# Sign Regulations in Mahomet, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Mahomet, Illinois regulates 51 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Real Estate Sale/Auction/Rental Sign (C-1)s in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 32 sq. ft., with a 10 ft minimum from curb setback (Sec. § 152.068(H); § 152.077 Table). Most commercial signs in Mahomet require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | 8 ft (if freestanding) | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| Agricultural District (AG), Conservation District (AC), Forest Preserve District (FP) | 2 | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential District (R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, R-3, RS, RU) | 3 | 10 ft | 35 sq. ft. | — |
| Mobile Home Park District | 1 | 10 ft | 35 sq. ft. | — |
| Apartment District | 1 | 10 ft | 35 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 16 | 80 ft (lowest sign face must be at least 50 ft above ground) | 220 sq. ft. per face; max 2 faces per sign | — |
| Industrial District (I-1, I-2) | 10 | 80 ft (lowest sign face must be at least 50 ft above ground) | 220 sq. ft. per face; max 2 faces per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 5 ft (if freestanding) | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 | — | — | § 152.068(C) |
| Institutional Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises of the institution | — | § 152.068(E) |
| Private Traffic Directional Sign | 8 ft (if freestanding) | 5 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On premises, not in right-of-way | — | § 152.068(F) |
| Garage Sale/Estate Sale Auction Sign (On-site) | — | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft setback from curb | Up to 3 including off-site directionals | On the lot where sale is held (not in right-of-way, not on utility boxes, poles, or traffic control poles, not in visibility triangle) | — | § 152.068(M) |
| Garage Sale/Estate Sale Auction Sign (Off-site Directional) | — | 2.5 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft setback from curb | Up to 3 including on-site | Entrance to subdivision or major intersection, not in public right-of-way, must have permission of property owner | — | § 152.068(M) |
| Temporary Banner Sign | 5 ft (freestanding); must be contained to wall area (wall sign); 8 ft (feather flag) | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Private property, not in right-of-way or visibility triangle area | — | § 152.069(C) |
| Temporary Portable Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Not over public right-of-way, not within visibility triangle area of corner lot | — | § 152.069(D) |
| Temporary Pennant/Feather Flag/Other Temporary Sign | 8 ft (for feather flags) | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Follow banner sign rules | — | § 152.069(I) |

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (C-1) | 15 ft to setback line + 1 ft per 2 ft of additional setback, up to 20 ft max | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per business (see location rules) | Two per business, one per frontage up to 300 ft, add one per 300 more ft; not allowed with projecting or roof sign on same frontage; not within 50 ft of residential use, school, park, church, hospital or nursing home. | — | § 152.072(D)(1); § 152.077 Table |
| Freestanding Sign (C-2, C-3) | 20 ft to setback line + 1 ft per 2 ft of additional setback, up to 30 ft max | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per business (see location rules) | Same as C-1 | — | § 152.072(D)(1); § 152.077 Table |
| Projecting Sign (C-1) | 8 ft minimum clearance above ground; not to extend above that portion of roof immediately adjacent | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Not to extend over public right-of-way. Only in older Main and Oak Street areas. | — | § 152.072(D)(3); § 152.077 Table |
| Projecting Sign (C-2, C-3) | 8 ft minimum clearance above ground; not above roof immediately behind sign | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Same as C-1 | — | § 152.072(D)(3); § 152.077 Table |
| Roof Sign (C-2, C-3) | 9 ft as measured from roof immediately below sign, not to exceed zone's building height max | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | Wholly within roof area | — | § 152.072(D)(4); § 152.077 Table |
| Real Estate Sale/Auction/Rental Sign (C-1) | 15 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft minimum from curb | 1 per frontage | On property to which pertains; not in right-of-way; 10 ft minimum setback from curb | — | § 152.068(H); § 152.077 Table |
| Real Estate Sale/Auction/Rental Sign (C-2, C-3) | 20 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft minimum from curb | 1 per frontage | On property to which pertains; not in right-of-way; 10 ft minimum setback from curb | — | § 152.068(H); § 152.077 Table |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Wall OAS) (C-1, C-2, C-3) | Must not project above roofline or edges of wall | 150 sq. ft. (300 sq. ft. if directed to interstate) | — | Not within 150 ft of residential/conservation zones; not within 300 ft (wall); 250 ft (freestanding) of any other OAS. | 1 per wall (if no other wall sign); 2 per OAS structure (freestanding) | OASs must be along FAP/FAI routes only, in zone and within 500 ft of FAP/FAI | — | § 152.074(A,B), § 152.077 Table |

### Industrial District (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (I-1, I-2) | 25 ft to setback line + 1 ft per 2 ft additional setback, up to 35 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per business (see location rules) | 2 per business (1 per frontage); not within 50 ft of residential zone, school, park, hospital, church, or nursing home | — | § 152.073(C)(1); § 152.077 Table |
| Projecting Sign (I-1, I-2) | 8 ft clearance above ground; not above roof behind sign | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Not to extend over public right-of-way. Only in older Main and Oak Street areas. | — | § 152.073(C)(3); § 152.077 Table |
| Roof Sign (I-1, I-2) | 9 ft as measured from roof immediately below, not to exceed building height | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per premises | Wholly within roof area | — | § 152.073(C)(4); § 152.077 Table |
| Canopy/Awning/Entrance Structure Sign (I-1, I-2) | 8 ft clearance | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Projection limits apply; see general description | — | § 152.073(C)(5); § 152.077 Table |
| Real Estate Sale/Auction/Rental Sign (I-1, I-2) | 10 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft minimum from curb | 1 per frontage | On property to which pertains; not in right-of-way; 10 ft minimum setback from curb | — | § 152.068(H); § 152.077 Table |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign (Wall OAS) (I-1, I-2) | Must not project above roofline or edges of wall | 150 sq. ft. (300 sq. ft. if directed to interstate) | — | Not within 150 ft of residential/conservation zones; not within 250 ft of another OAS. | 1 per wall (if no other wall sign); 2 per OAS structure (freestanding) | OASs must be along FAP/FAI routes only, in zone and within 500 ft of FAP/FAI | — | § 152.074(A,B), § 152.077 Table |
| Freestanding Shopping Center Sign (I-1, I-2) | 30 ft to setback line + 1 ft per 2 ft additional setback, up to 40 ft | 150 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per lot frontage per shopping center | One freestanding sign per frontage; not within 50 ft of residential, school, park, hospital or nursing home | — | § 152.073(C)(8); § 152.077 Table |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign (I-1, I-2) | 80 ft (lowest sign face must be at least 50 ft above ground) | 220 sq. ft. per face; max 2 faces per sign | — | — | 1 per location-eligible business | Within 600 ft of highway right-of-way and more than 150 ft from any residential, school, park, church, hospital, nursing home; on-premises use only. | — | § 152.073(C)(7); § 152.077 Table |

## Prohibited signs in Mahomet

- Any sign which, by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination, constitutes a traffic hazard or is a detriment to traffic safety by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any official traffic control device, or by obstructing the vision of drivers at intersections, driveways, or crosswalks, or by imitating, simulating, confusing or misleading traffic.
- Any sign which contains or is an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal, except for private traffic direction or control signs specifically permitted.
- Any sign, other than a time or temperature sign, which contains blinking or flashing lights.
- Any sign which for 30 consecutive days has directed attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business which was formerly but is no longer in operation or existence on the premises.
- Any portable or temporary sign or signs of a type not defined in § 152.069, describing commercial or business products, services or entertainment provided.
- Illuminated signs which permit light to shine directly upon adjacent property, or onto a public street right-of-way, or which create unreasonable interference with the use of adjoining property or the street, or create a hazardous traffic condition.
- Off-site directional signs, other than those signs permitted under § 152.068.
- Signs shall not extend within or over the public right-of-way.
- Signs shall not be located to obstruct views within the visibility triangle of any street or driveway intersection.
- Any off-premises sign.
- Signs which are unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained in violation of the chapter must be altered, made safe, or removed upon notice.
- Abandoned signs (including support pole and mounting base) must be removed by the owner.
- Nonconforming signs (not consistent with the ordinance) cannot be structurally altered to prolong life, expanded, re-established after removal of 90 days or more (except as noted), or relocated (unless brought into conformance).
- Permanent nonconforming signs must be brought into conformance by January 1, 2009, and nonconforming temporary or portable signs must be removed within 30 days of adoption.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mahomet

- Signs changing the advertising copy or message on an approved painted or printed sign, or on changeable letter panels or bulletin boards specifically designed for replaceable copy, do not require a permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure do not require a permit.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature (safety, danger, trespassing, traffic, scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques, and signs erected by or on order of a public officer in the performance of a public duty) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, organization or other public institution are allowed in all districts without a permit; other non-official flags are allowed up to 40 square feet.
- Identification signs (exterior signs identifying the business owner, manager, or resident, with address only, no other material, up to two signs per premises, 1 sq ft each, max 5 ft high if freestanding) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Integral signs (names of buildings, dates of construction, commemorative tablets, etc., when integral to the structure and up to 12 sq ft) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Institutional signs (name or announcement of public, charitable, educational, or religious institution, on premises, not to exceed 20 sq ft combined, subject to specific mounting restrictions) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Private traffic direction signs (on premises, not to exceed 5 sq ft each and max 8 ft high if freestanding) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Political campaign signs (up to 16 sq ft, confined to private property, must not interfere with other signs or create hazards) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Real estate sale/auction, rental, or construction signs are permitted in all districts subject to area, height, location, and time limits specified in § 152.068, without permit.
- Home occupation signs (wall mounted or freestanding, not in required front yard or right-of-way, max one per premises, max 2 sq ft) are allowed without a permit.
- Holiday signs (illuminated or unilluminated, up to 30 days before and 7 days after the holiday) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Underground public utility warning signs are allowed without a permit.
- House or building address signs (characters 2.5–6 inches, one per dwelling, must face correct street) are allowed without a permit.
- Garage sale/estate sale auction signs (subject to area, location, and timing restrictions) are allowed in all districts without a permit.
- Wayfinding signs in accord with the village Wayfinding Sign Program are allowed as specified.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no explicit requirement in the provided ordinance text for a master sign plan or sign plan submittal as a general requirement for all signs or all developments across all zones.
- Variance requests for nonconforming signs may be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals after a recommendation from the Plan and Zoning Commission, as per § 152.075(D). Variances may permit change, alteration, or re-establishment of nonconforming signs under specified limitations but do not extend the required removal date for such signs.
- Outdoor advertising signs must comply with both local and state (Illinois Highway Advertising Control Act) regulations; the stricter set applies.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/mahomet