# Sign Regulations in Hodgkins, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hodgkins, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/hodgkins
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-19

## At a glance

Hodgkins, Illinois regulates 20 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Nameplate Sign (One and Two-Family Dwellings)s in the Residential Districts zoning district are capped at One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower tall and 1 sq ft per dwelling unit, with a Not closer than 3 ft to any lot line. setback (Sec. 10-13-10(A)(1)(a), 10-13-9(A), 10-13-10(A)(1)(c)). Most commercial signs in Hodgkins require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts | 6 | One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 18 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Districts | 10 | No higher than the height of the building; cannot extend above top line of the building or exceed 20 ft above average grade | 250 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (One and Two-Family Dwellings) | One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 1 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | Not closer than 3 ft to any lot line. | 1 per dwelling unit | Anywhere on the property, but not closer than 3 ft to any lot line. | — | 10-13-10(A)(1)(a), 10-13-9(A), 10-13-10(A)(1)(c) |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-Family Dwellings, Apartment Hotels, Other Buildings) | One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 12 sq ft | — | Not closer than 3 ft to any lot line. | 1 | Anywhere on the property, but not closer than 3 ft to any lot line. | — | 10-13-10(A)(1)(b), 10-13-9(A), 10-13-10(A)(1)(c) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 8 sq ft | — | Not closer than 3 ft to any lot line; not closer than 8 ft to any other Zoning lot | 1 per lot; 2 if corner lot | Anywhere on the property, but not closer than 3 ft to any lot line; must not be closer than 8 ft to any other zoning lot. | — | 10-13-10(A)(2), 10-13-9(A) |
| Accessory Parking Area Signs - Entrance/Exit | 7 ft above curb level | 3 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per exit or entrance | Parking area | — | 10-13-10(A)(3)(a), 10-13-10(A)(3)(b) |
| Accessory Parking Area Signs - Condition/Identity | 7 ft above curb level | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per parking area; 2 if corner lot | Parking area | — | 10-13-10(A)(3)(a), 10-13-10(A)(3)(b) |
| Church Bulletin Board | One story or 15 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 18 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 if corner lot | Anywhere on the property, does not project into the public way. | — | 10-13-10(A)(4) |

### Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (One Entity) | No higher than the height of the building; cannot extend above top line of the building or exceed 20 ft above average grade | 250 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | Attached to building; no projection more than 12 inches from building face. | — | 10-13-10(B)(1), 10-13-10(B)(6), 10-13-9(B)-(C), 10-13-6 |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Entities) | No higher than the height of the building; cannot extend above top line of the building or exceed 20 ft above average grade | 250 sq ft per entity | — | — | 1 per entity | Attached to building; no projection more than 12 inches from building face. | — | 10-13-10(B)(1), 10-13-10(B)(6), 10-13-9(B)-(C), 10-13-6 |
| Ground Sign | 20 ft above average surrounding grade | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises unless otherwise specified | On ground, on same site as premises served | — | 10-13-10(B)(3), 10-13-10(B)(6), 10-13-9(B)-(C), 10-13-6 |
| Shopping Center Freestanding or Ground Sign | — | 200 sq ft | — | — | 2 per shopping center | Within area of shopping center | — | 10-13-10(B)(4) |
| Shopping Center Outparcel Ground Sign | 8 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 2 per outparcel | On outparcel within shopping center | — | 10-13-10(B)(4)(a) |
| Shopping Center Outparcel Wall Sign | Per wall sign regulations | Per wall sign regulations | — | — | 2 per outparcel | On outparcel building wall | — | 10-13-10(B)(4)(a) |
| Gasoline Price Sign | — | 60 sq ft per premise | — | — | — | On premises where gasoline is sold | — | 10-13-10(B)(5)(a) |
| Display Racks for Tires (Accessory to Gas Station) | 6 ft | — | 8 ft long, 5 ft deep | — | 2 per premises | — | — | 10-13-10(B)(5)(c) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Information Sign (Public/Quasi Public Nature) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Any district | — | 10-13-6(H)(1) |
| Temporary Event Sign (Public Interest) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10-13-6(H)(1)(b) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Any district | — | 10-13-6(H)(2) |
| Vertical Pole Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On a vertical light pole on a platted lot or public property not allowed as a freestanding sign | — | 10-13-6(H)(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Hodgkins

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Changing signs (automatic and EVM) are prohibited.
- Chasing Feather signs are prohibited.
- Festoon lighting is prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Handbills are prohibited.
- Obsolete signs are prohibited.
- Off premises signs are prohibited, except billboards where permitted.
- Portable signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Signs in conflict with traffic signals are prohibited.
- Signs painted on the walls or windows of any building are prohibited.
- Temporary signs painted upon wood or other materials and hung on a wall or fence are prohibited.
- No sign shall be painted on masonry or frame walls, roofs, or fences.
- No sign shall be erected on the roof of any building or structure.
- No sign, streamer, banner, flag, pennant, or other advertising structure shall encroach upon, over, or across any public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway, or park except a temporary sign as provided.
- No sign shall block any required access way, exit discharge, or window or line of site to the public street or sidewalk.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree.
- No sign other than an authorized temporary sign may be erected on vacant property.
- No sign or related structure shall be erected at the intersection of any streets in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or at any location where its position, shape or color may interfere with or be confused with traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- No business or outdoor advertising sign may be located within seventy five feet (75') of a Residence District line.
- The illumination of any sign within one hundred feet (100') of a Residence District line must be diffused or indirect, nonflashing, and designed not to reflect direct rays into adjacent residences.
- No person may maintain any advertising sign, other than a billboard, which does not advertise a use, business, commodity, service, or activity conducted, sold, or offered upon the premises on which the sign is located.
- Signs, awnings, and marquees may not extend over a public way and shall have specific setback and clearance requirements.
- The exposed lighting source of an illuminated sign must be shaded, shielded, or directed so as not to be objectionable to surrounding areas; no exposed reflecting type bulb or incandescent lamp exceeding fifteen watts.
- Sign brightness must not exceed values specified by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
- Illuminated signs shall not produce more than a half foot-candle in adjoining Residential Districts or three foot-candles in adjoining Commercial Districts.
- No illuminated sign shall contain blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or other illuminating devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color.
- No sign shall be located, constructed, erected, structurally altered, relocated, or enlarged without first obtaining a sign permit unless exempt.
- No sign shall project into the public right of way.
- No building sign shall extend above the top line of the face of the building, nor exceed a height of twenty feet above average surrounding grade.
- No sign shall have red, green, or amber illumination in direct line of vision of motorists approaching any traffic signal.
- Beacon lights are not permitted.
- All signs must be constructed, maintained, and altered in compliance with the Building Code and Electrical Code of the Village.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hodgkins

- Memorial plaques or tablets, grave markers, statuary, or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Traffic and other signs erected and maintained by the Village or other governmental agency, legal notices, and similar required signs.
- Temporary decorations displayed for traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, religious, or educational organizations displayed for noncommercial purposes.
- Small non-illuminated directional signs not exceeding two square feet in area, strictly for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public (including signs identifying rest rooms, freight entrances, telephones, etc.).
- Works of fine art, when not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise.
- Permanent, nonflashing signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers indicating only their contents and limited to three square feet.
- Signs limited in content to the name and address of the occupant, as wall or ground signs, with not more than two per street frontage, not more than three square feet in area per sign, not more than fifteen feet in height, and which may be illuminated but not flashing or moving.
- Any sign not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel or from any public way.
- Official sign of any public or governmental agency.
- Any official court or public notice, flag, emblem, or insignia of a government, school, or religious group.
- Any sign completely within an enclosed building and not visible from outside.
- Any memorial, cornerstone, plaque, or remembrance of persons/events built into or affixed to a building and noncommercial in nature.
- Any official traffic sign authorized by Illinois law.
- Any temporary sign celebrating a traditionally accepted patriotic, national, or state holiday.
- Any noncommercial sign in the public interest, erected by or on order of a public officer.
- Any sign on a truck, bus, trailer, or vehicle used in the normal course of business, provided the vehicle is not primarily used for sign display.
- Changing of the copy of a sign, bulletin board, display encasement, or marquee, or maintenance where no structural change is made, or changing of letters on a sign designed for interchangeable letters.
- Private (noncommercial) nameplate identification sign or street address identification sign not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Memorial, cornerstone, name of the building, or date of erection tablet built into or affixed to a wall.
- Any temporary sign for a general Village-wide civic or public benefit event as authorized by the Village Board, provided the sign is removed within 24 hours after the event.
- No trespassing, warning, or similar sign regulating property use not exceeding two square feet.
- All signs listed as exempted under the International Building Code except for wall and ground signs.
- Highway directional signs and markers made and installed to Village or Illinois DOT specifications.
- Traffic or directional signs for entrances, exits, and parking facility use conditions, within property lines.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permit applications must include a landscape plan if required and plans and specifications as detailed, including sign faces, exposed surfaces, and proposed message at scale.
- The Building Official may request a landscape plan with the permit application.
- Variations (such as sign variances) require an application, Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, and Village Board approval.
- Permit applications must include copies of plans and specifications sealed by a registered architect, structural engineer, professional engineer, or sign manufacturer, as requested.
- No specific reference to a 'Master sign plan' is found, but shopping centers (with multiple businesses) may erect certain identification signs, which may involve a collective or site-level sign plan (see section 10-13-10.B.4).

## Full detail

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

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