# Sign Regulations in Libertyville, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Libertyville, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/libertyville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Libertyville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=LIILMUCO_CH26ZO_ART11SI)

## At a glance

Libertyville, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Multi-tenant Sign (Freestanding)s in the C-1 Downtown Core Commercial District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq ft; max 6 tenant panels, with a 5 ft from lot line or ROW, whichever is greater setback (Sec. Sec. 26-11-10(d)). Most commercial signs in Libertyville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | Up to 50% of sign face (business signs), 75% for quasi-public signs | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft per sign face; No limit if approved as architectural/landscape feature | — |
| C-1 Downtown Core Commercial District | 7 | Min 96 in above grade, max 132 in; not above roofline of building. | 135 sq ft per sign face | — |
| C-2 Downtown Community Commercial District | 7 | 18 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face | — |
| C-3 General Commercial District, C-4 Shopping Center Commercial District | 8 | Min 96 in above grade, not above roofline of building. | ≤49,999 sqft: 40 sq ft; 50,000–99,999 sqft: 80 sq ft; 100,000–199,999 sqft: 100 sq ft; ≥200,000 sqft: 120 sq ft. Max 10 tenant panels. | — |
| C-5 Vehicle Dealer Commercial District | 3 | 27 ft | 140 sq ft per sign face; max 280 sq ft per zoning lot | — |
| Office and Industrial Districts | 5 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Special Districts | 6 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Overlay District | 1 | Max permitted height for business sign in underlying zoning | 24 sq ft | — |

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

### C-1 Downtown Core Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (only for lots without Milwaukee Ave frontage) | On zoning lots that do not have Milwaukee Avenue frontage. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(c)(2)a and (3)b, (4)a |
| Business Sign (Wall Sign) | Placed no higher than first floor; may not cover windows, sills, or significant architectural feature. | — | — | — | See additional requirements. | Storefronts and facades; not above first floor. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(c)(2)b, (3), (4)b |
| Business Sign (Awning/Canopy Sign) | — | Combined with wall sign: 2.5% of first 5,000 sq ft plus 1% of next 20,000 sq ft, min 25 sq ft per occupancy. | — | — | 1 per awning/canopy on first floor. | On first floor awning or canopy. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(c)(2)b, (3) |
| Business Sign (Projecting Sign) | Min 96 in above grade, max 132 in; not above roofline of building. | 3 sq ft per sign face | — | — | Max 2 per business | Storefront, rear facade, or building facade abutting dedicated street, alley or walkway; max 2 per business. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(c)(2)c, (3)c, (4)c |
| Business Sign (Marquee Sign) | 18 ft | 135 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (for theaters) | Only one per zoning lot, only when used with a motion picture theater. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(c)(2)d, (3)d, (4)d |
| Multi-tenant Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft; max 6 tenant panels | — | 5 ft from lot line or ROW, whichever is greater | 1 per development | At commercial or office developments that do not front Milwaukee Ave. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(d) |
| Professional Directory Sign (Wall Sign) | 6 ft; not to cover window, sill, or feature | 4 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per building entrance | Per building entrance, on buildings with multiple commercial/office tenants. | — | Sec. 26-11-10(e) |

### C-2 Downtown Community Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | On zoning lot. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(c)(2)a, (3)b, (4)a |
| Business Sign (Wall Sign) | No higher than first floor; may not cover windows, sills, or features. | — | — | — | See additional requirements. | Storefronts and facades; not above first floor. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(c)(2)b, (3), (4)b |
| Business Sign (Awning/Canopy Sign) | — | Combined with wall sign: 2.5% of first 5,000 sq ft plus 1% of next 20,000 sq ft, min 25 sq ft per occupancy. | — | — | 1 per awning/canopy on first floor | On first floor awning or canopy. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(c)(2)b |
| Business Sign (Marquee Sign) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (for theaters) | Only one per zoning lot, only when used with a motion picture theater. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(c)(2)c, (3)c, (4)c |
| Multi-tenant Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft; max 10 tenant panels | — | 5 ft from lot line or ROW, whichever is greater | 1 per development | At commercial/office developments. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(d) |
| Fuel Station - Pump Canopy Logo Sign | Logo height no more than canopy edge; not above or below edge. | 4 sq ft per sign; 2 per canopy | — | — | 2 per pump canopy | Vertical edge of each pump canopy. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(e)(1) |
| Fuel Station - Pump Island Topper Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft per sign; 1 per pump | — | — | 1 per pump | On top of pump islands. | — | Sec. 26-11-11(e)(2) |

### C-3 General Commercial District, C-4 Shopping Center Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft (C-3 and C-4) | 24 sq ft | — | See (5): Minimum 5 ft from lot line or ROW. For C-4: 75 ft from federal/state/county highway centerline, 70 ft from collector street, 60 ft from minor street, 55 ft from other lot line, except at intersection (min 5 ft if sight triangle not obstructed) | 1 per zoning lot | On zoning lot. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(c)(2)a, (3)b, (4)a |
| Business Sign (Wall Sign) | — | — | — | — | See additional requirements. | Storefront or facade, principal business facade is main entrance. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(c)(2)b, (3), (4)b |
| Business Sign (Awning/Canopy Sign) | — | Combined with wall sign: 8% of principal business facade (min 25 sq ft). | — | — | 1 per awning/canopy on first floor. | On first floor awning/canopy. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(c)(2)b, (3) |
| Business Sign (Marquee Sign) | 18 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 26-11-12(c)(1)d, (4)b |
| Multi-tenant Sign (Freestanding) | 20 ft | ≤49,999 sqft: 40 sq ft; 50,000–99,999 sqft: 80 sq ft; 100,000–199,999 sqft: 100 sq ft; ≥200,000 sqft: 120 sq ft. Max 10 tenant panels. | — | Same as business sign: 5 ft (or C-4: see above) | 1 per development | At commercial/office developments with 2+ tenants/owners. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(d) |
| Blade Sign | Min 96 in above grade, not above roofline of building. | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per business occupancy | Perpendicular over pedestrian walkway, first floor; attached to wall or projecting facade/roofline. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(e) |
| Fuel Station - Pump Canopy Logo Sign | Logo no higher than canopy edge. | 4 sq ft per sign; 2 per canopy | — | — | 2 per pump canopy | Vertical edge of pump canopy. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(f)(1) |
| Fuel Station - Pump Island Topper Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft per sign; 1 per pump | — | — | 1 per pump | On top of pump islands. | — | Sec. 26-11-12(f)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Libertyville

- Any sign not expressly permitted by chapter 26, article 11 is prohibited.
- Flashing signs.
- Moving or animated signs, including feather flags and wind wavers.
- Obstructive signs: Any sign that is erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to, or egress from, any driveway, door, window or fire escape.
- Off-premises advertising signs.
- Roof signs.
- Signs affixed to standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs affixed to utility poles or trees.
- Signs creating traffic hazards: any sign that by reason of its size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, will obstruct the vision of drivers, or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device; or makes use of words, phrases, symbols, lights, devices or characters that interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Signs erected without proper permits.
- Signs used to identify a home occupation.
- Signs in the public right-of-way, except as otherwise specifically provided.
- Signs related to abandoned uses or activities. Any sign that advertises an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted, sold, or provided on the premises where such sign is located. Must be removed or covered within thirty (30) days after cessation.
- Unsafe signs: Any sign that, in the determination of the village administrator, is unsafe, unsecured or a menace to the public.

## Signs exempt from permit in Libertyville

- Signs on accessory vehicles and trailers relating only to business/activity/service conducted on that premises.
- Flags (limited to not more than 3 per zoning lot, and not affixed to any type of light pole or standard).
- Governmental signs erected and maintained pursuant to a governmental function or law; may be placed in the public right-of-way.
- Holiday decorations (not displayed for more than 45 days, removed within 15 days after the holiday; may be illuminated per regulations).
- Lettering on the valence of an awning (not exceeding 8 inches in height).
- Memorial signs.
- Nameplate signs (1 per occupant, not to exceed 2 sq ft per sign).
- Political signs.
- Election signs (must be on private property with owner consent, not exceeding 16 sq ft per sign).
- Political message signs (must be on private property with owner consent, not exceeding 4 sq ft per sign).
- Private sale signs (not exceeding 4 sq ft per sign face, posted 24 hours before and removed 24 hours after the sale).
- Private warning signs (not exceeding 8 sq ft per sign face, minimal number, illumination allowed only as required for the purpose).
- Professional directory signs when located within the interior of an office/industrial park or plaza and not visible from any public right-of-way (not exceeding 15 sq ft per building, or 6 ft in height for freestanding signs).
- Real estate signs for residential uses (removed within 7 days after sale/lease, 1 per street frontage, not to exceed 3 sq ft per sign face and 6 ft in height).
- Window signs (as allowed by limitations on percent of window area, etc.).
- Window promotional signs (as allowed by limitations on percent of window area, etc.).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs except those specifically exempted in section 26-11-7.
- When more than one wall sign is proposed on any building with multiple tenants, the applicant shall submit a uniform sign criteria for review by the appearance review commission (section 26-11-3.10). The criteria must provide a uniform style for all wall signs and cover appearance, format, lighting, location, and materials.
- In special cases as specified (e.g. new development announcement signs, community welcome signs, service club signs, menu board signs), approval by the appearance review commission and/or village board is required.
- Special use permits or sign permits are required for special exception signs as described in section 26-11-8.
- Electronic message board signs require issuance of a special use permit and must comply with minimum design and operational standards.

## 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 Libertyville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Libertyville+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-libertyville

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