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Sign Code Summary

Skokie, IL

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in Skokie, IL

Every outdoor sign in Skokie is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Skokie code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Skokie.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Skokie, Illinois. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in Skokie, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

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Max ground sign height
Monument: 18 ft; Pylon: 18 ft or to the top of the lowest level of any roof or facade line
Ground sign setback
Monument: 2 ft from lease line; Pylon: Not specified

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
50% of the face to which it is attached or 100 sq ft, whichever is less
Awning Projection Clearance
Blade sign shall not be located closer than 10 percent of the distance to the top or to the bottom of any fascia or structural surface
Awning Sign Letter Height
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Awning Sign Logo Height
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Surface Area Of Any Sign Maximum Area
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3 more awning signs rules in the full report →

Building Signs

Building Sign Formula
No greater than ⅓ of the commercial portion of the facade
Wall Sign Signable Area
commercial facades: Signable area shall be no greater than ⅓ of the commercial portion of the facade
Building Sign Max Number
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1 more building signs rule in the full report →

Definitions

Flashing Sign Definition
Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light(s) are not maintained in a stationary condition or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is illuminated.
Gross Surface Area Of Sign Definition
the entire area defined by the limits or perimeter of a sign.
Illuminated Sign Definition
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Marquee Definition
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Projecting Sign Definition
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Roof Sign Definition
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Unsafe Signs Definition
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Wall Sign Definition
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Window Sign Definition
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Alter Definition
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Auxiliary Sign Definition
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Blade Sign Definition
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Business Nameplates Definition
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Canopy And Awning Definition
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Construction Sign Definition
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Damaged Sign Definition
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Flags And Pennants Definition
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Inflatable Or Air Supported Sign Definition
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Interior Sign Definition
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Legal Nonconforming Sign Definition
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Monument Sign Definition
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Painted Sign Definition
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Restaurant Information Sign Definition
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Restaurant Informational Sign Definition
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Sign Face And Smoothness Definition
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Temporary Sign Definition
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24 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
4 square feet
Directional Max Height
3 feet if set back more than 15 feet from intersection

Electrical Structural

Post Installation Inspection
Inspection of completed sign to confirm compliance with approved plans and codes

General Info

Jurisdiction Name
Skokie, IL

General Standards

Max Window Sign Coverage
permanent window signs: No more than 25 percent of an individual window glass surface inside the frame shall be covered by any type of sign
Nonconforming Sign Compliance Deadline
Sign must be brought into compliance within 30 days if nonconforming status is lost
Sign Materials Standards
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Garage Sale Sign Maximum Area
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2 more general standards rules in the full report →

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Ground Signs

Ground Sign Type
Monument and pylon/pole
Ground Sign Formula
Monument: 25 sq ft; Pylon: 50 sq ft for changeable copy area
Ground Sign Max Height
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Ground Sign Setback
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Ground Sign Attachment Requirement
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Ground Sign Landscaped Bed
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Ground Sign Landscaped Bed Elevation
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Ground Sign Max Area Per Face
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Ground Sign Max Height
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Ground Sign Max Height
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8 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Illumination

Sign Illumination Intensity
The lighting intensity of any sign shall not exceed 75 footcandles when measured with a standard light meter perpendicular to the face of the sign from a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of the sign
Sign Illumination Shielding
all signs except temporary and blade signs: Exterior and interior illumination shall be permitted on all signs except temporary signs and blade signs. All illuminating devices shall be completely shielded from view beyond the lot line in order to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property

Permit Process

Permit Fee
$75 each fee, sign app to be filled out and emailed in, signs listed by elevation on one application
Triangulation Requirements
15-foot sight triangle clearance for ground signs over 30 inches high

Temporary Signs

Temp Signs Allowed
Permit required
Temp Sign Rules
Max area: 25 sq ft; max height: 18 ft; max duration: not specified; permit required
Temporary Banner Per Street Frontage
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1 more temporary signs rule in the full report →

Window Signs

Window Sign Allowable Area
No more than 25 percent of an individual window glass surface
Permanent Window Sign Maximum Area
No more than 25 percent of an individual window glass surface inside the frame shall be covered by any type of sign.
Temporary Window Sign Maximum Area
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1 more window signs rule in the full report →

Zoning

Cx Core Mixed Use District Requirement
CX Core Mixed-Use District; zones CX: Buildings in the CX Core Mixed-Use district undergoing historically correct renovations to their original appearance shall be exempt from the sign criteria in this chapter.
Permitted Sign Review Requirement
Permitted signs: The following signs are permitted in residential districts without prior approval of the Appearance Commission, but are subject to the conditions and limitations as contained in Section 82-7: (1) Real estate signs.
Signs Requiring Approval Of Appearance Commission Review Requirement
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1 more zoning rule in the full report →

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