Waukegan, IL Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- UDO §§ 12.02.I.1.d and 12.02.J.9
- Category used
- Non-Commercial Messaging Sign (no 'political sign' article)
- Max size
- 6 sq ft per face
- Max height
- 4 feet
- Illumination/animation
- None allowed; must be non-illuminated, static
- Commercial-lot setback
- 6 ft minimum from lot line
- Special protection
- Exempt from the 30-day expired-event abandonment rule
Summary
Waukegan has no sign category labeled 'political signs'; it regulates yard signs about candidates and issues under its Non-Commercial Messaging Signs exemption, capping them at 6 square feet and 4 feet tall, unlit and unanimated. Political campaign signs are also the one message type exempt from the code's 30-day expired-event abandonment rule.
d.Any sign announcing an event or the date or dates of an event which has passed, with the exception of political campaign signs... 9.Non-Commercial Messaging Signs, subject to the following conditions:a.Limited to the following dimensions:i.A maximum surface area of six square feet per sign face; andii.A maximum height of four feet.b.May not incorporate animated or automatically changing graphics.c.May not be internally or externally illuminated.d.Must be a removable sign that is not permanently affixed, applied, or painted on a wall or other surface or structure, or permanently secured into the ground with a concrete foundation on the premises; ande.Must be maintained in a state of good repair.f.Non-commercial message signs may not be located closer than six (6) feet to any lot line on any non-residentially zoned property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
02 govern them instead. d otherwise deems any sign referencing a past event 'abandoned' 30 days after that event, but it specifically exempts political campaign signs from that rule, so an old campaign sign alone does not trigger removal. 9, subject to real limits: a maximum surface area of six square feet per face, a maximum height of four feet, no animated or automatically changing graphics, and no internal or external illumination. The sign must be removable, not permanently affixed, applied, or painted onto a wall, and not set into the ground with a concrete foundation, and it must be kept in good repair.
On any non-residentially zoned property, a non-commercial message sign cannot be placed closer than six feet to any lot line; that setback does not appear for residential lots. 02.
Violations & Fines
A political or non-commercial sign that exceeds the 6-square-foot, 4-foot-height, or illumination limits loses its exemption and becomes a prohibited or non-permitted sign under Section 12.02. The City gives the owner 30 days after notice to remove or correct it; if that deadline passes, the City may remove the sign, bill the property owner for the cost, and place a lien on the property if the bill remains unpaid after 30 more days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Waukegan have a specific ordinance for political yard signs?
How long can I keep a political sign up after an election in Waukegan?
Can I put a political sign right up against the sidewalk on my commercial lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
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