Aurora, IL Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Location
- Within 500 ft of I-88 Tollway
- Max area
- 1,200 sq ft
- Max height
- 60 ft
- Separation
- 500 ft pole-to-pole
- License
- Annual, under Sec 25-291
Summary
Aurora limits digital billboards to non-residential parcels within 500 feet of the I-88 Tollway right-of-way, capping them at 1,200 square feet, 60 feet tall, and requiring a city license before construction.
Location: Digital billboards are only permitted in non-residential districts when located within five hundred
(500) feet from the edge of the Tollway right-of-way in the city. The width of the permitted area shall be five hundred (500) feet north of the northern edge of the Tollway right-of-way and five hundred (500) feet south of the southern edge of the Tollway right-of way, within the city. Area: Digital billboards shall not exceed twelve hundred (1,200) square feet in area. Height. Digital Billboards shall not exceed sixty (60) feet above grade of the Tollway intended to be viewed from. Length: Digital Billboards shall not exceed sixty (60) feet in length. Separation: There must be a separation of five hundred (500) linear feet measured from pole-to-pole from one existing digital billboard to another existing digital billboard on the same side of the Tollway. No digital billboard shall be in such a position that it obscures the view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in such a manner as to endanger the safe movement thereof. Digital billboards shall only be directed towards the Tollway in a perpendicular manner. All digital billboards shall only be freestanding. Digital billboards shall not be "stacked" one on top of another or placed together horizontally "end-to-end" or "side-by-side". Dwell time: The electronic message must remain static (no animations or full motion video) for a minimum of ten
Full Breakdown
Sec 41-16 confines digital billboards to non-residential districts within 500 feet of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) right-of-way, on a 500-foot-wide band north and south of it. Each sign is capped at 1,200 square feet, 60 feet in height, and 60 feet in length, must face the Tollway perpendicularly, stand freestanding only, and sit at least 500 feet pole-to-pole from the next digital billboard on the same side of the Tollway. Operators need an annual license under Sec 25-291 before construction, and messages must hold static for at least 10 seconds with instantaneous transitions: no blinking, flashing, or scrolling.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required license, or exceeding the size, height, or location limits, risks license suspension or revocation and penalties under Sec 41-16's licensing and enforcement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a digital billboard anywhere in Aurora?
Does Aurora require a permit for a digital billboard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
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Digital Billboards in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle digital billboards.