Sign Regulations in Lake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Real Estate Sign, Freestanding Identification Sign, Address Numerals. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Lake Forest, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Lake Forest
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address Numerals | — | 2 sq ft per address | — |
| Auxiliary Sign | — | 1 sq ft (144 sq in) | — |
| Bulletin Board | — | 12 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Lake ForestFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
30
- Real Estate Sign
- Freestanding Identification Sign
- Address Numerals
- Auxiliary Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest, regulated sign types include Real Estate Sign, Freestanding Identification Sign, Address Numerals, Auxiliary 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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lake Forest has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lake Forest, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Lake Forest, Illinois regulates 30 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Tract Signs in the Residence Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a Not within 50 ft of front property line setback (Sec. § 153.40(B)). Most commercial signs in Lake Forest require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lake Forest, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lake Forest (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 4 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Residence Zoning Districts | 7 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Office Districts, Business Districts | 9 | 40 in | 24 sq ft per side | — |
| Office Research District | 2 | 6 ft (if lighted), 10 ft (if not lighted) | 100 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lake Forest(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 | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Address Numerals | — | 2 sq ft per address | — | — | — | On building or structure as required | — | Unlock | § 153.19(A) |
| Auxiliary Sign | — | 1 sq ft (144 sq in) | — | — | — | In store window | — | Unlock | § 153.19(B) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of public, eleemosynary or religious institutions | — | Unlock | § 153.19(C) |
| Business Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per proprietor | On premises by business occupant | — | Unlock | § 153.19(D), § 153.20(F) |
| Flag/Standard/Emblem/Insignia (Noncommercial) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 flagpole/3 flags per lot (residential); 3 flagpoles/3 flags per lot (commercial) | On flagpole on zoning lot | — | Unlock | § 153.19(E) |
| Historic Marker | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against building or monument or other permanent surface | — | Unlock | § 153.19(G) |
| Project Identification Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | One | On premises of project | — | Unlock | § 153.19(J) |
| Political Sign - Campaign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign/candidate/issue | — | Not allowed in public right-of-way | — | Entirely on private property per owner's consent | — | Unlock | § 153.19(L) |
Residence Zoning Districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | One | On private property only (not public right-of-way) | — | Unlock | § 153.40(A)(1)-(6) |
| Open House Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | Two max | Public right-of-way (parkway) adjacent to property, street intersections as described | — | Unlock | § 153.40(A)(2) |
| Tract Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Not within 50 ft of front property line | One per tract (amendments for multiple owners possible) | On tract, not within 50 ft of front property line | — | Unlock | § 153.40(B) |
| Nonresidential Land Use Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One (more possible if approved) | On premises of nonresidential use (by special use permit) | — | Unlock | § 153.41 |
| Event Sign (On Premises) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per event; up to 3 additional signs may be placed at community information areas | On premises of religious, civic, or philanthropic organization | — | Unlock | § 153.42(A) |
| Event Direction Sign (Event Days Only) | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way as needed for traffic/circulation | — | Unlock | § 153.42(A)(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | Not in required setback | — | On private property only | — | Unlock | § 153.43 |
Office Districts, Business Districts
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Identification Sign | 5 ft (if lighted); 8 ft (if not lighted) | 24 sq ft per side | — | — | One per zoning lot | On zoning lot | — | Unlock | § 153.56(A) |
| Wall or Window Sign | — | 5% of facade area or 25 sq ft (whichever is less) | — | — | One per facade (plus one on corner, if approved) | Front facade of principal building or window thereof | — | Unlock | § 153.57(A)-(E) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Descending skirt of awning | — | Unlock | § 153.58 |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft per side | — | — | One | On private property only (not in right-of-way) | — | Unlock | § 153.60, § 153.40 |
| Unlighted Temporary Advertising Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | One per window | Placed or hung in window only | — | Unlock | § 153.61 |
| Community Information Area Event Sign | 40 in | 8.33 sq ft (30 in x 40 in) | 30 in | — | Max 4 per site at one time | Community information areas designated by City Council | — | Unlock | § 153.62 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft (2 ft x 3 ft) | 2 ft | — | One per business | Sidewalk directly in front of business entrance | — | Unlock | § 153.63 |
| Directory Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Identifiable shopping districts (e.g., Market Square) | — | Unlock | § 153.64 |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Lake Forest — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Lake Forest — start freeProhibited Signs in Lake Forest
- All signs not specifically permitted by the provisions of §§ 153.19, 153.40 through 153.43 and 153.55 through 153.65 shall be prohibited within the city limits of the city.
- Blinking, flashing, fluttering, rotating lights or other illuminating devices, or any illumination which has a change in light intensity, brightness or color shall be prohibited, except as provided on a temporary basis as indicated in § 153.19 (holiday decorations).
- It shall be unlawful to place or maintain any undulating, swinging, rotating or otherwise moving signs, pennants, banners, flags, balloons, ribbons, streamers and spinners or similar devices in view of any street or highway, except as permitted for political signs in § 153.19(L).
- No color lights shall be used at any location, or in any manner where they may be confused or construed as traffic control devices.
- Parked trucks, cars, trailers, taxi cabs and other vehicular equipment shall not be used as stationary or mobile displays within the corporate limits, except for incidental signs being painted or affixed to vehicles in the customary manner of identifying the owner of a business.
- Business name plates are not permitted in residential areas.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device upon or in view of any highway that resembles or purports to be an official traffic control device, or which interferes with the movement of traffic or effectiveness of an official traffic control device.
- No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing any commercial advertising.
- No blinking, unshaded or colored lights shall be used to illuminate or advertise ice vending machines.
- No insignia or design of any kind may be painted on or affixed to a vending machine except such signs as are permitted under the provisions of the code.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, deface or obscure any sign posted pursuant to the provisions of the No Smoking ordinance.
Exempt Signs in Lake Forest
- Address numerals and other sign information required by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, up to two square feet per address or the size required by such law/order/rule.
- Auxiliary signs in store windows regarding hours of operation, accepted charge cards, warnings, or similar information, not exceeding one square foot total.
- Bulletin boards not exceeding 12 square feet for public, eleemosynary or religious institutions, located on the premises.
- Non-illuminated business nameplates not exceeding one square foot for each proprietor denoting the business name or occupation legally conducted on the premises (only one per proprietor).
- Flags, standards, emblems and insignia of governmental or educational organizations, less than 40 square feet, displayed for noncommercial purposes (with flagpole and flag limits per zoning lot).
- Signs of duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs, regulatory devices, directional signs, legal notices, warnings, and devices approved for safety purposes.
- Commemorative plaques, memorial tablets or emblems of official historical bodies, not exceeding two square feet and placed flat against a building or permanent surface.
- Temporary holiday decorations of a primarily decorative nature and incidental and customary with traditional holidays.
- Plaques, tablets, cornerstones or architectural lettering of not more than two square feet denoting name and date of a structure.
- One project identification sign not exceeding two square feet per side and four feet in height, approved by the Director of Community Development and removed upon occupancy or final inspection, for new non-single-family and non-duplex residential buildings.
- Site information signs of no more than two square feet providing direction or instruction for public facilities, without advertising references.
- Political signs located entirely on private property with owner’s consent, subject to area, height, and condition restrictions, and exempt from permit requirements and color regulations, but not illumination.
- Warning signs such as no trespassing, beware of dog, no soliciting and similar, not exceeding one square foot.
- Temporary signs (as defined), exempt from regulations regarding sign colors, but not illumination.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lake Forest
- No permanent sign shall be affixed, installed, or displayed in public view, or portable sign placed or displayed in public view, within the city without prior approvals and issuance of all permits and/or approvals as required.
- Application for a sign permit requires submission of detailed site and sign drawings, materials, and, if required, structural calculations.
- The Building Review Board shall review all sign applications submitted by the Director of Community Development.
- Sign variances must be reviewed by the Building Review Board (and may be appealed to the City Council); findings must support compatibility, consistency with sign regulations, or demonstrate unique circumstances or safety considerations.
- All signs associated with new developments in office and business zoning districts, except governmental and public utility signs, are subject to review and approval by the Building Review Board or Historic Preservation Commission. Replacement signs that comply with requirements may be authorized by building permit; requests for variances require formal review.
- In residential districts, each real estate firm operating within the city must have its general sign program, including intended signs, reviewed and approved by the Building Review Board (re: §153.40(A)(3), §153.40(B)(1)).
- Review/approval by the Building Review Board or Director of Community Development is required for project identification signs for new non-single-family or non-duplex residential buildings.
- Signs for nonresidential land uses permitted by special use permit require approval of the Building Review Board.
- Event signs for certain events require application and approval by the Director of Community Development before placement.
- A sign plan (general sign program) is required for real estate firms before installation of permitted real estate and open house signs in residential districts.