# Sign Regulations in Sugar Grove, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sugar Grove, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/sugar-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Sugar Grove, Illinois regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Flag (Ground Mounted)s in the Residential Districts (E-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, Senior Residential) zoning district are capped at Flagpole: 20'; Flag: 4' tall, Flag: 24 sq. ft., and Flag: 6' wide, with a 10' from property lines setback (Sec. §11-14-8(C), (D) Table; §11-14-7B(16)). Most commercial signs in Sugar Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (E-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, Senior Residential) | 5 | Flagpole: 20'; Flag: 4' | Sign structure: 64 sq. ft.; Sign face: 40 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Districts (A-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, BP, OR-2, M-1, I-1) | 15 | Sign structure: 16'; Sign face: 10' | Based on above formula; max 200 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Residential: max 16 sq. ft. per lot; Nonresidential: max 32 sq. ft. per lot | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts (E-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, Senior Residential)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Single-family Subdivision, 10+ acres) | Sign structure: 8'; Sign face: 5' | Sign structure: 64 sq. ft.; Sign face: 40 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 10'; Sign face: 10' | — | See additional requirements | At entry to subdivision; if on both sides of street directly across, counts as one sign. | — | §11-14-8(A)(1), (D) Table |
| Monument Sign (Multi-family Subdivision, 3+ acres) | Sign structure: 6'; Sign face: 4' | Sign structure: 40 sq. ft.; Sign face: 24 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 8'; Sign face: 8' | — | 1 | At entry to subdivision | — | §11-14-8(A)(2), (D) Table |
| Monument Sign - Directional (Multi-family buildings) | Sign structure: 3'; Sign face: 3' | Sign structure: 9 sq. ft.; Sign face: 9 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 3'; Sign face: 3' | — | 1 per building | One per building (multi-family lots with multiple buildings) | — | §11-14-8(B), (D) Table |
| Flag (Wall Mounted) | Flag: 4'; Flagpole: 6' | Flag: 24 sq. ft. | Flag: 6' | — | Up to 5 per lot | Wall mounted | — | §11-14-8(C), (D) Table |
| Flag (Ground Mounted) | Flagpole: 20'; Flag: 4' | Flag: 24 sq. ft. | Flag: 6' | 10' from property lines | Up to 5 per lot | Ground mounted | — | §11-14-8(C), (D) Table; §11-14-7B(16) |

### Nonresidential Districts (A-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, BP, OR-2, M-1, I-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision, 10+ acres) | Sign structure: 16'; Sign face: 10' | Sign structure: 170 sq. ft.; Sign face: 100 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 12'; Sign face: 12' | — | 1 per subdivision or up to 2 (see additional requirements) | At subdivision entry. Up to 2 signs if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way, each along a separate right-of-way. | — | §11-14-9(A)(1), (G) Table |
| Monument Sign (Lot with multiple buildings) | Sign structure: 10'; Sign face: 5' | Sign structure: 100 sq. ft.; Sign face: 50 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 12'; Sign face: 12' | — | 1 per lot or 2 if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way | At lot entry. Up to 2 signs if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way. | — | §11-14-9(A)(2)(a), (G) Table |
| Monument Sign (Multi-tenant building) | Sign structure: 10'; Sign face: 5' | Sign structure: 100 sq. ft.; Sign face: 50 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 12'; Sign face: 12' | — | 1 per lot or 2 if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way | At building entry. Up to 2 signs if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way. | — | §11-14-9(A)(2)(b), (G) Table |
| Monument Sign (Freestanding/Single-tenant building) | Sign structure: 10'; Sign face: 5' | Sign structure: 100 sq. ft.; Sign face: 50 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 12'; Sign face: 12' | — | 1 per lot or 2 if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way | At building/lot entry. Up to 2 signs if abutting 2+ public rights-of-way. | — | §11-14-9(A)(2)(c), (G) Table |
| Monument Sign - Directional (Ground mounted) | Sign structure: 3'; Sign face: 3' | Sign structure: 9 sq. ft.; Sign face: 9 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 3'; Sign face: 3' | — | 3 per lot, except 1 per building for multi-building lots | Within lot, for directions or addresses. | — | §11-14-9(B), (G) Table |
| Menu Board | Sign structure: 8'; Sign face: 6' | Sign structure: 48 sq. ft.; Sign face: 36 sq. ft. | Sign structure: 6'; Sign face: 6' | — | 2 per restaurant | Drive-through restaurants | — | §11-14-9(C), (G) Table |
| Flags (Wall Mounted) | Flag: 5'; Flagpole: 8' | Flag: 40 sq. ft. | Flag: 8' | — | Up to 5 per lot | Wall mounted | — | §11-14-9(D), (G) Table |
| Flags (Ground Mounted) | Flag: 5'; Flagpole: 25' | Flag: 40 sq. ft. | Flag: 8' | 10' from property lines | Up to 5 per lot | Ground mounted | — | §11-14-9(D), (G) Table; §11-14-7B(16) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Political Sign (Temporary, Ground/Wall/Fence Mounted) | — | Residential: max 16 sq. ft. per lot; Nonresidential: max 32 sq. ft. per lot | — | — | No limit (area limit per lot) | Not in right of way or sight triangle. | — | §11-14-4(K) |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (Temporary, Ground Mounted) | — | 4 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 or 2 per lot (see restrictions) | Located upon lot being advertised; not in right of way | — | §11-14-4(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Sugar Grove

- Signs located on the ground in the right of way or mounted on an object that is located on the ground in the right of way, except as allowed for certain excluded signs.
- Off premises signs, including billboards, that advertise or provide directions/information about a business, entity, or product not on the lot where the sign is located, unless otherwise specified.
- Roof mounted signs (signs mounted upon or above a roof or parapet).
- Pole signs (ground signs utilizing exposed poles for their support), except as for nonresidential directional signs as outlined in code.
- Signs mounted on accessory structures, except for gasoline station canopy signs as outlined in code.
- Moving or rotating signs, except barber's poles.
- Signs painted directly onto any exterior wall.
- Exposed or reflective lighting signs (bare, unshielded light, neon, incandescent, LED bulbs or tubes) on the exterior of a sign or structure (shop window signs excluded as per code).
- Signs which emit an audible sound or visible matter.
- Signs utilizing hologram technology.
- Signs which exhibit changing light or color effects by any means, whether stationary or animated, unless excepted (electronic message center signs).
- Strobe lights.
- Searchlights.
- Banners, balloons, streamers, spinners, posters, cold air inflatable devices, and A-frame (sidewalk or sandwich board) signs, unless permitted as part of a temporary sign permit.
- Portable signs intended to be moved from site to site, typically trailer-mounted.
- Vehicle/trailer signs parked so as to be visible from public right of way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a business located on the same or nearby property, and where the vehicle/trailer has been parked in the same place for more than 48 hours.
- Signs with obscene, indecent, prurient, immoral, or untruthful content.
- Signs which interfere with, obstruct, or may be confused with traffic/emergency signs or construction vehicle signs/lights.
- Signs which constitute a hazard to public health or safety, including obstruction of ingress/egress from fire escapes, doors, windows, or ventilation.
- Obsolete signs (for entities or products no longer active/available); must be removed within 45 days of cessation of operations; removal required by permit.
- Manual changeable message centers (MMC) or readerboards.
- Any sign not listed as excluded or permitted in the sign code is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sugar Grove

- Permanent, wall or fence or ground mounted, property regulating signs (such as 'No Trespassing', 'No Hunting', etc.) of no more than four square feet, not in the right of way.
- Public utility company signs indicating danger, safety aid, or location of underground utilities, of no more than four square feet; may be located in right of way.
- Permanent, wall or mailbox mounted address numbers; may be on permanent ground mounted advertising signs for nonresidential lots and do not count toward allowable sign area.
- Residential nameplate signs (one, no more than one square foot).
- Nonresidential integral signs (up to two tablets, no more than four square feet each) denoting names of buildings, officers, or date of erection, cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/incombustible materials.
- Nonresidential bulletin boards for government or nonprofit institutions (one per institution, up to twelve square feet).
- Permanent, wall mounted sign for home occupation business name only (one, no more than one square foot).
- Public traffic and emergency signs (including railroad crossing, danger) of any size may be located in the right of way or on private property with permission.
- Village of Sugar Grove signs (public hearing, community entrance, wayfinding, community center signs) of any size may be, with owner's permission, in right of way (except public hearing signs must follow specific location rules).
- Permanent, ground mounted, noncommercial memorial signs (gravestones, plaques, etc.); not in right of way.
- Temporary, ground mounted real estate advertising signs (residential or nonresidential), advertising only the lot/building space for sale/lease/rent with contact info, max 4 sq. ft., one per lot (two if abuts two or more ROWs, with additional rules), removed within 5 days of sale/lease/rent; not in right of way.
- Residential garage or patio sale (temporary) signs, one per lot (two if abuts two or more ROW), max 4 sq. ft., removed within 24 hours after sale; not in right of way.
- Temporary, wall mounted nonresidential window signs (not exceeding 40% of individual window, not framing window, first floor only, not internally illuminated but may use exposed/reflective nonflashing lighting), electrical permit needed if using electricity.
- Temporary residential holiday decorations (wall/fence/ground mounted) for recognized holidays, not displayed for more than 90 consecutive days.
- Temporary, wall/fence/ground mounted, residential or nonresidential political signs (unlimited number, max total 16 sq. ft. res./32 sq. ft. nonres. per lot), not in right of way or sight triangle.
- Temporary, ground mounted, nonprofit/governmental event signs (1 per lot, or 2 if abuts 2+ ROW, max size 16 sq. ft. residential/32 sq. ft. nonres.), with written permission may be off-site, not more than 15 consecutive days in any 3 month period, not in right of way.
- Any sign one square foot or less, up to five per nonresidential lot.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit application (including sign plan) is required to be submitted and approved before the installation, design, erection, construction, engineering, alteration, major repair, removal, relocation, or use of all signs in the permitted section.
- In the case of new developments or complete redevelopments, a comprehensive sign plan shall be submitted.
- In the case of signage modifications to existing developments, information on existing signs may be required to be submitted.
- If the applicant requests approval of signage at the same time as approval of a special use or planned unit development under the zoning ordinance, the signage shall be approved under the special use procedure using the standards of this chapter. Signs approved as part of a special use or PUD are not relieved from requiring a sign permit.
- An electrical permit application is required for any sign involving illumination, internal or external.

## Full detail

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

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