Sign Regulations in Hillside, Illinois
Hillside, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 17 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Poster (Charitable/Not-for-Profit Event) — Exempt, Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt, Public/Government Signs — Exempt. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: March 25, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Hillside, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Hillside
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 6 sq ft | — |
| Political Sign | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 6 sq ft | — |
| Contractor Sign | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 6 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HillsideFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
17
- Temporary Poster (Charitable/Not-for-Profit Event) — Exempt
- Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt
- Public/Government Signs — Exempt
- Ground Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Hillside
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Hillside 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 Hillside, 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 Hillside, regulated sign types include Temporary Poster (Charitable/Not-for-Profit Event) — Exempt, Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt, Public/Government Signs — Exempt, Ground Sign, 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 Hillside 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 Hillside are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Hillside has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Hillside, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Hillside, Illinois regulates 17 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Flush-Mounted Required)s in the B-1 zoning district are capped at Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft., with a No placement within public right-of-way unless specifically authorized for temporary charitable posters. setback (Sec. Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e); (k) — flush-mounted requirement; Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744). Most commercial signs in Hillside require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Hillside, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Hillside (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1 | 7 | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-2 | 7 | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-3 | 7 | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 20 sq ft | — |
| R-4 | 7 | 4 ft (to top of sign from existing grade) | 20 sq ft | — |
| B-1 | 11 | 25 ft (to top of sign from grade). | 20 sq ft | — |
| B-2 | 10 | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | 20 sq ft | — |
| M-1 | 8 | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Up to 1,200 sq ft depending on distance to the nearest residential district; billboard definition applies to signs greater than 300 sq ft within 660 ft of I-290 or I-294. | — |
| M-2 | 8 | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Up to 1,200 sq ft depending on distance to the nearest residential district; billboard definition applies to signs greater than 300 sq ft within 660 ft of I-290 or I-294. | — |
| M-3 | 8 | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Up to 1,200 sq ft depending on distance to the nearest residential district; billboard definition applies to signs greater than 300 sq ft within 660 ft of I-290 or I-294. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Hillside(sample of 3 of 9 zones)
B-1
| 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 (Flush-Mounted Required) | — | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | No placement within public right-of-way unless specifically authorized for temporary charitable posters. | No explicit count limit; limited by total allowable area and 100-ft separation for signs >20 sq ft. | Must be flush-mounted to a building facade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e); (k) — flush-mounted requirement; Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | — | No explicit count limit; limited by total area and 100-ft separation for >20 sq ft signs. | On private property; not in public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(k) (B-1 ground signs allowed, max 25 ft); Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e), (j); Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Temporary Sign (Business) | — | — | — | — | 1 per business location (maximum 2 weeks/calendar year). | Within the B-1 district on private property for the business location. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(b), (d) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | If ground-mounted, 25 ft max in B-1; wall-mounted heights not specified beyond building placement. | Subject to total area formula and distance-based caps. | — | — | No specific numeric cap, but must satisfy 200-ft EMC-to-EMC spacing and overall area limits. | On-premise only; must promote only the business on that property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-749(a)-(f); Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (k) |
| Window Sign / Painted or Lettered on Windows or Doors — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | On windows or doors of buildings in business districts. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(1) |
| Directional Retail Sign on Municipal Property (Variance Eligible) | May exceed standard caps via variance; otherwise 25 ft for ground signs in B-1. | May exceed standard caps via variance; otherwise subject to general caps. | — | — | — | Municipal property zoned B-1. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748.6 |
| Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(6) |
| On-Premises Identification/Admission Information Sign (Business or Public Institution) — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of a business or public institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(7) |
B-2
| 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 | — | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | No placement within public right-of-way unless specifically authorized for temporary charitable posters. | No explicit count limit; limited by total allowable area and 100-ft separation for signs >20 sq ft. | Mounted to building facades. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e); Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Ground Sign | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | — | No explicit count limit; limited by total area and 100-ft separation for >20 sq ft signs. | On private property; not in public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(a), (g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e), (j); Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Temporary Sign (Business) | — | — | — | — | 1 per business location (maximum 2 weeks/calendar year). | Within the B-2 district on private property for the business location. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(b), (d) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | If ground-mounted, 45 ft max in B-2; wall-mounted heights not specified beyond building placement. | Subject to total area formula and distance-based caps. | — | — | No specific numeric cap, but must satisfy 200-ft EMC-to-EMC spacing and overall area limits. | On-premise only; must promote only the business on that property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-749(a)-(f); Sec. 22-748(a), (g), (h), (i) |
| Window Sign / Painted or Lettered on Windows or Doors — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | On windows or doors of buildings in business districts. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(1) |
| Posters Placed in Windows or Doors — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | Placed in the windows or doors of a building within B-2. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(2) |
| Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(6) |
| On-Premises Identification/Admission Information Sign (Business or Public Institution) — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of a business or public institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(7) |
M-1
| 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 | — | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | No placement within public right-of-way unless specifically authorized for temporary charitable posters. | No explicit count limit; limited by total allowable area and 100-ft separation for signs >20 sq ft. | Mounted to building facades. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e); Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Ground Sign | 45 ft (to top of sign from grade). | Per-sign size also limited by proximity to residential districts: 0–100 ft = 20 sq ft; 100–500 ft = 150 sq ft; 500–1,000 ft = 300 sq ft; 1,000 ft or more = 1,200 sq ft. | — | — | No explicit count limit; limited by total area and 100-ft separation for >20 sq ft signs. | On private property; not in public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-748(a), (g), (h), (i), (c), (d), (e), (j); Sec. 22-743; Sec. 22-744 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | If ground-mounted, 45 ft max in M-1; wall-mounted heights not specified beyond building placement. | Subject to total area formula and distance-based caps. | — | — | No specific numeric cap, but must satisfy 200-ft EMC-to-EMC spacing and overall area limits. | On-premise only; must promote only the business on that property. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-749(a)-(f); Sec. 22-748(a), (g), (h), (i) |
| Billboard (Village Property Only; New Private Billboards Prohibited) | If constructed as a ground sign in M-1, 45 ft maximum height applies. | Up to 1,200 sq ft depending on distance to the nearest residential district; billboard definition applies to signs greater than 300 sq ft within 660 ft of I-290 or I-294. | — | — | — | Within 660 ft of I-290 or I-294; only on village-owned or controlled property for new permits (private property new billboards prohibited). | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-741 (Billboard definition); Sec. 22-746; Sec. 22-748(a), (d), (h), (i), (m), (n) |
| Temporary Poster (Charitable/Not-for-Profit Event) — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | On buildings, lampposts, utility poles, signposts, or other structures with owner consent; may also be allowed in right-of-way when authorized for up to two weeks. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(9); Sec. 22-748(j) |
| Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(6) |
| On-Premises Identification/Admission Information Sign (Business or Public Institution) — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of a business or public institution. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(7) |
| Public/Government Signs — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | As required by public agency. | — | Unlock | Sec. 22-742(5) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Hillside — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Hillside — start freeProhibited Signs in Hillside
- Erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, or converting any sign without first obtaining required sign (and, if applicable, electrical) permits is prohibited.
- Erecting, constructing, enlarging, moving, converting, or maintaining any sign that does not comply with the village building and electrical codes and the Hillside Zoning Ordinance is prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited village-wide.
- Flashing lights on signs are prohibited, except for signs that display only time and temperature.
- Any sign that obscures visibility for traffic purposes or creates a traffic hazard is prohibited.
- Placement of signs within any public right-of-way is prohibited, except certain temporary posters for charitable or semipublic events specifically authorized by the president and board of trustees for up to two weeks.
- Printing, pasting, or similarly posting a sign or poster directly on the exterior surface of any wall or fence is prohibited.
- Placing, attaching, or fastening any sign on any wall, fence, or sign structure that faces the side or rear yards of an adjoining lot located in a residential district is prohibited.
- Issuance of new billboard sign permits after May 1, 2021 is prohibited, except that a billboard on village-owned or controlled property may be exempted by the mayor and board of trustees.
- All signs must comply with size limits based on distance to the nearest residential zoning district: not more than 20 sq ft within 0–100 ft; 150 sq ft within 100–500 ft; 300 sq ft within 500–1,000 ft; and 1,200 sq ft at 1,000 ft or more; exceeding these limits is prohibited.
- Signs larger than 20 square feet must be separated by at least 100 feet; closer spacing is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Hillside
- Repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has been previously issued does not require a new permit, provided the height or size of the sign or sign structure is not increased in any way. (Sec. 22-743)
- Signs located entirely within a building and not generally visible from outside the building.
- Signs that augment a legal, nonconforming principal use and were operational on the effective date of the article, provided they comply with all applicable provisions except location within a particular zoning district, subject to the article’s nonconformity rules.
- Public signs for legal notices or of an identificational, informational, or directional nature, erected or required by governmental bodies or authorized for a public purpose by law.
- Bulletin or notice boards not exceeding 20 square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions, located on the premises to which the sign pertains.
- Signs not exceeding 20 square feet on the premises of a business or public institution that announce only the name and nature of the occupancy and information on conditions of use or admission.
- Signs, decorations, or decorative fixtures used for public demonstration or for the promotion of not-for-profit charitable, educational, civic, political, patriotic, religious, social, literary, scientific, or athletic organizations, when authorized by the village administrator for a stated period, removed within 24 hours after expiration, and with consent of the property/structure owner, with the village held harmless.
- Posting of notices of personal property sales conducted in accordance with the village’s garage sale regulations.
Sign Permit Fees & Timelines in Hillside
| Item | Details | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| All sign permits | The amount of such permit fee shall be determined and set by the president and board of trustees from time to time. | — |
| See all Hillside sign permit fees & timelines — start free | ||
Source: municode municipal code