Every outdoor sign in Forsyth is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Forsyth code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Forsyth.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Forsyth, Illinois. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in Forsyth, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
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Appeals
Appeals Exceptions
Source-backed appeal/exception/variance rules: Sec. 157.1. Adoption by reference. The Long Range Comprehensive Plan attached, and marked as Exhibit A, to Ordinance 858 S. Highway 51 5- 5-2014 For setback requirements at 146 Barnett Avenue and 133 High- land Drive 5- 5-2014 For signage at Hickory Point Mall 9- 2-2014 Approving a variance to the signage at 230 Lucille Avenue 2- 2-2015 Amending zoning code variance for property located at 702 South Route 51, to clar
Appeals Exceptions 2
Source-backed appeal/exception/variance rules: Sec. 157.1. Adoption by reference. The Long Range Comprehensive Plan attached, and marked as Exhibit A, to Ordinance 858 N. Oakland Avenue 2018-37 11-19-2018 Approving a variance to the signage requirements for McAlister's 2019-5 2- 4-2019 Approving a variance to the interior lot setback requirements at Deli at 850 South Route 51 533 Market Drive 2019-10 3-19-2019 Approving a variance to the signage requirements for
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: Sec. 90.78. Intent. This division is intended to and shall be in addition to all other ordinances, rules, and 4. Beer and/or wine shall not be advertised for sale by means of any signpost or billboard or other means of advertisement located on the exterior of the premises. Advertisements or displays for the sale of beer and/or wine located in the interior of the premises shall not be visible to passers-by from the ex
Sign Chapter Scope 8
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: billboard or other means of advertisement located on the exterior of the premises. Advertisements or displays for the sale of beer and/or wine located in the interior of the premises shall not be visible to passers-by from the exterior of the premises. 5. The holder of a Class "H" license, or an employee or agent thereof, shall be responsible for checking the identification of all guests that will consume beer and/or
Freestanding
Freestanding Ground Monument
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: 2-22-2011 Monument sign at Aspen Dental Clinic at 124 Highland Drive 2-22-2011 New logo canopy sign at Waites Dry Cleaners at 125 and 115 Magnolia Drive 3- 7-2011 Operation of garden area and bistro area at Forsyth Antique Mall, 690 State Route 51 Supp. No. 4 TSO:29
Freestanding Ground Monument 2
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: 8- 1-2023 Approving a variance to convert billboard to a digital billboard on property in Macon County, Illinois (part of "Forsyth Plaza South") 10- 3-2023 Approving a variance of 7.4C. and special use under 7.4C.(2)(b)(vii) to convert portion of pole sign from existing static sign to digital message center at 109 Lucile Avenue 10- 3-2023 Approving a variance of 7.4C. and special use under 7.4C.(2)(b)(vii) to convert
Source-backed sign permit requirement: § 75.1 FORSYTH CODE OF ORDINANCES (3) The signs to be erected at the appropriate places on the drive shall read: "No Trespass- ing. Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed At Owner's Expense." (4) This subsection (B) shall be in full force and effect from and after the posting of sign giving notice of the private drive. (C) U.S. 51. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to park any motor vehicle w
Permit Required 2
Source-backed sign permit requirement: Division 6. Billboards Provisions of zoning code apply. Sec. 150.95. Sec. 150.96. Requirements for suspension of display sign over street; bond; insurance. Secs. 150.97-150.109. Reserved. Division 7. Retail Shops Sec. 150.110. Number of restrooms required. Sec. 150.111. Valuation of cost of finishing retail shops for permit purposes.
Prohibited
Prohibited Signs
Source-backed prohibited signs: Sec. 150.95. Provisions of zoning code apply. Billboards, sign board, and electrical signs shall be subject to provisions of the zoning code. (Prior code, § 150.70; Ord. No. 145, 9-16-1974)
Prohibited Signs 2
Source-backed prohibited signs: DIVISION 6. BILLBOARDS Sec. 150.95. Provisions of zoning code apply. Billboards, sign board, and electrical signs shall be subject to provisions of the zoning code. (Prior code, § 150.70; Ord. No. 145, 9-16-1974) Sec. 150.96. Requirements for suspension of display sign over street; bond; insurance. The owner or person in control of a display sign suspended over a street or extending into a street more than 15 inches
Source-backed wall sign rules: Sec. 157.1. Adoption by reference. The Long Range Comprehensive Plan attached, and marked as Exhibit A, to Ordinance 858 S. State Route 51 2-22-2011 Wall signs at Power Wash Service at 138 Highland Avenue 2-22-2011 Monument sign at Aspen Dental Clinic at 124 Highland Drive 2-22-2011 New logo canopy sign at Waites Dry Cleaners at 125 and 115 Magnolia Drive 3- 7-2011 Operation of garden area and bistro area at Forsyth
Wall Signs 2
Source-backed wall sign rules: 2-22-2011 Wall signs at Power Wash Service at 138 Highland Avenue 2-22-2011 Monument sign at Aspen Dental Clinic at 124 Highland Drive 2-22-2011 New logo canopy sign at Waites Dry Cleaners at 125 and 115 Magnolia Drive 3- 7-2011 Operation of garden area and bistro area at Forsyth Antique Mall, 690 State Route 51 Supp. No. 4