# Sign Regulations in Marshall, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Marshall, Illinois regulates 23 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-2, B-3 zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 160 sq ft, with a 8 ft setback (Sec. SIGN TABLE 2). Most commercial signs in Marshall require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2 | 6 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| R-3 | 5 | 12 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| R-4 | 1 | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| B-1 | 6 | 20 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| B-2, B-3 | 8 | 30 ft | 160 sq ft | — |
| B-4 | 7 | 12 ft (min 8 ft clearance) | 24 sq ft | — |
| I-1, I-2 | 8 | 40 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Subdivisions | 1 | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Industrial park | 1 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 8 ft | 25% of window area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### B-2, B-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft | 160 sq ft | — | 8 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | 15 ft, 25 ft | — | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 12 ft (min 8 ft clearance) | — | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | 8 ft | 1 | — | — | Section 16.23; SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Time/Temperature Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |

### I-1, I-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 40 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | 25 ft | — | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | 12 ft (min 8 ft clearance) | — | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per building | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |
| Industrial Park Identification Sign | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — | 15 ft | 1 | Per location approval (min. 15 ft setback) | — | SIGN TABLE 2; Section 16.26 |
| Time/Temperature Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | 25 ft | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Informational | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises; must not obstruct vision. | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.27 |
| Historical Site Sign | 5 ft (R zones and B-1, B-2, B-4); 12 ft (B-3, I-1, I-2) | 12 sq ft (R zones and B-1, B-2, B-4); 50 sq ft (B-3, I-1, I-2) | — | — | 1 | On premises; must not obstruct vision. | — | SIGN TABLE 1 |
| Political Sign | 8 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Not on public right of way | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.29 |
| Portable Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 1 |
| Real Estate/Construction Sign | 5 ft (R zones), 12 ft (B-1, B-2, B-4), 12 ft (B-3, I-1, I-2) | 6 sq ft (R zones), 40 sq ft (B-1, B-2, B-4), 100 sq ft (B-3, I-1, I-2) | — | — | 1 (or 1 per 800 ft in B-3, I-1, I-2) | — | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.31 |
| Temporary Yard/Garage Sale Sign | 5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.36 |
| Temporary Community Event Sign | 5 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.33, 16.34 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | Allowed | Window | — | SIGN TABLE 1; Section 16.37 |

## Prohibited signs in Marshall

- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign 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 chief of police.
- No sign, marquee, canopy or awning shall make use of the words 'Stop,' 'Go,' 'Look,' 'Slow,' 'Danger,' or a similar word, phrase, symbol or character or employ any red, yellow, orange, green or other colored lamp in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be constructed so as to obstruct the view of motorists seeing oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
- Signs which move or have moving parts, which movement is caused either by the wind or mechanically, are prohibited.
- Signs which contain statements, words or pictures of obscene, indecent or immoral character and which offend the public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Signs in conflict with traffic signals are prohibited.
- Animated signs, but not including electronic changeable copy signs or time and temperature signs, are prohibited.
- Signs on vehicles that are parked in a location which is visible to the public and for a period of time which indicates that the principal use of the vehicle is for advertising rather than transportation are prohibited.
- Signs which are affixed to trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Beacon or flashing signs, except those permitted under other provisions of this article, are prohibited.
- Commercial signs which promote an enterprise not in existence, or product or service no longer sold are prohibited.
- No person shall nail, tack, paste, paint or fasten or cause to be nailed, tacked, painted or fastened or otherwise attached, any sign, advertisement, bill, poster or any other foreign substance or material unto any telephone, telegraph, electric light, police or fire alarm pole or post, or any street or traffic sign located on any sidewalk, street, alley or public grounds.
- No person shall place any sign, advertisement or banner over or across any street or alley in the city unless that person has written approval of the superintendent.
- Signs shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way or on public property, except as specifically allowed.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with code requirements, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation.
- No sign may be attached to utility poles, trees on public right-of-way, street light poles, street or traffic signs or fire hydrants.

## Signs exempt from permit in Marshall

- Address, nameplate and building markers do not require a sign permit.
- Official identification or directional signs associated with historic sites and buildings do not require a sign permit.
- Official traffic, street, and informational signs do not require a sign permit.
- Political signs do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary real estate signs and construction signs do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary signs promoting local community events do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary yard sale signs do not require a sign permit.
- Window promotional signs do not require a sign permit.
- Public or governmental signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body for legal notices, identification of public property, conveyance of public information, or traffic regulation are permitted in the right-of-way.
- Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes or facilities are permitted in the right-of-way.
- Emergency signs erected by a governmental agency, public utility company, or contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public right-of-way are permitted.
- Temporary signs for which a permit has been issued under this article may be placed in the public right-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by a site plan drawing showing location and size of all existing and proposed signs, sign faces, proposed message and such other information to show full compliance with the provisions of this article.
- Applications for mural permits must include a site plan showing the lot and building dimensions and the proposed location of the mural, a scale drawing and color photo of the building showing the proposed size and placement of the mural, a colored drawing of the proposed mural, and a proposed maintenance schedule.
- If a variance is sought for an attached accessory sign that is also an electronic changeable copy sign, it must be granted by the zoning commission.

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

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