# Sign Regulations in Ford Heights, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ford Heights, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/ford-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Ford_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38SI)

## At a glance

Ford Heights, Illinois regulates 13 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Integrated Shopping Center)s in the B-1 business district, limited retail, B-2 business district, general retail, B-3 service and wholesale district zoning district are capped at 20 ft above curb level or adjoining ground level tall and 100 sq ft, with a Entirely within property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 56-104(e)(4)). Most commercial signs in Ford Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 one-family dwelling district, R-2 one-family dwelling district, R-3 general residence district | 6 | 15 ft above curb level or one story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — |
| B-1 business district, limited retail, B-2 business district, general retail, B-3 service and wholesale district | 5 | 20 ft above curb level or adjoining ground level | 100 sq ft | — |
| M-1 manufacturing district, limited, M-2 manufacturing district, general | 2 | 20 ft above street/ground | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

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

### R-1 one-family dwelling district, R-2 one-family dwelling district, R-3 general residence district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Residential) | 15 ft above curb level or one story, whichever is lower | 1 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit; 2 on corner zoning lots | On the property of the dwelling unit | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(1)a |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential) | 15 ft above curb level or one story, whichever is lower | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building; 2 on corner lots | On nonresidential building | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(1)b |
| For Sale/To Rent Sign | 15 ft above curb level or one story, whichever is lower | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot; 2 on corner lots | On property for sale or rent | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(2)a |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | 7 ft above curb level | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per entrance/exit | Accessory to parking area, at entrance/exit | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(3)a |
| Parking Area Informational Sign | 7 ft above curb level | 9 sq ft | — | — | 1 per area; 2 on corner lots | Accessory to parking area | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(3)a |
| Church Bulletin/Nonflashing Sign | 15 ft above curb level or one story, whichever is lower | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per zoning lot; 2 on corner lots | On church or parish institution property | — | Sec. 56-91(g)(4) |

### B-1 business district, limited retail, B-2 business district, general retail, B-3 service and wholesale district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) | 4 ft above parapet line or roofline, whichever is higher | 2 x (lineal frontage in feet) per frontage | — | — | Regulated by gross surface area per zoning lot | Signs attached to wall or parapet wall or other surface made part of the main structure, not above roofline | — | Sec. 56-104(e)(2), (3), (5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Integrated Shopping Center) | 20 ft above curb level or adjoining ground level | 100 sq ft | — | Entirely within property lines | 1 per shopping center | Within property lines | — | Sec. 56-104(e)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Business) | 20 ft above street or adjoining ground level | 100 sq ft | — | Entirely within property lines | Not specified; limited by maximum area | Entirely within property lines | — | Sec. 56-104(e)(7), (8) |
| Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | On marquee or canopy, within outer border | — | Sec. 56-104(e)(6) |
| Directional/Traffic/Parking Sign | — | — | — | Within property lines | As necessary | Designating entrances, exits, and conditions of use of accessory parking facilities (within property lines) | — | Sec. 56-104(e)(9) |

### M-1 manufacturing district, limited, M-2 manufacturing district, general

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business Identification) | 4 ft above parapet line or roofline, whichever is higher | 2 x (lineal frontage) per frontage | — | — | — | Attached to wall or parapet wall, not above roofline | — | Sec. 56-121(a)(43); See also Sec. 56-104(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (Identification) | 20 ft above street/ground | 100 sq ft | — | Within property lines | — | Entirely within property lines | — | Sec. 56-121(a)(43); See also Sec. 56-104(e) |

## Prohibited signs in Ford Heights

- No sign shall project beyond the property line into the public way.
- No illuminated sign shall be of the flashing or intermittent type. Signs which may be in conflict with public traffic signals shall not be permitted.
- No sign may be painted, pasted or similarly posted directly on the surface of any wall.
- No sign shall project higher than the allowed height specified for the zone (e.g., for most R and B districts, 15 feet above curb level or one story, whichever is lower).
- Advertising signs and outdoor billboards advertising products or matters not related to the occupancy and use of the premises shall not be permitted.
- No sign shall be permitted to be placed on any wall, fence or standard facing the side of any adjoining lot located in a residential district.
- Signs erected on a separate superstructure attached to the roof of the building or to any other part of the building above the roofline shall not be permitted.
- All signs must pertain only to a use conducted within the building or premises upon which they are placed.
- No accessory sign shall be installed unless it has written authorization from the building commissioner (nonresidential in R districts).

## Signs exempt from permit in Ford Heights

- Nameplates and identification signs for residential use, not exceeding specified areas (one square foot for dwellings in residential districts).
- For sale or to rent signs, conforming to area and placement limits (one per zoning lot, max 12 sq ft, distance requirements apply).
- Signs accessory to parking areas (limited in area and number).
- Church bulletin signs in residential districts, subject to area, height, and number restrictions.
- Official signs or bulletin boards used to announce church services or to display official court notices.
- Signs advertising the sale or lease of the premises on which the sign is located.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- For integrated shopping centers in single ownership and management or under unified control, one additional sign may be erected not exceeding 100 square feet in area advertising only the name and the location of the integrated shopping center.
- Any application for a building permit or for a certificate of occupancy where no building permit is required shall include a plot plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing any parking or loading facilities to be provided in compliance herewith.
- All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a plot plan drawn to scale showing actual dimensions of the lot, size and location of structures, and any other information necessary for enforcement.
- No nonresidential sign shall be allowed in a residential district without written authorization of the building commissioner.

## 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 Ford Heights — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ford+Heights+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ford-heights

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