# Sign Regulations in Naperville, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Naperville, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/naperville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-29
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Naperville/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ZORE_CH16SI)

## At a glance

Naperville, Illinois regulates 39 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Permanent Ground Sign (Subdivision/Planned Unit Development)s in the Residence Districts (R1A, R1B, R2, R3, R3A, R4, R5, E1, E2, E3, AG, R1) zoning district are capped at 6 ft (9 ft if along arterial roadway) tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft from any property line setback (Sec. 6-16-4:2.1). Most commercial signs in Naperville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residence Districts (R1A, R1B, R2, R3, R3A, R4, R5, E1, E2, E3, AG, R1) | 11 | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, OCI, College/university district, BP, TU, HS), Industrial Districts (RD, ORI, I) | 22 | 25 ft | 120 sq ft | — |
| Educational Campus | 2 | 6 ft including ornamentation | 32 sq ft per frontage | — |
| Model Home Area | 2 | 10 ft including ornamentation | 32 sq ft | — |
| Model Home Site | 1 | 6 ft including ornamentation | 48 sq ft per model home site | — |
| Downtown Central Business District (B4, B5) | 8 | 5 ft | 50% of window surface area of facade; 75% on individual window unless otherwise approved | — |
| Transitional Use (TU) | 1 | 10 ft, plus up to 2 ft for architectural features | 30 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residence Districts (R1A, R1B, R2, R3, R3A, R4, R5, E1, E2, E3, AG, R1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Number Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On the property to which the sign is apparent | — | 6-16-4:1.1 |
| Yard Sign (For Sale or Lease) | 5 ft (including support structure) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | 6-16-4:1.5 |
| Yard Sign (Construction Sign) | 5 ft (including support structure) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per construction site | Confined to site | — | 6-16-4:1.6 |
| Development Sign (Residential development) | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 per qualifying frontage | Per qualifying frontage | — | 6-16-4:1.6 |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Sign (Wall or Ground Mounted) | 5 ft including support | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | — | — | 6-16-4:1.7, 1.7.1, 1.7.2 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Subdivision/Planned Unit Development) | 6 ft (9 ft if along arterial roadway) | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any property line | 2 per entrance, max 4 per subdivision | Subdivision entrance | — | 6-16-4:2.1 |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | — | — | 6-16-4:2.2.1, 2.2.3 |
| Home Occupation Ground Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | 1 per property | — | — | 6-16-4:2.2.2, 2.2.3 |

### Business Districts (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, OCI, College/university district, BP, TU, HS), Industrial Districts (RD, ORI, I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | Within 5 ft of building entrance during operating hours | — | 6-16-5:1.6 |
| Yard Sign (For Sale or Lease) | 10 ft | 48 sq ft | — | See Section 6-16-5:2.2 | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | 6-16-5:1.9 |
| Temporary Non-Commercial Site Signage | 5 ft including support structure | 12 sq ft | — | See requirements | — | No closer than 10 ft from paved street or curb; not within 20 ft of street intersection | — | 6-16-5:1.12 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Monument Type, 40 mph or less) | 10 ft, plus up to 2 ft for architectural features | 45 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front property line (major arterial); 5 ft from front property line (other roads); 40 ft from interior property line | 1 per eligible frontage; 2 if frontage >=500 ft | Oriented perpendicular to eligible frontage | — | 6-16-5:2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.4, 2.2.6, 2.2.7 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Monument Type, 45-50 mph) | 10 ft, plus up to 2 ft for architectural features | 90 sq ft | — | Same as above | Same as above | Oriented perpendicular to eligible frontage | — | 6-16-5:2.2.2 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Monument Type, 55 mph or greater) | 10 ft, plus up to 2 ft for architectural features | 120 sq ft | — | Same as above | Same as above | Oriented perpendicular to eligible frontage | — | 6-16-5:2.2.2 |
| Permanent Ground Sign (Tollway Corridor) | 25 ft | 120 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible corridor frontage | Along I-88 tollway corridor frontage | — | 6-16-5:2.2.8 |
| Development Identification Sign (Shopping Centers) | 10 ft from finished grade | 32 sq ft per sign | — | Min 10 ft from any property line | 1 per frontage, or 2 if 500+ ft | 1 per street frontage, or 2 if 500+ linear ft | — | 6-16-5:2.4 |

### Downtown Central Business District (B4, B5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Awning, and Canopy Signs | — | — | — | — | See formula | Facing qualifying facade (public/private streets, sidewalks, alleys, DuPage River, parking lots) | — | 6-16-6:3.1 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per business | — | — | 1 per business | Placed so minimum 4 ft clear walking space remains; on sidewalk within area defined by building footprint limits | — | 6-16-6:3.2 |
| Window Sign | — | 50% of window surface area of facade; 75% on individual window unless otherwise approved | — | — | — | On facade window | — | 6-16-6:3.3 |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per tenant establishment per qualifying frontage | Facade along qualifying frontage; min clearance 8 ft from sidewalk, not extend more than 3 ft from facade | — | 6-16-6:3.4 |
| Development Identification Sign (Wall Mounted, B4) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Placed to complement architectural character of building | — | 6-16-6:3.5.1 |
| Development Identification Sign (B5, Wall or Decorative Feature/Seating Wall) | 3 ft (if attached to wall/seating wall) | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | — | — | 6-16-6:3.5.2 |
| Pedestrian Wall Sign | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 6-16-6:3.6 |
| Box Sign (Accessory to Principal Wall Sign) | — | — | — | — | — | Accessory only | — | 6-16-6:3.7 |

## Prohibited signs in Naperville

- Any sign not expressly permitted in this Chapter is prohibited.
- Signs which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals.
- Portable signs, excluding sidewalk signs as defined within this Title.
- Commercial signs on a vehicle where said vehicle is parked adjacent to or near the right-of-way for the purposes of identifying or calling attention to the business, such as utilizing directional signage, and is not used for daily operations or during the regular course of business, or is not licensed, insured, or operational.
- Outdoor Advertising Sign (billboards).
- Flashing signs.
- Any signs or attention getting devices, that rotate, revolve, or have any visible moving parts or that give the appearance of movement, including, but not limited to, searchlights, spinners, streamers, balloons, and other similar devices or ornamentation designed for purposes of attracting attention, promotion, or advertising, unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter.
- Off-premise signs displaying commercial speech. (Off-premise signs shall not include signs located on separate parcels that are part of the same Planned Unit Development.)
- Any sign or structure which constitutes a hazard to public health or safety, including dangerous construction or sight obstructions.
- Any sign located in the public right-of-way, unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter.
- Pole signs, excluding tollway corridor signage as defined within this Title.
- Changeable-copy signs and Electronic Message Boards, as defined in this Chapter, in the Downtown Central Business District.
- Ground Signs, as defined in this Chapter, in the Downtown Central Business District (existing ground signs excepted, with conditions in Section 6-16-10).

## Signs exempt from permit in Naperville

- Address numbers, non-illuminated or directly illuminated, located on the property to which the sign is apparent, as required by City Code.
- Governmental signs for identification, information, directional, or public safety purposes, erected or required by governmental bodies, or authorized for a public purpose by law, including those located in the right-of-way.
- Flags displaying only non-commercial speech, images or messages.
- Historical marker signs (maximum six square feet in area).
- Signs on property for sale or lease, subject to area and height restrictions and removal upon closing of sale or initiation of lease.
- Construction signs on active sites, subject to area and height restrictions and removal upon completion.
- Temporary non-commercial, non-illuminated wall and ground mounted signs (subject to area and height limits outlined per residential and commercial property exemptions).
- Signs on private property (including drive-through signage) not designed or installed to be viewed from a frontage as defined in this chapter.
- Directional signs (commercial/institutional property exemption; max six square feet, private property).
- Sidewalk signs during operating hours, placed within five feet of building entrance (commercial/institutional property exemption; max six square feet and five feet in height).
- Window signs, subject to coverage limits per chapter.
- Handheld signs or people in costume located on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the building.
- Pedestrian wall signs up to six square feet in area.
- Temporary non-commercial site signage subject to area, height, location, and quantity limits (per commercial/institutional property).
- Like-for-like replacement of individual tenant panels on a multiple-tenant sign.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Naperville

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sign permit clerical fee | $18 | — |
| Permit Issuance | within 14 calendar days (starts when Completed sign permit application received by the City) | Naperville Municipal Code 6-16-9 (Permit Process); City of Naperville Sign Permit page |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Naperville is available in PermitPal (free account)._

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

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