# Sign Regulations in Spring Grove, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Spring Grove, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/spring-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-17
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.springgrovevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Chapter-12-Sign-Control-01-2023.pdf)

## At a glance

Spring Grove, Illinois regulates 27 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Restricted Frontage Sign - Single Posts in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 66 inches overall tall, Max sign face 30 in H x 30 in W, and 36-inch maximum extension arm wide, with a Minimum 36 inches from any building, driveway, walkway, sidewalk and road right-of-way. setback (Sec. 1203.3(E); Exhibit 8). Most commercial signs in Spring Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 66 inches overall | Max sign face 30 in H x 30 in W | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (E-5, E-2, E-1, R-1, R-2) | 2 | 6 ft (all temporary ground signs limit) | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Business Zoning Districts (B-1, B-2) | 16 | If sign extends below permanent canopy at 90° to building, minimum height 8 ft above public sidewalk. | Up to 50 sq. ft. (even if Table 1 would allow more). | — |
| Office/Research (O-R) | 5 | If sign extends below permanent canopy at 90° to building, minimum height 8 ft above public sidewalk. | Up to 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial (I) | 11 | If sign extends below permanent canopy at 90° to building, minimum height 8 ft above public sidewalk. | Up to 50 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | Ground directional sign: 4 ft; Wall or projecting directional sign: 10 ft | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On-premises, identifying service areas (e.g., Receiving, Office, Parking). | — | 1203.7(A); 1203; 1208.1; 1209; 1210.1 |
| Church or Place of Worship Sign (Wall or Ground) | — | — | — | Ground signs must follow 1203.2(C) setbacks. | One per church/place of worship | On-premises; may be wall or ground type. | — | 1203.3(C); 1203; 1206 |
| School Sign (Wall or Ground) | — | — | — | Ground signs must follow 1203.2(C) setbacks. | One per school | On-premises; may be wall or ground type. | — | 1203.3(D); 1203; 1206 |
| Restricted Frontage Sign - Single Post | 66 inches overall | Max sign face 30 in H x 30 in W | 36-inch maximum extension arm | Minimum 36 inches from any building, driveway, walkway, sidewalk and road right-of-way. | — | Lots unable to comply with existing ground sign regulations due to extenuating circumstances. | — | 1203.3(E); Exhibit 8 |
| Restricted Frontage Sign - Post and Panel | Overall height 54 inches; top of sign face max 48 inches above grade; minimum clearance 12 inches from grade | Maximum sign face 12 sq. ft. | — | Minimum 36 inches from any building, driveway, walkway, sidewalk and road right-of-way. | — | Lots unable to comply with existing ground sign regulations due to extenuating circumstances. | — | 1203.3(E); Exhibit 8 |
| Gas Station Pump Island Signs | — | 8 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | Up to 2 signs per pump island | On each pump island at gas stations. | — | 1203.7(C) |

### Business Zoning Districts (B-1, B-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building Side with Public Entrance) | Within signable area; may extend above signable area if building setback ≥25 ft, per Table 1, but never above eave/parapet/mansard/coping or other limiting architectural feature. | Per Table 1; examples: for signable area 100 sq ft and setback 100 ft, S=57 sq ft; for setback 300 ft and signable area 1000 sq ft, S=175 sq ft. | — | Height allowances linked to building setback per Table 1; cannot exceed limiting architectural features. | One wall sign per establishment per side of building with a public entrance. | On building faces located in business districts that contain a public entrance. | — | 1203.1; 1203.1(A)(1)-(3); 1203.1(B); Exhibit 1; Exhibit 2; Exhibit 7; 1206 |
| Wall Sign (Building Side without Public Entrance, fronts public street) | Within signable area limits; may extend above signable area if building setback ≥25 ft per Table 1 but never above limiting architectural features. | Up to 50 sq. ft. (even if Table 1 would allow more). | — | Per Table 1. | One per building side that fronts a public street. | On building sides that do not have a public entrance but front a public street. | — | 1203.1 (para 2); 1203.1(B); Exhibit 2; 1206 |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft overall above finished grade; bottom of sign face minimum 12 inches above ground. | Sign face area per Exhibit 6: 4,000 or less bldg sq ft: 24 sq ft face; 5,000: 30; 6,000: 36; 7,000: 42; 8,000: 48; 9,000: 54; 10,000: 60; 11,000 or larger: 64. | — | Not within 10 ft of street ROW and/or lot line/easement; minimum distance from building = 1.5 x sign height; minimum 40 ft between ground signs; located ≥5 ft from side lot line and ≥40 ft from midpoint of any adjoining lot frontage; corner placement: 45° if facing corner or 90° to main thoroughfare; Route 12 ROW: 50 ft from centerline; Route 173 ROW: 102.5 ft from centerline. | One permanent ground sign per building occupying a lot with ≥50 ft frontage on a public street/highway. | On that part of the lot fronting a public street with ingress/egress and containing the primary public entrance to the building. | — | 1203.2; 1203.2(A)-(E); Exhibit 6; 1208.1(K) |
| Directory Sign (Ground) | Per ground sign limits (overall height 6 ft). | Per Exhibit 6 for ground signs. | — | Ground sign setbacks per 1203.2(C). | As specified by location constraints. | Shopping center: one directory sign at one main entrance; Business/manufacturing subdivision: one directory sign at each point of entrance, with only one directory sign permitted for any subdivision on the same street. | — | 1203.3(A)(1)-(2); Exhibit 6 |
| Projecting Sign | Highest point not above second-story windowsill or 16 ft, whichever is lower. | 9 sq. ft. | Extends, at outermost point, not more than 60 inches from face of wall; pinned at least 6 inches away from wall. | — | One per public entrance; one per wall fronting public street without entrance. | At each public entrance to an establishment fronting on a public street; and on each wall that does not have a public entrance but fronts a public street. | — | 1203.4 |
| Pre-Construction Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft (all temporary ground signs limit). | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | One per lot side/building face with street frontage. | One on each side of lot or each face of building with frontage on a public street. | — | 1204.4(A); 1204.4; 1204.3; 1209.2 |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) (Business) | 6 ft (all temporary ground signs limit). | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | One per lot side/building face with street frontage. | One on each side of lot or each face of building which has frontage on a public street. | — | 1204.4(B); 1204.2; 1204.3; 1209.2 |
| Promotional Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | Max 1 temporary sign at any time (exceptions apply). | On-premises at establishments located in a business zoning district. | — | 1204.4(E); 1209.2 |

### Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Building Side with Public Entrance) | Within signable area; may extend above signable area if building setback ≥25 ft per Table 1, but never above limiting architectural features. | Per Table 1. | — | Height allowances linked to building setback per Table 1; cannot exceed limiting architectural features. | One wall sign per establishment per building side with a public entrance. | On building faces located in Industrial districts that contain a public entrance. | — | 1203.1; 1203.1(A)(1)-(3); 1203.1(B); Exhibit 1; Exhibit 2; Exhibit 7 |
| Wall Sign (Building Side without Public Entrance, fronts public street) | Within signable area limits; may extend above signable area if building setback ≥25 ft per Table 1 but never above limiting architectural features. | Up to 50 sq. ft. | — | Per Table 1. | One per building side that fronts a public street. | On building sides without public entrance but fronting a public street. | — | 1203.1 (para 2); 1203.1(B); Exhibit 2 |
| Ground Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft overall; bottom of sign face minimum 12 inches above ground. | Per Exhibit 6. | — | Per 1203.2(C). | One permanent ground sign per building on a lot with ≥50 ft frontage. | On that part of the lot fronting a public street with ingress/egress and containing the primary public entrance to the building. | — | 1203.2(A)-(E); Exhibit 6; 1208.1(K) |
| Directory Sign (Ground) | Per ground sign limits (overall height 6 ft). | Per Exhibit 6. | — | Ground sign setbacks per 1203.2(C). | As specified by location constraints. | Shopping center: one at one main entrance; Manufacturing subdivision: one at each entrance; only one directory sign permitted on same street for any subdivision. | — | 1203.3(A)(1)-(2); Exhibit 6 |
| Projecting Sign | Highest point not above second-story windowsill or 16 ft, whichever is lower. | 9 sq. ft. | Extends, at outermost point, not more than 60 inches from face of wall; pinned at least 6 inches away from wall. | — | One per public entrance; one per wall fronting public street without entrance. | At each public entrance fronting on a public street; and on each wall that does not have a public entrance but fronts a public street. | — | 1203.4 |
| Pre-Construction Sign (Temporary) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | One per lot side/building face with street frontage. | One on each side of lot or each face of building with frontage on a public street. | — | 1204.4(A) |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) (Manufacturing/Industrial) | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | One per lot side/building face with street frontage. | One on each side of lot or each face of building which has frontage on a public street. | — | 1204.4(B); 1204.2; 1204.3; 1209.2 |
| Identification Sign (Temporary) (Industrial) | 6 ft. | 30 sq. ft. | — | Min 5 ft from any public right-of-way. | One | On parcel of land for industrial zoning district. | — | 1204.4(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Spring Grove

- Permanent off-premise signs are prohibited.
- Signs on poles are prohibited (except where specifically allowed elsewhere in the ordinance).
- Signs that revolve, rotate, move, or give the appearance of movement are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Portable or moveable signs are prohibited.
- Attention-getting devices such as search lights, propellers, spinners, streamers, inflatables, or pennants are prohibited.
- Attaching signs to any tree, fence, fire escape, bush, or utility pole or placing signs within a public right-of-way is prohibited (except where specifically allowed).
- Signs painted directly on a building are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Lettering or other elements of a sign message that extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the surface to which it is attached are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic signs or signals, or that display words like 'Stop', 'Slow Down', 'Caution', or 'Warning' in a manner normally associated with traffic control, are prohibited.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- Exposed bare bulbs in sign illumination are prohibited (neon tube signs are treated as internally illuminated and permitted).
- Exposed clear gas-filled discharge tubing (neon or similar) visible through a sign face is prohibited unless the sign concept and colors are reviewed and approved by ARC and the Village Board.
- Blinking, flashing, fluttering lights and beacon lights are prohibited.
- Colored lights that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are prohibited.
- Strobe lights are prohibited for any sign or to light any sign.
- Spotlights or floodlights directed toward a sign that may reflect toward public ways are prohibited.
- High pressure sodium lights are prohibited for sign illumination.
- Time and temperature devices may not be used for advertising or conveying information other than time and temperature.
- No sign shall be located so as to interfere with the clear vision of vehicular traffic or otherwise impair vehicular or pedestrian safety.
- No sign shall be located so as to interfere with snow removal or other municipal or public utility maintenance activities.
- No sign shall obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, or other opening used as a means of egress.
- No sign shall be located nearer than 10 feet to any telephone, electrical, or cable TV line.

## Signs exempt from permit in Spring Grove

- Exempt signs (general conditions): no illumination; no permits; placed on private property and set back from any public right-of-way; not placed on trees, utility poles, fences, or other accessory structures unless specifically provided; not more than 4 feet in height unless specifically provided.
- Governmental traffic control and directional signs: may be on a fence, tree, or utility pole; may be in the public right-of-way; may be illuminated; may exceed 4 feet in height.
- Public utility directional signs (not for promotion or sale of products/services): may be on a fence, tree, or utility pole and may be within a public right-of-way.
- Land use regulatory signs (e.g., 'No Trespassing', 'No Hunting'): maximum 1.5 sq. ft. area.
- Directional wall and window signs (e.g., 'Enter', 'Exit', hours): total area not greater than 144 square inches.
- Residential household and garage sale signs: installed no earlier than 12 hours before the sale; removed immediately after; max 6 sq. ft.; one per lot (corner lots may display one per frontage).
- Temporary window signs: inside or painted onto window/door glass; permitted for up to 60 consecutive days; must be cloth-like/paper/temporary materials (not solid permanent materials); not internally illuminated; may occupy up to 25% of the window area.
- Real estate signs: must be on the property for sale/lease/rent; max 6 sq. ft. in residential districts and 16 sq. ft. in business/manufacturing districts; one per lot (corner lots may have one per frontage); remove within 7 days after transaction.
- Real estate open house signs: may be placed in street rights-of-way on Tuesdays 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and Saturdays/Sundays Noon–5:00 p.m.; must not interfere with sight distance or be in medians; max 4 sq. ft.; professional appearance; may have two faces; limited content; no more than four signs in a cluster; excess clusters are subject to summary removal.
- Political campaign signs (window, wall, or ground) are allowed in all zoning districts; ground signs max 16 sq. ft. area and 48 inches height; must be on private property setback from any public right-of-way; remove within 7 days after the election.
- On-premises seasonal decorations: visible from exterior; displayed for up to 90 days; not in the public right-of-way.
- Flags and emblems (governmental or organizational): one per establishment/building/parcel; U.S. flag displayed per Flag Code is exempt.
- Historical references (memorial plaques/markers): attached or integral to the structure; max 4 sq. ft. area.
- Identification signs (address sign): one pole or wall-mounted sign per unit; address numbers 3–12 inches high; total area max 1.5 sq. ft.
- Number identification signs (street address posting): buildings at property line use numerals 3–4 inches high; buildings set back use numerals 6–10 inches high; must be easily visible from the street.
- Vending machine signs: permanent signs affixed by the manufacturer.
- Gasoline pump signs: permanent signs affixed by the manufacturer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent sign requests require submission of a sign plan; initial review by the ARC Chairperson and the Building and Zoning Officer determines compliance.
- If a permanent sign plan does not comply or shows variances/departures, the application is referred to the full ARC for a meeting; ARC then recommends approval or denial to the Village Board; the Village Board makes the final determination.
- No sign permit is issued until final sign design approval is granted by the Village Board.
- Uniform Sign Plan is required for multi-tenant buildings (Exhibit 7); signs must use individual letters/logos, not project perpendicularly or above the roofline, and total sign area is limited to 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of unit frontage; common-sized lettering spaces, a single common color, a consistent background and size, and raceways/background matching building color are required.
- Development identification signs for residential subdivisions, retail centers, and commercial developments require ARC and Village Board review and approval.
- Restricted Frontage and Special Circumstance Signage applications may be referred to the full ARC for review if deemed necessary by the Building and Zoning Officer or ARC Chairman.
- Temporary outdoor displays require ARC and Village Board approval prior to permit issuance.
- Temporary off-premise promotional signs may be referred to the Village Board for approval if deemed necessary by the Building and Zoning Officer.
- Changeable copy and electronic message center signs, and permanent time and temperature devices, are allowed only by variance; variance applications are reviewed by ARC and then decided by the Village Board, which may impose conditions.
- Permanent projecting signs for single-business signage in multi-tenant buildings require a variance.
- Portable and/or changeable copy signs are prohibited except in specified cases and must be approved by ARC and the Village Board when permitted.
- Permanent sign applicants required to appear before ARC and the Village Board must submit 17 information packets at least two weeks prior to the ARC meeting and pay a $350 non-refundable application fee; a new fee is required for subsequent applications if denied or canceled.

## 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 5 zoning districts in Spring Grove — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Spring+Grove+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-spring-grove

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