# Sign Regulations in East Peoria, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** East Peoria, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/east-peoria
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/East_Peoria/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT5ZORE_CH16SIRE)

## At a glance

East Peoria, Illinois regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use)s in the R-4 zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 100 sq ft, with a 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(2)). Most commercial signs in East Peoria require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 3 ft | 5 sq ft (residential zones), 32 sq ft (business/manufacturing zones) | — |
| C, R-1, R-2, R-3 | 6 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| R-4 | 8 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| B-1 | 6 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — |
| B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2 | 9 | 55 ft | 800 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 5 sq ft (residential zones), 32 sq ft (business/manufacturing zones) | — | — | — | On construction site only, not within right-of-way or utility easement | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(1) |
| Directional/Information Sign | 3 ft | 4 sq ft | — | At least 1 foot from property lines | — | On property to which they pertain, at least 1 foot from property line | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(2)-(3) |
| Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On residential building/unit | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(7) |
| No Trespassing/No Dumping Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 250 linear feet | On posted property | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(10) |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On private property with permission | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(12) |
| Real Estate Sign (On-Premises) | — | 5 sq ft (residential), 32 sq ft (business/manufacturing) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Adjacent to each street frontage on lot being sold/leased/rented | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(14)a |
| Real Estate Sign (Off-Premises Directional) | — | 5 sq ft (residential), 32 sq ft (business/manufacturing) | — | — | Up to 3 per property | — | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(14)b |
| Projecting Pedestrian Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | Business and manufacturing districts; max 1 per premises | — | Sec. 5-16-4(c)(18) |

### R-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per major entrance | Per major entrance, on private property within boundary or contiguous parcel | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2) |
| Apartment Freestanding Identification Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per apartment | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per use | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(2) |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential Use) | — | 48 sq ft (copy area) | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(2) |
| Sign in Planned Unit Development | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per planned unit development | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(3) |
| Day Care Center Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per day care center | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(a) referencing (2)(4) |
| Apartment Complex Building Identification Wall Sign | — | 8 sq ft (copy area) | — | — | 1 per apartment complex building | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(b) |
| Identification Sign (Other Uses) | 8 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft (freestanding), 8 sq ft (wall) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way (freestanding) | — | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(3)(c) |

### B-2, B-3, M-1, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 500 sq ft per parcel, no one sign more than 500 sq ft | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per 100 ft frontage; max total area 500 sq ft | Premises with street frontage on a public right-of-way | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(a)-(f) |
| Wall/Individual Letter/Canopy/Awning Signs Combined | — | — | — | — | — | On building, using all rights-of-way frontage | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(d)-(e) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per window | Inside window surface | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(j) |
| A-Frame or Swinging Sign (Automobile Service Stations) | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per automobile service station | Not located beyond property line | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(g) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(h) |
| Banner | 3 ft | — | 10 ft | — | 1 per business | On building, not on fences, posts, poles | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(k) |
| Monument Sign | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Sec. 5-16-5(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Gaming Facility) | 55 ft | 800 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property owned/controlled by state gaming licensee | — | Sec. 5-16-5(5)(l) |

## Prohibited signs in East Peoria

- It is unlawful for any person to erect, place or maintain a sign in the city or to permit a sign to remain on property which such person controls or has an ownership interest in, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
- The following types of signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (except as otherwise provided in this chapter): abandoned signs.
- Banners, pennants, festoons, searchlights (except as otherwise permitted by sections 5-16-6(4) and 5-16-7(d) and (e)).
- Flags other than those of any nation, state, political subdivision, or corporation.
- Signs attached or printed on trees, utility poles, public benches, streetlights or placed on any public property or public right-of-way except as otherwise permitted in this chapter.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals.
- Signs placed on or over public rights-of-way (except as may be permitted).
- Sandwich board signs, sidewalk or curb signs, balloons or other gas-filled fixtures, swinging signs, and A-frame signs (except as may be permitted).
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying the sign except allowed portable signs or to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business.
- Signs that contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, pornographic or immoral character or which contain advertising matter which is untruthful.
- Portable signs.
- Garage (yard) sale or rummage sale signs posted in excess of the five-day limitation.
- Signs erected in such a manner as to obstruct the line of sight of traffic or traffic lights at intersections.
- Signs that interfere with the proper and convenient protection of persons or property by the police or fire department.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached in any form, shape or manner which will interfere with any opening required for ventilation, except as provided for transom windows.
- Signs shall maintain minimum clearances from power lines in accordance with code; must not be installed closer than 24 inches horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action.
- Signs shall be anchored to prevent any lateral movement that would cause wear on supporting members or connections.
- All signs except temporary signs must be of a permanent nature and cannot be constructed of cloth, paper, cardboard or similar materials.
- No part of any wall or window sign (temporary or permanent) shall be located above the first occupied floor of a building; further, no part of any sign, except a freestanding sign, shall extend above the roofline of a building.
- No off-premises sign shall have an overall height exceeding 35 feet.
- Posting advertisements or signs on any billboard or signpost which does not fully conform to all the provisions of section 5-16-9 and all other ordinances of the city is not permitted.
- No person shall, without consent of the owner or occupant, post, stick or place any handbill, showbill, placard, or notice upon any building, wall, fence, or tree box.
- It is unlawful to permit any loose or flapping combustible materials to hang from or to be attached to any billboard, signboard, or other place used for display or advertising purposes.
- It is unlawful for any outdoor advertiser to carry on business unless their name is displayed on all billboards or signboards or notices/advertisements posted by them.

## Signs exempt from permit in East Peoria

- Construction signs, with time and placement restrictions.
- Directional/information signs located entirely on the property to which they pertain not exceeding four square feet and an overall height of three feet.
- Signs identifying parking lot entrances and exits located on property, at least one foot from property lines, not exceeding four square feet, and three feet in height.
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation, political subdivision, or corporate flag.
- Governmental signs or notices, including traffic, street, danger, railroad crossing, and public service signs.
- Holiday or special events decorations.
- House numbers and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential unit.
- Interior signs not seen from the public right-of-way (though not exempt from other required permits as specified elsewhere).
- Memorial signs, tablets, or cornerstones identifying buildings and date of construction, provided the sign, tablet, or cornerstone is part of the building.
- "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs limited to 1.5 square feet per sign with no more than one sign per 250 linear feet of perimeter, except with special permission.
- Official public notices posted by public offices or employees in the performance of their duties.
- Political signs placed on private property with permission of the landowner or person in control.
- Bulletin boards in connection with public buildings, schools, medical facilities, or religious institutions solely for displaying the name of the building and its activities or services.
- Real estate signs: one on-premises sign per street frontage; up to three off-premises directional signs for sale/rent/lease, with removal requirements.
- Symbols or insignia of religious institutions or commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies.
- Signs warning the public of the existence of danger that do not contain advertising.
- Temporary window signs in business and manufacturing zones, provided they do not exist for more than 30 days.
- One projecting pedestrian sign per premises in business/manufacturing districts, not larger than four square feet.
- Signs regarding trading stamps, credit cards, or trade affiliations when incidental to other signage on the property in manufacturing and business zoning districts.
- Garage, yard, or rummage sale signs not exceeding two square feet and not posted for more than five days.
- Signs provided by the chief of police regulating soliciting.
- Temporary off-premises signs for religious, civic, political, or charitable events or projects (limited placement and removal timeframes).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit required for erection, construction, enlargement, moving, or conversion of any sign, except as otherwise provided (Sec. 5-16-3(b)).
- Application for permit must include a site plan showing proposed location of the sign along with locations and square footage area of all existing signs on the premises (Sec. 5-16-3(c)(5)).
- No specific mention of a Master Sign Plan requirement; however, site-specific sign plans are required with applications for all permits.
- Variances may be sought through the zoning board of appeals; application and public hearing procedure required for any variance request.
- Off-premises signs require both a permit and approval by the city council after a recommendation and public hearing by the zoning board of appeals (Sec. 5-16-6(1)).
- Special use permits may be required for certain circumstances (e.g., automatic changeable copy area exceeding limits, collocation, off-premises signs); approval processes involve city council and/or zoning board of appeals.
- Design of certain special off-premises signs must be approved by the city's design review committee (Sec. 5-16-6(7)(i)(5)).

## 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 East Peoria — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=East+Peoria+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-east-peoria

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