# Sign Regulations in Morton Grove, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Morton Grove, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/morton-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-03
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://mortongrove.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=Chapter_10-10_SIGN_REGULATIONS)

## At a glance

Morton Grove, Illinois regulates 21 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Ground Monument Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C/R) zoning district are capped at 25 ft max for any one sign; max 10 ft for each sign allowed tall and 50 sq ft per sign; properties in excess of 5 acres: 150 sq ft total, with a 8 ft from any side/rear lot line; 4 ft from public right of way or 1/2 height of sign, whichever is greater; not within 75 ft of another ground monument or pylon sign. setback (Sec. [10-10-7: G.2, G.4, G.5]). Most commercial signs in Morton Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District (R-1, R-2, R-3, C/R) | 5 | 8 feet | Primary frontage: 120 sq ft max; Secondary frontage: 32 sq ft max; Alley: 15 sq ft max. | — |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C/R) | 10 | 25 ft max for any one sign; max 10 ft for each sign allowed | Primary frontage: 120 sq ft max; Secondary frontage: 32 sq ft max; Alley: 15 sq ft max. | — |
| Industrial District (M-1, M-2) | 6 | Max combined height of all signs: 10 ft for each sign allowed; max 15 ft for any sign. | Primary: 120 sq ft; Secondary: 32 sq ft; Alley: 15 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Flagpole: 25 ft | No more than 25% of total window area per frontage for window signs; Neon/LED signs: no more than 10%; Window signs + window screening combined: no more than 50% (may increase by Administrator approval) | — |

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

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C/R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Primary frontage: 120 sq ft max; Secondary frontage: 32 sq ft max; Alley: 15 sq ft max. | — | — | Multiple types allowed if total sign area does not exceed allowance for wall signs. | Attached to building wall (parallel to building); must not project more than 12 inches and not above top of wall. | — | [10-10-7: F] |
| Freestanding Ground Monument Sign | 25 ft max for any one sign; max 10 ft for each sign allowed | 50 sq ft per sign; properties in excess of 5 acres: 150 sq ft total | — | 8 ft from any side/rear lot line; 4 ft from public right of way or 1/2 height of sign, whichever is greater; not within 75 ft of another ground monument or pylon sign. | Max 3 signs per property. | Located in landscaped bed extending at least 2 ft from base on all sides. | — | [10-10-7: G.2, G.4, G.5] |
| Pylon Sign | 25 ft max for any sign; max 10 ft combined height for all signs allowed. | 50 sq ft per sign; properties in excess of 5 acres: 150 sq ft total | — | 8 ft from any side/rear lot line; 4 ft from public right of way or 1/2 sign height, whichever is greater; not within 75 ft of another ground monument or pylon sign. | Max 3 signs per property. | Located in landscaped bed as described. | — | [10-10-7: G.2, G.5] |
| Directional Sign | — | No larger than necessary; logo/company name up to 25% of face | — | — | One per entrance/exit | At entrances/exits | — | [10-10-4:4; 10-10-7:D] |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | One per frontage per tenant space | Must not impede pedestrian circulation or traffic flow; displayed only during business hours. | — | [10-10-8: G] |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per frontage | Exterior building wall or other stable structure | — | [10-10-8: B] |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 6 ft including support | 32 sq ft | — | See Section 10-10-7:G.6 | One per street frontage | Must meet Section 10-10-7:G.6 setback | — | [10-10-8: C] |
| Menu Board (Drive-through) | 8 ft | Main: 40 sq ft; Secondary: 20 sq ft | — | — | Two per drive-through lane | Adjacent to drive-through lanes | — | [10-10-7: H] |

### Industrial District (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Primary: 120 sq ft; Secondary: 32 sq ft; Alley: 15 sq ft | — | — | Multiple types allowed if total sign area does not exceed wall sign allowance | Parallel/attached to building or structure wall | — | [10-10-7:F] |
| Ground Monument Sign | Max combined height of all signs: 10 ft for each sign allowed; max 15 ft for any sign. | 50 sq ft per sign | — | 8 ft from any side/rear lot line; 4 ft from public right of way or 1/2 sign height, whichever is greater; not within 75 ft of another monument/pylon sign. | Max 2 per property. | Must be located in landscaped bed as described; base at least 75% width of face. | — | [10-10-7: G.3-4] |
| Directional Sign | — | No larger than necessary; company name/logo max 25% of sign face | — | — | One per entrance/exit | Placed at entrances/exits | — | [10-10-4:4; 10-10-7:D] |
| Temporary Wall Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per frontage | Exterior wall or stable structure | — | [10-10-8: B] |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | See Section 10-10-7:G.6 | One per street frontage | Subject to monument sign setbacks | — | [10-10-8: C] |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | One per street frontage | Stable structure; at street frontage | — | [10-10-8: E] |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | One per entrance/exit | Private property at entrance/exit | — | [10-10-4:4] |
| Professional Nameplate/Address Sign (Exempt) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Affixed to structure | — | [10-10-4:5] |
| Nonilluminated Small Signs (Exempt) | 5 ft | 1.5 sq ft per side | — | — | Maximum of 2 per lot | — | — | [10-10-4:6] |
| Nonilluminated Temporary Noncommercial Sign (Exempt) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | — | — | — | [10-10-4:7] |
| Nonilluminated Temporary Commercial Sign (Exempt) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | Maximum 2 per lot | — | — | [10-10-4:8] |
| Flag (Exempt) | Flagpole: 25 ft | — | — | — | Up to 3 flags per pole/lot | Flagpole | — | [10-10-4:9] |
| Bulletin Board/Display Case (Exempt) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | [10-10-4:10] |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | — | No more than 25% of total window area per frontage for window signs; Neon/LED signs: no more than 10%; Window signs + window screening combined: no more than 50% (may increase by Administrator approval) | — | — | — | On or within 3 ft of window, per frontage | — | [10-10-4:13]; [10-10-7:H.1] |

## Prohibited signs in Morton Grove

- Action signs or signs which incorporate physical movement, except for electronic message signs in conformance with section 10-10-7.
- Off premises, billboard or outdoor advertising including any sign which does not identify or directly relate to a business or establishment located on the premises, except for special event signs authorized by the Village administrator.
- Pole signs, other than existing nonconforming signs.
- Roof signs, except for temporary displays approved by the Village administrator.
- Signs that are painted directly on any part of a building or fence.
- Signs which contain words, statements or pictures of obscene, indecent or immoral characters and/or are injurious to the surrounding area property values.
- Trailer mounted signs and any sign on a motor vehicle which is not used for daily operations or during the regular course of business, or is not licensed, insured, or operational.
- Projecting signs larger than eight (8) square feet unless approved through the appearance commission's design review process.
- Signs which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic controls.
- Signs posted on trees, or utility poles.
- Any sign which is a traffic hazard or a hazard to safety or health including signs which are of inadequate design, construction, repair or maintenance.
- Series lighting or neon tubing visible from a public right of way used to accentuate or trim windows, architectural features, or to outline borders of windows, signs, or buildings.
- Box signs, except that existing nonconforming signs in good condition may be refaced with a sign permit.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter unless approved through the appearance commission's design review process.

## Signs exempt from permit in Morton Grove

- Government signs, memorial plaques, and signs of historical interest.
- Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like, when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or a plaque made of bronze or aluminum, and made an integral part of the structure, not to exceed a total area of three (3) square feet.
- Traffic control signs located on private property when approved and installed in accordance with the 'Manual Of Uniform Traffic Control Devices', so long as the location of such signs has been approved by the chief of police.
- Directional signs located on private property provided the height of the signs is limited to three feet (3'), and the surface area of the sign is limited to six (6) square feet per side and no more than twenty five percent (25%) of the sign is utilized for the identification of the business or organization, or its logo.
- Individual professional or occupational nameplates and address signs permanently affixed to a structure, each limited to two (2) square feet.
- Nonilluminated small signs provided the height of the sign is limited to five feet (5') and the surface area of the sign is limited to 1.5 square feet per side. No more than two (2) exempt small signs shall be allowed per lot.
- Nonilluminated temporary noncommercial signs provided the height of the sign is limited to five feet (5') and the surface area of the sign is limited to twelve (12) square feet per side. If the content of such sign pertains to an event or activity, the sign shall be removed within forty eight (48) hours after the conclusion of the event or activity.
- Nonilluminated temporary commercial signs such as contractor's signs, real estate signs, or garage sale signs limited to five feet (5') in height and surface area of six (6) square feet per side. Only two (2) such signs shall be allowed per lot and all such signs shall be removed within forty eight (48) hours after the conclusion of the event or activity promoted.
- Up to three (3) flags on a single flagpole per zoning lot, so long as the flagpole does not exceed twenty five feet (25') in height.
- Bulletin boards and display cases for the posting of noncommercial announcements and notices not to exceed six feet (6') in height and no larger than twelve (12) square feet in area.
- Temporary window signs, banner signs, exterior signs and displays subject to the requirements of section 10-10-8.
- Special event signs authorized by the Village administrator.
- Window Signs and Window Screenings, subject to area limitations and coverage standards outlined in section 10-10-4:13.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The Village administrator may refer a sign permit application to the appearance commission for design review if standards for permit approval are not met.
- An applicant may seek design review before the appearance commission; as part of design review, the appearance commission may approve and amend a sign plan for a building or development with multiple tenants.
- Upon appearance commission approval of a sign plan for a building or multi-tenant development, the Village administrator shall approve all signs that conform to the plan without further design review.
- Projecting signs larger than eight (8) square feet require approval through the appearance commission's design review process.
- Any sign not expressly permitted by this chapter may be approved through the appearance commission's design review process.

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

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