# Sign Regulations in Stockton, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Stockton, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments or Permitted Improvements)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 30 sq ft for one sign, 50 sq ft for both signs, with a 35 ft from all boundaries setback (Sec. 11-13-5.C). Most commercial signs in Stockton require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 14 | 20 ft above roofline or 50 ft above natural grade, whichever is lower | 32 sq ft per sign (more allowed upon approval by Board of Appeals) | — |
| Business Districts, Industrial Districts | 18 | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft and total area of all signs must not exceed 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Residential Use) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit (2 on corner lots) | Affixed flat against the wall of the building | — | 11-13-5.A.1, 11-13-5.A.3, 11-13-5.A.4 |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building (2 on corner lots) | Affixed flat against the wall of the building | — | 11-13-5.A.2, 11-13-5.A.3, 11-13-5.A.4 |
| Directional Sign (Parking Area) | 7 ft | — | — | — | — | Location as approved by Board of Appeals; must not project beyond the property line into public way | — | 11-13-5.B |
| Temporary Sign (Subdivision Developments or Permitted Improvements) | 7 ft | 30 sq ft for one sign, 50 sq ft for both signs | — | 35 ft from all boundaries | 2 maximum | At least 35 ft from all boundaries of the site; must not create traffic visibility hazard or project into the public way | — | 11-13-5.C |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 7 ft | 32 sq ft per sign (more allowed upon approval by Board of Appeals) | — | — | 2 maximum (one per entrance) | At each entrance; must not create traffic visibility hazard or project into public way | — | 11-13-5.D |
| Banner | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | 11-13-5.E.2 |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | 11-13-5.E.3 |
| Flag | 20 ft above roofline or 50 ft above natural grade, whichever is lower | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | 11-13-5.E.4 |

### Business Districts, Industrial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (Front Facade) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 maximum on front facade | Front facade of business/industrial building | — | 11-13-6.A, 11-13-6.B, 11-13-6.F.1.a |
| Building Sign (Side or Rear Wall) | — | 75 sq ft per sign side/rear; 150 sq ft total for front & side/rear | — | — | 1 per side/rear (max 2 per business including front) | Side/rear wall facing parking lot/secondary street | — | 11-13-6.A, 11-13-6.F.1.b |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft above mean centerline street grade | 50 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from street right of way | — | No closer than 1 ft to the street right of way; must not create traffic hazard; not within public way | — | 11-13-6.F.2 |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Minimum 8 ft above ground level | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On canopy, awning, or covered walk | — | 11-13-6.E |
| Projecting Sign | 20 ft to top, 8 ft minimum ground clearance | — | — | 3 ft min from curb; projects max 4 ft from building | — | May project up to 4 ft from building, but no nearer than 3 ft to curb | — | 11-13-6.F.3, 11-13-4.E |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 10 ft to top | 60 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from right of way | 1 per principal front | Principal front, not within 10 ft of right of way | — | 11-13-6.F.4 |
| Roadside Stand Sign | 9 ft | 4 sq ft | — | 25 ft from other zoning lot | — | On same zoning lot as roadside stand; minimum 25 ft from another lot; no projection beyond property line | — | 11-13-6.F.6 |
| Changeable Message Sign (Business/Industrial) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Location as approved by zoning administrator | — | 11-13-6.F.7 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Message Sign | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft and total area of all signs must not exceed 30 sq ft | — | 75 ft from residential zone (unless screened) | 1 per lot (2 on corner lot, one per street) | Location approved by Board of Appeals; must not create traffic visibility hazard or be located closer than 75 ft to a residentially zoned lot (unless screened) | — | 11-13-4.D |

## Prohibited signs in Stockton

- No sign shall be placed on any public way except as specifically permitted (such as authorized traffic signs) or by explicit permission in the ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected where, by reason of its position, shape, color, or characteristics, it may interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign may use the words 'stop', 'look', 'drive-in', 'danger' or any other word that could be mistaken for an official sign.
- No sign shall be illuminated by intermittent, rotating, or flashing lights.
- No illuminated sign shall be installed that interferes with visibility or illuminates adjacent residential property more than 1.0 foot-candle at the property line.
- Signs and supports may not interfere with traffic; must not project nearer than three feet to the face of a curb; must not project more than four feet beyond the building front; must maintain at least eight feet ground clearance and a maximum height of twenty feet for projecting signs.
- Blanketing of signs (unreasonable obstruction of one sign’s view by another) is prohibited.
- Signs must be properly secured, supported, braced, kept clean, well painted, and may not have bolts or screws fastened to window frames.
- All signs must be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot and support required dead loads.
- No sign will be permitted that resembles the size, shape, form, or color of official traffic control signs, signals, or devices.
- No person shall park any vehicle or trailer with any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of advertising or directing people to a business so as to be visible from a public right of way, except as permitted.
- No billboards may be erected in the village.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Animated or flashing signs are prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices (such as searchlights, propellers, pennants, streamers, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners, balloons, etc.) are prohibited except for special occasions (such as grand openings) and only by permit limited to fourteen (14) days.
- Signs that contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character, or that advertise illegal activities/items, are prohibited.
- Any sign or sign structure that is a hazard to public health or safety, or that is structurally unsafe or in disrepair, is prohibited.
- Signs that by reason of size, location, content, color, or manner of illumination obstruct the vision of drivers or the effectiveness of traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Any sign installed or maintained in violation of this chapter is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Stockton

- Official signs erected and maintained by a unit of government, including traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices, are exempt.
- Addresses: Numerals or letters bearing the building address, post box numbers, or name(s) of occupants are exempt.
- Nonilluminated banners not exceeding 24 square feet and displayed for up to 30 days are exempt.
- Nonilluminated construction site signs not exceeding 24 square feet are exempt.
- Nonilluminated flags, symbols, and insignia of any branch of government (except when displayed for commercial promotion), with poles not exceeding 20 feet above the highest roofline or 50 feet above natural grade, are exempt.
- Memorial signs (signs, tablets, names of buildings, date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of metal and affixed flat) are exempt.
- Garage sale signs are exempt.
- Political signs not exceeding 12 square feet and removed within 7 days after the pertinent election are exempt.
- Real estate signs not exceeding 8 square feet which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which they are temporarily located are exempt.
- Portable signs (business/industrial districts) not exceeding 6 square feet per side or 3 feet in height, that do not obstruct or create hazards, are exempt.
- No sign permit is required for copy change when no change in business name is involved.
- A permit fee is not charged for bringing an existing sign into conformity with the ordinance or for copy change when no change in business name is involved.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required before any person may erect, relocate, reconstruct, or alter any sign, awning, or canopy, unless otherwise provided by this title. Applicant must submit plans and specifications, including dimensions, materials, illumination, wiring, height, distance from lot line, and installer.
- Permit is not required for a copy change, if there is no change in business name (across all zones).
- All sign permit applications must include plans and specifications with certain details reviewed by the zoning administrator.
- Directional signs for parking or business/industrial districts require board of appeals permission for location.
- Certain sign types and exceptions (e.g., larger subdivision identification signs, special use off-premises business signs, variances, etc.) require approval by the board of appeals or a variance meeting.
- A variance or exception to sign regulations may be granted by the board of appeals.
- Special use permits (with board of appeals hearing) are required for off-premises business signs and must follow the procedures of the ordinance.

## Full detail

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

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