# Sign Regulations in Round Lake Beach, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Round Lake Beach, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/round-lake-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Round_Lake_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SUHITA_TIT8BURE_CH2SICA)

## At a glance

Round Lake Beach, Illinois regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Garage Sale Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft maximum from ground to top of sign tall and 6 sq ft per sign face, with a See above (3 ft inside pavement) setback (Sec. Sec. 901.10(2)). Most commercial signs in Round Lake Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | Minimum vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in above grade; sign must not project above, below, or beyond the awning. | Awning: Not more than 24 inches in height; Suspended nameplate: Not exceeding 12 sq ft. | — |
| Residential districts | 7 | 7 ft 6 in above curb level | 60 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family residential districts | 2 | 12 ft above curb level | 16 sq ft | — |
| Commercial districts | 6 | 20 ft above curb level at 20 ft setback; 1 ft additional height per 4 ft additional setback, max 40 ft | Up to 500 sq ft total (see formula); Directional signs: 100 sq ft max total; 4 sq ft per directional sign | — |
| Shopping centers | 4 | — | — | — |
| Family oriented entertainment center | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial districts | 3 | 20 ft above curb at 20 ft setback; 1 ft higher per additional 4 ft setback, up to 40 ft max | Up to 500 sq ft total (see formula); Total directional sign area: 100 sq ft max | — |
| Industrial parks | 1 | 15 ft at 20 ft setback; may be increased 1 ft per additional 4 ft setback, up to 40 ft | Up to 500 sq ft total (see formula) | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to project higher than height of building | — | — | — | — | Flat against a building or wall | — | Sec. 901.3; Sec. 901.7; Sec. 901.8; Sec. 901.9; Sec. 901.11 |
| Awning or Canopy Sign | Minimum vertical clearance 7 ft 6 in above grade; sign must not project above, below, or beyond the awning. | Awning: Not more than 24 inches in height; Suspended nameplate: Not exceeding 12 sq ft. | Cannot extend horizontally beyond physical awning; signs on awnings not to extend beyond limits of awning. | — | — | Affixed flat to the surface of the awning/canopy; suspended nameplate may hang below. | — | Sec. 901.4 |
| Garage Sale Sign (Residential) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | One sign per sale, or one per frontage if corner lot | On premises where sale occurs | — | Sec. 901.10(2) |
| Garage Sale Directional Sign | 3 ft maximum from ground to top of sign | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | See above (3 ft inside pavement) | Max 4 | Village right-of-way (subject to placement and time restrictions) | — | Sec. 901.10(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (General Exemption) | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises for sale/rent | — | Sec. 901.2(2) |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | At site of construction only while work is in progress | — | Sec. 901.2(3) |
| Business Nameplate (Non-Residential, Exemption) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per business | On building, one per business | — | Sec. 901.2(4) |
| Banner Sign | — | — | — | Economic development banners: 15 ft plus 1 ft/10 sq ft over 30 sq ft | — | On property or suspended over street (min 15 ft above) | — | Sec. 901.2(6), (8); Sec. 901.9(8) |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 2 ft from property line | One per dwelling unit (two per corner lot) | At least 2 ft from any property line | — | Sec. 902.0(b)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 7 ft 6 in above curb level | 6 sq ft | — | Within 7 ft from front lot line | One per lot (two if corner lot) | Within 7 ft from front lot line | — | Sec. 902.0(c) |
| Residential Development Entrance Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per new development | At entrance to residential development | — | Sec. 902.0(c)(4) |
| Parking Area Sign - Entrance/Exit | 7 ft 6 in above curb level | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance/exit | — | — | Sec. 902.0(d)(1) |
| Parking Area Sign - Conditions/Identity | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | One per parking area (two if corner lot) | — | — | Sec. 902.0(d)(1) |
| Church Bulletin Board | 7 ft 6 in above curb level | 14 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from street R/W; min 8 ft to zoning lot | One per lot (two if corner lot) | No closer than 15 ft from street right-of-way; No closer than 8 ft to another zoning lot | — | Sec. 902.0(e) |
| Nameplate/Identification Sign (Non-Residential Public/Quasi-Public Use) | 7 ft 6 in above curb level | 32 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from street R/W; min 8 ft to zoning lot | One per lot (two if corner lot) | No closer than 15 ft from street right-of-way; No closer than 8 ft to another zoning lot | — | Sec. 902.0(f) |

### Commercial districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Wall/Freestanding) | 20 ft above curb level at 20 ft setback; 1 ft additional height per 4 ft additional setback, max 40 ft | Up to 500 sq ft total (see formula); Directional signs: 100 sq ft max total; 4 sq ft per directional sign | — | 20 ft from front lot line, 5 ft from other lot lines | — | Wall, or freestanding on poles/posts/pylons/pipes/frames; primary sign setback: min 20 ft from front lot line, 5 ft from any other lot line | — | Sec. 903.0(a) |
| Window Sign | — | Max 50% of total window area per wall | — | — | — | On or inside windows | — | Sec. 903.0(a)(6) |
| Portable Sign (Commercial) | — | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per 40 ft of frontage, max three | — | — | Sec. 903.0(a)(7) |
| Directional Sign (Commercial) | — | 4 sq ft per sign; total directional sign area max 100 sq ft per lot | — | Within first 7 ft from lot line | Max 4 | First 7 ft from front lot line; directional use only | — | Sec. 903.0(a)(1), (2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial) | 7 ft 6 in above curb | 12 sq ft | — | Within 7 ft from front lot line | One per lot; two if corner lot | Within 7 ft from front lot line | — | Sec. 903.0(c) |
| Commercial Development Entrance Sign | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One per development | At development entrance | — | Sec. 903.0(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Round Lake Beach

- No sign shall be erected in a location prohibited by this ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected so as to prevent free ingress and egress from any door, window, or other exit required by building or fire codes.
- No sign shall be attached to a utility pole, tree, standpipe, gutter drain, or fire escape, nor erected so as to impair access to a roof.
- Signs in direct line of vision of a traffic signal from specified points in a traffic lane shall not have red, green, or amber illumination.
- All outdoor advertising structures, post signs, accessory signs, or advertising statuary declared a traffic hazard must be relocated or rearranged to comply with safety standards.
- No sign shall project higher than the height of the building when attached to the building. Roof signs are expressly prohibited.
- No sign shall be located on vacant property except real estate signs and billboards.
- No signs shall be displayed on park benches, poles, posts, pipes, or frames advertising services or products not conducted or offered on the zoning lot on which the structure is located.
- Flashing signs, rotating or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights, or signs creating the illusion of movement are prohibited.
- No advertising sign shall be permanently erected within the village.
- Signs painted or printed upon the exterior of buildings are prohibited, except for signs naming the place of business, type of business, address, or owner/proprietor, which may be painted on the glass of a door or window at the front.
- Portable signs may be displayed for a maximum of 60 days in any calendar year.
- Banner signs may be displayed for a maximum of 60 days in any calendar year, except where otherwise limited.
- Outdoor display structures not permanently mounted, including balloons, may be displayed for a maximum of 60 days in any calendar year.
- Signs must not be erected so as to prevent free ingress and egress from required exits by fire or building codes.
- Obsolete signs must be removed within 90 days of becoming obsolete.
- No sign shall be altered, reconstructed, or moved unless brought into compliance with current regulations, excepting normal maintenance.
- Advertising signs that do not meet requirements require a special use permit.
- All signs must be constructed, installed, anchored, and maintained per the building and property maintenance codes.
- Signs must be mounted so the backs are screened, painted, or neutral in color and blend with the environment.
- All signs must comply with mounting, construction, and maintenance requirements.

## Signs exempt from permit in Round Lake Beach

- Non-flashing and fixed signs not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are situated or from any public thoroughfare or right-of-way.
- Miscellaneous traffic and other official signs of any public or governmental agency, such as railroad crossing signs, trespassing signs, signs indicating danger, or signs used as aids to service or safety.
- Identification or display of official court or public office notices, or any flag, emblem or insignia of a nation, political unit, school, or religious group (with limits on number of flagpoles and flags per lot).
- Any sign located completely within an enclosed building, not visible from outside the building.
- Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary, or remembrances of persons or events that are non-commercial and located in established graveyards.
- Works of fine art when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise that may benefit commercially.
- Temporary decorations and displays celebrating traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.
- Signs attached to an operable vehicle, while operated in the normal course of business, not primarily for sign display; except that vehicles parked over 72 hours and conspicuously visible are subject to portable sign regulations.
- Changing the copy or performing maintenance on a sign, bulletin board, billboard, etc., where no structural or letter height changes are made.
- Temporary, non-illuminated, real estate signs not more than 8 square feet in area and 4 feet in height, advertising the sale or rental of premises on which the sign is located.
- Temporary, non-illuminated construction signs (max 16 square feet), limited to one per entrance, identifying firms involved in construction and displayed only while work is in progress.
- Private or commercial nameplate identification signs (one per business, max 4 sq. ft.), except not allowed for businesses in residential areas.
- Tablets without commercial advertisement, such as memorials, cornerstones, building name/date/use built into a building's walls.
- Temporary civic or public benefit event signs, not exceeding 16 sq. ft., as authorized, displayed maximum 21 days before the event and removed within 48 hours after (with deposit).
- Garage or rummage sale signs not exceeding 2 sq. ft., displayed for no more than four consecutive days and limited to two signs per sale.
- Temporary economic development event signs for new businesses as authorized, subject to area, duration, setback, and removal requirements (with deposit).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All nonconforming signs must be removed when the use, classification of business, or occupant changes. When nonconforming signs must be removed and the minimum required setback is not available, such nonconforming signs may be replaced by wall or projecting signs attached to the existing nonconforming building.
- Any advertising sign which does not meet the requirements of this section shall require a special use permit.
- Shopping center signs require special use permits, except for portable signs, temporary banner signs, and outdoor display structures which are regulated elsewhere.
- A family-oriented entertainment center sign package on a lot of at least 1.5 acres shall require a special use permit for the sign package program.
- Political signs on non-residential property require a permit from the person/organization responsible or from the property owner/occupant.
- Permit is required for all signs except as specifically exempted under 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 8 zoning districts in Round Lake Beach — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Round+Lake+Beach+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-round-lake-beach

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