Sign Regulations in Cook County, IL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Cook County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Cook County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Political Signs

In unincorporated Cook County, political campaign signs count as temporary signs: one per lot (two on corners), 12 sq ft max, no permit needed if you follow the limits.

Cook County Political Sign Rules

Light Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 12.1.4.F

Temporary signs for the sale or rental of real estate, personal celebrations, political campaigns, noncommercial special events or garage sales, subject to the following: 1. One sign shall be permitted on a zoning lot...Signs shall not have a sign face exceeding 12 square feet in area nor be closer than ten feet to other zoning lots...4. Signs shall not project higher than ten feet above ground...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Garage Sale Signs

In unincorporated Cook County, a garage sale sign skips the permit but is capped at one per lot, 12 square feet, and three days out: no exceptions.

Cook County Garage Sale Sign Rules

Some Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 12.1.4(F)

F. Temporary signs for the sale or rental of real estate, personal celebrations, political campaigns, noncommercial special events or garage sales, subject to the following: 1. One sign shall be permitted on a zoning lot, except that on corner lots two signs...shall be permitted. Signs shall not have a sign face exceeding 12 square feet in area... 6. Temporary signs shall not be erected in conn...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Digital Billboards

Cook County zoning caps how bright and how fast digital signs can change: Article 12.4 limits dynamic image display signs to 5,000 nits by day and 250 nits at night, bars illumination after 11 p.m. unless the business is open, and forbids changing the displayed image more than once every ten seconds anywhere in unincorporated Cook County.

Cook County Dynamic Image Display Sign Limits

Significant Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 12.4

Dynamic image display signs shall comply with the following regulations: ... 12.4.1.Luminance. The following brightness limits shall apply:A.5,000 nits between sunrise and sunset; andB.250 nits between sunset and sunrise.C.No sign shall be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., provided that an entity may keep its on-premises sign illuminated to no greater than 250 nits betw...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗