# Sign Regulations in Niles, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Niles, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/niles
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Niles/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH78SI)

## At a glance

Niles, Illinois regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the C-1 Corridor Commercial District, C-2 General Commercial District, C-3 Milwaukee Avenue Form-Based District, C-4 Milwaukee Avenue Mixed-Use District, C-5 Urban Village District zoning district are capped at 20 ft (lot <10 tenants & <120,000 sqft); 22 ft (10+ tenants, >120,000 sqft); 36 ft (lots >200,000 sqft). Max 20 ft abutting R1 or R2. Outlots in centers max 10 ft. Can be increased by PUD/site plan approval. tall and Within total signage limits per §78-92(1), with a Not in 15-foot sight triangle at driveways/thoroughfares; see other location specifics setback (Sec. Sec. 78-92(3)(c)). Most commercial signs in Niles require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 4 ft | No larger than 32 sq ft (see special categories), inflatables max 10 ft width/depth | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-2-35 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Two-Family Residential District, R-4 Multi-Family Residential District | 3 | — | — | — |
| C-1 Corridor Commercial District, C-2 General Commercial District, C-3 Milwaukee Avenue Form-Based District, C-4 Milwaukee Avenue Mixed-Use District, C-5 Urban Village District | 10 | 20 ft (lot <10 tenants & <120,000 sqft); 22 ft (10+ tenants, >120,000 sqft); 36 ft (lots >200,000 sqft). Max 20 ft abutting R1 or R2. Outlots in centers max 10 ft. Can be increased by PUD/site plan approval. | Within total signage limits per §78-92(1) | — |
| M Limited Industrial District, ENT-MU Cultural/Entertainment-Mixed-Use District, OR Office/Research District | 8 | 20 ft | Within gross signage limit; ≤35% face | — |
| P1 Public Land Use District | 8 | Same as in commercial: up to 20/22/36 ft by lot size/use | Within gross total, ≤35% of awning/canopy face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### C-1 Corridor Commercial District, C-2 General Commercial District, C-3 Milwaukee Avenue Form-Based District, C-4 Milwaukee Avenue Mixed-Use District, C-5 Urban Village District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per the formula above and total site maximums | — | — | Each business may have wall signs on each building frontage | On building frontage facing a public/private street or customer parking area. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(a) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | Within gross signage max, plus: Not more than 35% of awning/canopy may have sign copy. | — | — | Each business per allowed frontage, not with wall sign on same frontage | On vertical facade only for canopy/marquee; angled part or valance for awning. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(b) |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft (lot <10 tenants & <120,000 sqft); 22 ft (10+ tenants, >120,000 sqft); 36 ft (lots >200,000 sqft). Max 20 ft abutting R1 or R2. Outlots in centers max 10 ft. Can be increased by PUD/site plan approval. | Within total signage limits per §78-92(1) | — | Not in 15-foot sight triangle at driveways/thoroughfares; see other location specifics | Per site: as above by ROW frontage | Not within 50 ft of any residential property; at least 100 ft from any other ground sign; not projecting over ROW; min. 15 ft sight triangle from driveways/thoroughfares. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(c) |
| Window Sign - Permanent | — | Counts toward per-business maximum signage | — | — | — | Permanent window sign on premises. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway ingress/egress | Near each driveway ingress/egress. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(e) |
| Changeable Copy Sign - Manual (As Part of Ground Sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | Part of ground sign | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(f) |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Ground Sign | 20 ft (including price sign component) | 64 sq ft total, including up to 8 sq ft for price display | — | — | 1 per automobile service station | One per site regardless of frontage. | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(i) |
| Automobile Service Station Sign - Incidental Signs | — | 20 sq ft total | — | — | 6 per station | On site | — | Sec. 78-92(3)(i)(e) |

### M Limited Industrial District, ENT-MU Cultural/Entertainment-Mixed-Use District, OR Office/Research District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per formula above & total site maximums | — | — | — | Building frontage. | — | Sec. 78-102(1),(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(a) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | Within gross signage limit; ≤35% face | — | — | — | Awning (angled or valance); canopy/marquee (vertical portion only) | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(b) |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft | Within gross signage site limit | — | As per commercial district ground sign regulations | — | — | — | Sec. 78-102(3)(b) |
| Window Sign - Permanent | — | Covered under gross signage max | — | — | — | Windows | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per driveway ingress/egress | Near driveway ingress/egress | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(e) |
| Changeable Copy Sign - Manual (As Part of Ground Sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | As part of ground sign | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(f) |
| Public Service Information Sign (as part of ground sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | As part of ground sign | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(g) |
| Electronic Message Center (as part of ground sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | On ground sign, integrated in design; prohibited within 100 ft of principal residence if visible. | — | Sec. 78-102(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(h) |

### P1 Public Land Use District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Per formula above & site gross sign limits | — | — | — | On permitted wall/frontage | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(a) |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | Within gross total, ≤35% of awning/canopy face | — | — | — | Awning angled/valance, canopy/marquee vertical portion | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(b) |
| Ground Sign | Same as in commercial: up to 20/22/36 ft by lot size/use | Within total allowed gross signage area | — | — | Per ROW frontage as in commercial | — | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(c) |
| Window Sign - Permanent | — | — | — | — | — | On windows | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(d) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per driveway ingress/egress | Near ingress/egress | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(e) |
| Changeable Copy Sign - Manual (As Part of Ground Sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | Part of ground sign | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(f) |
| Public Service Information Sign (as part of ground sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | As part of ground sign | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(g) |
| Electronic Message Center (as part of ground sign) | — | ≤25% of ground sign area | — | — | — | Integrated into ground sign, not visible within 100 ft of principal residence. | — | Sec. 78-112(3), referencing Sec. 78-92(3)(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Niles

- All non-exempt signs require an approved sign permit before being erected.
- Signs may only be erected, altered, and maintained for a permitted or special use in the district in which they are located.
- All temporary signs must be maintained in good condition. Signs that are detached, in disrepair (faded, ripped, weathered, etc.) must be removed and replaced.
- No sign shall be allowed to project over the public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be allowed within 50 feet of any property in a residential district (for ground signs, but appears broadly referenced).
- No ground sign shall be located within a 15-foot sight triangle from vehicular access drives or thoroughfares if it creates dangerous sight obstructions.
- Signs in disrepair (faded, ripped, weathered, etc.) must be removed.
- Any signage exceeding the maximum gross surface area limits will require a special use permit.

## Signs exempt from permit in Niles

- Signs appearing on gasoline pumps are not considered as signs for the purposes of this chapter, including video signs (provided they meet performance standards).
- Incidental signs on outdoor vending machines (as purchased or installed) at automobile service stations are not counted as signs.
- Reasonable application of lettering or decals giving address, hours of business, entrance or exit information, professional or security affiliations or memberships, the acceptance of credit cards or other similar information, shall not be considered as window signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan is required with any application for a permanent sign permit for a commercial use.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required with any application for a permanent sign permit for a use in the office, industrial & cultural/entertainment districts.
- A comprehensive sign plan is required with any application for a permanent sign permit for a public use.
- Any signage exceeding the maximum gross surface area limits requires a special use permit (effectively a meeting/variance).

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

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