Marion, OH Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Chapter 1161 of the Marion Codified Ordinances names political signs directly. Section 1161.03 applies to temporary signs that are neither accessory signs nor advertising signs, including but not limited to political signs and signs posted for civic and charitable purposes. Those signs must meet the general requirements of § 1161.01 and the applicable requirements of § 1161.02 for temporary accessory signs.

Location is the core limit. Under § 1161.032(A), temporary nonaccessory signs are permitted in all zoning districts, but not on premises used for residential purposes. Under § 1161.032(B) they need not stand on the premises they refer to. Under § 1161.032(C) they cannot be located in a street right-of-way, and they can go on a wall, in a window or in a required yard. In a residential district yard, the sign must sit not less than 12 feet from the street right-of-way. Section 1161.033 bars illumination of these signs in residential districts. Section 1161.014 separately forbids attaching any sign to trees, bus shelters, utility poles, trash receptacles or newspaper vending machines.

Section 1161.031 prints no maximum area for these signs, although its text refers to temporary accessory signs. Section 1161.017 does not require a permit for temporary signs. From the temporary accessory sign rules in § 1161.025(E), a temporary sign must be removed within 14 days after it has served its intended purpose, and it must carry the name and address of the person, firm or corporation responsible for posting it. Section 1161.013(F) allows civic and charitable street banners across public streets with Safety/Service Director approval and a $50 fee per banner, but excludes banners for party-affiliated, individual or group partisan political purposes, which it calls not permissible. The word political appears in Chapter 1161 only in § 1161.03 and that banner exclusion, so the chapter as printed through 2017 contains no separate campaign-sign exception for residential lots.