Sign Regulations in Evanston, IL (2026)
3 verified sign regulations for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Political and campaign signs are exempt from Evanston's sign permit but capped at six square feet per occupancy and confined to private property under City Code Section 6-19-5(S). Anything larger, illuminated, or placed in the public right-of-way falls outside the exemption and becomes an unpermitted sign, since Section 6-19-6 prohibits any sign not specifically permitted in the Chapter.
Evanston Political Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-19-5(S); § 6-19-4(A); § 6-19-6; § 6-19-16
(S)Political or Campaign Signs. Signs promoting candidates for public office or issues on election ballots, not exceeding six (6) square feet per occupancy, posted on private property. [6-19-4(A)] No permit shall be required for maintenance of a "sign" as defined herein, nor for certain signs identified as exempt under Section 4-10-6 of this Chapter. [6-19-6] All signs not specifically permitte...
Holiday Displays
Evanston caps exterior lighting at 0.5 foot-candle at the property line, but holiday lighting is exempted from that cap as long as it meets the adopted NFPA 70 National Electric Code wiring standards.
Evanston Holiday Lighting Exempt From Cap
Light RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 5-1-3 (IPMC § 402.4)
Exterior lighting shall not cause light trespass and shall protect adjacent properties and public ways from glare and excessive lighting. Light level at any property line is limited to one-half (0.5) foot-candle unless otherwise regulated by city code. Exception: 1.Security lighting: Exterior lighting installed primarily for safety or emergency shall be permitted provided that said lighti...
Window Signs
Temporary window signs in Evanston can cover only 25% of the window area, rising to 35% if no other permanent signage is used, and must show a display date.
Evanston Caps Temporary Window Signs at 25%
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-19-5(Y)
Signs temporarily affixed to the inside of a window, advertising commercial situations relating to goods or services sold on premises, provided that the total of all signs in the window area, including temporary and permanently mounted signs does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the window area; and further provided that each temporary window sign has the initial date of display permanen...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Sign Regulations in Cook County →