# Sign Regulations in North Barrington, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

North Barrington, Illinois regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Business Development Identification Ground Signs in the Business District zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 50 sq ft (Sec. 10-10-3B4d). Most commercial signs in North Barrington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | 252 sq in (14" x 18") | — |
| Business District | 13 | 10 ft | 144 sq in | — |
| Residential District | 2 | — | 144 sq in | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Small Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per property | On private property; may not project past property line or into right-of-way | — | 10-10-1E1a |
| Temporary Small Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 6 per property or structure | On private property; may not project past property line or into right-of-way | — | 10-10-1E1b |
| Window Sign | — | 10% of window area (aggregate) | — | — | — | Located on interior side of window | — | 10-10-1E3 |
| Seasonal or Noncommercial Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 10-10-1E4 |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only; not in the right-of-way | — | 10-10-2A |
| Political Message Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only; may not project past property line or into right-of-way | — | 10-10-2B |
| Street Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At all street intersections | — | 10-10-2C |
| Conservancy Sign | — | 252 sq in (14" x 18") | 14 in | — | — | On designated conservancy, woodland conservancy, or scenic easement properties | — | 10-10-2D |

### Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Large Real Estate Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property of at least 2 acres | — | 10-10-3B1a |
| Commercial Real Estate Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Per development | — | 10-10-3B1b |
| Construction Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | — | — | 10-10-3B2 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft (total for both signs per subdivision) | — | — | 2 per subdivision | At entrance of subdivision | — | 10-10-3B3 |
| Ground Sign (Business Use) | — | Up to 40 sq ft (max), commonly 12 to 40 sq ft depending on business size and location, with possible increases for larger businesses as proscribed. | — | — | 1 per business (unless otherwise provided) | — | — | 10-10-3B4a, 10-10-3B4b |
| Business Development Identification Ground Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 per entrance/right-of-way frontage | At entrance to development (minimum 2 businesses, 5+ acre property, adjacent to 4+ divided lanes) | — | 10-10-3B4d |
| Gas Station Wall Sign | — | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per gas station | Gas station property | — | 10-10-3B4e |
| Gas Station Ground Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per gas station | Gas station property | — | 10-10-3B4e |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 144 sq in | — | — | 2 per dwelling unit | At dwelling/unit | — | 10-10-1E2 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft (total for both signs per subdivision) | — | — | 2 per subdivision | At entrance of subdivision | — | 10-10-3B3 |

## Prohibited signs in North Barrington

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- No sign may be self-illuminated or internally illuminated, except for one non-illuminated 'Open' window sign not to exceed one square foot for businesses.
- Neon illumination of signs is prohibited.
- No sign illumination may flash, rotate, run, or create an illusion of movement.
- No sign may be illuminated in a manner that causes confusion with traffic signals or constitutes a traffic hazard.
- Any light source illuminating a sign must be shielded and directed so as not to be visible from streets, public property, adjacent private property or structures, and must not create glare outside the sign face area.
- No sign or sign structure may be permitted or maintained where it may obstruct, impair, obscure, or interfere with views of a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, or could be confused with any traffic control signal or device.
- No sign may be placed or maintained where it may interfere, confuse, or mislead traffic movement.
- Any sign attached to a tree or utility pole (public or private property) is prohibited.
- Any sign that creates the illusion of movement, or is wholly or partially illuminated by flashing/intermittent lights, as well as raceway and moving signs, are prohibited.
- Portable signs (e.g., trailer signs, signs on wheels, transportable signs, portable internally illuminated boards) are prohibited.
- Any off-site advertising sign is prohibited (directing attention to a business not located at the sign's location, or advertising a business no longer operating at the premises).
- Any wall sign painted or applied with a similar substance directly to a wall, building, or structure is prohibited.
- Any form of bench or seating advertising is prohibited.
- Vehicle signs used solely for advertising a business by parking anywhere in the Village are prohibited.
- Any roof sign is prohibited.
- Signage on Village property or public right-of-way without consent is prohibited.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device imitating or resembling an official traffic control device, or which interferes with traffic movement or effectiveness of traffic control devices.
- No commercial advertising may be placed upon any street traffic sign or signal.
- Every such prohibited unauthorized sign, signal, or marking is declared a public nuisance and may be removed without notice.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Barrington

- Small real estate signs (max 2 per property for sale, max 6 sq ft each, non-illuminated, not projecting beyond property line) do not require a permit.
- Temporary small real estate signs (including open house, max 6 per property or structure, max 6 sq ft each, non-illuminated, removed within 24 hours of event, not projecting beyond property line) do not require a permit.
- Residential nameplates (max 2 per dwelling unit, max 144 sq in each, non-illuminated) do not require a permit in residential districts.
- Window signs located on the interior side of a window (aggregate area not more than 10% of window area; illuminated window signs permitted if compliant with illumination provisions) do not require a permit.
- Seasonal or noncommercial signs (max size 10 sq ft, up to 60 days) do not require a permit.
- Political campaign signs (max 5 sq ft, only on private property with owner permission, not in public right-of-way, must not block clear sight for traffic safety) do not require a permit.
- Political message signs (max 6 sq ft, non-illuminated, not projecting beyond property line) do not require a permit.
- Public/legal notice temporary signs may be installed (not in vision triangle, must not be a public safety hazard) without a permit.
- Other temporary use signs (max 6 sq ft, removed within 24 hours after event) do not require a permit.
- Street name signs and required regulatory traffic signs installed by developers or the Village do not require a permit.
- Conservancy signs identifying protected easements (max size 14x18 inches or 252 sq in, installed prior to building permit/construction) do not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign not specifically listed as exempt in Section 10-10-1E or Section 10-10-2, including large real estate, construction, subdivision, and business district signs.
- No mention is made of a master sign plan, general sign plan, or pre-application variance meeting requirement in this ordinance; signs requiring variance must be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals, with recommendation to the Village President and Board of Trustees.
- All signs must also comply with the Building Code and any other relevant Village Code in addition to sign code requirements.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for North Barrington, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=North+Barrington+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-north-barrington

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