# Sign Regulations in Lake Zurich, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lake Zurich, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/lake-zurich
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-22
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lakezurichil/latest/lakezurich_il/0-0-0-8743#page=12)

## At a glance

Lake Zurich, Illinois regulates 54 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Memorial Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft (freestanding) tall and 4 sq ft, with a 5 ft from any lot line (freestanding) setback (Sec. 12-1-9(C)(7)). Most commercial signs in Lake Zurich require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | 30 ft (flagpoles) | 120 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6) | 5 | — | 25% of each surface area (sign copy) | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 12 | 25 ft (freestanding canopy structure) | 120 sq ft | — |
| Office (O-1, O-2, O-3) | 9 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| I-Industrial District (I) | 5 | 25 ft (freestanding canopy structure) | 36 sq ft | — |
| IB Institutional Building District (IB) | 5 | 15 ft | Limited by host sign type area; EMS component ≤70% of total | — |
| OS Open Space District (OS) | 4 | 15 ft | 36 sq ft | — |
| Overlay Districts | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Activity Sign (Temporary) | 7 ft (freestanding) | 16 sq ft (single-/two-family or sites <1 acre); 32 sq ft (all other construction sites) | — | 5 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | — | Minimum 5 ft from any lot line; may be freestanding, wall-mounted, or on construction fences | — | 12-1-9(C)(2); 12-1-10(B) |
| Memorial Sign | 4 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | Freestanding signs minimum 5 ft from any lot line; wall-mounted must be inlaid/cut into or plaque affixed to structure | — | 12-1-9(C)(7) |
| Multiple Tenant Building Entryway Sign | 5 ft (freestanding) | 6 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from any lot line; within 5 ft of building entry (freestanding) | 1 per building entry | Freestanding signs must be within 5 ft of the building entry and no less than 5 ft from any lot line; primarily viewable from building entry, not intended for viewing from ROW | — | 12-1-9(C)(8) |
| Parking Lots/Structures – Additional Signs | 6 ft (freestanding) | 4 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line abutting a street (freestanding) | One at each entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, and circulation point | At each entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, and circulation points; 5 ft from any lot line that abuts a street (freestanding) | — | 12-1-9(C)(12) |
| Real Estate Activity Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft (freestanding) | Residential districts: 16 sq ft; All other districts: 32 sq ft | — | Within 5 ft of any lot line (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage | On the site that is for sale/lease/rent; freestanding signs within 5 ft of any lot line | — | 12-1-9(C)(13) |
| Ground Sign - Multi-Tenant Retail Center | 12 ft | 120 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from any lot line; no encroachment into ROW | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access point (50 ft min separation) | One per street frontage; additional one for each additional access point; minimum 50 ft separation between ground signs | — | 12-1-10(G)(4) |
| Ground Sign - Residential Subdivision | 8 ft | 120 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from any lot line; no encroachment into ROW | 1 per access point (50 ft min separation) | At each access point to the residential subdivision; minimum 50 ft separation between ground signs | — | 12-1-10(G)(5) |
| Menuboard (Drive-Through) | 8 ft | 75 sq ft total per menuboard location (+10 sq ft additional temporary signs on top/sides) | — | 15 ft from any residential district lot line | Max 2 per drive-through lane | Minimum 15 ft from any residential district lot line (measured sign face to lot line) | — | 12-1-10(I) |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per establishment/tenant | Within 15 ft of the business’s primary entrance; may be in public ROW concurrent with the lot, maintaining 5 ft sidewalk clearance | — | 12-1-9(C)(1) |
| Blade Sign (B-1) | — | 16 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb when in ROW | 1 per street frontage | May encroach into ROW but at least 2 ft from curb; min vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in | — | 12-1-10(D) and Table 10-1 |
| Blade Sign (B-2) | — | 24 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb when in ROW | 1 per street frontage | May encroach into ROW but at least 2 ft from curb; min vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in | — | 12-1-10(D) and Table 10-1 |
| Ground Sign - Standard (B-1 and B-2) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line; no encroachment into ROW | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access point if frontage >150 ft | 1 per street frontage; on lots with over 150 ft frontage, +1 for each additional access point along that frontage | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2; 12-1-10(G)(2) |
| Ground Sign - Standard (B-3: <200 ft frontage and <2 acres) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access (if frontage >150 ft) | 1 per street frontage; +1 for each additional access point along that frontage if lot frontage >150 ft | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2 |
| Ground Sign - Standard (B-3: ≥200 ft frontage and ≥2 acres) | 12 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access (if frontage >150 ft) | 1 per street frontage; +1 for each additional access point along that frontage if lot frontage >150 ft | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2 |
| Electronic Message Sign (Commercial sites abutting Route 12/Route 22; sites ≥1 acre) | Limited by host sign type | Limited by host sign type area; EMS component ≤70% of total area | — | 25 ft from any residential district lot line | Max 1 EMS per lot (fuel station exception as stated) | Must be ≥25 ft from lot line of any residential district (measured sign face to lot line) | — | 12-1-10(F)(1)-(8); 12-1-7(E)(8) |
| Attention-Getting Device (Temporary) – Freestanding | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per 75 ft of street frontage; 15 ft separation; may be simultaneous with 1 wall-mounted device | Minimum 5 ft from any lot line (measured from outermost portion); no part may extend over lot line | — | 12-1-10(A)(1)-(6) |

### Office (O-1, O-2, O-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign (O-1 and O-2 only) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per establishment/tenant | Within 15 ft of primary entrance; may be in ROW if 5 ft sidewalk clearance maintained | — | 12-1-9(C)(1)(a)-(h) |
| Blade Sign (O-1) | — | 16 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb when in ROW | 1 per street frontage | May encroach into ROW but ≥2 ft from curb; min vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in | — | 12-1-10(D) and Table 10-1 |
| Blade Sign (O-2) | — | 24 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb when in ROW | 1 per street frontage | May encroach into ROW but ≥2 ft from curb; min vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in | — | 12-1-10(D) and Table 10-1 |
| Blade Sign (O-3) | — | 32 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft from curb when in ROW | 1 per street frontage | May encroach into ROW but ≥2 ft from curb; min vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in | — | 12-1-10(D) and Table 10-1 |
| Ground Sign - Standard (O-1) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access (>150 ft frontage) | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access point along frontage if lot frontage >150 ft | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2; 12-1-10(G)(2)-(3)(c) |
| Ground Sign - Standard (O-2) | 12 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access (>150 ft frontage) | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access point along frontage if lot frontage >150 ft | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2; 12-1-10(G)(2)-(3)(c) |
| Ground Sign - Standard (O-3) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access (>150 ft frontage) | 1 per street frontage; +1 per additional access point along frontage if lot frontage >150 ft | — | 12-1-10(G)(3) Table 10-2; 12-1-10(G)(2)-(3)(c) |
| Attention-Getting Device (Temporary) – Freestanding | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per 75 ft frontage; 15 ft separation | Min 5 ft from any lot line; no extension over lot line | — | 12-1-10(A)(1)-(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Lake Zurich

- No sign may be erected in violation of the Building Code, Fire Code, or other applicable Village codes or ordinances.
- No sign may obstruct the sight triangle as described in section 9-24-2.
- No sign may be installed on public property or within the public right-of-way without prior authorization; unauthorized public-property signs may be removed by the Village without notice.
- No permanent sign may be erected on private property without the consent of the property owner or authorized agent; written permission is required when the applicant is not the owner.
- No sign may obstruct access to any ingress/egress (section 9-24-1), fire escapes, standpipes, or similar fire safety connections.
- Painted wall signs are prohibited (except murals).
- Audio components are prohibited on any sign, except menuboards where audio is limited to customer-service communication.
- Internally illuminated signs may not have exposed bulbs visible; the sign face must cover internal illumination components.
- Sign illumination may not be combined with reflective materials (e.g., mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles) that increase glare.
- Flashing or animation of signs is prohibited.
- Flashing neon or LED lighting is prohibited.
- Outlining doors, windows, architectural features, or building facades with LED, neon, or any type of lighting is prohibited.
- Banners used as permanent signs, including banners wrapped around permanent sign structures, are prohibited.
- Balloon signs, including air-inflated signs, are prohibited.
- Moving signs that rotate, revolve, or have visible moving parts, including signs moved by wind or other natural elements (excluding clocks and barber poles), are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Obsolete copy and obsolete signs are prohibited; obsolete copy must be removed within 30 days of discontinuance, and sign frames may not remain unfilled or expose internal parts.
- Permanent off-premises commercial signs (billboards) are prohibited.
- Temporary off-premises commercial signs are prohibited.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited.
- Pylon signs are prohibited.
- Portable reader-board signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Strobe lights, moving or fixed spotlights, and floodlights/searchlights used as attention devices are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited, including signs that interfere with or may be confused with authorized traffic control because of position, shape, or color (e.g., red/green/amber resembling signals) or that misuse words like STOP/LOOK/DETOUR/DANGER/CAUTION/WARNING.
- Vehicle signs on unlicensed, uninsured, or inoperable vehicles placed primarily to attract attention to an occupant’s presence within a building are prohibited (normal business-use vehicle signs are allowed; vehicle for-sale signs are exempt).
- Electronic video display signs are prohibited.
- Non-safety glass is prohibited for any part of a sign (all sign glass must be safety glass).

## Signs exempt from permit in Lake Zurich

- Painting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign that does not involve structural changes or changes to electrical components is exempt (changing a sign face is not exempt; increasing area/height/dimensions or relocating requires a permit).
- Changing the copy on a changeable message sign or electronic message sign is exempt.
- Signs not visible from any public right-of-way are exempt up to 32 square feet.
- Manufacturer logos/labels on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, and similar items that are part of the equipment as installed are exempt.
- One wall-mounted address/name sign per street frontage or primary building entry is exempt if no more than 2 square feet in area.
- Construction activity signs are exempt in all districts on sites with an active building permit, subject to size/height/setback, no illumination, and removal timelines.
- Flags are exempt in any district (up to three flagpoles, max 30' height; 10' setback; wall-mounted flags may not extend over the right-of-way; external illumination must be focused on the flag).
- Government signs installed in the public interest are exempt in any district (electronic message signs require Village approval, except temporary roadway/utility/emergency information signs).
- Holiday decorations are exempt on private property for up to 45 days per holiday.
- Light pole banners on private property are exempt (max 15 sq ft; mounted taut, perpendicular; not for temporary off-premises advertising).
- Memorial signs are exempt in any district (max 4 sq ft; freestanding max 4' height and 5' setback; permitted illumination; wall plaques must be integral or permanently affixed).
- Multiple-tenant building entryway signs are exempt (max 6 sq ft; freestanding max 5' height, within 5' of entry and at least 5' from lot lines; viewable primarily from the entry; internal illumination only; one per entry).
- Noncommercial message signs are exempt in all districts (freestanding/wall/window; residential max 16 sq ft, other districts max 32 sq ft; window coverage per window-sign limits; 5' setbacks for freestanding; no illumination; not for temporary off-premises use).
- Not-for-profit community event signs are exempt (permission required from property/public authority; max 6 sq ft; limited display periods; not for off-premises for-profit advertising).
- Parking lots and structures may install additional exempt signs at entrances/exits, intersections, drive-through lanes, and circulation points (max 4 sq ft; freestanding max 6' height and 5' setback; permitted illumination).
- Real estate activity signs are exempt in all districts on the property for sale/lease/rent (one per street frontage; freestanding max 5' height and within 5' of lot line; residential max 16 sq ft; other districts max 32 sq ft; no illumination; removal deadlines).
- Window signs for non-residential uses are exempt in all districts (max 30% of each window area; up to 5% of window area may be illuminated; flashing/animation prohibited).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is identified in this ordinance.
- A sign permit is required for any sign unless it is specifically listed as exempt; applications must be complete on Village forms with required submittals and fees.
- Administrative modifications to a permitted sign may be approved by the Village Manager (up to 10% increases in area/height, up to 1' setback reduction, materials changes, or landscape area/material changes).
- Sign variances require Planning and Zoning Commission review and recommendation and Village Board final decision; variances are processed as part of a sign permit application and may include conditions; variances expire with the sign permit and are sign- and site-specific.
- Government electronic message signs require Village approval (except temporary roadway work, utility work, or emergency information signs).
- Ground sign landscaping must be shown on the site’s overall landscape plan where landscape is required; sign landscaping must be integrated into the overall landscape plan.
- Construction activity signs mounted on temporary construction fences require a permit application that includes installation specifications (material, anchoring method, location facing the right-of-way, area of coverage) and a graphical representation of the design.

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

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