# Sign Regulations in Collinsville, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Collinsville, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/collinsville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Collinsville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT16SU_CH16.16SUDEIMST_S16.16.380STNASI)

## At a glance

Collinsville, Illinois regulates 30 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Graphic (General, not shopping/office center)s in the Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (commercial/industrial portion), Planned Development District (commercial/industrial portion) zoning district are capped at Zone 1: 80 ft (or 60 ft if adjacent to Illinois Highway 157); Zone 2: 20 ft; Zone 3: 15 ft (20 ft for gasoline/oil stations) tall, 100 sq ft; 300 sq ft in Zone 1, and 12 ft in any dimension wide, with a No projection over lot lines; for 2 signs in Zone 1, must be at least 40 ft apart. setback (Sec. 17.190.040.D.6). Most commercial signs in Collinsville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (residential portion), Planned Development District (residential portion) | 10 | — | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (commercial/industrial portion), Planned Development District (commercial/industrial portion) | 11 | Zone 1: 80 ft (or 60 ft if adjacent to Illinois Highway 157); Zone 2: 20 ft; Zone 3: 15 ft (20 ft for gasoline/oil stations) | 100 sq ft; 300 sq ft in Zone 1 | — |
| Uptown Collinsville District (UCD) | 7 | 36 inches | 20% of total window area | — |
| Sign Zone 1 | 1 | 80 ft; 60 ft if adjacent to Illinois Highway 157 | 300 sq ft | — |
| Sign Zone 2 | 1 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Sign Zone 3 | 1 | 15 ft; Gasoline/Oil Service Stations: 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 32 sq ft (except 16 sq ft in residential zone) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (residential portion), Planned Development District (residential portion)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to the site of the construction | — | 17.190.040.B.1 |
| On-premises Directional Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises by entrances, exits, etc. | — | 17.190.040.B.2 |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | 3 | On-premises | — | 17.190.040.B.3 |
| House Number/Name Sign | — | 3 sq ft (single-family), 6 sq ft (multi-family) | — | — | — | On the lot to which the sign pertains | — | 17.190.040.B.7 |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 16 sq ft (residential) | — | At least 10 ft from back of improved curb | — | Private property (not in right-of-way or public property) | — | 17.190.040.B.10 |
| Property Regulation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | 17.190.040.B.11 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | 17.190.040.B.13 |
| Residential Development Identification Structure | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | At major entrances to subdivision/complex/PUD | — | 17.190.040.B.14 |

### Commercial District, Industrial District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) District (commercial/industrial portion), Planned Development District (commercial/industrial portion)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Graphic (Option 1: Instead of flush-mounted wall sign) | — | 12 sq ft | 3 ft (projection from the building) | At least 2 ft from curb/vehicular edge | 1 per street frontage | No closer than 2 ft to curb/edge of vehicular way, not below 8 ft above ground/pavement, not more than 3 ft above roofline. | — | 17.190.040.D.2 |
| Window Graphic (Permanent) | — | Lesser of 20% of any window or 20 sq ft per window | — | — | — | Exterior window | — | 17.190.040.D.3 |
| Awning, Canopy, or Marquee Sign (suspended, projecting) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Suspended under awning/canopy/marquee | — | 17.190.040.D.4 |
| Freestanding Graphic (General, not shopping/office center) | Zone 1: 80 ft (or 60 ft if adjacent to Illinois Highway 157); Zone 2: 20 ft; Zone 3: 15 ft (20 ft for gasoline/oil stations) | 100 sq ft; 300 sq ft in Zone 1 | 12 ft in any dimension | No projection over lot lines; for 2 signs in Zone 1, must be at least 40 ft apart. | 1 per lot, 2 per lot in Zone 1 with spacing | On lot; must not project over lot line or right of way. | — | 17.190.040.D.6 |
| Shopping/Office Center Identification Freestanding Graphic | — | 100 sq ft (center only), 200 sq ft (center + tenants) | — | — | 1 per shopping/office center | At shopping/office center | — | 17.190.040.D.5 |
| Window Graphic (Temporary) | — | Lesser of 10% of window area or as part of Temporary Signs regulations | — | — | — | Exterior window | — | 17.190.040.D.13 |
| Temporary Signs (Banner, Yard, A-frame, T-frame) | — | 72 sq ft (total per event) | — | — | — | As per permit and not in sight triangle | — | 17.190.040.D.13 |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Component of permitted sign) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Integrated into freestanding or building sign as permitted | — | 17.190.040.D.9 |

### Uptown Collinsville District (UCD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting/Blade Sign (Building mounted, perpendicular to wall) | 36 inches | — | 36 inches | — | — | Above expression line of ground floor façade, must not extend above parapet wall, 10 ft min. clearance above sidewalk or right-of-way, not over roof | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.2.A |
| Pin-mounted Wall Sign / Channel Letters / Graphics | — | — | — | — | — | On building; channel letters etc. | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.2.B |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On awning | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.2.C |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 20% of total window area | — | — | — | On or inside window/door and facing outside | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.2.D.i |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 10% of total window area | — | — | — | On or inside window/door and facing outside | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.2.D.ii |
| A-frame / Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk only if business has valid city permit; must not block a 5 ft clear walkway, must be set to the side of main pedestrian path. | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.3.A |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 17.190.040.D.12.c.3.B |

## Prohibited signs in Collinsville

- Any graphic or sign not expressly permitted by this chapter is prohibited in the City of Collinsville.
- No red, yellow, orange, green or other colored light shall be used within two hundred (200) feet of a traffic sign or device.
- No graphic shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color.
- Beacon lights are prohibited.
- No exposed reflective-type bulb and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds fifteen (15) watts shall be used in the exterior surface of any graphic in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- No graphic which revolves, rotates, or mechanically moves in any manner shall be permitted in the City.
- No graphic shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free access to any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.
- No graphic shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No graphic shall contain the words 'stop', 'go', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning' or similar words unless these specific words are part of the name of the particular business.
- Every graphic shall be designed and constructed in a manner that is safe and shall conform to the applicable provisions of the building and electrical codes.
- The following graphics or signs are prohibited everywhere in the City: mobile/portable signs, air-activated graphics, balloon graphics, blade graphics and vehicle signs (except as allowed for specific events or permits); graphics which contain or consist of pennants, streamers, ribbons, strings of exposed light bulbs, spinners or similar devices; graphics attached to trees, fences or public utility poles (other than certain warning or utility signs); abandoned signs; roof-mounted graphics that extend more than three feet above the highest point of the roof; off-premises signs (with narrow exceptions); snipe signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Collinsville

- Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of the building but not advertising any product, within specified size and duration limits.
- On-premises directional signs such as entrances, exits, parking areas, restrooms, etc., not exceeding six square feet.
- Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government (maximum three per establishment or residential property).
- Signs advertising a garage or yard sale on private residential property per Section 5.20.050.
- Governmental or public signs such as traffic control, railroad crossings, legal notices, and temporary emergency signs authorized by the Administrator.
- Holiday decorations such as Christmas lights and ornaments, provided that such decorations must be removed within thirty (30) days after the holiday.
- House numbers and/or resident-only name signs on the lot to which the sign pertains, within stated size limits.
- Integral signs, memorial signs or tablets carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, containing information such as date of erection, name of building and memorial tributes.
- Interior signs located in any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings or interior enclosed/fenced sporting areas.
- Political campaign signs, subject to content, placement, size, and time restrictions.
- Property regulation signs such as no trespassing, beware of dog, etc., within stated size limits.
- Public interest signs publicizing a charitable or nonprofit event of general public interest, within stated time and placement restrictions.
- Real estate signs indicating the sale, rental, or lease of premises, within area and quantity restrictions and timely removal.
- Residential development identification structures at major entrances, within stated area and noncommercial requirements.
- Street banners or mobile/portable signs or graphics that advertise the City or a public entertainment or event with a permit issued by the Administrator.
- Utility company signs that serve as an aid to public safety or show the location of public telephones, underground cables, etc.
- Historic building signs or plaques containing no advertising and limited to four square feet in area. (Larger or advertising-containing historic signs subject to special process.)
- Special Promotional Graphics for fourteen days per event, up to three promotions per year, with city permit, subject to requirements.
- Public signs such as street identification, traffic signs, and other public interest signs erected by the City or State.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign package is required for review by the Planning Commission for attached tenant identification signs on multiple-story buildings containing multiple businesses or tenants on or above the floor plate of the second floor.
- A sign package is required for a freestanding identification sign facing a limited access highway if the property has more than two existing attached signs.
- For projects with multiple buildings or tenants, unique circumstances such as poor visibility or irregularly shaped sites, or when a uniquely creative approach to signage design is proposed, an applicant may submit a sign package for review and approval by the Planning Commission (optional).
- A consolidated sign package is required for signage approval in a planned unit development (PUD) or planned development district.
- A sign permit is required for any sign, billboard or graphic except those specifically exempted by ordinance.
- Any signage in the Uptown Collinsville District (UCD) that does not conform to the district’s specific regulations may be conditionally permitted only after sign package review and approval by the Planning Commission.
- Variances from sign requirements must be requested via application to the Planning Commission and a public hearing process.
- Deviations from the prohibition on off-premises signs may be considered through a variance application in accordance with Section 17.190.060, Special permits and procedures.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Collinsville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Collinsville+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-collinsville

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