Lake County, IL Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Window sign area cap
- 25% of window area
- Permit required
- No, allowed by right
- Residential districts
- Window signs not allowed
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Lake County only
- Construction rule
- Exempt from permanent-material requirement
Summary
In unincorporated Lake County, window signs need no permit in nonresidential and institutional zoning districts but are capped at 25% of window area under the county's Unified Development Ordinance; they're barred entirely in residential districts.
Window sign N A[j] A[j] ... Window No limit 25% of window area N/A ... Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this section, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.
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
Table 151.173(G) of Lake County's Unified Development Ordinance lists window signs as 'N' (not allowed) in Residential districts and 'A[j]' (allowed without a permit) in Nonresidential and Institutional districts. The cross-referenced Table 151.173(J) caps window signage in nonresidential districts at 25% of the window area, with no limit on the number of window signs. Window signs are also exempt from the requirement in § 151.173(L)(2) that signs be built of permanent materials and permanently attached to a structure. The rules apply only to unincorporated Lake County under § 151.003. Waukegan, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville and other incorporated municipalities enforce their own separate sign codes.
Violations & Fines
Violations bring a notice to cure from the Planning, Building and Development Director; uncorrected sign violations can lead to administrative adjudication, injunctive relief, and forfeiture of signs placed on public property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many window signs a nonresidential business can have in unincorporated Lake County?
Do Lake County's window sign rules apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois sign regulations overview
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