# Sign Regulations in Newton, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Newton, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/newton
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-30
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://jaspercountyillinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/zoning-code.pdf#page=58)

## At a glance

Newton, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) zoning district are capped at 20 ft above ground tall, 100 sq ft, and 12 ft wide, with a Min 10 ft from public ROW for parts below 10 ft height setback (Sec. 40-6-12(E)). Most commercial signs in Newton 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 | 13 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural District (A-1) | 12 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (SR-1, SR-2, MR-1, MR-2, MH-1) | 12 | — | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 19 | 20 ft above ground | 100 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District (I-1) | 20 | 20 ft above ground | 300 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 | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to the site of the construction | — | 40-6-10(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft on residential property; 16 sq ft on other property | — | — | 1 per street front | On the premises being sold, rented, or leased | — | 40-6-10(B) |
| Political Sign | — | 8 sq ft in Agricultural or Residential Districts; 32 sq ft in other districts | — | — | — | Any location permitted in the district | — | 40-6-10(C) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private residential property | — | 40-6-10(D) |
| Public Interest Signs and Street Banners | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Any location permitted in the district | — | 40-6-10(E) |
| Institutional Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution | — | 40-6-10(G) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises | — | 40-6-10(I) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | At entrance of subdivision or apartment complex | — | 40-6-10(J) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site | — | 40-6-10(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises | — | 40-6-10(B) |
| Political Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Any permitted | — | 40-6-10(C) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private residential property | — | 40-6-10(D) |
| Public Interest Signs and Street Banners | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Any permitted | — | 40-6-10(E) |
| Wall Sign | Not to extend above roof line | — | — | — | Multiple permitted if total area allowance not exceeded | Attached to wall or surface of building | — | 40-6-12(A) |
| Projecting Sign | Max 12 ft above ground; not above roof line | — | — | — | 1 per street front | Attached to building projecting outward | — | 40-6-12(C) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above ground | 100 sq ft | 12 ft | Min 10 ft from public ROW for parts below 10 ft height | 1 per street front | On private property | — | 40-6-12(E) |

### Industrial District (I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to site | — | 40-6-10(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises | — | 40-6-10(B) |
| Political Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Any permitted | — | 40-6-10(C) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Private residential property | — | 40-6-10(D) |
| Wall Sign | Not to extend above roof line | — | — | — | Multiple if total not exceeded | Attached to wall of building | — | 40-6-12(A) |
| Projecting Sign | Max 12 ft; not above roof | — | — | — | 1 per street front | Projecting from building | — | 40-6-12(C) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft above ground | 100 sq ft | 12 ft | Min 10 ft from ROW for low parts | 1 per street front | On private property | — | 40-6-12(E) |
| Billboard | 20 ft above ground | 300 sq ft | — | Min 25 ft to lot line or ROW; min 500 ft to other billboard on same side of roadway | — | In I-1 District only | — | 40-6-12(F) |

## Prohibited signs in Newton

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this Article shall be deemed prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.
- No sign 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 control device.
- Every sign shall be designed and constructed in conformity with any applicable provisions of the adopted Building Code.
- Every sign and appurtenance shall be maintained in a neat and attractive condition by its owner. The sign supports shall be kept painted to prevent rust or deterioration.
- No sign shall employ red, yellow, or green lights in such a manner as to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic.
- No sign other than those providing time and temperature information shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness, or color (except for electronically-operated changeable signs).
- The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that it creates neither a nuisance to adjacent property nor a traffic hazard.
- Signs attached to trees, fences or public utility poles, other than warning signs posted by government officials or public utilities.
- Defunct signs, including the posts or other supports therefor that advertise or identify an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises where such sign is located.
- Roof-mounted signs that project or protrude above the highest point of the roof.

## Signs exempt from permit in Newton

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, etc., not exceeding 24 square feet, confined to site, removed within 14 days after use begins.
- Real estate signs indicating sale, rental, or lease: up to 6 sq ft on residential, 16 sq ft on other property, one per street front, removed within 7 days of transaction.
- Political signs: up to 8 sq ft in ag/residential districts, 32 sq ft in others, removed within 7 days after election.
- Garage sale signs: up to 4 sq ft, posted no longer than 5 days.
- Public interest signs and street banners for charitable/non-profit events: up to 32 sq ft in ag/residential, permitted 60 days before and 7 days after event.
- Governmental, public, and directional signs (e.g., traffic control, no trespassing, parking lot entrances).
- Institutional signs identifying public, charitable, or religious institutions: on premises, not obstructing vision, up to 24 sq ft.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid as part of building (e.g., date, name, memorials).
- Home occupation signs: non-illuminated, up to 4 sq ft, identifying name and occupation.
- Subdivision entrance signs: no commercial advertising, up to 20 sq ft.
- Permanent house numbers and/or occupant name signs: up to 2 sq ft for single-family, 6 sq ft for multi-family.
- Signs located in the interior of any building or enclosed lobby/court, viewed only by patrons/residents.
- Mobile/portable marquees with temporary sign permit, for active business advertising in B-1, B-2, or I-1 districts.

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

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