# Sign Regulations in Glenwood, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Glenwood, Illinois regulates 12 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Portable or Temporary Signs in the Manufacturing, Manufacturing or Industrial Districts, Manufacturing District (M) zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 60 sq ft per face, 120 sq ft max gross, with a 5 ft from sidewalk; 10 ft from curb if no sidewalk setback (Sec. 11.05.B). Most commercial signs in Glenwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential | 3 | — | 100 sq ft | — |
| Business and Office | 2 | 20 ft | 60 sq ft per face, 120 sq ft max gross | — |
| Manufacturing, Manufacturing or Industrial Districts, Manufacturing District (M) | 3 | 30 ft | 500 sq ft | — |
| Educational, Recreational, Institutional and Public Service, Educational, Recreational, and Institutional Uses | 2 | 15 ft | 60 sq ft per face, 120 sq ft max gross | — |
| Off-Street Parking Lot | 1 | 10 ft | — | — |
| Other Use | 1 | — | As approved by the village board | — |
| New Developments (All residential) | 1 | 12 ft | 5.0 sq ft per dwelling, up to 180 sq ft maximum | — |
| New Developments (All other uses) | 1 | 20 ft | — | — |
| Business or Office Use | 1 | 12 ft | 60 sq ft per face, 120 sq ft max gross | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 72 in | 32 sq ft | — |

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

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Single-family dwelling) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lots | Affixed to wall; not permitted as self-supported ground sign. | — | 11.04; Identification, a.(1); also see 11.03, 11.04 |
| Identification Sign (Two- and three-family dwellings) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lots | Affixed to wall; not permitted as self-supported ground sign. | — | 11.04; Identification, a.(2); also see 11.03, 11.04 |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-family dwelling) | — | 100 sq ft | — | 8 ft from front lot line; 10 ft from side lot line | — | Affixed to wall; self-supported ground signs permitted. | — | 11.04; Identification, a.(3); also see 11.03, 11.04 |

### Manufacturing, Manufacturing or Industrial Districts, Manufacturing District (M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 20 ft | — | — | 1 ft from side lot line per 10 sq ft of sign area | 1 per lot (2 on corner lots) | Affixed to wall; self-supported ground signs permitted. | — | 11.04; Identification, c. |
| Portable or Temporary Sign | 12 ft | 60 sq ft per face, 120 sq ft max gross | — | 5 ft from sidewalk; 10 ft from curb if no sidewalk | No more than two at a time per site | — | — | 11.05.B |
| Advertising Sign (Special Use Permit) | 30 ft | 500 sq ft | — | 150 ft from any residence district; 300 ft from another advertising sign | — | — | — | 11.03.J |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noncommercial Official Traffic/Safety or Legal Notice Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11.04; Special Signs, b. |
| Special Event Posters | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Only within windows | — | 11.04; Special Signs, c. |
| Banners | — | As approved by building inspector for special events only | — | — | — | As approved by inspector | — | 11.04; Special Signs, d. |
| Canopy and Marquee Signs | To edge of roadway | None stated | Not stated | — | — | — | — | 11.04; Special Signs, e. |
| Awning Signs | 72 in | None stated | — | — | — | — | — | 11.04; Special Signs, f. |

## Prohibited signs in Glenwood

- 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 and the sign is erected, constructed and displayed in conformance with the provisions of this section and other applicable provisions of this ordinance.
- Only one identification sign shall be permitted on a lot, except on corner lots where two are allowed facing each street.
- 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 on the wall of a building or adhered to the wall of a building with glue or mastic, except those business signs normally affixed in such a manner to the windows of business establishments.
- 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 ten feet in height to avoid obstructing motorist vision.
- Otherwise permitted projecting signs, awnings, or marquees shall not project into the required front or side yard adjoining a street or into the street right-of-way below a height of ten feet.
- Special event posters shall not be displayed for longer than 60 days prior to or 30 days after the advertised event, excluding requirements for legal notices.
- Light for sign illumination shall not be projected toward or onto properties located in a residence district.
- Permitted sign illumination shall be extinguished within one hour after the close of business and 7:00 a.m.
- Any illumination in the line of vision of approaching vehicular traffic shall not be red, amber, or green.
- Advertising signs are subject to distance and size restrictions and lighting limits as detailed under section 11.03.J.
- Awnings where permitted must have a minimum clearance of eight feet from sidewalk grade.
- Marquees and canopies may only be permitted when approved by the building inspector based on structural safety and relationship to permitted accessory uses.
- No sign may be installed on public right-of-way or village property unless the owner is a charitable or not-for-profit organization based in the village and a special use permit is obtained.

## Signs exempt from permit in Glenwood

- Business signs that are normally affixed to the windows of business establishments are exempt from the prohibition on painting or gluing signs to building walls.
- Requirements for removal or display period do not apply to legal-notice posters.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Identification signs and other special signs must conform to the standards enumerated and permitted by this ordinance; no references to a master sign plan or sign plan requirement are made for general sign types across all zones.
- Installation of a marquee or canopy requires approval by the building inspector and may require findings related to safety and accessory use.
- Signs to be installed on public right-of-way or village property require a special use permit from the zoning board of appeals with final approval from the board of trustees.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/glenwood