The following sign regulations provide for the listing of signs permitted in the Zoning Districts of the City as provided by Chapter 44 of the Bloomington City Code.
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII in this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the A-Agriculture District subject to the other articles in this Code:
A. 
One identification sign having a total sign area not exceeding 16 square feet for each lot occupied by multiple-family dwellings or other residential uses (not including single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and mobile homes).
B. 
One identification sign having a total sign area not exceeding 32 square feet for each lot occupied by nonresidential uses except for lots occupied by legal nonconforming uses which shall be permitted to have a total sign area not exceeding the total sign area of all identification signs presently located on the lot occupied by such nonconforming use.
C. 
All identification signs authorized by Subsections A and B of this section shall be facia signs, except that such identification signs may be freestanding if they do not exceed height of 16 feet above grade nor project closer than 10 feet to a public right-of-way line or property line.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3A, R-3B and R-4 Residence Districts subject to the other articles of this Code:
A. 
One identification sign having a total sign area not exceeding 16 square feet for each lot occupied by multiple-family dwellings or other residential uses but not on vacant lots or on lots having single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings or mobile homes where they shall be illegal except that on such premises a nameplate sign is permitted, if appropriate.
[Ord. No. 1981-53]
B. 
One identification sign having a total sign area not exceeding 32 square feet for each lot occupied by nonresidential uses except for lots occupied by legal nonconforming uses which shall be permitted to have a total sign area not exceeding the total sign area of all identification signs presently located on the lot occupied by such nonconforming uses.
C. 
One identification sign authorized by Subsections A and B of this section shall be facia signs, except that such identification signs may be freestanding if they do not exceed a height of 16 feet above grade nor project closer than 10 feet to a public right-of-way line or property line.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the S-1 University District subject to the other articles of this Code:
A. 
Two identification signs per building or landmark not exceeding a total sign area of 50 square feet per sign shall be permitted at appropriate locations on the campus to adequately identify buildings or landmarks located on the campus.
B. 
Identification signs authorized by Subsection A of this section may be freestanding signs or facia signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the S-2 Public Lands and Institutions District subject to the other articles of this Code:
A. 
Identification signs not exceeding a total sign area of 100 square feet per sign shall be permitted at appropriate locations on the lot to identify uses thereon.
B. 
Identification signs authorized by Subsection A of this section may be freestanding signs or facia signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
Except for the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, no sign shall be erected, moved, demolished, or altered in the S-4 Historic and Cultural District without approval of the Council, after public hearing and recommendation by the Historic Preservation Commission. The Council may grant such approval upon making a determination that such sign erection, movement, demolition or alteration would not adversely affect the character of the S-4 District in which such sign is located or is proposed to be located. After such approval, such sign erection, movement, demolition or alteration shall be in compliance with the other articles of this Code.
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the S-5 Airport District subject to the other articles of this Code:
A. 
On-premise signs may be of any type provided that the total sign area of all such signs in each lot shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of frontage on a public street, or private street meeting City standards, or public place, or 300 square feet, whichever is greater. The maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 300 square feet unless otherwise restricted by this Code.
The maximum area of a double faced sign shall be the area of the largest face only for the purpose of sign area calculations to comply with this section.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Off-premise signs (off-site signs) shall be permitted in accordance with the restrictions in Article V of this Code that are specifically applicable to off-premise signs.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the C-1 Office District subject to the other articles of this Code:
A. 
One identification sign having a total sign area not exceeding two square feet for each lineal foot of frontage on a public street or private street or 200 square feet whichever is less.
B. 
Identification signs permitted by this section may be freestanding signs, facia signs, canopy signs, projecting signs, roof signs, signs on awnings, manual or automatic changeable copy signs, changing signs, or rotating signs subject to the regulations in Article V of this Code for these signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
A. 
On-premise signs may be of any type provided that the total sign area of all such signs in each premise shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of frontage on a public street, or approved private street meeting City standards, or public place, or 300 square feet, whichever is greater. The maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 300 square feet unless otherwise restricted by this Code. The maximum area of a double faced sign shall be the area of the largest face only for the purpose of sign area calculations to comply with this section.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Off-premise signs (off-site signs) shall be permitted in accordance with the restrictions in Article V of this Code that are specifically applicable to off-premise signs.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
A. 
On-premise signs may be of any type provided that the total sign area of all such signs in each lot shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of frontage on a public street, or approved private street meeting City standards, or public place, or 200 square feet, whichever is greater. The maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 300 square feet unless otherwise restricted by this Code. The maximum area of a double faced sign shall be the area of the largest face only for the purpose of sign area calculations to comply with this section.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Off-premise signs (off-street signs) shall be permitted in accordance with the restrictions in Article V in this Code that are specifically applicable to off-premise signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-8]
In addition to the exemptions authorized by Article VIII of this Code, the following signs shall be permitted in the M-1 Restricted Manufacturing District and M-2 General Manufacturing District subject to the other articles of this Code.
A. 
On-premise signs may be of any type provided that the total sign area of all such signs in each premise shall not exceed four square feet for each lineal foot of frontage on a public street, or approved private street meeting City standards, or public place, or 300 square feet, whichever is greater. The maximum area of each sign shall not exceed 300 square feet unless otherwise restricted by this Code. The maximum area of a double faced sign shall be the area of the largest face only for the purpose of sign area calculations to comply with this section.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Off-premise signs (off-street signs) shall be permitted in accordance with the restrictions in Article V in this Code that are specifically applicable to off-premise signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-8]
[Added 2-23-2026 by Ord. No. 2026-015]
The following signs may be permitted on City-owned or City-leased property, or a City right-of-way, subject to the other articles in this code:
A. 
Identification signs on buildings or landmarks, not exceeding a total sign area of 12 square feet, may be permitted at appropriate locations to adequately identify buildings or landmarks.
B. 
Identification signs authorized by Subsection A of this section may be freestanding signs or facia signs. Freestanding signs may be double-sided, with the total sign area of 12 square feet allotted to each side.
C. 
Historic markers, signs related to historic or cultural education, or honorary naming for any historic figure shall first require approval by the Historic Preservation Commission through acquisition of a certificate of appropriateness, per § 44-1710.