# Sign Regulations in Effingham, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Effingham, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/effingham
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Effingham/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXBZORE_ART24RESI)

## At a glance

Effingham, Illinois regulates 34 sign types across 24 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Sign (within CBD, overlays)s in the Commercial (C), Planned Unit Development—Commercial (PUD-C), Community Gateway Overlay, Complete Streets Overlay zoning district are capped at 3 ft. tall, 6 sq. ft. per side, and 2 ft. wide, with a Minimum 4 ft. sidewalk clearance setback (Sec. Comprehensive Plan, Central Area Overlay, Complete Streets Overlay; common in downtown/commercial districts). Most commercial signs in Effingham require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (24 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rural-Agricultural (RUR), Suburban Residential (SR), Low Density Residential (LDR), Medium/High Density Residential (M/HDR), Non-Urban, PRD Planned Residential Development, R-1 Single-Family, R-2 Single-Family, R-3A Two-Family, R-3B Attached Single-Family, R-3C Multiple Dwelling, R-3D Multiple Dwelling | 2 | — | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial (C), Planned Unit Development—Commercial (PUD-C), Community Gateway Overlay, Complete Streets Overlay | 3 | 8–20 ft. (as regulated by overlay/design guidelines) | Varies by frontage or building size (typically 50–150 sq. ft.) | — |
| Business Park (BP) | 2 | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial (I), Enterprise Zone | 2 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Airport Planning Area, Airport Protection Zone | 1 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Medical Park (PMP), Planned Hospital District | 1 | 12 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Public/Semi-Public, Parks | 1 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District | 2 | 15 ft. | As approved in TIF plan (typically up to 100 sq. ft.) | — |
| Historic Preservation District | 2 | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| Special Service Area, Redevelopment Overlay District, Environmental Overlay District | 1 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Floodplain Areas, Environmental Overlay District | 1 | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. residential/32 sq. ft. commercial, industrial | — |
| Parks | 2 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Airport Planning Area | 1 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Hospital District, Planned Medical Park (PMP) | 2 | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — |
| Community Gateway Overlay | 1 | 15 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Complete Streets Overlay | 1 | 8 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Enterprise Zone | 1 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Airport Protection Zone | 1 | 6 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| Special Service Area (SSA), Redevelopment Overlay District, Environmental Overlay District | 1 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Public/Semi-Public | 2 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Floodplain Areas | 1 | 6 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Redevelopment Overlay District | 1 | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Environmental Overlay District | 1 | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 24 zones)

### Commercial (C), Planned Unit Development—Commercial (PUD-C), Community Gateway Overlay, Complete Streets Overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | None for wall signs | Based on number of occupied units/tenant spaces | On building wall, facing street or public entry | — | Comprehensive Plan, Growth Management Element, Exhibit 3; Central Area Overlay and Gateway Overlay; Policy sections 3.2, 3.4, 8.4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument or Pole) | 8–20 ft. (as regulated by overlay/design guidelines) | Varies by frontage or building size (typically 50–150 sq. ft.) | — | 5–10 ft. from public right-of-way; more in overlays/corner clearance | 1 per lot, more for multi-frontage lots with restrictions | At main business entrance or along principal frontage | — | Comprehensive Plan, Exhibit 3, Gateway Overlay, Community Design Component, Policy 8.4 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (within CBD, overlays) | 3 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per side | 2 ft. | Minimum 4 ft. sidewalk clearance | 1 per business | On sidewalk immediately adjacent to business | — | Comprehensive Plan, Central Area Overlay, Complete Streets Overlay; common in downtown/commercial districts |

### Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business/Development Identification Sign | 15 ft. | As approved in TIF plan (typically up to 100 sq. ft.) | — | As specified | As approved | Key entry points, as approved | — | Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvements Program, TIF section |
| TIF Project/Development Identification Sign | 10 ft. | 64 sq. ft. | — | Minimum as in regular district or 10 ft. from ROW, whichever greater | 1 per approved project | At principal access point(s) of project being funded by TIF | — | Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvements Program, TIF section, sign standards for redevelopment areas |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Construction or Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. residential/32 sq. ft. commercial, industrial | — | — | 1 per property | On property for sale/under construction | — | Comprehensive Plan, General Sign Regulation recommendations, Overlay guidance |
| Directional/Informational Signs (Internal, On-Site) | 5 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | Not in required vision triangle or over public sidewalk | As needed, subject to site plan | On property, not in right-of-way; at driveways/intersections/decision points | — | Comprehensive Plan, Development Controls, General Sign Guidance |
| Temporary Event/Announcement Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. (residential), 32 sq. ft. (non-residential) | — | Not to block visibility, sidewalk, or cause distraction | No more than 1 at each public frontage per event | On property of event/organization (not off-premises) | — | Comprehensive Plan, General Regulations, event/temporary sign control policies |

## Prohibited signs in Effingham

- Limit development of critical resource areas, including floodplains, wetlands, and woodlands to protect water quality, avoid stormwater runoff, and preserve environmental resources.
- Maintain development standards consistent with FEMA guidelines to minimize flooding and encroachment on floodplains.
- Regulate cut and fill activities to prevent erosion and surface water runoff.
- Restrict direct access to arterial and collector roadways from development projects when access can be provided via a collector or local street, or joint access facility.
- Discourage commercial strip or linear development in non-designated corridors.
- Encourage buffering and other techniques to soften transitions between residential and more intensive development.
- Require on-site mitigation of increased stormwater runoff except when a regional facility is available.
- Prohibit incompatible land uses (including residential, churches, schools, hospitals) in airport approach zones through adoption of an Airport Overlay District.
- Enforce code compliance by residential property owners to prevent community decline, deterioration in housing stock, and lowering property valuations.
- Adopt and enforce sign regulations to improve the character of the City, reducing clutter and distraction, and lessening visual blight, including elimination of portable signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Effingham

- Private sector provision of solid waste removal and recycling is encouraged.
- Certain agricultural and very low intensity residential uses are allowed in rural/agricultural designated areas.
- Some non-residential development, such as plant nurseries and orchards, which require limited public facilities and services, may be accommodated in rural areas.
- Clustered development may be allowed in rural areas through the planned development process where appropriate infrastructure exists.
- Development that meets the requirements for preservation of open space and conservation may be permitted through cluster subdivision or planned unit development.
- Existing uses and zoning classifications are recognized; future land use categories are generalized and may provide guidance rather than absolute restriction.
- On-site water source may be permitted for fire protection in certain rural and park/open space uses, subject to service limitation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Develop a public sign program to enhance community image, including coordinated signage for public buildings, entry signs at gateways, and special signage for districts such as downtown and the medical center area.
- Adopt new sign regulations in the land development regulations to improve the visual character of the City and promote safety.
- Adopt a Community Gateway Overlay to include design standards for signage, landscaping, lighting, and public art at primary City entries and corridors.
- Implement community image policies by requiring transitions, buffering, and coordinated signage between districts.
- Periodic review and enforcement of the existing sign ordinance is recommended to improve the visual environment while recognizing economic purposes (e.g., highway advertising).
- The City encourages enhancement of community image through signage as an element of the Crossroads of Opportunity theme.
- Gateways and corridors should be enhanced with coordinated public and private sign improvements, subject to architectural and design standards.
- Special signage for public streets, civic areas, special districts, and similar areas is recommended through banner and coordinated signage programs.

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

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