# Sign Regulations in Loves Park, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Loves Park, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/loves-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Loves_Park/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH102ZO_ARTVISI)

## At a glance

Loves Park, Illinois regulates 32 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Multiple-family)s in the Residential districts (RU, R1, R2, R3, R3A, R4) zoning district are capped at 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower tall and 32 sq ft, with a 8 ft from any other zoning lot setback (Sec. Sec. 102-283(1)b). Most commercial signs in Loves Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts (RU, R1, R2, R3, R3A, R4) | 6 | 20 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 64 sq ft | — |
| Commercial districts (CN, CR, CG, CO) | 6 | 25 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| Industrial districts (IL, IG, IH) | 3 | 8 ft (15 ft if 4+ businesses on lot) | 64 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 35 ft above natural grade (min 10 ft ground clearance) | 382 sq ft (min 72 sq ft); Up to 680 sq ft with special use permit | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential districts (RU, R1, R2, R3, R3A, R4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Single-family) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling unit, per street side on corner lots | On dwelling unit; per street side on corner lots | — | Sec. 102-283(1)a |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-family) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 32 sq ft | — | 8 ft from any other zoning lot | One per building per street side on corner lots | On building | — | Sec. 102-283(1)b |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential: Church, Cemetery, School, etc.) | 20 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 64 sq ft | — | 8 ft from any other zoning lot | One per use per street side on corner lots | On property of nonresidential use | — | Sec. 102-283(2)a |
| Agricultural Project Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On property where products are grown/produced | — | Sec. 102-283(2)b |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (RU, R1, R2) | — | 5 sq ft | — | 8 ft from any other zoning lot | One per lot frontage | On property for sale/rent | — | Sec. 102-283(3) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (R3, R4) | — | 32 sq ft | — | 8 ft from any other zoning lot | One per lot frontage | On property for sale/rent | — | Sec. 102-283(3) |

### Commercial districts (CN, CR, CG, CO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Residential Uses in CN) | 15 ft or one story, whichever is lower | 2 sq ft (single-family); 32 sq ft (multi-family) | — | — | See Residential district | On dwelling unit or building | — | Sec. 102-284(1)a, 102-283 |
| Business Sign (CN district Wall Sign) | 25 ft | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 102-284(1)b |
| Freestanding Business Sign (CN district) | 25 ft | — | — | — | One per street frontage | Freestanding; per street frontage | — | Sec. 102-284(1)b |
| Business Sign (Wall Sign - CR/CG/CO) | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 102-284(2)a.1 |
| Freestanding Business Sign (CR/CG/CO) | 8 ft (15 ft if 4+ businesses on lot) | — | — | — | One per zoning lot/frontage; see notes | On lot, freestanding | — | Sec. 102-284(2)a.2-7 |
| Electronic Graphic Display or Digital Sign (CR, CG districts and permitted uses only) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per business use on a zoning lot | — | — | Sec. 102-284(2)a.9-10 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Within property lines | — | Sec. 102-282(i) |
| Small Convenience/Restroom/etc. Sign | — | 10 sq ft (total per zoning lot) | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 102-282(l)(4) |
| Temporary Advertising Sign (Pedestrian Oriented) | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On private property (not public sidewalks, right-of-ways, etc.) | — | Sec. 102-282(m)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per face (Commercial, Industrial); 5 sq ft (RU, R1, R2), 12 sq ft (R3/R4) | — | — | One per lot frontage | On property being advertised | — | Sec. 102-282(m)(2) |
| Contractor/Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | — | On construction site | — | Sec. 102-282(m)(3) |
| Rummage/Garage Sale Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | On property holding sale | — | Sec. 102-282(m)(4) |
| Political Campaign Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 102-282(m)(5) |
| Billboard | 35 ft above natural grade (min 10 ft ground clearance) | 382 sq ft (min 72 sq ft); Up to 680 sq ft with special use permit | — | 25 ft from intersection corners, 200 ft from residential/park | One double-faced billboard per zoning lot | Non-residential lots; cannot block adjacent sign view | — | Sec. 102-288(b)-(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Loves Park

- No person shall erect, maintain or alter a sign in the city except in compliance with this chapter.
- Signs which prevent or inhibit adequate light, air, ventilation are prohibited.
- Signs which inhibit the safety of vehicular or pedestrian traffic by physical or visual impairment or obstruction are prohibited.
- Signs which detract from the aesthetics of the location, area, and community as a whole are prohibited.
- No flashing sign of any type shall be permitted to be erected within 150 feet of an adjoining residential boundary line if such sign would be visible from such district.
- No sign shall be painted, pasted or similarly posted directly on the surface of any wall.
- No sign shall be permitted to be placed on any wall, fence or standard facing the side of any adjoining lot located in any residential district.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to public health and safety, including signs which interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic by reason of placement, size, coloring, illumination, or by containing words such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger', 'yield', or similar, are prohibited.
- No sign may imitate, resemble or obscure a traffic control device nor hide from view or interfere with the movement of traffic.
- Vehicle signs, which are advertising or business signs attached to a motor vehicle or semi-trailer parked and placed for the primary purpose of public display, are prohibited.
- Temporary signs and attention-getting devices except as allowed and regulated under the ordinance are prohibited.
- Signs with obscene, indecent or immoral content are prohibited.
- Signs advertising an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located are prohibited.
- Temporary signs or attention-getting devices that consist of banners, posters, placards, pennants, ribbons, feather flags, streamers, strings of light bulbs or flags, a-frame signs, poster panels, spinners, signs attached to vehicles, inflatables or other similar devices are prohibited unless specifically permitted.
- Advertising signs and devices which direct attention to businesses, commodities, services, entertainment or attractions not existent on the lot where the sign is displayed are prohibited unless specifically permitted.
- Freestanding signs shall not extend into, be erected, or placed in the right-of-way.
- Freestanding business signs must be set back ten feet from the property line and may not be placed within a vision triangle on a corner property for a distance of 30 feet from intersecting property lines.
- Temporary signs and attention-getting devices with lights that flash, blink, or vary in intensity, or with red, yellow, amber, or green lights are prohibited.
- Temporary signs and attention-getting devices are not allowed on people for outdoor advertising (except as permitted for walking advertisers and subject to restrictions).

## Signs exempt from permit in Loves Park

- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic and similar regulatory devices, legal notices or warnings at railroad crossings, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Flags or emblems of political, civic, charitable, educational or religious organizations are exempt from permit requirements, subject to regulation and permission of the enforcing official.
- Memorial signs or tablets are exempt from permit requirements.
- Small signs for the direction or convenience of the public (e.g., restrooms, freight entrances) not exceeding ten square feet on any zoning lot, are exempt from permit requirements, subject to regulation and permission of the enforcing official.
- Signs required by a regulation of any governmental body having jurisdiction are exempt from permit requirements.
- Certain temporary signs and attention-getting devices for special community activities or nonprofit organizations (subject to specific placement and timing conditions) are exempt from permit requirements unless illuminated.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Temporary signs, attention-getting devices, and walking advertiser permit applications must be accompanied by a detailed site plan, description of signage, and fee as prescribed by the city council fee schedule.
- A special use permit (requiring council and board review) is required for outdoor signs over 600 square feet, or any outdoor sign of an irregular shape.
- All permit applications for the construction and erection of a billboard must be accompanied by a survey prepared by a registered land surveyor identifying the placement of the proposed billboard and location of all structures and signage located on the property.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Loves Park — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Loves+Park+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-loves-park

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