# Sign Regulations in Highland Park, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Highland Park, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/highland-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Highland_Park/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TITXVLAUS_CH150ZOCO_ARTXXSI)

## At a glance

Highland Park, Illinois regulates 35 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Memorial Signs in the R1: Country Estate Residential District, R2: Country Home Residential District, R3: Low Density Residential District, R4: Low-To-Moderate Density Residential District, R5: Moderate Density Residential District, R5A: Moderate-To-Medium Density Residential Zoning District, R6: Medium Density Residential District, R7: Single- and Two-Family Residential District zoning district are capped at If Ground Sign, no more than 2 feet tall and 3 square feet, with a not closer than 6 feet to any lot line. setback (Sec. 150.2022(A)). Most commercial signs in Highland Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R1: Country Estate Residential District, R2: Country Home Residential District, R3: Low Density Residential District, R4: Low-To-Moderate Density Residential District, R5: Moderate Density Residential District, R5A: Moderate-To-Medium Density Residential Zoning District, R6: Medium Density Residential District, R7: Single- and Two-Family Residential District | 22 | 6 feet | 25 sq ft per sign face (2 faces max) | — |
| RM1: Medium-To-High Density Residential District, RM1A: Medium to High Density Multiple Family Residential Zoning District, RM2: High Density Residential District, RO: High Density Residential/Office District | 22 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per sign face (2 faces max) | — |
| PA: Public Activity District | 1 | — | — | — |
| B1: Neighborhood Commercial District, B1A: Waukegan-Bloom Neighborhood Commercial District, B2: Ravinia Commercial District, B2-RW: Roger Williams Commercial District Overlay Zone, B3: Highway Commercial District, B4-4: Commercial Service District, B4-5: Commercial Service District, B4-6: Commercial Service District, B4-BG: Briergate Commercial District, B5: Central Business District | 15 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft per flag pole | — |
| HC: Health Care District | 1 | — | — | — |
| I: Light Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| LFOZ: Lakefront Density and Character Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| SLOZ: South Green Bay Road Small Lot Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| CDRO: Central District Residential Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | N/A | N/A | — |

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

### R1: Country Estate Residential District, R2: Country Home Residential District, R3: Low Density Residential District, R4: Low-To-Moderate Density Residential District, R5: Moderate Density Residential District, R5A: Moderate-To-Medium Density Residential Zoning District, R6: Medium Density Residential District, R7: Single- and Two-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per development | Lot under development | — | 150.2022(A) |
| Memorial Sign | If Ground Sign, no more than 2 feet | 3 square feet | — | Ground sign: not closer than 6 feet to any lot line. | 1 | — | — | 150.2022(A) |
| Nameplate Sign | If Ground Sign, no more than 2 feet | 1 sq ft per occupancy, 3 sq ft per lot | — | Ground sign: not closer than 5 feet to any lot line. | 1 | — | — | 150.2022(A)/(c) |
| Open House Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot | On lot or permitted public right-of-way | — | 150.2022(A)/150.2022(A)(2)(e) |
| Political Election Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | Anywhere on private property with consent | — | 150.2022(A)/150.2022(A)(2)(g) |
| Political Message Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | On private property with consent | — | 150.2022(A)/150.2022(A)(2)(h) |
| Temporary Window Sign | No higher than window on ground level | 10% of total area of all ground floor windows (per occupancy) | — | — | No limit | Window | — | 150.2022(A)/150.2022(A)(2)(k) |
| Ground Sign (Religious/Educational/HOA/Community/Recreation Club, >3 acres) | 6 feet (incl. base) | 25 sq ft per sign face (2 faces max) | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | 150.2022(B) |

### RM1: Medium-To-High Density Residential District, RM1A: Medium to High Density Multiple Family Residential Zoning District, RM2: High Density Residential District, RO: High Density Residential/Office District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | On lot being developed | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Memorial Sign | 2 ft | 3 sq ft | — | If ground sign, not closer than 6 ft to any lot line. | 1 | — | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Nameplate Sign | 2 ft (for ground sign) | 1 sq ft per occupancy, 3 sq ft per lot | — | Ground sign not closer than 5 ft to lot line | 1 | — | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Open House Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On lot or with permission on parkway at closest major intersection | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Political Election Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | On private property with consent | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Political Message Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | On private property with consent | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Temporary Window Sign | No higher than window on ground level | 10% of total area of all ground floor windows (per occupancy) | — | — | No limit | Window | — | 150.2023(A) |
| Wall Sign (Identification, Reader Board) for permitted multi-family, religious or educational institutions | No higher than bottom of 2nd story window/top of 1-story wall | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Building wall | — | 150.2023(B) |

### B1: Neighborhood Commercial District, B1A: Waukegan-Bloom Neighborhood Commercial District, B2: Ravinia Commercial District, B2-RW: Roger Williams Commercial District Overlay Zone, B3: Highway Commercial District, B4-4: Commercial Service District, B4-5: Commercial Service District, B4-6: Commercial Service District, B4-BG: Briergate Commercial District, B5: Central Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft (B1/B1A/B2/B2-RW/B4 categories); 32 sq ft (B3) | — | — | 1 per development | Lot under development | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Lawn Service Sign | 4 ft | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Memorial Sign | 2 ft | 3 sq ft | — | Ground sign: > 6 ft from lot line | 1 | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Nameplate Sign | 2 ft (if a ground sign) | 1 sq ft per occupancy; 3 sq ft per lot | — | Ground sign: > 5 ft from lot line | 1 | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| On-Site Informational Sign | Ground: 4 ft; Window: 5.5 ft | Ground: 2 sq ft (B1/B1A/B2/B2-RW/B4 categories); 4 sq ft (B3); Window: 2 sq ft (B1-B5); 4 sq ft (B3) | — | — | No limit | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Open House Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Political Election Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No limit | — | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |
| Temporary Window Sign | No higher than window at ground level | 20% of total ground floor window area per occupancy (B1-B5/B3/B5) | Individual sign max 32 sq ft (B3/I) | — | No limit | Window | — | 150.2024(A); 150.2025(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Highland Park

- No sign shall be erected, used, displayed, enlarged, expanded, altered, operated, maintained, located, relocated, or removed except in conformance with the regulations of Article XX (Signs). Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct ingress to or egress from any fire escape, door, window, or other required access way, or prevent free passage from one part of a roof to another, or be attached to any fire escape.
- No sign shall project over, occupy, or obstruct any window or other opening required for light or ventilation by the Building Code.
- No sign may be maintained where by its position, size, shape, content, color, or illumination, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device, or otherwise interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrians or vehicle traffic.
- No sign shall be placed in or extend into or over any public property, including a public right-of-way, except as expressly provided (with narrow exceptions for government/civic signs, certain event approvals, political election signs per specific provisions).
- No sign may be placed on any fence or utility pole, or in any location that would violate any regulation set forth in the Chapter, except as otherwise expressly allowed (e.g., certain political signs on private fences).
- No unshielded light or string of lights shall be used to illuminate a sign. No flashing, blinking, or intermittent lights, or lights with changing intensity, are allowed on any sign (with a City-owned government sign exception for electronic message boards).
- No sign shall be structurally unsafe, inadequately maintained, dilapidated, in bad repair, obstruct vision for vehicle or pedestrian safety, or otherwise be a public nuisance or menace.
- No sign shall be installed or erected on a tree or utility pole, on public or private property.
- No off-site advertising sign (including billboards) is allowed.
- No banner sign is allowed except as specifically provided (very narrow exception).
- No mobile sign is allowed except an incidental sign painted or affixed to a vehicle in the customary manner for identifying a business, and the vehicle may not be parked solely to advertise.
- No moving or animated sign is allowed.
- No pole sign is permitted, except as specifically allowed for menu boards, auto dealerships by variance, or as a non-permit sign for security, nameplate, or similar minor sign.
- No projecting sign is permitted except as allowed for certain artistic pedestrian-oriented signs as part of a sign package and with variance.
- No roof sign is permitted.
- No sign may use reflective paint or tape, except Governmental Signs.
- No sign may display the price of any goods, services, or any interest rate, except as specifically permitted for temporary window signs or reader boards for fuel prices or movie theaters.
- No sign in the shape of a product, except a temporary window sign.
- Signs that advertise a business no longer conducted, or a product no longer sold on the premises are prohibited, and must be removed unless covered or identified as seasonal.
- Any sign erected in violation of any provision of Article XX, any other City ordinance, federal or state law or regulation is strictly prohibited.
- Any sign, other than a Governmental Sign, may not use reflective paint or tape.
- No obscene content (as defined in 150.2021) is allowed on any sign.
- No sign shall be located or maintained so as to create a nuisance or a threat to the public safety and welfare.

## Signs exempt from permit in Highland Park

- Governmental signs authorized by law, ordinance, or governmental regulation are exempt from location, height, and other limitations otherwise imposed.
- Signs required by law (such as public utility signs to warn of hazards, required address numbers, legal postings, etc.) are exempt.
- Holiday decorations are generally exempt.
- Temporary signs such as certain civic event signs, personal event signs, political election signs, temporary window signs, construction signs, and real estate signs may be exempted from permit requirements in each zoning district, subject to size, location, and duration limitations.
- Official flags and emblems (governmental, college, religious, or organization, subject to certain restrictions) are exempt.
- Memorial signs, if made of durable materials and not illuminated, are exempt in each zone per the sign tables.
- On-site informational signs (such as those marking entrances, exits, restrooms, hours, etc.) of limited size are exempt from permit requirements.
- Security, lawn service, nameplate signs, etc., of specified small size and number, are permit-exempt.
- Subject to the sign tables per zoning district, additional minor exemptions may apply to personal event signs, open house signs, and political/political message signs (usually size and location limits apply).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master signage plan (sign package) is required for newly constructed buildings that contain multiple storefronts with ground floor entrances and for certain existing buildings with facade improvements affecting multiple entrances.
- A sign package may be submitted for any property with more than one building or with frontage along two or more streets where multiple signs are proposed, and for multiple tenant buildings with more than one proposed sign.
- Sign permit applications for signs proposed as part of a planned unit development, or in connection with a use requiring a conditional or special use permit, or any sign in the HC (Health Care) District, require review by the Plan and Design Commission unless they are consistent with an approved sign package.
- Approval of a sign package by the Plan and Design Commission is required before issuance of sign permits for the affected property/building (see 150.2030). The approved sign package governs all signage requiring permits for that property/building.
- Sign permit applications may require the submission of a master signage plan at the discretion of the Director of Community Development.
- Variances from sign regulations (including number, height, area, typology) must be requested through the Plan and Design Commission with public notice, per 150.2031.
- No sign requiring Plan and Design Commission approval may be erected until the commission has reviewed and approved the sign or sign package in a public meeting.

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

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