Sign Regulations in McHenry, Illinois
McHenry, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Business Sign (Freestanding), Business Sign (Wall), Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for McHenry, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in McHenry
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 5 sq ft (at entrance/exit); 3 sq ft (other locations) | — |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 5 ft |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | 5 ft |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
26
- Business Sign (Freestanding)
- Business Sign (Wall)
- Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall)
- Development Entrance Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in McHenry vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in McHenry, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In McHenry, regulated sign types include Business Sign (Freestanding), Business Sign (Wall), Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall), Development Entrance Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in McHenry vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in McHenry are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. McHenry has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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McHenry, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
McHenry, Illinois regulates 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Construction Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft setback (Sec. 10-20-13 Table 1; 10-20-5). Most commercial signs in McHenry require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for McHenry, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in McHenry (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| C-4 Downtown Commercial District (C-4) | 1 | — | 5 sq ft | — |
| Commercial or Business Zoning District, Commercial uses | 8 | 15 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential uses | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Institutional uses and assembly uses | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Shopping centers | 7 | 25 ft | 250 sq ft | — |
| Office, industrial | 6 | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Business park | 6 | 15 ft | 140 sq ft | — |
| Health care | 6 | 15 ft | 140 sq ft | — |
| Bed and breakfast | 2 | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in McHenry(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | 5 sq ft (at entrance/exit); 3 sq ft (other locations) | — | — | 1 per entrance/exit; up to 10 at other locations | Wall or Freestanding; 1 per entrance/exit, 10 at other locations | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1; 10-20-4 |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall or Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1; 10-20-5 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall or Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-5; 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street frontage per lot | Wall or Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-5; 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Temporary Sign | Not specified (Wall); 8 ft (FS) | 32 sq ft (Wall); 32 sq ft (FS) | — | 5 ft (FS) | 1 (Wall); 1 (FS) | Wall or Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 24" x 36" (6 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per business or business frontage | Within 10 ft of the building | — | Unlock | 10-20-5(17) |
| Under Canopy Sign | — | 4 sq ft | Not more than 75% of canopy projection; shall not project more than 1 ft below canopy | — | 1 per tenant | Under building canopy | — | Unlock | 10-20-5(13) |
Commercial or Business Zoning District, Commercial uses
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 2 | Wall only | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Canopy) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to canopy | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 15 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Menu Board Sign (Wall) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | Wall | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Menu Board Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 2 |
| Temporary Sign (Wall) (Commercial) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occasion | Wall | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding) (Commercial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per occasion | Freestanding | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 1 per window pane | Interior window/Wall | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1, note 7, note 9; 10-20-11 |
Health care
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development Entrance Sign | 15 ft | 140 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street entrance | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Wall) | 6 ft | — | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Temporary Sign (Wall) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occasion | Wall | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per occasion | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 1 per window pane | Wall/Window interior | — | Unlock | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 7, 9; 10-20-11 |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in McHenry — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for McHenry — start freeProhibited Signs in McHenry
- Flashing signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- All moving signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, except as otherwise specifically permitted.
- Projecting signs are prohibited in all zoning districts except in the C-4 Downtown Commercial District.
- Roof mounted signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
- Signs on otherwise vacant land are prohibited, other than real estate signs, construction signs, or outdoor advertising signs as defined and regulated herein.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Signs using visible neon tubing or light emitting diodes are prohibited, except for interior window signs as permitted.
- Pennants, streamers, balloons, helium filled and inflatable objects, search lights, beacon lights are prohibited, except as otherwise permitted or exempted; public notice signs required under this chapter are excluded.
- Any sign advertising a product, service, business, etc. that is not located on the premises upon which the sign is located is prohibited (off-premises advertising).
- Video screen signs are prohibited.
- Flashing, blinking or strobe lights visibly located either inside or outside the building and used to attract attention to a product, service, or business are prohibited.
- All other signs not expressly permitted by this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs may not obstruct a fire escape, door, window, or other entrance or exit or any window surface required for ventilation.
- No sign may, by reason of location/size, obstruct the vision of drivers or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic signal or traffic control device.
- No metal sign shall be located within a vertical distance of 8 feet or horizontal distance of 4 feet from electric wires or conductors.
- Bare bulb or flame illumination is prohibited except for changing signs or theater marquees.
- No sign shall use visible neon tubing except for interior window signs as permitted.
- No sign shall, by reason of shape, color, content, or use of lighting, be similar in appearance to any traffic signal or sign in a way that may interfere with traffic movement or safety.
- No sign or display shall contain words or pictures of obscene, indecent, or immoral character.
- No sign may be located within, project into, or overhang a public right-of-way (except as otherwise permitted).
- No person in a park shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign on public lands or roads adjacent to a park.
- It is unlawful for any person to steal or to intentionally deface, destroy, alter, or remove any government sign.
- Signs must be maintained at all times (e.g., repainting to avoid rust/corrosion, illumination kept in working order).
- All letters, figures, and characters on a sign must be safely and securely attached to the sign structure.
Exempt Signs in McHenry
- City sponsored event signs are exempt from permit and sign standards requirements; must not exceed 3 square feet and can be located in the public right-of-way.
- Election/campaign signs are exempt from permit and sign standards; limited to one per street frontage per lot, not illuminated.
- Garage sale signs are exempt (maximum 2 square feet, displayed no more than 4 consecutive days and no more than 4 days in any 90-day period).
- Government and utility signs are exempt; may be located in the public right-of-way.
- Government mandated signs are exempt; may be located in the public right-of-way.
- Help wanted signs are exempt (one per business, max 5 square feet, only in window).
- Memorials are exempt.
- Nameplates not exceeding 2 square feet in area are exempt.
- Nonprofit organization displays are exempt (one per street frontage, max 32 sq ft, max 8 ft high; limited display period around events).
- Real estate signs as defined are exempt (residential: 1–5 units or 1 vacant lot, max 5 sq ft, placement and removal requirements; nonresidential: 1 per street frontage, max 32 sq ft, 2 facings max, angle and size limits, height/setback requirements; both types must be removed one week after consummation of sale/rental).
- Scoreboards are exempt.
- Seasonal decorations are exempt (must be installed/removed within 45 days before/after holiday and comply with Building/Electric Codes).
- One under canopy sign per tenant is exempt (max 4 sq ft, width limits, min 8 ft vertical clearance, no more than 1 ft below canopy).
- Warning signs (e.g., 'No Trespassing') are exempt (maximum 2 per lot, each no larger than 2 sq ft).
- Window signs are exempt (except interior neon window signs as specified elsewhere); aggregate area not greater than 50% of display window area.
- Contractor signs are exempt (max 18"x24", displayed while work is ongoing, setback and number limits).
- Sandwich board signs (max one per business/frontage, size limits, must be removed daily, must not impede pedestrians, must be within 10 feet of building).
- Exempt changes to signs (copy change on display board, routine maintenance/repair/face replacement not involving structural change and not by change of advertiser) do not require a permit.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for McHenry
- A signage plan shall be submitted as part of the conditional use permit for adult-use cannabis business establishments.
- Landscape plans conforming to Title 11, Chapter 13 of this Code must be provided as part of the sign permit application for all freestanding and monument signs.
- Petitions for relief (variance) from sign regulations may be submitted to City Council for review/approval.
- City Council approval is required for temporary signs by nonprofit organizations if any variance from standard conditions is being requested.
- The sign permit number must be displayed on every nonexempt sign.