# Sign Regulations in Godfrey, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Godfrey, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/godfrey
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Godfrey/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH74TRVE_ARTIINGE_S74-1POSI)

## At a glance

Godfrey, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Identification Signs in the Single-Family Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 3 sq. ft., with a Right-of-way setback (Sec. 80.008.1 (Identification Signs - Single-Family Res. Districts)). Most commercial signs in Godfrey require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential Districts | 4 | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Multifamily Residential Districts | 3 | 6 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 8 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 3 | 8 ft. | Aggregate limited to 25% of window area | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5) | 5 | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| Manufacturing Districts (M-1, M-2) | 3 | 40 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| Agricultural Districts (Ag) | 3 | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Developments | 1 | — | — | — |
| Conservation Overlay Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Visual Corridor (Viewshed) Areas | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 40 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Single-Family Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 6 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | Right-of-way | 2/building or lot | On building or lot | — | 80.008.1 (Identification Signs - Single-Family Res. Districts) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Right-of-way | 1/frontage | Right-of-way | — | 80.008.1 (Temporary Real Estate, Yard and Garage Sale, and Construction Signs - Single-Family Res. Districts) |
| Temporary Yard or Garage Sale Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Right-of-way | 1/frontage | On premises or property with owner's permission | — | 80.008(c)(2), 80.008.1 |
| Temporary Campaign Sign | 6 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | O/R/W (5 feet from public/private village streets, 10 feet from state or county streets/highways) | Not limited | O/R/W (Setback from right-of-way) | — | 80.008.1 (Temporary Campaign Signs - Res. Districts) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign (B-1) | 8 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft inside property line; not over/in right-of-way | Minimum one per lot; more depends on frontage and spacing | Not in right-of-way, must be at least 10 ft inside property line | — | 80.013.6(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign (B-2, B-3) | 12 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft inside property line | Minimum one per lot; more depends on frontage and spacing | Not in right-of-way, must be at least 10 ft inside property line | — | 80.013.6(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign (B-4, Ag) | 15 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft inside property line | Minimum one per lot; more depends on frontage and spacing | Not in right-of-way, must be at least 10 ft inside property line | — | 80.013.6(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Accessory Sign (B-5) | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — | At least 10 ft inside property line | Minimum one per lot; more depends on frontage and spacing | Not in right-of-way, must be at least 10 ft inside property line | — | 80.013.6(a)-(f) |
| Wall Sign (Attached Accessory Sign) | Top of wall or roof (so long as it does not rise above) | Per above formula | — | — | — | Attached to building or structure | — | 80.013.5 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 6 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — | Right-of-way | Not limited | R/W (right-of-way); must comply with intersection sight triangle | — | 80.008.1 |
| Historical or Memorial Marker | 6 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | R/W | 1/lot | R/W | — | 80.008.1 |
| Flag, Emblem, or Insignia | 40 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | R/W | 1/frontage | R/W | — | 80.007(k), 80.008.1 |
| Information Board | 8 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 15 ft. | 1/building or lot | May be freestanding or attached, 15 ft. setback | — | 80.008.1 |
| Vending Machine Sign | 6 ft. | 18 sq. ft. | — | — | Not limited | On applicable device | — | 80.008.1 |
| Noncommercial Protected Speech Sign | N/A | N/A | — | R/W | N/A | R/W | — | 80.008.1 |

## Prohibited signs in Godfrey

- Any sign not expressly permitted by this Ordinance is prohibited.
- Wind-blown devices such as pennants, streamers, spinners, balloons, gas-filled figures and other similar devices, except as advertising or notice for a temporary event or special promotion as permitted under the temporary sign standards.
- Animated signs, except for electronic changeable copy signs or time and temperature signs.
- Portable signs, except those not readable from the public right-of-way or those permitted as a temporary sign.
- Portable changeable copy signs are prohibited except as temporary signs under limitations and may not be converted to permanent signs.
- Signs which project over a public right-of-way, except as allowed for wall signs (not more than 18 inches) in certain districts or as otherwise permitted.
- Signs on vehicles or trailers parked primarily for advertising purposes.
- Signs affixed to trees, rocks, or other natural features.
- Signs of any type which imitate traffic control devices.
- Roof signs (as defined), except for approved 'roof signs, integral.'
- Signs on roadside appurtenances (benches, shelters, planters, utility poles, refuse containers), except warning or governmental signs.
- A series of two or more signs placed in a line parallel to a street or similar fashion, all carrying a single commercial message split across signs.
- Beacons.
- Signs which move or have any moving parts.
- Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, except as otherwise permitted.
- Flashing signs (except as expressly permitted).
- Signs painted directly on any exterior building wall.
- Defunct or abandoned signs (those advertising an activity/business no longer on the premises).
- Signs in the public right-of-way or on public property, except as provided in section 80.010.
- No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape or required exit, window, door, or wall opening intended as a means of ingress or egress.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner which would interfere with, obstruct the view of, or create likely confusion with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner which would interfere with line of sight or create any sort of traffic hazard or impediment to the ingress or egress of traffic.
- No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with the view of any existing warning or instructional sign.
- No sign shall be illuminated in a manner that creates a nuisance to the public or surrounding properties or creates a traffic hazard.
- No sign of any type shall be erected, located, or maintained: (1) so as to interfere with any line of sight for any vehicular or pedestrian traffic; (2) so as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or cause confusion with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device; (3) so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape or driveway; or (4) so as to create any sort of hazard or danger to any other nearby structure, property, or the public.
- Movement (revolve, rotate, mechanically move) is prohibited for attached and freestanding accessory signs.
- No accessory sign shall be located or installed in any conservation overlay district or visual corridor (viewshed) except by approval of the planning and zoning commission.

## Signs exempt from permit in Godfrey

- Governmental signs.
- Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance.
- Works of art with no commercial message.
- Lights and decorations with no commercial message, temporarily displayed on traditionally accepted civic, patriotic, or religious holidays (not to exceed eight weeks during any consecutive 16-week period, must not constitute a nuisance/hazard).
- Hand-carried signs.
- Signs located on the interior of buildings, courts, lobbies, stadia, or other structures not intended to be seen from outside or legible from more than 20 feet beyond the property line.
- Signs affixed to vehicles and trailers used in normal transport where the sign is incidental and accessory to vehicle use.
- Signs affixed to vehicle windows displaying information about sale terms for the vehicle.
- Signs not legible from a public or private street.
- Traffic control signs on private property meeting Illinois DOT standards and containing no commercial messages.
- Flags of the United States, State of Illinois, local jurisdictions, foreign nations with diplomatic relations, and other flags sanctioned by the Village, subject to established flag protocols and a maximum individual size of 60 sq. ft. (larger subject to accessory sign regulations).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master or common signage plan is required for any individual permanent sign requiring a permit before a permit is issued (Section 80.012).
- The master or common signage plan must include site layout, specifications for each sign (including height, area, setback), accurate locations, illumination methods, and provisions for shared usage of freestanding signs.
- The master or common signage plan must be approved before the issuance of any sign permit.
- A master or common signage plan can be amended by filing a new plan, subject to review and must comply with the ordinance.
- No permanent sign shall be erected, affixed, placed, painted, or otherwise established except as consistent with the approved master or common signage plan.
- Any plan for signage is enforced like any provision of the ordinance; in case of conflict between plan and ordinance, the ordinance prevails.
- A master or common signage plan must accompany any development plan processed under zoning or subdivision ordinances and can be processed simultaneously.
- Sign permit applications must include a master or common signage plan (Section 80.014(a)(3)).
- Minor changes to a master or common signage plan may be approved by the zoning administrator if in compliance with the ordinance.
- Signs installed not in accordance with a governing plan or permit are a violation (Section 80.018(a)).
- If a sign requires planning and zoning commission approval, the application is considered at their next meeting after referral.
- Applications for variance, such as for height, setback, or spacing, are processed under the Village's zoning variance procedures by the planning and zoning commission.

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

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