# Sign Regulations in Zion, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Zion, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/zion
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Zion/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH70SI)

## At a glance

Zion, Illinois regulates 32 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Residential District (R), Estate Home District (EH) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall, 32 sq ft, and 8 ft wide, with a Behind property line setback (Sec. Sec. 70-114(1), Sec. 70-151, Monument sign). Most commercial signs in Zion require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R), Estate Home District (EH) | 15 | 8 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft total aggregate (up to 4 signs), OR 1 sign not more than 25% of facade, OR 1 monument sign at entrance | — |
| Home Occupation District (HO) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Local Business 1 District (LB1), Local Business 2 District (LB2) | 12 | 20 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Central Business District (CB) | 7 | 15 ft if above a street/public way | 64 sq ft | — |
| Highway Business 1 District (HB1), Highway Business 2 District (HB2) | 7 | 20 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Light Manufacturing District (L-M), General Industrial District (G-I) | 4 | 20 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District (R), Estate Home District (EH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | 8 ft above curb level | 1 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from lot line | One per dwelling unit | Per dwelling unit; at least 1 ft from any lot line of adjoining premises | — | Sec. 70-62(1), Sec. 70-151, Nameplate column |
| Identification Sign (Multiple Dwelling Units ≥8) | 8 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft total aggregate (up to 4 signs), OR 1 sign not more than 25% of facade, OR 1 monument sign at entrance | — | At least 1 ft from lot line, monument sign at entrance | Up to 4, or 1 facade/monument | On principal building or at entrance to property | — | Sec. 70-62(2), Sec. 70-151, Identification sign |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from lot line | One per project | On property under construction | — | Sec. 70-62(3), Sec. 70-151, Construction sign |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (occupied residential property) | 8 ft above curb level | 12 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from lot line | One per lot (up to 2 for corner lot) | On premises; for corner lots, up to 2, one facing each street | — | Sec. 70-62(4), Sec. 70-151, For sale/for rent sign |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (vacant lot > 100 ft frontage or large parcels) | 8 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft | — | — | See additional requirements | On property for sale | — | Sec. 70-62(4), Sec. 70-151, For sale/for rent sign |
| Plaque/Monument/Bulletin Board (institutional) | 8 ft above curb level | 12 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from lot line | One per institution | For public, charitable, educational or religious institutions | — | Sec. 70-62(6), Sec. 70-151, Bulletin board |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 8 ft | Behind property line | See Identification Sign for relevance | Behind property line at entrance | — | Sec. 70-114(1), Sec. 70-151, Monument sign |
| Bulletin Board | 8 ft | 12 sq ft | — | At least 1 ft from lot line | One per institution | Institutional uses | — | Sec. 70-62(6), Sec. 70-104 |

### Local Business 1 District (LB1), Local Business 2 District (LB2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft (if over street/public way) | — | — | — | — | Over business location or street/public way | — | Sec. 70-102, Sec. 70-151, Banner sign |
| Bulletin Board | — | — | — | — | — | On premise | — | Sec. 70-104, Sec. 70-151, Bulletin board |
| Business Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premise | — | Sec. 70-105, Sec. 70-151, Business sign |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than 2/3 of wall height | — | — | — | — | Building wall; sign may not project except up to 12" if >=10 ft above sidewalk | — | Sec. 70-125, Sec. 70-151, Wall sign |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 12 ft | Behind property line | — | Behind property line | — | Sec. 70-114(2), Sec. 70-151, Monument sign |
| Pylon Sign | 20 ft | — | 12 ft (max horizontal length) | Behind property line | — | Behind property line | — | Sec. 70-109, Sec. 70-151, Pylon sign |
| Portable Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per business address | May not be placed in/on street, alley, or public place | — | Sec. 70-118, Sec. 70-151, Portable sign |
| Political Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Not allowed on public property | — | Sec. 70-117, Sec. 70-151, Political sign |

### Highway Business 1 District (HB1), Highway Business 2 District (HB2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft if above a street/public way | — | — | — | — | Over business or public way | — | Sec. 70-102, Sec. 70-151, Banner sign |
| Wall Sign | Not higher than roof line | — | — | — | — | Building wall; can project up to 12" if at least 10 ft above sidewalk | — | Sec. 70-125, Sec. 70-151, Wall sign |
| Ground Sign | — | — | 30 ft (max horizontal length) | Behind property line | — | — | — | Sec. 70-109(4)(a), Sec. 70-151, Ground sign |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 12 ft | Behind property line | — | Behind property line | — | Sec. 70-114(2), Sec. 70-151, Monument sign |
| Pylon Sign | 20 ft | — | 12 ft (max horizontal length) | Behind property line | — | Behind property line | — | Sec. 70-109(4)(a), Sec. 70-151, Pylon sign |
| Animated Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premise | — | Sec. 70-128, Sec. 70-151, Animated sign |
| Portable Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per business address | Not allowed in/on street, alley, or public place | — | Sec. 70-118 |

## Prohibited signs in Zion

- It shall be unlawful to advertise any unlawful business or article in the city.
- It shall be unlawful to post any bills or advertisements on any public property without the consent of the city council, or on any private property without the consent of the owner thereof.
- Consent for posting ads on private property must be in writing and available for inspection by the building inspector.
- It shall be unlawful to distribute advertising matter by placing it in or upon any motor vehicle standing or parked in the public streets of the city.
- It shall be unlawful to distribute advertising materials (handbills, cards, etc.) on any public street, public sidewalk, or other public place, except as permitted for peddling/sale of articles with an associated charge.
- Unlawful to distribute advertising matter to residents who have requested in writing not to receive such literature.
- No person shall throw or deposit a handbill or advertisement in or upon an uninhabited or vacant private premise, except by handing it directly to someone present.
- Handbills may not be placed in mailboxes when prohibited by federal postal law or regulations.
- Unlawful to deposit any printed material on parkways, lawns, streets, driveways, or any public property, except by occupant request or to paid subscribers.
- Printed material may not be left upon lawns, bushes, trees, or landscaped areas.
- All materials must be left in a manner which prevents them from being scattered by wind.
- No sign shall cover more than five percent of the face of any building (except for non-regulated signs).
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening used for egress or firefighting or prevent free roof passage.
- No sign shall be attached in any manner to a fire escape or interfere with required ventilation openings.
- No sign shall be erected, used, or maintained within 100 feet of a highway or railroad intersection unless it will not obstruct the general view of traffic.
- No illumination on signs shall increase surrounding brightness at any residential property line by more than one-half foot candle.
- No unshielded light or string of lights is permitted.
- No colored lights may be used so as to be confused with traffic or emergency control devices.
- No direct or reflected light from a sign may create a traffic hazard.
- No blinking, flashing, fluttering, or color-changing lights (or devices with a change in color) shall be permitted.
- No multiple flashing or blinking lights are permitted.
- No additional sign or advertisement may be attached to or suspended from any sign or advertising device, except as provided in the sign permit.
- No sign may be located within ten feet of another standard, roof, pylon, monument, or ground sign.
- No person may post or maintain any advertisement or sign on any billboard or signboard which does not fully comply with city ordinances.
- Billboards are not permitted in the City of Zion.
- No sign shall be placed within any public right-of-way or upon public property, utility poles, trees, walls, or fences (except official traffic/public interest signs authorized by the city council).
- No flashing is allowed on electronic/digital signs.
- All signs, temporary or permanent, must be maintained in a safe, neat, and orderly fashion.
- No temporary signs may be attached to projecting signs.
- No mobile promotional or advertising sign shall be placed within the city unless a temporary permit is first obtained and fee paid.
- No roof signs are permitted in HB-2 and CB zones.
- No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct pedestrian traffic or hinder safety.

## Signs exempt from permit in Zion

- Signs or emblems established and maintained by the United States Government, State of Illinois, County of Lake, City of Zion, or other governmental body or agencies in the exercise of governmental functions are not regulated by this ordinance.
- No fee is required for signs or emblems established and maintained in the exercise of governmental functions.
- Display on private property of flags or emblems of governmental, political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, or the posting of a court order, is not regulated except as otherwise provided.
- Small signs (not exceeding two square feet) for the convenience of the public (restrooms, directions, credit cards, telephone, open/closed, entrances, and similar public information) are not regulated.
- Memorial signs, tablets, and plaques are not regulated.
- Holiday lighting of less than 90 days during any 180-day period is not considered signage.
- Window signs do not require a sign permit.
- A sign permit is not required for customary maintenance of signs, including painting, replacement or changing a message, and reinforcing the structure by less than 50% of its value.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For monument signs associated with any new development, lighting and design specifications must be included with a plat, planned unit development, or special permit (Sec. 70-114).
- Larger monument signs than specified may be permitted upon approval of a use permit by the zoning board of appeals (Sec. 70-114).
- Electronic/digital signs may be permitted only with approval of a special use permit and require review/approval of operational limitations by the planning and zoning commission (Sec. 70-128).
- Directional off-site signs require a use permit (Sec. 70-151).
- Mobile promotional or advertising signs require a temporary permit or use permit (Sec. 70-113, Sec. 70-151).
- Roof signs (where permitted) require a use permit (Sec. 70-151).

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

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