# Sign Regulations in Harwood Heights, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Harwood Heights, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/harwood-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Harwood_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZOOR_CH17.36SI)

## At a glance

Harwood Heights, Illinois regulates 29 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Billboard Signs in the Business Districts (B1—B2) zoning district are capped at 24 ft tall, 48 ft length x 14 ft height (see footnote), and 48 ft wide, with a Underlying zoning district setback (Sec. Table 17.36.100.2). Most commercial signs in Harwood Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R1—R4) | 9 | 10 ft (ground sign); wall sign not higher than 10 ft above grade | 16 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B1—B2) | 16 | To roofline, maximum 30 ft (special permit required above this); must not extend above first floor in multi-story buildings | 200 sq ft per sign face or 5% coverage of wall face (whichever is less) | — |
| Manufacturing Districts (M1—M2) | 15 | To roofline, maximum 30 ft (special permit required above this); must not extend above first floor in multi-story buildings | 120 sq ft per sign face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 4 ft (freestanding sign) | Not more than 25% of window area | — |

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

### Residential Districts (R1—R4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street and/or lot line | 1 | Entirely on the premises; 10 ft from street and/or lot line | — | Table 17.36.100.1; 17.36.080.F, H; 17.36.130.A.4.a; 17.36.120.A |
| Identification Sign (Non-residential Use) | 10 ft (ground sign); wall sign not higher than 10 ft above grade | 16 sq ft | — | Ground sign: 8 ft from interior lot line; 1/2 of required front yard depth or 10 ft from front lot line (educational inst.) | 1 wall sign and 1 ground sign per street frontage | Affixed flat against the building wall OR as ground sign per street frontage | — | 17.36.120.D |
| Name Plate Sign | — | 1 sq ft per occupancy, maximum 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per occupancy | Wall sign per occupancy | — | 17.36.080.C |
| Private Sale Sign | 4 ft (freestanding sign) | 6 sq ft | — | Freestanding: not closer than 6 ft to lot line | — | On premises where sale conducted | — | 17.36.080.F |
| Private Warning Sign | — | 2 sq ft each | — | — | Limited to necessary number | As necessary to accomplish intended purpose | — | 17.36.080.G |
| Garage or Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft each | — | — | Maximum 2 | On premises of sale or another property with owner's permission | — | 17.36.130.A.5 |
| Political/Non-Commercial Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign side; max 20 sq ft total per lot | — | — | — | On private property only, with owner permission | — | 17.36.130.A.7 |
| Temporary Identification Sign (Institutional/Event) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | For not-for-profit event, on institution or event premises | — | 17.36.130.A.6 |

### Business Districts (B1—B2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign, Large Size | — | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | 25 ft from property line | 1 per zoning lot frontage | — | — | Table 17.36.100.1; 17.36.120.A |
| Awning & Canopy Sign | 20 ft; at least 10 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per sign face; 5% of total wall space per tenant | — | — | — | On awning/canopy; not above/below/beyond dimensions of awning/canopy | — | Table 17.36.100.2, 17.36.060.A.7.b |
| Billboard Sign | 24 ft | 48 ft length x 14 ft height (see footnote) | 48 ft | Underlying zoning district | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Table 17.36.100.2 |
| Electronic Reader Board/Changeable Copy/Video Sign (Monument Sign) | 24 ft | — | — | Setback of monument sign | 1 per zoning lot frontage >300 ft | Affixed within permitted monument sign | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.120.B |
| Electronic Reader Board/Changeable Copy/Video Sign (Billboard Sign) | 24 ft | — | — | Setback of billboard sign | 1 per zoning lot | Affixed within permitted billboard sign | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.120.B |
| Monument Sign (< 500 ft frontage) | 10 ft | 120 sq ft per sign face; 240 sq ft per lot max | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 6 ft from other lot lines | 1 per zoning lot frontage <500 ft | 1 per zoning lot frontage < 500 ft | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.c |
| Monument Sign (> 500 ft frontage) | 10 ft | 120 sq ft per sign face; 240 sq ft per lot max | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 6 ft from other lot lines | 2 per zoning lot frontage >500 ft | 2 per zoning lot frontage > 500 ft | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.c |
| Wall Sign | To roofline, maximum 30 ft (special permit required above this); must not extend above first floor in multi-story buildings | 200 sq ft per sign face or 5% coverage of wall face (whichever is less) | — | — | 1 per ground floor tenant | Affixed to building wall, not to architectural features, not above roof line/parapet | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.d; 17.36.120.C |

### Manufacturing Districts (M1—M2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign, Large Size | — | 24 sq ft per sign face | — | 25 ft from property line | 1 per zoning lot frontage | — | — | Table 17.36.100.1; 17.36.120.A |
| Awning & Canopy Sign | 20 ft; at least 10 ft above grade | 50 sq ft per sign face; 5% of total wall space per tenant | — | — | 1 per entrance | On awning/canopy; not above/below/beyond dimensions of awning/canopy | — | Table 17.36.100.2, 17.36.060.A.7.b |
| Billboard Sign | 24 ft | 48 ft length x 14 ft height (see footnote) | 48 ft | Underlying zoning district | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Table 17.36.100.2 |
| Electronic Reader Board/Changeable Copy/Video Sign (Monument Sign) | 24 ft | — | — | Setback of monument sign | 1 per zoning lot frontage >300 ft | Affixed within permitted monument sign | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.120.B |
| Electronic Reader Board/Changeable Copy/Video Sign (Billboard Sign) | 24 ft | — | — | Setback of billboard sign | 1 per zoning lot | Affixed within permitted billboard sign | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.120.B |
| Monument Sign (< 500 ft frontage) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; 200 sq ft per lot max | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 3 ft from parking areas and driveways | 1 per zoning lot frontage <500 ft | 1 per zoning lot frontage < 500 ft | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.c |
| Monument Sign (> 500 ft frontage) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per sign face; 200 sq ft per lot max | — | 5 ft from right-of-way; 3 ft from parking areas and driveways | 2 per zoning lot frontage >500 ft | 2 per zoning lot frontage > 500 ft | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.c |
| Wall Sign | To roofline, maximum 30 ft (special permit required above this); must not extend above first floor in multi-story buildings | 120 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per zoning lot frontage | Affixed to building wall, not to architectural features, not above roof line/parapet | — | Table 17.36.100.2; 17.36.060.A.7.d; 17.36.120.C |

## Prohibited signs in Harwood Heights

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, enlarged, expanded, altered, relocated or maintained unless a sign permit evidencing compliance has been issued, except as provided in exemptions.
- No flashing, blinking or intermittent lights shall be permitted on signs, except for public service signs when expressly permitted.
- No unscreened light sources are permitted for sign illumination, except for temporary holiday displays.
- 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 code.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape, content, color, or illumination, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with, or be confused with any traffic control sign or device, or 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 ten feet from grade within thirty-five feet of the intersection of the street front lot lines.
- No sign except governmental signs authorized in this chapter shall be placed in or extend into or over any public property or right-of-way, except as approved for certain temporary signs.
- All signs must be maintained in compliance with code and all applicable laws, in a safe, secure, neat, and orderly condition and good working order at all times.
- No sign shall be located in any area or in any manner so as to create a nuisance or a threat to the public safety and welfare.
- The following signs are prohibited in all districts unless expressly authorized: Advertising signs; Attention-getting devices; Banner signs (except as approved by permit); Billboard signs; Box signs; Home occupation identification signs; Moving or animated signs; Off-premises identification signs; Portable signs; Real estate signs indicating that property has been sold or is under any contractual obligation; Roof signs; Temporary signs (except as authorized); Vehicle/trailer signs; Any sign that advertises, identifies or pertains to a business no longer conducted, or a product no longer sold, on the premises; Any sign on a tree or utility pole; Any sign on public property (except governmental signs); Any sign painted directly on a wall, roof, or fence.

## Signs exempt from permit in Harwood Heights

- Governmental signs erected and maintained pursuant to law, ordinance or regulation.
- Holiday decorations/displays, provided they are displayed for no more than sixty consecutive days nor more than twenty days after the associated holiday, and do not create a safety hazard, nuisance, or adverse impact.
- Name plate signs, no more than one per occupancy, non-illuminated, not exceeding one square foot per occupancy (and never more than four square feet total).
- Official flags and emblems, displayed on flag poles (not exceeding 24 square feet) or as wall signs (not exceeding 3 square feet).
- On-site informational signs, limited to wall or freestanding signs up to six square feet in area and four feet in height, illuminated only as needed for purpose.
- Private sale signs (residential only), not exceeding six square feet, located only on the sale premises, with responsible party's contact info, posted no more than 24 hours before and removed no more than 24 hours after sale, with freestanding signs no higher than four feet and set back at least six feet from lot lines.
- Private warning signs, not exceeding two square feet each, limited to the number needed, illuminated only as required.
- Standard size real estate signs, one per zoning lot, non-illuminated, not exceeding six square feet per face, minimum 10 feet setback, with responsible party's contact info, and not indicating property has sold or is under contract. (Larger signs require permits.)
- Temporary window signs, not exceeding 25% of window area nor blocking areas required for light or egress, non-illuminated.
- Construction signs on construction sites (max 16 square feet, max 6 feet in height, limited duration, limited to one per street frontage; displayed only during construction and removed promptly after completion).
- Home improvement services signs during duration of work (max 2 square feet, removed after completion).
- Temporary directional event signs (real estate open house or public events), max four square feet, limited posting and removal timeframes.
- Garage or yard sale signs (residential), max two per lot, max four square feet each, only when sale is taking place.
- Not-for-profit special event signs, max 16 square feet, limited to 15 days before and five days after event.
- Political or non-commercial message signs, max 6 square feet per sign and 20 square feet per lot, posted only on private property, time-limited to election period.
- ‘For Sale’ and ‘For Rent’ property signs (max 6 square feet, only on property for sale/leasing, limited duration, one per interior lot, two per corner lot, six feet max height for ground displays).
- ‘For Sale’ vehicle signs, only on permitted lots or at private residence, not on public right-of-way, and removed within 24 hours of sale.
- Window signs (temporary), total not more than 25% window area, not in place longer than thirty days.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit must include plans and specifications showing the location, construction, illumination, and support of the sign, scale drawing of faces, landscape plan for monument signs, photographs of property street sides and existing signs, total sign area calculation, applicant attestation sign area does not exceed maximum allowed, and evidence of a valid business license if applicable.
- Signs on lots with multiple users: the owner of the lot must allocate permitted signage among the users.
- Permits for certain types of signs (e.g., temporary signs not exempt, real estate signs large size, banner signs outside listed exemptions, attention-getting devices) are required and subject to the general permitting process.

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

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