# Sign Regulations in Waterman, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Waterman, Illinois regulates 33 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Crop Identification Signs in the Agricultural zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 10 ft from property line setback (Sec. 8-3-10(A)(1), 8-3-10(B)(1-2)). Most commercial signs in Waterman require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural | 6 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential | 12 | 15 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial, Industrial | 8 | — | 90 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 32 sq ft (if special display) | — |
| Service Stations, Convenience Stores With Gasoline Pumps | 8 | — | 50 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Agricultural

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Crop Identification Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | Unlimited | Ground; at least 10 ft from any property line; must meet sight triangle requirements | — | 8-3-10(A)(1), 8-3-10(B)(1-2) |
| Identification Sign (Associated with Permitted Uses) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | One per frontage | Ground; one per frontage; at least 10 ft from any property line; must meet sight triangle requirements | — | 8-3-10(A)(2), 8-3-10(B)(1-2) |
| Commercial Identification Sign (Associated with Permitted Uses, by Special Use Permit) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | One per frontage | Ground; one per frontage; at least 10 ft from any property line; must meet sight triangle requirements | — | 8-3-10(A)(3), 8-3-10(B)(1-2) |
| Political Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | Unlimited | Erected on private property only | — | 8-3-10(A)(4) |
| Memorial or Tablet Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | One | — | — | 8-3-10(A)(5), 8-3-10(B)(3) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from property line | One per lot frontage | Ground; one per lot frontage; at least 10 ft from property line | — | 8-3-10(A)(6), 8-3-10(B)(4) |

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Church Bulletin Board | 15 ft | 50 sq ft per face toward each roadway | — | — | One | On premises of church | — | 8-3-11(A)(1)(a), 8-3-11(B)(2) |
| Directional Sign (Church) | 3.5 ft above elevation of adjacent driveway at street right of way | 10 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per entrance | At each entrance from every street serving the premises | — | 8-3-11(A)(1)(b), 8-3-11(B)(3) |
| Directional Sign (Residential Entry/Exit) | 3.5 ft | 10 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per entry/exit | At entry/exit points | — | 8-3-11(A)(2), 8-3-11(B)(3) |
| Memorial or Tablet Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | One | — | — | 8-3-11(A)(3), 8-3-11(B)(4) |
| Project Identification Sign (Multi-Family Project) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | One per frontage with major traffic entrance | One per multi-family project; where project fronts 2+ streets, one on each frontage with major traffic entrance | — | 8-3-11(A)(5), 8-3-11(B)(5) |
| Public/Semipublic Building or Park Identification Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | One per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | 8-3-11(A)(6), 8-3-11(B)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | One per lot frontage | One per lot frontage | — | 8-3-11(A)(7), 8-3-11(B)(6), 8-3-11(C)(4) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | — | Two per development or one at each entrance | At entrances; two allowed per development or at each entrance if multiple entrances exist | — | 8-3-11(A)(10), 8-3-11(B)(4) |

### Commercial, Industrial

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs Permitted in Residential Zone | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8-3-12(A)(1) |
| Commercial Directory Sign | — | Same as pole or ground sign it replaces | — | — | One per building with multiple tenants | — | — | 8-3-12(A)(2) |
| Ground Sign | — | 50 sq ft per face | — | 2 ft from property line | One per lot | Placed at least 2 ft from property line; must meet sight triangle requirements | — | 8-3-12(A)(3), 8-3-12(B)(1) |
| Subdivision Entryway Sign | — | 90 sq ft per face | — | — | One per lot | At subdivision entrances; one per lot | — | 8-3-12(A)(3) |
| Identification Sign (Occupational/Address) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per premises | Attached; adjacent to main entrance | — | 8-3-12(A)(4) |
| Pole Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face | — | At least 10 ft, or equal to height of sign | One per lot | Set back from property line a distance equal to height of sign, but minimum 10 ft from any property line | — | 8-3-12(A)(5), 8-3-12(B)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | 5% of building face per sign | — | — | One per building face per street frontage; see additional_requirements | Attached to building face (minimum 10 ft ground clearance; recessed for pitched roof location) | — | 8-3-12(A)(6), 8-3-12(B)(3), 8-3-12(C)(1,4) |
| Window Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | 50% of each window or door area | — | — | — | Attached to interior of window or glass door | — | 8-3-12(B)(4), 8-3-8(R) |

## Prohibited signs in Waterman

- Moving, rotating, or animated signs are prohibited, except for traditional barber's poles not exceeding two feet in height and projecting not more than twelve inches from the building to identify a haircutting establishment, if specifically authorized.
- Flashing signs, including electronic message boards, are prohibited along Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) from Juniper Street to North Pine Street, except digital time and temperature signs showing only that information in a constant or steady manner.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Vehicle and trailer signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Residential or commercial development or real estate signs promoting the sale of lots prior to the approval of the final plat are prohibited.
- Signs containing characters, cartoons, statements, words or pictures that constitute public indecency or are obscene are prohibited.
- Any sign erected in a public easement or right of way is prohibited.
- Any sign erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or required way is prohibited.
- Any sign attached to any public utility pole, tree, fire hydrant, curb, sidewalk, or other surface located on public property is prohibited.
- Any sign located where it will obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or by shape, position, or color interfere with or be confused with such devices is prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected in the sight distance triangle or in any location where it will obstruct vision of the public right of way to a vehicle operator.
- Any on premises sign or standard outdoor advertising structure advertising a product or service not manufactured, processed, sold, or rendered on the premises is prohibited.
- Banners and pennants, affixed on poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind operated devices, fluttering signs, pinwheels, A-frames or other portable signs of like nature, and similar constructions are prohibited.
- Off premises signs are prohibited except as otherwise provided in the ordinance.
- Searchlights are prohibited, except for grand openings with temporary permits.
- Illuminations that are not steady and constant are prohibited.
- Window signs in excess of fifty percent of each window or door area are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Waterman

- Flags, symbols, or crests of nations, states, municipalities, or other governmental or civic organizations, provided the number of such flags does not exceed four; one flag displaying the name or logo of a company or business is allowed if flown with the American flag and not larger than it, and proper protocol is followed.
- Signs or materials temporarily displayed for patriotic, religious, or local holidays or events, or official government public notices, are exempt.
- Official traffic, fire, and police signs, signals, devices, and markings placed by nation, state, county, or municipality are exempt.
- Nonluminous directional or informational signs of a public nature are exempt.
- Residential garage sale signs not exceeding six square feet and located on the premises of the sale are exempt.
- Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in area, advertising the sale/rental/lease of the premises on which they are located, and removed within five days after sale or lease, are exempt.
- Bulletin boards not exceeding thirty-two square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions located on the premises of such institutions are exempt.
- Memorial signs or tablets, building names, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials are exempt.
- Identification/occupational signs not exceeding one square foot are exempt.
- Signs erected inside a building and not visible through windows are exempt.
- Name and address plates giving only the name and address of the resident for one- or two-family dwellings are exempt.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet giving warnings (e.g., beware of dog, no trespassing, or no dumping), not exceeding four per lot (additional signs may be allowed by code official with proven special circumstances), are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site plan showing accurate placement of the proposed sign is required as part of the permit application for all signs unless otherwise exempted.
- Two complete sets of drawings or plans and specifications must accompany the permit application, including dimensions, materials, graphics, and, if required, engineering calculations.
- No sign subject to this chapter shall be erected without a sign permit, except where otherwise exempted.
- Any proposed sign exceeding size or other limitations may require appeal to the zoning board of appeals or relevant board for variance approvals.

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

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