# Sign Regulations in Fox Lake, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fox Lake, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/fox-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-15
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/foxlakeil/latest/foxlake_il/0-0-0-23414)

## At a glance

Fox Lake, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the B-2 General Retail And Limited Service District (B-2), B-3 Commercial Service And Wholesale District (B-3), B-4 Resort Business District (B-4), B-5 Marina District (B-5), M-1 Limited Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing District (M-2) zoning district are capped at 8 feet (structure) tall and 24–64 sq. ft. sign face (building <4,000–11,000+ sq. ft.), structure max 48–120 sq. ft., with a Min 10' setback from property/building. setback (Sec. Section 10-1-6(B); Table 10-1-6B.). Most commercial signs in Fox Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 10 feet | 32 sq. ft. (under 1 acre), 64 sq. ft. (over 1 acre) | — |
| E-1 Estate District (E-1), R-1 One-Family Residence District (R-1), R-2 One-Family Residence District (R-2), R-3 General Residence District (R-3), R-4 General Residence District (R-4), A-1 Agricultural District (A-1) | 6 | — | 6 square feet | — |
| D Downtown Business District (D), Downtown Zoning District (D) | 4 | — | 25% of window area (per window) | — |
| B-2 General Retail And Limited Service District (B-2), B-3 Commercial Service And Wholesale District (B-3), B-4 Resort Business District (B-4), B-5 Marina District (B-5), M-1 Limited Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing District (M-2) | 8 | 8 feet (structure) | Calculated, max 800 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development District, Planned Unit Developments | 1 | — | — | — |
| Areas of Special Control (Architectural, Historic And Scenic Areas) | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-frame/Sandwich Board Sign | 4 feet | 16 square feet per side | 4 feet | — | One per street frontage | Sidewalk and street frontage. | — | Section 10-1-2 and 10-1-5; 'A-FRAME, SANDWICH BOARD, AND FREESTANDING SIGN' definition. |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | — | Outdoors, on private property. | — | Section 10-1-2 and 10-1-5; Table under Temporary Signs. |
| Garage Sale Sign | 3 feet | 2.5 square feet (individual sign) | — | — | One on premises, max two off premises | On premises and parkway of closest major intersection. | — | Section 10-1-4(D); Temporary Signs. |
| Special Event Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 square feet | — | — | Max 2 per calendar year | On private property | — | Section 10-1-5; Table Temporary Signs. |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 10 feet | 32 sq. ft. (under 1 acre), 64 sq. ft. (over 1 acre) | — | — | — | On private property | — | Section 10-1-5(B); Table Construction Signs. |
| Subdivision Business Sign (Temporary) | 10 feet | 32 sq. ft. (under 1 acre), 64 sq. ft. (over 1 acre) | — | — | — | On property of subdivision under development | — | Section 10-1-5(C); Table Subdivision Business Signs. |
| Political Sign | 4 feet | 16 sq. ft. (per sign); 80 sq. ft. total per property | 4 feet | — | Max 80 sq. ft. total per property | Private property only; not in right-of-way. | — | Section 10-1-5(E); Political Signs. |
| Interchangeable Temporary Sign | 5.5 feet (frame) | 3 feet width x 4 feet height (temporary sign); frame no taller than 5.5 feet | 3 feet (temporary sign) | — | — | Private property; not in right-of-way. | — | Section 10-1-5(F); Interchangeable Temporary Signs. |

### E-1 Estate District (E-1), R-1 One-Family Residence District (R-1), R-2 One-Family Residence District (R-2), R-3 General Residence District (R-3), R-4 General Residence District (R-4), A-1 Agricultural District (A-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | Two per corner lot (one per street frontage) | Building, home, or public institutional building. | — | Section 10-1-4(B); Exempt Signs. |
| House Nameplate Sign | — | 1.5 square feet | — | — | — | Dwelling | — | Section 10-1-4(J); Exempt Signs. |
| Plaque/Tablet (Cornerstone) | — | — | — | — | — | Masonry surface of building | — | Section 10-1-4(E); Exempt Signs. |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 square feet | — | Not closer than 8 ft to another zoning lot. | One facing each street/waterfront | On premises offered for sale. | — | Section 10-1-4(A); Exempt Signs. |
| Open House Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | Max two per dwelling | On premises, and parkway of closest major intersection. | — | Section 10-1-4(A); Exempt Signs. |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | — | Incidental to principal signage (D zone only: 4 sq. ft. max) | — | — | — | Identifies essential service areas. | — | Section 10-1-4(C); Exempt Signs. |

### B-2 General Retail And Limited Service District (B-2), B-3 Commercial Service And Wholesale District (B-3), B-4 Resort Business District (B-4), B-5 Marina District (B-5), M-1 Limited Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing District (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 feet (structure) | 24–64 sq. ft. sign face (building <4,000–11,000+ sq. ft.), structure max 48–120 sq. ft. | — | Min 10' setback from property/building. | Max one per lot (may allow two for multiple frontages) | Private property, outside setback, not in public way. | — | Section 10-1-6(B); Table 10-1-6B. |
| Wall Sign | — | Calculated, max 800 sq. ft. | — | — | One per primary frontage plus one side wall sign on eligible properties | Building front, side (for 2 street frontages); may be on faux mansard. | — | Section 10-1-6(A), Table 10-1-6A. |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Walls fronting alley/designated ROW. | — | Table 10-1-6A. |
| Automatic Changeable Copy Sign (Permanent/Monument Accessory) | — | — | — | — | — | Below monument sign for business (not on pole or façade). | — | Section 10-1-6(D), Table 10-1-6A. |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | 4 feet | 3 sq. ft. (entrance/exit); 9 sq. ft. (use conditions); 4 sq. ft. if wall mounted | — | — | One entrance/exit, one per street on corner lot | Entrance/exit/parking/driveway areas; wall or ground. | — | Section 10-1-6(E) |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area (per window) | — | — | Max two per window | Inside window (within 12" of glass). | — | Section 10-1-6(I) |
| Waterfront Sign - Monument | 8 feet | As allowed per building sq. ft or setback table. | — | — | One | Facing the water. | — | Section 10-1-6(H) |
| Waterfront Sign - Wall | — | Up to 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One | Rear wall facing water. | — | Section 10-1-6(H) |

## Prohibited signs in Fox Lake

- No person shall place on, or suspend from the exterior of any building or structure, any goods, wares, or merchandise unless approved by the Director of Community and Economic Development.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating or otherwise moving sign; any sign creating the illusion of movement; or any moving or flashing advertising structure. This includes propellers, spinners, pennants, streamers, and similar devices.
- Portable changeable copy signs are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign which is wholly or partially illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights. Exceptions: Automatic changing signs with limited frequency and certain public service type signs as noted.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign which is illuminated by revolving lights, except when specifically required by law.
- It is unlawful to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent or immoral matter (as defined in the zoning ordinance).
- No monument sign, wall sign, directional sign, illuminated sign, marquee, changing sign or sign mounted on vehicles or other objects, except as provided in this chapter, shall be erected on any residential lot.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be erected or maintained so as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign, other than one erected by public authority, shall resemble an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or attempt to direct movement of traffic, or hide/view/interfere with any authorized traffic device.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall obstruct any driveway, door, window, fire escape, ladder or opening intended to provide light, air, access or egress from any building or structure.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- The following signs or objects are specifically prohibited: signs emitting sounds (voice, music, etc.); signs on fences, trees, utility poles or walls not part of a building structure; painted signs on walls, fences, trees or utility poles; billboard signs or advertising signs not pertaining to a commercial use conducted on the site; festoon lighting and string, cluster or series of lights (exceptions apply); home occupation signs in residential zoning districts; roof signs; off-premises signs; feather flags; portable changeable copy signs; attention-getting devices such as balloons, inflatables, strip or rope lighting that flickers, flashes, or is used to outline a window or frame.
- Unshielded lights to illuminate buildings, outdoor sales or storage areas are prohibited except for Christmas tree sales in December, carnivals, pier lighting (per code), or ambient lighting for outdoor seating areas.
- Signs in any window may not exceed 25% of the window area and may not flash, blink or otherwise create a distraction for motorists.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained on the exterior of any window or door facing a sidewalk, street, or other public way.
- It is unlawful to erect, repair, alter or relocate any sign or advertising structure without first obtaining a sign permit from the Director of Community and Economic Development and paying the required fee.

## Signs exempt from permit in Fox Lake

- Temporary real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area which specifically advertise the sale, rental, lease or management of the premises upon which said signs are located (subject to spacing and placement restrictions).
- For dwellings offered for sale, no more than two (2) open house signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, and no more than three (3) directional signs of one square foot each (only allowed during open house, must be removed immediately after).
- Nameplate signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial building, home or public institutional building, not exceeding six (6) square feet in area (two permitted on a corner lot, one per street).
- Directional signs identifying essential service areas of a premises, incidental in size and style to principal signage. (In Downtown Zoning District, must not exceed 4 sq. ft.)
- Signage advertising a garage sale: one on-premises sign and a maximum of two off-premises signs, each no larger than 2.5 sq. ft., no higher than 3 feet above grade, must display permit sticker, self-supporting, removed within 24 hours of sale end, no attention-getting devices.
- Plaques or tablets denoting names of buildings/dates or cornerstones cut into masonry surfaces.
- Traffic and other signs erected by the Village, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, emergency and non-advertising signs as approved by the Chief of Police or the Village Board.
- Decorations displayed for civic, patriotic or religious holidays.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, civic, philanthropic, religious, or educational organizations displayed for noncommercial purposes (excluding campaign signs).
- Flags, emblems, notices and signs of an official court, public office, or governmental unit displayed for noncommercial purposes.
- House nameplate signs not exceeding one and one-half (1.5) square feet in area.
- Temporary, decorative, and holiday lighting installed for a period not to exceed 90 days.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for the erection, repair, alteration, or relocation of any sign or advertising structure unless exempted. Application must be made to the Director of Community and Economic Development with all required information.
- Permanent sign applications must include scaled plans, specifications, methods of construction, and two sets of plans/specs. Application may be required for temporary signs as deemed necessary by the Community Development Department.
- Applications for signs may be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission at the discretion of the Director of Community and Economic Development for review and decision.
- Relief from the sign regulations (such as time extensions or other variances) may be granted by the Planning and Zoning Commission at a public meeting, or by the Mayor and Board of Trustees on appeal. Petition procedures and requirements set by the commission.
- When a permit holder seeks to enlarge or alter the display surface of a sign, a new permit application and fee are required.

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

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