# Sign Regulations in McHenry, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** McHenry, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/mchenry
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (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 | 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 | — | 10-20-13 Table 1; 10-20-4 |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall or Freestanding | — | 10-20-13 Table 1; 10-20-5 |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall or Freestanding | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 2 | Wall only | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Canopy) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to canopy | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 15 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Freestanding | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Menu Board Sign (Wall) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | Wall | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Menu Board Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per drive-thru lane | Freestanding | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 2 |
| Temporary Sign (Wall) (Commercial) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occasion | Wall | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding) (Commercial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per occasion | Freestanding | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 1 per window pane | Interior window/Wall | — | 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 | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Development Entrance Sign | 15 ft | 140 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per street entrance | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Wall) | 6 ft | — | — | 5 ft | 1 | Wall | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Business Sign (Freestanding) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 |
| Temporary Sign (Wall) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occasion | Wall | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Temporary Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per occasion | Freestanding; 5 ft setback | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 3 |
| Neon or LED Window Sign (Wall) | — | — | — | — | 1 per window pane | Wall/Window interior | — | 10-20-13 Table 1 note 7, 9; 10-20-11 |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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

- 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.

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

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