Lake County, IL Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Signs allowed
- 2 per garage sale event
- Max sign size
- 4 square feet each
- Placement
- Sale lot or consenting private property only
- Sales per year
- 2 per zoning lot
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Lake County only
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County allows up to two garage sale signs per event, each capped at four square feet, placed only on the sale lot or on private property with the owner's consent.
(4) Garage sales. (a) Garage sales shall be allowed in all zoning districts without a permit, provided that no more than two garage sales shall be conducted on a zoning lot in any calendar year. (b) No garage sale shall be conducted for longer than three consecutive days duration. (c) Sales events may be conducted during daylight hours only. (d) No more than two signs may be used to advertise a permitted garage sale event. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and must be located within the boundaries of the zoning lot on which the sale takes place or on other private property, with the consent of the owner.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County's zoning code lets a property in the unincorporated county hold up to two garage sales per calendar year, each running no more than three consecutive days and daylight hours only, without a zoning permit. To advertise one, § 151.114(O)(4)(d) caps signage at no more than two signs per sale, each no larger than four square feet, and the signs must sit within the boundaries of the sale's own zoning lot or on other private property with that owner's consent -- roadside or right-of-way postings aren't authorized. This applies only outside incorporated cities and villages; Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville, and Lake County's many other municipalities enforce their own sign rules.
Violations & Fines
Planning, Building and Development Department enforcement; excess or oversized signs, or signs posted without the property owner's consent, can be ordered removed as an unauthorized temporary use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many garage sale signs can I put up in unincorporated Lake County?
Can I put my garage sale sign on a neighbor's lawn or a road median?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois sign regulations overview
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