# Sign Regulations in Metropolis, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Metropolis, Illinois regulates 31 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Districts, Industrial District zoning district are capped at Top edge max 20 ft above grade tall, 80 sq ft per sign or 10 ft in any dimension (whichever is less), except shopping center ID signs, and 10 ft (maximum in any dimension) wide, with a 10 ft from any lot line; not in public right-of-way setback (Sec. § 156.468). Most commercial signs in Metropolis require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | — | 40 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Districts, Industrial District | 10 | Top edge max 20 ft above grade | 200 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-3 District, I District | 1 | 30 ft above ground/pavement | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site of construction | — | § 156.459(A) |
| Directional/Informational Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | For public convenience (entrances, parking, etc.) | — | § 156.459(B) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private residential property | — | § 156.459(D) |
| House Number/Name Sign | — | 3 sq ft for single-family, 6 sq ft for multi-family | — | — | — | On lot to which it pertains | — | § 156.459(G) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of public, charitable, fraternal, not-for-profit or religious institution | — | § 156.459(H) |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | § 156.459(K) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6.25 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (other) | — | — | One per street front (residential) | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | § 156.459(N) |
| Residential Development Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | At major entrances to residential developments | — | § 156.459(O) |

### Commercial Districts, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted Sign (Wall Sign) | 4 ft above roofline | 32 sq ft per sign (wall) | — | — | — | Wall or surface to which it is attached | — | § 156.451, § 156.462, § 156.463 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft above roofline; min 10 ft above ground/pavement | 32 sq ft per sign (assumed same as wall formula) | Can project up to 10 ft from building | — | One per street front | Attached to building front | — | § 156.451, § 156.462, § 156.464 |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 30% of window area | — | — | — | Inside window | — | § 156.466 |
| Sign on Awning/Canopy/Marquee (Flush-Mounted) | — | See flush-mounted sign regulations | — | — | — | Flush on awning/canopy/marquee | — | § 156.465 |
| Sign Suspended Under Awning/Canopy/Marquee (Projecting) | — | See projecting sign regulations | — | — | — | Suspended beneath awning/canopy/marquee | — | § 156.465 |
| Freestanding Sign | Top edge max 20 ft above grade | 80 sq ft per sign or 10 ft in any dimension (whichever is less), except shopping center ID signs | 10 ft (maximum in any dimension) | 10 ft from any lot line; not in public right-of-way | One per street front | On lot, not projecting into right-of-way | — | § 156.468 |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | — | 200 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per 75 ft frontage, max 2 per center | On premises of shopping center >50,000 sq ft | — | § 156.467 |
| Directional Sign (Tract Lot Sales, Off-site) | — | 32 sq ft | — | Off public right-of-way | One per subdivision sale | Off-site for tract sale of 10+ lots | — | § 156.473 |

### C-3 District, I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 30 ft above ground/pavement | 60 sq ft | — | 20 ft from property lines OR overall height, whichever is greater | Max 25 billboards citywide | — | — | § 156.470 |

## Prohibited signs in Metropolis

- Any sign, street graphic or billboard not expressly permitted by this subchapter shall be deemed prohibited in the city. (§ 156.449)
- No sign, street graphic or billboard shall revolve, rotate, or mechanically move in any manner. (§ 156.453)
- No sign, street graphic or billboard shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color; beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited. (§ 156.454(C))
- No exposed reflective type bulb, and no strobe light or incandescent lamp which exceeds 15 watts, shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign, street graphic or billboard in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public street or to adjacent property. (§ 156.454(E))
- No sign, street graphic or billboard shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway. (§ 156.455(A))
- No sign, street graphic or billboard 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. (§ 156.455(B))
- No sign, street graphic or billboard shall be located so as to obstruct vision at an intersection or vehicular entry or exit from the property. (§ 156.455(C))
- No sign or street graphic shall exceed a maximum height of 20 feet. (§ 156.455(D))
- Any sign, street graphic and billboard not designed and constructed in conformity with applicable building code or electrical code for illuminated signs is prohibited. (§ 156.456(A)-(B))
- All elevated, free standing signs, street graphics and billboards shall be designed to withstand sustained winds of not less than 90 mph; applicants must submit certified plans and specifications. (§ 156.457)
- Mobile/portable signs are prohibited except as allowed in §§ 156.471 and 156.472. (§ 156.458(A))
- Signs attached to trees, fences, or public utility poles, other than warning signs issued by public utilities, are prohibited, except as noted. (§ 156.458(B))
- Signs advertising or identifying an activity, business or service no longer conducted must be removed within 60 days. (§ 156.458(C))
- Signs painted on roofs or walls advertising off-premises businesses are prohibited. (§ 156.458(D))
- All roof-mounted signs, street graphics and billboards are prohibited everywhere in the city. (§ 156.469)

## Signs exempt from permit in Metropolis

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, or the character/purpose of the building, not exceeding 32 sq ft, confined to the construction site, and removed within 14 days after substantial completion. (§ 156.459(A))
- Directional and informational signs for the convenience of the public (e.g., entrances, exits, parking areas, restrooms), not exceeding three sq ft. (§ 156.459(B))
- Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government. (§ 156.459(C))
- Garage sale or yard sale signs on private residential property, not exceeding four sq ft, posted for a maximum of three days, and not allowed on street right-of-way. (§ 156.459(D))
- Governmental or public signs such as traffic control, railroad crossing, legal notices, etc. (§ 156.459(E))
- Holiday decorations, provided they are removed within a reasonable time after the holiday. (§ 156.459(F))
- House numbers and/or name of occupant signs on the lot to which it pertains, not exceeding three sq ft (single-family) or six sq ft (multi-family). (§ 156.459(G))
- Institutional signs for public, charitable, fraternal, not-for-profit or religious institutions, on-premises only, not obstructing vision, not exceeding 32 sq ft. (§ 156.459(H))
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to be part of a building (date of erection, name of building, memorial tributes, etc.). (§ 156.459(I))
- Interior signs located inside a building or within a lobby/court, not visible from the exterior. (§ 156.459(J))
- Political campaign signs on private property, not exceeding 32 sq ft, no more than 45 days before and 7 days after the election. (§ 156.459(K))
- Property regulations signs such as no trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, not exceeding three sq ft. (§ 156.459(L))
- Public interest signs for charitable or nonprofit events, not exceeding 16 sq ft in residential district or 32 sq ft elsewhere; displayed up to 30 days prior to and 7 days after the event. (§ 156.459(M))
- Real estate signs indicating sale, rental or lease, limited to six and one-fourth sq ft on residential property (one per street front), 32 sq ft elsewhere, removed within 7 days after sale/rental/lease. (§ 156.459(N))
- Residential development identification signs (no commercial advertising), not exceeding 40 sq ft. (§ 156.459(O))
- Street banners advertising public entertainment/event, placed in locations approved by the Mayor, allowed 14 days before and 7 days after the event. (§ 156.459(P))
- Utility company signs for public safety or indicating the location of public telephones, underground cables, etc. (§ 156.459(Q))
- Memorial signs/tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, cut into masonry or made of bronze or incombustible material. (§ 156.459(R))
- Armed Forces 'yellow ribbon' signs approved by AMVETS, attached to utility poles only, 12 inches by 18 inches, mounted minimum eight feet above grade. (§ 156.459(S))

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All elevated, free standing, and billboard signs must have written plans and specifications certified by a licensed structural engineer submitted prior to commencement of construction. (§ 156.457)
- Every applicant for a sign, street graphic and billboard permit must submit an application (city-provided form) with detailed narrative and/or graphic information (location, dimensions, area, height, illumination, support/attachment, etc.) to the Administrative Official. (§ 156.477)
- Permit applications are reviewed by the Administrative Official and, for variances, by the Zoning Board of Appeals, which holds a public hearing and findings of fact. (§ 156.475(A), § 156.482)
- No sign, billboard, or street graphic except those listed as exempt may be erected, expanded, altered, relocated, or reconstructed without a permit issued by the Administrative Official. (§ 156.476)
- Variances are decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals after public hearing and require findings according to the guidelines in §§ 156.100 through 156.106, 156.120 through 156.127, and 156.140 through 156.144. (§ 156.482)

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

---

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