# Sign Regulations in Bensenville, Illinois

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bensenville, Illinois, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bensenville, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/bensenville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Bensenville, Illinois regulates 26 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6), Single-Dwelling Unit Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 5 ft from front/corner side, 10 ft from interior side setback (Sec. 10-10-5.B.8). Most commercial signs in Bensenville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6), Single-Dwelling Unit Zoning Districts | 8 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2) | 11 | 8 ft | 50% of area of awning | — |
| Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2) | 8 | 8 ft | 50% of area of awning | — |
| Non-Residential Districts | 4 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | Driveway access: 4 ft | Driveway access: 4 sq ft; warning: 2 sq ft; street address: 2 sq ft (Single-Dwelling), 6 sq ft (other districts); headstone, historical: 4 sq ft; parking lot: 6 sq ft; residential sign: 2 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6), Single-Dwelling Unit Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front/corner side, 10 ft from interior side | 1 per street frontage for lots < 300 ft width; 2 per street frontage if lot width >= 300 ft (150 ft minimum distance between monument signs) | Minimum 5 ft from any front or corner side lot line and 10 ft from any interior side lot line | — | 10-10-5.B.8 |
| Awning Sign (Non-Residential/Multiple-Unit Use Only) | — | 50% of area of awning | — | — | Per facade/tenant frontage | Can project from front, side, rear, or corner side facade; max 4 ft from facade; min 8 ft above grade | — | 10-10-5.B.1 |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign (Non-Residential/Multiple-Unit Use Only) | 2 ft (as measured from top of canopy) | — | — | — | 1 per tenant entrance | May project max 4 ft from facade; minimum 8 ft above grade; shall not extend below the lowest point of the canopy | — | 10-10-5.B.2 |
| Wall Sign (Non-Residential/Multiple-Unit Use Only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant; 1 additional per tenant on side or rear | Affixed to building facade, not projecting >1 ft from face; shall not project above top of wall | — | 10-10-5.B.11 |
| Window Sign (Non-Residential/Multiple-Unit Use Only) | — | 25% of ground floor window area per establishment | — | — | — | Ground floor window area or above, per facade | — | 10-10-5.B.12 |
| Manually Changeable Copy Sign (Non-Residential Use Only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | As component of marquee or monument sign | — | 10-10-5.B.6 |
| Electronic Message Sign (Only for Parks, Schools, Libraries, Places of Worship) | — | — | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | As component of marquee or monument sign | — | 10-10-5.B.4 |
| Permanent Signs Exempt from Permit (e.g., Residential Sign, Warning Sign, Driveway Access Sign, Street Address Sign, Headstone, Historical Marker, etc.) | Driveway access: 4 ft; others N/A | Residential sign: 2 sq ft; warning sign: 2 sq ft; driveway access sign: 4 sq ft; street address sign: 2 sq ft; historical marker: 4 sq ft; parking lot signs: 6 sq ft | — | — | Residential sign: 1 per lot; driveway: 2 per driveway access | Residential sign: wall or window, 1 per lot; warning: up to 2 per lot; driveway signs: per driveway access | — | 10-10-5.A |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of area of awning | — | — | Per awning facade/tenant frontage | Can project from front/side/rear/corner facade, max 4' from facade, min 8' above grade | — | 10-10-5.B.1 |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft (as measured from top of canopy) | — | — | — | 1 per tenant entrance | Canopy projecting max 4' from building; sign minimum 8' above grade, shall not extend below lowest point of canopy | — | 10-10-5.B.2 |
| Drive-Through Sign (C-2 only) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from Residential lots | 1 per drive-through lane; 1 additional presell per establishment | Min 15 ft from lot line of any lot in Residential Zoning; wall/monument sign format | — | 10-10-5.B.3 |
| Electronic Message Sign (C-2 only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | As component of marquee or monument sign | — | 10-10-5.B.4 |
| Hanging Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant | Underneath awning or canopy; not attached to marquee signs; min 8' above grade | — | 10-10-5.B.5 |
| Manually Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | As component of marquee or monument sign | — | 10-10-5.B.6 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front/corner side, 10 ft from interior side | 1 per street frontage if <300 ft width, 2 if >=300 ft with 150 ft min between | Min 5' from front/corner side, 10' from interior side lot line | — | 10-10-5.B.8 |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant | Min 8' above grade; must not project more than 5' from building face; not above roof | — | 10-10-5.B.9 |

### Industrial Districts (I-1, I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 50% of area of awning | — | — | — | May project up to 4' from any facade; min 8' above grade | — | 10-10-5.B.1 |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft (as measured from top of canopy) | — | — | — | 1 per tenant entrance | Can project max 4' from facade, min 8' above grade, not below lowest point of canopy | — | 10-10-5.B.2 |
| Drive-Through Sign (I-2 only) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from any lot in Residential District | 1 per drive-through lane; plus 1 additional presell per establishment | Min 15 ft from Residential Zoning District lot line | — | 10-10-5.B.3 |
| Manually Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per zoning lot (alternating with electronic message sign) | As component of marquee or monument sign | — | 10-10-5.B.6 |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft from front/corner, 10 ft from interior | 1 per street frontage <300' width; 2 per street frontage >=300', 150 ft minimum distance | Min 5' from front/corner, 10' from interior | — | 10-10-5.B.8 |
| Roof Sign (Painted) (I-1/I-2 only) | — | — | — | — | 1 per qualifying roof | Painted directly on roof, not visible from ROW at ground; only for roofs >=250,000 sq ft | — | 10-10-5.B.10 |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant; 1 additional per tenant side/rear | On building facade, not >1' from face, not above roof/wall | — | 10-10-5.B.11 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of ground floor window per establishment | — | — | — | Windows on ground floor and above | — | 10-10-5.B.12 |

## Prohibited signs in Bensenville

- It is unlawful to erect attention getting devices in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect banner flag signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect bench signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect flashing signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect inflatable devices in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect moving signs or other advertising devices with moving, revolving, or rotating parts, except for barber poles, electronic message signs, flags, inflatable devices, pennant signs, signs displaying time and temperature, street clocks, and other signs as established by this chapter.
- It is unlawful to erect obscene signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect off-premises signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect pole signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect portable signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect roof signs (building-mounted) in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect signs or advertising devices that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device because of position, shape, illumination, or color.
- It is unlawful to erect snipe signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect vehicle signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect video display signs in any zoning district.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, or maintained in a manner that is unsafe or a danger to the public.
- No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials such as mirrors, polished metal, or highly-glazed tiles which would increase glare.
- Series lighting and illuminated tubing shall not be used to trim windows or architectural features.
- It is unlawful for any person to willfully deface, injure, remove, or interfere with any traffic sign or signal, or any street name.
- It is unlawful to publish, print, or display any sign, notice, or advertisement related to the sale or rental of dwellings that indicates any discriminatory preference or limitation based on protected characteristics.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bensenville

- Permanent signs designated as exempt in section 10-10-5A: driveway access signs, flags, government signs, headstones, historical markers, miscellaneous information signs, parking lot signs, residential signs, street address signs (within specified size and illumination), warning signs, and wayfinding signs are exempt from permit requirements across all zoning districts if they meet the listed standards.
- Temporary signs designated as exempt in section 10-10-6B: A-frame signs, temporary window signs, vehicle for sale signs, and yard signs are exempt from permit requirements if they meet the listed standards.
- Uses that remain in operation between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are exempt from the sign illumination turn-off requirement during their period of operation.
- Neon tubing for neon signs and bare bulbs for marquee signs are exempt from the requirement to shield illumination to prevent direct light or glare.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Plan is required for all non-residential developments with three or more tenants. All signs within the development will be reviewed for consistency of background or text color, lettering style, mounting height, materials, and sign type.
- Approval of a Master Sign Plan is by the Zoning Administrator. If denied, the applicant may seek a Variation (variance) in accordance with §10-3-4.
- All signs that are not specifically exempt require a sign permit in accordance with section 10-3-9. Permit application is reviewed by the Zoning Administrator.
- For monument signs, a landscape plan must be submitted as part of the sign permit application and approved by the Zoning Administrator. Alternative landscape designs may be approved.
- Permanent and temporary signs listed as exempt in sections 10-10-5A and 10-10-6B do not require permits; all other signs generally do.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Bensenville — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bensenville+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bensenville

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