# Sign Regulations in Peoria Heights, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Peoria Heights, Illinois regulates 21 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding/Ground Signs in the Business Zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4) zoning district are capped at 20 ft above average ground level at base tall and Included in 200 sq ft total sign area per establishment, with a Behind street setback lines setback (Sec. 9-4-10(C)(3), 9-4-8, 9-4-3). Most commercial signs in Peoria Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone (C, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-P) | 3 | 5 ft above average ground level at sign base | 12 sq ft total for each individual dwelling (additional to 2 sq ft per dwelling unit) | — |
| Business Zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4) | 5 | 20 ft above average ground level at base | Max 200 sq ft total for establishment | — |
| Industrial Zones (B-4, I-1) | 4 | 20 ft above average ground level at base | Included in sign area calculation; counted as one sign face. | — |
| B-1 Central Business District | 4 | 20 ft above ground | 200 sq ft per establishment | — |
| B-2 General Retail Business District | 5 | 20 ft above ground | 200 sq ft per establishment | — |
| B-3 Service Business District | 6 | 20 ft above ground | 200 sq ft | — |
| B-4 Low Impact Industrial District | 4 | 20 ft above ground | Included as single face in area calculation | — |
| I-1 Industrial District | 4 | 20 ft above ground | Included as single face in area calculation | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 50 ft from ground or centerline of road grade, whichever greater | Standard off premises: 300 sq ft per face; Billboard: 672 sq ft per face; max 2 faces (one each direction) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Business Zones (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Max 200 sq ft total for establishment | — | — | No explicit number; total sign area. Single establishment max 200 sq ft | Anywhere on building surface | — | 9-4-10(C)(2-4), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | Included in 200 sq ft total sign area per establishment | Projection of up to 6 ft beyond street property line; not less than 2 ft from curb; minimum 8 ft clearance over sidewalk and 15 ft over driveways/alleys | See above projection/max distance details | No explicit number; total sign area applies | Where there is no building setback; projected from building wall into public ROW (subject to above restrictions) | — | 9-4-10(C)(3), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | 20 ft above average ground level at base | Included in 200 sq ft total sign area per establishment | — | Behind street setback lines | No explicit number; total sign area applies | Anywhere behind street setback lines, except as otherwise limited by zoning ordinance. | — | 9-4-10(C)(3), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Marquee Sign | — | Included in 200 sq ft total sign area per establishment | May project below marquee edge by 12 in | — | No explicit number; total sign area applies | Vertical faces of marquees | — | 9-4-10(C)(3c), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Digital Electronic Multiple Message Sign (On-Premises) | — | Included in sign area calculation; only counted as single sign face. | — | — | No explicit number; included in area calculation | On premises; all business zones except B-1 Central Business District; allowed only by special use. | — | 9-4-10(E), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |

### B-3 Service Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | No explicit number; sign area limit applies | Anywhere on building surface | — | 9-4-10(C)(2-4), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | Within 200 sq ft | Projects up to 6 ft, no less than 2 ft to curb, 8 ft clearance above sidewalk, 15 ft above driveway/alley, special proximity rule | See description above. | Within total sign area | Where no setback, above rules apply | — | 9-4-10(C)(3), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | 20 ft above ground | Within 200 sq ft total per establishment | — | Behind street setback lines. | Within total sign area | Anywhere behind setback lines | — | 9-4-10(C)(3), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | May project below marquee edge by up to 12 inches. No part of sign may extend above vertical marquee face. | — | Within overall sign area | Vertical faces of marquee on building. | — | 9-4-10(C)(3c), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Digital Electronic Multiple Message Sign (On-Premises) | — | Counted as single face in overall sign area calc | — | — | Within overall sign area | On premises, special use permit required | — | 9-4-10(E), 9-4-8, 9-4-3 |
| Awnings, Banners, Pennants, Streamers, Light Strings, Spinners, Wind-Moved Signs (B-3 Only) | — | — | — | — | — | On Business; B-3 Zone Only | — | 9-4-6(F)-(G), 9-4-10(G) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institutional Sign | If ground mounted: max 6 ft above ground. If wall mounted: shall not project above roofline. | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On premises of public, charitable, educational, or religious institution. One per institution. | — | 9-4-4(B) |
| Private Traffic Direction Sign | — | 3 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Directing traffic movement on or within premises. | — | 9-4-4(D) |
| Small Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building | — | 9-4-4(E) |
| Rental Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises advertising rooms/apartments/house for rent. | — | 9-4-4(F) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft per firm | — | — | — | On construction site | — | 9-4-5(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 12 sq ft total | — | — | — | On property for sale/rent/lease. | — | 9-4-5(B) |
| Off Premises Sign (including Billboard) | 50 ft from ground or centerline of road grade, whichever greater | Standard off premises: 300 sq ft per face; Billboard: 672 sq ft per face; max 2 faces (one each direction) | — | — | Max 2 faces (one per direction), see separation | Not roof mounted; if wall mounted, not above roofline; must not project beyond property line. | — | 9-4-11 |
| Mural | Shall not extend above roofline; may not extend more than 6 in from wall | 75% of one exterior building side/rear wall (one mural per building site) | — | — | 1 per building site | Side or rear wall of building (in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 zones only) | — | 9-4-4.1 |

## Prohibited signs in Peoria Heights

- No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated without a permit issued by the village building inspector, except as otherwise provided.
- Signs containing statements, works or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character, such as will offend public morals or decency, are prohibited.
- Signs containing or imitating an official traffic sign or signal, or using words such as 'stop', 'go slow', 'caution', 'danger', 'warning', or similar words, in imitation of an official traffic sign or signal, are prohibited.
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which 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.
- On premises signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located are prohibited.
- Signs that move in any manner or have a major moving part are prohibited. (Only minor decorative parts may move. This prohibition does not apply to digital electronic multiple message signs.)
- Signs containing or consisting of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices are prohibited, unless specifically permitted in the B-3 Zoning District.
- Signs that may swing or noticeably move as a result of wind pressure because of the manner of their suspension or attachment are prohibited, except as permitted in the B-3 Zoning District.
- The light from any illuminated sign must not unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of adjacent premises.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color. Beacon lights are not permitted.
- No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
- Direct or reflected light from signs shall not create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
- All signs and components must be kept in good repair and in a safe, neat, clean, and attractive condition.
- All signs must comply with the village building code.
- No sign shall project beyond any property line.
- For building-mounted signs: signs must be flush mounted, not mounted on any roof, and shall not project above the roofline.
- Violating provisions of the sign code is a misdemeanor and subject to penalties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Peoria Heights

- Changing the advertising copy or message on an approved, painted or printed sign or billboard, or theater marquee and similar approved signs designed for replaceable copy, does not require a permit.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is made, does not require a permit.
- Temporary signs as specified in section 9-4-5 of the ordinance do not require a permit.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature and erected by or on order of a public officer in the performance of public duty (e.g., safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest) are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Institutional signs for public, charitable, educational, or religious institutions, located entirely within the premises of that institution and up to 24 square feet, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Integral signs such as names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tables, etc., when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Private traffic direction signs not exceeding 3 square feet, and horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Small signs not exceeding 2 square feet, attached flat against the building, stationary and not illuminated, announcing only the name and occupation of building tenant, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Rental signs on the premises announcing rooms, apartments, or houses for rent, not exceeding 4 square feet, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Signs on vehicles of any kind, provided the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the original vehicle and does not project or extend beyond the original manufactured body, are exempt from all provisions except construction and safety regulations.
- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, and others involved in construction, confined to the site and up to 16 square feet per firm, displayed during construction and removed within 14 days of building use, are allowed without a permit anywhere in the village.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, rental, or lease of the premises (up to 12 square feet) and removed within 14 days after sale, rental, or lease, are allowed without a permit anywhere in the village.
- Political campaign signs, subject to state and federal law, are allowed without a permit anywhere in the village.
- Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event, if specifically approved by the Board of Trustees, are allowed for up to 14 days before and 7 days after the event and do not require a permit.
- Digital electronic multiple message signs are NOT exempt; they require a special use permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no explicit requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan in the provided ordinance. However, signs that deviate from standard code requirements (such as digital electronic multiple message signs, off-premises signs, or signs needing 'special use') require a special use permit as outlined in section 9-4-14.
- If a variance from any sign code provision is required, an application for variance must be considered by the Village Board as per section 9-4-14.
- Permit applications for all non-exempt signs must include engineered/stamped drawings, a site plan with sign location, materials, method of attachment, distance to property lines/structures/other signs, and additional information as the building inspector requires.

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

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