# Sign Regulations in Cary, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cary, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/cary
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Cary/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_TIT14UNDEOR_CH5SI)

## At a glance

Cary, Illinois regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Sign - Nonresidentials in the B1, B2, B3, B3R zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 72 sq ft per face, with a 5 ft from ROW/property line; 8 ft from electric setback (Sec. Sec. 14.5.3.2; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs). Most commercial signs in Cary require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| E1, R1, R2, R2A, R3 | 4 | 10 ft | 72 sq ft or 5% of building frontage, whichever is less; minimum 32 sq ft | — |
| B1, B2, B3, B3R | 10 | 40 in | 72 sq ft or 5% of building frontage, whichever is less; minimum 32 sq ft | — |
| PO | 11 | 40 in | 72 sq ft or 5% of frontage, min 32 sq ft | — |
| M | 8 | 40 in | 72 sq ft or 5% of frontage, min 32 sq ft | — |
| A1 | 3 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 40% of max monument sign area | — |

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

### B1, B2, B3, B3R

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than the roofline, parapet, or mansard roof | 72 sq ft or 5% of building frontage, whichever is less; minimum 32 sq ft | — | — | One per building frontage; two on corner lots | Building frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.1; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Monument Sign - Nonresidential | 10 ft | 72 sq ft per face | — | 5 ft from ROW/property line; 8 ft from electric | One per lot; two if frontage >=350 ft and 250 ft apart | On lot or parcel under one ownership | — | Sec. 14.5.3.2; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than roofline or 12 ft above grade; min 8 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | Min 18 in from curb | One per business establishment | Mounted on building | — | Sec. 14.5.3.4; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Lowest frame min 8 ft above grade; lowest skirt min 7 ft 6 in above grade | 20% of canopy/awning or 72 sq ft, whichever is less | — | Min 18 in from curb | — | On canopy/awning attached to building | — | Sec. 14.5.3.5; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Drive-Through Lane Sign | 8 ft above grade | 50 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from ROW/property line | 2 per drive-through lane | Along drive-through lane | — | Sec. 14.5.3.8; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | Wall-mount: below roofline/parapet; Ground-mount: 10 ft max | 50 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft from ROW/property line | 2 per building frontage (1 wall, 1 ground per frontage) | Max 1 wall mounted AND/or 1 ground mounted per frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.6; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 40 in | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property line | 1 per building frontage | No more than 1 ft from building wall being advertised | — | Sec. 14.5.3.7; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Exempt Sign - Freestanding Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property; 2 ft from electric | Max 2 concurrently | On property, not affixed to a building, sign, or structure | — | Sec. 14.5.7.2 |

### PO

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than roofline/parapet | 72 sq ft or 5% of frontage, min 32 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage; two for corner lots | Building frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.1; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Monument Sign - Nonresidential | 10 ft | 72 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property; 8 ft from electric | One, two if >350 ft frontage, more for PO park sites if requirements met | On property under one ownership | — | Sec. 14.5.3.2; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than roofline or 12 ft, minimum 8 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | Min 18 in from curb | 1 per business establishment | On building; may project over public ROW (18 in from curb) | — | Sec. 14.5.3.4; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | Lowest frame min 8 ft above grade, skirt min 7 ft 6 in | 20% of canopy surface or 72 sq ft, whichever less | — | Min 18 in from curb | — | On canopy/awning attached to building | — | Sec. 14.5.3.5; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | Wall-mount: below roofline/parapet; Ground-mount: 10 ft max | 50 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft from ROW/property line | 2 per building frontage (1 wall, 1 ground per frontage) | Max 1 wall mounted AND/or 1 ground mounted per frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.6; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 40 in | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property line | 1 per building frontage | No more than 1 ft from wall of advertised building | — | Sec. 14.5.3.7; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Exempt Sign - Freestanding Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property; 2 ft from electric | Max 2 concurrently | Not attached to a building/structure | — | Sec. 14.5.7.2 |
| Exempt Sign - Onsite Traffic Directional | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property | — | As necessary for safe site traffic; not in required landscape areas | — | Sec. 14.5.7.3 |

### M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than roofline/parapet | 72 sq ft or 5% of frontage, min 32 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage; two on corner lots | Building frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.1; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Monument Sign - Nonresidential | 10 ft | 72 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property; 8 ft from electric | One, two if frontage >350 ft and 250 ft apart | On property under one ownership | — | Sec. 14.5.3.2; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Drive-Through Lane Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property | 2 per drive-through lane | Along drive-through lane | — | Sec. 14.5.3.8; Table of Permitted Permanent Signs |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | Wall-mount: below roof; Ground-mount: 10 ft max | 50 sq ft per sign | — | 5 ft from ROW/property | 2 per building frontage | Max 1 wall and/or 1 ground per frontage | — | Sec. 14.5.3.6; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 40 in | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property | 1 per building frontage | Not more than 1 ft from advertised building wall | — | Sec. 14.5.3.7; Sec. 14.5.5 |
| Exempt Sign - Window Sign | — | 20% window area per window | — | — | — | On inside face of window | — | Sec. 14.5.7.1 |
| Exempt Sign - Freestanding Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property; 2 ft from electric | 2 concurrent | On site, not affixed to a structure | — | Sec. 14.5.7.2 |
| Exempt Sign - Onsite Traffic Directional | 3 ft | 3 sq ft | — | 5 ft from ROW/property | — | On site as needed for safety, not in required landscape areas | — | Sec. 14.5.7.3 |

## Prohibited signs in Cary

- It is unlawful to display, construct, erect, alter, use, or maintain any sign except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign shall be located in any area or in any manner so as to create a nuisance or a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
- The following sign categories and types are prohibited in all zoning districts: flashing signs; marquee signs; animated signs; obstructive signs; off-premises signs/billboards; signs painted directly on a building wall or fence; portable signs; vehicle signs; roof signs; signs affixed to utility poles or trees; signs affixed to fire escapes or fire suppression systems; signs creating traffic hazards; signs erected without proper permits; signs in the public right-of-way; signs related to abandoned uses or activities; unsafe signs; outline lighting; pole signs; attention getting devices; box signs.
- Signs shall not confuse, mislead, or endanger public health, safety, or general welfare.
- Signs and sign lighting that increase the probability of accidents by distracting the attention of or obstructing the vision of drivers are restricted.
- Signs may not be constructed, erected, or maintained in any location that would be hazardous with respect to electric power lines or public utility easements.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cary

- Any sign constructed, erected, and maintained by the Village, county, state, or other regional governmental authority is exempt from Sections 14.5.2–14.5.6 (includes sign measurement, dimensional standards, permitted/permitted sign tables, and residential exemptions).
- No permanent or temporary sign permit is required for window signs in commercial districts, subject to dimensional standards.
- No permanent or temporary sign permit is required for exempt free-standing signs in commercial districts (subject to defined dimensional standards).
- No permanent or temporary sign permit is required for on-site traffic directional signs in commercial districts, subject to prescribed dimensional standards.
- In residential districts, no permanent or temporary sign permit is required for signs less than or meeting defined dimensional, height, and setback standards (E1, R1, R2, R2A, and R3 districts), with up to two such signs allowed concurrently.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For permanent signs (except window signs), a permanent sign permit must first be issued by the Director of Community Development or designee.
- For temporary signs, a temporary sign permit must first be issued by the Director of Community Development or designee.
- To determine if a sign is permitted as of right or conditionally, consult the Table of Permitted Permanent or Temporary Signs and then follow the permitting process as outlined in the Administration and Enforcement chapter.
- Any sign that is moved to another location on the same premises is considered a new sign and a permit is required.
- Any alteration, rebuilding, or re-erection of a sign must comply with all applicable requirements and may require a new permit.
- Electronic message signs require a conditional use permit unless otherwise specified.

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

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