Sign Regulations in McLean County, IL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated McLean County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
McLean County zoning treats political signs, defined as any sign relating to a candidate, party, election or ballot issue, as a total exemption category: no sign permit is required. Exempt political signs still must meet district setback rules and cannot be illuminated.
McLean County Political Signs Need No Permit
Few RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-77A, A(11); § 350-75A(9)
Total exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this article, except for the provisions of § 350-77A through I above, and except that such signs shall comply with appropriate setback requirements as specified in this chapter. Such signs shall not be illuminated, but may be of the beaded reflector type upon approval thereof by the Director of Building and Zoning. ....
Garage Sale Signs
McLean County zoning exempts household-goods sale signs, the kind posted for a garage sale or auction, from the sign permit process, but only if the sign stays up six days or fewer in a calendar year. Exempt signs still must meet setback rules and cannot be illuminated.
McLean County Garage-Sale Sign Exemption
Light RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-77A, A(8)
Total exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the requirements of this article, except for the provisions of § 350-77A through I above, and except that such signs shall comply with appropriate setback requirements as specified in this chapter. Such signs shall not be illuminated, but may be of the beaded reflector type upon approval thereof by the Director of Building and Zoning. ....
Window Signs
In McLean County's commercial and manufacturing districts, a window sign covering 25% or less of the window surface needs no sign permit. Anything above that threshold, or any window sign outside those two districts, must go through the full Article X permit process.
McLean County Window Sign 25% Exemption
Light RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-77B
Exemptions from sign permit. Window signs not exceeding 25% of the window surface in commercial and manufacturing districts shall be exempt from the sign permit section of this article, but shall comply with all of the other regulations imposed by this article.
Freeway-Facing Signs
McLean County caps advertising signs (billboards) along roads at five per linear mile with at least 1,000 feet between signs, and any billboard bordering an interstate, freeway, or primary highway must also comply with the state Highway Advertising Act of 1972.
McLean County Freeway Billboard Rules
Some RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-83C(7)(a), (b), (j)
Not more than five advertising signs may be located per linear mile of street or highway regardless of the fact that such advertising signs may be located on different sides of the subject street or highway. ... No advertising sign shall be located within 1,000 feet of another advertising sign abutting either side of the same street or highway. ... An advertising sign established within a busin...
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