# Sign Regulations in Berwyn, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Berwyn, Illinois regulates 21 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Drive-Through Signs in the C-2 zoning district are capped at 7 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 15 ft from residential lot line setback (Sec. §1476.05(B)(4)). Most commercial signs in Berwyn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-1 | 10 | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| C-2 | 12 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-3 | 11 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-4 | 12 | 32 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| I | 11 | 32 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| P | 11 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 | 1 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 3 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Non-residential uses in residential districts | 4 | 3 ft cabinet sign, otherwise per formula | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Front/corner side facade on canopy; canopy not >5 ft projection; min 8 ft above grade | — | §1476.05(B)(2) |
| Driveway Entrance/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway access plus 1 per intersection | 1 per driveway access; 1 extra per intersection of driveways (if >100 ft lot width) | — | §1476.05(B)(3) |
| Drive-Through Sign | 7 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from residential lot line | 1 per drive-through lane | Min 15 ft from residential lot line; 1 per drive-through lane | — | §1476.05(B)(4) |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | — | Min 1 ft from edge of facade | 1 per zoning lot | Project from front or corner side facade (not beyond curb line); must be on building with 3+ stories | — | §1476.05(B)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from interior side lot line | 1 or 2 per frontage as width allows | 1 per frontage (<300 ft width), 2 per frontage (≥300 ft, min 50 ft between); not both pole & monument | — | §1476.05(B)(6) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft | 40 sq ft | — | 5 ft from interior side lot line | 1 per lot | — | — | §1476.05(B)(7) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per ground floor tenant | At least 8 ft above grade, extends up to 5 ft from building, not above roof, attached to facade. | — | §1476.05(B)(8) |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft (cabinet sign, otherwise per formula) | — | 5 ft (cabinet sign) | — | 1/tenant/street frontage; +1 on side/rear if adjacent to parking | Min 8 ft above grade, not >1 ft from wall, not above wall top. Placement uniform in multitenant buildings. | — | §1476.05(B)(9) |

### C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Front/corner side facade canopy; canopy not >5 ft protrusion; min 8 ft above grade | — | §1476.05(B)(2) |
| Driveway Entrance/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway; 1 per intersection | 1 per driveway; 1 extra per intersection if >100 ft lot width | — | §1476.05(B)(3) |
| Drive-Through Sign | 7 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from residential | 1 per drive-through lane | Min 15 ft from residential; 1 per drive-through lane | — | §1476.05(B)(4) |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | — | 1 ft from facade edge unless wraps around corner | 1 per lot | Project from front/corner side facade; not beyond curb; min 8 ft above grade; min 1 ft from edge (unless corner) | — | §1476.05(B)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from interior side lot line | 1 or 2 per frontage | 1 per frontage (<300 ft width), 2 per frontage (≥300 ft, 50 ft apart min). Not both pole & monument. | — | §1476.05(B)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage per ground floor tenant | Min 8 ft above grade; projects max 5 ft; not above roof; attached to facade. | — | §1476.05(B)(8) |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft cabinet sign; otherwise per formula | — | 5 ft cabinet sign | — | 1 per street frontage per tenant; 1 additional side/rear if parking | Min 8 ft above grade; uniform in multi-tenant; not more than 1 ft out from wall; not above wall top. | — | §1476.05(B)(9) |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per lot | Component sign only | — | §1476.05(B)(11) |

### C-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Canopy-Mounted Sign | 2 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Front/corner side; canopy not >5 ft projection; min 8 ft above grade | — | §1476.05(B)(2) |
| Driveway Entrance/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway; 1 per intersection | 1 per driveway; 1 extra per intersection if >100 ft lot width | — | §1476.05(B)(3) |
| Drive-Through Sign | 7 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 15 ft from residential | 1 per drive-through lane | Min 15 ft from residential; 1 per lane | — | §1476.05(B)(4) |
| Marquee Sign | 8 ft | — | — | 1 ft from facade edge unless wraps corner | 1 per lot | Protrude from front/corner side; not beyond curb; min 8 ft above grade, min 1 ft from edge (unless corner) | — | §1476.05(B)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — | 10 ft from interior side lot line | 1 or 2 per frontage | 1 per street frontage <300 ft width, 2/frontage if ≥300 ft and 50 ft apart; not both pole & monument | — | §1476.05(B)(6) |
| Pole Sign | 32 ft | 48 sq ft (56 sq ft if C-4/Ogden Ave) | — | 5 ft from interior side lot line | 1 per lot | — | — | §1476.05(B)(7) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage/tenant | Min 8 ft above grade; project max 5 ft; not above roof; attached to facade. | — | §1476.05(B)(8) |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft cabinet sign, otherwise per formula | — | 5 ft cabinet sign | — | 1/tenant/street; +1 side/rear | Min 8 ft above; not >1 ft out; not above wall; uniform in multi-tenant | — | §1476.05(B)(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Berwyn

- 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 video display signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect flashing signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect moving signs or other advertising devices with moving, revolving, or rotating parts, except barber poles, electronic message signs, flags, inflatable devices, pennant signs, signs displaying time and temperature, street clocks, or as otherwise established.
- 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 portable signs in any zoning district.
- It is unlawful to erect roof signs in any zoning district.
- No sign or advertising device shall interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device because of its 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.
- No sign may be constructed, erected, or maintained in a manner that is unsafe, insecure, or a danger to the public.
- Signs may only be placed on public property by a government agency, as authorized by the chapter or the Building Director. Any sign placed on public property without authorization may be removed without notice.
- Signs may only be placed on private property with prior consent of the property owner and, if applicable, an approved sign permit issued by the city.
- A sign mounted on the exterior of a building shall not conceal any windows, doors, or unique architectural features (except window signs).
- A sign shall not obstruct free and clear vision at any street, intersection, driveway, or parking lot entrance or exit.
- In residential districts, no sign shall be placed to create a visibility obstruction for motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians, and no sign shall exceed three feet in height within 25 feet of two or more intersecting streets.
- All illuminated signs must not cause direct light or glare on adjacent rights-of-way and surrounding properties. No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials that would increase glare.
- All illuminated signs must be turned off from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., or 30 minutes after close of business, whichever is later, unless the use is in operation during that period.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated.
- No person shall attach or place any sign, poster, handbill or other thing to or on a tree growing in any street or highway of the city or to or on any device intended to protect a tree.

## Signs exempt from permit in Berwyn

- Permanent signs exempt from permit requirements (provided they comply with specified standards): alteration and maintenance activities (not involving structural changes), flags, government signs (subject to City Council approval), headstones, historical markers, home occupation signs, miscellaneous information signs, parking lot signs, street address signs, warning signs.
- Temporary signs exempt from permit requirements (provided they comply with specified standards): A-frame signs, construction signs, garage or yard sale signs, political signs, real estate signs, and temporary window signs.
- Signs designated as classic signs are exempt from all of the requirements of this chapter in accordance with the provisions of §1476.09.
- Uses operating between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are exempt from sign illumination shut-off requirements during the period of operation.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required in order to erect, construct, alter, or relocate a sign, except for certain exempt permanent and temporary signs as specified in the ordinance.
- Applications for sign permits and any required plans are reviewed by the Building Director for compliance and issuance.
- Structural plans and specifications for proposed signs, including electronic components and proposed location, must be submitted with permit applications.
- If denied, applicants may appeal to the Zoning, Planning, and Development Commission or reapply within 30 days without a new fee.
- Major sign variations require a public hearing and approval by the City Council; minor sign variations may be approved by the Building Director. Applications for sign variations must be submitted along with a sign permit application.
- Classic sign designation requires submittal of a maintenance or restoration plan for review.
- A sign permit is generally not required for activities or signs explicitly listed as 'exempt' in §1476.05(A) and §1476.06(B).
- Banner signs and inflatable devices (temporary signs with permit requirement) require a sign permit and compliance with applicable standards.
- Variation approvals expire if a sign permit is not obtained for the sign within six months of approval of the sign variation.

## 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 11 zoning districts in Berwyn — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Berwyn+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-berwyn

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