Gary, IN Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

Gary Municipal Code § 123-1(3) defines a 'flashing sign' as any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times the sign is in use, and specifically treats any revolving illuminated sign as a flashing sign. That definition is broad enough to reach an electronic message center or digital billboard, since a changing digital display by design does not keep constant light intensity or color. Chapter 117, Signs and Billboards, sets the actual area limits by district.

In B1-1 and B1-2 districts, § 117-2(a) allows business signs up to three times the lineal feet of lot frontage in total gross area, but caps flashing signs specifically at one time the lineal frontage, a two-thirds cut from the ordinary limit. In the B2 through B5, M1, and part of the M2/M3 business and manufacturing districts, § 117-2(b) through (g) allow business and advertising signs up to 24 times lot frontage, four times for signs projecting into the public way, with no separate, tighter cap on flashing or revolving displays once a sign is in those districts, and M2-1, M2-2, and M3 manufacturing districts permit business and advertising signs without restriction except near parks and residential districts.

Section 117-3 bars any advertising sign, flashing or not, within 400 feet of a public park of ten or more acres if its face is visible from the park, and within 75 feet of real estate in a residence district. A flashing or advertising sign taller than 45 feet above curb level needs a variance under § 123-108, per § 117-8.