# Sign Regulations in Inverness, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Inverness, Illinois regulates 11 sign types across 2 zoning districts. Exempt Temporary Signs in the A-1 Residential Zoning District, Residential Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 6 feet above grade tall and 6 square feet per side (up to 2 sides), with a At least 30 feet from the edge of pavement. setback (Sec. 5-5-12A). Most commercial signs in Inverness require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (2 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Residential Zoning District, Residential Zoning Districts | 7 | 6.5 feet above the centerline datum elevation of the highest street upon which the sign faces | 125 square feet per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 20 feet above centerline datum elevation of street upon which sign faces | Maximums as stated per lot frontage in formula; maximum per face is 100 sq ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### A-1 Residential Zoning District, Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Temporary Sign | 6 feet above grade | 6 square feet per side (up to 2 sides) | — | At least 30 feet from the edge of pavement. | 1 per lot (except political signs, no number limit) | At least 30 feet from the edge of the pavement of any adjacent street; private property only. | — | 5-5-12A |
| Subdivision/Neighborhood Entrance Monument | 6.5 feet above the centerline datum elevation of the highest street upon which the sign faces | 125 square feet per side | — | — | — | At subdivision, neighborhood, or village entrance, not in public area without a permit and Board approval. | — | 5-5-12C |
| Nameplate | — | 1 square foot | — | — | — | On private property only | — | 5-5-12B(4) |
| No Trespassing/No Dumping Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per 50 feet of lot boundary/frontage | On private property only. | — | 5-5-12B(5) |
| Memorial Sign or Building Name/Date Marker | — | — | — | — | — | Cut into masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials. | — | 5-5-12B(2) |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As necessary for governmental purposes. | — | 5-5-12B(3) |
| Sign Regulating Traffic (Private Property) | — | — | — | — | — | Private property. | — | 5-5-12B(7) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 20 feet above centerline datum elevation of street upon which sign faces | Maximums as stated per lot frontage in formula; maximum per face is 100 sq ft. | — | Not nearer the street than the building line. Not within 6 feet of any other sign/building/structure on adjacent premises. | 1 per lot/parcel; 2 permitted if frontage is 350+ ft, spaced 250 ft apart | Not nearer the street than the building line; not within 8 feet of electric power lines, and not within 6 feet of any other sign, building, or structure on adjoining premises. Not allowed in residential zoning districts, except exemptions in 5-5-12. | — | 5-5-20, 5-5-21, 5-5-11 |
| Wall Sign | Must not protrude or extend above the lowest point of the roof; mansard roof rules apply. | 25% of wall area or maximum area allowed for ground sign (see formula) | — | — | Max 1 per wall; 1 per wall of corner lot; 1 per business occupant on same building (5-5-24). | On building wall, not to cover or project beyond ends or top of the wall. | — | 5-5-23, 5-5-25, 5-5-11, 5-5-13O |
| Canopy/Awning with Advertising | Lowest part of frame: 7'6" over public area; lowest extending skirt: 6'8" above grade. | — | — | Not closer than 18 inches to curb. | — | Over public area or with advertising; not closer than 18" to curb of any adjacent street. | — | 5-5-28 |
| Clock with Advertising | — | Dial not more than 42 inches in diameter | — | — | — | On exterior of building, not less than 7.5 feet above sidewalk; may not project more than 12 inches from face of building; not allowed on public area. | — | 5-5-29 |

## Prohibited signs in Inverness

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, repair, alter, relocate, change, or maintain any sign without first securing a sign permit and paying the appropriate fee.
- It is unlawful to violate, disobey, omit, neglect, refuse to comply with, or resist or obstruct enforcement of any provision of the sign ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to constitute a traffic hazard, obstruct free and clear vision, distract attention of drivers, interfere with or be confused with traffic signs, or cause glare on public areas or residential property.
- No sign shall use words or symbols such as 'stop', 'go', 'look', 'slow', 'danger', or similar, or use colored lights that may mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign constructed on or at any public area or within five feet thereof shall have hazardous projections, except electrical reflectors/devices.
- No sign over a public area shall be wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights.
- All signs must be painted at erection and at least every 2 years thereafter, unless constructed of noncorrosive or treated material.
- All signs must be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of at least 30 pounds per square foot and must meet load requirements.
- Glass on any sign must be safety glass of at least 1/4 inch thickness.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained to obstruct ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape, or be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall cover wholly or partially any opening, or project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached.
- No sign shall be located within any public area except certain governmental/traffic signs or monuments as specified.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to interfere with visibility for drivers using any public area.
- The following signs are prohibited: marquees, projecting signs, roof signs, temporary signs (except as specifically allowed), flashing signs, moving signs, tethered airborne signs or balloons, beacon lights, portable signs, freestanding signs, poster boards, bench signs, billboards, internally illuminated signs, streamers, banners, pennants, valances, signs not advertising a bona fide business or product sold on the property, signs painted directly on walls and vehicle signs, any sign(s) located within any public area (except governmental/traffic and approved monuments as specified).
- No pennants, banners, or streamers are permitted in the village.
- No temporary signs are permitted except as expressly allowed.
- No person shall suspend or place goods, wares, or merchandise on the exterior of any building as a sign.
- It is unlawful to display obscene, indecent, or immoral matter on any sign.
- Projections of canopies/awnings over public areas must meet clearance and size requirements.
- No clocks shall be erected on any public area.
- No advertising, except for the owner's/business name, is allowed on canopies, awnings, or clocks.

## Signs exempt from permit in Inverness

- Change of letters or the message on a sign with a changeable copy panel and repainting of existing signs do not require a permit.
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of any nation, political subdivision, or corporate flag (except when used for commercial promotion) are exempt.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible materials are exempt.
- Governmental signs such as traffic control signs, legal notices, identification signs for government buildings/facilities/departments, informational/warning/enforcement/directional/railroad crossing/temporary emergency signs, and other non-advertising signs as approved by the village board are exempt.
- Nameplates on private property not exceeding one square foot are exempt.
- "No Trespassing" and/or "No Dumping" signs up to 2 square feet, posted only on private property with a limit of one per 50 feet of boundary or frontage, are exempt.
- Integral decorative or architectural building features, except with letters, trademarks, moving parts/lights, are exempt.
- Signs regulating traffic and parking on private property with no advertising content are exempt.
- Temporary signs for construction, community events, garage/rummage sales, real estate for sale/for rent/open house, and political signs are exempt provided they comply with listed size, height, location, and removal regulations. (Note: Not permitted in public area unless governmental or traffic signs; must not be illuminated; max size and height; limit one per lot except political; removal within timeline; no banners/balloons/pennants/streamers/related prohibited displays attached.)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for permits must include blueprints or ink drawings of plans, specifications, and methods of construction and attachment.
- If required by the building inspector due to size, location, or safety, stress sheets and calculations for structural integrity must be submitted.
- An electrical permit is required if electrical elements are involved.
- Evidence of insurance must be provided for signs extending over or that could topple onto public streets.
- Applications for subdivision, neighborhood, or village entrance monuments must be submitted with scaled renderings, specifications for illumination, location survey, and materials. Approval by the Board of Trustees is required (and possibly referral to the Plan Commission).
- Subdivision, neighborhood, or village entrance monuments on public areas require express approval of the Board of Trustees by motion or resolution.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Inverness, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Inverness+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-inverness

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