# Sign Regulations in Island Lake, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Island Lake, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/island-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-13
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://villageofislandlake.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Title-9-Zoning-Regulations-4-2023.pdf#page=45)

## At a glance

Island Lake, Illinois regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Electronic Message Board Signs in the B-1 General Business District, B-2 Specific Business District, B-3 Office and Research Business District zoning district are capped at Same as freestanding sign. tall and 50 sq ft for message board portion; counts toward total ground or freestanding sign allowance, with a Per sign type (see ground/pylon/pole sign setbacks) setback (Sec. 9-9-5F(8), Table 1). Most commercial signs in Island Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| E-1 Residence District, R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District, R-3 Residence Overlay District, R-4 Residence District, R-5 Residence District | 9 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| B-1 General Business District, B-2 Specific Business District, B-3 Office and Research Business District | 10 | Up to 85% of the average height of that wall elevation | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft per side) | — |
| ORI Office, Research, and Industry District, ORIa Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, ORIb Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, ORIc Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, I-Light Manufacturing District | 7 | Not higher than 85% of average height of total building elevation parallel to the sign. | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft per side) | — |
| OS Open Space and Public District | 3 | Up to 85% of wall elevation | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | See individual types: Flags/emblems/etc. generally unrestricted, business nameplate 2 sq ft, memorial 20 sq ft, etc. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### E-1 Residence District, R-1 Residence District, R-2 Residence District, R-3 Residence District, R-3 Residence Overlay District, R-4 Residence District, R-5 Residence District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Numerals and Law-Required Signs | — | As required by law, generally small (exact sizes not specified) | — | — | — | On premises, typically on building facade or entrance | — | 9-9-5E(1)(d), 9-9-5E(1)(f) |
| Directional and Warning Signs | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On premises, directing people to restrooms, parking, or as required by law | — | 9-9-5E(1)(e) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | Adjacent to each separate street frontage; must be on the property to which it applies | — | 9-9-5E(2)(e) |
| Campaign Sign | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | Cannot project into right of way or onto other private property | Two per candidate per lot/structure | Entirely within lot and not in right-of-way | — | 9-9-5E(2)(f) |
| Political Message Sign | — | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | On the lot, not to project into ROW or other private property | — | 9-9-5E(2)(g) |
| Garage Sale Sign (Open Sign) | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | Two per property, one per frontage max | On-premises; at property hosting garage/yard sale. | — | 9-9-5E(2)(i) |
| Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft for single-family or multi-family with one building. Up to 48 sq ft for projects/two or more buildings. | — | — | One per building/project | On the site of construction | — | 9-9-5E(2)(d) |
| Temporary Signs for Public/Legal Notices and Special Displays | — | Not specified for public/legal notices. Special displays: not for commercial advertising. | — | Must not be located within the vision triangle or cause safety hazard. | — | On premises or as authorized. | — | 9-9-5E(2)(a), 9-9-5E(2)(b) |

### B-1 General Business District, B-2 Specific Business District, B-3 Office and Research Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Up to 85% of the average height of that wall elevation | 0.9 sq ft per 1 ft of display frontage | — | — | Split up permitted area among multiple wall signs as desired | Attached to wall; not above or beyond the wall; parallel to display frontage | — | 9-9-5F(6), 9-11-20, Table 1 |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft (max); 0.7 sq ft per foot of display frontage | — | N/A (except see vision triangle and public way rules) | — | On ground, minimum 200 ft from another ground sign on same premises | — | 9-9-5F(1), Table 1, 9-11-20 |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | 20% of window area per window | — | — | — | Window; must not encroach on frame, mullion, or supports. | — | 9-9-5F(2); Table 1 |
| Pylon Sign | 12 ft | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft per side) | — | 40 ft from center line of road or 20 ft from property line, whichever is greater | — | On ground; at least 200 ft from another pylon sign on same premises | — | 9-9-5F(3); Table 1 |
| Pole Sign | 12 ft (min 6 ft above grade) | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft/side) | — | 40 ft from road center or 20 ft from property line | — | On ground; see setback rules. | — | 9-9-5F(7); Table 1 |
| Electronic Message Board Sign | Same as freestanding sign. | 50 sq ft for message board portion; counts toward total ground or freestanding sign allowance | — | Per sign type (see ground/pylon/pole sign setbacks) | One per zoning lot | Freestanding or as part of freestanding sign; only on premises. | — | 9-9-5F(8), Table 1 |
| Movie or Live Entertainment Theater Sign (Changeable Copy) | — | Up to 50 sq ft; may have two faces if freestanding | — | — | One per theater | On building (wall sign) or freestanding (subject to sign type limits) | — | 9-9-5F(9)(b); Table 1 |
| Gasoline Station Signs | — | Functional signs: Up to 3 sq ft per pump island side (service-type); Up to 6 sq ft per face for price of fuel (per type sold); Service bay sign: up to 3 sq ft; Nameplate: up to 2 sq ft. | — | Station/ground/freestanding sign setbacks as applicable | — | On or near pump, service bay, or station building as specified. | — | 9-9-5F(9)(a); Table 1 |

### ORI Office, Research, and Industry District, ORIa Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, ORIb Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, ORIc Office, Research, and Industry Subdistrict, I-Light Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (ORI/Industrial) | Not higher than 85% of average height of total building elevation parallel to the sign. | 0.9 sq ft per 1 ft of display frontage | — | — | Can split permitted area among multiple wall signs | Attached to wall on building; no part above roof or beyond wall | — | 9-9-5F(6), Table 1; 9-5-8, 9-11-20 |
| Ground Sign (ORI/Industrial) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | In ORI, minimum setback 75 ft for ground signs (per 9-9-5F(1)(g)); in I-Light, see property line/setback rules (typically 75 ft front, 25-40 side/rear) | Not within 200 ft of another ground sign | On ground; buffer requirements per yard/setback rules | — | 9-9-5F(1), Table 1; 9-5-8, 9-6-7 |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (ORI/Industrial) | 12 ft (min 6 ft above grade) | 100 sq ft (max 50 sq ft per side) | — | 75 ft in ORI; 40 ft from road center or 20 ft from property line elsewhere | Not within 200 ft of another pylon sign | On ground; setback per sign code (see below) | — | 9-9-5F(3), (7); Table 1 |
| Permanent Window Signs | — | 20% of window area per window | — | — | — | Windows of principal building entry facades | — | 9-9-5F(2), Table 1 |
| Grand Opening Sign (ORI) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per new business | On-premises, one per business at commencement | — | 9-9-5F(4), 9-9-5 Table 1 |
| Electronic Message Board Sign (ORI) | Same as freestanding sign (refer to sign structure type) | Up to 50 sq ft for the electronic message portion only; counts toward total freestanding sign allowance | — | Must comply with applicable setback for freestanding sign type | One per zoning lot | Freestanding, not less than 50 ft from residential property | — | 9-9-5F(8) and Table 1 |
| Unified Business Center Identification Sign (ORI only) | — | 75 sq ft (base), plus up to 4 sq ft per business | — | — | One main ID sign per center, directory as applicable | At entrance or on principal frontage | — | 9-9-5F(9)(c); Table 1 |

## Prohibited signs in Island Lake

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, moved, altered, or maintained without first having made application for and obtained a sign permit from the Village, unless exempted.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign shall interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- Signs shall not be located closer than 24 inches horizontally or vertically from any conductor or public utility guy wire.
- No sign may be located so as to obstruct the view from a public thoroughfare or any existing sign, display window, or major entrances of an adjacent business.
- No sign of any kind may be attached to a standpipe or fire escape or to any other fire safety related device.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape, or color it may obstruct, impair, obscure or interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any traffic-control sign, signal, or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No signs shall be nailed, tacked, or otherwise affixed to trees or other vegetation in such a way as to puncture the bark.
- No advertising other than a permitted sign shall be placed on any sign support.
- No signs shall be painted directly upon the exterior walls of a structure.
- No person shall park on a public right of way, public property, or private property so as to be prominently visible from a public right of way any vehicle or trailer which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the flagrant purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business or activity.
- No permanent or temporary off-site signs are permitted except those signs considered exempt under this chapter.
- No signs may be allowed to encroach upon the public right of way or public property unless the sign owner has secured a special license.
- No sign facing the side or rear lot line of an abutting residential zoned lot shall be located within 50 feet of that residential lot line.
- No sign shall be located in any of the vision triangles formed by intersecting streets as described in the code.
- All signs must be maintained in a safe, presentable, and good structural condition.
- No flashing signs are permitted, except for approved electronic message board signs.
- Any portable sign shall be prohibited (such as signs on wheels, trailers, or that can be transported to and from various locations).
- Any sign that directs attention to a business, service or commodity offered, conducted, or sold at another location than the location of the sign (off-site advertising signs/billboards) is prohibited.
- Any wall sign applied with paint or a similar substance on the face of a wall, building, or structure is prohibited.
- Any sign attached to a tree or utility pole whether on public or private property is prohibited.
- Any commercial vehicle used for the sole purpose of advertising a business by parking the vehicle anywhere in the Village is prohibited.
- Any sign on Village property or public right-of-way without the Village's or respective public body's consent is prohibited.
- Any sign constructed or erected without a valid permit is to be removed.
- Any nonconforming sign that is discontinued for a period of 30 consecutive days is deemed abandoned and must be removed or brought into conformity.
- No lighted signs are permissible in a residential district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Island Lake

- Flags and emblems of governmental, political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations displayed on private property.
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body.
- Memorial signs or tablets listing names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid as part of the building or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible material (not permitted in residential districts).
- Address numerals and other signs required by law or government order, rule, or regulation, not exceeding content and size required.
- Directional and warning signs (entrance, exits, handicapped accessibility) not to exceed two square feet in area and not used for commercial purposes.
- Nonelectrical nameplates denoting the business name of an occupation legally conducted on the premises, not exceeding two square feet in area (not permitted in residential districts).
- Bulletin boards not exceeding 20 square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions (not permitted in residential districts).
- "No-trespassing" or "no-dumping" signs not exceeding 1.5 square feet per sign and not exceeding four in number per lot or at every 75 feet around the perimeter (for each lot).
- Religious symbols, identification emblems of religious orders, or commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, provided no such symbol, plaque, or identification emblem exceeds four square feet and is placed flat against a building, stone, or other permanent surface.
- Business signs not exceeding 32 square feet when located on property used for agricultural purposes and pertaining to the sale of agricultural products (not permitted in residential districts).
- Community information signs solely for the dissemination of information relating to community events and public information, not exceeding 60 square feet per sign face, not permitted in residential districts without Village Board approval.
- Temporary signs as listed, including public/legal notices, special displays for holidays/promotions (not in residential districts unless holiday decorations), temporary civic event signs up to 4 square feet, construction signs (conditions apply), real estate signs (conditions apply), campaign signs (conditions apply), political message signs (conditions apply), temporary window signs (commercial only), and "open" signs (residential real estate).
- Village owned/maintained signs are specifically excluded from the scope of regulation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For any sign to be located in a unified business center, no permit shall be issued until a comprehensive sign plan has been approved for the center and the sign complies with the provisions thereof.
- Applications for a comprehensive sign plan shall be made in writing to the Plan Commission.
- Approval of a comprehensive sign plan is at the discretion of the Village Board after recommendation from the Plan Commission and must meet specific design compatibility criteria.
- In the ORI District, a site plan must be submitted to the Plan Commission for review and approval before the issuance of a building permit for any development proposal that does not require planned unit development or special use permit approval.
- A sign permit application is generally required for any sign not specified as exempt.
- Sign permit applications require submittal of details such as location, design, materials, mounting method, and may be subject to conditions to ensure compatibility.
- If a proposed project involves a unified business center or similar integrated development, the Village may require a business center sign plan as a condition of permitting.
- Special uses (such as certain types of electronic message board signs) may require a special use permit as a precondition to approval (see Table 1 in Section 9-9-5.F).
- Variances from sign code requirements may be sought where practical difficulties exist, requiring public notice and hearing as provided in the zoning administration process.

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

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