# Sign Regulations in Springfield, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Springfield, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/springfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Springfield/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TITXVLAUS_CH152SI)

## At a glance

Springfield, Illinois regulates 19 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Identification Sign (For multiple dwellings, nonresidential bldgs, community facilities)s in the R-1 Single-family residence district, R-2 Single-family and duplex residence district zoning district are capped at 20 ft above ground tall and 24 sq ft (multi-unit)/Community facility bulletin board: 16 sq ft, with a 10 ft from front property line, 20 ft from corner (on corner lots) setback (Sec. § 155.311(b), § 155.315(a-c)). Most commercial signs in Springfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-family residence district, R-2 Single-family and duplex residence district | 4 | 20 ft above ground | 24 sq ft (multi-unit)/Community facility bulletin board: 16 sq ft | — |
| R-3(a) General residence district, R-3(b) General residence district, R-4 Mobile home and trailer park residential district | 4 | 20 ft above ground | 50 sq ft per zoning lot | — |
| R-5(a) General residence and office district, R-5(b) General residence and office district, R-5(c) Office district, OFF Office district | 4 | 20 ft above ground | 100 sq ft max per zoning lot (per frontage, see formula) | — |
| S-1 Neighborhood commercial and office district, S-2 Community shopping and office district, S-3 Central shopping district, B-1 Highway business service district | 4 | S-1: 25 ft; S-2/S-3/B-1: 40 ft | 900 sq ft | — |
| B-2 General business service district, I-1 Light industrial district, I-2 Heavy industrial district | 5 | 40 ft | 900 sq ft | — |
| H-1 Historic zoning district | 1 | — | 9 sq ft per sign; 1 sign per lot | — |
| H-2 Historic zoning district | 1 | — | No specific sign size listed, but must be compatible with the historic character; apply most restrictive general or historic requirement | — |
| H-3 Historic zoning district | 1 | — | 9 sq ft per sign; 1 sign per lot | — |
| PUD Planned unit development district, PED Planned experimental development district | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Typically 2-4 sq ft (see item) except flags, government signs, permanent subdivision signs (50 sq ft) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### R-1 Single-family residence district, R-2 Single-family and duplex residence district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Nonilluminated) | — | 1 sq ft per dwelling or rooming unit | — | — | 1 per dwelling or rooming unit | Attached to the building | — | § 155.311(a) |
| Identification Sign (For multiple dwellings, nonresidential bldgs, community facilities) | 20 ft above ground | 24 sq ft (multi-unit)/Community facility bulletin board: 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front property line, 20 ft from corner (on corner lots) | 1 per use, building, or dwelling unit; 2 for office, office service, or funeral home | Must be 10 ft from front line, 20 ft from corner for corner lots; one per use, or two for offices/funeral homes | — | § 155.311(b), § 155.315(a-c) |
| Parking Area Directional Sign | 3.5 ft above ground | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | At entrance/exit to off-street parking area | — | § 155.313 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use) | — | 16 sq ft per zoning lot | — | — | Total area not to exceed 16 sq ft | — | — | § 155.302(b)(2)(a), (5) |

### R-3(a) General residence district, R-3(b) General residence district, R-4 Mobile home and trailer park residential district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Nonilluminated) | — | 1 sq ft per dwelling or rooming unit | — | — | 1 per dwelling or rooming unit | Attached to the building | — | § 155.311(a) |
| Identification Sign (For multiple dwellings, nonresidential bldgs, community facilities) | 20 ft above ground | 24 sq ft (multi-unit)/Community facility bulletin board: 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front property line, 20 ft from corner (on corner lots) | 1 per use or building; 2 for office/funeral home | Must be 10 ft from front line, 20 ft from corner for corner lots; one per use or two for offices/funeral homes | — | § 155.311(b), § 155.315(a-c) |
| Parking Area Directional Sign | 3.5 ft above ground | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit | At entrance/exit to off-street parking area | — | § 155.313 |
| Temporary Sign (Multifamily or Office Use) | — | 50 sq ft per zoning lot | — | — | Total area not to exceed 50 sq ft | — | — | § 155.302(b)(2)(c), (5) |

### B-2 General business service district, I-1 Light industrial district, I-2 Heavy industrial district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Pole, Pylon, Monument) | 40 ft | 300 sq ft (per zoning lot) | — | 50 ft from residential zone; 5 ft landscape base; at least 10 ft above grade if within 10 ft of r-o-w | 1 per front yard, plus 1 per side/rear yard on street w/direct access; must be 100 ft apart | 1 ground sign per front yard, 1 more per side/rear yard on street w/access; must be 100 ft apart | — | § 155.320(a), § 155.321(a), § 155.322, § 155.325, § 155.323 |
| Building or Wall Mounted Sign (<20,000 sq ft tenant) | Up to max building height (I-1/I-2: 60'/250'; B-2: 60') | 450 sq ft per tenant | — | — | — | Wall facing street/tenant frontage | — | § 155.321(b), (d), § 155.322 |
| Building or Wall Mounted Sign (≥20,000 sq ft tenant) | Up to max building height (I-1/I-2: 60'/250'; B-2: 60') | 900 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | § 155.321(c), § 155.322 |
| Off-premises Sign / Billboard | 35 ft (may increase by 15 ft if conditional use granted) | 175 sq ft (B-2/I-1/I-2), 150/175 sq ft (B-1) | — | 15 ft from prop. line; not within 500 ft of residential zone/lot/district/historic property | 1 per zoning lot | Min 500 ft apart; not within 500 ft of residential zones or lots, historic districts or landmarks, min 15 ft setback; not within 20 ft of intersection corner | — | § 155.340, § 155.341 |
| Temporary Sign (Business/Industrial Use) | — | 200 sq ft per zoning lot (all temp signs combined) | — | — | Total area may not exceed 200 sq ft | — | — | § 155.302(b)(2)e |

## Prohibited signs in Springfield

- Portable, wheeled or trailer signs are prohibited.
- Signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or to direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property are prohibited.
- Inflatable balloons greater than two cubic feet may not be used for longer than ten days in any 60-day period, must be securely anchored and have elevation limits. Tethered balloons less than two cubic feet shall not be displayed for more than three consecutive days in a seven-day period.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree, utility pole, or painted upon or otherwise directly affixed to any rock, ledge or other natural feature.
- Search light signs and laser light signs used to announce, direct attention or advertise a business, event or activity may only be used on a temporary basis in commercial or industrial zoning districts for grand openings and special sales promotions not longer than ten days in any 60-day period.
- No hazardous signs which may be structurally unsafe, constitute a hazard by reason of poor maintenance or abandonment, not kept in good repair, capable of causing electrical shocks, suspended by hanging or swinging from eye bolts/cables, or which by reason of size, location, color or illumination create traffic hazards.
- Flashing signs exceeding 14 watts per bulb are prohibited, except illuminated signs showing time, temperature, weather etc. up to 16 square feet.
- Signs which imitate traffic signs using words such as 'Stop', 'Look', 'Danger', etc. are prohibited, except if part of a business name.
- With exceptions for balloons, moving signs or those that flutter, undulate, swing, rotate, oscillate or otherwise move by natural or artificial means are prohibited.
- Signs used by a business or establishment that has vacated a site for 90 days or more must be removed.
- Private signs are prohibited on public property and rights-of-way.
- Signs installed, erected, enlarged, or structurally altered in violation of the provisions of this chapter are prohibited.
- Ground mounted banners and associated stakes and posts are prohibited.
- Other signs not expressly permitted by this article are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are not permitted in any district.
- No sign attached to a building shall extend above grade at a height greater than the applicable maximum building height.
- No sign shall project over public easement or right-of-way, except as specifically provided.
- No sign shall obstruct or impair access to sidewalks, streets, driveways, traffic control signs, fire hydrants, street furniture, or create hazards.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated, except upon issuance of a limited-duration permit.
- Electronic message boards and temporary signs are not permitted for cultivation centers and cannabis businesses.
- Signs (including for cannabis businesses) shall not include graphical representations of the cannabis plant, drug paraphernalia, or cartoonish imagery oriented toward youth.

## Signs exempt from permit in Springfield

- Flags of any nation, state, city, or other governmental unit, or charitable, educational, philanthropic, civic, religious or not-for-profit organization.
- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices and markings of the state, county or city.
- Nonilluminated directional or informational signs of a public nature for churches, schools or community facilities not exceeding two square feet in area.
- Hospital directional signs designating entrances, parking, or other facilities, that comply with all other regulations.
- Address numbers posted to meet Fire Safety requirements.
- Signs and public notices erected or required by governmental bodies or for a public purpose required by law, statute or ordinance.
- Public information signs identifying telephones, restrooms, and similar facilities, not to exceed two square feet and without advertising matter.
- Memorial plaques and cornerstones not exceeding four square feet, intended to preserve the memory of a person, place, or event, including historical or landmark plaques.
- Statues designed to preserve the memory of a person, place or event.
- Entry door messages such as 'Push', 'Pull', 'Open', 'Closed', hours of operation, credit cards accepted, not exceeding two square feet per entrance/exit.
- "No Parking" and "No Trespassing" signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Gravestones.
- Up to two permanent subdivision or development signs (one per corner of the entry street) not exceeding 50 square feet each, within the subdivision boundaries, and only after final plat recording.
- Signs placed by a public utility showing the location of underground facilities.
- Outdoor political campaign signs on property zoned or used for residential purposes (per 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1(12)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is generally not referenced as a universal requirement, but all signs must comply with the zoning code and obtain appropriate building/sign permits prior to construction, enlargement, or alteration.
- For signs displayed in historic districts, building, demolition, or sign permit applications must be referred to the historic sites commission for review and consideration.
- Landscape plans submitted for building permit applications must include the location and description of plantings, and the location of existing or proposed signs is among required submittals.
- Applications for approval of a detailed landscape plan must be submitted to the zoning administrator within 90 days after applying for a building permit for a project subject to landscape requirements. Applications must show location of existing or proposed signs.
- No sign may be erected, enlarged, or structurally altered without a permit from the Building Department confirming conformity with this chapter. Work prior to obtaining a permit can incur fines.
- Variation or variance in sign requirements (e.g., height, location) requires application and a hearing before the Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission or, for minor variance, may be permitted administratively to limited thresholds.
- For ground signs exceeding maximum allowed height (up to 50 feet in select districts), a conditional permitted use process applies, including review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The procedure is the same as for other conditional permitted uses.
- Any temporary sign requiring illumination must first obtain a permit for that purpose; all applications for such permits are subject to city review and limits on duration and frequency.
- For temporary banners and light standard signs in nonresidential (or permitted non-residential use in residential) districts, a permit must be obtained prior to display, subject to maximum frequency and duration limits.
- Historic districts may impose additional or more restrictive sign requirements, and all permit applications in such districts are reviewed by the Historic Sites Commission.
- Electronic message boards (illumination/animation) are regulated separately and may or may not be allowed, depending on district and use; permits and compliance with all general requirements are necessary.
- For cannabis-related facilities, signage is subject to additional limits and must be addressed in the site plan submitted as part of the conditional permitted use (CPU) petition.
- Variances or adjustments to strict sign requirements must follow the variance procedures provided in §§ 155.212–155.218, including hearings and findings of hardship.

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

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