Carmel's UDO sharply limits home-occupation signage. Section 5.18 bars any sign beyond those normally permitted in the district, and the Sign Standards allow a home occupation just one (1) wall sign with a maximum sign area of three (3) square feet, not illuminated. All signs require a Sign Permit.
Carmel keeps home-occupation signage minimal so a residence does not read as a commercial site. UDO Section 5.18(A)(2)(d) provides that a home occupation 'shall not be permitted signs other than those normally permitted in the district,' and Section 5.18(A)(2)(b) requires that the dwelling bear no exterior indication it is used for anything other than a dwelling. The specific sign allowance is in the Sign Standards (Article 5), under 'Permanent Sign; Home Occupation and Boarding House': sign classification is Wall only; the number is one (1) sign; the maximum sign area is three (3) square feet; the location is per the definition of Wall Sign; and illumination is not permitted. Procedurally, the UDO's general permanent-sign standards require that all signs obtain Sign Permit approval from the Planning Administrator and pay the fees in Article 1 (the Sign Permit fee is listed at $105.00 in the fee schedule). So a home-based business may post at most a single, three-square-foot, non-illuminated wall sign - and only after securing a Sign Permit. Window signs, yard signs advertising the business, or any internally/externally lit signage for the home occupation are not allowed under these standards.
Posting a home-occupation sign larger than three square feet, more than one sign, an illuminated sign, or any sign without a Sign Permit violates the UDO Sign Standards and Section 5.18 and is enforceable under Article 10, including orders to remove the sign and possible fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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