Sign Regulations in Plainfield, Illinois
Plainfield, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 34 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign (Monument), Canopy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Plainfield, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Plainfield
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by building size: up to 600 sq ft | — |
| Ground Sign (Monument) | 10 ft | 48 sq ft sign face | 5 ft from lot lines. 30 ft separation between ground signs on adjacent lots. |
| Awning Sign | — | Awning sign area counted against allowed wall sign area. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
34
- Wall Sign
- Ground Sign (Monument)
- Canopy Sign
- Awning Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
14
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Plainfield
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
In Plainfield, monument signs are limited to 10 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Plainfield, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Plainfield, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Ground Sign (Monument), Canopy Sign, Awning Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Plainfield, monument signs typically require a 5 ft from lot lines. 30 ft separation between ground signs on adjacent lots. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Plainfield are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Plainfield has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Plainfield, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Plainfield, Illinois regulates 34 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Monument)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 48 sq ft sign face, with a 5 ft from lot lines. 30 ft separation between ground signs on adjacent lots. setback (Sec. Sec. 9-99(b)(1-3)). Most commercial signs in Plainfield require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Plainfield, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Plainfield (14 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 10 ft | Varies by building size: up to 600 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 6 ft | Message: 20 sq ft; Structure: 100 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family developments | 1 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential zoning districts | 2 | — | — | — |
| Central Sign District | 5 | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Business Transition District | 1 | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Governmental Facilities | 3 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Churches | 2 | 6 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Shopping Centers, Unified Business Centers | 4 | 15 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Multi-tenant Office Development, Courtyard Development | 3 | 15 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Development, Industrial Zoning Districts | 2 | 15 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Gasoline Stations | 1 | — | 20 sq ft per face | — |
| I-55 Highway Corridor | 1 | 100 ft | 1,000 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Plainfield(sample of 3 of 14 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by building size: up to 600 sq ft | — | — | One per building/unit, exceptions for corners/adjacent to driveways: one per wall facing street. | Facade of building, does not extend above roofline or beyond corners; max 12 inches projection from wall. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-99(a)(1-5) |
| Ground Sign (Monument) | 10 ft | 48 sq ft sign face | — | 5 ft from lot lines. 30 ft separation between ground signs on adjacent lots. | One per frontage per lot. Additional by separation. | On lot, minimum 5 ft setback from all lot lines. Not in vision triangle. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-99(b)(1-3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage. | Centered above windows or doors. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-99(c) |
| Awning Sign | — | Awning sign area counted against allowed wall sign area. | — | — | — | Front awning flap or both sides. Not below 7 ft above ground. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-99(d) |
| Electronic Message Center (Ground Sign Add-on) | — | 24 sq ft (on sign face) | — | — | — | On monument ground sign, 400 ft minimum from another EMC. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(a) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Ground Sign Add-on) | — | Proportional, up to 50% of ground sign face area | — | — | — | On monument/pylon ground sign. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(b) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 3 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On private property for public convenience. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-94(8) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of each window area (max 6 sq ft if illuminated) | — | — | — | On or in windows. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-94(14), Sec. 9-95(17) |
Central Sign District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Central Sign District) | — | — | — | — | One per building/unit (either ground OR wall sign; plus one projecting). | On facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(c) |
| Ground Sign (Central Sign District) | 4 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per building/store unit (wall OR ground, not both; plus one projecting) | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(c)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (Central Sign District) | — | 12 sq ft | 4 ft per side | — | One per building/store unit. | On building face. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(c)(3) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Central Sign District) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Immediately in front of advertised business; not to impede pedestrian/vehicular traffic. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(c)(5) |
| Alleyway Sign (Central Sign District) | — | — | — | — | — | In alleys. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(c)(4) |
Shopping Centers, Unified Business Centers
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center, ≤4 Acres) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage. | At frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(f)(2)(a), (e), (f) |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center, >4 to <8 Acres) | 12 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage. | At frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(f)(2)(b), (e), (f) |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center, ≥8 Acres) | 15 ft | 120 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage. | At frontage. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(f)(2)(c), (e), (f) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center Tenant) | — | — | — | — | — | Uniformly on designated architectural element. | — | Unlock | Sec. 9-100(f)(1)(b,d) |
PermitPal covers all 14 zoning districts in Plainfield. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Plainfield
- Signs that are attention-getting devices.
- Pennant flags.
- Inflatable signs, with the exception of temporary event balloons per Section 9-101(7).
- Blinking or flashing signs, or signs that display text or graphics in high-speed motion.
- Mechanical movement signs, including revolving signs, or signs with moving or rotating parts.
- Feather signs.
- Spinner signs or signs carried by human beings.
- Box signs.
- Signs which emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or contain open flames.
- Signs incorporating skylights/searchlights, beacon, laser lights, or festoon lights.
- Reflective signs or signs containing mirrors.
- Backlit canopies or awnings.
- Billboards or similar large outdoor advertising devices.
- Icon signs or three-dimensional statue, caricature, or representation of persons, animals, or merchandise as or incorporated into a sign.
- Pole/pylon signs, except in unified shopping and business centers.
- Snipe signs, or signs attached to trees, utility poles, public amenities, fences, fire hydrants, streetlights, except those approved by appropriate village officials.
- Window signs exceeding 20% or six (6) square feet (whichever comes first) of each window or surface area.
- Outline lighting: lighting around the perimeter of window openings with visible light sources such as neon, LED, etc.
- Signs painted directly on the exterior material of any building wall.
- Signs erected without permission of the property owner, except those authorized or required by government.
- Off-premises signs not approved by appropriate village officials.
- Off-site directional signs.
- Parking of vehicles or trailers with advertising signs for the purpose of advertising or directing to business/activity on public or private property.
- Portable wheel-mounted/trailer-mounted signs not approved by appropriate village officials.
- Signs above both top and bottom roof lines or parapet.
- Sidewalk signs located outside of the central sign district.
- Projecting signs located outside of the central sign district.
- Signs placed in an easement, except as permitted under regulations.
- Signs placed in or over the public right-of-way, except as permitted under regulations.
- Signs blocking fire escapes, exits, standpipes, stairways, doors, ventilators, windows, etc.
- Signs advertising a home occupation.
- Any sign determined to constitute a traffic hazard by the police chief, fire chief, or director of public works.
- Signs which move or assume a non-stationary position by mechanical means, except as otherwise permitted or normal wind current (flags, banners, barber poles as regulated).
- Any sign not expressly permitted by the ordinance.
Exempt Signs in Plainfield
- Address numerals in compliance with village regulations.
- Temporary and permanent civic event signs (with required approvals).
- Construction identification signs (with size and removal requirements).
- Informational signs not exceeding three square feet per face for public convenience on private property.
- Flags (governmental, political, civic, philanthropic, educational, religious, corporate) meeting location, size, height, and number requirements.
- Garage sale and open house signs meeting size, placement, timing, and frequency requirements.
- Nameplates.
- On-site directional signs meeting size, height, and illumination requirements.
- Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical plaques for non-commercial purposes.
- Political signs (with area, height, placement, and attachment constraints).
- Real estate signs meeting area, type (small and large), illumination, number, removal, and placement restrictions.
- Sidewalk signs located within the central sign district (must not obstruct pedestrian passage).
- Traffic, municipal, or emergency signs and legal notices installed by or approved by governmental entities.
- Window signs not exceeding 20% of each window/surface area and illuminated signs no larger than 6 sq. ft.
- Signs inside a building/enclosed facility not meant to be viewed from outside and located more than 3 feet from the window.
- Building accents and decorations, art, and murals that do not contain any commercial messaging.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Plainfield
- Unified shopping and business centers must submit a written sign criterion/sign proposal (a sign plan) as part of design approval for new signs, to be approved by the village administrator, village president and board of trustees, director of planning or a designated agent.
- A sign proposal containing sign type, color scheme, lettering, size, placement, lines of copy, and illumination must be submitted to the planning department as scaled elevation drawings for unified centers.
- Subdivision project signs require a landscape plan to be submitted for village approval with the sign permit application prior to installation.
- Any proposal for signage that may require an appeal (e.g., internal illumination waiver in central sign district) may be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission or similar variance/appeal body.
Source: municode municipal code