# Sign Regulations in Des Plaines, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Des Plaines, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/des-plaines
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Des Plaines, Illinois regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Billboard - General Regulations in the Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, I-1 Institutional District (I-1), C-1 Neighborhood Shopping District (C-1), C-2 Limited Office Commercial District (C-2), C-3 General Commercial District (C-3), C-4 Regional Shopping District (C-4), C-5 Central Business District (C-5), C-6 Casino District (C-6), M-1 Limited Manufacturing (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing (M-2), M-3 Special Manufacturing (M-3) zoning district are capped at 99 ft from base OR 65 ft from surface of nearest paved lane tall and 1200 sq ft per face, 2400 sq ft per double sided sign (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-6, M-1, M-2, I-1); In C-6: up to 3 faces: two at 1200 sq ft, one at 600 sq ft, not to exceed 3000 sq ft total, with a As required by Illinois Act setback (Sec. 12-11-6B). Most commercial signs in Des Plaines require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts, MH-1 Mobile Home Park District (MH-1), R-1 Residential (R-1), R-2 Residential (R-2), R-3 Residential (R-3) | 5 | See 12-11-3G (varies by sign type) | 65 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, I-1 Institutional District (I-1), C-1 Neighborhood Shopping District (C-1), C-2 Limited Office Commercial District (C-2), C-3 General Commercial District (C-3), C-4 Regional Shopping District (C-4), C-5 Central Business District (C-5), C-6 Casino District (C-6), M-1 Limited Manufacturing (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing (M-2), M-3 Special Manufacturing (M-3) | 19 | 99 ft from base OR 65 ft from surface of nearest paved lane | 1200 sq ft per face, 2400 sq ft per double sided sign (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-6, M-1, M-2, I-1); In C-6: up to 3 faces: two at 1200 sq ft, one at 600 sq ft, not to exceed 3000 sq ft total | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Varies by sign type | Varies by sign type | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts, MH-1 Mobile Home Park District (MH-1), R-1 Residential (R-1), R-2 Residential (R-2), R-3 Residential (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | See 12-11-3G (varies by sign type) | See 12-11-3G (varies by sign type) | — | — | — | — | — | 12-11-3G |
| Construction Related and Available Space Signs (Residential) | 6 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 2 (if criteria met), else 1 | On property of new development/multiple unit property (>25 units) | — | 12-11-6A, 12-11-5F |
| Seasonal Retail Sign, Temporary (Residential) | 6 ft | 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Per approved seasonal retail sales license | — | 12-11-6A, 12-11-5F |
| Monument Sign - Entrance | 5 ft | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Entrance to single-family residential developments | — | 12-11-6A |
| Monument Sign - Identification | 5 ft | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site at places of worship, multi-family buildings/complexes | — | 12-11-6A |

### Commercial Districts, Manufacturing Districts, I-1 Institutional District (I-1), C-1 Neighborhood Shopping District (C-1), C-2 Limited Office Commercial District (C-2), C-3 General Commercial District (C-3), C-4 Regional Shopping District (C-4), C-5 Central Business District (C-5), C-6 Casino District (C-6), M-1 Limited Manufacturing (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing (M-2), M-3 Special Manufacturing (M-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard - General Regulations | 99 ft from base OR 65 ft from surface of nearest paved lane | 1200 sq ft per face, 2400 sq ft per double sided sign (C-1, C-2, C-3, C-6, M-1, M-2, I-1); In C-6: up to 3 faces: two at 1200 sq ft, one at 600 sq ft, not to exceed 3000 sq ft total | — | As required by Illinois Act | Varies: max 1 in C-6, max 13 citywide elsewhere | Within 660 feet of I-90/I-294 toll roads | — | 12-11-6B |
| Drive-Through Menu Board Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft (combined, per ordering point) | — | — | 2 per ordering point | Adjacent or leading up to each ordering point | — | 12-11-6B |
| Electronic Message Board Billboard | As underlying billboard regulation | up to 1200 sq ft (per face) | — | As billboard | See billboard max. | Faces I-90/I-294 only; screened from residential; minimum separations as for billboards | — | 12-11-6B |
| Electronic Message Board (Non-billboard) | — | Up to 50% of sign area (general); up to 100% of menu board; up to 6 sq ft for EV charging port | — | 250' from residential zones (except I-1) | 1 per lot | Monument or pole sign, incorporated or embedded in EV port/menu board | — | 12-11-6B |
| Marquee Sign | 30 ft; minimum ground clearance 8 ft | Front face: 300 sq ft, Side face: 150 sq ft | — | At least 1' from curb if in ROW | 1 per theater | Above main customer entrance of commercial theatre (C-3/C-5 only) | — | 12-11-6B |
| Monument Sign (Lots >75', >120', >300' Street Frontage, etc.) | 5 ft (up to 10 ft with additional setback, depending on frontage/lot size) | See details (80 to 120 sq ft for single signs, up to 200 or 350 for multiple signs/large lots) | — | See bonus; otherwise, 5' minimum (per Section 12-11-5.B) | 1-3 (see criteria) | Frontage along street/highway (certain lot sizes only) | — | 12-11-6B |
| Pole Sign (Lots >75', >120', >300' Street Frontage, etc.) | 20' base, 28' or 35' with setback bonus (1 ft added height per 3' extra setback, max 28'/35') | 75-110 sq ft (single), max 200 or 550 sq ft all signs large lots | — | 5' (Section 12-11-5.A) | 1-3 depending on frontage/lot size | Frontage along street/highway (certain lot sizes only) | — | 12-11-6B |
| Portable A-Frame Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per face, 2 faces | — | 3' from curb if in ROW | 1 per business/tenant | Within 15' of main customer entrance, within business tenant frontage (C-3, C-4, C-5 only) | — | 12-11-6B, 12-11-5I |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | Varies by sign type | Varies by sign type | — | — | — | — | — | 12-11-3G |

## Prohibited signs in Des Plaines

- Signs which move or give the appearance of movement, including, but not limited to, signs which flutter, undulate, swing, rotate, oscillate or otherwise move by natural or artificial means (except for permitted temporary signs, time and temperature signs, and regulated electronic message boards).
- Roof signs, except for signs painted on flat roofs of an owner-occupied building located in the M-2 General Manufacturing District.
- Off premises signs, except as provided for in this chapter; noncommercial off premises signs are permitted subject to any applicable size, height or similar restrictions provided elsewhere.
- Signs which imitate traffic signs, including, but not limited to, those incorporating the words 'Stop', 'Danger', 'Warning', 'Caution', or 'Go Slow', unless such language is part of a business name (accessory parking lot signs excluded).
- Portable or wheeled signs, except for A-frame signs as otherwise permitted.
- Signs placed on parked vehicles or trailers where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or to direct the public to a business or activity located on or off the same premises.
- Inflatable images such as balloons.
- Marquees, except where specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of any streets so as to obstruct the free and clear vision of a driver or pedestrian.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No person shall permit, maintain, or display any sign painted directly on an exterior wall, fascia or parapet of a building, fence, or chimney except for existing signs advertising businesses on the same premises, which must receive regular maintenance.
- No sign shall violate the Illinois highway advertising control act of 1971, as amended; signs controlled by the act shall be in compliance therewith and not exceed thirty five feet (35') above ground level.
- No person shall place, paste, print, or affix, in any manner, a handbill, sign, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind in any public right of way on any trees, light standards, telephone poles or other supporting structure.
- Sign illumination shall not be so designed, located, shielded, or directed as to cast direct light upon adjacent property or streets.
- Signs located on a lot abutting a residential district or within one hundred feet (100') of any residentially zoned area shall be designed, located, shielded, and directed to prevent casting of direct light upon adjacent properties or streets.
- All signs must meet construction and design standards set forth in the city's building code.
- All signs and premises shall be maintained in clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, and free of obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds.
- Every sign must be maintained in good structural condition and painted at least every two years (unless galvanized or rust resistant).
- Pole and monument signs must have landscaping (minimum three feet in width on each side) at base.
- All signs and sign structures must be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressures and dead loads according to the city's building code.
- Each sign erected or remodeled must bear a legible identification plate, stating the name of the person responsible for construction and erection. Electrical signs must be marked with input amperes at full load.

## Signs exempt from permit in Des Plaines

- Public service signs used for safety purposes relative to repair or maintenance of streets, sidewalks, or utilities in a public right of way not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
- Address signs with numbers not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
- Governmental signs and public notices erected or required by governmental bodies, or authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance, or to promote the public good. Must be on public property or private property with owner's consent.
- Public information signs identifying telephone, restrooms, and similar facilities, provided no advertising matter accompanies the sign.
- Flags are exempt; flagpoles limited to 20 feet in height in residential districts and 40 feet in nonresidential districts; flag size proportional to pole.
- Memorial plaques and cornerstones not exceeding two (2) square feet when permanently affixed.
- Notice and bulletin boards for public, charitable, religious, or similar institutions not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet and located on the same premises.
- Time and temperature signs (computer-generated messages such as time, temperature, or date) not exceeding eighteen (18) square feet.
- Historical identification signs for officially designated historical sites not exceeding twelve (12) square feet.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, lease, or rent of property, subject to size, height, and placement limitations.
- Real estate open house signs subject to number, size, timing, location, and identification requirements.
- Miscellaneous informational matter on gasoline pumps, newspaper vending boxes, ATMs, vending machines, or on/adjacent to entry doors (e.g., 'Push', 'Pull', hours of operation, credit cards accepted, etc.).
- Temporary window signs (except in residential districts, two per window, total area not to exceed 50% of window area).
- Temporary personal message, celebration, special event, and garage sale signs on residential property, provided they meet size, number, illumination, height, and duration restrictions.
- Directional signs (up to three on certain lots), subject to size, height, location, illumination, and landscaping standards.
- Employment opportunity signs advertising available positions at a business, located on same zoning lot, limited to one per business, not exceeding four feet in height and sixteen square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs except those specifically exempt under subsection 12-11-3G; exempt signs must meet all other requirements of the chapter and any limitations set forth.
- Localized alternative sign regulation plans may be established for commercial shopping centers and multi-building commercial or institutional developments, subject to review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Board under conditional use procedures (section 12-11-8). Approval of a localized alternative sign regulation plan requires a sign plan that becomes binding on all real property and premises in the plan area.
- Major changes to an existing localized alternative sign regulation plan (as defined) require submission, approval, and recordation of a new sign regulation plan.
- Plans prepared by a licensed structural engineer must be submitted as part of the permit application for electronic message board billboards.
- Variation from the strict application of sign provisions may be sought via the procedures for variance (section 12-11-7), with review by the Planning and Zoning Board.
- Electronic message boards and billboards may require conditional use approval and submittal of specific plans depending on zoning and the nature of the sign.

## Full detail

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