Peoria, IL Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Two layers of law constrain Peoria's regulation of political signs. First, 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1 (added by Public Act in 2009) preempts any Illinois municipal ban on outdoor political campaign signs on residential property and limits municipal regulation to reasonable size restrictions. Second, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015), requires that any sign regulation distinguishing between political signs and other temporary signs must survive strict scrutiny — most cannot. Peoria's sign code (Article 8 of the Zoning Code) responds by treating political signs identically to other temporary residential signs as to size, setback, illumination, and placement. The typical residential temporary sign maximum is 6 square feet, with the structure (height, materials, illumination) governed by zoning. Political signs may be displayed year-round on residential property, though most residents naturally display them only during campaign periods. The crucial enforcement focus is location: yard signs of any kind (including political, garage sale, and temporary business) are prohibited in the public right-of-way (the area between the sidewalk and the curb, on medians, and on utility poles), and the Peoria Public Works Department removes them on sight at 309-494-8800. Signs removed from the right-of-way are held briefly at 3505 N. Dries Lane for owner retrieval. For commercial properties and political signs larger than the residential threshold, the city's commercial sign permit process applies (Community Development, 309-494-8600). Federal property and signs visible from interstate highways are subject to the Highway Beautification Act (23 U.S.C. § 131) — separate regulation. Homeowner Association (HOA) covenants that purport to ban political signs are not enforceable against the state-law right under 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1, though HOAs may regulate size and posting period.