# Sign Regulations in Lemont, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lemont, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/lemont
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Lemont/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17UNDEOR_ARTIIZOZOOR_CH17.11SI)

## At a glance

Lemont, Illinois regulates 22 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Institutional/Commercial Wall Sign (Residential Zone)s in the R-1 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-1), R-2 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-2), R-3 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-3), R-4 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-4), R-4A Single-Family Preservation and Infill District (R-4A), R-5 Single-Family Attached Residential District (R-5), R-5A Single-Family Detached and Attached Residential District (R-5A), R-6 Multi-Family Residential District (R-6) zoning district are capped at 5 ft above floor grade at entrance tall and 16 square feet (Sec. §17.11.130.C.1). Most commercial signs in Lemont require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-1), R-2 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-2), R-3 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-3), R-4 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-4), R-4A Single-Family Preservation and Infill District (R-4A), R-5 Single-Family Attached Residential District (R-5), R-5A Single-Family Detached and Attached Residential District (R-5A), R-6 Multi-Family Residential District (R-6) | 6 | 8 feet | 72 square inches | — |
| B-1 Office/Retail Transitional District (B-1), INT Institutional District (INT) | 4 | 8 ft | 96 sq ft | — |
| B-3 Arterial Commercial District (B-3) | 4 | 8 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| B-4 Commercial Recreation (B-4) | 3 | 8 ft | 96 sq ft | — |
| DD Downtown District (DD) | 6 | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| OL Open Lands District (OL) | 1 | — | — | — |
| M-1 Light Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 General Manufacturing District (M-2), M-3 Heavy Manufacturing District (M-3), M-4 Mineral Extraction District (M-4) | 3 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft (20 sq ft per tenant) | — |
| State Street Sign Overlay District | 1 | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 20 feet | 128 square inches | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### R-1 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-1), R-2 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-2), R-3 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-3), R-4 Single-Family Detached Residential District (R-4), R-4A Single-Family Preservation and Infill District (R-4A), R-5 Single-Family Attached Residential District (R-5), R-5A Single-Family Detached and Attached Residential District (R-5A), R-6 Multi-Family Residential District (R-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Nameplate Sign | — | 72 square inches | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Attached to dwelling unit | — | §17.06.080.D |
| Bed and Breakfast Wall Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per establishment | Mounted on residence | — | §17.11.130.B |
| Institutional/Commercial Wall Sign (Residential Zone) | 5 ft above floor grade at entrance | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per use | Affixed flat to building wall | — | §17.11.130.C.1 |
| Institutional/Commercial Monument Sign (Residential Zone) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per use per frontage | — | — | §17.11.130.C.2 |
| Subdivision Monument Sign | 5 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision, in specific easement or outlot | — | §17.11.130.D |
| Changeable Copy Center (Institutional/Commercial, Residential Zone) | — | 50% of total sign area | — | — | — | Incorporated into sign for institutional/commercial use | — | §17.11.090.F, §17.11.130.C.3 |

### DD Downtown District (DD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 4 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | 1 per establishment | — | §17.11.160.C |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Up to 3 per facade | Establishment facade | — | §17.11.160.D–G |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | Max depth 8 inches if internally illuminated | — | 1 per establishment | 1 per establishment | — | §17.11.160.C,G |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per window | On/painted on window glass | — | §17.11.160.C, D–E |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canvas awning frame (1 in max diameter) | — | §17.11.160.F |
| Sandwich Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Immediately in front of establishment | — | §17.11.160.C, §17.11.100.F |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 128 square inches | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building | — | §17.11.030.A |
| Temporary Sandwich Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per establishment | Immediately in front of establishment | — | §17.11.100.F |
| Political Campaign Sign | 5 feet | 32 square feet (aggregate per lot) | — | — | No limit to number; total area limit | Any, except public right-of-way | — | §17.11.100.B |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On subject property | — | §17.11.100.C.2,4,8 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Non-Residential) | 8 feet | 16 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On subject property | — | §17.11.100.C.3–4,8 |
| Balloon Sign (Temporary) | 20 feet | — | 20 feet | — | — | — | — | §17.11.100.D |
| Special Event Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §17.11.100.E |

## Prohibited signs in Lemont

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Balloon signs are prohibited, except as permitted under § 17.11.100.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on exterior walls of a building are prohibited, except in the Downtown District.
- Signs that have illuminated effects which flash, scroll, or convey the illusion of movement are prohibited.
- Signs that contain electronic video displays similar to or otherwise depicting a television screen are prohibited.
- Signs that move or revolve by means of mechanical or electrical power are prohibited.
- Signs attached to light or utility poles are prohibited, except banners as otherwise permitted by this chapter.
- Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited unless otherwise expressly allowed by this chapter.
- Placement of any vehicle, trailer, or container displaying signage for the purpose of advertising a product or service or directing people to a business or activity in a public right-of-way, public property, or private property is prohibited.
- Placement of any parked vehicle displaying a sign indicating it is for sale is prohibited on public right-of-way, public property, or private property, except for private driveways serving dwelling units and meeting certain conditions.
- Attention-getting devices such as pennants, propellers, spinners, streamers, searchlights, or similar devices or ornamentation are prohibited, except for conformance with § 17.11.100.E regarding searchlights.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Feather flag signs are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited, except as specifically provided within the chapter.
- Cutting, damaging, or removing any tree, shrub, or other vegetation within the public right-of-way or required landscaping for the purpose of increasing/enhancing visibility of any sign is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lemont

- Nameplate signs attached to a building not more than 128 square inches in sign area are exempt.
- Signs integrated into or on a coin-operated machine, vending machine, fuel pump, or telephone booth are exempt.
- Signs indicating entrances, exits, service areas and parking areas that do not contain advertising or promotional information are exempt (size may be restricted).
- Barber poles displayed on the premises of a barbershop are exempt (subject to Building Department approval for location and erection).
- Signs required by law are exempt.
- The following signs are exempt from permit requirement: noncommercial signs; real estate signs for residential property up to 4 square feet; window signs; signs for residential uses like nameplates, private parking, garage sale, no trespassing, beware of dog (less than 4 square feet each); signs for public convenience (not more than 4 square feet each); signs for observation of holidays that lack a commercial message; memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical information signs, and similar designations up to 4 square feet each; sandwich signs; signs listed as exempt under § 17.11.030.
- Political campaign signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Real estate signs, including open house signs, do not require a permit from the Village.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A "sign plan" is required for each unified business center, commercial PUD, or mixed-use PUD. For PUDs, the Village Board approves sign plans; for non-PUDs, the Zoning Administrator approves.
- Sign plans must include: site plan of property/elevations indicating all sign locations, computation of aggregate maximum sign area, dimensions, and height, materials, and illumination details.
- All signs for shopping centers and PUDs must be in harmony with the overall architectural concept for the site and compatible with each other and with the building elevations.
- For planned unit developments (PUDs) containing commercial or institutional components, the purpose of the sign plan guidance in § 17.11.150 is to inform sign standards.
- Major modifications to an approved PUD plan/plat (including significant changes to signs) require re-review and re-approval, involving a public hearing 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 9 zoning districts in Lemont — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Lemont+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-lemont

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