Sign Permits

All new or modified signs, even painted signs required a sign permit from the City of Fairfield's building and zoning division. Illuminated signs also require an electrical permit.

The fee for a building permit for the erection of any permanent sign shall be as provided in the building code. Fee schedule is based on the project cost.

The fee for a grand opening or promotional event sign shall be $10.30 for each 10 days, or part thereof, for which the signs are permitted.

In addition to any other permitted signage and only in specifically authorized zoning districts, banners and special event signs may be permitted for a maximum of 12 periods in a calendar year, not to exceed 10 days each upon issuance of a temporary permit and payment of a fee.

Banners and special events signs are subject to the following limitations:

(1) A minimum of 10 days between each 10-day permit is required.

(2) Any permit issued in the same calendar year as provided in §1187.03, subsection (g), shall count as one of the 12, ten day periods permitted herein.

(3) Only one banner or one special event sign can be used at a time.

(4) No banner shall exceed 30 square feet.

(5) No special event sign shall exceed 24 square feet (only one side counted to compute sign area) and is not to be reflective or illuminated.  The sign must be designed with one color of lettering and one color background, however, a multi-color corporate logo and color picture with inlaid text of any color(s) is permitted.  The sign must be constructed as an "A-Frame" or mounted via post to the ground.  No cabinet signs are permitted to be used as special event signs.  The maximum height of a special event sign is 6 feet.

(6) Lettering on banners must be silkscreened, stenciled, created with vinyl letters or sewn into the fabric or material.  Banners are permitted only upon existing buildings, canopies, canopy supports and existing sign supports.

(7) Special event signs are to be manufactured, lettering is to be digitally printed, machine cut or vinyl press on letters.  The lettering is not to be hand painted.

(8) Businesses which open during a calendar year shall be entitled to a proportionate amount of time for promotional signage based upon the portion of the calendar year remaining after the Grand Opening signage period and 30-day waiting period, if Grand Opening signage is used.

When applying for a sign permit, three sets of plot plans are required. Plans must show the building dimensions and lot frontages including all signs on the property.

In addition, three sets of sign design drawings including foundations and wind load calculations are also required when applying for a sign permit.

The inspections required for erecting signage in the City of Fairfield are detailed below.

• Foundation inspection (if a footing is needed, the excavation must be inspected for depth and size before the concrete is placed)
• Sign mounting/attachment inspection (if the sign is attached to a standard or other structure)
• Electrical inspection (if the sign is illuminated or wired for electricity)
• Final inspection (when all work is complete)

All necessary inspections may be scheduled by calling the building and zoning division at 513-867-5318.

Residential signs and local signs and marquis are regulated by zoning code chapter 1187 (signs).

Commercial signs are regulated by OBBC chapter 31, section 3102.0.

Grand opening signs are not to exceed 60 days. No flashing lights are permitted and maximum size is 32 square feet.  After the grand opening, a 30-day waiting period is required before promotional signs, as defined in Section 1187.03(i), will be permitted.

A permit is required for all electrical work and the light source shall be shielded.

No signs are permitted to be installed in the right-of-way.

Sign types, locations and size are different for each zone district. See chapter 1187 for design standards.

No off-site signs are permitted.

All signs shall be erected by a licensed sign erector as stated in section 1333.03(a) of the building code except the following signs:

• Real estate signs
• Construction signs
• Window signs
• Signs for grand openings and promotional events
• Wall signs that are either not internally illuminated, are one inch or less in thickness and do not exceed nine square feet, or are painted on the wall structure itself.
• Property improvement sign
• Awning or canopy signs, but only if a permit for the awning or canopy itself is issued at the time of the erection of the sign.