# Sign Regulations in Glen Carbon, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glen Carbon, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/glen-carbon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Glen Carbon, Illinois regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Development Identification Signs in the RM Multiple-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. 10-15-7).

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 10 ft (top of sign to top of grade) or 2 ft (bottom of sign to top of grade) | 12 sq ft | — |
| RS-10 Single-Family Residential District | 4 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| RT Two-Family Residential District | 4 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| RM Multiple-Family Residential District | 5 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| CM Main Street Commercial District | 11 | 12 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| CN Neighborhood Commercial District, CG General Commercial District, IL Light Industrial District, OP Office Park District, MED Medical District | 11 | 12 ft | 120 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### RM Multiple-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | 10-15-7 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per 25 units served | — | — | 10-15-7 |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | 2 ft | 2 sq ft | — | Wall mounted | 1 per unit on ground floor | Wall mounted | — | 10-15-7 |
| Institutional Uses Monument | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per 300 ft of each street frontage | — | — | 10-15-7 |
| Temporary Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 0 ft | 4 per unit on ground floor | — | — | 10-15-7 |

### CM Main Street Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Electronic or Manual | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 0 ft | 1 double sided | — | — | 10-15-8 |
| Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | 10-15-8 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per parking lot entrance/exit | At parking lot entrance/exit | — | 10-15-8 |
| Monument Sign (Standard) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft | 1 double sided per each street frontage | Freestanding, 1 per street frontage | — | 10-15-8 |
| Monument Sign (15,000 sq ft - 29,999 sq ft parcels) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding | — | 10-15-8 Note 1b |
| Monument Sign (30,000 sq ft+ parcels) | 8 ft | 80 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding | — | 10-15-8 Note 1a |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 0 ft | 2 | — | — | 10-15-8 |
| Unit/Address Identification Sign | 2 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per unit on ground floor | Wall or door mounted | — | 10-15-8 |

### CN Neighborhood Commercial District, CG General Commercial District, IL Light Industrial District, OP Office Park District, MED Medical District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Electronic or Manual | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 double sided | — | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |
| Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per entrance | At each entrance | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per parking lot entrance | At parking lot entrance | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |
| Monument Sign (Standard) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft | 1 double sided per each street frontage | Freestanding, 1 per street frontage | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |
| Monument Sign (15,000 sq ft - 29,999 sq ft parcels) | 6 ft | 48 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding | — | 10-15-9 Note 1b, 10-15-10 Note 1b, 10-15-11 Note 1b, 10-15-12 Note 1b, 10-15-13 Note 1b |
| Monument Sign (30,000 sq ft+ parcels) | 8 ft | 80 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 | Freestanding | — | 10-15-9 Note 1a, 10-15-10 Note 1a, 10-15-11 Note 1a, 10-15-12 Note 1a, 10-15-13 Note 1a |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | 0 ft | 2 | — | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |
| Unit/Address Identification Sign | 2 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per unit on ground floor | Wall or door mounted | — | 10-15-9, 10-15-10, 10-15-11, 10-15-12, 10-15-13 |

## Prohibited signs in Glen Carbon

- No sign shall project beyond a property line or into a public right-of-way, except traffic control signs as authorized pursuant to the Traffic Code.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exitway, window or door opening used as a means of egress, or to obstruct any other means of egress required by the Building Code.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained in a manner that interferes with any opening required for ventilation under the Building Code.
- Signs visible from a public right-of-way that imitate, blend, or conflict with, or may be confused with traffic signals and signs.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement, or illumination as may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which might obstruct from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises (must be removed within 30 days of notification to the owner).
- Signs on public land, except those erected at the direction of or with permission of an appropriate public authority.
- Pennant signs.
- Moving signs.
- Strips or strings of lights used to call attention to a use or occupancy by outlining property lines, sales area, rooflines, doors, windows, wall edges, or other architectural features (except as permitted for residential lighting during certain holidays or as an approved architectural feature).
- Snipe signs.
- Unkempt or unsightly signs.
- Roof signs.
- Signs which project more than fourteen inches (14") from the face of the building.
- Any sign structure which no longer supports a sign (unless temporarily void due to a permitted alteration or repair with a permit on file and completed within one month).
- Permanent or temporary window signs above the second floor, including lettering painted or applied to glass, and temporary promotional displays.
- Portable signs, including sign walkers.
- Billboards.
- Light pole artwork signs.
- Signs in the public right-of-way.
- Vehicles with business signs must park behind the building in a designated parking space if available; else, behind front building line within a designated space, or as far from the right-of-way and least visible as possible.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glen Carbon

- Governmental and official signs including public notices and official notices posted or authorized by government officials in the performance of their duties.
- Signs for the control or direction of traffic and other appropriate public purposes.
- "No parking" and "no trespassing" signs that are no larger than one square foot in gross sign area.
- Identification signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, such as nameplates for professional service or home occupation and address numbers (with specific size limits for residential and commercial properties).
- On site construction signs: only one such sign per development, not to exceed 12 square feet and 10 feet in height (top) or 2 feet (bottom), not in public right-of-way, removed within 10 days after occupancy permit issuance for building or development.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan (referred to as 'common signage plan' or 'master signage plan') is allowed for contiguous lots or single lots with more than one building or tenant space (not including accessory buildings).
- A 20% increase in maximum total sign area is allowed for each included lot under a common signage plan.
- The common signage plan must include a plot plan, building locations, maximum allowable sign areas, sign heights and number of freestanding signs, and proposed locations for each present and future sign of any type (except incidental signs).
- The common signage plan must specify standards for sign consistency regarding lettering style, lighting, location, material, and proportions.
- Window signs in a common or master signage plan may be indicated by area and general type, not each individual sign.
- Number of freestanding signs under a common signage plan must be limited to one per street frontage, with shared usage among users.
- Common signage plans must be included in any site plan or other required plan and are processed concurrently.
- Any new or amended common signage plan for a property must include a schedule to bring all existing non-conforming signs into conformance within three years.
- No sign may be erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with an approved common signage plan for properties subject to such a plan.
- Variances for signage may be sought from the Board of Zoning Appeals based on practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship.
- If the proposed sign is one that must be reviewed and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the applicant is to be advised within 60 days.
- An application for a sign permit shall include plans showing size, shape, location, setbacks, illumination, colors, materials, and support/attachment methods.

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

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