# Sign Regulations in New Lenox, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** New Lenox, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/new-lenox
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/New_Lenox/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=VICO_CH106ZO_ARTVIIISI)

## At a glance

New Lenox, Illinois regulates 6 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Real Estate Subdivision Signs in the Single-Family Residence District (R-1), Single-Family Residence District (R-2A), Single-Family Residence District (R-2), Multifamily Residence District (R-3), Two Unit Residence District (R-4), Three and Four Unit Residence District (R-5), Single-Family Residence District (Estate Transition) (R-1A), Single-Family Residence District (Medium Density Estate) (R), Single-Family Residence District (Low Density Estate) (E) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 100 sq ft per face, with a No closer than 15 ft to pavement; 2 ft beyond sidewalk if present setback (Sec. Sec. 106-132(d)(1)a; repeated across R-1, R-2A, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-1A, R, E). Most commercial signs in New Lenox require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural District (A) | 1 | — | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Single-Family Residence District (R-1), Single-Family Residence District (R-2A), Single-Family Residence District (R-2), Multifamily Residence District (R-3), Two Unit Residence District (R-4), Three and Four Unit Residence District (R-5), Single-Family Residence District (Estate Transition) (R-1A), Single-Family Residence District (Medium Density Estate) (R), Single-Family Residence District (Low Density Estate) (E) | 4 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| R-6 multifamily residence district (R-6) | 3 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Neighborhood Convenience Shopping District (C-1) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Community Shopping District (C-2) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| General Business District (C-3), Automotive Service District (C-4) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Office/Transitional District (C-5) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Office and Research Park District (C-6) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Regional Shopping District (C-7) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Limited Industrial District (I-1) | 2 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| Hospital District (H) | 2 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | Increase existing structure height by not more than 10-20% or 10-20 ft depending on district (detailed per zone) | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Single-Family Residence District (R-1), Single-Family Residence District (R-2A), Single-Family Residence District (R-2), Multifamily Residence District (R-3), Two Unit Residence District (R-4), Three and Four Unit Residence District (R-5), Single-Family Residence District (Estate Transition) (R-1A), Single-Family Residence District (Medium Density Estate) (R), Single-Family Residence District (Low Density Estate) (E)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Subdivision Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | No closer than 15 ft to pavement; 2 ft beyond sidewalk if present | One per frontage, max two if project has two collector/arterial frontages | On private property; no closer than 15 ft to edge of pavement; if sidewalk exists, 2 ft beyond private property side of sidewalk; one per frontage; projects on two collector/minor arterial streets may have two. | — | Sec. 106-132(d)(1)a; repeated across R-1, R-2A, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-1A, R, E |
| Temporary Construction Office Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not within required yards | One per temporary construction office | On temporary construction office or building, not within any required front, side, or rear yard setback. | — | Sec. 106-132(d)(1)b; repeated in equivalent sections for each zone |
| Mobile Storage Container Signage | 8 ft | — | 8 ft (width), 16 ft (length) | — | — | On mobile storage container located on driveway or hard surface on property of existing principal building | — | Sec. 106-132(d)(1)d; mirrored in other single-family/multifamily residential districts |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | 10 ft from every property line | — | Set back minimum 10 ft from every property line (accessory use sign) | — | Sec. 106-132(e)(4); repeated in other single-family districts under accessory uses |

### R-6 multifamily residence district (R-6)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Subdivision Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | No closer than 15 ft to pavement; 2 ft beyond sidewalk if present | One per frontage, max two if project has two collector/arterial frontages | On private property; no closer than 15 ft to edge of pavement; 2 ft beyond sidewalk if present; one per frontage, two for projects on two collector/minor arterial streets. | — | Sec. 106-141(d)(1)a |
| Temporary Construction Office Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not within required yards | One per temporary construction office | On temporary construction office or building, not within any required front, side, or rear yard setback. | — | Sec. 106-141(d)(1)b |
| Mobile Storage Container Signage | 8 ft | — | 8 ft (width), 16 ft (length) | — | — | On mobile storage container located on driveway or hard surface on property of existing principal building | — | Sec. 106-141(d)(1)d |

### Neighborhood Convenience Shopping District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Subdivision Sign | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per face | — | No closer than 15 ft to pavement; 2 ft beyond sidewalk if present | One per frontage, max two if project has two collector/arterial frontages | On private property; no closer than 15 ft to edge of pavement; if sidewalk, 2 ft beyond private property side of sidewalk; one per frontage; two for two street frontages | — | Sec. 106-162(d)(1)b |
| Temporary Construction Office Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Not within required yards | One per temporary construction office | On temporary building for construction office/storage; not within required yards. | — | Sec. 106-162(d)(1)a |

## Prohibited signs in New Lenox

- All uses not expressly authorized in the permitted uses, special uses, temporary uses, or accessory uses sections are prohibited in each zoning district.
- Outdoor storage facilities for fuel, raw materials and products must be screened from adjacent properties and the public right-of-way, especially when adjacent to residential districts.
- No materials or wastes shall be deposited upon a lot in such a form that they may be transferred off the property by natural causes or forces.
- All materials or wastes shall be deposited in containers such that they would not be transferred off the property by natural causes or forces; waste materials shall be removed sufficiently often so as not to create a nuisance.
- Lighting: all exposed sources of light shall be shielded to avoid casting direct light that will create a nuisance in residential districts.
- Prohibited specific uses in various commercial/industrial districts include: concrete mixing or asphalt plants, wrecking, dismantling or automobile salvage yards, automotive salvage yards, residential uses (except by special use in industrial zones), drive-in restaurants in I-1, manufacturing, warehousing, storage or commercial sales of explosives, and bulk concrete or bituminous asphalt manufacturing.
- Donation drop boxes must comply with designated standards or are subject to removal and revocation of permit.
- Stacking mobile storage containers on top of each other is not permissible.
- Mobile storage units shall not be utilized for the purpose of conducting business or selling merchandise.
- Mobile storage containers shall not be placed on public property or in a location that obstructs traffic visibility.
- Signs permitted only as specified in the sign code or as noted in each section.
- All business, servicing or processing shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings, except off-street parking/loading and specified accessory uses.
- All uses must meet the performance standards for noise, vibration, smoke, particulate matter, toxic/odorous matter, fire hazards, glare, and radiation hazards (see I-1 standards).
- Wireless communication towers: Guyed or lattice towers are prohibited—only self-supporting monopoles allowed.
- No wireless communication antenna or equipment shall increase the height of the structure on which it is mounted beyond a designated percent or feet (see section for zone-specific limits).
- Abandoned or unused wireless communication facilities must be removed within six months of notifying the FCC of intent to cease operations.

## Signs exempt from permit in New Lenox

- Farm buildings and structures (except residences and garages on parcels over ten acres) are exempt from certain provisions in the agricultural district when used for agricultural purposes intended, except front yard requirements must be met.
- Wireless communication facilities are subject to special exemptions for co-location: A special use permit is not required for additional antennas/arrays on existing freestanding wireless communication facilities as long as the height is not increased and any accessory structures comply with site/structure requirements.
- Freestanding wireless communication facilities located on publicly owned land are exempt from standard site and structure requirements of their respective districts but must comply with alternative standards outlined for such installations.
- Fuel dispensing devices are exempt from established front or corner side yard requirements but must be set back at least a designated minimum (e.g., 15 or 25 feet) from the front and corner side lot lines.
- Noise exemption: Noises not directly under the control of the property user, noises from construction and maintenance activities between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., noises from safety signals, warning devices and emergency relief valves used infrequently, and transient noises of moving sources such as vehicles and trains are exempt from I-1 noise level regulations.
- In the event a property is sold or leased to a new owner or tenant during any calendar year, each owner or tenant is permitted to utilize a mobile storage container for a total of 30 days per calendar year.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Temporary real estate subdivision signs are allowed in nearly all zones (residential, commercial, industrial, hospital, agricultural) with a specific permit. Requirements include applicant cash deposit, location restrictions, specific duration (often valid until last building permit in subdivision or five years), size and illumination restrictions, and removal/repair conditions.
- In commercial, hospital, and industrial districts, real estate subdivision sign permits require a site plan showing location and compliance with setbacks and other site requirements.
- Temporary buildings for construction offices or storage must have permits specifying location and duration, and sometimes require a site plan to be submitted as part of the application.
- Temporary building permits for office directly related to sale of buildings or parcels (in residential districts) require submittal and approval of a site plan showing location, parking, fencing, signage, and landscaping. Permit is valid only after final plat is recorded.
- Certain temporary uses, including special event parking, require submittal of special event permit application, certificate of insurance, site plan showing proposed accessory structures, parking and lighting plans, and sometimes approval by zoning board of appeals and village board.
- In agricultural and industrial districts, temporary signs such as real estate subdivision signs or construction signs require permits; the application process includes specifying location and compliance with code.
- In no section does the ordinance mention a 'master sign plan' or variance meeting for signs by this name; sign requirements are generally referred to be 'in accordance with the village sign code, article VIII'.
- All specified temporary use permits, including those for signage, require application to the community development department or zoning board of appeals, with details about duration, placement, and compliance. For some uses, including temporary sales offices, plans must be submitted in compliance with detailed sections of the ordinance.

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

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