# Sign Regulations in Long Grove, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Long Grove, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/long-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Long_Grove/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_TIT5ZORE_CH3REDI_5-3-8SIRE)

## At a glance

Long Grove, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Wall Sign or Canopy Signs in the B1 Historic Business District zoning district are capped at See formula; not to exceed total per calculation., with a Subject to review/approval of Architectural Commission, unless otherwise specified. setback (Sec. §5-9-5(E)4,7,8). Most commercial signs in Long Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B1 Historic Business District | 10 | 7 ft | 144 square inches (1 sq ft) | — |
| Business Zoning Districts (Other Than B1, including B2) | 13 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 8 | 7 ft | 144 sq in (1 sq ft) | — |
| Office Zoning Districts | 2 | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| HR District, HR-1 District, Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 6 sq ft (general); 32 sq ft (B1 only) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### B1 Historic Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign | — | See formula; not to exceed total per calculation. | — | Subject to review/approval of Architectural Commission, unless otherwise specified. | One wall or canopy sign per business establishment. | On business; canopy sign considered same as wall sign for calculation. | — | §5-9-5(E)4,7,8 |
| Ground Sign | — | See formula above; part of cumulative limit. | — | Subject to approval by Architectural Commission. | One ground sign per business establishment. | Ground signs on business property. | — | §5-9-5(E)7,8 |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 144 square inches (1 sq ft) | — | — | One per business establishment. | On business establishment. | — | §5-9-5(E)7,8 |
| Illuminated 'Open' Window Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per business establishment. | Window | — | §5-9-5(E)1,2 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 12 sq ft (total across both faces) | — | — | One sandwich board sign per business. | Adjacent to the business, not in the right-of-way, may not obstruct walkways/parking. | — | §5-9-5(E)10 |
| Small Real Estate Sign | 7 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per lot or per principal structure. | On lot or principal structure | — | §5-9-5(E)11, (F)1 |
| Temporary Banner Sign | — | Per (G)2(i): max 18 sq ft; but see (E)9 for flexibility | — | Min. 10 ft from street if (G)2(i) applies. | One per lot | On premises | — | §5-9-5(E)9; (G)2(i) |
| Temporary Use Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | At least 6 ft from front lot line. | No more than one per street frontage | Must be on same zoning lot as temporary use. | — | §5-9-3(F)6 |

### Business Zoning Districts (Other Than B1, including B2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign or Canopy Sign | — | 12–50 sq ft (no arterial), 20–70 sq ft (arterial), depending on size; see above. | — | — | One wall or canopy sign per business establishment. | On business/owner's lot. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(d) |
| Ground Sign | — | Part of total per formula for business size and arterial access. | — | Min. 5 ft from street; must not be in vision triangle. | One ground sign per business establishment. | On owner's lot. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(d) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 1 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per business establishment. | On business. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(e) |
| Development Identification Ground Sign (B2 Only) | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage. | Entrance to street/lot of development (must be at least 5 acres). | — | §5-9-5(G)2(f) |
| Temporary Banner Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | Min. 10 ft from street. | One per lot. | On lot. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(i) |
| Office District Ground Sign | 15 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per office development lot. | Entrance to office development. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(h) |
| Large Real Estate Sign | — | 18 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from any lot line. | One per lot. | Min. 10 ft from any lot line. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(a) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from any lot line. | One per lot. | Min. 10 ft from any lot line. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(b) |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 144 sq in (1 sq ft) | — | — | Two per dwelling unit. | At residence. | — | §5-9-5(F)2 |
| Small Real Estate Sign | 7 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Up to two. | On lot or principal structure. | — | §5-9-5(F)1 |
| Political Message or Campaign Signs | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Two per candidate. | Not in public right-of-way. | — | §5-9-5(F)6,7 |
| Seasonal or Noncommercial Decoration/Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §5-9-5(F)5 |
| Directional/Warning Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §5-9-5(F)4 |
| Temporary Use Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 6 ft from lot line. | One per street frontage. | On lot of temporary use. | — | §5-9-3(F)6 |
| B&B Identification Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One identification sign. | At entrance to B&B lot. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(j); §5-9-11(M) |
| B&B Parking Space Marker | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | As needed for parking spaces. | At parking space. | — | §5-9-5(G)2(j); §5-9-11(M) |

## Prohibited signs in Long Grove

- Any sign not expressly permitted by the sign regulations is prohibited.
- Self-illuminated or internally illuminated signs are prohibited, except for one small 'Open' window sign per business, as specified.
- Neon illumination of signs is not permitted, except for a small 'Open' sign in B1 District or by approved variation.
- Illumination of signs cannot be flashing, rotating, running, or create the illusion of movement.
- No sign may be illuminated so as to cause confusion with traffic signals or lights, or which might constitute a traffic hazard.
- The illumination source for signs must not be visible from surrounding streets, public property, adjacent private property or structures; must only illuminate the sign face and prevent glare.
- No sign may obstruct, impair, obscure, or interfere with the views of drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists.
- No sign may be confused with traffic control signals or devices.
- No sign will be permitted where it may interfere with, confuse, or mislead traffic movement.
- All signs must maintain a minimum five-foot setback from the street and cannot be located in the vision triangle.
- All signs must comply with all other applicable village code provisions, including building and electrical codes.
- Flashing or moving signs (including those partially illuminated by flashing or intermittent lights, raceway signs, or signs that move or create the illusion of moving) are prohibited.
- Portable signs (e.g., signs with trailer hitches, on wheels, transportable, or with internally illuminated boards) are prohibited.
- Off-site advertising signs are prohibited, including signs advertising businesses no longer in operation on the premises.
- Painted wall signs (applied with paint or similar substance to the wall/structure) are prohibited.
- Signs attached to trees or utility poles (on public or private property) are prohibited.
- Advertising signs on benches or seating are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs used solely for advertising a business by parking them anywhere in the village are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Any sign placed on village property or public right-of-way without proper consent is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Long Grove

- Permanent and temporary signs as listed in subsection (F) of the sign section may be erected and maintained in any district (unless otherwise noted) without a sign permit, subject to listed limitations.
- Small real estate signs (including 'Open House')—up to two per lot/structure, max six square feet, not illuminated, max height seven feet; must be removed within 48 hours of sale/lease closure.
- Residential nameplates—up to two per dwelling unit in residential district, max 144 square inches, not illuminated.
- Window signs located on interior side of window, aggregate area not exceeding 10% of window area. Illuminated window signs allowed, but subject to provisions.
- Directional and warning signs (entrance, exit, handicapped, restrooms, parking)—max two square feet, not for commercial purposes, must be approved by Village Planner.
- Seasonal or noncommercial decorations/signs—max 60 days, max ten square feet.
- Temporary campaign signs—two per candidate per lot/structure, max six square feet, not illuminated, may not project beyond lot line or onto property not owned by the sign owner.
- Political message signs—max six square feet, not illuminated, may not project beyond lot line or onto property not owned by the sign owner.
- Street signs (at intersections per standards), regulatory traffic signs, and temporary street signs during construction.
- Conservancy/scenic corridor signs—provided and installed by Village, to designate protected areas.
- Public/legal notices—temporary signs indicating public hearing or required legal notice, not allowed in vision triangle or if a safety hazard.
- Temporary signs used in connection with an approved temporary use per section 5-9-3.
- Within B1 district, one temporary real estate sign per lot/structure, per (E)11.
- Flags (in good condition, max total 15 square feet per lot/structure) may be displayed.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to erect, construct, move, alter, or maintain any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the Village in accordance with section 5-11-20 and paying the applicable permit fee.
- All signs (except those not requiring a permit or those approvable by Village Planner or Building Commissioner) must be subject to review and approval of the architectural commission prior to issuance of a sign permit.
- Temporary banner or sandwich board signs in the B1 historic business district require approval from the Village Planner and must be included with the business's annual business license application; site plan and scaled drawing required for sandwich board signs.
- PUD, HR, and HR-1 district signage is authorized as set forth in the special use permit for the development; changes may be treated as minor PUD amendments (see 5-11-18 and subject to review/fees).
- Applications and plans for building-mounted solar energy systems (SES) in the B1 Historic District are subject to review and approval by the Architectural Commission.
- Subdivision, business district, development identification, gas station, office, and other specific signage types require a permit and compliance with dimensional and location standards, as detailed.
- Variations may be authorized through application and approval processes (e.g., neon illumination by variation per 5-11-15(E)1(c)).

## 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 6 zoning districts in Long Grove — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Long+Grove+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-long-grove

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/long-grove