# Sign Regulations in Pekin, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pekin, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/pekin
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Pekin/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH4ZOPLDE_ARTIIIZO_DIV8SURE_S4-3-8-8-16REELMUMESIEXLI)

## At a glance

Pekin, Illinois regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Off-Premises Sign (B-3, I-1, I-2, PUD) - Special Use Onlys in the Office Service District (OS-1), Local Business District (B-1), Central Business District (B-2), General Business District (B-3), Light Industrial District (I-1), General Industrial District (I-2), Vehicular Parking District (P-1), Planned Unit Development - Business Park District (PUD) zoning district are capped at 10 feet (height); 30 feet (length) tall, 300 square feet, and 30 feet wide, with a As established in code and through special use setback (Sec. Sec. 4-3-8-8-18). Most commercial signs in Pekin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District (AG) | 8 | 8 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| One-Family Estate Residential District (R-E), One-Family Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), Two-Family Residential District (RT), Multiple Family Residential District (RM-1, RM-2, RM-3), Villa Residential District (RV-1, RV-2, RV-3) | 7 | 8 feet | 120 square feet per sign | — |
| Office Service District (OS-1), Local Business District (B-1), Central Business District (B-2), General Business District (B-3), Light Industrial District (I-1), General Industrial District (I-2), Vehicular Parking District (P-1), Planned Unit Development - Business Park District (PUD) | 11 | 12 feet (B-3 and multi-tenant can use 12 feet); other districts: up to 8 feet unless specified otherwise | 300 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Agricultural District (AG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Standard | 8 feet | 120 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per street frontage. Additional for each additional access point over 150 feet | Minimum setback 5 feet from all lot lines; must not project into or over public right-of-way; only one per street frontage; additional sign for each access point over 150 feet | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(h)(4), (k); Sec. 4-3-8-8-12; Sec. 4-3-8-8-3 |
| Wall Sign | — | Calculated: 1.5 sq. ft./linear foot, or 40 sq. ft. (minimum) | — | — | Number of wall signs per façade not limited, but cumulative area is | All façades of a nonresidential structure permitted; sign must be parallel to wall, project less than 18 inches, may encroach up to 18 inches into right-of-way | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(l) |
| Ground Sign - Residential Subdivision (if applicable) | 8 feet | 120 square feet | — | Must comply with ground sign setbacks | One for each access point | For each access point to the development; minimum separation of 50 feet between signs | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(j) |
| A-frame or Sandwich Board Sign (Business uses) | 3 feet | 6 square feet per side | — | — | One per establishment | Within 15 feet of business entrance; must not interfere with pedestrian traffic or ADA accessibility; outdoor placement limited to business hours | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(5) |
| Construction Activity Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet (for projects <1 acre or single/two-family); 32 square feet (for other construction sites) | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per site | Not less than 5 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(6) |
| Real Estate Activity Sign | 5 feet | 12 square feet (residential zones); 32 square feet (all other zones) | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per street frontage | On property for sale/lease; within 5 feet of any lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(7) |
| Window Sign (Nonresidential uses) | — | 30% of window area (up to 5% may be illuminated, included in total) | — | — | — | Interior or exterior of window/door or within 2 feet of the window for public viewing | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(8) |
| Flag/Temporary Signs (Residential properties) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Anywhere on residential lot | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(9) |

### One-Family Estate Residential District (R-E), One-Family Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4), Two-Family Residential District (RT), Multiple Family Residential District (RM-1, RM-2, RM-3), Villa Residential District (RV-1, RV-2, RV-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign - Residential Subdivision | 8 feet | 120 square feet per sign | — | As for ground signs - min 5 feet from lot line | One per access point. | One per access point to development, min 50 feet separation | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(j) |
| A-frame or Sandwich Board Sign (Business or Home Occupation where permitted) | 3 feet | 6 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per establishment | Within 15 feet of primary entrance; not to interfere with pedestrian travel/ADA | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(5) |
| Construction Activity Sign | 7 feet | 16 square feet (single/two-family or area < 1 acre); 32 square feet (other projects) | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per site | Not less than 5 feet from lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(6) |
| Real Estate Activity Sign | 5 feet | 12 square feet | — | 5 feet | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale/lease; within 5 feet of lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(7) |
| Wall Sign (For Non-Residential Uses, including Multi-Family Dwellings) | — | Calculated based on building face, or 40 sq. ft. minimum | — | — | Number not limited but cumulative area is | On wall only; parallel to wall; projecting less than 18 inches; may not cover windows or architectural features | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(l) |
| Window Sign (permitted for nonresidential, multi-family, or home occupation if applicable) | — | 30% of window area; up to 5% of this may be illuminated | — | — | — | Interior or exterior of window/door, or within two feet | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(8) |
| Flag/Temporary Sign (Residential lot) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(9) |

### Office Service District (OS-1), Local Business District (B-1), Central Business District (B-2), General Business District (B-3), Light Industrial District (I-1), General Industrial District (I-2), Vehicular Parking District (P-1), Planned Unit Development - Business Park District (PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Calculated as above | — | — | Unlimited per façade, but cumulative area is restricted | On all façades of structure; must be parallel to wall, project less than 18 inches, may encroach up to 18 inches into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(l) |
| Ground Sign - Standard | 12 feet (B-3 and multi-tenant can use 12 feet); other districts: up to 8 feet unless specified otherwise | 120 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per street frontage; additional for each access point | Minimum 5 feet from all lot lines; one per street frontage; additional per additional access for over 150 feet; may not project into public right-of-way | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(h), (k); Sec. 4-3-8-8-3 |
| Ground Sign - Multi-Tenant Retail Center | 12 feet | 120 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line | One per street frontage; additional for each access, 50' separation | One per street frontage per lot; additional for each access point, 50 feet minimum separation | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(h)(1)(h)(i) |
| A-frame or Sandwich Board Sign | 3 feet | 6 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per establishment | Within 15 feet of business entrance; not to obstruct sidewalks or ADA access | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(5) |
| Electronic Message Sign | Per primary sign type (ground/wall) | Limited to 70% of sign structure (when part of ground or wall sign) | — | 25 feet from lot line of any residential district | 1 per lot (site-wide for multi-tenant) | Must be part of permitted ground, wall, or marquee sign; must be at least 25 feet from lot line of residential district | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-7(g); Sec. 4-3-8-8-16 |
| Construction Activity Sign | 7 feet | 32 square feet (non-residential projects) | — | 5 feet | One per site | Minimum 5 feet from any lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(6) |
| Real Estate Activity Sign | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from lot line | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale/lease, within 5 feet of lot line | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-6(7) |
| Off-Premises Sign (B-3, I-1, I-2, PUD) - Special Use Only | 10 feet (height); 30 feet (length) | 300 square feet | 30 feet | As established in code and through special use | Not specified; subject to spacing 1,000 feet | Freestanding only; strictly must be in B-3, I-1, I-2, PUD with special use permit | — | Sec. 4-3-8-8-18 |

## Prohibited signs in Pekin

- No sign may be erected in a location that violates the Building Code, Fire Code and other applicable City codes or ordinances.
- Only signs placed or authorized by a government entity may be installed on public property; unauthorized signs on public property, including rights-of-way, may be removed by the City without notice.
- No permanent sign may be erected on private property without the consent of the property owner or authorized agent.
- Audio components are prohibited on any sign, except limited audio on menu boards for customer communication.
- Prohibited sign types include wall signs projecting above any roofline; signs painted on any wall except as expressly permitted; signs using bare bulb lighting; signs using illuminated intermittent lighting or flashing effects; rotating or revolving signs; reflecting signs that cause glare and visibility problems to adjoining properties or traffic; signs or banners placed across public right-of-way except by City Council permission; displays of obscene material; unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained signs; business signs on trees or utility poles; signs erected or placed in the public right-of-way; roof signs; strobe lights, moving or fixed spotlights, floodlights/searchlights; obsolete copy and obsolete signs; signs making use of traffic-similar language or symbols; video display signs; vehicle signs on unlicensed/uninsured/inoperable vehicles displayed for attention;.
- Obsolete copy and obsolete signs (no longer advertising current business or product) must be removed within 30 days; removing copy by rotating, hiding, or obfuscating it is not compliant.
- Illuminated signs adjacent to residential properties shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
- Off-premises signs are allowed only in specified zones (B-3, I-1, I-2, PUD) and only by special use permit.
- No sign shall be so illuminated or positioned that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or signal.
- No sign or structure may create a vision obstruction, including within the vision triangle at street intersections, as defined in the code.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited except as permitted for murals or as otherwise provided.
- No portable sign may be displayed without obtaining a permit and is limited in display duration and frequency.
- No sign may exceed the maximum allowable sign height (typically 50 feet), except where a variance is granted.
- No sign frame may remain unfilled or allow any internal part or element of the sign structure to remain visible.
- No roof sign is permitted.
- No strobe lights, moving or fixed spotlights, or searchlights are permitted as attention-getting devices for signs.
- Business signs may not be posted on trees or utility poles, whether public or private.
- No sign may be installed on a vehicle intended primarily to advertise while parked at a business establishment unless the vehicle is operable, licensed, and parked as part of routine business.
- No sign may use words or symbols that could mislead, confuse, or interfere with traffic (e.g., stop, look, danger, caution, warning).
- No sign may use intermittent, flashing, or bare bulb illumination, except as expressly allowed for electronic message signs under set controls.
- Video display signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected in a scenic area or within 1,000 feet of a public recreation area (as further restricted for off-premises signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Pekin

- Bulletin boards not over 20 square feet in area for religious institutions, located on the premises, unless electrically illuminated (then an electrical permit is required).
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or aluminum.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, danger and such temporary emergency or non-advertising signs as may be approved by the City.
- Signs advertising the rental, sale, or lease of the property upon which located.
- A-frame or sandwich board signs, in business districts only, meeting dimensional, placement, and operational limitations.
- Construction activity signs on lots with active construction, subject to specified size, location, and non-illumination restrictions.
- Real estate activity signs, subject to location, number, area, and timing restrictions.
- Window signs, except that illuminated window signs are not permitted in residential zones.
- Flags and temporary signs in residential zones, provided each does not exceed 12 square feet in area.
- Directional signs required by government entities are permitted in all districts.
- On-premises signs are permitted in any use district, provided they comply with all applicable rules and dimensional limits.
- Nonconforming signs may be continued until repaired/replaced beyond 50% of replacement cost, subject to requirements.
- Murals meeting criteria outlined in the code are permitted in all non-residential zoning districts and legal non-residential structures in residential districts, upon satisfaction of administrative permit.
- Essential services (public utilities, municipal infrastructure signs) are exempt from sign ordinance application as regulated by law.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, unless specifically identified as exempt, may be erected, constructed, altered, or relocated without first applying for and receiving a permit.
- A sign variance may be authorized after a review by and recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals, with City Council making final decision; certain administrative modifications may be approved by the City Manager or designee, for limited scope changes.
- Site plan review is required for various land uses and developments (including those with signs) within specified districts, or for non-residential uses abutting residential zones, with site plans submitted to Zoning Board of Appeals or City staff for approval. (Sec. 4-3-8-14)
- All ground signs must be landscaped at base, and landscaping requirements must be integrated into the site landscape plan and maintained.
- Off-premises signs (billboards) are only allowed by special use permit, after a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals and final action by City Council, with required public notice. (Sec. 4-3-8-8-18)
- Murals are subject to administrative permit approval and, if denied, application can be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- Application for a sign (or mural) permit must include site plans/building elevations showing sign location(s), dimensions, and other required data per code.
- Sign permit applications (including for variances, murals, or significant changes) must generally be accompanied by required fees as set by the City Council.
- Signage proposals for developments (e.g., for cannabis businesses, PUD, shopping centers) must be included as part of overall site plan review and may be a condition of special use or zoning approvals.
- Concept plans, preliminary development plans, and final plans for Planned Unit Developments (PUD) require landscape and signage plans for approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals and City Council.
- Signage within PUDs must be in accordance with Division 8 requirements and further limitations may be placed as conditions of PUD approval.

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

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