# Sign Regulations in Highland, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Highland, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/highland
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Highland/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH90ZO_ARTVIIISI)

## At a glance

Highland, Illinois regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District, Industrial District, C-3 Highway Business District, I Industrial District, Business District, Manufacturing District zoning district are capped at 20 ft (unless an exception applies) tall, 80 sq ft, and 10 ft (maximum single dimension) wide, with a Minimum 5 ft or sign height (whichever greater) from lot line setback (Sec. Sec. 90-256, Sec. 90-265, Sec. 90-271). Most commercial signs in Highland require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 11 | — | 40 sq ft (actual signage area) | — |
| Commercial District, Industrial District, C-3 Highway Business District, I Industrial District, Business District, Manufacturing District | 12 | 30 ft | Maximum sign system per lot: 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to the site of construction; must be removed within 14 days after project is 90% complete but prior to occupancy | — | Sec. 90-263(1), Sec. 90-264 |
| Directional and Informational Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | On site for public convenience | — | Sec. 90-263(2), Sec. 90-264 |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On private residential property; not on street right-of-way | — | Sec. 90-263(4), Sec. 90-264 |
| House Number/Name Sign (Single-Family) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Located on the lot to which the sign pertains | — | Sec. 90-263(7), Sec. 90-264 |
| House Number/Name Sign (Multi-Family) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Located on the lot to which the sign pertains | — | Sec. 90-263(7), Sec. 90-264 |
| Institutional Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of the institution | — | Sec. 90-263(8), Sec. 90-264 |
| Political Campaign Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to private property | — | Sec. 90-263(11), Sec. 90-264 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6.25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises for sale/rent/lease | — | Sec. 90-263(14), Sec. 90-264 |

### Commercial District, Industrial District, C-3 Highway Business District, I Industrial District, Business District, Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted Sign | May not extend more than 4 ft above roofline | Maximum sign system per lot: 300 sq ft | — | — | — | On building walls facing public street frontage(s) or adjacent to off-street parking area | — | Sec. 90-256, Sec. 90-265, Sec. 90-266 |
| Projecting Sign | May not extend more than 3 ft above roofline; Min. 10 ft above ground or pavement | See total sign area allowance (max system per lot: 300 sq ft) | May not project more than 10 ft from building | — | 1 per street front | On building walls oriented toward public street frontage(s) | — | Sec. 90-256, Sec. 90-265, Sec. 90-267 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft (unless an exception applies) | 80 sq ft | 10 ft (maximum single dimension) | Minimum 5 ft or sign height (whichever greater) from lot line | 1 per street front | Must not intrude into or project over any public right-of-way; not closer than 5 ft or overall height (whichever is greater) to any lot line | — | Sec. 90-256, Sec. 90-265, Sec. 90-271 |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | 30 ft | 300 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from front property line and as required from side property lines | 1 per 75 linear ft frontage, max 2 | On shopping center with >50,000 sq ft GFA; 10 ft setback from front property line | — | Sec. 90-270 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 30% of any window | — | — | — | Affixed to building window | — | Sec. 90-269 |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | 30% of any window | — | — | — | Affixed to building window | — | Sec. 90-269 |
| Billboard | 30 ft | 60 sq ft | — | 5 ft or overall height from all property lines, whichever greater | Max 25 citywide | Allowed only by special use permit (C-3 and I zones) | — | Sec. 90-273 |
| Feather Flag | 12 ft (from adjacent grade to top) | — | 3 ft | — | 1 per business | On private property | — | Sec. 90-263(20) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Confined to the site of construction | — | Sec. 90-263(1) |
| Directional and Informational Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-263(2) |
| Flag (National/State/Local) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 90-263(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Highland

- Any sign or street graphic not expressly permitted by this article is prohibited.
- Signs or street graphics that revolve, rotate, or mechanically move in any manner are prohibited.
- No sign may have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color (except electronically-operated changeable copy signs).
- Beacon lights and illumination by flame are prohibited.
- No exposed reflective bulbs, strobe light, or incandescent lamp exceeding 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign in such a manner as to expose the face of the bulb, light, or lamp to any public street or adjacent property.
- No sign or street graphic shall be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.
- No sign or street graphic shall interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be likely to be confused with an authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign may obstruct vision at an intersection or vehicular entry or exit from property.
- No sign or street graphic may exceed a maximum height of 20 feet (except as otherwise provided).
- Mobile/portable marquees are strictly prohibited everywhere in the municipality.
- Signs attached to trees, fences, or public utility poles, other than warning signs issued by public utilities, are prohibited.
- Signs advertising or identifying a business, activity, or service no longer conducted must be removed within 60 days of discontinuance.
- Signs painted on roofs or walls advertising off-premises businesses are strictly prohibited.
- All roof-mounted signs are strictly prohibited everywhere in the municipality.
- Billboards (including all off-premises advertising signs) are prohibited except by special use permit in the C-3 highway business district and the "I" industrial district, and only up to 25 billboards at one time.

## Signs exempt from permit in Highland

- Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, contractors, etc., not exceeding 32 sq ft, confined to construction site, and removed within 14 days after substantial completion or before certificate of occupancy.
- Directional and informational signs for public convenience (entrances, exits, parking, restrooms, etc.), not exceeding 3 sq ft.
- Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government.
- Garage sale signs for private residential property, not exceeding 4 sq ft, not posted for more than 3 days, and not allowed on street right-of-way.
- Governmental or public signs (traffic control, railroad crossing, legal notices, etc.).
- Holiday decorations (e.g., Christmas lights, ornaments), provided they are removed within a reasonable time unless permanently installed.
- House numbers and/or name of occupant signs for the associated lot, not exceeding 3 sq ft for single-family dwellings or 6 sq ft for multifamily dwellings.
- Institutional signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions on premises, not obstructing motorists' vision, and not exceeding 32 sq ft.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid as part of the building, with information such as date of erection, name of building, and memorial tributes.
- Interior signs not visible from the exterior of the building.
- Political campaign signs on private property, not exceeding 16 sq ft; may not be displayed on non-residential property more than 45 days before and must be removed within 7 days after the election. No such time limit for residential property.
- Property regulation signs (no trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, etc.), not exceeding 3 sq ft.
- Public interest signs publicizing charitable or non-profit events of general public interest (up to 16 sq ft in residential districts, 32 sq ft elsewhere); permitted 30 days before and 7 days after the event.
- Real estate signs for the sale, rental, or lease of premises on site; on residential property, not exceeding 6.25 sq ft and one per street front; on other properties, not exceeding 32 sq ft and may be "V" shaped, must be removed within 7 days after sale/rental/lease.
- Residential development identification structures (not exceeding 40 sq ft, containing no commercial advertising).
- Street banners advertising public entertainment or events, placed with City Council approval and only for 14 days before and 7 days after event.
- Utility company signs aiding public safety or showing location of public telephones, underground cables, etc.
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names, and erection dates cut into masonry or inlaid or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Signs placed on city-owned property with written city manager permission, or on state rights-of-way with written IDOT permission and submitted documentation.
- Feather flags, permitted only on private property, limited to one per business, maximum height 12 ft, width 3 ft.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No reference is made in this ordinance to a required master sign plan, sign plan, or specific sign variance meeting outside of the general variance and appeal process involving the combined planning and zoning board and public hearing as described in Sec. 90-284. Any variance from this article requires an application, public hearing, and finding of fact by the combined planning and zoning board.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Highland, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Highland+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-highland

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