McHenry County, IL Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

UDO § 16.72.090 lists yard signs and temporary nonstructural signs among signs exempt from regulation, so a typical political yard sign requires no permit. Section 16.72.090B provides that exempted signs may display noncommercial messages under the same standards as commercial messages, unless restricted by State law such as the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq.). Larger temporary structural signs (§ 16.72.100) may likewise carry a noncommercial message, must sit 5 feet from side and front lot lines, cannot exceed 16 or 32 square feet depending on the road, and are limited to a 120-day display period. Cities set their own campaign-sign rules.