Boone County, IN Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Off-premise/billboard signs
- Prohibited in I-65 Overlay District
- Exception
- Incidental signs at subdivision entrances
- On-premise signs
- Require APC-approved sign plan
- Individual conforming signs
- Still need a sign permit
- Parallel ban
- Also applies to US 421 Overlay District
- Civil penalty
- Up to $500 per day, § 157.165(C)
Summary
Boone County Code § 157.205(Q)(2)(a) bans off-premise, outdoor-advertising signs anywhere in the I-65 Interstate 65 South Corridor Overlay District. Incidental signs at commercial or industrial subdivision entrances are still allowed, and on-premise signage still needs an Area Plan Commission-approved sign plan and permit.
(Q) Signs. (1) On-premise signs: A sign plan for the proposed development shall be submitted to the APC as part of the development plan. Signs for each proposed use shall be uniform in character as to color and architectural design as approved by the APC. ... Individual signs which conform to both the sign ordinance and to the approved sign plan shall not require further approval, however, such signs shall require a sign permit. (2) Off-premise (outdoor advertising) signs: (a) Off-premise signs will not be allowed in the I-65 Overlay District. This shall not prohibit incidental signs located at the entrances to commercial or industrial subdivisions.
Full Breakdown
Section 157.205 establishes the I-65 Interstate 65 South Corridor Overlay District along the county's interstate frontage. Division (Q)(1) governs on-premise signs: a sign plan for the proposed development must be submitted to the Area Plan Commission (APC) as part of the development plan, signs for each use must be uniform in color and architectural design, replacing an approved sign plan requires a new round of APC review, and even an individual sign that already conforms to both the sign ordinance and the approved plan still needs a sign permit before installation.
Division (Q)(2)(a) then bans off-premise, outdoor-advertising signs, meaning billboards, anywhere in the I-65 Overlay District, carving out only an exception for incidental signs placed at the entrances to commercial or industrial subdivisions. Boone County repeats the same billboard ban for its other major highway corridor: § 157.204(P) separately bans off-premise signs in the U.S. 421 - Michigan Road Corridor Overlay District, so both interstate- and highway-facing overlay districts are covered by their own sign bans rather than a single countywide rule.
Violations & Fines
A sign erected without the required APC-approved sign plan, or an off-premise sign placed in violation of the ban, is treated as a zoning violation under § 157.165. The Area Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals can sue in circuit court for an injunction to compel removal under § 157.165(A), and the responsible party faces civil penalties of not more than $500 per day of violation under § 157.165(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business put up a billboard along I-65 in Boone County?
Does the same off-premise sign ban apply elsewhere in the county?
What do I need to put up a regular business sign in the I-65 Overlay District?
What happens if someone puts up an illegal billboard in the overlay district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boone County
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