# Sign Regulations in Creve Coeur, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Creve Coeur, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/creve-coeur
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Creve Coeur, Illinois regulates 23 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Marquee Signs in the B-1 Business District zoning district are capped at Shall not exceed 3' vertical dimension (including sign above marquee) tall and 20 sq ft per side/front section, with a Must be 2' inside curb line, 10' above sidewalk. setback (Sec. 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(e), (J), (H)). Most commercial signs in Creve Coeur require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| B-1 Business District | 7 | No part higher than 15' from roof level | 32 sq ft per face (100 sq ft total for all faces) | — |
| B-2 Business and Industrial Districts | 2 | 50' max above ground | 500 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 8 | 10' | 32 sq ft per surface | — |
| Business and Industrial Districts | 2 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | Not closer than 10' to a lot line. | — | On property to which the sign refers, not closer than 10' to a lot line. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(a)(1), (2) |
| Temporary Ground Sign (Future Use/Development) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On property to which the sign refers. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(a)(2) |
| Church or Public Building Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(a)(3) |
| Traffic and Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(a)(4) |

### B-1 Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roof Sign | No part higher than 15' from roof level | See formula | — | — | — | Building roof | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(g), (J), (H) |
| Wall Sign | — | See formula | — | — | — | Front, side, or rear wall of building. No wall sign shall extend beyond the building. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(b), (J), (H) |
| Projecting Sign | — | See formula | — | Projecting signs cannot extend nearer than 2' to the curb line. | — | Attached to a building; may project into street pavement right of way, but not nearer than 2' to curb line. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(c), (J), (H) |
| Post Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face (100 sq ft total for all faces) | — | Not closer than lot line. Behind building line. | 1 per 100' street frontage | Behind building line, not closer than lot line. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(d), (J), (H) |
| Marquee Sign | Shall not exceed 3' vertical dimension (including sign above marquee) | 20 sq ft per side/front section | — | Projecting signs/marquees: Must be 2' inside curb line, 10' above sidewalk. | — | Projecting from and supported by building; may extend beyond building wall. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(e), (J), (H) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to, painted on, or suspended from canopy or awning. | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (J), (H) |
| Portable Sign | — | 20 sq ft per face; 40 sq ft for all faces total | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(B)(1)(b), (B)(2)(f), (J), (H) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Exempt) | 4' | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale or rent. | — | 10-14-8(D)(1) |
| Real Estate Open House Sign (Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(D)(2) |
| Professional Name Plate (Exempt) | 10' | 1 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against wall of building. | — | 10-14-8(D)(3) |
| Bulletin Board (Exempt) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On building or land upon which building is located (municipal/governmental/religious). | — | 10-14-8(D)(4) |
| Contractor/Work Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On work under construction. | — | 10-14-8(D)(6) |
| Informational Sign (Exempt) | 2' | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 12 ft | On building or fence, related to safety/health. | — | 10-14-8(D)(10) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(D)(11) |
| Special Event Sign (Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft per surface | — | — | — | — | — | 10-14-8(D)(9), 3-5-20-1 |

## Prohibited signs in Creve Coeur

- No sign may be affixed to, hung, placed, or painted on any fence, tree, public utility pole, radio, television or similar tower (except call letters or decorative emblems on commercial towers).
- No sign may be placed across a public right of way, other than official highway signs.
- No sign may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal or device, by reason of its position, wording, flashing nature, illumination, size, shape, color, or condition.
- No sign or any illumination, lamp, or bulb shall be permitted that could in any way tend to blind, or reflect a light that might interfere with vision.
- No sign shall make use of the words “Stop”, “Look”, “Danger” or any other word, phrase, symbol or character that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic (except safety signs like “Caution” or “Children at Play” are allowed).
- No paper posters may be applied directly to a wall, building, pole, or other support, nor letters or pictures in the form of advertising printed or applied directly to the wall of a building (except temporary signs inside of show/display windows within certain limits).
- Except for traffic and municipal signs, no sign may be erected within six (6) feet of a roadway, or erected in a manner as to obstruct the line of sight of traffic in any direction.
- No sign shall be erected, replaced, relocated, or permitted to exist so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall obstruct required light or ventilation from any window or be attached to any standpipe or fire escape (except necessary identifying signs approved by the Fire Chief).
- No unauthorized sign, signal, marking, light, reflector, or device which purports to be, imitates, or resembles any official traffic control device or railroad sign/signal, or directs movement of traffic, may be placed or maintained upon or in view of any street.
- No sign (commercial or otherwise) may be placed, maintained, or displayed upon or in view of any street that hides from view or interferes with the movement of traffic or the effectiveness of any traffic control device/sign/signal.
- No advertising signs other than official or authorized traffic signs/signals may be maintained in view of any street or highway.
- No flashing or rotating beacon of light may be maintained or operated in view of any street or highway.
- It is unlawful to deface, injure, move, or interfere with any official traffic sign or signal.
- Signs are prohibited from being nonconforming after October 31, 2023; prohibited signs are violations immediately.
- Portable signs must not obstruct the view of traffic in any direction.
- Garage sale signs must not impair the view of motorists or otherwise create a hazardous or unsafe condition.

## Signs exempt from permit in Creve Coeur

- No permit is required for real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet advertising the sale or rental of the land/building upon which such signs are located (subject to height and illumination restrictions).
- No permit is required for real estate 'open house' signs not exceeding six (6) square feet removed immediately after the event (not illuminated).
- No permit is required for professional name plates not exceeding one square foot placed flat against the wall and not more than ten (10) feet in height.
- No permit is required for bulletin boards not over twenty (20) square feet for municipal/government buildings or buildings used for religious purposes.
- No permit is required for monumental inscriptions, memorial signs or tablets (building name/date) cut into masonry or made of durable materials.
- No permit is required for signs denoting the architect, engineer, roofer, landscaper, and/or contractor when placed upon work under construction (subject to area and duration restrictions by district, not illuminated).
- No permit is required for traffic or municipal signs, railroad crossing signs, danger, safety, temporary, emergency, nonadvertising or decorative signs as authorized by the President.
- No permit is required for signs painted on the exterior of the building (business and industrial zoning districts only, subject to size/type compliance).
- No permit is required for a temporary, non-illuminated sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet per surface for special events (subject to timeframe and frequency, e.g., 10 days except election signs for 30 days, not more than every 6 months per organization/business).
- No permit is required for garage sale signs in compliance with Section 3-5-20 of the Code.
- No permit is required for political candidate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet (must be removed within three days after election).
- No permit is required for temporary signs for special events not covered in this Section, not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet per surface, with Mayor’s approval and a limit of ten (10) days.
- No permit is required for informational signs related to health and safety (e.g., 'Beware of Dog') not exceeding four (4) square feet with a height of no more than two (2) feet (one such sign per twelve (12) foot area).
- No permit is required for signs advertising home occupations in compliance with Section 10-4-3(E).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit application must include plans and specifications showing dimensions, materials, location, and all details of construction, as well as the owner's written consent.
- If strict compliance is difficult or a hardship, the applicant may request a variation. The building inspector will forward the application and recommendations to the Village Board, which refers to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a report and recommendations. The Board may then vary/modify requirements while preserving public welfare and ordinance intent.
- No explicit master sign plan is required by the ordinance, but a permit (with plans/specs) is required for most new, structurally altered, rehung, or replacement signs, unless specifically exempted.
- If a sign is to project over the street line, a bond and liability insurance must be filed with the building inspector as part of the approval.
- Any sign not conforming to the ordinance must be brought into compliance before rebuilding, altering, moving or re-hanging; prohibited signs cannot be grandfathered as nonconforming after October 31, 2023.

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

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