# Sign Regulations in Lake Villa, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lake Villa, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/lake-villa
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Lake Villa, Illinois regulates 12 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Sign (Permanent, for Condominium/Townhome Association, Apartment Complex, or Senior Housing Complex)s in the Residential Zoning Districts (AG, NC, SR1, SR2, SR3, UR1, UR2, UR3, UR3A, UR4) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 32 square feet per sign; max aggregate on lot: 32 square feet, with a 5 feet from side yard lot lines; minimum site distance from road right-of-way per posted speed (e.g. 410 ft at 30 mph, up to 1,240 ft at 55 mph) setback (Sec. 10-6D-4, 10-6D-3A13, 10-6D-3C, 10-6D-3E, 10-6D-9). Most commercial signs in Lake Villa require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning Districts (AG, NC, SR1, SR2, SR3, UR1, UR2, UR3, UR3A, UR4) | 3 | 6 feet | 32 square feet per sign; max aggregate on lot: 32 square feet | — |
| Non-Residential Zoning Districts (CR, CB, CA, CBD, SB, LI, LI-2, RD) | 7 | 12 feet | Maximum aggregate determined by formula up to 140 sq ft (0.70 x 200) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Zoning Districts (AG, NC, SR1, SR2, SR3, UR1, UR2, UR3, UR3A, UR4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Permanent, for Condominium/Townhome Association, Apartment Complex, or Senior Housing Complex) | 6 feet | 32 square feet per sign; max aggregate on lot: 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from side yard lot lines; minimum site distance from road right-of-way per posted speed (e.g. 410 ft at 30 mph, up to 1,240 ft at 55 mph) | One per complex/association; max aggregate surface area 32 sq ft | On private property of a residential condominium or townhome association, a residential apartment complex, and/or residential senior housing complex | — | 10-6D-4, 10-6D-3A13, 10-6D-3C, 10-6D-3E, 10-6D-9 |
| Temporary Sign (Ground Sign) | 6 feet | No single sign limit specified, but aggregate for lot: 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property of sign owner; ground sign only | — | 10-6D-4F, 10-6D-3H3 |
| Exempt Sign (Municipal, Regulatory, Cemetery, etc.) | — | — | — | — | — | As permitted for public purpose or by applicable authority | — | 10-6D-3A3a, 10-6D-2 |

### Non-Residential Zoning Districts (CR, CB, CA, CBD, SB, LI, LI-2, RD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 12 feet | 120 square feet per sign; max 2 per lot if frontage >750 linear feet | — | 5 feet minimum from side lot lines; site distance as per table (see General Regulations) | 1 per street frontage, or 2 if frontage >750 ft | Ground sign on private property along street frontage | — | 10-6D-5A1, C, E, 10-6D-3A13c, 10-6D-3E, 10-6D-3B, 10-6D-3C |
| Wall Sign (Fascia, Awning/Canopy, Marquee) | — | Maximum aggregate determined by formula up to 140 sq ft (0.70 x 200) | — | — | — | Mounted on building wall facing public street; fascia, awning/canopy, marquee | — | 10-6D-5A2, 10-6D-3A13d, 10-6D-3C, 10-6D-3B, 10-6D-3E |
| Temporary Sign (Ground Sign) | 4 feet | 24 square feet per sign; max 3 per lot; aggregate max 72 sq ft | — | — | 3 per lot | Ground sign only; on private property; not attached to building/structure | — | 10-6D-5G, 10-6D-3H2 |
| Window Sign (Permanent or Temporary, including Digital Signs) | — | For digital window sign, 20 sq ft max per sign | — | — | — | Window of building; viewable from outside | — | 10-6D-5H, 10-6D-3F4, 10-6D-3D16 |
| Digital Sign (Ground Sign) | 9 feet (digital part) | 40 sq ft digital display area | — | Same as ground sign: 5' side, site distance table | See ground sign limits (1 or 2 per frontage) | Ground sign only | — | 10-6D-5A3, 10-6D-3D, 10-6D-3F |
| Sandwich Board, A-frame, T-frame (Portable Sidewalk Sign) | 3 feet | Max 3 ft height (per definition) | — | — | — | Sidewalk area directly outside business in Non-Residential Districts | — | 10-6D-2 (definition of portable sign, sandwich board sign) |
| Exempt Sign (Municipal, Regulatory, etc.) | — | — | — | — | — | As permitted for public purpose or by applicable authority | — | 10-6D-3A3a, 10-6D-2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Municipal Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Public property, public right of way, or as approved | — | 10-6D-3A3a |
| Fertilizer Point-of-Sale Sign (Required at Retail) | — | — | — | — | One per fertilizer aisle | At each aisle containing fertilizer for sale to public | — | 4-12-5 |
| No Smoking Sign (Required at Entrances/Inside Public Places) | — | — | — | — | — | At every entrance and inside where smoking prohibited | — | 4-10-5 |

## Prohibited signs in Lake Villa

- Animated signs, balloon signs, beacon signs, bench signs, billboard/off-premises signs, flashing signs, obsolete signs, pennant signs, projecting (overhanging) signs, roof signs, trivision signs, vehicle and/or trailer signs, and any sign not specifically permitted by the ordinance are prohibited.
- No signs, other than municipal signs, shall be permitted on any Village property or within any Village right-of-way.
- All signs must relate to the use(s), occupant(s), and/or activity(ies) on the property where located.
- Obsolete signs must be removed within thirty days after written notice from the Enforcement Officer.
- Any sign erected without a required permit or in violation of this article is illegal and nonconforming and must be removed or brought into compliance after written notice.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained to obstruct free and clear vision, distract drivers, interfere with, or be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices, or cause glare on any public area or residential property.
- No sign shall use the words 'Stop', 'Go', 'Look', 'Slow', 'Danger', or similar words, phrases, symbols, or employ red, yellow, orange, green, or similar colored lights that may mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall interfere with safe sight lines for drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
- Signs may only be located on the property of the owner or on approved public property.
- Signs must not encroach onto any public right-of-way.
- Any sign, whether exempt or otherwise, temporary or permanent, must not obstruct windows, doors, fire escapes, stairways, or openings providing light, air, ingress, or egress, or violate Building Codes.
- Roof signs, strings of light (unless exempted), inflatable signs/devices, beacons/airborne/spotlights/searchlights, trivision signs, vehicle/trailer signs, statues used as signs, temporary signs used as permanent, and unlawful signs are prohibited.
- Except as otherwise provided, any sign or part of a sign that is in motion by any means, including fluttering or rotating, or is moved by wind (including flags, pennants, whirling objects, windsocks, banners, or similar) is prohibited.
- Signs facing adjoining residential lots or mounted to any wall or fence facing such lots are prohibited.
- Signs may not display any obscene, indecent, or immoral statements or images.
- Any sign violating any Village or Illinois law related to outdoor advertising is prohibited.
- All signs must comply with applicable Village ordinances, Building and Electrical Codes.
- Temporary signs cannot be used as off-premises signs or billboards.
- Temporary signs must not extend into or over any public right-of-way, or more than four inches from a wall, and must not project over any wall opening.
- Any sign mounted, posted, or affixed to any structure, pole, rock, tree, or natural feature in public right-of-way, parks, or other public property, except municipal signs, is prohibited.
- It is unlawful to molest, deface, remove, obliterate, destroy, or interfere with any street or road sign/signal, whether installed by Village, State, or any person with permission.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lake Villa

- Municipal signs, including digital and/or electronic municipal signs, are permitted in every zoning district and are exempt from this article except where specifically provided.
- Regulatory signs (mandated by federal, state, or village law/ordinance) are considered exempt signs.
- Signs located in a cemetery are exempt signs.
- The following do not require a permit: municipal signs, other exempt signs as defined, flags (subject to area and location restrictions), window signs (including digital, subject to size limitations), decorations of a temporary nature for traditional civic, patriotic, seasonal, or religious holidays/events, interior non-visible signs, repainting/changing parts/preventive maintenance of on-site signs without change of design, logo, or wording.
- Traffic control signs and devices (including those within public or private rights-of-way associated with residential condos/HOAs) are exempt.
- A-frame, T-frame, and sandwich board portable signs displayed on the sidewalk immediately outside a permitted use in Non-Residential Zoning Districts, provided they are removed when the business is closed (no permit required).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted; applications for a permanent sign must include a plot plan of the lot, location of buildings, parking, driveways, landscaping, and all existing/proposed signs (whether requiring a permit or not, except incidental signs), sign size, height, materials, and colors; further info may be required by the Enforcement Officer.
- Permit applications for temporary signs (when required) must include an approved temporary use permit if applicable, and detailed info on sign size, height, location, area, mounting/anchoring, number/type, and display duration.
- No explicit requirement of a 'master sign plan' is present, but all sign applications for permanent signage require a comprehensive site plan showing all sign locations/types on the property.
- Two permits may be required: one for the sign structure (building permit) and one for the signage (sign permit).
- Variation from sign code requires application to the Zoning Board of Appeals and a public hearing; criteria for approval include innovation, compatibility, consistency with purpose, and necessity due to unique circumstances.
- Digital sign permit applications must include written certification from the manufacturer/installer that brightness levels comply with code.

## Full detail

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

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