# Sign Regulations in Heyworth, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Heyworth, Illinois regulates 27 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard, PU, C, M districts)s in the Commercial District (C), Public Use District (PU) zoning district are capped at Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 50 ft tall and Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 450 sq ft, max 50 ft height, with a 200' from residential districts; 100' from other freestanding on premises sign; 1000' or 500' from others as above. setback (Sec. 11-10-9: C 7). Most commercial signs in Heyworth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Agricultural District (A), Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-4) | 1 | 6 feet | 2 square feet | — |
| Residential District (R-3) | 2 | 6 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| Special Use Residential District (Special use R-1) | 2 | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| Commercial District (C), Public Use District (PU) | 12 | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 50 ft | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 450 sq ft, max 50 ft height | — |
| Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2) | 12 | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 50 ft | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 450 sq ft, max 50 ft height | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Political Campaign Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Private property only. | — | 11-10-6: EXEMPT SIGNS D |
| Street Address Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | 11-10-6: EXEMPT SIGNS C |
| Private Traffic Direction Signs | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On premises. | — | 11-10-6: EXEMPT SIGNS H |
| Development and Construction Sign (Single Residential Lot) | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 | On single residential lot. | — | 11-10-9: C 9a |
| Development and Construction Sign (Residential Subdivision or Multiple Residential Lots) | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One sign at each entrance or on one lot | At each entrance to subdivision or on one lot to be built upon. | — | 11-10-9: C 9b |
| Development and Construction Sign (Nonresidential Use in Residential District) | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 | — | — | 11-10-9: C 9c |
| Development and Construction Sign (Public Use, Commercial, or Industrial Project, <=5 acres) | 10 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | One per street front | One sign per street front. | — | 11-10-9: C 9d |
| Development and Construction Sign (Public Use, Commercial, or Industrial Project, >5 acres) | 10 feet | 100 square feet | — | — | One per street front | One sign per street front. | — | 11-10-9: C 9d |

### Commercial District (C), Public Use District (PU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | As calculated by formula | — | — | No limit | On wall of building. | — | 11-10-9: A Table 1 and note 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (PU, C, and M districts where vehicular speed is 35 mph and under) | 15 ft for lot frontage up to 150 ft; 20 ft for 150 ft and over | 150 sq ft for lot frontage up to 150 ft; 200 sq ft for 150 ft and over | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 1 |
| Freestanding Sign (PU, C, and M districts where vehicular speed is over 35 mph and under 55 mph) | 15 ft (0'–87.5' frontage); 20 ft (87.5'–150' frontage); 30 ft (150' and over) | 150 sq ft (0'–87.5' frontage); 225 sq ft (87.5'–150' frontage); 300 sq ft (150' and over) | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 2 |
| Freestanding Sign (PU district, C district, and M-2 where vehicular speed is 55 mph and above) | 15 ft (0'–22.5' frontage); 25 ft (22.5'–75' frontage); 35 ft (75'–127.5' frontage); 50 ft (127.5' and over) | 120 sq ft (0'–22.5' frontage); 225 sq ft (22.5'–75' frontage); 330 sq ft (75'–127.5' frontage); 450 sq ft (127.5' and over) | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 3 |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot extend above building roofline. | — | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | Mounted to building, not above roofline; not over public sidewalk/right of way | — | 11-10-9: C 3 |
| Roof Sign | Same as freestanding sign (per applicable figures) | Same as freestanding sign (per applicable figures) | — | — | — | On roof | — | 11-10-9: C 5 |
| Menu Board Sign | — | 75 square feet | — | — | 1 | 1 per site; orientation to drive-through lane likely | — | 11-10-9: C 6 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard, PU, C, M districts) | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 50 ft | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 450 sq ft, max 50 ft height | — | 200' from residential districts; 100' from other freestanding on premises sign; 1000' or 500' from others as above. | — | PU, C, M districts only | — | 11-10-9: C 7 |

### Manufacturing District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | As calculated by formula | — | — | No limit | — | — | 11-10-9: A Table 1 and note 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (M1, M2 where vehicular speed is 35 mph and under) | 15 ft for lot frontage up to 150 ft; 20 ft for 150 ft and over | 150 sq ft for lot frontage up to 150 ft; 200 sq ft for 150 ft and over | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 1 |
| Freestanding Sign (M1, M2 where vehicular speed is over 35 mph and under 55 mph) | 15 ft (0'–87.5' frontage); 20 ft (87.5'–150' frontage); 30 ft (150' and over) | 150 sq ft (0'–87.5' frontage); 225 sq ft (87.5'–150' frontage); 300 sq ft (150' and over) | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 2 |
| Freestanding Sign (M2 where vehicular speed is 55 mph and above) | 15 ft (0'–22.5' frontage); 25 ft (22.5'–75' frontage); 35 ft (75'–127.5' frontage); 50 ft (127.5' and over) | 120 sq ft (0'–22.5' frontage); 225 sq ft (22.5'–75' frontage); 330 sq ft (75'–127.5' frontage); 450 sq ft (127.5' and over) | — | — | 1 per lot frontage, spaced 100 ft apart | 100 ft minimum distance between freestanding signs on same lot. | — | 11-10-9: B Note 4; Figure 3 |
| Projecting Sign | Cannot extend above building roofline. | — | — | — | 1 per occupancy per street frontage | Mounted to building, not above roofline; not over public sidewalk/right of way | — | 11-10-9: C 3 |
| Roof Sign | Same as freestanding sign (per applicable figures) | Same as freestanding sign (per applicable figures) | — | — | — | On roof | — | 11-10-9: C 5 |
| Menu Board Sign | — | 75 square feet | — | — | 1 | 1 per site; orientation to drive-through lane likely | — | 11-10-9: C 6 |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Billboard, M-1, M-2) | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 50 ft | Per figures and table based on posted speed and frontage; max 450 sq ft, max 50 ft height | — | 200' from residential districts; 100' from other freestanding on premises sign; 1000' or 500' from others as above. | — | M-1, M-2 districts only | — | 11-10-9: C 7 |

## Prohibited signs in Heyworth

- Any sign not expressly permitted by the sign ordinance is prohibited unless a variance is granted by the board of trustees.
- All signs must comply with all applicable provisions of the sign ordinance, building and housing codes, property maintenance code, and all other municipal codes.
- No sign, other than an official traffic sign or similar sign, shall be erected within the right of way of any street or public way unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or village officials.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or where it may interfere with, obstruct, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Signs are prohibited if their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with a traffic control device, or if they hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or use words or symbols that interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrians or drivers.
- Signs encroaching upon or overhanging public right of way are prohibited, except as otherwise provided.
- No sign shall be attached to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public facility located within a public right of way.
- Any sign which is animated by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights is prohibited.
- Portable electric signs are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles or trailers parked on public or private property are prohibited except if the vehicle's primary purpose is not the display of signs, the signs are applied as part of the vehicle as originally designed, and the vehicle is in operating condition, registered, and actively used in the business.
- Vehicles and trailers used primarily as static displays for advertising are prohibited.
- Balloons, streamers, pinwheels, nonexempt flags or banners, except those temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event (not to exceed eighty-four days per year), are prohibited.
- Any sign deemed abandoned for fourteen consecutive days is prohibited.
- No freestanding sign shall be placed or remain on property unless such property is a lot of record with frontage on a public road.
- All signs must conform to the sign ordinance, building codes, and other local ordinances upon erection.
- Every sign must be maintained in good condition and repair. Unsafe, insecure, or noncompliant signs must be removed or brought into compliance upon notice.
- Nonconforming signs may not be changed to other nonconforming signs, structurally altered to prolong their life, expanded, or reestablished after removal of more than thirty days or after destruction if reconstruction exceeds 50% of fair cash value.

## Signs exempt from permit in Heyworth

- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public safety official.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal governments.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising and do not exceed six square feet in area or six feet in height.
- Temporary political campaign signs erected on private property only, not extending into public right of way, and removed within fourteen days after the election.
- Public, noncommercial signs including safety, danger, trespassing, traffic, street name, municipal identification, scenic/historic interest, memorial plaques, emblems of service clubs, and all signs ordered by a public official in performance of public duty.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, business enterprise, holiday, educational institution, or service organization, appropriately displayed.
- Integral signs such as names of buildings, dates of construction, commemorative tablets, when made of permanent material and an integral part of the building or structure.
- Private traffic direction signs (on-premises), including parking directions, exit/entrance, drive-up window, restroom signs, not exceeding six square feet or six feet in height.
- On-premises real estate sale or rental signs advertising for sale, rental, or lease (to be removed within fourteen days of sale, or rental consummation).
- Standard underground public utility warning signs.
- Signs depicting an issue of general public interest or personal beliefs, erected and maintained within private property, not extending into public right of way, to be removed within fourteen days after the relevant public interest event has transpired or been finalized by government action.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Any sign not expressly permitted by the ordinance requires a variance, which must be granted by the board of trustees, following procedures in section 11-10-11 and 11-5-5 of the code.
- A lighting plan is required with freestanding sign applications to indicate beam spread and foot-candle levels, specifically to ensure lighting does not spill over or glare onto adjacent property or public right of way.
- A building permit and all other applicable permits must be obtained for all nonexempt signs, as specified in section 11-10-8.
- For temporary signs, a building permit is required (section 11-10-9.C.8).
- Construction documents sealed by a licensed Illinois structural engineer are required for any sign exceeding 100 square feet in area or 15 feet in height.
- Variance requests for signs must be processed according to section 11-10-11 (Variances), which refers to board of trustees review.

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

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