# Sign Regulations in Granite City, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Granite City, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/granite-city
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Granite_City/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT9PUPEMOWE_IOFAGPUOFGO_CH9.12RESIDUCEPA)

## At a glance

Granite City, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 14 zoning districts. LED Sign (Monument Style Only)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 7 ft including base tall, Max cabinet: 2 ft x 8 ft (16 sq ft); Max sign overall: 7 ft high x 8 ft wide (56 sq ft), and 8 ft including base wide, with a At least 5 ft from property line; min 500 ft from residential property setback (Sec. 15.52.340). Most commercial signs in Granite City require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 7 ft including base | 100 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District (A) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District (R-4, R-5, R-6) | 3 | — | 20 sq ft (total for all signs) | — |
| Planned Unit Development Residential District (R-7) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial District (B-1, C-1, C-2, C-3) | 2 | 7 ft | 56 sq ft per side | — |
| Commercial District (C-4, C-5) | 2 | 7 ft | 150 sq ft per frontage | — |
| Planned Unit Development Commercial District (C-6) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shopping Center | 2 | 25 ft | 300 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5) | 2 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per frontage | — |
| Special Highway District | 2 | 35 ft | 400 sq ft (maximum for total signage per frontage) | — |
| Special Interstate Highway District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Madison Avenue Business District (B-1 Madison Avenue Business District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Planned Unit Development District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted Sign | May not extend above roof line | — | — | — | — | Attached to a building wall or surface | — | 15.52.270; 15.52.080; 15.52.100; 15.52.110; 15.52.380; 15.52.400 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | At least 5 feet from any lot line | 1 per street front | On the ground, supported by uprights/poles/braces | — | 15.52.290 |
| Window Graphics | — | Up to 50% of glass area | — | — | — | On windows of industrial, commercial, or institutional establishments | — | 15.52.300 |
| Awning, Canopy, and Marquee Graphics | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Painted on, affixed to, or suspended below awning/canopy/marquee | — | 15.52.310 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | — | Projecting from the building or under awning, porch, or walkway | — | 15.52.280 |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15.52.320 |
| Monument Sign | — | — | — | At least 5 feet from lot lines | 1 per street front | On or near the ground | — | 15.52.290, 15.52.200 |
| LED Sign (Monument Style Only) | 7 ft including base | Max cabinet: 2 ft x 8 ft (16 sq ft); Max sign overall: 7 ft high x 8 ft wide (56 sq ft) | 8 ft including base | At least 5 ft from property line; min 500 ft from residential property | 1 per frontage | Freestanding monument style only | — | 15.52.340 |

### Residential District (R-4, R-5, R-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Graphics | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15.52.190(B) |
| Street Graphics (Multi-Family Residential Use) | — | 4 sq ft (total for all signs on building/premises used solely for residence by more than one family) | — | — | — | On any building or premises used solely as a residence by more than one family | — | 15.52.190(B)(1) |
| Street Graphics (Other Permitted Establishments) | — | 20 sq ft (total for all signs) | — | — | — | On all other permitted establishments | — | 15.52.190(B)(2) |

### Commercial District (B-1, C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted Sign | May not extend more than 1.5 ft above roof plate | As calculated: 1 sq ft per 2 linear feet building frontage | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 15.52.200(A)(1) |
| Monument Sign | 7 ft | 56 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from front and side property lines | — | Freestanding (monument) sign on property | — | 15.52.200(A)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Granite City

- No street graphic which mechanically revolves, rotates, or moves in any manner shall be permitted anywhere in the city.
- No street graphic shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to, or egress from any door, window, fire escape, escape ladder, driveway or opening intended to provide light, air, access or egress for any building or premises.
- No street graphic of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No street graphic shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to be likely to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device as determined by the city engineer.
- The following street graphics are prohibited everywhere in the city: mobile or portable message signs; graphics which contain or consist of posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or similar devices except during grand opening; graphics attached to any tree, fence, or public utility pole, other than warning signs issued by public utilities; graphics or signs which advertise or identify an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted, in excess of thirty days, on the premises where the sign is located; roof-mounted signs; pole signs.
- Any sign or other street graphic not expressly permitted by this ordinance shall be deemed prohibited in this municipality unless a variance is issued.
- No billboard or other off-premises advertising graphics shall be erected in the city of Granite City after the effective date of this chapter.
- No pole signs shall be erected.
- No permits shall be issued for any new or existing pole signs.
- Freestanding graphics shall not project into the public right-of-way.
- Flush-mounted graphics shall not project more than twelve inches from the wall or surface to which it is attached.
- Flush-mounted graphics shall not extend above the roof line.
- No exposed reflective-type bulbs or incandescent lamp which exceeds fifteen watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any graphic in such manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property. Strobe lights are prohibited.
- Beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited.
- All signs must be maintained in neat, safe and original operating condition; unkempt, unsightly or damaged signs must be repaired or removed as specified.
- No sign regulated by this chapter may be erected, altered, or relocated without a permit except those specifically exempted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Granite City

- Traffic or other municipal street graphics such as railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and temporary emergency signs as may be authorized by the city council.
- Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve as an aid to public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or public telephones.
- Directional, informational or public service signs not exceeding two square feet in area, erected for the convenience of the public, such as signs identifying entrances, exits, parking areas, no parking areas, rest rooms, public telephones, walkways and similar features or facilities. (Menu boards not to exceed six feet from ground or thirty-two square feet in area.)
- Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, designed and located to be viewed exclusively by the patrons of such buildings.
- No trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property.
- Graphics advertising a public entertainment or event displayed only at locations approved by the city council and only during the approved time period, not longer than fourteen days before and two days after the event.
- Flags of any country, state or unit of local government.
- Real estate signs not extending outside the property line and not more than six square feet per face in area which indicate the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located. (Limit one per street side.) Temporary "open house" signs may be placed. Sold signs may stay until premises is occupied.
- Banners for public events such as open houses, up to fourteen days before and two days after the event.
- Temporary special occasion for-sale signs, up to sixteen square feet, by permit obtained from the zoning administrator and/or building inspector.
- Commercial buildings over ten thousand square feet may have a four-foot by eight-foot for sale sign on each side facing a street.
- Residential development identification signage at major entrances for subdivisions, apartment complexes, or planned unit developments, containing no commercial advertising, not exceeding thirty-two square feet.
- Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors and others involved with the construction, not exceeding thirty-two square feet, confined to the site and removed within ten days after use of the project.
- Memorial signs or tablets, building names and date of erection when cut into masonry or inlaid so as to be part of the building, or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Signs of historical societies containing no advertising and not more than five square feet in area.
- Bulletin boards no more than sixteen square feet for public charitable or religious institutions, on premises, not obstructing motorist vision.
- Political campaign signs announcing candidates/issues, not exceeding sixteen square feet, with no side longer than four feet, confined to private property.
- Temporary graphics advertising a sale or similar activity, not displayed more than seven days at a time nor more than four times in any calendar year.
- Grand opening graphics (including banners) for new businesses with permits, up to thirty days, to be removed no less than two days after the event.
- Banners on streetlight standards publicizing noncommercial events or organizations, allowed at city discretion, up to two weeks before the event.
- Non-conforming signs attached to unauthorized non-conforming buildings/businesses may continue only under permit authority of this chapter (signs on residential buildings housing home occupations are prohibited).
- Community service graphics by local civic organizations publicizing themselves, not over fifty square feet, not obstructing vision or creating traffic hazards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A variance (relaxation of sign requirements) may be granted only after review and public hearing before the sign graphic review board and city council approval as outlined in Article VII.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this ordinance is prohibited unless a variance is issued.
- Permitted signs or graphics must obtain a permit prior to erection, except for those specifically exempted in Article II, Section 15.52.150.
- Application for a street graphic permit requires submission of plans and specifications, including scaled drawings, colors, construction details, and, in some cases, engineer's seal for larger signs.
- No explicit requirement for a 'master sign plan' by name in this ordinance; plan commission review is required for allowed signs in Planned Unit Developments.
- Permits must be acquired before any sign is erected, altered, or relocated, unless exempted.
- Variance requests must be presented for public hearing by the sign graphics review board and approved by city council as described in Article VII.

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

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