Peoria, IL Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum dwell time
- 10 seconds per message
- Moving-transition size cap
- 70 sq. ft. maximum
- Moving-transition districts
- Commercial or CN, on arterial
- Full video allowed
- Central Business Sign District only
- Permit required
- Yes, via zoning review
Summary
Electronic message signs and digital billboards in Peoria must hold each static image for at least ten seconds with instant transitions; scrolling or fading transitions are barred on signs over 70 square feet and limited to Commercial or CN-zoned properties on a principal arterial, and true video is allowed only in the Central Business Sign District.
8.3.15 Special Regulations for Automatic Changing or Electronic Message Signs or Center. A. Purpose: These regulations offer specific construction and operation regulations for the safe and appropriate use of Automatic Changing or Electronic Message Signs or Centers. Electronic multiple message signs may be but are not limited to: electronic message/reader boards, and electronic billboard displays. These regulations shall apply to signs in all Sign Districts unless otherwise specified. -- Static Images Only: Sign content/messages contain no video, and do not move, blink, animate, flash... City-wide. May change their message no more than once per every ten seconds. No animation, traveling, scrolling, fades, or dissolves are permitted between displayed messages. Transitions between content/messages shall be instantaneous. Moving Transitions and Borders: Not permitted on signs exceeding 70 square feet. Permitted on property that: 1. Is located in a Commercial Sign District or CN Zoning District; and 2. Has frontage on a principal arterial or higher.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
' The section's regulation table splits electronic signs into three tiers. Static Images Only signs, content that does not move, blink or animate, are allowed city-wide but may change their message no more than once every ten seconds, with instantaneous transitions and no animation, traveling, scrolling, fades or dissolves permitted between messages. Moving Transitions and Borders signs, those with fading, dissolving or scrolling borders, are barred outright on any sign exceeding 70 square feet, and even under that size are only permitted on property in a Commercial Sign District or CN zoning district that fronts a principal arterial or higher-classified street; their text content is still limited to a ten-second dwell time with static transitions and no animation, video is prohibited on this tier, and no strobe-like flashing is allowed.
Full video signs, continuous moving video content, are confined entirely to the Central Business Sign District, where the only remaining restriction carried over is a ban on flashing or strobe effects. 7 requires a zoning-reviewed building permit before installation, the same permit track as any other permanent sign.
Violations & Fines
A digital sign installed or operated outside its allowed tier, or without the required permit, is enforced under Sec. 2.15's general penalty schedule: $300 for a first offense, $525 for a second, $750 for a third or later, each additional day treated as a new violation, with the City also free to seek injunctive relief in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a digital billboard with scrolling video in Peoria?
How fast can an electronic message sign change in Peoria?
Do I need a permit for a digital sign in Peoria?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria
Compare Peoria to another location·View the Illinois sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.