# Sign Regulations in Cicero, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cicero, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/cicero
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://ciceroudc.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cicero-udc-article-5-signs-division-3-v2.pdf)

## At a glance

Cicero, Illinois regulates 47 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Non-Residential Tenant)s in the Residential Zoning Districts (TN, NI, MF, MTO) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and Copy area ≤32 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF, with a General ground sign setbacks apply (3(7)) setback (Sec. Residential Table p.10: Monument Sign – Non-Res). Most commercial signs in Cicero require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | Residential: ≤48 inches | Residential: total temporary sign copy area ≤8 SF per zoning lot; Institutional-Open Space: total temporary sign copy area ≤25 SF per zoning lot | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (TN, NI, MF, MTO) | 17 | 6 ft | See Monument Sign (value struck through at 35 SF in residential table) | — |
| R3 | 1 | Max elevation 60 ft from grade (tethered) | — | — |
| R4 | 1 | Max elevation 60 ft from grade (tethered) | — | — |
| Commercial Zoning Districts (BC-P, BC-T, BC-A, BD) | 14 | ≤30 ft | ≤180 SF | — |
| Industrial Zoning Districts (IC, LI, GI) | 11 | 15 ft | Copy area ≤48 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — |
| Institutional-Open Space Zoning District | 10 | 6 ft (per table; atypical for wall signs – verify) | ≤35 SF | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential Zoning Districts (TN, NI, MF, MTO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Channel Letter/Dimensional Surface (Non-Residential Tenant) | — | Tenant sign: 6–25 SF; total per frontage by formula | — | — | 1 per eligible elevation/tenant | 1 per building elevation or per tenant facing a public street or private circulation road. | — | Residential Table (Cicero UDC Article V: Div. 3 p.9-10): Channel Letter/Dimensional Surface Sign (Wall Signs) – Non-Res |
| Awning Sign (Non-Residential Tenant) | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of the first floor | 30% of street-facing awning face | — | — | 1 per frontage/entrance or 1 per tenant | On building frontage; 1 per building frontage and entrance if entrance oriented to lot corner, or one per tenant. | — | Residential Table p.9: Awning Sign – Non-Res |
| Canopy Sign (Non-Residential Tenant) | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of the first floor | 30% street-facing; 15% non-street-facing | — | — | 1 per canopy side facing street | 1 sign for each side of the canopy facing a public or private street. | — | Residential Table p.9: Canopy Sign – Non-Res |
| Projecting Sign (Non-Residential Tenant) | — | Projecting: 10 SF; Blade: 15 SF | — | ≥2 ft from back of curb (general) | 1 per tenant | Per tenant, mounted to building façade. | — | Residential Table p.10: Projecting/Blade Sign; General Projecting Sign 3(13)(a) |
| Monument Sign (Non-Residential Tenant) | 6 ft | Copy area ≤32 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — | General ground sign setbacks apply (3(7)) | 1 | On private property per ground sign setbacks. | — | Residential Table p.10: Monument Sign – Non-Res |
| Manual Changeable Copy (Non-Residential Tenant) | See Monument Sign | ≤30% of sign copy area of associated monument sign | — | — | — | Integrated into a monument sign. | — | Residential Table p.10: Manual Changeable Copy Sign – Non-Res |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (Residential Use) | ≤6 ft | ≤24 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks apply | 1 per entrance | 1 per entrance. | — | Residential Table p.10-11: Pole/Pylon Sign – Res; 1.8(11)-(12) |
| Development Sign (Non-Residential in Residential Districts) | See Monument Sign Standards | See Monument Sign Standards | — | Ground sign setbacks apply | — | At development entrance(s). | — | Residential Table p.11: Development Sign – Non-Res: See Monument Sign Standards |

### Commercial Zoning Districts (BC-P, BC-T, BC-A, BD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of each floor | 30% of street-facing awning face | — | — | 1 per frontage/entrance or 1 per tenant | 1 per building frontage and entrance if entrance is oriented to lot corner, or one per tenant. | — | Commercial Table p.12: Awning Sign |
| Canopy Sign | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of each floor | 30% street-facing; 15% non-street-facing | — | — | 1 per canopy side facing street | 1 sign for each side of the canopy facing a public or private street. | — | Commercial Table p.12: Canopy Sign |
| Projecting/Blade Sign | — | ≤32 SF | — | ≥2 ft from back of curb (general) | 1 per tenant | Per tenant, mounted to building façade. | — | Commercial Table p.12: Projecting/Blade; General Projecting Sign 3(13)(a) |
| Monument Sign (Single-Tenant) | 6 ft | Copy area ≤48 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1; plus 1 additional if located ≥300 ft apart | On private property per ground sign setbacks. | — | Commercial Table p.13: Monument Sign |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 15 ft | Copy area ≤48 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1; plus 1 additional if located ≥300 ft apart | On private property per ground sign setbacks. | — | Commercial Table p.13: Monument Sign |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (General – not on specified corridors) | ≤12 ft | ≤35 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | — | Freestanding; subject to ground sign setbacks. | — | Commercial Table p.13: Pole/Pylon Sign; 1.8(11)-(12) |
| Pole/Pylon Sign (Cicero Avenue) | ≤30 ft | ≤180 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | — | Along Cicero Avenue only. | — | Commercial Table p.13: Pole/Pylon Sign – Cicero Avenue |
| Development Sign | ≤6 ft | ≤32 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1 per entrance | At development entrances. | — | Commercial Table p.14: Development Sign |

### Industrial Zoning Districts (IC, LI, GI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Channel Letter/Dimensional Surface | — | Per-tenant: 6–25 SF; total wall signage ≤200 SF | — | — | 1 per eligible elevation/tenant | 1 per building elevation or per tenant facing a public street or private circulation road. | — | Industrial Table p.15: Wall Signs |
| Awning Sign | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of each floor | 30% street-facing awning face | — | — | 1 per frontage/entrance or 1 per tenant | 1 per building frontage and entrance if entrance is oriented to lot corner, or one per tenant. | — | Industrial Table p.15: Awning Sign |
| Canopy Sign | Shall not extend above a line halfway between the top of a window and the roof fascia, or height of each floor | 30% street-facing; 15% non-street-facing | — | — | 1 per canopy side facing street | 1 sign for each side of the canopy facing a public or private street. | — | Industrial Table p.15-16: Canopy Sign |
| Projecting/Blade Sign | — | Projecting: ≤15 SF; Blade: ≤20 SF | — | ≥2 ft from back of curb (general) | 1 per tenant | Per tenant, mounted to building façade. | — | Industrial Table p.16: Projecting/Blade; General 3(13) |
| Monument Sign (Single-Tenant) | 10 ft | Copy area ≤48 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1; plus 1 additional if ≥300 ft apart | On private property per ground sign setbacks. | — | Industrial Table p.16: Monument Sign |
| Monument Sign (Multi-Tenant) | 15 ft | Copy area ≤48 SF; sign face area ≤100 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1; plus 1 additional if ≥300 ft apart | On private property per ground sign setbacks. | — | Industrial Table p.16: Monument Sign |
| Window Sign | — | ≤30% of total window area | — | — | — | On interior side of windows (per Exempt Signs). | — | Industrial Table p.16: Window Signs; 2.10(a)(13) |
| Development Sign | ≤6 ft | ≤32 SF | — | Ground sign setbacks (3(7)) | 1 per entrance | At development entrances. | — | Industrial Table p.16: Development Sign |

## Prohibited signs in Cicero

- Signs located on or affixed to the public right-of-way or public property within the right-of-way are prohibited unless expressly authorized by the Town.
- No sign or portion of a sign may rotate, flash, flutter, or appear to move, except where specifically permitted.
- Off‑premise signs are prohibited.
- Painted wall signs and any sign painted, sketched, or drawn directly on a building or wall are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited; no sign may be constructed on a roof or project above the roof or parapet wall.
- Signs displaying obscene or otherwise unlawful matter are prohibited.
- Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or governmental signs or signals are prohibited.
- Inflatable signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed for limited temporary use.
- Searchlights or portable spotlights used as signs are prohibited.
- Signs with more than two sign faces are prohibited.
- Pole‑mounted signs and pylon signs are prohibited except where expressly authorized (e.g., specific district standards or as nonconforming).
- Box signs are prohibited, except when incorporated into a monument sign or as part of a business logo sign.
- Changeable copy signs are prohibited except where expressly allowed (only as part of a monument sign).
- Portable signs are prohibited except as otherwise authorized (e.g., sandwich boards/A‑frames under stated standards).
- Pennants are prohibited.
- Any sign that constitutes a hazard to public health or safety, including dangerous construction or sight obstructions, is prohibited.
- Abandoned or obsolete signs, including posts or supports, are prohibited.
- Commercial advertising on parked vehicles near the right‑of‑way is prohibited when the vehicle is not used in daily operations or is unlicensed, uninsured, or inoperable.
- Yard (pin) signs are prohibited except political signs.
- Feather/flag signs are prohibited.
- No permit may be issued for any sign or billboard within 1,000 feet of a daycare, preschool, elementary or secondary school, church, park, or playground that advertises or promotes alcoholic beverages or tobacco products.
- Paper, cardboard, or plastic signs on any exterior wall, on any fence, or on the exterior of windows are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to or painted on parkway trees, utility poles, streetlights, or traffic signals are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to fences are prohibited except limited “No Trespassing,” “No Parking/Towing,” and “Beware of Dog” signs.
- Signs on or overhanging public property or a public right‑of‑way are prohibited, except projecting signs and under‑canopy signs as allowed.
- Signs are prohibited within ten horizontal feet of a conductor or public utility guy wire.
- Signs that interfere with clear vision within the sight triangle at street or driveway intersections are prohibited.
- Signs on easements are prohibited unless the easement is specifically designated for a sign.
- Internally or externally illuminated wall signs adjacent to a residential district are prohibited.
- Awnings and canopies may not be internally illuminated.
- LED string or neon‑tube lighting or similar illumination affixed to or within one foot of a window or sign is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cicero

- Town signage on Town‑owned, used, leased, or controlled property is exempt.
- Temporary signs in residential zoning districts (per applicable standards) are exempt from a sign permit.
- Temporary construction signs are exempt from a sign permit.
- One nameplate sign per use (maximum 2 square feet; affixed flat or projecting up to 18 inches with safe pedestrian access) is exempt from a sign permit.
- House numbers up to 2 square feet are exempt from a sign permit.
- Interior signs or signs within an enclosed lobby (including signs, awnings, and canopies within an open arena with seating capacity greater than 30,000) are exempt from a sign permit.
- Decorations temporarily displayed for a local festivity or national holiday (not for advertising) are exempt from a sign permit.
- No trespassing/no parking/no dumping signs up to 2 square feet are exempt from a sign permit.
- Accessory entrance/exit signs (one per entrance/exit for multifamily developments or nonresidential uses, up to 2 square feet copy area, max 3 feet high, min 6 feet from property line, no commercial advertising) are exempt from a sign permit.
- Parking area signs (one per separate parking area; may be double‑faced; up to 6 square feet per face; may be illuminated; max 5 feet high; min 6 feet from property line) are exempt from a sign permit.
- Directional, informational, or public service signs (excluding public utilities) up to 4 square feet are exempt from a sign permit.
- Governmental signs for identification, information, directional, or public safety purposes, and legal notices (including in the public right‑of‑way), and flags of any country, state, or unit of local government, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Light pole banners are exempt from a sign permit.
- Window displays are exempt from a sign permit.
- Window signs not exceeding 30% of the total window area, located on the interior side of the window and not on spandrel glass, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Sandwich boards/A‑frame signs are exempt from a sign permit.
- Electronic message signs on a sports field owned by a public institution or government entity, not viewable from an adjacent residential use, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Menu boards (including electronic or dynamic displays) associated with a drive‑thru, up to 40 square feet and 6 feet in height, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Signs lawfully permitted and constructed before June 11, 1991, are exempt (grandfathered).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit Master Sign Plan or unified sign program requirement is stated in the ordinance.
- A permit is required before installation or display of any sign unless exempt; permits are obtained through the Building Department, and it is unlawful to erect or alter any sign without a permit issued by the Electrical Department.
- Permit applications must include a survey or site plan showing the lot size and proposed sign location, drawings showing the size and structure of the sign, and any other information required by the Electrical Department.
- For any sign that extends over or could fall upon a public right‑of‑way, liability insurance naming the Town as an additional insured is required and must be maintained for the life of the permit.
- After erection, the permittee must file a photograph showing the sign conforms to the ordinance and the approved permit.
- Signs are reviewed administratively for appearance by the Zoning Administrator.
- The Zoning Administrator interprets the sign regulations; interpretations may be appealed to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a final decision.
- One sign permit may be obtained per calendar year to cover all temporary signs for a property/business; it is valid for 91 days (continuous or split into up to thirteen 7‑day periods), and the permit holder must notify the Town of display dates.

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

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