# Sign Regulations in Hillside, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hillside, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/hillside
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-25
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Hillside/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_CH22BU_ARTXIISI)

## 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.

## Sign rules by zoning district (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 (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### B-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 22-748.6 |
| Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 22-742(7) |

### B-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 22-742(1) |
| Posters Placed in Windows or Doors — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | Placed in the windows or doors of a building within B-2. | — | Sec. 22-742(2) |
| Bulletin/Notice Board for Public/Charitable/Religious Institutions — Exempt | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises of the institution. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 22-742(7) |

### M-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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). | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | 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. | — | Sec. 22-742(7) |
| Public/Government Signs — Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | As required by public agency. | — | Sec. 22-742(5) |

## Prohibited 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.

## Signs exempt from permit 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. | — |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Hillside is available in PermitPal (free account)._

## 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 9 zoning districts in Hillside — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hillside+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hillside

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/hillside