Sign Regulations in Cortland, Illinois
Cortland, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Awning Sign, Window Sign, Wall Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 7, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Cortland, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Cortland
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | 16 ft or less, not to exceed awning height | See Table 1 (e.g. C-1: 16 sq ft/40%, C-2: 16 sq ft/40%, I-1, I-2: 40%) | Awning and sign may not project within 2 ft of curb. |
| Canopy Sign | 16 ft or less, not to exceed canopy height | See Table 1 (e.g. C-1: 25%, C-2: 25%, I-1, I-2: 25%) | May not project within 2 ft of curb. |
| Freestanding Sign | AG/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4: 8–15 ft; C-1/I-1/I-2: 8–15 ft; C-2: 8–15 ft or 15 ft on arterial | See Table 1 (e.g. 32 sq ft, C-2 arterial: 64 sq ft) | Min 10 ft from right-of-way and lot lines; see 9-6-7(C), 9-6-9(F) |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for CortlandFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
16
- Awning Sign
- Window Sign
- Wall Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial)
- Roof Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Cortland
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
In Cortland, monument signs are limited to AG/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4: 8–15 ft; C-1/I-1/I-2: 8–15 ft; C-2: 8–15 ft or 15 ft on arterial. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Cortland, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Cortland, regulated sign types include Awning Sign, Window Sign, Wall Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial), Roof Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Cortland, monument signs typically require a Min 10 ft from right-of-way and lot lines; see 9-6-7(C), 9-6-9(F) setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Cortland are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Cortland has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Cortland, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Cortland, Illinois regulates 16 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Awning Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 16 ft or less, not to exceed awning height tall and See Table 1 (e.g. C-1: 16 sq ft/40%, C-2: 16 sq ft/40%, I-1, I-2: 40%), with a Awning and sign may not project within 2 ft of curb. setback (Sec. 9-6-7(A), 9-6-8 Table 1). Most commercial signs in Cortland require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Cortland, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Cortland (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 30 ft from grade or 2 stories, whichever less | 50 sq ft | — |
| AG, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 | 2 | 8 ft on local/collector, 15 ft on arterials | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-1 | 8 | Per wall sign standards: 30 ft or 2 stories | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-2 | 7 | 30 ft/2 stories | 64 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 4 | 30 ft/2 stories | 32 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Cortland(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign | 16 ft or less, not to exceed awning height | See Table 1 (e.g. C-1: 16 sq ft/40%, C-2: 16 sq ft/40%, I-1, I-2: 40%) | — | Awning and sign may not project within 2 ft of curb. | 1 per awning | Any awning surface facing public street or public entrance; cannot project more than 8 ft from wall or within 2 ft of curb. | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(A), 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Canopy Sign | 16 ft or less, not to exceed canopy height | See Table 1 (e.g. C-1: 25%, C-2: 25%, I-1, I-2: 25%) | — | May not project within 2 ft of curb. | 1 per street frontage/building/tenant space | Mounted on face of canopy, per street frontage/building/tenant space | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(B), 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign | AG/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4: 8–15 ft; C-1/I-1/I-2: 8–15 ft; C-2: 8–15 ft or 15 ft on arterial | See Table 1 (e.g. 32 sq ft, C-2 arterial: 64 sq ft) | — | Min 10 ft from right-of-way and lot lines; see 9-6-7(C), 9-6-9(F) | 1 per street frontage per lot | At least 10 ft from driveway and lot line, 10 ft from front property line, as far as possible from transition side lot; at least 10 ft from building, except 4 ft high signs may be 3 ft from building; must be on landscaped area. | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(C), 9-6-8 Table 1, 9-6-9(F) |
| Portable Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | Same as freestanding sign. | 1 per lot | As for freestanding signs, but may be closer than 100 ft from a freestanding sign. | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(D), 9-6-9(C) |
| Projecting Sign | 14 ft or less, not to exceed roof or wall height | 16 sq ft | — | May not project within 2 ft of curb. | 1 per establishment per eligible building wall | Affixed to wall with public entrance and facing public street. May not extend into right-of-way beyond 2 ft from curb. | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(E) |
| Roof Sign | 30 ft from grade or 2 stories, whichever less | See Table 1 (e.g. C-1, C-2, I zones: 25% of display area) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On decorative mansard, penthouse or permitted architectural element extending above roofline; single-faced; parallel to eave line; must face public street; >50 ft from public street; may not face residential lot. | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(F), 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Temporary Sign | Freestanding: 8 ft | Freestanding: 32 sq ft; Attached: 60 sq ft | — | As for awning/canopy/roof/wall/freestanding depending on placement. | 1 per street frontage, except grand opening | Same as awning, canopy, roof, wall, or freestanding by sign type | — | Unlock | 9-6-7(G), 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 8 or 15 ft | As specified for undeveloped land (see AG/R for 32 sq ft) | — | 10 ft to right-of-way, 75 ft to side lot line | 1 per street frontage per lot | Only on unimproved property; not closer than 100 yards to residential lot, not closer than 100 ft to any other freestanding sign on lot. | — | Unlock | 9-6-9(D) |
C-1
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Local/Collector) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | 1 per street frontage per lot | 10 ft from driveway, lot line, right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Arterial) | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | 1 per street frontage per lot | 10 ft from driveway, lot line, right-of-way. | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Wall Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | Per wall sign standards: 30 ft or 2 stories | 30% of display area | — | — | 1 per frontage/per building wall w/entrance | Wall with entrance or street facing | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Roof Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | Per roof sign standard: max 30 ft, 2 stories | 25% of display area | — | — | 1 per street frontage | See roof sign rules | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Canopy Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | 16 ft or canopy height | 25% of canopy area | — | May not project into street within 2 ft of curb | 1 per street frontage/tenant | On face of canopy | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Projecting Sign | 14 ft or less | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per wall per est. | Facing public street/entrance | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1, 9-6-7(E) |
| Awning Sign | 16 ft | 16 sq ft/40% of awning area | — | May not project within 2 ft of curb | 1 per awning | On awning facing public street or entrance | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | No explicit limit | On/within 3 ft of window facing street/entrance | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
C-2
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (Local/Collector) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | 1 per frontage per lot | At least 10 ft from driveway, lot line, right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Arterial) | 15 ft | 64 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | 1 per frontage per lot | At least 10 ft from driveway, lot line, right-of-way | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Wall Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | — | 30% of display area | — | — | 1 per frontage/wall per est. | Wall with public entrance or facing street | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Roof Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | 30 ft/2 stories | 25% of display area | — | — | 1 per frontage | On permitted architectural element above roof | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Canopy Sign (Local/Collector/Arterial) | 16 ft | 25% of display area | — | — | 1 per frontage/tenant | On face of canopy | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Awning Sign | 16 ft | 16 sq ft/40% awning area | — | May not project within 2 ft of curb | 1 per awning | On awning facing street/entrance | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | On/within 3 ft of window facing street/entrance | — | Unlock | 9-6-8 Table 1 |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Cortland — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Cortland — start freeProhibited Signs in Cortland
- Flashing signs, except electronic message boards which show temperature, time, business or public service messages for not less than two (2) second intervals.
- Signs which are wholly dependent upon a building for support or mounted on the roof, which project more than six inches (6") above the highest point of a building or roof to which they are attached, unless permitted otherwise.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to public health or safety.
- Signs displaying obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- Signs mounted on trailers or motor vehicles, except those containing the name, address or business identification of the owner/user and displayed on a motor vehicle in use and portable signs as defined are exempt.
- Attention getting devices including, but not limited to, inflatable, moving, rotating or undulating signs, or light beams except as otherwise permitted with a special events permit only once annually per establishment.
- Signs which, by reason of size, location, content, color, or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of motorists or interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'stop', 'look', 'one-way', 'danger', 'yield', or any similar word, phrase, symbol or light so as to interfere with or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Signs displayed within or extended over public right of way, except those erected or authorized by a government authority.
- Signs which obstruct ingress or egress from any fire escape, door, window, or other exit or entrance.
- Advertising, business, or identification signs on light poles of establishments.
- Signs painted directly on trees, rocks and fences and other structures or objects, except walls.
- Festoon lighting.
Exempt Signs in Cortland
- Flags, symbols or crests of nations, states, cities or political, fraternal, religious or civic organizations (not exceeding four); one company/business flag allowed if flown with American flag and is not larger.
- Decorations customarily and commonly associated with a national, local or religious holiday, or recognized local special event, provided they are not displayed for more than sixty (60) days.
- Signs which direct or regulate movement of pedestrians or vehicles into or within a site (limited in number and size, and minimal advertising).
- Signs identifying names and locations of occupants or uses within a building(s), not exceeding 20 square feet in area or 8 feet in height, and not closer than 50 feet to property line.
- Signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area bearing only name, logo, occupant or address of lot, or indicating building entrances or exits. These signs may be illuminated.
- Legal notices, identification, informational, directional, traffic or other sign erected or required by governmental authority.
- Signs no greater than sixteen (16) square feet in area announcing political candidates or issues.
- Memorial signs or tablets with building name and construction date, when cut into masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material and permanently attached.
- Nonilluminated signs displayed on windows if total window signs do not exceed 40% of window surface area.
- Real estate signs not more than six (6) square feet in area; limited to one per street yard; must be set back at least 10 feet from lot line, not exceed 6 feet in height, not illuminated, and removed within 2 days of closing or lease.
- Signs attached to the underside of a canopy not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, mounted at right angles to facade, at least 7 feet above sidewalk, no part within 1 foot of canopy edge.
- Public telephone, gasoline pump and vending machine graphics, logos and instructions.
- Signs not exceeding three (3) square feet in area, not closer than ten (10) feet to property line, and legible from property line.
- One construction sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area, eight (8) feet in height, erected on a lot where construction is taking place, only while construction is occurring, wall or freestanding.
- Works of art that do not include a commercial message, graphic or logo.
- One menu board sign for a drive-in window operation not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area or eight (8) feet in height.
- Signs no greater than two (2) square feet in area giving warnings (e.g., beware of dog, no trespassing, no dumping), not to exceed four per lot except as allowed by zoning administrator.
- Religious symbols, identification emblems of religious orders or commemorative plaques or recognized historical agencies, not greater than thirty-two (32) square feet.
- Signs on agricultural property: up to two (2) square feet for products used/produced; up to thirty-two (32) square feet for sale of agricultural products grown/produced on property.
- Signs up to four (4) square feet providing hours of operation or indicating open/closed.
- Portable signs no larger than ten (10) square feet on sidewalk along facade of commercial use, displayed only during operation hours, not interfering with pedestrians.
- Identification and warning signs as required by section 9-4-34B.3.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Cortland
- There is no explicit general requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan in the reviewed ordinance sections.
- A zoning certificate (sign permit) is required for all signs except those enumerated as exempt in section 9-6-5.
- Applications for a zoning certificate must include plans/specifications, site and building location plans, scale drawing including sign message/design/color, owner consent, and insurance/bond (except for temporary signs).
- No statement in the provided text indicates a sign plan, master sign plan, or variance meeting is required for general sign approval; process relies on sign permit/zoning certificate.
Source: municode municipal code