# Sign Regulations in Plainfield, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Plainfield, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/plainfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Plainfield/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH9ZOOR_ARTXISI)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 9-99(b)(1-3) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage. | Centered above windows or doors. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 9-100(b) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 3 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On private property for public convenience. | — | Sec. 9-94(8) |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of each window area (max 6 sq ft if illuminated) | — | — | — | On or in windows. | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Central Sign District) | — | — | — | — | One per building/unit (either ground OR wall sign; plus one projecting). | On facade. | — | 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) | — | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 9-100(c)(5) |
| Alleyway Sign (Central Sign District) | — | — | — | — | — | In alleys. | — | Sec. 9-100(c)(4) |

### Shopping Centers, Unified Business Centers

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Shopping Center, ≤4 Acres) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage. | At frontage. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 9-100(f)(2)(c), (e), (f) |
| Wall Sign (Shopping Center Tenant) | — | — | — | — | — | Uniformly on designated architectural element. | — | Sec. 9-100(f)(1)(b,d) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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