# Sign Regulations in Elmhurst, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elmhurst, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/elmhurst
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Elmhurst/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH22ZO_ARTXISI)

## At a glance

Elmhurst, Illinois regulates 38 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Memorial Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 ft above grade tall and 3 sq ft, with a min 6 ft from lot line setback (Sec. 22.256(d)). Most commercial signs in Elmhurst require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 25 | 6 ft | 50% of window area | — |
| Conservation/Recreation District (C/R) | 5 | 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft (100 sq ft if frontage >300 ft) | — |
| Residential District (RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 NT, CBOCR) | 5 | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft | — |
| CI District | 5 | 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft (100 sq ft if frontage >300 ft) | — |
| O1 Office District | 3 | 20 ft above grade | 12 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Commercial District | 6 | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face (see formula) | — |
| C-2 Commercial District | 7 | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face, 200 sq ft total | — |
| C-3 Commercial District | 8 | 35 ft above grade | 144 sq ft per sign face, 288 sq ft total | — |
| CBC District, CBOC District | 7 | 20 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per sign face | — |
| I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District | 6 | 35 ft above grade | 144 sq ft per sign face, 288 sq ft total | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Memorial Sign | 4 ft above grade | 3 sq ft | — | min 6 ft from lot line | 1 per zoning lot | Wall or ground sign | — | 22.256(d) |
| Nameplate Sign | 4 ft above grade | 1 sq ft | — | min 6 ft from lot line | 1 per occupancy | Wall or ground sign | — | 22.256(e) |
| Private Sale Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | min 6 ft from lot line | Max 3 per sale | Premises of sale; additional sign allowed in city right-of-way with restrictions for residential garage sales | — | 22.256(i) |
| Private Warning Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | min 6 ft from lot line | As needed | — | — | 22.256(j) |
| Real Estate Sign (Single Family, Individual Lot) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | min 6 ft from lot line | 1 per lot or 1 per street frontage (corner lot) | On property for sale/lease | — | 22.256(k)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Single Family, Multi-lot Development) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per lot; max 18 sq ft | — | min 6 ft from lot line | 1 per zoning lot in the development | In development | — | 22.256(k)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Other Districts) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft (C3, I1: 32 sq ft) | — | min 6 ft from lot line | 1 per lot or 1 per street frontage (corner lot) | On property for sale/lease | — | 22.256(k)(3) |
| Open House Directional Sign | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | max 4 per open house | Public parkways/private property w/ owner's consent | — | 22.256(k)(5) |

### C-2 Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 20 ft above grade | 25 sq ft per sign face (see formula) | — | — | — | Awning | — | 22.266(b)(1),(d)(2)(A),(e)(2),(g)(2) |
| Canopy Sign | 20 ft above grade | 25 sq ft per sign face (see formula) | — | — | — | Canopy | — | 22.266(b)(2),(d)(2)(A),(e)(2),(g)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft above grade | 25 sq ft per sign face, 50 sq ft total | — | 6 ft from all lot lines | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | Ground | — | 22.266(b)(3),(d)(2)(C),(e)(3),(c)(3),(g)(2) |
| Pylon Sign (Conditional Use) | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face, 200 sq ft total | — | 6 ft from all lot lines | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | Ground, by conditional use | — | 22.266(b)(4),(d)(2)(E),(e)(5),(c)(3),(g)(2) |
| Off-site Directional Sign (Conditional Use) | 5 ft above grade (at curb) | 10 sq ft per sign face, 20 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 22.266(a)(8), (d)(2)(D), (e)(4), (c)(4) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face (see formula) | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 22.266(b)(5),(d)(2)(F),(e)(6),(g)(2) |
| Window Sign | Height of window | 25% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | 22.266(b)(6),(d)(2)(G),(e)(7),(g)(2) |

### C-3 Commercial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Awning | — | 22.267(b)(1),(d)(2)(A),(e)(2),(g)(2) |
| Canopy Sign | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Canopy | — | 22.267(b)(2),(d)(2)(A),(e)(2),(g)(2) |
| Ground Sign | 5 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face, 200 sq ft total | — | 6 ft from all lot lines | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | Ground | — | 22.267(b)(3),(d)(2)(C),(e)(3),(c)(3),(g)(2) |
| Pylon Sign (Conditional Use) | 35 ft above grade | 144 sq ft per sign face, 288 sq ft total | — | 6 ft from all lot lines | 1 per 300 ft of frontage | Ground, by conditional use | — | 22.267(b)(4),(d)(2)(E),(e)(5),(c)(3),(g)(2) |
| Off-site Directional Sign (Conditional Use) | 5 ft above grade (at curb) | 10 sq ft per sign face, 20 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 22.267(a)(8),(d)(2)(D),(e)(4),(c)(4) |
| Supplemental Access Identification Sign (Conditional Use) | — | — | — | — | — | At secondary access | — | 22.267(a)(9) |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq ft per sign face | — | — | — | Building wall | — | 22.267(b)(5),(d)(2)(F),(e)(6),(g)(2) |
| Window Sign | Height of window | 25% of window area | — | — | — | Window | — | 22.267(b)(6),(d)(2)(G),(e)(7),(g)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Elmhurst

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations is prohibited.
- Advertising signs and billboards.
- Attention-getting devices including lights that border windows except when part of a temporary holiday display.
- Marquee signs.
- Moving or animated signs, except public service signs as expressly authorized.
- Off-premises identification signs.
- Parapet signs.
- Portable signs, except as provided in Section 22.256.
- Roof signs.
- Temporary signs, except as expressly authorized in Section 22.259.
- Any sign that advertises, identifies, or pertains to a business no longer conducted, or a product no longer sold, on the premises where such sign is located (must be removed within thirty days following cessation of activity).
- Any sign on a tree or utility pole, whether on public or private property, except house numbers on private property.
- Any sign on public property, except governmental signs authorized in this Section.
- Any sign painted directly on a wall, roof, fence, bridge, or railroad trestle.
- Any sign using reflective paint or tape, other than a governmental sign, towing sign or a warning sign.
- Any sign not expressly permitted in this Chapter.
- No sign shall be constructed or maintained in any area or in any manner so as to create a nuisance or a threat to the public safety or welfare.
- No sign or sign structure shall obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window, or other required access way.
- No sign shall project over, occupy, or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by any applicable provision of City ordinances.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by its position, size, shape, content, color, or illumination, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device or where it may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No sign, nor any part of a sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than eighteen inches in width or diameter, shall be located lower than eight feet from grade within sight triangles.
- Except as provided, no sign (except governmental and authorized sidewalk signs) shall be placed in or extend into or over any public property or public right-of-way.
- No flashing, blinking, or intermittent lights shall be permitted on any sign except public service signs when expressly permitted.
- All wiring, fittings, and materials used in the construction, connection, and operation of electrically illuminated signs shall comply with City's electrical ordinance.
- All permanent signs shall be constructed of fire-resistant materials and shall be capable of withstanding wind pressures of at least thirty pounds per square foot.
- No sign shall be nearer than two feet to any other sign or structure, other than a structure to which it is lawfully attached.
- No sign shall be illuminated so as to exceed fifty foot-candles or so as to cast glare or direct light upon adjacent property or streets.
- Any illuminated sign located on a lot abutting or across a street from, and visible from, any residentially zoned area shall not be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except when the activity is open for business and the sign is not a nuisance.
- No sign may use non-white indirect or internal illumination, or exceed the area/height/placement standards as set out in the ordinance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elmhurst

- The York Theater marquee as it existed on the date of adoption of the ordinance is exempted from the provisions of this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- There is no specific citywide requirement for a master sign plan.
- When more than one user occupies a zoning lot, the owner of the lot is responsible for allocating permitted signage among such users as determined or agreed, subject to the provisions of this Chapter.
- Application for a sign permit requires site plans, elevation drawings, and detailed information about sign construction, location, message, and agreement regarding removal upon abandonment.
- Institutional Message Board Signs—Electronic, pylon signs, projecting signs, off-site directional signs, and supplemental access identification signs may require a conditional use permit via Section 22.26, which may necessitate presentations or hearings.
- Approval from the Zoning Administrator is required for temporary banners, civic banners, and temporary institutional event signs before display.

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

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