Graphic area, sign height and setback.
Columbus City Codes § 3377.04
in effect3377.04 - Graphic area, sign height and setback.
A. The maximum graphic area for a ground sign to be erected within the first 100 feet of setback from the abutting street right-of-way shall be 300 square feet or the maximum graphic area allowed by this Graphics Code, whichever is less.
B. Where not otherwise required by this Graphics Code, the maximum allowable graphic area, height, and setback of a ground sign, projecting sign or wall sign shall be determined by means of the Tables of Elements in this chapter. From the Tables of Elements, the following formula shall be used to calculate the allowable graphic area: The appropriate mass factor from the Tables of Elements shall be multiplied by the square root of the area, or silhouette, of the fronting elevation of the building, or that portion of the building with which the sign is associated.
1. Where the use is comprised of more than one building, the area, or silhouette, of the fronting elevation of the largest building shall be used.
2. The setback distance from the right-of-way to be used in calculating the allowable graphic area shall be determined as follows:
a. Ground Sign. Distance from the right-of-way line to the leading edge of the sign.
b. Projecting Sign. Distance from the right-of-way line to the wall to which the sign will be attached.
c. Wall Sign. Distance from right-of-way line to the wall, or to the fronting elevation closest to the right-of-way line, upon which any wall sign is to be displayed.
C. For properties that contain no buildings or which contain buildings that occupy less than ten percent of the total lot area, the following formula shall be used to determine allowable graphic area:
First 50 lineal feet of street frontage—one square foot per lineal foot; plus
51—100 lineal feet of street frontage—one-half square foot per lineal foot; plus
101—150 lineal feet of street frontage—one-fourth square foot per lineal foot.
The total graphic area allowed by this method shall be 87.5 square feet; no additional area shall be allowed for frontage in excess of 150 lineal feet.
(Ord. 2837-96 § 5 (part); Ord. No. 0170-2014, § 6, 7-28-2014)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3377EMSIINCO2024ZOCOMIEMADI_3377.04GRARSIHESEFetched: 10/27/2026