# Sign Regulations in Glenview, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Glenview, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/glenview
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Glenview/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH98ZO_ARTVIISI)

## At a glance

Glenview, Illinois regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Identification – Single‑Tenant)s in the Business and commercial districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) zoning district are capped at Max 19 ft overall tall and 120 sq ft per face (up to 180 sq ft per face on frontages >120 ft, but not exceeding the frontage in feet), with a centerline offset as stated; otherwise at or beyond minimum setback (plus 12‑inch projection allowance) setback (Sec. Sec. 98-337(4)(a)1, 3–6). Most commercial signs in Glenview require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | Max 44 inches width; depth max 12 inches if installed below 9'-0", or max 18 inches if installed at 9'-0" or higher | — |
| Residential districts (R-1, R-1.3, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, RT-8, R-18, R-E) | 7 | — | Up to 120.0 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Business and commercial districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 9 | Max 19 ft overall | 120 sq ft per face (up to 180 sq ft per face on frontages >120 ft, but not exceeding the frontage in feet) | — |
| Industrial districts (I-1, I-2) | 7 | Main body max 6 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting/Blade Sign | — | Max 44 inches width; depth max 12 inches if installed below 9'-0", or max 18 inches if installed at 9'-0" or higher | 44 inches | — | — | Mounted perpendicular to storefront | — | Sec. 98-333(4) and Sec. 98-337(1)(a) note on total permitted area including blade signs and awnings |
| Electronic/Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Auto Service Stations) | — | - Pricing display: per street frontage, up to 4 fuel grade prices per face on an otherwise-permitted ground sign. - Fuel/charge dispenser displays: up to 2.0 sq ft per fueling/charging position (for unit price, transaction total, and volume). - Refueling position availability display: up to 6.0 sq ft per queue. | — | Must meet setbacks of the underlying sign type (e.g., ground signs). | - 1 pricing display per street frontage; - 1 unit price display per fuel grade/charge option per fueling position; - Up to 2 transaction counters per fueling position; - 1 availability display per queue | On permitted ground sign for pricing; on dispensers; at queue for availability display | — | Sec. 98-333(13)(a) and (b)(i)–(iv) |
| Electronic/Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Parking Garages) | — | 1 stall-counter display per entrance; size governed by the host sign type (wall or ground sign) | — | Must meet setbacks of the underlying sign type. | 1 per entrance | At each garage entrance on a permitted wall or ground sign | — | Sec. 98-333(13)(c) |
| Electronic/Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Drive‑Thru Banks/Pharmacies) | — | - Lane indicator: up to 3.0 sq ft per drive‑thru lane - Interactive teller display: up to 1.5 sq ft per lane - ATM display: up to 1.5 sq ft per lane | — | — | Per lane: 1 lane indicator, 1 interactive teller display, and 1 ATM display | Within drive‑thru lanes | — | Sec. 98-333(13)(d) |
| Electronic/Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Drive‑Thru Food/Beverage & Car Wash) | — | - Menu preview: up to 10.0 sq ft per lane (on a permitted ground sign) - Primary menu board: up to 80.0 sq ft per lane (on a permitted ground sign) - Order confirmation: up to 2.5 sq ft per lane (on a permitted ground sign) - Price confirmation: up to 1.0 sq ft per lane (on a permitted wall sign) | — | Must meet setbacks of the underlying sign type (ground or wall). | Per lane: 1 preview, 1 menu, 1 order confirmation, 1 price confirmation | Drive‑thru lanes (ground or wall as specified) | — | Sec. 98-333(13)(e) |
| Electronic/Manual Changeable Copy Sign (Transit Shelter) | — | Up to 5.0 sq ft per shelter | — | — | 1 per shelter | Within each transit shelter | — | Sec. 98-333(13)(f) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | — | Up to 2.0 sq ft per sign | — | Exempt from minimum setback, but must be at least 1 foot behind the lot line | 1 per entrance and 1 per exit | At each parking area entrance or exit | — | Sec. 98-335(1) and Sec. 98-332(c)(2) where applicable |
| Parking Area Conditions‑of‑Use Sign | — | Up to 9.0 sq ft per sign | — | Exempt from minimum setback, but must observe screening requirement | 1 per parking area | Within each parking area | — | Sec. 98-335(2) |

### Residential districts (R-1, R-1.3, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, RT-8, R-18, R-E)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (Single‑Family Dwelling) | — | Up to 1.0 sq ft | — | Set back at least one‑half of the district’s required minimum front setback (street line) | 1 per dwelling | On the dwelling or lot | — | Sec. 98-334(1)a; Sec. 98-332(c)(1) |
| Identification Sign (Multi‑Family Building) | — | Up to 5.0 sq ft | — | Set back at least one‑half of the district’s required minimum front setback (street line) | 1 per lot (2 on a corner lot if facing each street only where allowed for other types) | Near main entrance of the building | — | Sec. 98-334(1)b; Sec. 98-332(c)(1) |
| Construction/Remodeling Sign (Residential) | — | Up to 25.0 sq ft | — | Set back at least one‑half of the district’s required minimum front setback (street line) | 1 per lot (2 on a corner lot—one facing each street) | On the subject lot | — | Sec. 98-334(1)c |
| Residential Subdivision Identification Sign (on Private Property) | — | As approved under the Village’s Residential Identification Sign Handbook/Design Guidelines | — | As approved; generally must meet applicable setbacks per approved plan | Max 2 per street frontage | On subdivision private property | — | Sec. 98-334(1)d |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign (Single‑Family Dwelling or Lot) | — | Up to 12.0 sq ft | — | Set back at least one‑half of the district’s required minimum front setback (street line) | No more than 1 per yard adjoining a street | On the subject property; in each yard adjoining an existing or dedicated street | — | Sec. 98-334(2)a; Sec. 98-332(c)(1) |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign (Individual Multi‑Family Unit) | — | - Yard sign: up to 12.0 sq ft (1 per yard adjoining a street) - At unit entry: up to 3.0 sq ft within 10 ft of unit door (no more than 1 per unit) | — | Yard sign must be set back at least one‑half of the district’s required minimum front setback (street line) | - Yard: 1 per yard adjoining a street - Entry: 1 per unit | On the subject property; near unit entry and/or in yards adjoining streets | — | Sec. 98-334(2)b; Sec. 98-332(c)(1) |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign (Subdivisions/Projects with >6 Units or Lots by Same Seller) | — | Up to 120.0 sq ft per sign face | — | Must fully comply with the district’s minimum setback (note: unlike smaller residential signs, these must meet the full minimum setback, not one‑half) | 1 per public street access | Facing each public street providing access to the property being offered | — | Sec. 98-334(2)c |

### Business and commercial districts (B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front) | — | 8% of facade area; per-sign cap 125 sq ft | — | — | Multiple allowed so long as total area cap (8% of facade) is not exceeded | On the front facade; side/rear facades may have signs only where there is no front identification sign in the same line of sight | — | Sec. 98-337(1)(a),(c)–(g) |
| Wall Sign (Side) | — | 10% of side wall area; cap 200 sq ft | — | May project up to 12 inches into required side yard | — | Side wall facing qualifying side yard or side street | — | Sec. 98-337(2)(a)–(g) |
| Wall Sign (Rear) | — | 50% of front wall allowance | — | May project up to 12 inches into required rear yard | — | Rear wall | — | Sec. 98-337(3)(a)–(e) |
| Ground Sign (Identification – Single‑Tenant) | Max 19 ft overall | 120 sq ft per face (up to 180 sq ft per face on frontages >120 ft, but not exceeding the frontage in feet) | — | Per district: centerline offset as stated; otherwise at or beyond minimum setback (plus 12‑inch projection allowance) | Counts as 1 of up to 4 allowed ground signs per lot (see below) | Along public street frontage | — | Sec. 98-337(4)(a)1, 3–6 |
| Ground Sign (Multi‑Tenant Monument) | 11 ft | 80 sq ft per face | — | Outside clear sight triangle; otherwise at or beyond required minimum setbacks for the district | Max 1 per public street frontage (and part of the total allowance of up to 4 ground signs per lot) | One per public street frontage; not within the intersection clear sight triangle | — | Sec. 98-337(4)(a)2(i)–(iii) |
| Ground Signs (Other Permitted – Business/Commercial) | 19 ft | 120 sq ft per face | — | Same centerline offset rules as identification signs | Total ground signs per lot (all types combined) not to exceed 4 | Perimeter of lot per code siting rules | — | Sec. 98-337(4)(a)3–6 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | 20% of awning face and valance | — | — | — | Over individual windows/doors | — | Sec. 98-337(6)(a)–(d); note in Sec. 98-337(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Signs (Commercial Property) | Limited to the maximum sign height allowed by the zoning district for ground signs | Up to 120 sq ft per sign (per face) within tier rules | — | On private property; outside easements/ROW and clear‑sight area | Max 1 per street frontage; max 2 per lot total | On the subject property | — | Sec. 98-337(9) and Sec. 98-332(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Glenview

- No balloons, pennants, streamers, or similar attention-getting devices are permitted (Sec. 98-333(1)).
- No flashing, rotating, moving, animated signs, or signs with moving lights or creating the illusion of movement; time/temperature signs allowed if changes are no more frequent than every 15 seconds. Electronic changeable message signs are only allowed via conditional use (Sec. 98-333(3)).
- Illuminated signs must be shaded to avoid casting bright light on residential property, public streets, or parks; illuminated signs visible from a residential district may not be lit between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except licensed liquor retailers during permitted business hours (Sec. 98-333(2)).
- No sign may block any required accessway or window (Sec. 98-333(5)).
- No signs on vacant property except a compliant for-sale/for-lease sign (Sec. 98-333(6); Sec. 98-334(2)).
- No signs attached to trees or utility poles on public or private property (Sec. 98-333(7)).
- Signs must not obstruct or be confused with traffic control devices or impair visibility/safety (Sec. 98-333(10)).
- Off-premises and obsolete signs are prohibited; signs must advertise a business presently conducted on or adjacent to the premises (Sec. 98-333(11)).
- No signs on public streets, alleys, parkways, or other public property, except a garage/bazaar sign up to 9 sq. ft. for up to 3 days (and one additional sign on the nearest thoroughfare if needed) (Sec. 98-333(12)).
- Roof signs are prohibited (no part of any sign may be on or above a roof) (e.g., Sec. 98-337(5); Sec. 98-336(3)(iv), (4)(iv)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Glenview

- Flags or emblems of a government or political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization displayed on private property (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(b)(1)).
- Government signs (traffic/regulatory devices, legal notices, railroad warnings) (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(b)(2)).
- Memorial signs and tablets on private property (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(b)(3)).
- Address numerals and other signs required by law, limited to what the law requires (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(b)(4)).
- Small convenience signs up to 2 sq. ft. (e.g., restrooms, freight entrances) (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(b)(5)).
- Residential nameplates and small for-sale/for-rent signs for single-family and individual multifamily units (permit-exempt but must comply) (Sec. 98-332(c)(1); Sec. 98-334(1); Sec. 98-334(2)(a)–(b)).
- Small real estate signs up to 12 sq. ft. (permit-exempt but must comply) (Sec. 98-332(c)(1); Sec. 98-337(9)(a)).
- Signs accessory to buildings devoted to religious worship, elementary/secondary schools, nonprofit institutions, or governmental agencies (permit-exempt but must comply with standards) (Sec. 98-332(c)(2); Sec. 98-336).
- Any sign containing noncommercial copy in lieu of other copy (permit-exempt) (Sec. 98-332(c)(3)).

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

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