# Sign Regulations in Glencoe, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Glencoe, Illinois regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground or Pole Sign (Option 2 - Single Business)s in the Business District (B-1, B-2) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 30 sq ft, with a Min 15 ft from street line setback (Sec. Section 5-105(H)(2)(e)(iii)). Most commercial signs in Glencoe require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-A, R-B, R-C, R-D) | 7 | Top not more than 20 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business District (B-1, B-2) | 14 | 36 inches high, 42 inches wide, 2 inches depth, may not project more than 48 inches from wall | 100 sq ft, 18 ft max height | — |
| Highway Frontage District (HF) | 10 | Pole: 20 ft (bottom edge min 8 ft above grade); Ground: 8 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face, max 200 sq ft total on lot | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential District (R-A, R-B, R-C, R-D)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Informational Sign | 4 ft; for-sale/for-rent: 6 ft max | 6 sq ft (ordinary); 10 sq ft total per property; R-D: 12 sq ft permissible during active permit; for-sale/for-rent: up to 6.5 sq ft (R-A, R-B, R-C) or 12 sq ft (R-D) | — | — | See additional requirements | Allowed in required yards and may be securely attached to windows; not allowed on public property | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(a) [Residential districts] |
| Temporary Use Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(b) |
| Access Safety Sign | 4 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(c) |
| Kiosk Sign | May not extend more than 1 ft above kiosk | 1 sq ft | — | — | Maximum of 2 per freestanding structure | On/above freestanding EV charging stations, not on single-family dwelling lots | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(d) |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential Use) | Top not more than 20 ft above ground | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street-facing facade; 2 on facades with multiple entrances | On non-residential principal use properties only | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(e) |
| Ground Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per zoning lot (one per street line, min 30 ft apart) | On non-residential principal use properties only; one on each street line allowed | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(f) |
| Accessory Wall Sign | Not higher than 2nd floor windowsill | 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per storefront | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(1)(g) |

### Business District (B-1, B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Informational Sign | 4 ft (ordinary); 6 ft (for-sale/rent/construction signage) | 6 sq ft (ordinary); 10 sq ft total per property; during construction: 12 sq ft per lot frontage; for sale/lease: no individual sign over 12 sq ft; total 24 sq ft per building | — | — | 10 sq ft total per property except as noted | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(a) |
| Awning Sign | 6 inches | — | — | — | Max 1 per storefront per frontage | Storefront awning/canopy/marquee | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(d); Section 30-54 |
| Ground or Pole Sign (Option 1 - Shopping Center Joint Identification) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft, 18 ft max height | — | — | 1 per shopping center | In shopping center | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(e)(ii) |
| Ground or Pole Sign (Option 2 - Single Business) | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from street line | 1 per business | 15 ft setback from street line or entrance on side/rear | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(e)(iii) |
| Ground or Pole Sign (Option 3 - Off-premises Parking Lot) | 8 ft | 1.5 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | — | 1 per lot | In off-premises parking lot of business establishment | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(e)(iv) |
| Projecting Sign (B-1 Only) | 36 inches high, 42 inches wide, 2 inches depth, may not project more than 48 inches from wall | — | 42 inches | — | 1 per first-floor storefront | On wall, projecting outward | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(h) |
| A-Frame Sign | 3 ft | 2 ft wide x 3 ft tall per face (max 2 faces) | 2 ft | — | 1 per storefront | On sidewalk in front of storefront entrance (must preserve 60 in clear path; not in parking lot or public street) | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(i) |
| Kiosk Sign | May not extend more than 1 ft above kiosk | 1 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per freestanding structure | On/above ATM/pump/EV charger etc. Not on single-family dwelling lots. | — | Section 5-105(H)(2)(l) |

### Highway Frontage District (HF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Informational Sign | 4 ft (ordinary); 8 ft (for-sale/rent/construction signage) | 6 sq ft (ordinary); total 10 sq ft per property. During construction: 12 sq ft per lot frontage. For sale/lease: up to 16 sq ft per sign, 8 ft height. | — | — | 10 sq ft total per property except as noted | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(b) |
| Ground or Pole Sign (Option 1: Joint Identification Shopping Center) | Pole: 20 ft (bottom edge min 8 ft above grade); Ground: 8 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face, max 200 sq ft total on lot | — | Ground: 15 ft minimum front setback, 6 ft from other lot lines; Pole: 6 ft from all lot lines. | 1 per 300 ft of zoning lot frontage, not less than 300 ft apart | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(d)(i), (iii), (v) |
| Ground or Pole Sign (Option 2: Not Joint Identification) | Pole: 20 ft (bottom edge min 8 ft above grade); Ground: 8 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face, 200 sq ft total per zoning lot | — | Ground: 15 ft minimum front setback, 6 ft from other lot lines; Pole: 6 ft from all lot lines. | Max 1 per 300 feet of frontage; not less than 300 ft apart | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(d)(ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii) |
| Access Safety Sign | 4 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(e) |
| Awning Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On awning/canopy/marquee | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(f) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; 200 sq ft max for all wall signs on zoning lot | — | — | — | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(g) |
| Kiosk Sign | May not extend more than 1 ft above kiosk | 1 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per freestanding structure | On/above ATM/pump/EV charger, not on single-family dwelling lots | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(i) |
| Accessory Wall Sign | Not higher than 2nd-floor windowsill | 2 sq ft | — | — | Max 1 per storefront | — | — | Section 5-105(H)(3)(j) |

## Prohibited signs in Glencoe

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices are prohibited.
- Changeable signs are prohibited except when accessory to a theater.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs are prohibited except A-Frame signs and signs approved in connection with temporary uses pursuant to this code.
- Signs that are painted on or attached to trees, curbs, utility poles, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs that are painted on a wall, fence, or building in any zoning district or on a window in a residential zoning district are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene, fraudulent, libelous, defamatory, or slanderous language, or with threats or incitements of violence are prohibited.
- Signs on public property are prohibited, except those placed and approved by government agencies having control of such property.
- Search lights and similar devices used as signs are prohibited.
- Signs maintained at any location where, by reason of position, size, shape, color, or illumination, they may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device, or where they may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, are prohibited.
- Signs utilizing fluorescent, radiating, iridescent, holographic, or glowing paint, ink, or material in construction are prohibited.
- Signs constructed or maintained in any area or manner so as to create a nuisance or threat to public safety or welfare are prohibited.
- Banner signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located on any lot other than the same zoning lot as the principal use to which it is accessory (except where expressly authorized).
- No sign or sign structure shall obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required access way.
- No sign shall project over, occupy, or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by the Building Code.
- All signs must comply with the illumination, structural, and electrical requirements as specified (e.g., limitation on foot-candles, shielding, position of light source, requirement for grounding, construction materials, wind load ratings).

## Signs exempt from permit in Glencoe

- Governmental signs are exempt from permit requirements and are permitted.
- Temporary Use Signs with an approved Temporary Use are exempt from permit requirements.
- Window Signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- A-Frame Signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Standard Informational Signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Address Identifications (numbers identifying the address of a property) are not considered signs.
- Holiday Decorations that are clearly incidental to and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday are not considered signs.
- Official Flag or Emblem adopted by federal, state, or local government is not considered a sign.
- Signs for educational, charitable, civic, religious, or governmental purposes may project over the right-of-way if erected safely, do not constitute a traffic hazard, and are approved by the village manager (see § 30-56(b)).
- Normal maintenance and incidental repair or replacement of non-bearing sign elements and electrical wiring and fixtures can be performed on any nonconforming sign, provided it does not increase the nonconformity.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued for any permanent sign in the R-D, B-1, or B-2 District unless appearance review approval is first obtained in accordance with Section 7-503 of this Code.
- Access Safety Signs in Business and Highway Frontage districts may be approved by the Plan Commission through an Exterior Appearance Review.
- Sign permits or certificates of zoning compliance are required unless expressly exempted for certain sign types.
- Any other permits required by applicable federal, state, or local law must be obtained prior to erection, enlargement, alteration, or relocation of any sign.
- No certificate of zoning compliance is required for normal repair or maintenance of a sign, provided size, height, location, illumination, or appearance is unchanged.

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

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