# Sign Regulations in Elmwood Park, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elmwood Park, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/elmwood-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-09
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37066016#37066016)

## At a glance

Elmwood Park, Illinois regulates 14 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding (Ground) Signs in the Neighborhood business (B-1), General business (B-2), General commercial (C-1), Mixed use (MU-1) zoning district are capped at 15 feet tall and 40 square feet, with a Not within 25 ft of street intersection if below 10 ft high. setback (Sec. [1409.03.F], [1409.04], [1407.03 B.8.b], [1409.05]). Most commercial signs in Elmwood Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family detached residence (R-1, R-1A, R-1B), Two-family and three-family residence (R-2), General residence (R-3, R-4) | 3 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| Neighborhood business (B-1), General business (B-2), General commercial (C-1), Mixed use (MU-1) | 6 | 15 feet | Maximum 150 square feet | — |
| Conservation and open space (COS-1) | 2 | — | 32 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Single-family detached residence (R-1, R-1A, R-1B), Two-family and three-family residence (R-2), General residence (R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Residential Use) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot (2 if corner lot) | Affixed flat against building wall, parallel to lot line; not to be located in the public right-of-way | — | [1409.03.A], [1409.04], [1406.02.B.16] |
| For Sale or To Rent Sign (Residential Use) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot (+ 1 open house sign during open house hours) | On the lot to which it pertains | — | [1409.03.W] |
| New Development Sign (Residential Use) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per new development site | On site of development | — | [1409.03.G], [1406.02.B.16] |

### Neighborhood business (B-1), General business (B-2), General commercial (C-1), Mixed use (MU-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Commercial Use) | — | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per frontage (2 for corner lot or building on multiple street frontages) | Affixed flat against building wall, parallel to lot line | — | [1409.03.A], [1409.04], [1407.03 B.8.b], [1409.03.I] |
| Freestanding (Ground) Sign | 15 feet | 40 square feet | — | Not within 25 ft of street intersection if below 10 ft high. | 1 per street frontage | Located on the same lot as business use, within lot lines | — | [1409.03.F], [1409.04], [1407.03 B.8.b], [1409.05] |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area | — | — | — | Affixed to or located inside window, facing exterior | — | [1409.03.E] |
| Special Signs and Devices (Real Estate, Traffic, or Special Event) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per event/instance | On site to which content pertains | — | [1409.03.H], [1409.04], [1407.03 B.8.b] |
| Advertising Sign (On-Site Advertising Sign) | Wall sign: below roof line; Ground sign: up to 15 ft | Depends on building width: 1 sq ft per linear foot of width up to 50 sq ft; on ground sign, up to 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | On the wall or freestanding on the same lot as use | — | [1409.03], [1407.03 B.8.b] |
| Off-Site Advertising Sign | 15 feet | Maximum 150 square feet | — | Not within 150 ft of a residence district | As determined by special use permit | Only allowed by special use; subject to specific business/commercial districts; never in residential districts | — | [1407.03.B.8.b.4], [1409.03.J], [1409.05] |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Real Estate For Sale or To Rent Sign | — | 6 square feet (residential)/32 square feet (nonresidential) | — | — | 1 per lot; 1 additional during open house | On affected lot | — | [1409.03.W] |
| Banner/Special Event Poster | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | [1409.03.H], [1409.04] |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign (with Lettering) | — | Counts as identification sign area | — | — | 1 per entrance | Over entrance or sidewalk; see accessibility and safety provision | — | [1409.03.A], [1409.03.L], [1409.03.M] |

## Prohibited signs in Elmwood Park

- No sign shall be permitted on a lot unless the classification of the sign is enumerated as a permitted use or a special use in the regulations of the district in which the lot is located.
- No sign shall be permitted unless it is a lawfully established use (for Advertising Signs), or an accessory, lawfully established use (for other types of signs).
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or displayed unless in conformance with the provisions of this section and other applicable provisions of the Ordinance.
- Only one identification sign shall be permitted on a lot, except that on a corner lot, two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.
- Signs shall not be erected on the roof of a building.
- Signs affixed to a building wall shall not project above the building wall.
- Signs shall not be painted or adhered to the wall of a building with glue or mastic, except those Business Signs normally affixed to business windows. Signs shall not be posted on street lights, electric traffic signals or other poles or posts.
- On corner lots, permitted ground signs shall not be located within 25 feet of the intersection of the street rights-of-way unless located over 10 feet in height so as not to obstruct the vision of motorists; projecting signs, awnings, or marquees shall not project into the required front yard or side yard adjoining a street or into the street right-of-way below a height of 10 feet.
- Light for signs shall not be projected toward or onto properties located in a residence district.
- Any such illumination in the line of vision of approaching vehicular traffic shall not be red, amber, or green in color.
- No off-site advertising sign shall be located within 150 feet of a residence district.
- Signs shall not project more than 12 inches from a building wall in instances where required to be affixed flat against the wall.
- No overhanging marquee or canopy which violates the provisions regarding projection from building walls shall be constructed or erected for the purpose of advertising on the face or wall of any building.
- No sign or other advertising structure shall be constructed on or across the roof of any building, nor shall any sign affixed to a building wall protrude above the horizontal roof line.
- All signs or other advertising structures (except where explicitly stated) must be regularly painted or otherwise treated to prevent rust or rotting, and maintained so as not to become dilapidated.
- Any sign or other advertising structure in violation of any provision of the Zoning Ordinance (except as specifically provided for nonconformities) is a 'violation sign' and must forthwith be removed, altered or replaced to conform.
- No person shall cover, mutilate, tear down, destroy or injure in any manner, any poster, bill or advertisement, lawfully upon any signboard or billboard or any other pace within the Village limits until after the happening of the event therein advertised, if the date thereof be given.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elmwood Park

- Signs existing as of January 15, 1968, or erected between January 15, 1968 and June 1, 1990 pursuant to a permit issued by the Village, which do not conform with specific current sign provisions regarding projection from building walls and overhanging marquees/canopies, shall be deemed a nonconformity.
- A nonconforming sign lawfully erected may be continued in accordance with regulations for nonconforming signs: e.g., allowed ordinary repairs and non-structural alterations, but not structural alteration, enlargement or moving, except as required by law or to conform with regulations.
- Temporary real estate for sale or rent signs or open house signs are subject to special provisions allowing limited additional signage during open houses, provided restrictions on timing, sign size, and design are adhered to.
- Special event posters and banners are permitted to be displayed, but only for up to 30 days prior to, and 10 days after, the advertised event, excluding legal notices.
- Where permitted, awnings may be allowed to project provided there is a minimum clearance of 8 feet measured from sidewalk grade.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The bulk of the regulations for signs—including permitted sign area, height, number, and illumination—are found in the Sign Regulations Table, which is referenced but not included in the text; project applicants will need to refer to or submit plans consistent with that Table.
- All signs must be erected, constructed and displayed in conformance with Section 1409 (Signs) and other applicable provisions of the Ordinance. For certain types of signs (such as ground signs, canopies, or marquees), approval by the Director of Code Administration for structural safety and public safety considerations is required prior to issuance of a permit.
- Building permits for signs are required; per Section 1411.03, no sign shall be constructed or altered without a zoning certificate and permit. Plans for signs must be submitted to and approved by the Director of Code Administration.
- Sign boards and billboards may only be erected or maintained following issuance of a permit by the Village President and Board of Trustees, and may require bonds or insurance for liability.
- Variations to sign regulations (e.g., increase of gross surface area, height, projection, etc.) may be permitted only after a public hearing before the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission and action by the Board of Trustees, and adherence to standards for variance per Section 1411.07.
- Amortization and removal of nonconforming signs is triggered by specific events such as termination, change of use, or substantial damage, as described in Section 1409.03.
- If a sign constitutes a violation, it must be removed or brought into conformance. Appeals, variations, and requests for special uses (including for signage) require submission to the Village for public hearing and approval per relevant sections.
- Planned Developments and Conservation/Open Space Districts specifically state that requirements such as signage, lot area, etc., will be established on a site plan to be approved by the Village Board after consideration and recommendation by the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission.
- No building permit or license pertaining to the use of structures or land (including signs) shall be issued unless examined for compliance and accompanied by a certificate from the Director of Code Administration (Section 1411.03).

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

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