# Sign Regulations in Livingston, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Livingston, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/livingston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Livingston, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business District, Industrial District, Industrial District (I-1), Highway Business District (B-2) zoning district are capped at 20 ft (B-2: Up to 100 ft for onsite advertising only) tall, 100 sq ft, and 12 ft wide, with a 10 ft from right-of-way line for any part below 10 ft setback (Sec. § 156.227(B)(5), § 156.217, § 156.231). Most commercial signs in Livingston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District, Residential District | 12 | 8 ft (including decorative mounting) | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business District, Industrial District, Industrial District (I-1), Highway Business District (B-2) | 7 | 60 ft above ground or pavement | 400 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Agricultural District, Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On construction site | — | § 156.225(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Property) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises being sold, rented, or leased | — | § 156.225(B)(1), (2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential Property) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises being sold, rented, or leased | — | § 156.225(B)(1), (2) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private residential property | — | § 156.225(D) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of institution | — | § 156.225(G) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | § 156.225(I) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | 8 ft (including decorative mounting) | 6 sq ft (sign area); decorative mounting not counted | — | — | — | At subdivision entrance | — | § 156.225(J) |
| Permanent House Number or Name Sign | — | 2 sq ft (single-family); 6 sq ft (multi-family) | — | — | — | On lot to which applies | — | § 156.225(K) |

### Business District, Industrial District, Industrial District (I-1), Highway Business District (B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted (Wall) Sign | — | Up to 300 sq ft per street front (see formula) | — | — | — | On wall or surface of building | — | § 156.227(B)(1), § 156.217, § 156.231 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | — | — | — | — | In display window | — | § 156.227(B)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | 12 ft above ground or pavement (top) | 24 sq ft | 6 ft (projection from building) | — | 1 per street front | Attached to building | — | § 156.227(B)(3), § 156.231 |
| Canopy or Marquee Sign (Flush Mounted) | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy or marquee | — | § 156.227(B)(4), § 156.231 |
| Canopy or Marquee Sign (Suspended) | 12 ft above ground or pavement (top) | 24 sq ft (as projecting sign) | 6 ft projection (as projecting sign) | — | 1 per street front | Suspended beneath canopy or marquee | — | § 156.227(B)(4), § 156.231 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft (B-2: Up to 100 ft for onsite advertising only) | 100 sq ft | 12 ft | 10 ft from right-of-way line for any part below 10 ft | 1 per street front | On site, not intruding public right-of-way. Any part below 10 ft above ground must be at least 10 ft from right-of-way line. | — | § 156.227(B)(5), § 156.217, § 156.231 |
| Billboard | 60 ft above ground or pavement | 400 sq ft | — | 25 ft from lot line or public right-of-way; 500 ft from other billboard (same side of roadway); at least 20 ft from ground | — | On site in I-1 or B-2 | — | § 156.227(B)(6) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 156.228 |

## Prohibited signs in Livingston

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this subchapter 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 control device.
- No exposed lamps or bulbs which exceed 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign so as to expose the face of the bulbs, light, or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- 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 those providing time and temperature information shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness, or color, except for electronically-operated, changeable signs.
- The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that it creates neither a nuisance to adjacent property nor a traffic hazard.
- The following signs and street graphics are strictly prohibited throughout the village: mobile/portable marquees (except as temporary signs); signs attached to trees, fences, or utility poles (except government/public warnings); defunct signs; roof-mounted signs projecting above the roof; signs of obscene or immoral character; imitation or confusion with official traffic signs; signs confused with or hiding traffic control devices; signs advertising activities not conducted on the premises; moving signs or signs with major moving parts; signs with banners, posters, pennants, balloons, spinners, or similar moving devices, unless specifically permitted; signs that swing or otherwise noticeably move by wind.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, light, reflector, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or attempts to direct traffic.
- No person shall place or maintain on any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing commercial advertising.
- No sign, advertisement, or banner may be placed over/across a street, alley, or sidewalk without written approval of the Village Board.
- No person shall nail, tack, paste, paint, or fasten any sign onto any utility pole or street/traffic sign located on public grounds.
- It is unlawful to maintain or operate any flashing or rotating beacon of light in view of any street or highway.
- It is unlawful to deface, injure, move, or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.
- It is unlawful to deface, disfigure, damage, or molest any street signs in the village.
- No tree, bush, or foliage may be so placed or maintained as to hide from view or interfere with the effectiveness of any traffic control device, sign, or signal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Livingston

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, and other firms involved with construction (not advertising any product), limited to size/duration/location requirements.
- Real estate signs indicating the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located, subject to size and number limitations and removal after sale/rental/lease.
- Political signs announcing candidates or issues, within size limits depending on district, and removed after election.
- Garage sale signs advertising a garage or yard sale on residential property, subject to size and posting duration limits.
- Public interest signs and street banners for charitable or nonprofit events of general public interest, subject to size/duration/location requirements.
- Governmental, public, and directional signs (traffic control, railroad crossing, legal notices, public facility location, no trespassing/parking, entrances/exits, public telephones, restrooms, etc.).
- Institutional signs identifying public, charitable, or religious institutions, within size/obstruction/location limits.
- Integral signs carved or inlaid as part of a building, containing information such as date of erection, name of building, and memorial tributes.
- Home occupation signs identifying only the name and occupation of residents, not illuminated, and subject to size limit.
- Subdivision entrance signs within size, height, mounting, and safety/location requirements.
- Permanent house number and occupant name signs within specified size limits.
- Signs located inside buildings or within enclosed lobbies/courts, designed to be viewed exclusively by building patrons or residents.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No reference found in the provided ordinance text for a required master sign plan, sign plan, or mandatory appearance before a review/variance board specifically for general sign approval (variance process only cited for time extensions for temporary signs).

## Full detail

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

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