Sign Regulations in Highwood, Illinois
Highwood, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Construction Sign, Nameplate, Special Use Identification Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 19, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Highwood, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Highwood
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — |
| Special Use Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft (except church bulletin board: 12 sq ft) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
20
- Temporary Construction Sign
- Nameplate
- Special Use Identification Sign
- Directional Sign (City Established)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Highwood vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Highwood, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Highwood, regulated sign types include Temporary Construction Sign, Nameplate, Special Use Identification Sign, Directional Sign (City Established), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Highwood vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Highwood are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Highwood has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Highwood, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Highwood, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument Sign)s in the Business District zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, 36 sq ft per sign face (max 60 sq ft for allowed larger sign; for integrated shopping center, one 30 sq ft sign in addition, see below), and 8 ft wide, with a Must be in front yard, cannot obstruct intersection sight lines. setback (Sec. 10-3-6-7(C)). Most commercial signs in Highwood require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Highwood, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Highwood (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Residential District | 5 | 4 ft to highest part | 10 sq ft (except church bulletin board: 12 sq ft) | — |
| Business District | 14 | 12 ft (bottom at least 7 ft above ground) | 100 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Highwood
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per construction site | — | — | Unlock | 11-7-3, 11-7-5 |
Residential District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | One per dwelling unit | On dwelling unit | — | Unlock | 11-7-6(A)(1) |
| Special Use Identification Sign | — | 10 sq ft (except church bulletin board: 12 sq ft) | — | — | One per special use | On structure authorized as special use, other than dwelling unit | — | Unlock | 11-7-6(A)(2) |
| Directional Sign (City Established) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | For orientation, as established by city | — | Unlock | 11-7-6(A)(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential District) | 4 ft to highest part | 4 sq ft per sign face | — | — | One per property | On property (not on public right of way) | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-6(B) |
| For Lease/Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | At least 10 ft from lot line of adjoining premises and any lot line abutting a street/highway | — | At least 10 ft from lot lines abutting street/highway or adjoining premises | — | Unlock | 11-7-6(B) |
Business District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per business front facade; for additional facade requires variation | Only on the front facade or a facade adjacent to and mainly facing a customer parking lot or street, as specified; not on alley-facing facades. | — | Unlock | 11-7-7(A), 10-3-6-7(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument Sign) | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per sign face (max 60 sq ft for allowed larger sign; for integrated shopping center, one 30 sq ft sign in addition, see below) | 8 ft | Must be in front yard, cannot obstruct intersection sight lines. | One per lot/development; max two for centers with separate distinct drives | Strictly front yard only (not any other yard) | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-7(C) |
| Freestanding Sign (Integrated Shopping Center Directory) | 12 ft (bottom at least 7 ft above ground) | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per shopping center | Within property lines of integrated shopping center | — | Unlock | 11-7-7(G) |
| Window Sign | — | Included in overall 15% or 100 sq ft sign area limit; no explicit separate window max | — | — | Not specified; total sign area controls | Front window or glass door; only on front unless variation granted. Telephone/internet text max 48" above ground (first floor), 12' above (upper floors). | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-7(D) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft (2' wide x 3' tall max) | 2 ft | — | One per business | On sidewalk (public way), only during business hours; must leave at least 60" unobstructed walkway | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-7(H) |
| Temporary Event Sign | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per event | On premises of religious, civic, or philanthropic organizations | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-7(F)(1) |
| Project Identification Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per right of way | On premises, facing each right of way during construction | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-7(F)(2) |
| Real Estate Sign (Business District) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per property | On property, not on public right of way | — | Unlock | 10-3-6-6(C) |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Highwood are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Highwood
- No advertising sign structure or billboard shall be permitted to be erected in any district.
- All nonconforming signs shall be subject to termination provisions.
- No adult entertainment sign or advertising may be placed on billboards, signboards, vacant property, or buildings within 1,000 feet of schools, daycare centers, cemeteries, public parks, or places of religious worship.
- No banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or helium filled balloons used as signs shall be located, erected, altered or maintained in the city.
- Pole signs, clocks, or other advertising devices erected upon poles, pylons, standards or separate supports are prohibited.
- Portable signs are not permitted.
- Any open spark or flame shall not be used for display purposes unless specifically approved by the building department and fire department.
- Except as otherwise expressly provided, hand lettered signs are not permitted. All signs shall be professionally done.
- Neon signs not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- No LCD/plasma displays, blinking, flashing, fluttering, or other illuminating device, nor any illumination which has a change in light intensity, brightness, or color shall be permitted (except for approved time/temperature signs or seasonal holiday lighting).
- No sign with changing messages or content, revolving mechanisms, including alternating slats, shall be permitted.
- No light or string of lights shall be illuminated except during holiday seasons and only during such season.
- No sign may be placed or erected upon any public way or place except as provided in the code.
- No person shall post, stick, stamp, tack, paint or otherwise fix any sign, notice, placard, bill, card, poster, advertisement or other device to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, flagstone or any other portion or part of any public way, except as permitted.
- Illuminated building faces are prohibited unless approved, and, if approved, shall not front a residential district.
- Illuminated box signs are prohibited both as wall signs and monument/freestanding signs.
- Signs, lettering or announcements on trucks and delivery vehicles shall not be used to circumvent signage regulations; trucks whose primary purpose is the display of a billboard or display are specifically prohibited.
- Other signs not permitted by the chapter are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located, erected, altered or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, window, door, or opening used as means of egress or firefighting, or prevent free roof passage, or be attached to/interfere with fire escape or required ventilation.
- No sign shall be placed or maintained such that sight of oncoming vehicular or pedestrian traffic is impaired.
- No blinking lights shall be used for the illumination of signs.
- Signs not professionally done are not permitted (except as expressly provided).
- No electrical signs shall be erected in a residential district.
- No sign appertaining to lease, hire or sale of a building or premises shall exceed four square feet in a residential district and must be properly located from lot lines.
Exempt Signs in Highwood
- Signs erected by the city for the control of or to provide information regarding traffic and other governmental regulatory purposes (e.g., street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her public duty) are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Highwood
- A sign permit is required for the installation of any external sign; permit will be issued by the building/code official, and a certificate of compliance issued by the zoning administrator after city council authorization where required.
- All signs shall fully comply with the city appearance code and the provisions of the relevant code sections; the most restrictive provision applies unless waived by the city council.
- Wall signs, window signs, monument/freestanding signs, and other signage types have design and location standards and require approval and/or permits per city code; permits are required for illuminated signs and maintenance involving changes to wiring.
- An overall signage plan is required for monument signs; monument signs may be permitted as part of such a plan.
- For integrated shopping centers under single ownership or unified control, an additional sign may be permitted and must comply with applicable requirements; such signage is permitted as part of a coordinated plan.
- ARC (Appearance Review Committee) review and city council approval is required for signage extensions, nonconforming signs, certain design elements, and time extensions for removal of obsolete signs.
- Variance may be obtained for additional wall sign facades, window sign locations, or other deviations from standard requirements.
- Sandwich board signs require a separate permit, fee, and license agreement; ARC/council approval is not required unless a variation is sought.
- Temporary signs on the right of way require a special permit and compliance with detailed application procedures and limitations.