# Sign Regulations in Grafton, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Grafton, Illinois regulates 28 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Pedestal Sign (Portable)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 5 sq ft (Sec. 8-11D-2U). Most commercial signs in Grafton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts, Nonurban District | 5 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial District, Downtown Business District B-1 | 7 | 15 ft | 300 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction | — | 8-11D-2A |
| Directional and Information Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-2B |
| Institutional Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Located on the premises of the institution | — | 8-11D-2I |
| Property Regulation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-2L |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises for sale/rental/lease | — | 8-11D-2N |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-residential property) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises for sale/rental/lease | — | 8-11D-2N |
| Residential Development Identification Structure | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | At major entrances to subdivision, apartment complex, or planned unit development | — | 8-11D-2O |
| Pedestal Sign (Portable) | 5 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | One per establishment; placed so as not to obstruct pedestrian activity | — | 8-11D-2U |

### Residential Districts, Nonurban District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage Sale Sign (On-premises) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property | On private residential property with garage/yard sale | — | 8-11D-2D; 3-7-8 |
| Garage Sale Sign (Off-premises) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property (with permission) | Not at location of sale (with property owner permission) | — | 8-11D-2D; 3-7-8 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-2G |
| House Number/Name Sign (Single-family Dwellings) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Located on the lot to which sign pertain | — | 8-11D-2H |
| House Number/Name Sign (Multi-family Dwellings) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Located on the lot to which sign pertains | — | 8-11D-2H |

### Commercial Districts, Industrial District, Downtown Business District B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush Mounted Sign (Wall Sign) | — | As per sign area allowance | — | — | — | On wall, awning, canopy, or marquee, parallel to surface | — | 8-11D-4A; 8-11F-2C |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot extend above roof line or above 12 feet above ground; minimum elevation 8 feet above ground | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Perpendicular to wall; may be suspended beneath awning, canopy, or marquee | — | 8-11D-4B |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | Up to 50% of window area | — | — | — | On window | — | 8-11D-4D; 8-11F-2C |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-4E |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft (unless shopping center identification sign) | — | — | 1 per street front, unless frontage > 110 ft | Not to intrude or project over public right-of-way | — | 8-11D-4F |
| Off Premises Advertising Sign (Flush Mounted) | — | As per flush mounted sign area restrictions | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-4H |
| Off Premises Advertising Sign (Freestanding) | As per freestanding sign restrictions | As per freestanding sign area restrictions | — | — | — | — | — | 8-11D-4H |

## Prohibited signs in Grafton

- Any sign or other street graphic not expressly permitted by this chapter is prohibited in the City.
- No sign or other street graphic shall revolve or mechanically move in any manner.
- No sign or other street graphic shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.
- No sign or other street graphic shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of, or is likely to be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No street graphic shall contain the words “stop”, “go”, “caution”, “danger”, “warning”, or similar words.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices with changing intensity, brightness, or color (except electronically operated changeable copy signs). Beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited.
- No exposed reflective type bulb, strobe light, or incandescent lamp exceeding fifteen (15) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such manner as to expose the face of the bulb to any public street or adjacent property.
- No sign shall be placed within two and one-half feet (2.5') of side property lines.
- On corner lots (except in Downtown Business District B-1), no sign shall intrude into the airspace between two feet (2') and ten feet (10') above the level of the adjacent street within the designated intersection triangle.
- Mobile/portable marquees are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on the surface of any exterior wall of any building (except for purely artistic renderings such as murals) are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners, and similar street graphics are prohibited (except City Christmas lights).
- Signs attached to trees, fences, or public utility poles, other than warning signs issued by public utilities, are prohibited.
- Defunct signs, including posts or supports, that advertise or identify an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises, are prohibited.
- Roof mounted signs are strictly prohibited everywhere in the City.
- It is unlawful to maintain any sign that purports to be or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal in view of any street or highway.
- It is unlawful to place or maintain any sign which hides from view any lawful traffic control device.
- It is unlawful to maintain or operate any flashing or rotating beacon of light in view of any street or highway.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grafton

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, or announcing the character or purpose of the building, not advertising any product, max 32 sq ft, confined to site, removed within 14 days after use begins.
- Directional and information signs for public convenience (entrances, exits, parking, restrooms, etc.), max 3 sq ft.
- Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government.
- Garage sale signs, max 2 per property, max 3 sq ft each, specific duration and location restrictions.
- Governmental or public signs (traffic control, railroad crossing, legal notices, indication of underground cables, etc.).
- Holiday decorations such as Christmas lights and ornaments, provided they are removed within a reasonable time after the holiday (City's Christmas lights excluded).
- Home occupation signs identifying name and occupation, nonilluminated, flush-mounted, max 2 sq ft.
- House numbers and/or names of occupants, max 3 sq ft for single-family dwellings, 6 sq ft for multiple-family dwellings.
- Institutional signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions, max 32 sq ft, on premises, not obstructing motorists.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid as part of the building (date of erection, building name, memorial tributes).
- Interior signs inside buildings or interior lobbies/courts, not visible from outside.
- Property regulation signs (no trespassing, no hunting, etc.), max 3 sq ft.
- Public interest signs for charitable or nonprofit events, max 16 sq ft in residential/nonurban districts, 32 sq ft elsewhere, permitted only 30 days before and 7 days after the event.
- Real estate signs indicating sale, rental, lease of premises, max size limits and duration, with specific numbers allowed per lot.
- Residential development identification structures, at major entrances, no commercial advertising, max 32 sq ft.
- Street banners for public events, with time/location and duration requirements.
- Utility company signs serving public safety or showing location of public amenities.
- Signs on vending machines describing contents.
- Signs on newspaper delivery boxes indicating newspapers delivered.
- Signs on delivery trucks, contractor vehicles, etc., as part of normal business operation, except when vehicles are parked to function as a sign.
- One pedestal (portable) sign per establishment, max 5 sq ft and 5 feet high, not to obstruct pedestrians.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A street graphic (sign) permit is required for all signs not listed as exempt in section 8-11D-2. The permit is issued by the Administrator.
- Permit applications must include narrative and graphic description, location, rendering, site data, and other technical information.
- Variance requests (e.g., for relief from height, area, aggregate maximums, and dimensional limits) require an application, Zoning Board public hearing, and City Council approval.
- Signs in 'areas of special street graphics controls' require a special street graphic permit issued by the City Council.
- Real estate signs may require temporary permits approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals and referred to the City Council.
- Shopping centers with a total gross floor area exceeding 50,000 sq ft may erect an identification sign, but must still obtain appropriate permits.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Grafton, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Grafton+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-grafton

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