, portable signs, searchlights, streamers, spinners, flags (other than those specifically permitted herein), outdoor image projections (signs projected from an external light source onto a building or structure) or any other similar devices.”

Values reported for general commercial (C and UM) districts; the code varies materially by district. C districts have subtypes (CN-P/CC-P, CN-M/CC-M/UM, CC-A/CG-A) with different area, height, and illumination limits. Separate standards exist for O, M/RF, and other districts.

“Signs in the C and UM Districts must comply with the following:”