# Sign Regulations in Monticello, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Monticello, Illinois regulates 4 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B, I-1, I-C, Commercial zoning districts zoning district are capped at 45 feet tall and 425 sq ft per face; 850 sq ft max for two faces, with a Must meet intersection sight distance per BLR manual. setback (Sec. § 153.037(F)(1); § 153.037(D); § 153.037(C) 'COMMERCIAL SIGN'). Most commercial signs in Monticello require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B, I-1, I-C, Commercial zoning districts | 1 | 45 feet | 425 sq ft per face; 850 sq ft max for two faces | — |
| RC, RD, RE-1, RS, RU, Residential zoning districts | 1 | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per face; 12 sq ft max for two faces | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### B, I-1, I-C, Commercial zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 45 feet | 425 sq ft per face; 850 sq ft max for two faces | — | Must meet intersection sight distance per BLR manual. | No more than 2 sign faces. | Only on private property with the permission of the property owner; not allowed in public right-of-way or on city property except traffic/regulatory signs. | — | § 153.037(F)(1); § 153.037(D); § 153.037(C) 'COMMERCIAL SIGN' |

### RC, RD, RE-1, RS, RU, Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft per face; 12 sq ft max for two faces | — | Must meet intersection sight distance per BLR manual. | No more than 2 sign faces. | Only on private property with the permission of the property owner; not allowed in public right-of-way or on city property except traffic/regulatory signs. | — | § 153.037(G); § 153.037(C) 'RESIDENTIAL SIGN' |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overhanging Sign/Canopy/Awning | — | — | — | — | — | Over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public place | — | § 94.060, § 94.061, § 94.062 |
| Special Event Sign (Temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | In public right-of-way or city property with written City Administrator permission. | — | § 153.037(H) |
| Permanent Sign (Public Right-of-Way/Encroachment) | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way with encroachment permit. | — | § 153.037(H); §§ 94.075-94.079 |

## Prohibited signs in Monticello

- All signs not expressly permitted by these regulations are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect any sign that requires a permit without first securing a permit.
- Signs are prohibited in any public right-of-way or on city property with the exception of traffic and regulatory signs, unless an exemption or encroachment permit is granted.
- Flashing lights on signs are prohibited.
- No overhead wiring is permitted for electrical service or sign lighting; all wiring must be underground and in protective conduit.
- All signs and canopies extending over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public place must be securely fastened and constructed so there is no danger of being dislodged by ordinary winds or other causes.
- The lowest part of any canopy, sign or non-rigid awning, or any support thereof which extends over any public way must be at least 8 feet above the level of the walk or public way over which it extends; no sign may be maintained over any public way used by vehicles if any part is less than 15 feet above the public way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Monticello

- Certain signs that are small, unobtrusive, and incidental to the principal use of the respective lots may be allowed without the requirement for a permit but are still subject to substantive requirements.
- The regulations do not apply to commercial signs lawfully erected and in existence at the time of adoption of these regulations, which may be maintained as legal nonconforming signs and may be rebuilt or relocated on the same property, provided similar materials are used and original size and height maintained.
- Temporary special event signs may be placed in the public right-of-way or on city property with the written permission of the City Administrator, subject to time limits.
- Permanent signs may be placed in public right-of-way with the issuance of an encroachment permit pursuant to §§ 94.075-94.079.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before any person may erect a sign that requires a permit under these regulations.
- Application for a sign permit must be made on the official sign permit application form and submitted to the Building Inspector along with required information and fees.
- No requirement is specified for a master sign plan or sign variance meeting in the provided ordinance text.

## Full detail

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

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