# Sign Regulations in Rochelle, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rochelle, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/rochelle
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Rochelle/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH110ZO_ARTIXSI)

## At a glance

Rochelle, Illinois regulates 14 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding/Ground Signs in the Commercial Zoning Districts, Industrial Zoning Districts, Business Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 26 feet tall and 67 to 300 square feet (per table in Sec. 110-365(6)), with a At least one-half the required minimum setback building line, or 10 ft, whichever is greater setback (Sec. Sec. 110-365(6), (8), (9); Sec. 110-351). Most commercial signs in Rochelle require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zoning Districts, Industrial Zoning Districts, Business Zoning Districts | 9 | 26 feet | Counts toward total sign allotment as per Sec. 110-365 | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 4 | — | Counts toward total sign allotment per 110-365 | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | A-frame: not specified; De minimus area: <=1 sq ft per elevation; <0.75 sq ft for mechanical/utility/fence/etc. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial Zoning Districts, Industrial Zoning Districts, Business Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Located on any exterior side of the building | — | Sec. 110-365(7); Sec. 110-351 |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign | 26 feet | 67 to 300 square feet (per table in Sec. 110-365(6)) | — | At least one-half the required minimum setback building line, or 10 ft, whichever is greater | 1 per parcel | On the parcel fronting the street. Not in public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 110-365(6), (8), (9); Sec. 110-351 |
| Projecting Sign | — | Counts toward total sign allotment as per Sec. 110-365 | Projection may not extend more than 48 inches beyond the building surface | — | 1 per building | Perpendicular to building wall; minimum clearance 8ft above sidewalk, 9ft above vehicular way | — | Sec. 110-367 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per designated window area | Ground floor window area only | — | Sec. 110-368 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per awning | On awning valance or top surface, minimum 7ft above sidewalk | — | Sec. 110-369 |
| Signs Adjacent to Drive-Thru Lanes | 7 feet | 100 square feet per sign, 2 signs per drive-thru lane (combined area may not exceed allowance for one sign) | — | Menu boards must be minimum 15ft from any residential zoned lot line | 2 per drive-thru lane | May be wall, monument, or pole sign; menu board min. 15ft from any residential zoned lot line | — | Sec. 110-370 |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per property | Integrated into monument sign enclosing the electronic message center on all sides with appropriate finishes | — | Sec. 110-371 |
| Temporary Sign (General) | 6 feet (construction signs) | 32 sq ft per side for seasonal banners, pennants, display boards; construction signs up to 32 sq ft per side | — | Must meet Code setback requirements for temporary signs | See frontage rule: One per 200ft, additional for extra businesses or street frontages | On property; banners/pennants per 200 ft of frontage, additional allowed if more than one business | — | Sec. 110-354 |

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Any Sign - Accessory to Permitted Special Use | — | 16 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Accessory to a legally permitted special use | — | Sec. 110-362 |
| Projecting Sign (for multi-unit and non-residential uses) | — | Counts toward total sign allotment per 110-365 | Projection may not extend more than 48 inches beyond the wall | — | 1 per building | Perpendicular to wall, minimum 8ft above sidewalk, 9ft above vehicular ways, attached to façade only | — | Sec. 110-367 |
| Awning Sign (for multi-unit and non-residential uses) | — | — | — | — | 1 per awning | Above sidewalk, min 7ft height | — | Sec. 110-369 |
| Window Sign (for multi-unit and non-residential uses) | — | — | — | — | 1 per designated window area | Ground floor window area only | — | Sec. 110-368 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs - Types Exempt from Permit | — | A-frame: not specified; De minimus area: <=1 sq ft per elevation; <0.75 sq ft for mechanical/utility/fence/etc. | — | — | — | Per specific type (see Additional Requirements) | — | Sec. 110-354(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Rochelle

- It is unlawful to erect, structurally repair, alter, or relocate within the city any sign without first obtaining a sign permit, except where expressly exempted.
- All signs not expressly permitted or provided for by this article are prohibited.
- All signs are prohibited in all residential districts unless expressly permitted in this chapter.
- No sign or advertising structure shall be erected within or over the right-of-way owned by the city.
- No sign shall be designed or contain such a message so as to be confused with any authorized traffic, railroad, or municipal sign.
- No sign shall be placed in such a manner as to constitute a traffic hazard.
- It is unlawful to maintain the following signs: any sign which extends over public property and is illuminated by floodlight or spotlight; any sign displaying obscene or unlawful matter; any sign attached to a tree, public building, private sign, utility pole, streetlight or street sign (unless specifically authorized); any off-premises sign without a special use permit; any flashing sign (unless otherwise specified); any sign placed within any public right-of-way; attention-getting devices (searchlights, propellers, spinners, streamers, etc.); feather signs; moving signs (with exceptions for certain types); signs with more than two faces; signs that are a traffic hazard; and vehicle signs.
- No sign may be located within easements for overhead utilities (except as approved by utility provider and in compliance with other requirements).
- All signs must be set back from the public right-of-way a distance of at least one-half the required minimum building setback or ten feet, whichever is greater.
- Signs shall not block or interfere with building features necessary for safety or convenient ingress or egress, including doors, windows, fire escapes, or required exit-ways.
- A sign mounted on the exterior of a building shall not conceal any windows, doors, or unique architectural features (except window signs).
- Signs may not be in or over public rights-of-way, except for specified governmental or event signs.
- No sign content is permitted that presents a clear and present danger due to confusion with traffic control or safety signs; contains indecent or immoral content; advertises unlawful activity; or contains obscene or otherwise unprotected/unlawful content.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rochelle

- Routine maintenance or changing of parts on a sign is permissible, provided it does not alter surface area, height, or make the sign nonconforming.
- A permit is not necessary for replacing damaged conforming signs (or structures) due to act of nature or vandalism, or for replacing flex panels with identical panels, as long as size and style do not change.
- Temporary sign types that do not require a permit (but must comply with ordinance standards): A-frame signs; bumper stickers on vehicles; carried/handheld signs (not if set down or propped up); interior signs not visible from outside the property; official/legal notice signs issued by court, public body, officer, or for legal notice; signs with minimal area (signs affixed to a building/structure not exceeding one square foot per elevation visible from ROW or neighboring property, or signs under three-fourths of a square foot affixed to machines, equipment, fences, gates, pumps, public telephones, or utility cabinets); traffic control/public safety signs by city or other jurisdiction; window displays (merchandise, fixtures, models) in windows.
- No permit is required for temporary community event and special group event signs (must include dates, placed one week before, removed within three days after, max 32 sq ft per side).
- No permit is necessary for temporary construction signs posted on property where construction will take place (max 32 sq ft per side, max six feet high, remain up to six months).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required to erect, structurally repair, alter, or relocate any sign unless an exemption applies.
- The city may require applicants for electronic message signs to submit photometric plans as a condition to issuance of a sign permit.
- A variance from sign requirements may be requested by application to the zoning administrator and may be granted by city council with a hearing and recommendation from the planning and zoning commission.
- Certain sign types (off-premises signs and roof signs) require a special use permit, issued by city council upon recommendation by the planning and zoning commission.
- If a sign is denied a permit, appeal may be made to the planning and zoning commission with a hearing.
- Permits for signs located on property not owned by the sign applicant requires written consent from the property owner.
- Pre-construction site inspections and final inspections (including possibly electrical or footing inspections) may be required as part of the sign permitting process.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Rochelle, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rochelle+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rochelle

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