# Sign Regulations in South Elgin, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

South Elgin, Illinois regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Residential Use/Development Id)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a 5 ft (front/corner), 10 ft (interior) setback (Sec. § 156.10.D.2.e). Most commercial signs in South Elgin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Park System | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential districts, B-1, B-2, VC, I | 11 | 20 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| All zoning districts | 3 | Residential: 6 ft; Non-residential: 8 ft | ≤25% of ground floor window area | — |
| Non-residential districts | 3 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 30% of awning area | — | — | — | Awnings may project from facades but not more than 6 ft, no portion lower than 7 ft above grade, must not project within 2 ft of curb. | — | § 156.10.D.2.a |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft from top of canopy | 1 sq ft/linear ft of building facade to which sign is affixed. | — | — | One per tenant entrance | Canopy must be at least 7 ft above grade; cannot extend below lowest point of canopy. | — | § 156.10.D.2.b |
| Monument Sign (Residential Use/Development Id) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft (front/corner), 10 ft (interior) | Varies by lot width per street frontage | Allowed for residential development identification and non-residential uses in residential districts. Min. 5 ft from front/corner side lot line, 10 ft from interior side. | — | § 156.10.D.2.e |
| Wall Sign (Non-residential and Multi-unit) | — | Varies by frontage, minimum 40 sq ft allowed on front/corner side | — | — | 1 per street frontage/unit + 1 per unit (side/rear) | Installed on facade, not to project above top of wall, not more than 1 ft from face, generally at uniform height. | — | § 156.10.D.2.g |
| Window Sign (Permanent, Non-residential and Multi-unit) | — | ≤25% of window area (per facade, ground floor or story) | — | — | — | Allowed on any facade, per area limits. | — | § 156.10.D.2.h |
| Residential Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | One wall or window sign per residential lot. | — | § 156.10.D.1.h |

### Non-residential districts, B-1, B-2, VC, I

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft from top of canopy | 1 sq ft per linear ft of attached facade | — | — | One per tenant entrance | At least 7 ft above grade; sign may not extend below canopy. | — | § 156.10.D.2.b |
| Drive-Thru Sign | 7 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft (from residential zone line) | 2 per drive-thru lane | Min. 15 ft from any residential zoned lot line. | — | § 156.10.D.2.c |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | One per eligible frontage | May project from front/corner facade in B-1, B-2, VC zones; must be min 8 ft above grade, cannot project within 2 ft of curb, 1 ft min from edge of facade. | — | § 156.10.D.2.d |
| Monument Sign (B-1, VC, Res districts for residential dev/non-res use) | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft (front/corner), 10 ft (side) | 1 or 2 per frontage by lot width | Min 5 ft from front/corner, 10 ft from side lot lines. | — | § 156.10.D.2.e |
| Monument Sign (B-2, I) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | 5 ft (front/corner), 10 ft (side) | 1 or 2 per frontage by lot width | Min 5 ft from front/corner, 10 ft from side lot lines. | — | § 156.10.D.2.e |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage/tenant | May project from building max 6 ft; min 7 ft above grade; must not project over roof or within 2 ft of curb. | — | § 156.10.D.2.f |
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by facade; min 40 sq ft on front/corner | — | — | 1 per street frontage/unit + 1 per unit (side/rear) | On facade, not more than 1 ft projecting out; not above wall top. | — | § 156.10.D.2.g |
| Electronic Message Sign (as part of Marquee/Monument Sign) | — | ≤50% of supporting sign area | — | — | One per lot | Allowed only as part of marquee or monument sign in B-1, B-2, I. Not within 1 mile of another such sign. | — | § 156.10.D.2.i |

### Non-residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk, must preserve ≥4 ft for passage; must be within 15 ft of main business entrance. | — | § 156.10.E.2.a |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 2 per street frontage+ | — | — | § 156.10.E.2.c |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (temporary) | Non-residential use in any zoning district; as wall or window sign only. Cannot project above roof or encroach into ROW. | — | § 156.10.E.3.a |

## Prohibited signs in South Elgin

- It is unlawful to paste, glue, tack, post, or otherwise affix any sign, placard, bill flyer, advertisement, or inscription of any kind within the park system except as otherwise authorized.
- It is unlawful to erect the following prohibited signs or devices in any zoning district: Attention Getting Devices, Bandit Signs, Banner Flag Signs, Flashing Signs and Lights, Inflatable Devices, Moving Signs (except barber poles, electronic message signs, flags, pennant signs, street clocks, and other established signs), Obscene Signs, Portable Signs, Roof Signs, Signs that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are confused with traffic signs/signals/devices, Vehicle Signs, and Video Display Signs.
- All signs must be constructed, erected, and maintained in a safe, secure manner that is not a danger to the public.
- No sign may conceal windows, doors, or unique architectural features (except window signs).
- Signs may only be placed on public property by a government agency or as authorized; any unauthorized sign may be removed without notice.
- Signs may only be placed on private property with prior consent of the property owner and, if applicable, pursuant to an approved minor site plan review.
- Illuminated signs must be turned off from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. or 30 minutes after close of business, whichever is later (unless the use remains open between those hours).
- No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials, such as mirrors, polished metal, or highly-glazed tiles, which would increase glare.
- Externally illuminated signs must be lit by steady, stationary, fully shielded light sources concentrated on the sign face.
- No sign or device shall interfere with, obstruct, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device due to its position, shape, illumination, or color.

## Signs exempt from permit in South Elgin

- Permanent signs exempt from permit requirements and allowed in all zoning districts (provided standards are met): Flags, Government Signs, Headstones, Historical Markers (constructed of bronze or incombustible materials, not exceeding 4 sq ft), Miscellaneous Information Signs, Parking Lot Signs (up to 6 sq ft), Parking Lot Driveway Signs, Residential Signs (one unilluminated wall or window sign up to 2 sq ft per residential lot), Street Address Signs (not internally illuminated, up to 2 sq ft), Warning Signs, and Wayfinding Signs.
- Temporary signs not requiring a permit and allowed (provided standards are met): A-Frame Signs (one per business, in non-residential districts or non-residential use in residential districts—must not block sidewalks, only during business hours), Temporary Window Signs (up to 25% of window area, max 4 weeks per calendar year), Yard Signs (two per street frontage, plus additional for building permit, property for sale/lease, and election signage; display periods as specified).
- Signs informing the public of age restrictions for tobacco products as required by §119.08.
- Any properly authorized government official in pursuit of any official duty is exempt from the prohibition on affixing signs within the park system.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Minor site plan review approval from the Zoning Administrator is required for most permanent sign types (e.g., awning, canopy-mounted, drive-thru, marquee, monument, projecting, wall, window) as per § 156.10.D.2.
- A Temporary Sign Permit, issued by the Zoning Administrator, is required for certain temporary signs (e.g., Banner Signs).
- Sponsorship signs in special areas of control (such as park land) require an application, Village review and comment, and approval by the Village Board (including a proposed signage program).
- A Special Use Permit (§ 156.03.C.3) is required for electronic message signs.
- All sign permits (including fees) are regulated under § 150.60.
- All signs must conform to the applicable provisions of § 156.10 of the Code.

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

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