# Sign Regulations in Germantown Hills, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Germantown Hills, Illinois regulates 45 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Banner/Temporary Sign (Freestanding)s in the Commercial District, Industrial District zoning district are capped at 4 ft. tall, Max 4 ft. high x 15 ft. long or 15% of adjacent wall space, and 15 ft. wide, with a 10 ft. setback (Sec. 8-3-7(C), 8-3-10(D)). Most commercial signs in Germantown Hills require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 District (Lots Used for Residential Purposes) | 9 | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |
| Agricultural District, R-2 District, R-1 District (Lots Not Used for Residential Purposes) | 11 | 15 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District | 26 | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — |

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

### R-1 District (Lots Used for Residential Purposes)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Attached Sign (Ballfield Fence) | — | — | — | — | — | Ballfield fence, only with special use permit for school purposes | — | 8-3-7(A), 8-3-10(C)(6) |
| Construction Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per lot | On lot under construction | — | 8-3-7(A), 8-3-10(G)(1) |
| Electronic Scoreboard (Ballfield) | — | — | — | — | 1 per ballfield | Each ballfield, only with special use permit for school purposes | — | 8-3-7(A) |
| Garage or Yard Sale Sign | 4 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from road surface | 1 on premises; 2 off premises | On or off premises (off-premises limited to two signs) | — | 8-3-5(A), 8-3-10(K) |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Wall of residential unit | — | 8-3-10(P) |
| Political Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from edge of roadway | — | On residential property | — | 8-3-5(A), 8-3-10(U) |
| Real Estate Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft. from edge of roadway | 2 off premises | — | — | 8-3-10(X) |
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage | On premises | — | 8-3-5(A), 8-3-10(W) |

### Agricultural District, R-2 District, R-1 District (Lots Not Used for Residential Purposes)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Apartment Identification Sign | 5 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | 8-3-10(B) |
| Church Identification Sign / Church Bulletin Board Sign | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. (60 sq. ft. along Route 116) | — | 10 ft. | See above | Attached to building or as ground sign | — | 8-3-10(F) |
| Feather Flag | 15 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | — | Outside public right-of-way and clear vision triangle | — | 8-3-10(GG) |
| Special Sign | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 4 per year per frontage | Per frontage | — | 8-3-10(Y) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per entrance road | Per entrance road | — | 8-3-10(Z) |
| Subdivision Real Estate Sign | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per subdivision | Per subdivision | — | 8-3-10(AA) |
| Real Estate Sign - Agricultural/R-2/Non-Residential R-1 | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | 8-3-10(W) |
| Construction Sign (Agricultural/R-2/non-residential R-1) | 5 ft. | 16 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage | On worksite of each frontage | — | 8-3-10(G)(2) |

### Commercial District, Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign (Sandwich Board Sign) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | 3 ft. | — | 1 per business (may share if multiple in same premises) | No greater than 20 ft. from business entrance, on premises | — | 8-3-7(C), 8-3-10(A) |
| Banner/Temporary Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft. | Max 4 ft. high x 15 ft. long or 15% of adjacent wall space | 15 ft. | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage at a time | On premises, per permit; must be at least 10 ft. from property lines | — | 8-3-7(C), 8-3-10(D) |
| Directional Sign | 3.5 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | At corners, may be subject to 10 ft. setback | 2 per entry/exit | Near entry/exit | — | 8-3-7(C), 8-3-10(H) |
| Gasoline Service Station Price Sign | 10 ft. (pole sign locations); 5 ft. elsewhere | 36 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage; 2 per business | Per frontage | — | 8-3-7(C), 8-3-10(L) |
| Ground Sign (Route 116/Parallel Frontage/Corners) | 18 ft. | Up to 15% of related wall surface (see table); max 125 sq. ft. at 5 ft. height, decreasing with more height, min 80 sq. ft. at 15-18 ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage, max 2/building | Frontage along Route 116/parallel/corner | — | 8-3-10(N)(1) |
| Ground Sign (Other than Route 116/Parallel/Corners) | 5 ft. | Up to 10% of related wall surface | — | 10 ft. | 1 per frontage, max 2/building | Other frontages | — | 8-3-10(N)(2) |
| Pole Sign | 25 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per building | Allowed only along Route 116/parallel frontage; only one per building; max 2 poles; not in combination with ground sign on same frontage (unless both streets are Route 116 and parallel) | — | 8-3-10(T) |
| Pylon Sign (Shopping Center Developments ≥ 15 acres/Annexation) | 30 ft. | 300 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft. | 1 per development | One per development | — | 8-3-10(V) |

## Prohibited signs in Germantown Hills

- Signs that flash or make noise are prohibited, except dial clocks or time and temperature light banks with flashing cycles exceeding four (4) seconds.
- Colored lights or illuminated signs employing colors that are used in traffic control devices are prohibited within thirty feet (30') of or at the same height as an official traffic control device, or where they may be confused for such a device.
- Imitation or resemblance to an official traffic control sign or device, or use of such words as 'stop', 'look', 'danger', 'go slow', 'caution', or 'warning' is prohibited.
- Moving signs (operated mechanically, electrically, electronically, or by wind or other forces) or signs with any moving devices are prohibited, except clocks and feather flags. Pennants, ribbons, flags and streamers are allowed only for anniversary and grand opening signs.
- Paper, cloth, cardboard or other similar nondurable signs located on the exterior of a building or structure are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs and signs advertising an activity, business or service no longer conducted on the lot or premises are prohibited.
- Signs which contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent or immoral character that offend public morals or decency are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs, logos or trademarks painted directly upon a building or wall are prohibited.
- Signs which project above the highest point of the roof of the principal building on the lot are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a tree, streetlight, public bench or seating area, or utility pole are prohibited, except for pole banners as expressly permitted.
- Signs displayed in or on a vehicle or merchandise of any type advertising the vehicle or merchandise for sale if the vehicle or merchandise is parked or located on the right-of-way of Route 116 or its parallel frontage road are prohibited.
- Signs that do not otherwise comply with the provisions of the chapter are prohibited.
- Signs shall not obstruct vision at an intersection or a vehicular entry or exit from the lot.
- Signs shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct a fire escape, exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress or interfere with any opening required for ventilation.

## Signs exempt from permit in Germantown Hills

- Signs of duly constituted governmental bodies, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal notices, or warnings at railroad crossings.
- Flags or emblems of civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, provided flags are less than thirty two (32) square feet in area.
- Memorial plaques, cornerstones, historical tablets, and the like which are a permanent part of a building and denote the name of a building, date of erection, historical significance, or other similar information.
- Signs posted in conjunction with doorbells not exceeding fifteen (15) square inches in area.
- Signs required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, unless specifically prohibited, limited, or restricted.
- Address signs, not more than one for each frontage of each principal use on a lot and not exceeding one hundred forty four (144) square inches in area, showing only the numerical address designations of the premises.
- Signs located on mailboxes identifying occupants and address, provided the sign area does not exceed one hundred forty four (144) square inches and comply with postal regulations.
- Seasonal displays, provided the display shall not be in place for a period longer than sixty (60) days.
- Welcome signs erected near community entrances if such sign is provided by the Village and approved by the Village Board of Trustees prior to construction.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan must be approved for a business center before any sign permit for a sign in the center will be issued. The plan must specify format for all signs, including size, color, location, illumination, lettering, mounting, and landscaping, and must be approved by the Village Board after a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
- A site plan showing the proposed location of the new sign along with the locations and square footage area of all existing signs on the same premises is required as part of any sign permit application.
- Any variance request must be submitted to the zoning officer, who forwards it to the zoning board of appeals for a public hearing and recommendation. Variances are granted only in specified limited situations after findings and may be subject to conditions and restrictions.

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

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