# Sign Regulations in Walnut, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Walnut, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/walnut
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Walnut/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_APXAZO_ART5SI)

## At a glance

Walnut, Illinois regulates 23 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Church Bulletin Boards in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 15 feet or one story above curb (whichever is less) tall and 18 square feet, with a May not project into public right-of-way setback (Sec. 5.45). Most commercial signs in Walnut 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 | 6 | Must not exceed maximum height limit of structures in district | 200 square feet | — |
| Residential districts | 8 | 15 feet or one story above curb (whichever is less) | 320 square feet (total of 2 signs) | — |
| B-1 Business District | 4 | 20 feet above curb level, but not above parapet | 500 square feet (total all signs) | — |
| B-2 Business District | 4 | 30 ft above curb level; not above parapet | 300 square feet (total for all signs) | — |
| Manufacturing districts | 4 | 30 ft above curb level; not above parapet | 300 square feet (total for all signs) | — |
| Central Business District | 1 | — | 125 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign | — | 200 square feet | — | Minimum 10 ft from ROW; 50 ft from rear/side of abutting residential district if sign faces that lot line (5.31-3, 5.31-6) | — | Entirely within property lines; Setbacks as per section 5.31-3 and 5.31-6 | — | 5.2, 5.3 (various) |
| Roof Sign | Must not exceed maximum height limit of structures in district | — | — | — | — | When permitted (district-specific); cannot extend overhang or beyond exterior wall | — | 5.31-4 |
| Marquee/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to surface, not to extend past limits except letters | — | 5.33-1 |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed flat to surface; only name/address of establishment allowed | — | 5.33-2 |
| Integrated Development Sign (All zones, where applicable) | — | 125 square feet per sign | — | 25 ft from ROW | One per street frontage | One per street; must face street | — | 5.34 |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5.35-3 |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Residential districts) | — | 1 square foot per dwelling unit | — | — | One per dwelling unit | — | — | 5.41 |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily/Office) | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One per building; on corner lot, two (one for each street) | At building or entrance | — | 5.42 |
| Subdivision Entrance Identification Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision | — | 5.43 |
| Parking Area Identification Sign | — | 5 square feet | — | — | One per entrance/exit | At each entrance/exit of parking area | — | 5.44 |
| Church Bulletin Board | 15 feet or one story above curb (whichever is less) | 18 square feet | — | May not project into public right-of-way | One per church; two if corner lot | — | — | 5.45 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential districts) - Option 1 | — | 12 square feet | — | — | One per lot frontage | Each lot frontage | — | 5.35-1 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential districts) - Option 2 (tracts 20 acres+) | — | 320 square feet (total of 2 signs) | — | — | Two per 20+ acre tract | Tracts of 20 acres or more | — | 5.35-1 |
| Integrated Development Sign (Residential) | — | 125 square feet | — | 25 ft from ROW | One per street | Facing each street (apartment developments, per 5.34) | — | 5.34 |

### B-1 Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign | 20 feet above curb level, but not above parapet | 500 square feet (total all signs) | — | — | Maximum 2 per business | Fronts principal street, parking area or up to 50 ft on side street wall (if corner building) | — | 5.51-1, 5.51-2, 5.51-3, 5.51-4, 5.51-5 |
| Marquee/Canopy/Awning Sign (B-1) | — | — | — | — | — | See General zone regulations (5.33) | — | 5.51-4, 5.33 |
| Temporary Sign (Business) | — | 64 square feet (for <50 ft frontage), OR 1.25 sq ft per linear street frontage to MAX total area 320 sq ft (whichever is less, for >50 ft frontage) | — | — | One per lot frontage | Each lot frontage | — | 5.35-2, 5.35-3 |
| Integrated Development Sign (Business/Shopping Centers) | — | 125 square feet | — | 25 ft from ROW | One per street | One per street | — | 5.34 |

## Prohibited signs in Walnut

- No sign or sign structure shall be placed on private or public property without the written consent of the owner or agent thereof.
- No sign or sign structure other than official highway markers shall be placed upon any street or highway right-of-way.
- Sign structures or columns shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from the right-of-way line.
- Roof signs or sign structures, when permitted, shall not exceed the maximum height limit of structures in the district in which they are located, nor extend beyond or overhang any exterior wall of the building upon which secured.
- Signs, clocks or other advertising devices erected upon standards or separate supports shall be placed so as to be entirely within the property lines of the premises upon which they are located.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No rotating beam, beacon or flashing illuminations resembling an emergency light shall be used in connection with any sign display.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or highway intersection.
- No sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of the intersection of a street or highway with a railroad grade crossing.
- Flags, pennants or bunting shall not be permitted except to announce the opening of a new business or industry (subject to permit and duration limits).
- All signs shall comply with local ordinances regulating the structural design and maintenance of the sign or signs and supporting members.

## Signs exempt from permit in Walnut

- Signs required or erected by governmental agencies shall be exempt from the requirements of this article.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no indication in this ordinance text that a master sign plan, sign plan, or variance meeting is required for signs.

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

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