# Sign Regulations in North Chicago, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** North Chicago, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/north-chicago
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/North_Chicago/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT12BURE_CH11SI)

## At a glance

North Chicago, Illinois regulates 9 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Sign Zone A zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 100 sq. ft., with a 5 ft from right-of-way setback (Sec. Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16(H)). Most commercial signs in North Chicago require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sign Zone A | 4 | Must not extend more than 10 ft above roof's highest point | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Sign Zone B | 5 | 25 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 25 ft from grade | 200 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Sign Zone A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft | 100 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Minimum setback from right-of-way: 5 ft. | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16(H) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Building wall/facade | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16C(2) |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend more than 10 ft above roof's highest point | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On roof | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-17(K); 12-11-16C(2) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On, under, or attached to a canopy/awning/marquee | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16C(2) |

### Sign Zone B

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from right-of-way | 1 per street frontage | Minimum setback from right-of-way: 5 ft. | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16(H) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Building wall/facade | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16C(2) |
| Roof Sign | Must not extend more than 10 ft above roof's highest point | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On roof | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-17(K); 12-11-16C(2) |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On, under, or attached to a canopy/awning/marquee | — | Table 1 (12-11-17); 12-11-16C(2) |
| Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | Only permitted in Sign Zone 'B', as defined in 12-11-19. | — | 12-11-14(N), 12-11-19 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Banner | 8 ft from grade or 25 ft if mounted to building | 50 sq. ft. (or 25 ft diameter) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On private property of establishment being advertised. May be attached to wall/roof or anchored to ground. | — | 12-11-16(D) |
| Development Identification Sign (Residential) | 8 ft from grade | 50 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per development or 1 per internal roadway entering/leaving | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | 12-11-16(G) |
| Development Identification Sign (Non-Residential/Commercial/Industrial) | 25 ft from grade | 200 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per development or 1 per internal roadway entering/leaving | Minimum 5 ft from any property line | — | 12-11-16(G) |
| Auxiliary Signage (including Changeable Message/Auxiliary/LCD/LED displays) | — | — | — | — | — | May be incorporated as part of wall or freestanding sign | — | 12-11-16(E), 12-11-16(C)(10) |

## Prohibited signs in North Chicago

- Permanent signs which are abandoned, as defined in this Chapter, for a period of not less than ninety (90) days.
- Animated and flashing signs, except that such prohibition shall in no way be construed to prohibit the use of changeable message signs.
- Signs that contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character, which will offend public morals and decency.
- Signs that contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal, or contain the words 'Stop', 'Go Slow', 'Caution', 'Danger', 'Warning', or similar words.
- Signs that are of a size, shape, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal.
- Portable signs being used for uses other than a temporary nature.
- Projecting signs, unless the bottom of the sign is over eight (8) feet above grade and not obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
- Signs that move in any manner or have a major moving part.
- Signs that contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, string of light bulbs, spinners, balloons or other similar devices. These devices when not part of any sign are similarly prohibited unless they are specifically permitted by other legislation or by other sections of this chapter.
- Signs that may swing or otherwise noticeably move due to wind or appear to be moving or flickering as a result of optical illusion.
- Signs that are located within one thousand feet (1,000'-0") of an official traffic signal, sign or device or intersecting, merging, or approaching traffic so as to obscure or interfere with the view of these by a motorist or a pedestrian.
- Neon, light-emitting diode (LED) or other decorative border lights that appear on the inside or outside of any transparent window, doorway or translucent surface. This also includes the areas immediately adjacent to these surfaces, in which the decorative border lights are visible from the exterior of the building.
- Signs (including billboards) that direct attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. Billboards shall only be an allowable use in Sign Zone "B", as defined in Section 12-11-19.
- Any illumination of signs on a property in which the business is no longer operational due to their business license being withheld or denied, or revoked due to nuisance.
- Electrical equipment or apparatus causing interference with radio and television reception are prohibited.
- No signs shall be suspended by chains or other means that could allow lateral movement.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, color or brightness. Beacon lights are prohibited.
- No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.
- Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and private thoroughfares.
- No exposed reflective type bulbs or incandescent lamps which exceed fifteen (15) watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any signs so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- No strobe lights shall be permitted on any signs or to light any sign. Spotlights and floodlights directed toward any sign, which may reflect off such sign toward public ways, are prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct a fire escape, exit, door or window intended as a means of ingress and egress.
- No sign shall obstruct an opening required for natural or mechanical ventilation or mechanical exhaust.
- No sign shall interfere with drainage.
- No sign shall interfere with or obstruct the view to or from traffic control devices, intersections, driveways, roadways, sidewalks, alleys or crosswalks.
- No sign shall interfere with or obstruct the circulation and flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- No roof sign shall be placed so as to interfere with movement on or access to a roof.
- No sign shall project over a public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in North Chicago

- Signs which identify architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals and firms involved with the construction (limited size, no advertising, time-limited).
- On-premise directional signs with area of display not exceeding twelve (12) square feet.
- Flags, emblems, plaques or insignia of any political subdivision, corporation, religious institution or organization.
- Signs with area of display less than ten (10) square feet erected by units of government for traffic control and other regulatory purposes.
- Railroad and utility company signs with an area of display less than ten (10) square feet.
- Signs of a primarily decorative nature associated with national, local or religious holidays.
- House numbers and name plates with an area of display not exceeding two (2) square feet. One name plate per dwelling unit or office is permitted.
- Signs located within the interior of a building or structure not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Signs cut into a masonry surface or constructed of non-combustible material and inlaid.
- On-premise bulletin boards at medical, educational, charitable, religious and public institutions.
- On-premise 'No Trespassing' and 'No Dumping' signs with area of display not exceeding ten (10) square feet.
- Plaques with area of display not more than ten (10) square feet.
- Public notices posted by public officials or employees in the performance of their duties.
- Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by law, statute or ordinance.
- Political and campaign signs, provided: no sign shall be located within or project over the public right-of-way; size and total area per property limitations apply.
- On-premise, non-illuminated real estate sales and leasing signs (limited size, time-limited, some placement restrictions).
- Real estate open house signs under specified conditions.
- Signs in a window display of merchandise, when incorporated with such displays—subject to area limitations and conditions.
- Temporary on-premise signs, not exceeding ten (10) square feet, relating to events or activities of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious institutions, time-limited.
- Garage sale signs (also yard or any similar sale) and related directional signs—subject to size, duration, and placement limits.
- Signs intended for seasonal messages, such as religious and national holidays or events, so long as such signs are approved by the Economic and Community Development Director, within area and duration limits.
- Signs intended for seasonal messages, such as religious and national holidays or events, in residential districts, time-limited.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit application requires submission of two complete sets of drawings, plats and plans, including a site plan drawn to scale, showing the proposed location of the sign, location of other signs, buildings, structures, drives and property lines, and a summary of sizes and types of existing signs on the site (Section 12-11-8).
- The Economic and Community Development Director may require additional information as necessary to show full compliance with this and all other applicable city ordinances (Section 12-11-8H).
- If an applicant is denied a permit, written notice and statement of reasons shall be provided; applicant may appeal to the Planning and Zoning Commission (Sections 12-11-9 and 12-11-11).
- Variances from sign regulations require a petition, public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission, written findings, and decision by the City Council (Section 12-11-12).
- No explicit mention of a specific 'master sign plan' or 'sign plan' as a required, standalone document, but submission of site plans with permit applications is required for all signs needing a permit.

## Full detail

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

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