# Sign Regulations in Carpentersville, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carpentersville, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/carpentersville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Carpentersville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT16ZO_CH16.40SI)

## At a glance

Carpentersville, Illinois regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Canopy Signs in the C-1, C-2, C-2A, M-1, M-2, Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, Commercial Zoning Districts, Manufacturing Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 18 feet or top of canopy, whichever is less tall and 25% of canopy face area, with a Canopy shall not encroach building setbacks. setback (Sec. 16.40.080.B). Most commercial signs in Carpentersville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-1, C-2, C-2A, M-1, M-2, Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, Commercial Zoning Districts, Manufacturing Zoning Districts | 12 | 30 feet from grade | 80 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Shopping Center | 1 | 12 feet (+1 foot architectural element) | 80 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Mixed Use Town Center | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 5 | 4 feet | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential Development (Subdivision Signs) | 3 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 3 feet | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### C-1, C-2, C-2A, M-1, M-2, Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, Commercial Zoning Districts, Manufacturing Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy Sign | 18 feet or top of canopy, whichever is less | 25% of canopy face area | — | Canopy shall not encroach building setbacks. | One per tenant space/building | Mounted on the face of a canopy | — | 16.40.080.B |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 60 sq ft per sign face | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line, 10 ft from building | One per lot (two if corner lot, one per frontage) | On lot, min. 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line, 10 ft from building | — | 16.40.080.C |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Centers) | 12 feet (+1 foot for architectural element) | 80 sq ft per sign face | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line, 25 ft from residential zoned lot, 10 ft from building | See additional requirements | On shopping center lot, specific limits per right-of-way and min. 25 ft from residential lot | — | 16.40.080.D |
| Portable Sign | 8 feet | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line (per freestanding sign reqs) | One per lot | Not closer than 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line, see location for freestanding signs | — | 16.40.080.E |
| Temporary Sign | Comply with allowed sign type (max 12 ft if freestanding) | 32 sq ft | — | For feather/teardrop: 10 ft from ROW/property line. Otherwise, per sign type. | One per use at any time; 1/3 businesses per lot | On lot, as per allowed sign type/setbacks | — | 16.40.080.F |
| Wall Sign | 30 feet from grade | 80 sq ft per sign; 1.5 × linear front footage per wall. Exception: 160 sq ft on primary facade for ≥35,000 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage/public entrance | Exterior building wall, parallel to wall plane | — | 16.40.080.G |
| Undeveloped Property Sign (Freestanding) | 8 feet | 32 sq ft per sign, 60 sq ft total per lot | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line | One per lot | On undeveloped lot in commercial/manufacturing district | — | 16.40.080.I |
| Daily Temporary Sign - Pedestal Sign | 4 feet | 12 sq ft total | 24 inches | — | One per business | Anywhere on property if not obstructing traffic or vision | — | 16.40.070.18 |

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Site Relevant Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum two | For street address display | — | 16.40.100.A |
| Window Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | Maximum one | Any window | — | 16.40.100.B |
| Temporary Sign | 4 feet | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line | One at any time | Not closer than 5 ft from ROW and 5 ft from property line | — | 16.40.100.C |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On residential property (not public property) | — | 16.40.070.16; 16.40.100.D |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per lot (two if corner lot, one per frontage) | On property advertised | — | 16.40.070.8; 16.40.100.E |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Freestanding) | 3 feet | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft from ROW, 5 ft from property line | See formula | At lot entrance(s) | — | 16.40.110.E |
| Building Memorial Marker | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per building | On or in building | — | 16.40.070.5 |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | See sign size restrictions | — | — | 16.40.070.1 |
| Site Relevant Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per occupant entrance/exit | At entrance/exit | — | 16.40.070.3 |
| Nameplate | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | 16.40.070.17 |
| Commemorative Plaque | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On building | — | 16.40.070.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Carpentersville

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- Flashing signs, except code-compliant electronic changeable copy signs, are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on the facade or wall of any building or structure not built for such purpose are prohibited.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to public health or safety are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs mounted on trailers or motor vehicles are prohibited, except for signs containing the name, address or business identification of the owner or user and displayed on a motor vehicle in use and portable signs as defined.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs on fences, trees, utility poles, or walls which are not a part of a building structure are prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices are prohibited, unless specifically permitted by another section.
- Signs which, by reason of size, location, content, color, or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of motorists or interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on public streets are prohibited.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'Stop,' 'Look,' 'One-Way,' 'Danger,' 'Yield,' or any similar word, phrase, symbol, or light so as to interfere with or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or signs which by reason of their size, location, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with a traffic control device or emergency vehicle or which hide or interfere with any street sign, signal or device are prohibited.
- Signs displayed within or extended over public right-of-way are prohibited, except those erected or authorized by a government authority having jurisdiction of the public right-of-way.
- Signs which obstruct ingress or egress from any fire escape, door, window, other exit or entrance, driveway, utility line or create a traffic hazard are prohibited.
- Advertising, business, or identification signs on light poles of establishments are prohibited.
- Festoon lighting is prohibited.
- Signs which emit audible sound, odor or visible matter are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained upon any property without the written consent of the owner or person entitled to possession of the property.
- No illuminated sign shall be positioned or maintained so as to direct beams or illumination upon adjacent property or cause glare or reflection that may constitute a nuisance or traffic hazard.
- Neon illumination of any signage is not permitted.
- No sign shall obstruct visibility at the intersection of roadways and/or driveways within required sight triangles.
- Except for awning and canopy signs, no sign may overhang any part of a structure, sidewalk, parking or loading space, driveway or maneuvering aisle.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carpentersville

- A change or replacement of the advertising copy or message of an existing approved sign does not require a permit, provided no increase in size or height or number of signs is requested.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning or normal maintenance of an existing approved sign does not require a permit.
- Erection of a permitted exempt sign as provided in the ordinance does not require a permit.
- Flags, provided the number does not exceed four in commercial or manufacturing districts and one in residential districts.
- Decorations customarily and commonly associated with national, local or religious holidays, or recognized local special events, displayed for no more than 60 days.
- Site relevant incidental signs not exceeding two square feet in area, including signs bearing only the name or logo of the occupant, or address of the lot, or indicating building entrances or exits, one per occupant entrance or exit; such signs may be illuminated.
- Governmental signs.
- Building memorial markers not exceeding four square feet per building.
- Non-illuminated signs displayed on windows of buildings in commercial or manufacturing districts, provided total sign area does not exceed 40 percent of the window surface area.
- Construction area signs meeting specific requirements for number, size, and removal timing.
- Real estate signs meeting specific requirements for number, size, location, and removal timing.
- Signs attached to the underside of a permanent building overhang in commercial or manufacturing districts, meeting standards for size, mounting, clearance, placement, and non-illumination.
- Site relevant incidental signs upon public telephone booths, gasoline pumps, and vending machines.
- Works of art.
- Commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, no greater than six square feet in sign area.
- Institutional signs not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area, limited to two per lot, may include a manual changeable copy area.
- Permanent public park and pathway signs no greater than thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area.
- Public agency or unit of government special event signage not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area and eight feet in height.
- Political campaigning signs within defined size and duration limits by district; not allowed on public property.
- Nameplates not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Daily temporary signs for commercial or manufacturing districts, subject to defined limitations on number, area, construction, placement, and prohibited attachments such as balloons and streamers.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Preparation of a comprehensive sign plan for a lot having more than one principal building or more than one tenant qualifies for a twenty-five (25) percent sign area bonus. The comprehensive sign plan must specify standards for consistency among all signs on the lot with regard to color, lettering or graphic style, illumination, decorative lighting, materials, location, and dimensions.
- A master sign plan is required for model home sales areas. The master sign plan must specify standards for consistency with regard to color, lettering or graphic style, illumination, decorative lighting, materials, location of signs, and dimensions.
- Any sign installed, created, erected, or maintained in a way inconsistent with any plan or permit governing such sign is a violation and subject to penalties.
- Approval of sign permits is administered by the zoning administrator and is required except for exempt signs as listed.
- Sign plan requirements pertain to application for bonuses or for development types (model homes) as outlined, but no blanket requirement for all sites or all sign types unless a bonus or model home area is desired.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Carpentersville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Carpentersville+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-carpentersville

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