# Sign Regulations in Hoffman Estates, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hoffman Estates, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/hoffman-estates
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Hoffman_Estates/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH9ZOCO_ART3GEREPRAPWIVADI_S9-3-8SI)

## At a glance

Hoffman Estates, Illinois regulates 90 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Parking Lot Entrance/Exit Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at - Typical: 5 ft - If 200 ft or more from any property line: 6 ft tall and - Typical: 5 sq ft (single-face) or 10 sq ft (multi-face) per sign - If 200 ft or more from any property line: 25 sq ft (single-face) or 50 sq ft (multi-face), with a Minimum 10 ft from any property line (typical); distance-based category of larger signs has no explicit setback change but must still be on private property and meet height rules. setback (Sec. Sec. 9-3-8-L-2-a). Most commercial signs in Hoffman Estates require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 15 | Pole height limits by related building height: - Single-family structures: max pole 20 ft - 0–25 ft building: 30 ft pole - 25.1–50 ft: 35 ft pole - 50.1–75 ft: 40 ft pole - 75.1 ft or higher: 50 ft pole | Village Board sets size through special use review. For designated Primary District Facility Sites: max 325 sq ft per face; EMC panel ≤ 200 sq ft per side. | — |
| AG Agricultural District | 1 | — | Max 45 sq ft total surface area | — |
| One-Family and Two-Family Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, R-8) | 3 | Max 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft per sign (and no more than 0.5 sq ft/lf of building front) | — |
| R-10 Attached Single Family Dwelling Residential District | 1 | Max 6 ft (ground to top) | Max 48 sq ft (single-face) or 96 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — |
| R-9 Planned Development District | 2 | Max 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft per sign (and no more than 0.5 sq ft/lf of building front) | — |
| R-9 Planned Development District (F-2 Business Subzone) | 4 | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted signs located not more than 12 ft above adjacent grade; may not extend above roofline | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 1.5 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| R-9 Planned Development District (F-1 Commercial Subzone) | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-9 Planned Development District (A, B, C, D Subzones) | 3 | Max 10 ft | Up to 100 sq ft per sign (and no more than 0.5 sq ft/lf of building front) | — |
| RPD Residential Planned Development District | 17 | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted signs located not more than 12 ft above adjacent grade; may not extend above roofline | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 3 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| A-1 Apartment District | 5 | Max 20 ft (with minimum 8-ft ground clearance if sign exceeds 8 ft in height) | Max 150 sq ft (single-face) or 300 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — |
| O-1 Office District | 4 | May not extend higher than 25 ft above adjacent grade | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 1.5 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| O-2 Office and Research District; O-3 Office and Research Tollway District | 4 | May not extend higher than 25 ft above adjacent grade | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 0.5 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| O-4 Office and Research Campus District | 4 | May not extend higher than 25 ft above adjacent grade | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 0.5 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| O-5 Office District | 9 | Max 20 ft (with minimum 8-ft ground clearance if sign exceeds 8 ft in height) | Max 125 sq ft (single-face) or 250 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — |
| B-1 Neighborhood Business District; B-2 Community Business District; B-3 Business District | 20 | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted signs not more than 12 ft above adjacent grade; may not extend above roofline | Max 375 sq ft (single-face) or 750 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — |
| B-4 Business District | 5 | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted not more than 12 ft; may not extend above roofline | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 3 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| M-1 Manufacturing District; M-2 Manufacturing District | 5 | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 3 sq ft/lf of building front | — |
| F-P Forest Preserve District | 4 | Village Board sets height; at Primary District Facility Sites ≤ 20 ft | Village Board sets size through special use review; for designated Primary District Facility Sites: max 325 sq ft per face; EMC panel ≤ 200 sq ft per side | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parking Lot Entrance/Exit Sign | - Typical: 5 ft - If 200 ft or more from any property line: 6 ft | - Typical: 5 sq ft (single-face) or 10 sq ft (multi-face) per sign - If 200 ft or more from any property line: 25 sq ft (single-face) or 50 sq ft (multi-face) | — | Minimum 10 ft from any property line (typical); distance-based category of larger signs has no explicit setback change but must still be on private property and meet height rules. | Max 1 per entrance/exit | At each parking lot entrance/exit | — | Sec. 9-3-8-L-2-a |
| Official/Corporate Flags | Pole height limits by related building height: - Single-family structures: max pole 20 ft - 0–25 ft building: 30 ft pole - 25.1–50 ft: 35 ft pole - 50.1–75 ft: 40 ft pole - 75.1 ft or higher: 50 ft pole | Lower flag limit as above (≤ 1/2 of upper flag area or 15 sq ft, whichever less) | — | — | Max 1 pole per lot (except up to 4 poles in O-2, O-3, O-4, O-5, B-3, B-4, and M-2); max 2 flags per pole | On poles exclusively designed for flags; on private property | — | Sec. 9-3-8-L-1(a)–(i) |
| Governmental Community Information Sign (Special Use) | Village Board sets height through special use review; at Primary District Facility Sites: ≤ 20 ft | Village Board sets size through special use review. For designated Primary District Facility Sites: max 325 sq ft per face; EMC panel ≤ 200 sq ft per side. | — | Village Board establishes via special use; at Primary District Facility Sites: general setback not specified except landscape base required | One per property (as described) | On property owned/operated by Village, township, park district, or public library with elected board; allowed in all districts by special use | — | Sec. 9-3-8-L-8(a)–(c) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Residential Districts incl. A-1 and RPD, excluding single-/two-family lots) | Max 10 ft | Max 32 sq ft total surface area | — | — | One per permit/event | Within any R District, A-1 District or RPD District (excluding commercial uses) | — | Sec. 9-3-8-K-5-b(1)–(6) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Commercial Districts: R-9 F-2 subzone and all B Districts) – Grand Opening | Max 10 ft | Total of all signs: max 75 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 | On the subject development | — | Sec. 9-3-8-K-5-c(1)(a)–(e) |
| Temporary Special Event Sign (Commercial Districts – Automobile Sales, annual permit) | Max 10 ft | Per frontage: one ground and one wall banner allowed; no one sign > 75 sq ft; total for all signs ≤ 150 sq ft | — | — | One freestanding and one wall per public street frontage | Automobile sales establishments in B Districts | — | Sec. 9-3-8-K-5-c(2)(a)–(b) |
| Temporary Construction Business Signs (Major Road Projects) – Individual Lots | - Freestanding temporary: ≤ 10 ft - A-frame: ≤ 3 ft | - Banner: ≤ 150 sq ft - Freestanding temporary: ≤ 32 sq ft - A-frame: ≤ 9 sq ft (3 ft x 3 ft) | A-frame: ≤ 3 ft | — | As specified per frontage/driveway | Within property lines of commercial lot inside designated major road construction project limits | — | Sec. 9-3-8-K-7-a,c–g |
| Temporary Construction Business Signs (Shopping Centers with Management) | Freestanding center-wide: ≤ 10 ft; A-frame ≤ 3 ft | - Banner per business per street frontage: ≤ 150 sq ft - Center-wide freestanding: ≤ 150 sq ft - A-frame: ≤ 9 sq ft (3 ft x 3 ft) | A-frame ≤ 3 ft | — | As specified per business/frontage/driveway | Within property lines of the shopping center lot | — | Sec. 9-3-8-K-7-b–g |

### RPD Residential Planned Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Identification Sign (Attached/Multiple Dwelling Complex) | Max 10 ft | Max 75 sq ft (single-face) or 150 sq ft (multi-face) | — | Minimum 20 ft from any property line | One permanent ground sign per complex | At complex identifying the development as a whole | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-b |
| Shopping Center – Freestanding or Ground Identification Sign (RPD Commercial Areas) | Max 20 ft | Max 125 sq ft (single-face) or 250 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One per center | At shopping center within RPD | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-a(3) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-c |
| Shopping Center – Tenant Wall or Permanent Awning Sign (RPD Commercial Areas) | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted signs located not more than 12 ft above adjacent grade; may not extend above roofline | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 3 sq ft/lf of building front | — | — | Max two (one per eligible wall), subject to combined area cap | On tenant storefront walls facing a public street and/or parking area | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-a(4) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-c |
| Shopping Center – Under-Canopy/Marquee Sign (Per Entrance) | Maintain ≥ 8 ft clearance above walkway | 5 sq ft (single-face) or 10 sq ft (multi-face) | — | — | One per entrance | Under canopy/marquee at each entrance | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-a(5) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-c |
| Automobile Service Station – Wall Sign | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted ≤ 12 ft above grade | Up to 200 sq ft per building (subject to formula) | — | — | One per building (with provisions for second on eligible wall) | On service station building | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-c(3) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-d |
| Automobile Service Station – Freestanding or Ground Sign | Max 20 ft | Max 100 sq ft (single-face) or 200 sq ft (multi-face); may include electronic fuel price display | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One | On station premises | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-c(4) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-d |
| Other Commercial Uses – Freestanding or Ground Sign (RPD Commercial Areas) | Max 20 ft | Max 100 sq ft (single-face) or 200 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One | On individual commercial lot within RPD (not shopping center outlots or auto uses) | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-d(4) as applied by Sec. 9-3-8-M-4-e |
| Other Signs Permitted on All Commercial Lots within RPD – Off-site Real Property Directional (on unimproved property) | Max 10 ft | Max 50 sq ft (single-face) or 100 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line; ≥ 100 ft separation between such signs | One per development | On unimproved property within the Village, directing public to real property for sale/lease elsewhere in the Village | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-e(3) |

### B-1 Neighborhood Business District; B-2 Community Business District; B-3 Business District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shopping Center – Freestanding or Ground Identification Sign | Max 20 ft | Max 125 sq ft (single-face) or 250 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One per center | At shopping center | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-a(3) |
| Shopping Center – Tenant Wall or Permanent Awning Sign | Max 25 ft above adjacent grade; mansard-mounted signs not more than 12 ft above adjacent grade; may not extend above roofline | Up to 200 sq ft per sign; total ≤ 3 sq ft/lf of building front | — | — | Max two (one per eligible wall), subject to combined area cap | On tenant storefront walls facing a public street and/or parking area | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-a(4) |
| Automobile Dealership – Freestanding or Ground Sign | Max 20 ft | Max 125 sq ft (single-face) or 250 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One | At dealership site | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-b(4) |
| Automobile Service Station – Full Sign Package | Freestanding up to 20 ft; others per wall/canopy standards | See RPD automobile service station entries for detailed individual caps (identical in B Districts) | — | Freestanding: ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway; others per element | Per element limits | On service station premises | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-c(3)–(11) |
| Other Business Uses – Freestanding or Ground Sign | Max 20 ft | Max 100 sq ft (single-face) or 200 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft property line; ≥ 5 ft interior roadway/walkway | One | On individual lot | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-d(4) |
| Other Signs Permitted on All Business Lots – Off-site Real Property Directional (on unimproved property) | Max 10 ft | Max 50 sq ft (single-face) or 100 sq ft (multi-face) | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line; ≥ 100 ft separation between such signs | One per development | On unimproved property within the Village, directing public to real property for sale/lease elsewhere in the Village | — | Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-e(3) |
| Business Subdivision Identification Sign (Special Use) – B-2/B-3 | Max 20 ft (with minimum 8-ft ground clearance if sign exceeds 8 ft in height) | Max 125 sq ft (single-face) or 250 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — | ≥ 10 ft from any property line | Max two per subdivision | On a property created under single plat; max two per subdivision | — | Sec. 9-3-8-L-3(a)–(b) |
| Business Subdivision Identification Sign – Tollway-Oriented (Special Use) | Max 20 ft | Max 375 sq ft (single-face) or 750 sq ft (multi-face) per sign | — | ≥ 10 ft from Tollway; ≥ 50 ft from other property lines | One per qualifying subdivision | At one point along the Illinois Tollway on a qualifying nonresidential subdivision of ≥ 30 acres | — | Sec. 9-3-8-L-3(c) |

## Prohibited signs in Hoffman Estates

- No sign, billboard, or advertising device may be erected, constructed, relocated, structurally or graphically altered, or maintained without a Village sign permit, except exempt signs and ordinary maintenance that does not change surface area, height, or copy (Sec. 9-3-8-A-1).
- Only those signs specifically permitted by the Code are allowed; no others (Sec. 9-3-8-M).
- Signs on or over public property are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-1).
- Signs attached, affixed, or painted on chimneys, antennas or satellite dishes, fences or fence-type walls, benches, fence posts, trash receptacles, utility poles or boxes, storage sheds, bus shelters, or other accessory structures are prohibited, except where expressly allowed (Sec. 9-3-8-C-2).
- Roof signs are prohibited except where specifically provided (Sec. 9-3-8-C-3).
- Signs attached to or painted on trees, other living vegetation, landscaping, or natural materials are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-4).
- Portable signs are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-5).
- Vehicle- or trailer-mounted advertising signs on parked vehicles/trailers visible from the right-of-way are prohibited when used to advertise a product or direct the public, except windshield/window signs on vehicles in automobile dealership lots (Sec. 9-3-8-C-6).
- Revolving, rotating, intermittent, moving, or flashing signs/devices are prohibited, except as allowed for window signs, stationary time/temperature signs in Business/Office/Manufacturing districts, and beacon light signs (Sec. 9-3-8-C-7).
- "A" frame or sandwich board signs are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-8).
- Signs that imitate traffic control devices (e.g., arrows, “stop,” “danger”) are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-9).
- Tent and umbrella signs are prohibited, except as permitted in conjunction with an approved special event (Sec. 9-3-8-C-10).
- Signs that obstruct traffic sight lines, traffic control signals, or public signs at intersections or railroad crossings are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-11).
- Exposed exterior neon tubing and exposed light bulbs are prohibited, except exterior strings of lights in residential districts for traditional civic/patriotic/religious holidays (Sec. 9-3-8-C-12).
- Banner signs are prohibited except as provided in Temporary Signs and Other Special Provision Signs (Sec. 9-3-8-C-13).
- Pennant signs are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-14).
- Advertising flags are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-15).
- Balloons and inflatable signs are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-16).
- Signs on light poles are prohibited except as provided in Other Special Provision Signs (Sec. 9-3-8-C-17).
- Off-site signage is prohibited unless otherwise provided in the Code (Sec. 9-3-8-C-18).
- Signs emitting sound, odor, or visible matter, or containing obscene/pornographic/immoral content are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-19).
- Signs advertising businesses in a Residential Zoning District/development are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-20).
- Illuminated backlighted canopies are prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-21).
- Electronic message center signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed (window signs per Sec. 9-3-8-B-9; automobile service station fuel price displays per Sec. 9-3-8-M-10-c; Governmental Community Information Signs per Sec. 9-3-8-L-8) (Sec. 9-3-8-C-22).
- Signage attached to automotive fuel pump handles or hoses is prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-23).
- Signage attached to or displayed from trash receptacles, washer fluid bins, towel dispensers and similar items is prohibited (Sec. 9-3-8-C-24).
- No sign may be erected within 8 feet of any electrical power or communication line, conductor, or service drop (Sec. 9-3-8-I-2).
- Signs must maintain clearance and not interfere with surface/underground utilities or natural/artificial drainage (Sec. 9-3-8-I-3).
- Illuminated signs may not cause glare onto streets or adjacent property; illumination must be directed to the sign face (Sec. 9-3-8-F-3).
- Any illuminated sign within 300 feet of a residence may not be operated between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except wall signs for businesses open during those hours (Sec. 9-3-8-F-4).

## Signs exempt from permit in Hoffman Estates

- Name plates up to 2 sq ft indicating the name of the occupant; one per building or dwelling unit (Sec. 9-3-8-B-1).
- Address signs up to 2 sq ft indicating the legal address (Sec. 9-3-8-B-2).
- Real estate For Sale/For Rent/Sold signs: max 6 sq ft single-face or 12 sq ft multi-face; on the property being sold/leased; allowed while for sale/lease and up to 3 weeks after closing/lease; one per building/dwelling unit or lot per street frontage; max two per zoning lot (Sec. 9-3-8-B-3).
- Plaques/memorial signs/tablets, building names and dates cut into masonry or made of bronze/other non-combustible material (Sec. 9-3-8-B-4).
- Public and traffic control signs required/authorized by law (traffic/municipal signs, legal notices, RR crossing, warning/danger/temporary emergency signs) (Sec. 9-3-8-B-5).
- Bulletin boards for charitable or religious institutions on-premises, up to 15 sq ft (Sec. 9-3-8-B-6).
- Occupational signs denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial or public institutional building, up to 2 sq ft (Sec. 9-3-8-B-7).
- Directional or instructional signs up to 4 sq ft providing service/direction/courtesy info; no advertising/logos/promotional content; may identify facilities like entrances, self-service, restrooms, hours, credit cards; may be illuminated; excludes parking area accessory signs covered in Sec. 9-3-8-L-2 (Sec. 9-3-8-B-8).
- Window signs located entirely inside the building; total window sign area up to 50% of first-floor window area; illuminated window signs limited to 10% of first-floor window area; no window signs above first floor; neon tubing along a window perimeter counts entire window as sign; LED electronic message center window signs allowed only in B-2 subject to restrictions (quantity, brightness, change rate/type, exclusivity of other window signs, special use if over 50 sq ft, and permit required) (Sec. 9-3-8-B-9).
- Private regulatory signs (e.g., no trespassing/dumping/parking/towing): in residential districts up to 2 sq ft single-face or 4 sq ft multi-face, max 2 per zoning lot; in non-residential districts up to 4 sq ft single-face or 8 sq ft multi-face, max 4 per zoning lot; no advertising/logos/promotional content; Director of Code Enforcement may authorize additional if warranted (Sec. 9-3-8-B-10).
- Service entrance wall sign: one per individual unit; up to 2 sq ft; not illuminated; located adjacent to the service entrance; limited to tenant name, address numerals, delivery instructions (Sec. 9-3-8-B-11).
- Vending machine/ice/ATM signs: permanent, non-flashing, limited to original machine signage relating to contents/pricing/directional or instructional info; may be illuminated only on the front; logos/names treated as permitted sign (Sec. 9-3-8-B-12).
- Garage/yard sale signs: up to 4 sq ft single-face or 8 sq ft multi-face; one per lot per street frontage (max 2 per zoning lot); max 5 ft tall; displayed no more than 4 consecutive days; prohibited in public right-of-way, other public property, or off-premises (Sec. 9-3-8-B-13).
- Political campaign signs: max 32 sq ft single-face or 64 sq ft multi-face; on non-residential private property may be erected not more than 60 days before an election and must be removed within 70 days after; on residential private property may be displayed at any time (Sec. 9-3-8-B-14).
- Cook County Forest Preserve District signs on F-P zoned land (Sec. 9-3-8-B-15).

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Hoffman Estates

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | Tiered fee — full schedule with a free account | cite: 9, 14 |
| Standard Review | approximately 21 days (starts when resubmittal of plans for development review) | cite: 6 |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Hoffman Estates 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 18 zoning districts in Hoffman Estates — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hoffman+Estates+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hoffman-estates

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