Political Signs In Joliet? You Better Obey These City Rules Or Else

JOLIET —The city of Joliet issued a press release on Tuesday reminding everyone this election season that regulations control the placement of signs supporting political candidates.

The City of Joliet Zoning Ordinance regulates temporary political signs to control the size and location of these signs.

Any signs posted in violation of these regulations will be deemed illegal and are subject to removal, disposal and possible fines.

Overview:

• Signs must be placed on private property and not in the City’s right-of-way, which includes the parkway between the street and the sidewalk or in the median. Signs placed here will be removed and discarded.
• The use of trees or utility poles as sign supports or standards is prohibited.
• Signs cannot be larger than 16 square feet in area, which includes the support structure and cannot be more than five feet in height.
• Political signs should not be placed any closer than 10 feet from the edge of the pavement.
• In areas where sidewalks are present, signs need to be placed a minimum of two feet beyond the private property side of the edge of the sidewalk.

State law effective January 1, 2011, prohibits municipalities from regulating when campaign signs can go up on residential properties (Public Act 096-0904). The law essentially allows property owners to put up outdoor political campaign signs without any limitation on the duration that the signs may be displayed. Municipalities are still allowed to regulate the size, height and location of the signs.

People can visit the city of Joliet website https://www.joliet.gov/government/municipal-codes-ordinances for a more detailed review of the ordinance and placement specifications. Select the link for Zoning Ordinances to review section 47-17.21.

For questions about temporary political signs or to report violations, please contact the City of Joliet at 815-724-4000.