One of the most common surprises for Chicago business owners getting new signage is discovering that most signs require a permit from the city or municipality. Skip the permit and you could face fines, forced removal, and a serious headache. Here's what you need to know.
Does My Sign Need a Permit?
In Chicago and most Chicagoland suburbs, the answer is almost always yes. Illuminated signs, wall-mounted signs over a certain size, projecting signs, pylon signs, monument signs, and awnings all typically require permits. Small window vinyl graphics and temporary signs are usually exempt, but the rules vary by municipality.
Who Issues Sign Permits in Chicago?
In the City of Chicago, sign permits are issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings. You'll need to submit permit applications, sign drawings, and — for electrical signs — an electrical permit as well. The process involves plan review and inspection. For suburban municipalities, each city or village has its own zoning and building department with its own rules.
How Long Does the Permit Process Take?
In Chicago, standard sign permits typically take 2–6 weeks for plan review and approval. Expedited review is available for a higher fee. In the suburbs, timelines vary widely — some villages approve permits in a few days, others take 4–8 weeks. This is why starting your sign project early matters.
What Information Do You Need for a Permit Application?
Typical Chicago sign permit applications require: a site plan showing the sign location, sign drawings with dimensions, materials, and colors, electrical specifications for illuminated signs, and proof of property ownership or landlord consent. Your sign company should handle all of this — if they're asking you to pull your own permits, that's a red flag.
Common Sign Permit Mistakes
The most common mistakes are submitting incomplete drawings, underestimating the review timeline, and not accounting for zoning restrictions like maximum sign area or height limits. Chicago has specific rules about signs in designated historic districts, planned developments, and near residential zones. An experienced local sign company knows these rules and designs around them from the start.
Does Magic Sign Design Handle Permits?
Yes — permit handling is part of our full-service process on every project that requires one. We prepare all drawings, submit the applications, and follow up with the city or municipality on your behalf. You don't have to deal with the Department of Buildings. This is one of the key advantages of working with a local in-house sign company versus an online vendor who ships you a sign and leaves installation and permits to you.
Questions about your specific sign and permit requirements? Call us at (224) 830-1576 or fill out our contact form. We serve all of Chicago and Chicagoland.