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Sign Code Summary

Godfrey, IL

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Godfrey, IL

Every outdoor sign in Godfrey 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 Godfrey 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 Godfrey.

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 Godfrey, 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 Godfrey, 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.

Census snapshot

Population
17,791
Median household income
$84,920
Median home value
$169,200
County
Madison
Time zone
Central Time

Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Godfrey; they do not affect sign-code requirements.

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Ground sign setback
No public right-of-way; if not on a public right-of-way, at least 10 feet inside the property line

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
Suspended signs (part of awning/canopy sign category) maximum 6 square feet
Awning Projection Clearance
No more than 6 feet projection; minimum 9 feet clearance; no closer than 2 feet to curb/edge; over public sidewalks only up to 4 feet in no-setback districts

Building Signs

Building Sign Illumination
Attached accessory signs (including wall/flush-mounted and projecting signs on buildings) may be illuminated subject to: (1) only white light within 300 feet of residentially zoned district; (2) no red, yellow, green, or other colored light to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic; (3) no blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color, except electronic changeable copy sign messages; (4) light must be shaded, shielded, or directed to avoid nuisance to public, surrounding properties, or traffic hazards.
Projecting Sign Max Projection
Projecting signs shall not project more than six feet from any wall, building, or structure to which they are attached
Wall Mounted Sign Max Distance From Wall
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Building Sign Formula
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2 more building signs rules in the full report →

Definitions

Definition Of Sign
Any sign which flashes, revolves, rotates, or swings by mechanical means or which uses a change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene
Definition Of Sign Area
The area of the one imaginary square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that would completely enclose all parts of a sign including the background
Accessory Sign Definition
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Animated Sign Definition
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Attached Accessory Sign Definition
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Billboard Definition
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Building Sign Definition
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Canopy Sign Definition
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Changeable Copy Sign Definition
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Directional Sign Definition
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Electronic Changeable Copy Sign Definition
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Freestanding Accessory Sign Definition
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Freestanding Sign Definition
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Historical Or Memorial Sign Definition
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Identification Sign Definition
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Marquee Definition
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Marquee Sign Definition
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Nonconforming Sign Definition
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Off Premises Sign Definition
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Owner Or Owner Of Sign Definition
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Pennant Definition
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Portable Sign Definition
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Projecting Sign Definition
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Real Estate Sign Definition
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Residential Sign Definition
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Roof Sign Definition
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Sign Area Definition
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Sign Face Definition
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Suspended Sign Definition
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Temporary Sign Definition
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Warning Sign Definition
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Window Sign Definition
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Definition Of Attached Accessory Sign
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Electrical Sign Definition
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Illegible Sign Definition
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Multifaced Sign Area Computation
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Sign Area Computation
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Awning Definition
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Banner Definition
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Computation Of Area Of Individual Sign Definition
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Deteriorated Or Abandoned Sign Definition
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Obsolete Or Defunct Sign Definition
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Owner Or Owner Of Sign Definition
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Sign Definition
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Signs In Right Of Way Definition
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Signs Installed Without Permit Definition
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Unsafe Sign Definition
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Definition Of Sign
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46 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
3 square feet
Directional Max Height
6 feet
Directional Max Size
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Directional Max Height
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General Standards

Abandoned Sign Removal
billboards: Any billboard or other outdoor advertising sign structure upon which there is no sign face, or any sign which is not maintained for 30 days shall be removed
Max Development Identification Signs Per Entry
development identification signs in residential subdivisions or residential developments; zones residential: Accessory signs in residential districts limited to development identification signs; one pair of such signs per development entry
Max Signs Per Entry
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Nonconforming Sign Maintenance Scope
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All Sign Clearance Requirement
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Computation Of Area Of Multifaced Sign Requirement
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Spacing Between Sign Maintenance Requirement
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5 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Ground Sign Type
Billboards (outdoor advertising ground signs) are permitted in manufacturing districts only
Ground Sign Formula
Area calculated as one imaginary square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof completely enclosing all sign parts including background
Ground Sign Setback
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Ground Sign Type
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2 more ground signs rules in the full report →

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Permit Process

Inspection Required After Completion
Applicant must notify reviewing official for inspection after completion
Master Signage Plan Required
A master or common signage plan for the zone lot and premises is required before a sign permit is issued
Permit Denial Criteria
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Permit Lapse After Discontinued Use
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Permit Lapse After Incomplete
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Removal Of Sign Permit Requirement
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Triangulation Requirements
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Prohibited Signs

Billboard Location In Historic Districts
No billboard shall be located in a historic district
Billboard Registration Requirement
No person shall erect or maintain a billboard without first registering with the village as an outdoor advertising contractor
Billboard Screening Of Historic Landmarks
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Prohibited Sign Types
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Prohibited Sign Types
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Electronic Changeable Copy Sign Prohibition
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4 more prohibited signs rules in the full report →

Temporary Signs

Temp Signs Allowed
Temporary agricultural signs permitted in agriculturally zoned districts, identifying field crops or seed planted on property or advertising seasonal sale of produce or crops produced on land where sign is located, during growing and harvest seasons.
Temporary Sign Clearance Vehicular
Clearance of not less than 15 feet beneath temporary signs where vehicular traffic passes
Temporary Real Estate Sign Duration
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Temporary Sign Clearance Pedestrian
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Temporary Signs Not Involving Public Right Of Way Requirement
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Temp Sign Rules
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Temp Signs Allowed
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Temp Signs Allowed
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6 more temporary signs rules in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Allowable Area
Aggregate limited to 25% of window

Zoning

Are Allowed The Permitted Sign Allowance
are allowed the permitted sign: Zone lots fronting on two or more streets are allowed the permitted sign area for each street frontage.
Minimum Allowable Sign Area Maximum Area
Regardless of the sign area standard set forth above, each zone lot shall be entitled to one freestanding accessory sign which does not exceed 25 square feet in size.
Zoning Districts Allowance
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