Sign Regulations in Gurnee, Illinois
Gurnee, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 37 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign - Box Sign, Wall Sign - Screened Box Sign w/ Raised or Recessed Letters, Wall Sign - Raceway-mounted Channel Letter Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Gurnee, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Gurnee
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directional Sign (Vehicle Entrance/Exit) | 3 ft. | 3 sq. ft. | — |
| Directional Sign (Parking Area Over 5 Vehicles) | 5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (Single-Family Residential) | — | 9 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for GurneeFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
37
- Wall Sign - Box Sign
- Wall Sign - Screened Box Sign w/ Raised or Recessed Letters
- Wall Sign - Raceway-mounted Channel Letter Sign
- Wall Sign - Pin-mounted Channel Letter Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Gurnee
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Gurnee vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Gurnee, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Gurnee, regulated sign types include Wall Sign - Box Sign, Wall Sign - Screened Box Sign w/ Raised or Recessed Letters, Wall Sign - Raceway-mounted Channel Letter Sign, Wall Sign - Pin-mounted Channel Letter Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Gurnee vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Gurnee are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Gurnee has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Gurnee, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Gurnee, Illinois regulates 37 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Box Signs in the Office zoning district (C/O-1, C/O-2) zoning district are capped at 10 ft. tall and 50 sq. ft., with a 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential district setback (Sec. Sec. 52-8(c)). Most commercial signs in Gurnee require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Gurnee, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Gurnee (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | 5 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential zoning district (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6) | 3 | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Public zoning district (P district) | 2 | 8 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Office zoning district (C/O-1, C/O-2) | 12 | 10 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial zoning district (C/B-1, C/B-2, C/B-2A, C/B EGG, C/S-1, C/S-2) | 14 | 12 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2, I-3) | 12 | 10 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| C/S-3, village center residence/business district | 3 | 6 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Gurnee(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
Office zoning district (C/O-1, C/O-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Box Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft of building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall as long as sign does not cover >15% of wall area or 70% of wall's length | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(a) |
| Wall Sign - Screened Box Sign w/ Raised or Recessed Letters | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft of building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall as long as sign does not cover >15% of wall area or 70% of wall's length | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(a) |
| Wall Sign - Raceway-mounted Channel Letter Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft of building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall as long as sign does not cover >15% of wall area or 70% of wall's length | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Box Sign | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential district | 1 per lot; 2 per lot with >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; 2 allowed for >1,000 ft of street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Screened Box w/ Raised or Recessed Letters | 10 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential district | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; 2 allowed for >1,000 ft of street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Distinctive Materials/Design | 10 ft. | 95 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential district | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; 2 allowed for >1,000 ft of street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Other (Unclassified) | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential district | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; 2 allowed for >1,000 ft of street frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(c) |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building in multitenant developments | One per building for multitenant developments; inside site, not visible from off site | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-8(d)(2) |
Commercial zoning district (C/B-1, C/B-2, C/B-2A, C/B EGG, C/S-1, C/S-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Box Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft of building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall, not to exceed 15% of wall area or 70% of building frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Box Sign | 12 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Screened Box w/ Raised or Recessed Letters | 12 ft. | 90 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Distinctive Materials/Design | 12 ft. | 150 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Other (Unclassified) | 12 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(c) |
| Menu Board Sign - Primary | 8 ft. | 36 sq. ft. | — | 75 ft from residential zoning districts | 1 per order station (max 2) | At order stations in drive-through establishments | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(d)(1)a |
| Menu Board Sign - Secondary | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | 75 ft from residential zoning districts | 1 | At drive-through (secondary menu) | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(d)(1)b |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building in multitenant commercial developments | 1 per building in multitenant commercial developments; not visible from off site | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-9(e)(2) |
Industrial zoning district (I-1, I-2, I-3)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Box Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft of building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall, not to exceed 15% of wall area or 70% of building frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(a) |
| Wall Sign - Screened Box Sign w/ Raised or Recessed Letters | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall, not to exceed 15% of wall area or 70% of building frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(a) |
| Wall Sign - Raceway-mounted Channel Letter Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 100 ft building frontage or fraction thereof | On any wall, not to exceed 15% of wall area or 70% of building frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Box Sign | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Screened Box w/ Raised or Recessed Letters | 10 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Distinctive Materials/Design | 10 ft. | 95 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Other (Unclassified) | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | 12 ft from right-of-way and driveways; 50 ft from residential | 1 per lot; 2 for >1,000 ft street frontage | Per lot; two for >1,000 ft frontage | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(c) |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft. | 15 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building in multitenant industrial developments | 1 per building in multitenant industrial developments; not visible from off site | — | Unlock | Sec. 52-10(d)(2) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Gurnee — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Gurnee — start freeProhibited Signs in Gurnee
- Signs that obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or that may be confused with, any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device.
- Illuminated signs within 50 feet of property used or zoned for residential purposes.
- Roof signs.
- Signs located in or that extend into the public right-of-way (except signs established by or by order of any governmental agency).
- Signs larger than two square feet that are suspended by chains, ropes, or other means designed to allow the sign to swing or move freely.
- Signs affixed directly to a tree, utility pole, light pole, traffic control device, barn, shed, or roof of a building or structure.
- Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or non-motorized) located in view of the right-of-way.
- Signs attached to or painted on a licensed vehicle that is located in a nonresidential zoning district in view of the right-of-way when the zoning administrator determines that the vehicle is parked solely for the purpose of displaying the sign to passing motorists or pedestrians (except vehicles regularly used for deliveries or integral to the operation of the business).
- Signs attached to or painted on a licensed vehicle within a residential zoning district if such sign is visible from a federal, state, or county highway.
- Portable signs, including but not limited to, signs on trailers, A-frame or sandwich board signs; paper or cardboard signs wrapped around or fastened to support poles and all other signs or sign structures that are readily portable.
- Signs painted directly on the wall or roof of a building or directly on a fence or other accessory structure or directly on any paved surfaces other than required traffic control information.
- Neon tubing, LED tubing, and other lighting outside of the 'sign area' and independent of any information conveyed by an allowed sign used as an architectural element or feature of a building or other structure, except as authorized by special use approval.
- Off-premises advertising signs.
- Back-lit, translucent awnings.
- Balloons and other inflatable objects with a diameter of two feet or greater.
- Search lights.
- Permanent signs made of plywood, pressed board, MDO or nonexterior grade wood products (the prohibition does not apply to temporary signs).
- Signs that include flashing lights, projected or moving images, moving parts or that emit noise, except as authorized by special use approval.
Exempt Signs in Gurnee
- Nonilluminated signs that comply with all conditions and limitations of subsections 52-5(a), (b), (c), (d) are allowed without a sign permit unless otherwise expressly stated.
- Signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency.
- Emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, or nonprofit organization.
- Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historic agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historic agencies.
- One 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' sign per street frontage (subject to area and removal time limits).
- One construction sign per street frontage during active construction or development (subject to area limits).
- Temporary banners, streamers, and balloons with a diameter of less than two feet for special events (maximum 14 days per calendar year; sign permit required for these items).
- Temporary and permanent window signs (subject to area and placement limitations).
- Holiday decorations on private property clearly incidental, customary, and commonly associated with national, local or religious holidays, displayed for not more than 30 days per holiday.
- One directional sign at each vehicle entrance and exit (may be illuminated, subject to area and height limits; commercial messages limited).
- Parking area signs regarding rates and rules, directional information (subject to area, height, and illumination limits and no commercial message).
- Signs not visible from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel.
- Signs within completely enclosed buildings that are not visible from the outside.
- Wall signs identifying allowed home occupations (not illuminated, not exceeding two square feet).
- Address signs and name plates not exceeding two square feet per building.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, cut into masonry, inlaid or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material not more than four square feet.
- 'No trespassing,' 'No dumping,' and similar warning/security signs not exceeding four square feet.
- Warning signs installed by utility companies.
- Nonilluminated awnings with no more than six square feet of sign (copy) area on the border of the awning.
- A non-illuminated sign painted or lettered directly to a window for the specific purpose of identifying the proprietor or name and hours of operation (subject to area and window percentage allowances for temporary and permanent window signs).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Gurnee
- A master sign plan is required for new multitenant developments before any sign permit is issued, per Sec. 52-12.
- A master sign plan is not required for existing multitenant developments except when a rehabilitation or expansion exceeds 150 percent of the assessed value.
- Master sign plans must include number, location, materials, colors, and dimensions of all freestanding and wall signs, and demonstrate a consistent pattern of signage (see Sec. 52-12).
- In residential and public zoning districts, signs for nonresidential or public uses that require special use approval must have a master sign plan reviewed and approved as part of the special use approval process.
- Master sign plans are required for multitenant office, commercial, and industrial developments in accordance with section 52-12.
- Sign permit applications that include a request for relief from or an exception to the sign standards (unless a minor exception) require a special use approval, which follows a specific review process.
- Requests for minor exceptions (e.g., additional signs, increased area or height, directory signs) must follow the minor exception procedure involving review by the planning and zoning board.
- Where sign area is to be allocated differently among tenants, a master sign plan signed by the owner or management must be submitted and approved by the zoning administrator.
Source: municode municipal code