# Sign Regulations in Vandalia, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Vandalia, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/vandalia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Vandalia/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.18SIRE)

## At a glance

Vandalia, Illinois regulates 34 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Site >15,000 sq ft)s in the Nonresidential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (CG), Light Industrial District (IL), General Industrial District (IG) zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 100 sq ft per face (2 faces max), with a 10 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. 17.18.060(b)D). Most commercial signs in Vandalia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 24 ft (residential districts), 35 ft (nonresidential districts) | — | — |
| Residential Districts, Single-family Residential Zoning Districts | 6 | 10 ft from top of sign to top of grade | 12 sq ft per face | — |
| RM, Multiple-Family Residential District, RMH, Mobile Home Residential District | 5 | 10 ft from top of sign to top of grade | 12 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Residential Districts (Institutional Uses) | 4 | — | 16 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (CG), Light Industrial District (IL), General Industrial District (IG) | 20 | 100 ft | 1000 sq ft | — |
| CD Downtown Commercial District (CD) | 4 | 48 in (4 ft) | 48 in (height) x 30 in (width) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential Districts, Single-family Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot | On a lot in a single-family residentially-zoned area | — | 17.18.050(c)A |
| Temporary Open House Sign (On-site) | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot | On site of property for sale/lease/rent | — | 17.18.050(c)B |
| Temporary Open House Sign (Off-site) | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per lot | Off-site from property for sale/lease/rent | — | 17.18.050(c)B |
| Temporary Election Sign | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per candidate/proposition per lot | On any residentially-zoned lot or parcel | — | 17.18.050(f) |
| On-site Construction Sign | 10 ft from top of sign to top of grade | 12 sq ft gross sign area | — | — | 1 per development | On site under construction | — | 17.18.050(g) |
| Residential Development On-Premise Permanent Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | At subdivision, neighborhood or multi-family development | — | 17.18.050(b) |

### RM, Multiple-Family Residential District, RMH, Mobile Home Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Development On-Premise Permanent Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | At subdivision, neighborhood or multi-family development | — | 17.18.050(b) |
| Parking Direction Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway with 25+ units | For each driveway serving 25+ dwelling units | — | 17.18.050(d)B |
| Parking Regulation Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | See description | For each 25 parking spaces or fraction thereof | — | 17.18.050(d)C |
| Temporary Election Sign | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per candidate/proposition per lot | On any residentially-zoned lot or parcel | — | 17.18.050(f) |
| On-site Construction Sign | 10 ft from top of sign to top of grade | 12 sq ft gross sign area | — | — | 1 per development | On site under construction | — | 17.18.050(g) |

### Nonresidential Zoning Districts, General Commercial District (CG), Light Industrial District (IL), General Industrial District (IG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Site >15,000 sq ft) | 30 ft | 100 sq ft per face (2 faces max) | — | 10 ft from right-of-way | 1 per eligible site | On site, at least 10 ft from right-of-way | — | 17.18.060(b)D |
| Freestanding Sign (Businesses near I-70) | 100 ft | 1000 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Within 660 ft of Interstate 70 right-of-way | — | 17.18.060(b)G |
| Cluster Sign (Multi-tenant) | 34 ft | 16 sq ft per sign, 6 signs per assembly; total sign height max 34 ft | — | 15 ft from right-of-way/property line | Up to 6 per assembly | Multi-tenant sign assembly | — | 17.18.060(b)H |
| Shopping Center/Office Park/Institutional Complex Freestanding Sign | 35 ft | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft per sign face) | — | 15 ft from right-of-way | 1 per eligible site | Site exceeding 5 acres | — | 17.18.060(b)E |
| Parking Direction Sign | 3 ft | 3 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per direction per driveway | Each driveway | — | 17.18.060(d)A |
| Parking Regulation Sign | 10 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | See description | Each commercial/public parking lot; 1 for each 20 spaces or fraction thereof | — | 17.18.060(d)B |
| On-site Construction Sign | 10 ft from top of sign to top of grade; 2 ft from bottom of sign to top of grade | 32 sq ft per face (2 faces max) | — | — | 1 per development | One sign per entire development | — | 17.18.060(d)D |
| Covered Walkway Sign | 7 ft minimum from sidewalk to bottom of sign; max 18 in drop from sign bottom to ceiling | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Hung from ceiling of covered walkway attached to retail store front, perpendicular to store front | — | 17.18.060(d)F |

## Prohibited signs in Vandalia

- Signs visible from a public right-of-way that imitate, blend or conflict with, or that may be confused with traffic signals and signs, such as imitations of 'stop,' 'caution,' 'danger,' or 'warning.'
- Signs that are of a size, location, movement or illumination as may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which might obstruct from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- Signs on public land, except those erected at the direction of or with the permission of an appropriate public authority.
- Strips or strings of lights used to call attention to a use or occupancy by outlining property lines, sales area, roof lines, doors, windows, wall edges, or other architectural features of a building site. (Exemptions: holiday lighting from November 15 through January 15; lights that are an integral architectural feature as approved by the Planning Commission.)
- Moving signs, including those of which all or any part of the sign moves or appears to move; includes strings of light bulbs and rotating signs whether part of any sign or maintained as an independent feature.
- Snipe signs.
- Unsightly or unkempt signs.
- Roof Signs, except in a free standing/single tenant commercial structure or a multi-use shopping and/or office center. A roof sign permitted by this exception may not exceed two (2) square feet for each linear foot of eave.
- Permanent or temporary window signs above the second floor, including lettering painted or applied to glass, and temporary promotional displays above the ground floor.
- Portable Signs in residentially zoned districts.
- Off-premises signs, except for temporary open house signs.
- No sign shall project beyond a property line or into a public right-of-way, except traffic control signs or as permitted in the 'CD' Downtown Commercial District.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit way, window, or door opening used as a means of egress, or to obstruct other means of egress required by the building code.
- No sign shall be erected, displayed, or maintained in a manner that interferes with any opening required for ventilation under the building code.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating device of variable light intensity, brightness, or color. (Exceptions: certain public service message signs with restrictions.)
- No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
- Neither direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares.
- No exposed reflective-type bulb or incandescent lamp which exceeds forty (40) watts shall be used on the exterior of any sign in such manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.

## Signs exempt from permit in Vandalia

- Governmental and official signs including public notices and official notices posted or authorized by government officials in the performance of their duties.
- Governmental and official signs for the control or direction of traffic and other appropriate public purposes.
- "No parking" and "no trespassing" signs that are no larger than one (1) square foot in gross sign area.
- On-premise permanent signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in sign area, including: name plates attached to a structure and not exceeding two (2) square feet used to identify a professional service or home occupation permitted in the single-family residential zoning district; residential address number located on a sign not larger than one (1) square foot in gross sign area; commercial address numerals required to be prominently displayed on each building, not to exceed two (2) square feet in area.
- Flags are permitted in any zoning district without a permit, subject to quantity and height limitations.
- With the exception of maintenance and safety (Section 17.18.040(b)), prohibited signs (Section 17.18.040(d)), and miscellaneous requirements (Section 17.18.040(g)), the general sign code regulations do not apply to the above exempted signs listed in Section 17.18.040(e).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An application for a sign permit must be submitted to the Building Official and be accompanied by plans that show the size and shape of the sign, location, setbacks, illumination, colors, materials, and method of support or attachment.
- Permanent signs designating a residential subdivision, neighborhood, or multi-family development must be approved by the Planning Commission through the site plan approval process as defined in Section 17.16.020.
- A planned shopping center, office park, or institutional complex occupying a site in excess of five (5) acres may have a single, freestanding, on-premise sign identifying the center, park or complex by site plan approval in accordance with Section 17.16.020.
- Marquee signs for theaters, cinemas, exhibition centers and similar public assembly uses are permitted only upon the specific authorization of the Planning Commission, subject to a site plan review under Section 17.16.020.
- Where practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship exist, the Board of Zoning Appeals may grant variances after a public hearing according to the procedures in Section 17.24.020.

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

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