# Sign Regulations in Lebanon, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lebanon, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/lebanon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Lebanon/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH36ZOPLDE_ARTIVSI)

## At a glance

Lebanon, Illinois regulates 39 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the C-1 Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 15 ft above ground or pavement tall, 150 sq ft, and 16 ft (length or width) wide, with a Supports at least 7 ft from road edge; Minimum 15 ft from abutting lot unless zone requires more setback (Sec. Sec. 36-442). Most commercial signs in Lebanon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 18 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District, Residential District | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-1 Commercial District, Industrial District | 7 | 15 ft above ground or pavement | 200 sq ft (in aggregate with all other sign types per street front) | — |
| C-2 Historic Shopping District | 14 | — | 2,400 sq in | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On site of construction | — | Sec. 36-418(1) |
| Development Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On development site | — | Sec. 36-418(3) |
| Directional/Information Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On-site, for entrances/exits/parking/restroom/etc. | — | Sec. 36-418(4) |
| House Number/Occupant Name Sign (Single Family) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot to which it applies | — | Sec. 36-418(5) |
| House Number/Occupant Name Sign (Multi Family) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot to which it applies | — | Sec. 36-418(5) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private residential property | — | Sec. 36-418(6) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 500 ft of street frontage, per lot | On the premises for sale/rent/lease | — | Sec. 36-418(12) |
| Real Estate Sign (Other Districts) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 500 ft of street frontage, per lot | On the premises for sale/rent/lease | — | Sec. 36-418(12) |

### C-1 Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Flush-mounted) | — | 200 sq ft (in aggregate with all other sign types per street front) | — | — | — | Building wall; may include signs mounted flush to canopies/marquees | — | Sec. 36-414, Sec. 36-438, Sec. 36-441 |
| Projecting Sign | C-1: 5 ft above roofline; Industrial: 15 ft above roofline | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | Perpendicular to building wall | — | Sec. 36-440 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | — | — | — | — | Mounted in display window | — | Sec. 36-439 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft above ground or pavement | 150 sq ft | 16 ft (length or width) | Supports at least 7 ft from road edge; Minimum 15 ft from abutting lot unless zone requires more | 2 per street front/abutting lots | On street front or abutting lots | — | Sec. 36-442 |
| Permanent Public Interest Sign (Off-premises) | 15 ft | 150 sq ft | 16 ft | Supports at least 7 ft from road edge; Minimum 15 ft from abutting lot unless zone requires more | — | — | — | Sec. 36-443(1), referring to Sec. 36-442 |
| Temporary Freestanding Off-premises Sign (Public Event or Sale) | — | 16 sq ft | — | At least 7 ft from edge of right-of-way | Max 4 city-wide | — | — | Sec. 36-443(2) |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign (Nonprofit org / Public square) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Public square | — | Sec. 36-443(3) |

### C-2 Historic Shopping District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign / Porch Roof Sign (Facing St. Louis Street) | — | 2,400 sq in | — | — | 1 per business per wall/porch roof facing St. Louis St; 1 additional on rear if rear entry | Facing St. Louis Street | — | Sec. 36-472, Sec. 36-483 |
| Wall Sign / Porch Roof Sign (Not Facing St. Louis Street) | — | — | — | — | — | Not facing St. Louis Street | — | Sec. 36-472, Sec. 36-483 |
| Hanging Sign | — | 1,300 sq in | — | — | 1 per business; not allowed if wall/porch roof sign faces St. Louis St | Front of building, over public walkway permitted (min. 8 ft clearance) | — | Sec. 36-473 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 1,800 sq in per face | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 36-473 |
| Window Sign | — | 1/4 window area per sign | — | — | 1 per window | In store window | — | Sec. 36-475 |
| Sandwich Board / Sidewalk Sign | — | 1,152 sq in per side | — | — | 1 per business | Sidewalk in front of business | — | Sec. 36-476 |
| Temporary New Business Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per new business | — | — | Sec. 36-477(2) |
| Multiple Business Directory Sign | — | Aggregate of all signs allowed by division | — | — | — | Within the building | — | Sec. 36-481 |

## Prohibited signs in Lebanon

- No signs shall be erected in the city without a permit issued by the building and zoning official to confirm compliance with this article.
- Any sign not expressly permitted in this article shall be deemed prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.
- No sign 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 sign shall employ red, yellow, or green lights in such a manner as to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic.
- No sign, other than electronic message signs, shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness, or color.
- Beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited.
- The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that the light intensity or brightness creates neither a nuisance to adjacent property, nor a traffic hazard.
- Every sign that revolves, rotates, or mechanically moves in any manner is prohibited.
- Mobile/portable marquees displayed for more than 72 hours are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, strings of lightbulbs, spinners, or similar devices are prohibited, except city banners and holiday lights erected for observed holidays.
- Signs attached to trees, fences, or public utility poles are prohibited, other than warning signs issued by government officials or public utilities.
- Defunct signs, including the posts or other supports, that advertise or identify an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited and must be removed within 30 days of the closing of the business.
- Business-mounted signs are prohibited, except in industrial districts or as allowed in C-2 historic district.
- Home occupation signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited, except those allowed by special use permit and except those owned by the city.
- Signs must be built and maintained in a neat and attractive condition by the owner, with sign supports painted to prevent rust or deterioration.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lebanon

- Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, or announcing the character or purpose of the building (not advertising any product), within size and duration limits.
- City decorative or commemorative streetlight banners approved by the city council.
- Development signs identifying subdivision information, within size and duration limits.
- Directional and information signs for the convenience of the public (e.g., educational, medical, or religious institutions; entrances/exits; parking; restrooms; walkways), within size limits.
- House numbers or name of occupant signs located on the lot to which the sign applies, within size limits.
- Garage sale signs advertising a sale on private residential property, within size and duration limits.
- Governmental or public signs (e.g., traffic control signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, underground cable locations, no trespassing signs).
- Institutional signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions on the premises, within size and obstruction limits.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, containing information such as date of erection, name of building, and memorial tributes.
- Political signs announcing candidates or issues, within property, size, and timing limits.
- Public interest signs for charitable or nonprofit events, within property, size, and timing limits.
- Real estate signs indicating sale, rental, or lease of premises, within size, quantity, and removal timing limits.
- Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court, designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons or residents.
- Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event, displayed only during the 14 days before and three days after the event.
- Subdivision entrance signs identifying a residential subdivision or apartment complex, with no commercial advertising and within size limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign permit shall be issued by the building and zoning official in the C-2 historic shopping district unless the applicant furnishes a copy of a certificate of appropriateness as reviewed/recommended by the plan commission.
- Decorative wall murals for public and community appreciation within the C-2 historic shopping district are subject to plan commission recommendation and city council approval.
- Open and closed signs in the C-2 historic shopping district must have the approval of the plan commission.
- Plan commission may grant special permission (variance) for signs that are substantially accurate reproductions of historic signs previously displayed at the proposed location.
- Plan commission may grant special permission (variance) for signs where physical circumstances peculiar to the applicant's business or building prohibit adequate signage under current regulations.
- When special permission of the plan commission is necessary, specific guidelines (obstruction, necessity, design/character) must be considered.

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

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