# Sign Regulations in South Barrington, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

South Barrington, Illinois regulates 15 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Detached)s in the 5F District zoning district are capped at 15 ft (including base) tall, 32 sq ft (1 face), 32 sq ft total both faces; width not to exceed 8 ft, and 8 ft wide, with a 20 ft from property line setback (Sec. 5F-12(A)(1)-(3)). Most commercial signs in South Barrington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Use Districts | 6 | 12 ft | 45 sq ft | — |
| Non-Residential Use Districts | 5 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face (2 faces) | — |
| 5D District | 2 | 15 ft (including base) | 150 sq ft (1 face), 150 sq ft total both faces; width not to exceed 15 ft | — |
| 5F District | 3 | 15 ft (including base) | 32 sq ft (1 face), 32 sq ft total both faces; width not to exceed 8 ft | — |
| Governmental Use District, Office/Research District | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name and Address Sign | — | 4 sq ft (regular), 12 sq ft (property 5 acres or more) | — | — | — | On property identifying owner/occupant | — | 10-3(A) |
| Residential Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft per face (2 faces) | — | Not within right-of-way/easement | 1, 2 on corner lots | On private property | — | 10-3(B), 10-4 |
| Development For Sale/Lease Sign | 12 ft | 32 sq ft (single face), 64 sq ft (multi-face) | — | — | — | On development of at least 5 acres | — | 10-3(C) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 2 sq ft per face (2 faces) | — | — | — | As per 10-4D (includes some off-site directional possibilities for specific sales) | — | 10-3(D), 10-4(D) |
| Contractor/Architect/Engineer Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property where construction is underway | — | 10-3(E) |
| Identification Sign for Institutional Uses (church, private park, school, hospital, home for aged, etc.) | — | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property housing institutional use | — | 10-3(F) |

### Non-Residential Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Street Address Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building/unit | — | 10-3-1(A) |
| Non-Residential Real Estate Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face (2 faces) | — | Not within right-of-way/easement | 1, 2 on corner lots | On private property | — | 10-3-1(B), 10-4-1 |
| Development For Sale/Lease Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft (single face); 64 sq ft (multi-face) | — | — | — | On development of at least 5 acres | — | 10-3-1(C) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft per face (2 faces) | — | — | — | As per 10-4-1(D) (includes some off-site directional possibilities for specific sales) | — | 10-3-1(D), 10-4-1(D) |
| Contractor/Architect/Engineer Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property where construction is underway | — | 10-3-1(E) |

### 5F District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Detached) | 15 ft (including base) | 32 sq ft (1 face), 32 sq ft total both faces; width not to exceed 8 ft | 8 ft | 20 ft from property line | 1 per building | In any front, side, or rear yard abutting a street, expressway, or tollway; minimum 20 ft setback from property line | — | 5F-12(A)(1)-(3) |
| Wall Sign (Identification) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On building (wall-mounted); 1 per building | — | 5F-12(A)(3)b |
| Other Signs (Traffic Regulation, Warning, Information, etc.) | 10 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | Limited to reasonable amount | Anywhere within zoning lot | — | 5F-12(B) |

## Prohibited signs in South Barrington

- It is unlawful to erect any sign contrary to the provisions of this chapter anywhere within the Village.
- Signs painted on building walls are prohibited.
- With the exception of grand opening banners, pennants, banners, streamers and portable signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Advertising benches or other similar signs are prohibited.
- "Temporary signs" for commercial, business or advertising use within the right-of-way of any street, roadway or highway are prohibited.
- Signs advertising motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, trailers, and watercraft "For Sale" are prohibited in all districts.
- Electronic signs are prohibited in all districts.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Barrington

- The term "sign" does not include any display of official court or public office notice.
- The term "sign" does not include the flag, emblem or any insignia of a nation, governmental unit, school or religious group.
- Signs required to be posted by law are allowed (e.g., tobacco sales age restriction signs, fertilizer warning signs, etc.).
- Signs to regulate traffic, warning signs, no trespassing signs, signs giving information concerning the location and/or use of accessory off-street parking facilities or loading and unloading facilities, and signs established by governmental agencies are allowed if not illuminated, do not exceed four (4) square feet in sign face area, and do not exceed ten feet (10') in height (see 5D-9 and 5F-12).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Subdivision identification signs require submission as a part of a landscape plan in preparation for preliminary and final subdivision plat approval and must be approved by the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Trustees (10-5-G).
- Application for approval of any grand opening banner must include plans and specifications, must be approved by the Architectural Control Commission and Building and Zoning Inspection Officer, and requires a $50 application fee (10-5-H).
- Variations from sign regulations may be granted only through a formal process that includes a public hearing before the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals and approval by the Board of Trustees (10-7).

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

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