# Sign Regulations in Metamora, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Metamora, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/metamora
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Metamora/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT10VETR_CH10.20TRDE_10.20.010SISI)

## At a glance

Metamora, Illinois regulates 32 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Identification Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall and 3 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less setback (Sec. 17.52.060(B)(3)). Most commercial signs in Metamora require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| AG Agricultural District | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Residential District | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-2 Residential District | 2 | 6 ft (may not project higher than 6 ft above curb) | 10 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Business District | 3 | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — |
| C-2 Central Business District | 4 | 20 ft or height of building, whichever is less | 30 sq ft | — |
| C-3 Highway Commercial District | 4 | Twice building height or 40 ft, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — |
| I-1 Light Industrial District, I-2 Heavy Industrial District | 4 | Twice building height or 75 ft, whichever is less | 200 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Centers | 3 | 40 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| Home Occupations | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per lot | On lot identifying use, owner or resident; 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less. | — | 17.52.060(B)(3) |
| Institutional Sign or Bulletin Board | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per property | On premises of institution; 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | — | 17.52.060(B)(5) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (Agriculture) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per 600' frontage | 1 per 600' frontage | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (One and Two Family Residential) | 3 ft | 5 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per dwelling | 1 per dwelling | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (Multi-Family Residential) | 3 ft | 5 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per apartment building | 1 per apartment building | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (Neighborhood/Central Business) | 6 ft | 10 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (Highway Commercial) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |
| Individual Property Sale or Rental Sign (Industrial) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line or 1/2 front yard depth, whichever is less | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | 17.52.060(B)(9) |

### C-3 Highway Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | Building face advertising business on premises. | — | 17.52.060(H)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | Twice building height or 40 ft, whichever is less | 100 sq ft | — | 12 ft from property line | 1 per business + 1 add'l per 200 ft frontage after first 200 ft | At least 12 ft from property line. | — | 17.52.060(H)(1) |
| Projecting Sign | Shall not project above roof; bottom at least 8 ft above finished grade | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business + 1 add'l per 200 ft frontage after first 200 ft | Affixed to building advertising business on premises. | — | 17.52.060(H)(2) |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof (must not exceed 10 ft measured from portion of roof directly beneath sign) | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On roof of business. | — | 17.52.060(H)(3) |

### I-1 Light Industrial District, I-2 Heavy Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | On structure advertising business conducted therein. | — | 17.52.060(I)(4), 17.52.060(J) |
| Freestanding Sign | Twice building height or 75 ft, whichever is less | 200 sq ft | — | 12 ft from property line | 1 per business + 1 add'l per 300 ft frontage after first 300 ft | At least 12 ft from property line. | — | 17.52.060(I)(1), 17.52.060(J) |
| Projecting Sign | Shall not project above roof; bottom at least 8 ft above finished grade | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business + 1 add'l per 300 ft frontage after first 300 ft | Affixed to structure advertising business on premises. | — | 17.52.060(I)(2), 17.52.060(J) |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof (must not exceed 10 ft measured from portion of roof directly beneath sign) | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On roof of business. | — | 17.52.060(I)(3), 17.52.060(J) |

## Prohibited signs in Metamora

- No sign shall prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- No sign shall obstruct from any door or window the light and ventilation required by other provisions of this title, or any other ordinance of the village.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole on public property for longer than fifteen days.
- No sign shall be located on vacant property except a sign advertising the premises for sale or lease and which meets the standards of subsection B.
- Exposed bulbs or strobe lights are not allowed in any illuminated sign.
- Signs that may be confused with, or construed as a traffic control device, or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal, are prohibited.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or which makes use of the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger' or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such manner as to interfere with, or mislead or confuse pedestrians or vehicle operators.
- Any sign which is unlawfully installed or maintained, or which ceases to be used for a period of sixty days, or in which the business it advertises has not been conducted on the premises for a period of sixty days, must be removed by the owner or lessee.
- Any sign which flashes on and off or revolves or is animated in any way is prohibited unless written permission is obtained from the zoning administrator (except for public traffic control devices, dial clocks and time and temperature devices).
- Illuminated signs are prohibited outside the C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1, or I-2 districts except as otherwise provided.
- No person shall erect, structurally alter, rehang, maintain or replace any sign projecting over a street, alley, sidewalk, or other public place without filing a certificate of bond with the village clerk.

## Signs exempt from permit in Metamora

- Public noncommercial signs, including safety, danger, trespassing, traffic, scenic or historical markers, memorial plaques, and signs erected by public officers in the performance of public duty, are permitted in all districts and may be illuminated.
- Flags bearing the official design of a nation, state, municipality, or educational institution are allowed in all districts and may be illuminated.
- Identification signs (one per lot), with limitations on size, height, and location, are allowed in all districts; this does not apply to mailboxes not attached to a building.
- Integral signs such as names of buildings, dates of construction, and commemorative tablets made as an integral part of a building are allowed.
- Institutional or bulletin board signs for public, charitable, educational, or religious institutions on the premises, subject to size and placement limitations, are permitted and may be illuminated.
- Private traffic direction signs on-premise, within area and height limits, are allowed; horizontal directional signs on paved areas are exempt.
- Community event signs, adhering to area and placement duration limitations, are allowed.
- Political campaign signs up to ten square feet, confined to private property with owner consent and removed within seven days after the election, are allowed.
- On-premise property sale or rental signs, subject to enumerated use, size, and location limitations, are allowed.
- Subdivision signs (limited duration, number, size, and location), for announcing builders, subdivision character, or lots for sale, are allowed.
- On-site construction signs per property sale/rental sign standards are allowed, for limited time after completion.
- Holiday signs or displays related to official holidays for up to forty-five days are allowed and may be illuminated.
- Underground public utility warning signs are permitted.
- Changing advertising copy or message on an approved sign does not require a permit.
- Painting, cleaning, or normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no general requirement for a master sign plan or overall sign plan for all zones; however, a permit from the zoning administrator is required for the installation, construction, erection, alteration, or relocation of any sign, except for those specifically exempted.
- Application for a sign permit requires detailed information about the sign and its placement, as specified in Section 17.52.060(M)(2).
- Permit exceptions are listed in Section 17.52.060(M)(6) for changing copy on an approved sign and for routine maintenance.
- No reference in the ordinance text to a required sign plan (such as a master sign plan) or required special sign variance meeting, apart from the standard sign permit process.

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

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