# Sign Regulations in Bolingbrook, Illinois

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bolingbrook, Illinois, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bolingbrook, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/bolingbrook
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Bolingbrook/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH54ZO_ARTVISI)

## At a glance

Bolingbrook, Illinois regulates 28 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (≤5 units)s in the Residential District, R-5 Single-Family Residential, Attached District, R-6 Multiple Family Residential District, Multiple-Family Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 6 sq ft, with a 10 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 54-342(10); Table 54-500). Most commercial signs in Bolingbrook require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential District, R-5 Single-Family Residential, Attached District, R-6 Multiple Family Residential District, Multiple-Family Residential Districts | 9 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — |
| Commercial District, Office District, Industrial District | 11 | 25 ft | 155 sq ft | — |
| I-1 District, I-2 District | 1 | — | 700 sq ft | — |
| Sign Zone A | 2 | 75 ft | 155 sq ft | — |
| Sign Zone B | 2 | 15 ft | 155 sq ft | — |
| Sign Zone C | 5 | 16 ft | 75 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District, R-5 Single-Family Residential, Attached District, R-6 Multiple Family Residential District, Multiple-Family Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises undergoing construction | — | Sec. 54-376; Table 54-500 |
| Development Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 2 | One on each side of street at main entrance | — | Sec. 54-377; Table 54-500 |
| Development Sign (SUP use) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 54-377; Table 54-500 |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Use) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On lot | — | Sec. 54-378(a); Table 54-500 |
| Temporary Sign (SUP use) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On lot | — | Sec. 54-378(b); Table 54-500 |
| Portable Sign (Clubhouse, R-5/R-6) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Land appurtenant to a homeowners' association clubhouse | — | Sec. 54-378(c); Table 54-500 |
| Real Estate Sign (≤5 units) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from any lot line | 1 per yard | Freestanding in each yard abutting a street | — | Sec. 54-342(10); Table 54-500 |
| Real Estate Sign (>5 units) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Freestanding | — | Sec. 54-379; Table 54-500 |

### Commercial District, Office District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 20 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises undergoing construction | — | Sec. 54-405; Table 54-500 |
| Development Sign - Frontage <500 ft (Zone B) | 15 ft | 120 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage <500 ft | Commercial, industrial or office lot; ground-mounted | — | Sec. 54-408; Table 54-500 |
| Development Sign - Frontage ≥500 ft (Zone B) | 15 ft | 155 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 500 ft of frontage or fraction | Commercial, industrial, or office lot; ground-mounted | — | Sec. 54-408; Table 54-500 |
| Development Sign (Outlot) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per outlot | Outlots in front of shopping center; ground-mounted | — | Sec. 54-412; Table 54-500 |
| Real Estate Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per yard | Freestanding or wall sign, one per yard adjacent to a dedicated street | — | Sec. 54-413; Table 54-500 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Lot | — | Sec. 54-414; Table 54-500 |
| Portable Sign (<500 ft frontage) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Lot; freestanding | — | Sec. 54-415; Table 54-500 |
| Cold Air Balloon Sign | 25 ft | — | 10 ft diameter | — | 1 | Lot; ground-mounted | — | Sec. 54-417; Table 54-500 |

### Sign Zone C

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Sign (Entrance, Planned Shopping Center) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance from major arterial street; ground-mounted/monument style | — | Sec. 54-418(1) |
| Architectural Monument Wall | 15 ft | — | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance from major arterial street; ground-mounted/monument style | — | Sec. 54-418(2) |
| Identification Sign (Shopping Center) | 16 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 7 | Within planned shopping center, not within 400 ft of arterial street/development sign; ground-mounted/monument | — | Sec. 54-418(3) |
| Directional Sign (Shopping Center) | 10 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 7 | Within planned shopping center, not within 150 ft of arterial street or development sign; ground or monument style | — | Sec. 54-418(4) |
| Shopping Center Exempt Signs (Planned Shopping Center) | Varies (see additional requirements) | Varies (see additional requirements) | — | — | Varies by sign type | Various locations in planned shopping center | — | Sec. 54-342(17) a-h |

## Prohibited signs in Bolingbrook

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- Flashing signs, including flickering, blinking, scrolling, laser light source, rotating lights, and any illumination that changes intensity, except electronic message boards showing temperature, time, business or public service messages for no less than five second intervals.
- Attention-getting devices, including inflatable devices (except cold air advertising balloons as specified), moving, rotating, or undulating signs, except pennants and streamers.
- Signs wholly dependent upon a building for support or mounted on the roof, which project more than six inches above the highest point of a building or roof to which they are attached.
- Building-dependent signs that project more than 12 inches from the building, except canopies, awnings, and marquees, unless part of an approved design concept.
- Signs mounted on motor vehicles, except those with name, address, or business identity displayed on a vehicle in active use.
- Signs constituting a hazard to public health or safety.
- Signs obstructing ingress or egress from any fire escape, door, window, or other exit or entrance.
- Signs that hinder motorists' vision or interfere with visibility/effectiveness of traffic signs or control devices, by virtue of size, location, content, color, or manner of illumination.
- Signs using words or symbols such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'one-way,' 'danger,' 'yield,' or any similar word, phrase, symbol, or light that may confuse traffic.
- Non-governmental signs in a public right-of-way or attached to a traffic sign, traffic control device, utility pole, tree, or other fixture in the public right-of-way.
- Signs displaying obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- Pole signs supported by a single column, upright, or brace in the ground, supported independent of any structure, except within sign zone 'A'.
- Signs that direct attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment not exclusively related to the premises on which the sign is located or to which it is affixed.
- Use of neon light or similar linear lighting to accent buildings, windows, or architectural features.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bolingbrook

- Flags, symbols, or crests of nations, states, cities, or political, fraternal, religious or civic organizations, unless used for advertising or commercial purposes. One company/business logo flag is allowed, subject to size and display with the American flag.
- Decorations associated with a national, local, or religious holiday, not displayed for more than 60 days.
- Signs no greater than six square feet in area and six feet in height on private property directing automotive or pedestrian traffic, subject to location restrictions. Special standards for health care special use.
- Bulletin boards, message boards, and similar devices up to 32 square feet in area and ten feet high, used by and for information about a public, charitable, educational, religious institution, or industrial use on the lot.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet bearing only the name, logo of occupant, or address of the lot.
- Legal notices, identification, informational, directional, traffic, or other signs erected or required by governmental authority under law.
- Signs up to 16 square feet announcing candidates for political office or political issues.
- Memorial signs or tablets containing building names and construction dates, if cut into masonry or made of bronze/non-combustible material and permanently attached to the building.
- Non-illuminated window signs covering up to 60% of window area, excluding glass doors.
- Real estate signs up to six square feet, with standards for location, quantity, and no illumination.
- Signs attached under canopies at right angles to building façade, with clearance and location requirements.
- Menu boards up to 36 square feet for restaurant drive-up window facilities.
- Signs for the convenience and information of motorists at gasoline station pump islands, up to 16 square feet per island, individual sign max eight square feet and ten feet height.
- Signs to identify type of model home in developing residential subdivision, up to 16 square feet and ten feet in height, to be removed upon occupancy.
- Signage identifying commercial and industrial uses in residential areas as per relevant section.
- "No trespassing," "beware of dog," and other similar warning signs up to 11x17 inches, limited to one per yard facing a street, with specific mounting and location rules depending on zoning.
- In sign zone C only, additional exemptions for planned shopping center signs (various types), subject to specified size, height, location, and illumination standards.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted in section 54-342.
- Application for a sign permit requires submission of plans/specs, site plan, sign design, owner/agent consent, and insurance/bond where applicable (Sec. 54-469).
- Exempted signs (Sec. 54-342) do not require a sign permit but must comply with general prohibitions and restrictions in sections 54-340 and 54-341.
- Routine maintenance or change of sign content not altering the functional classification does not require a permit, unless associated with change in ownership or business nature (Sec. 54-468).
- There is no explicit requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan in the provided sections, nor is there mention of variance meetings as a requirement for standard signs.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 7 zoning districts in Bolingbrook — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bolingbrook+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bolingbrook

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