# Sign Regulations in Glen Ellyn, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glen Ellyn, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/glen-ellyn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Glen_Ellyn/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT4BURE_CH5SICO)

## At a glance

Glen Ellyn, Illinois regulates 41 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant Building)s in the C2 Zoning District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a See 4-5-4(R) setback (Sec. 4-5-9). Most commercial signs in Glen Ellyn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |
| CR District, RE District, RO District, R1 District, R2 District, R2B District, R3 District, R4 District, R5 District | 8 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| C2 Zoning District | 15 | 15 ft and below any second floor windows | 100 sq ft | — |
| C3 Zoning District, C4 Zoning District, C6 Zoning District | 13 | 15 ft | First: 100 sq ft, Second: 65 sq ft | — |
| C5A Zoning District, C5B Zoning District | 13 | 15 ft and below 2nd flr windows | 60 sq ft | — |
| I1 Light Industrial Zoning District | 4 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| CC Community College Zoning District | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### C2 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | 25% of the area of any one awning | — | — | 2 per establishment, not exceeding 1 freestanding; corner properties may have 3 (1 freestanding and 2 on front/corner sides) | First floor only, min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-9 |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | See 4-5-4(R) | 1 per property | — | — | 4-5-9 |
| Secondary Wall Sign (15,000+ sf establishment) | No maximum | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 for 15,000+ sf establishments | — | — | 4-5-9 |
| Awning Sign (Multi-Tenant Building) | — | 25% of the area of any one awning | — | — | 1 per est.; corner units may have 2 | First floor only, min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-9 |
| Secondary Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant, 15,000+ sf) | No maximum | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 for 15,000+ sf establishments | — | — | 4-5-9 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign - Freestanding (Lot < 300ft) | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-9 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign - Freestanding (Lot 300-600ft) | 10 ft | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-9 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign - Freestanding (Lot ≥ 600ft) | 10 ft | 65 sq ft (max), second sign not to exceed 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 | — | — | 4-5-9 |

### C3 Zoning District, C4 Zoning District, C6 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | — | 30% of any one awning area | — | — | 2 per establishment, not exceeding 1 freestanding; corner/through lots: 3 permitted | First floor only, min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-10 |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-10 |
| Secondary Wall Sign (15,000+ sf establishment) | No maximum | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 for 15,000+ sf establishments | — | — | 4-5-10 |
| Awning Sign (Multi-Tenant Building) | — | 30% of any one awning area | — | — | 1 per est.; corner units 2 | First floor only, min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-10 |
| Secondary Wall Sign (Multi-Tenant, 15,000+ sf) | No maximum | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 4 for 15,000+ sf est. | — | — | 4-5-10 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign - Freestanding (<300ft) | 15 ft | 65 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-10 |
| Wall Sign (Office Complex, C4 Only) | No maximum | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building | — | 4-5-10 |
| Residential Development Freestanding Sign | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Development with 20+ units | — | 4-5-10 |

### C5A Zoning District, C5B Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign (Single-Tenant) | — | 25% of any one awning area | — | — | 1 per establishment; corner 2; may add 1 if wall is parallel to Illinois Prairie Path/RR | First floor only; min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-11 |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant, C5B only) | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-11 |
| Projecting Sign | 15 ft and below 2nd flr windows | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per est. | — | — | 4-5-11 |
| Awning Sign (Multi-Tenant) | — | 25% of any one awning area | — | — | 1/est.; corner: 2; RR facing: may add 1 | First floor only; min 7'6" clearance | — | 4-5-11 |
| Projecting Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 15 ft and below 2nd flr windows | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per est. | — | — | 4-5-11 |
| Multi-Tenant Sign - Freestanding (C5B only) | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 4-5-11 |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Identification) | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Development with 20+ units | — | 4-5-11 |
| Freestanding Sign (Park) | 8 ft | 35 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | At park property | — | 4-5-11 |

## Prohibited signs in Glen Ellyn

- No sign shall be constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any window surface required for ventilation by applicable code.
- No sign shall be constructed or maintained so as to obstruct or obscure the visibility of any fire escape, required exit, or window or door opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign, unless specified as an exception (e.g., public regulation sign, municipal sign, awning sign, marquee sign, projecting sign, approved light pole banners or special event/common program signs), shall be placed on or extend into or over any public right-of-way or municipal property.
- Wall signs shall not extend more than 12 inches from the wall or past the top or ends of the wall.
- Projecting signs may extend no farther than four feet from the building wall.
- No sign shall be installed or constructed which obstructs vision or access in a manner that creates a dangerous condition.
- No sign shall interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device, or otherwise create a traffic hazard (including use of certain words, colors, or symbols).
- All signs must be constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable Building and Electrical Codes.
- Permanent signs must be constructed of fire resistant or noncombustible materials.
- A minimum seven foot six inch clearance between any sign and walkway must be maintained except for certain common program signs (minimum seven feet).
- No sign shall be constructed or maintained in any manner so as to create a nuisance or threat to public safety, as determined by the Community Development Director.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices (searchlights, lighting bands, pennants, spinners, balloons, etc.) are prohibited, except under restricted circumstances.
- Bare bulb illumination is generally prohibited (except as specifically permitted).
- Electronic identification signs are prohibited.
- Indexing signs are prohibited.
- Neon/LED/etc. lighting outlining or illuminating building features is prohibited.
- Neon, LED, and lighted window signs are prohibited in C5A/C5B districts except for static 'Open' signs up to 3 sq. ft.
- Off premises signs or billboards are prohibited except for municipal and certain special event signs.
- Pole or pylon signs are prohibited except for municipal and certain traffic directional signs.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed in specific zones or by Village Manager for special purposes.
- Roof signs, including inflatable balloons and temporary roof signs, are prohibited.
- Signs attached to trees, utility poles, light poles or standards are prohibited except as approved on Village-owned standards.
- Signs incorporating movement (flashing, rotating, animated, moving lights, etc.) are generally prohibited except for some public or municipal signs and authorized message boards.
- Signs painted directly on roofs or fences are prohibited.
- Obscene, indecent, or immoral signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle or trailer signs that advertise a business, product or service and are parked to attract attention are prohibited—except for daily business uses, with restrictions.
- Signs which constitute a traffic hazard (by reason of size, location, content, or illumination) are prohibited.
- Signs over/within the public right-of-way are prohibited except as specifically allowed.
- Any lighted sign cast onto a public or private sidewalk, street, building, or object is prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glen Ellyn

- Address signs not over three square feet.
- ATM identification signs not exceeding four square feet.
- Lettering/logos on awning valances not exceeding eight inches in height, with no individual letter/logo over six inches.
- Balloon displays (subject to size and placement limits) in specified commercial zoning districts.
- Breezeway signs (max four square feet) for each establishment in a shopping center.
- Common program signs with Village approval in certain business districts, with uniform design and strict size/location requirements.
- Holiday decorations (up to 60 days display period).
- Door sign identifying the establishment name/address not exceeding two square feet.
- Drive-through canopy informational signage.
- Signage with operational/electrical information at electric vehicle charging stations.
- Official flags of nations, government/political subdivisions, nonprofit/orgs (corporate flag only with US flag).
- Signage on permitted food trucks.
- One on-premise garage sale sign up to six square feet, displayed only on sale days, not illuminated.
- Gas station canopy signage (restrictions on number, size, extension).
- Gas station pump signage (max 12 square feet per pump position).
- Light pole banners meeting specified area and clearance standards (private poles only).
- Commemorative plaque on officially designated historic structure.
- Memorial sign or tablet with building name/construction date, integral to the structure.
- Drive-through menu boards (up to three per business, up to 60 square feet each); sign permit required.
- Informational/instructional signs (not including business names or ads) with lettering under four inches.
- Municipal signs.
- Murals (subject to exterior appearance review and Village Board approval), exempt from number and size limits.
- Nameplates up to two square feet (total up to six square feet if more than one business); must be consolidated.
- Noncommercial speech signs on private property with owner approval, max total area 32 square feet per property, not illuminated.
- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way or neighboring residential property.
- Single 'Open' window signs up to three square feet, inside only, static with no advertising content.
- Order confirmation signs with up to two square feet of advertising.
- Political campaign signs on private property with owner approval, max total area 32 square feet, not illuminated, limited duration after election.
- One portable sign for ground floor establishments in select districts (C5A, C5B, certain C3 centers), max six square feet, on private sidewalk, only while business is open, not illuminated.
- Private parking lot signs up to six square feet, not illuminated.
- Private warning signs up to six square feet each (illuminated only as required for the purpose).
- Public regulation signs.
- Railroad warning signs.
- Real estate signs: subject to size/location limits, not illuminated; must be removed shortly after sale/rental/lease.
- Religious symbol or commemorative plaque on building or property.
- Scoreboards for athletic fields (ad restrictions, compliance with message board regs).
- Special event signs (as provided in section 4-5-7).
- Temporary construction sign (one per project, up to 32 square feet, removed prior to occupancy; not illuminated).
- Temporary developer's sign (one per site, up to 32 square feet, removed prior to occupancy; not illuminated).
- Temporary fundraising sign (one per property, up to 32 square feet, up to 45 consecutive days, not illuminated).
- Temporary hiring sign (up to six square feet, on-premise, not illuminated).
- Traffic directional signs (restrictions on number, size, and advertising).
- Vendor cart signage (with proper license).
- Window display of products/photos/models.
- Window signs (max 50% window area) in specified zoning districts.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permit applications must include a sign plan showing the location of the proposed sign(s) and any other existing signs on the property in relation to nearby buildings, structures, access drives and parking spaces, including the setback of the sign from any adjacent rights-of-way.
- Applications for sign variations must include a dimensioned sign plan showing the location of the proposed sign(s) and all other existing signage on the property relative to surrounding site features.
- The CC Community College Special Sign District requires a comprehensive sign plan approved by the Village for all signage in the district.
- Any applicant for a special sign district due to unique circumstances may apply for approval of a comprehensive sign plan including all proposed signs, the sections of code where a variation is requested, and a statement of need/justification for the signage and its relation to the district.

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

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