# Sign Regulations in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hawthorn Woods, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/hawthorn-woods
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Hawthorn Woods, Illinois regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Ground Sign (300 ft or Less Frontage, <=50 ft Setback)s in the Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft. above grade tall and 16 sq. ft. per face, with a Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW or residential setback (Sec. 9-12-8D1a,2,3,4,5). Most commercial signs in Hawthorn Woods require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Must not exceed roofline of nearby buildings | 16 sq. ft. per sign face | — |
| Residential Districts, Residential Zoning Districts | 6 | For sale/for rent: 7 ft; Traffic/Parking: 7 ft; Memorial: 4 sq. ft. (area), max set by location. | 16 sq. ft. per sign face (9-12-6D1) | — |
| Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts | 10 | Monument sign: top <42 in. if near intersection/entrance; Pole sign (if allowed): bottom edge >9 ft. if near intersection/entrance | 100 sq. ft. per face | — |
| PU/IB Public Use And Institutional Buildings District | 1 | 10 ft. or 1 story above curb | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Property Adjacent to U.S. Route 12 and Other U.S. Highways Designated as Federal Aid Program Highways | 2 | 30% of fascia height (horizontal roof); 8% of building height (horizontal); 13% of building height (peaked) | 2% of total facade area; sign length 25% max of facade | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9-12-3, 9-12-5 |
| Temporary Sign (General) | Must not exceed roofline of nearby buildings | 16 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | Max 2 per lot, ground signs max 2 faces | On private property with owner consent, wholly within property lines. Temporary business signs must follow business sign regulations. | — | 9-12-6 |
| Electronic Message Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9-12-4G, 9-12-6G, 9-12-8F |

### Residential Districts, Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign | For sale/for rent: 7 ft; Traffic/Parking: 7 ft; Memorial: 4 sq. ft. (area), max set by location. | See 9-12-5, e.g. Address Identification: 1 sq. ft; For sale/for rent: 6 sq. ft. | — | — | Varies by sign type | Subject to respective use (e.g. address, for sale, parking, memorial). | — | 9-12-5, 9-12-7A |
| Temporary Sign (Residential) | May not exceed roofline | 16 sq. ft. per sign face (9-12-6D1) | — | — | Max 2 per lot | On private property | — | 9-12-7B, 9-12-6 |
| Address Identification Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Flat against building | — | 9-12-5A, 9-12-7C |
| Nameplate and Identification Sign (One and Two Family) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On dwelling | — | 9-12-7D1 |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-Family) | 7 ft. above grade at sign location | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building | — | — | 9-12-7D2 |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | 9-12-7E |

### Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Nonresidential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Business) | — | 16 sq. ft. per sign face | — | — | Max 2 per lot | On private property, wholly within property lines, not to interfere with sightlines | — | 9-12-6 |
| Wall Sign (First Side) | 20 ft. above curb, not above roofline | 50 sq. ft. max (first side), but <10% of wall area | — | — | Signage on up to two sides per business, with differing area limitations | Mounted on side(s) facing public street. Includes facia, awning, permanent window signs. | — | 9-12-8C1,3,4,5,6 |
| Wall Sign (Second Side) | 20 ft. above curb, not above roofline | 50 sq. ft. max (second side), but <5% of wall area | — | — | — | Mounted on additional side facing public street | — | 9-12-8C1,3,4,5,6 |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Tenant Building - No Exterior Walls) | 20 ft. above curb, not above roofline | 50 sq. ft. (combined) | — | — | 2 per building (one directory, one name) | — | — | 9-12-8C2 |
| Ground Sign (300 ft or Less Frontage, <=50 ft Setback) | 20 ft. above grade | 16 sq. ft. per face | — | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW or residential | 1 per street frontage | Min 5’ plus 1’ for every 10 sq. ft. of sign face from ROW and residential zones | — | 9-12-8D1a,2,3,4,5 |
| Ground Sign (300 ft or Less Frontage, >50 ft Setback) | 20 ft. above grade | 50 sq. ft. per face | — | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW or residential | 1 per street frontage | Min 5’ plus 1’ for every 10 sq. ft. of sign face from ROW and residential zones | — | 9-12-8D1b,2,3,4,5 |
| Ground Sign (300+ ft Frontage, <=50 ft Setback) | 20 ft. | 40 sq. ft. per face | — | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW/residential | 1 or 2 per street frontage (if frontage exceeds 1,000 ft.) | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW/residential | — | 9-12-8D1c,2,3,4,5 |
| Ground Sign (300+ ft Frontage, >50 ft Setback) | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. per face | — | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW/residential | 1 or 2 per street frontage (if frontage exceeds 1,000 ft.) | Min 5’ + 1’/10 sq. ft. sign face from ROW/residential | — | 9-12-8D1d,2,3,4,5 |

## Prohibited signs in Hawthorn Woods

- No sign may be painted, pasted or similarly posted directly on the surface of any wall, roof or fence.
- No sign shall be permitted on any wall, fence or standard facing the interior side yard of any adjoining lot located in a residential district, except as provided for in exempt signs.
- Signs shall not be erected on the roof of any building or structure.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole.
- No sign shall block any required accessway or window.
- Advertising signs and outdoor billboards advertising products or matters not related to the occupancy and use of the premises are not permitted except as a temporary sign per temporary sign provisions.
- Portable or mobile signs are prohibited except as a temporary sign per temporary sign provisions.
- No electric, internally illuminated, flashing or revolving signs shall be permitted, except electric and internally illuminated signs may be approved by the Village Board after review as part of a unified sign plan.
- Flags other than one United States of America and one corporate, one Village and State flag are prohibited except as a temporary sign.
- No sign, streamer, banner, flag, pennant or similar device supported by rope or wires or otherwise is allowed to encroach on, over or across any public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or park, except as a temporary sign.
- No fluttering or wind-actuated sign, bunting, banners, streamers, pennants or flags shall be erected or maintained except as a temporary sign.
- Beacons and inflatable blimps, figures or similar attention-attracting devices are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating or otherwise moving or flashing sign or any attention-attracting device, marquee, canopy or awning so as to obstruct free and clear vision or distract the attention of drivers by position, shape or color.
- No sign or advertising structure shall use the words 'stop', 'go', 'look', 'slow', 'danger' or similar words/phrases/symbols or be in conflict with public traffic signals.
- Pole signs (except for flags and where authorized as part of a unified sign plan) are prohibited.
- Electronic message signs are prohibited except as authorized in other sections.
- Obsolete signs, including those for non-existent businesses or products, must be taken down and removed promptly after notification.
- Nonconforming signs are not allowed to be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated.
- Signs that block sightlines at intersections with public rights-of-way or internal circulation are prohibited.
- Signs must not interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- Roof signs are not permitted in any zoning district.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hawthorn Woods

- Address identification signs and nameplates, subject to size and location restrictions.
- For sale, for rent, and garage sale signs, subject to quantity, size, height, and illumination limitations.
- Traffic and parking signs designating parking area entrances or exits and conditions, subject to size and quantity limits and noncommercial content.
- Memorial signs limited to construction date and building name, inlaid as an integral part of structure and size restricted.
- Church bulletins and signs for public or quasi-public buildings and civic organizations, subject to number, area, and height restrictions.
- Signs of a noncommercial nature erected in the public interest by or on order of a public official, including safety signs, legal notices, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, historical interest signs, and similar.
- Flags representing the state, village, fraternal, religious, or civic organizations (with some restrictions if the pole exceeds 20 feet in height).
- Signs indicating restrooms, telephones, or similar public information, not exceeding two square feet.
- No trespassing, video surveillance, and no dumping signs, subject to number, area, setback, and height limitations.
- Holiday decorations clearly incidental and customary to holidays, displayed for no more than 45 days per holiday.
- Window promotional signs on the interior of glass show windows, provided no more than 10% of window area is covered.
- Political signs, subject to size limitations and required removal after elections.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall construct, alter, rebuild, enlarge, erect, extend, place or relocate a sign without first filing a written application and obtaining a permit from the Village Board; application requires information and drawings as required by Plan Commission or Architectural Review Commission.
- The Plan Commission or Architectural Review Commission may require that all plans be drawn by a registered architect or structural engineer.
- Applications for sign permits are reviewed by the Plan Commission or Architectural Review Commission, which makes recommendations to the Village Board.
- Electric and internally illuminated signs may be approved as part of a 'unified sign plan' authorized in business and industrial districts, following review by the Architectural Review Commission and approval by the Village Board.
- Pole signs may be authorized as part of a 'unified sign plan.'
- In an integrated business or industrial development under unified control, increased sign size is permitted provided that a unified sign plan is submitted to the Architectural Review Commission, and must be approved by the Village Board.
- Nameplate and identification signs for multifamily dwellings and neighborhood identification signs require review by the Architectural Review Commission and approval by the Village Board.
- Extensions to the time allowed for nonconforming signs or temporary signs may follow special use or variation procedures as provided by the Village Board.
- Permit applications must include information as required, and may be subject to additional requirements as set by Plan Commission or Architectural Review Commission.

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

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