# Sign Regulations in Carrollton, Illinois

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Carrollton, Illinois, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Carrollton, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/carrollton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Carrollton, Illinois regulates 27 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 35 ft (max) tall, 100 sq ft (max), and 12 ft (max) wide, with a Must be 10 ft from public ROW line if <10 ft above ground/pavement setback (Sec. § 153.29). Most commercial signs in Carrollton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District, Residential District | 13 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business District, Industrial District | 20 | 35 ft (max) | Max 300 sq ft per street front, per establishment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to the site of construction | — | § 153.10(B)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per street front per lot | On the property that is for sale, rental or lease | — | § 153.10(B)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign - Other | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street front per lot | On the property that is for sale, rental or lease | — | § 153.10(B)(2) |
| Political Sign - Agricultural or Residential | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or premises | On lot or premises | — | § 153.10(B)(3) |
| Political Sign - Other Districts | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or premises | On lot or premises | — | § 153.10(B)(3) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private residential property | — | § 153.10(B)(4) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 153.10(B)(7) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | At residential subdivision or apartment complex entrance | — | § 153.10(B)(10) |

### Agricultural District, Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction | — | § 153.10(B)(1); § 153.11 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per street front per lot | On lot for sale/rent/lease | — | § 153.10(B)(2); § 153.11 |
| Political Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or premises | On lot or premises | — | § 153.10(B)(3); § 153.11 |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private residential property | — | § 153.10(B)(4); § 153.11 |
| Institutional Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 153.10(B)(7); § 153.11 |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance to residential subdivision or apartment complex | — | § 153.10(B)(10); § 153.11 |
| Permanent House Number/Occupant Name Sign (Single-Family) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Lot to which sign applies | — | § 153.10(B)(11); § 153.11 |
| Permanent House Number/Occupant Name Sign (Multi-Family) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Lot to which sign applies | — | § 153.10(B)(11); § 153.11 |

### Business District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted (Wall) Sign | — | Max 300 sq ft per street front, per establishment | — | — | — | Mounted on wall of building | — | § 153.02; § 153.12; § 153.25; § 153.28(A) |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft (max extension) | Counts against sign area allowance for establishment (see formula for total allowed per street front) | — | — | One per street front | Attached to building, projects outward | — | § 153.27 |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft (max) | 100 sq ft (max) | 12 ft (max) | Must be 10 ft from public ROW line if <10 ft above ground/pavement | One per street front | On ground or post, on property | — | § 153.29 |
| Billboard | 10 ft | 80 sq ft (max) | — | 25 ft from any lot line or public ROW | — | — | — | § 153.30(B); permitted only in Industrial District |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction | — | § 153.10(B)(1); § 153.12 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street front per lot | On lot for sale/rent/lease | — | § 153.10(B)(2); § 153.12 |
| Political Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per lot or premises | On lot or premises | — | § 153.10(B)(3); § 153.12 |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | § 153.10(B)(4); § 153.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Carrollton

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this chapter shall be deemed prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape or driveway.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of, or is likely to be confused with any authorized traffic-control device.
- No sign shall employ red, yellow or green lights in such a manner as to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic.
- No sign other than those providing time and temperature information shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, except electronically-operated, changeable signs.
- The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded or directed so that it creates neither a nuisance to adjacent property nor a traffic hazard.
- Mobile/portable marquees are strictly prohibited throughout the city.
- Signs attached to trees, fences or public utility poles, other than warning signs posted by government officials or public utilities, are strictly prohibited.
- Defunct signs, including the posts or other supports that advertise or identify an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises, are strictly prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs are strictly prohibited.
- It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to disobey the instructions of any traffic sign or signal placed in view by authority.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, light, reflector or device which purports to be or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic.
- No sign may hide from view or interfere with movement of traffic or the effectiveness of any traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal.
- No commercial advertising is allowed on traffic signs or signals on highways.
- It is unlawful to maintain or operate any flashing or rotating beacon of light in view of any street or highway.
- No person shall place any sign, advertisement or banner over or across any street, alley or sidewalk unless with written approval of the City Council.
- No person shall nail, tack, paste, paint or fasten any sign onto any telephone, telegraph, electric light, police and/or fire alarm pole or post, or any street or traffic sign located on any sidewalk, street, alley or public grounds, or injure or deface any such pole or post.
- It shall be unlawful to maintain any sign, signal, marking or device other than a traffic sign or signal authorized by the City or State in view of a street or highway that imitates an official traffic-control device or which hides such a device.
- No person shall deface, injure, move or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.
- It is unlawful to maintain anywhere in the city any sign resembling an official traffic-control device in view of any street or highway.
- No person shall place within any municipal park or affix to any object therein any sign or device designed to advertise any business, profession, exhibition, event or thing unless permitted.
- Possession of city-owned traffic-control signals, signs or markers without authority is prohibited.
- It is unlawful to deface, disfigure, damage or destroy any street sign within the city.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carrollton

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors involved with construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of building (not advertising any product), not exceeding 24 square feet, confined to the construction site, and removed within 14 days after the project's intended use has begun.
- Real estate signs indicating the sale, rental, or lease of the premises, meeting size, duration, and location restrictions.
- Political signs announcing candidates or issues, subject to size limits and removal after the election.
- Garage sale signs for private residential property, subject to size and duration limits.
- Public interest signs and street banners for charitable or non-profit events, subject to size and duration restrictions.
- Governmental, public, and directional signs (traffic-control signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, public utility signs, no trespassing, no parking, parking lot entry-exit, telephone/restroom location, etc.).
- Institutional signs identifying a public, charitable, or religious institution, located on the premises, not obstructing vision, and not exceeding 24 square feet.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, with identification or memorial information.
- Home occupation signs identifying only the name and occupation of residents (not illuminated, max 4 square feet).
- Subdivision entrance signs identifying a residential subdivision or apartment complex, with no commercial advertising, not exceeding 20 square feet.
- Permanent house numbers or occupant name signs (max 2 square feet for single-family; 6 for multi-family).
- Signs located in the interior of a building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons or residents.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this chapter is considered prohibited, implying need for plan review or permit for any unlisted sign.
- Temporary signs require a permit and, for duration beyond 30 days, approval may be required from Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Every sign shall be designed and constructed in conformity with any applicable provisions of the adopted Building Code, implying plan review or compliance submission.
- No specific reference to a required master sign plan or formal sign plan process is found in the provided sections.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Carrollton, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Carrollton+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-carrollton

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