# Sign Regulations in Third Lake, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Third Lake, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/third-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Third_Lake/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH32ZO_ARTIVSURE_DIV6SIRE)

## At a glance

Third Lake, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Sign - Pylons in the CB zoning district are capped at 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) tall and 72 sq ft, with a Not within 10 ft of intersection of vehicular traffic ways/driveways/ROW setback (Sec. Sec. 32-241(b)(3)1). Most commercial signs in Third Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, MR | 5 | 6 ft (improved lot), 8 ft (unimproved lot) | 32 sq ft | — |
| CB | 7 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 75 sq ft | — |
| GB | 9 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 75 sq ft | — |
| LI | 6 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 96 sq ft | — |
| Lake Overlay District (LO) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, MR) | 7 | 6 ft (improved lots); 8 ft (unimproved lots) | 64 sq ft (total, up to 2 signs) | — |
| Community Business District (CB) | 7 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 75 sq ft | — |
| General Business District (GB) | 9 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 75 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 5 | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 96 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | BWES: 15 ft above building (max 45 ft in residential); SWES: 175 ft max (100 ft within 500 ft res.); LWES: 400 ft (100 ft w/in 500 ft res.) | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### CB

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/entity | On wall of business | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(1)c.1, c.2 |
| Building or Window Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/tenant | Per building; 1 per building or 1 per tenant in multi-tenant retail | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign - Pylon | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 72 sq ft | — | Not within 10 ft of intersection of vehicular traffic ways/driveways/ROW | 1 per lot | One per lot; in any required yard, but must maintain clear view | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)1 |
| Ground Sign - Monument | 9 ft | 72 sq ft | 12 ft | — | 1 per lot | One per lot; in any required yard | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)2 |
| Shopping Center Identification Ground Sign (Pylon or Monument) | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 per center | At shopping center development, 1 per shopping center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4) |
| Outlot Ground Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per outlot | On outlot at shopping center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4)e |
| Temporary and Promotional Signs | 6 ft (temporary freestanding) | Special events: 32 sq ft, 6 ft tall; Window promotional: up to 50% of window area | — | — | No more than 4 temp business sign permits per year | On premises, see additional requirements | — | Sec. 32-244(5) |

### GB

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/entity | On wall of business | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(1)c.2 |
| Building or Window Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/tenant | Per building; 1 per building or 1 per tenant in multi-tenant retail | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign - Pylon | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 72 sq ft | — | Not within 10 ft of intersection of vehicular traffic ways/driveways/ROW | 1 per lot | One per lot; in any required yard, but must maintain clear view | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)1 |
| Ground Sign - Monument | 9 ft | 72 sq ft | 12 ft | — | 1 per lot | One per lot; in any required yard | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)2 |
| Shopping Center Identification Ground Sign (Pylon or Monument) | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 per center | At shopping center development, 1 per shopping center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4) |
| Outlot Ground Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per outlot | On outlot at shopping center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4)e |
| Office/Industrial Park Development Entrance Sign | 9 ft | 72 sq ft (each) | — | — | 2 per entrance | At each entrance (max 2 signs per entrance) | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(6) |
| Temporary and Promotional Signs | 6 ft (temporary freestanding) | Special events: 32 sq ft, 6 ft tall; Window promotional: up to 50% of window area | — | — | No more than 4 temp business sign permits per year | On premises, see additional requirements | — | Sec. 32-244(5) |

### General Business District (GB)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entity | On wall of business; 1 per entity; multiple tenants per formula | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(1)c.2; Sec. 32-239(2) |
| Building or Window Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building/tenant | Per building or per tenant in retail multi-tenant | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign - Pylon | 20 ft (no face lower than 12 ft above grade) | 72 sq ft | — | 10 ft from traffic intersections; clear view required | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; any required yard | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)1; Sec. 32-242 |
| Ground Sign - Monument | 9 ft | 72 sq ft | 12 ft | — | 1 per lot | 1 per lot; any required yard | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(3)2; Sec. 32-242 |
| Shopping Center Identification Ground Sign (Pylon or Monument) | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 per center | At shopping center; 1 per center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4) |
| Outlot Ground Sign | 6 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per outlot | On outlot of center | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(4)e |
| Office/Industrial Park Development Entrance Sign | 9 ft | 72 sq ft (each) | — | — | 2 per entrance | At each entrance; max 2 per entrance | — | Sec. 32-241(b)(6) |
| Temporary and Promotional Signs | 6 ft (freestanding promo) | Freestanding: 32 sq ft, 6 ft tall; Window promotional: up to 50% of window area | — | — | 4 temp promo per year | On premises per permit | — | Sec. 32-244(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Third Lake

- No sign shall be located, constructed, erected, structurally altered, relocated or enlarged without the owner first having obtained a sign permit, except as otherwise provided.
- Commercial billboards and posterboards are prohibited on vacant premises or when displaying information not related to a business or enterprise on the same premises.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, portable signs and festoon lights are prohibited unless specifically authorized by the village administrator.
- Commercial signs not indicating bona fide business conducted or a product sold on the premises are prohibited.
- Signs which move or have moving parts are prohibited.
- Signs containing obscene, indecent or immoral content which offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Signs which impede, obstruct or conflict with traffic signals, vehicular or pedestrian travel, access to fire hydrants/exits, or otherwise unreasonably impede public health, safety and welfare are prohibited.
- Signs painted on walls or windows of buildings are prohibited except as permitted.
- Signs on vehicles, boats, or trailers (except for sale/rent signs up to 2'x2') are prohibited; this does not prohibit standard vehicle/bus/taxi advertising.
- Attention-getting devices are prohibited.
- Signs on, over or across public right-of-way are prohibited and subject to immediate removal.
- Obsolete signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Wall/window signs are not permitted on a wall screening rooftop mechanical equipment or covering a window.
- No sign may obstruct ingress or egress of any door.
- Signs cannot project above rooftops or parapets.
- No sign may be attached to a utility pole, tree, standpipe, gutter, drain, or fire escape, nor impair access to a roof.
- Signs obstructing public ways or projecting into rights-of-way are prohibited except as provided, and may be immediately removed.
- Signs imitating or obstructing traffic signs/devices or using certain words (‘Stop’, ‘Go’, etc.) or colored lamps that confuse/obstruct traffic are prohibited.
- No sign may violate the Illinois Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971.
- No sign shall be constructed or maintained in a location prohibited by ordinance.
- No sign may be constructed or maintained so as to prevent free ingress/egress from any door.
- No sign may have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness or color.
- No exposed reflective-type bulb or incandescent lamp exceeding 15 watts may be used on the exterior of a sign so as to expose the face to the public street or adjacent property.
- No sign may create glare, traffic hazard or confuse operators of motor vehicles.
- No sign on a public right-of-way (other than certain exempted categories).
- No sign shall exceed height, size or placement restrictions set forth for its district/type.
- Signs are not allowed to be enlarged, expanded, or added onto if they are nonconforming or illegal, except to change the message (if compliant); all other alterations are prohibited.
- Nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance upon required timetable or cease to exist as nonconforming after amortization period (five years after cause of nonconformity).

## Signs exempt from permit in Third Lake

- Signs not visible beyond property boundaries or public thoroughfares/right-of-way are exempt from regulations, except for construction, maintenance, and safety.
- Official signs of any public or government or private nonprofit organization when specifically approved by the village administrator are exempt.
- Any sign of any official court or public office, notices thereof, or any flag, emblem or insignia of a government entity is exempt.
- Any official traffic signs authorized by state law or this article are exempt.
- Temporary signs celebrating traditionally accepted patriotic, religious, national, or state holidays are exempt.
- No trespassing signs, warning signs (e.g., "Beware of Dog"), and other signs regulating property use not exceeding 2 square feet in area are exempt.
- Changing copy of an otherwise permitted sign or bulletin board where no structural changes or alterations are made is exempt.
- Private, noncommercial nameplate identification signs or street address identification signs not exceeding 2 square feet are exempt.
- Tablets, memorials, and cornerstones identifying a building or the date of erection, when built into the wall, are exempt.
- Private traffic direction signs within a premises, not exceeding 4 square feet in area and 4 feet in height, are exempt (illumination permitted per regulations).
- Other noncommercial signs (except as otherwise provided) are exempt, if they meet the bulk regulations for signs in the zoning district where located.
- Time or temperature signs are exempt.
- Public telephone signs up to 6 square feet attached to telephone booths are exempt, provided they do not materially obstruct vision at a street intersection.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every permit application for a freestanding or ground sign shall be accompanied by a landscape plan in accordance with section 32-242.
- A site plan is required for model dwelling signs showing size, shape, mounting height, type of material and required landscaping.
- Applications for sign permits must include a landscape plan, if required, per 32-235(b)(3).
- Permit applications for signs must include a sketch of sign faces, exposed surfaces, proposed message, and a description of construction, mounting, and support.
- Every permit application for a freestanding or ground sign must meet landscape requirements: for every square foot of sign area, 1.5 square feet of landscape area is required.
- Landscape plan must show plantings, ground protection, and avoid obscuring the sign.
- Illegal or nonconforming signs that are altered or replaced must meet current sign code provisions; alteration other than message change is not permitted.
- The zoning officer may require plans and specifications sealed by a registered architect, structural engineer, professional engineer, or prepared by a sign manufacturer as part of permit application.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Third Lake — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Third+Lake+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-third-lake

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