# Sign Regulations in Clifton, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Clifton, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/clifton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Clifton/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH42ZO_ARTIVSI)

## At a glance

Clifton, Illinois regulates 8 sign types across 5 zoning districts. For Sale/For Rent Signs in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft above curb level tall and 12 sq ft, with a Not closer than 10 ft to adjacent zoning lots setback (Sec. Sec. 42-251(a)(4), (a)(7), (b)). Most commercial signs in Clifton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 8 ft above curb level | 16 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Business Districts | 1 | 20 ft above curb level | 2 x lot frontage (linear ft) or 30% of front wall area | — |
| M-1 Industrial Districts | 1 | — | 2 x lot frontage (linear ft) | — |
| M-2 Industrial Districts | 1 | — | 10 x lot frontage (linear ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | 8 ft above curb level | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Each dwelling unit; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(1), (a)(7) |
| Identification Sign (Multi-family/Office) | 8 ft above curb level | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building, or 2 for corner lot | Multi-family dwellings and offices; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(2), (a)(7), (b) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 ft above curb level | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to a subdivision; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(3), (a)(7) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | 8 ft above curb level | 12 sq ft | — | Not closer than 10 ft to adjacent zoning lots | 1 per lot, or 2 for corner lot | Per lot; not closer than 10 feet to adjacent zoning lots; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(4), (a)(7), (b) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | 8 ft above curb level | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance or exit | At each entrance/exit to parking area; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(5), (a)(7) |
| Church Bulletin Board Sign | 8 ft above curb level | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot, or 2 for corner lot | Church or religious building lot; must not project into the public right-of-way | — | Sec. 42-251(a)(6), (a)(7), (b) |

### B-1 Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | 20 ft above curb level | 2 x lot frontage (linear ft) or 30% of front wall area | — | No sign within 50 ft of residential district | 2 per business | Visible from public way, on premises | — | Sec. 42-252(1)-(7) |

### M-1 Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | — | 2 x lot frontage (linear ft) | — | No sign within 50 ft of park or residential district | 2 per firm | Visible from public way, on premises | — | Sec. 42-253(a)(1), (b), (c), (d) |

## Prohibited signs in Clifton

- Signs of a commercial nature are prohibited in districts in which commercial activities are barred.
- No billboard, poster, or other advertising device employing brilliant rotating lights shall be permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Clifton

- Signs required or erected by governmental agencies are exempt from the requirements of this article.
- One non-illuminated name plate not exceeding one square foot in area for each dwelling unit indicating only name, address and occupation does not require a permit.
- One non-illuminated 'for sale' or 'for rent' sign per lot not exceeding 12 square feet in area not closer than ten feet to adjacent zoning lots does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a drawing showing the design proposed, the size, character and color of letters, lines and symbols, method of illumination; the exact location of the sign in relation to the building and property, the details and specifications for construction.
- No requirements for a master sign plan, sign plan approval meeting, or required variance meeting are specified in the provided ordinance text.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Clifton — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Clifton+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-clifton

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