Helping Columbus businesses stand out from Downtown towers to Short North storefronts. United Signs designs, engineers, and installs ADA-compliant, code-approved signage built for Ohio's capital city.
Columbus sign permits are issued by the Department of Building and Zoning Services under Graphics Code Chapter 3377. Any illuminated sign and any nonilluminated sign over 10 square feet require a permit. Properties in historic districts, including German Village, Short North, and Victorian Village, go through an additional Historic Resources Commission review. United Signs handles code research, permitting, fabrication, and installation entirely in-house.
From concept to installation, our Columbus signage services are designed to deliver lasting impact for businesses across Ohio.
Custom illuminated lettering calculated to your building's fronting elevation and permitted through Columbus DBZS
Programmable message centers and video walls sized within Columbus zoning district display allowances
Ground-mounted entry signage engineered to Ohio wind load standards with full setback compliance
Tactile and visual directional systems meeting federal ADA standards across Columbus commercial properties.
High-rise tower IDs, lobby features, and dimensional lettering built for Columbus historic and commercial districts.
Maintenance programs built for Ohio freeze-thaw cycles and ice storm structural loads.
We confirm your zoning district, graphics code allowances, and Historic Resources Commission requirements before design begins.
Concepts built within your district's allowable area with Ohio wind load calculations and your brand from the first draft.
We prepare and file all zoning clearance and installation permit applications with DBZS.
Ohio-licensed fabrication and installation meeting graphics code and Ohio building code standards.
Maintenance programs built for Ohio freeze-thaw cycles, ice loads, and clay soil movement.
United Signs works across Columbus's full commercial economy including technology, healthcare, retail, corporate, financial services, education, government, faith, entertainment, sports, multifamily, hospitality, and automotive sectors across Franklin County and the broader Central Ohio region.
From Downtown's financial district to Dublin's corporate campuses and the healthcare corridors near OSU Medical Center, Columbus businesses trust United Signs for signage that clears the Graphics Code permit process and holds up through Ohio's four seasons.
Our Columbus team's deep local knowledge means projects advance efficiently in step with DBZS permit timelines, Historic Resources Commission review schedules, and Graphics Code compliance requirements.
Answers to common questions about custom and digital sign services, installation, permitting, and compliance in Columbus.
The Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services issues all sign permits under Graphics Code Chapter 3377. Most permanent signs require a permit, including all illuminated signs and any nonilluminated sign above a certain size threshold. United Signs prepares and submits all required documentation.
Columbus uses a mass factor formula tied to your building's fronting elevation rather than a flat square footage limit. Ground signs also carry a maximum area cap depending on setback distance. United Signs calculates your allowable area before any design work begins so nothing has to be redesigned after the fact.
Properties in Columbus's historic districts, including German Village, Short North, Victorian Village, and Italian Village, require review from their respective historic district commissions before a permit is issued. Each district has its own commission with its own guidelines. We identify historic district status at the start of every project and manage the commission submission alongside the standard permit application. n
Freestanding and ground signs require engineering drawings that address Ohio wind load standards and local soil conditions. Where required, stamped drawings from an Ohio-licensed engineer are included in the permit package. United Signs handles all structural documentation in-house. n
The timeline depends on the sign type, zoning district, and whether commission review applies. Commission reviews can add several weeks, which we account for in the project schedule from the start. We provide a realistic milestone plan at kickoff so there are no surprise delays. n
We serve the full city of Columbus and the greater Central Ohio region across Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Union, and Madison Counties. Our team manages permitting under each municipality's individual sign code across the region. n
Whether you are planning a single installation or a multi-location custom signage solutions program, our team will respond within 24 hours with a clear next step and no obligation. Tell us about your project, and a specialist will get back to you directly.
Tell us about your project and a specialist will get back to you within 24 hours.
Thanks for reaching out. A United Signs specialist will contact you within 24 hours.
Get a response in 24 hours