St. Joseph County, IN Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)

377 governs building signs, the category that includes awning, canopy, projecting, roof, suspended, wall and window signs mounted on or in a structure. A window sign is defined broadly to include anything attached to, placed upon, or printed on the interior or exterior of a window or door, as well as interior displays clearly intended to be read from outside. The dimensional standard is simple: a window sign cannot exceed 25 percent of the window's area, and for a multi-pane window the county adds together the surface area of every individual pane to reach that total, rather than measuring pane by pane.

Any window sign physically attached to the glass, such as vinyl lettering or a decal, must have a clear background so it does not read as an opaque panel covering the glazing. 373(14), one non-illuminated window sign per nonresidential use is exempt from both the permit requirement and the 25 percent rule, provided it does not exceed four square feet. 373. Window signs also count toward the building's overall sign surface area allowance in Table 154-S1, which limits total building signage to a percentage of the facade area that varies by zoning district, from three percent in most non-street-facing orientations up to ten percent for business, commercial, industrial and university district facades facing a street or parking area.