Temporary Sign Permit

Temporary Signs shall be allowed by permit as provided in Section IX-4.I of the Urbana Zoning Ordinance in the B-1, B-2, B-3, B-3U, B-4, B-4E, CCD, IN-1 and IN-2 Districts and for non-residential uses in Residential Zoning Districts. 

GRAND OPENING SIGNS

Each business (or other entity) shall be allowed to display one grand opening sign for each business frontage, in the form of a banner securely fastened at both ends to a building or other structure, for a period not to exceed 30 consecutive days. The display must occur within the first six months after either the opening of the business at the site, or after there has been a change in ownership of the business. No fee shall be charged for a grand opening temporary sign.

INFLATABLE SIGNS AND BALLOONS

Within the first 30 days of the operation of a new on-site business, in addition to the banner signs as permitted, a business having at least 50 feet of frontage may display additional grand opening signage in the form of inflatable signs and balloons for a period of no more than ten days.

An inflatable sign or balloon may not itself exceed 25 feet in height and shall not obstruct visibility necessary for safe traffic maneuvering. Such signs shall be set back from any property line a minimum distance equal to the height of the balloon plus five feet, and shall maintain a minimum 25 foot clearance in all directions from all electrical wires. No more than one such inflatable device shall be allowed on any premises. Any such sign or balloon must be securely fastened as required by manufacturers specifications and secured to minimize wind movement. The inflatable sign, if lighted, must be installed to a grounded outlet. Such inflatable signs must be installed by a commercial sign installer. A permit for an inflatable sign may not be issued unless proof of liability insurance in a minimum amount of one million dollars is provided. Signs inflated with helium are strictly prohibited.

BANNERS

In addition to any permitted grand opening signs, each business shall be allowed up to four one-week banner displays per business frontage per calendar year. Banner displays may be consecutive or concurrent, but shall not exceed four weeks per calendar year for one banner, or one week for four banners. Banners must be securely fastened at both ends to a building or other structure, or securely fastened along both sides if displayed as a banner secured to the ground, or a blade banner mounted into the ground or on a portable structure.  If more than one business is located on a particular lot, then each business on that lot shall be allowed up to four separate temporary sign displays per calendar year for each portion of the lot that abuts a public street or alley.

• The area of each banner shall be restricted to 100 square feet for wall banner signs or wall-mounted banners, 50 square feet for freestanding banners, and 25 square feet for blade banners.
• A temporary wall-mounted, freestanding, or blade banner shall be set back at least ten feet from the front property line, or shall be displayed so that the bottom edge of the sign is at least ten feet above grade level at all points.
• Please refer to the City’s website at http:/www.urbanaillinois.us/fees for the current fee associated with this application.  The fee for a temporary banner sign is payable at the time of submitting an application for a permit. A permit for a temporary sign shall specify the location of the sign and the period of time during which said sign may be displayed.

All forms of temporary signage require approval prior to being displayed.  Temporary Sign Permit applications are available below on this webpage.  TO APPLY ONLINE via Citizenserve online portal: https://www.citizenserve.com/urbanaillinois

Please contact Planning staff at (217) 384-2440 for additional requirements for displaying temporary signs or if you have any questions.

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