Springfield City, Clark County, Ohio — EMC (Digital/LED) Sign Law: A Practical Guide

The great news is that LED signs are permitted in the City of Springfield, Ohio.
If your property is zoned for commercial or institutional use, you’re eligible to install an Electronic Message Center (EMC) sign. The city’s code (Chapter 1155) allows digital and changeable copy signs under clear performance and safety standards.

Depending on your zoning district and frontage, EMC signs can be installed as wall, monument, or freestanding displays, provided they meet the city’s setback, brightness, and message-hold requirements. Brightness must automatically adjust to ambient light—up to 1,000 nits by day and 500 nits at night in commercial zones—and messages must remain fixed for at least 8 to 20 seconds depending on the district.

Signs must also be safely positioned outside of sight triangles near intersections and driveways and comply with local height and setback limits (typically a minimum 5-foot setback from property lines).

Below are the complete details and code references, but the key takeaway is simple:
✅ Digital LED signs are allowed in Springfield, Ohio—when installed and operated within the city’s sign standards.

---

Permits & Who Can Install

• Sign permit required for most signs and any alteration other than copy changes. Electrical permit required for illuminated signs. (§1155.08(b),(d))

• Licensed installer required (City general contractor license) unless the business owner is installing their own sign. (§1155.08(a))

• Temporary signs need a Temporary Sign Permit and are capped at 30 consecutive days, 6 permits/year, one active temp sign at a time, with a 14-day gap between postings. (§1155.08(e))

---

Where & How You Can Place Signs

• Sight triangles (to protect visibility): no tall signs in required triangles at street intersections or at drive/alleys, with limited height/clearance exceptions. (§1155.07(b)(1)–(2))

• Setbacks: no part of a monument/freestanding sign support within 5 ft of any lot line. (§1155.07(b)(3))

• No blocking doors, windows, fire escapes; no attaching to standpipes/fire escapes. (§1155.07(b)(4))

• Wall signs may be on any building wall. (§1155.07(b)(5))

---

Illumination & Brightness (Applies to All Illuminated/EMC Signs)

• Must be aimed/shielded so they don’t impair drivers or shine directly into residences; no flashing or simulated motion lighting. (§1155.07(c)(1)–(4))

• Must have automatic brightness control and a means to immediately turn off if malfunctioning or unsafe. (§1155.07(c)(5)–(6))

Daytime Maximum Luminance (nits)

• Ag & Residential: 100

• Mixed Neighborhood: 600

• Mixed Urban & Manufacturing: 800 (600 in fog/rain/snow)

• Commercial Arterial / Commercial Highway / Downtown: 1000 (600 in fog/rain/snow)
  (§1155.07(c), Table 1)

Nighttime Maximum Luminance (nits)

• Ag & Residential: 30

• Mixed Neighborhood: 200

• Mixed Urban & Manufacturing: 200

• Commercial Arterial / Commercial Highway / Downtown: 500 (200 in fog/rain/snow)
  (§1155.07(c), Table 2)

---

EMC Operation Rules (Digital Dynamic Display Signs)

Single-Color EMC

• Static images only (no motion, scrolling, fades/dissolves).

• Dwell time: ≥ 8 seconds before changing.

• Auto dimming & kill switch required.

• Provide manufacturer/PE photometric certification + operations manual with permit. (§1155.07(g)(1))

Multi-Color EMC

• Static images only (no motion, scrolling, fades/dissolves). (§1155.07(g)(2)C)

• Minimum dwell time by district (§1155.07(g)(2)E):

  • Commercial Highway: ≥ 8 s

  • Commercial Arterial: ≥ 12 s

  • Downtown: ≥ 15 s

  • Mixed Urban: ≥ 15 s

  • Mixed Neighborhood: ≥ 20 s

  • Manufacturing: ≥ 20 s

• Auto dimming & kill switch, photometric certification, ops manual required. (§1155.07(g)(2)F)

• Conditional Use Permit may be required; spacing/visibility, traffic-device interaction, and context standards apply. (§1155.07(g)(2)G)

---

What’s Prohibited

• Animated signs (except where specifically allowed in Downtown).

• Balloons, spinners, most portable signs, roof signs, abandoned or hazardous signs, and most non-public signs in the right-of-way. (§1155.05)

---

Off-Premises (Billboards) Snapshot

• Not permitted in Residential, Mixed Neighborhood, or Downtown. (§1155.04(f)(1))

• Elsewhere: 1 per lot, ≥ 300 ft from another off-premises sign; ≥ 200 ft from residential districts, schools, cemeteries, public museums, and government offices.

• Max height 35 ft above nearest street grade; typical max area 144 sq ft (double-face 72/face), and counts against on-premise area per rules. (§1155.04(f)(2)–(7))

---

Construction & Maintenance (What Plans Must Show)

• Design to required wind loads; securely fasten freestanding signs; banner corners fastened; projection limits for fascia/canopy signs. (§1155.09(a))

• Keep faces/supports in good repair (no severe fading/peeling/tears/streaking). (§1155.09(b))

---

Nonconforming & Abandoned Signs

• Nonconforming signs can remain but must be maintained; alterations trigger compliance rules. (§1155.07(d))

• Abandoned signs are prohibited and must be removed once abandoned. (§1155.09(d))

---

Permit Checklist (What to Prepare)

1. Owner/installer info and license (if applicable). (§1155.08(f)(1))

2. Site plan with sign location, driveways, and setbacks. (§1155.08(f)(2))

3. Drawings/specs: dimensions, materials, construction, mounting. (§1155.08(f)(3))

4. Structural calcs (as required by Building Code). (§1155.08(f)(4))

5. Electrical permit application (if illuminated). (§1155.08(f)(5))

6. Photometric certification & ops manual (for EMCs). (§1155.07(g))