# Sign Regulations in Lynwood, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lynwood, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/lynwood
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Lynwood/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH82SI)

## At a glance

Lynwood, Illinois regulates 22 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the B-1, B-2, B-3, LM zoning district are capped at 15 ft (wood signs); 35 ft (metal signs) tall and Max per face = area allowed for frontage ID sign (see Wall Sign formula), with a Not closer to street than building line or existing building line setback (Sec. Sec. 82-51(3,6,7a); Sec. 82-53(1-5)). Most commercial signs in Lynwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1A, R-2A, R-3A | 9 | — | 16 sq ft (total area for all such signs) | — |
| Industrial Park Area | 2 | — | No restriction stated for area, if advertising premises for sale/lease | — |
| Residential Subdivision Area (R-1A, R-2A, R-3A) | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, LM | 11 | 60 ft above expressway grade | Max sign face 1,000 sq ft; aggregate per premises: 2,000 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial and Institutional Development | 1 | — | 200 sq ft | — |
| Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (LM, Light Industrial) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### R-1A, R-2A, R-3A

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised for sale or lease | — | Sec. 82-49(1) |
| Residential Subdivision Development Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | Within the residential subdivision area | — | Sec. 82-49(2) |
| Public Information Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 82-49(3) |
| Political Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 82-49(4) |
| Expression/Opinion Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per property | — | — | Sec. 82-49(5) |
| Institutional and Information Sign | — | 6 sq ft without approval; may exceed if approved by Zoning Board of Appeals | — | — | — | Churches, libraries, schools, hospitals, public/quasi-public buildings or parks | — | Sec. 82-49(6) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft (total area for all such signs) | — | — | — | On premises of construction | — | Sec. 82-49(7) |
| Temporary Event Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property where event is to take place | — | Sec. 82-49(8) |

### Industrial Park Area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | — | No restriction stated for area, if advertising premises for sale/lease | — | — | — | On the premises being advertised for sale or lease | — | Sec. 82-49(1) |
| Development Billboard | — | — | — | — | — | Within industrial park area | — | Sec. 82-49(2) |

### B-1, B-2, B-3, LM

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Max 500 sq ft (general); 200 sq ft for Light Industrial/Institutional Development; see formula for exceptions | — | — | — | Principal frontage/facade of street-level business, or rear/side facing parking/public street (subject to reduced area) | — | Sec. 82-51(1,4,5); Sec. 82-54(1-5) |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft (wood signs); 35 ft (metal signs) | Max per face = area allowed for frontage ID sign (see Wall Sign formula) | — | Not closer to street than building line or existing building line | Max 2 per premises | Ground-mounted, on premises | — | Sec. 82-51(3,6,7a); Sec. 82-53(1-5) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 90 sq ft per face (when constructed with combustible plastics), otherwise not specified | — | — | — | Attached directly to building wall, extends > 18" from wall | — | Sec. 82-55(1-3) |
| Expressway Oriented Sign/Billboard | 60 ft above expressway grade | Max sign face 1,000 sq ft; aggregate per premises: 2,000 sq ft | — | Min 100' from expressway ROW; Min 500' from expressway interchange; 500' from nearest expressway off-premises sign, 100' from nearest on-premises sign | 1 per lot/parcel | On property where can be viewed from expressway | — | Sec. 82-52(1-8) |
| Window Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign; max 2 per door/window per business; total combined not more than 9 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 per business (1 per window/door) | Windows or doors of business | — | Sec. 82-51(7b) |
| Awning Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Valance of awning | — | Sec. 82-51(7d) |
| Menu/Informational Sign (Drive-in/Drive-thru) | — | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per menu/drive-thru | Drive-in or drive-thru business | — | Sec. 82-51(7g) |
| Traffic Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On premises (parking lot), up to 2 per street frontage | — | Sec. 82-51(7a) |

## Prohibited signs in Lynwood

- No animated sign containing, including, or illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light, except those giving safety warnings and public service information (e.g., time, weather, date, temperature).
- No illuminated sign may be erected or maintained that is not effectively shielded to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of any street or highway, or that is of an intensity or brilliance that causes glare or impairs the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle.
- No sign, whether illuminated or not, shall project into the line of vision of a motorist of an official traffic signal at a street intersection within 150 feet of the signal from a moving lane of traffic, and no sign visible from the street shall contain the word 'danger' or 'stop' with the intent of simulating street, traffic, or other official signs.
- It is unlawful to erect, maintain, or use any sign, rigid canopy, or marquee over any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway, or other public ways in the village unless in conjunction with a beautification project approved by the president and board of trustees.
- No revolving beam or beacon of light resembling any emergency vehicle or facility shall be permitted to be erected as part of any sign display.
- Neon lighting and tubing may be used on permitted signs, but it is not permitted to outline buildings by use of exposed neon tubing, strings of lights, or otherwise.
- Pennants, banners, special lighting, sandwich-type signs, and balloons or other air or gas-filled figures shall be permitted only for a new business in a business or industrial district for a period of not more than 15 days after the opening of the new business. At no other time shall these devices be permitted.
- No moving or mechanical signs may be erected.
- All mobile or portable signs are prohibited everywhere in the village; exception: the president and board of trustees may allow, upon application, a portable or mobile sign for not more than 30 days in any calendar year.
- All roof signs are prohibited except signs otherwise conforming and flush mounted on mansard style roofs, and not extending above the top roof line.
- Signs advertising activities that are illegal under federal, state, county, township, or village laws or regulations are prohibited.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- No wall sign shall be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway, or other opening intended for ingress or egress or needed ventilation and light.
- All signs that are erected on street or sidewalk lines or within three feet thereof shall have a smooth surface and no nails, tacks, or wires shall protrude, except electrical reflectors and devices may extend over the top and front.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree, fence, or utility pole.
- No advertisements of an immoral or obscene character shall be posted, painted, or displayed upon any sign or sign structure.
- All signs and sign structures must be properly maintained and kept in a neat and proper state of maintenance and appearance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lynwood

- Public information signs not exceeding six square feet in area, directing travelers to particular facilities of noncommercial interest to the public (e.g., churches, public buildings or facilities, service clubs).
- Political, social, or religious expressions or viewpoints not exceeding one per property shall not be prohibited but must conform to all village requirements concerning size and construction.
- Religious, village, and state or federal holiday decorations, subject to specified time limits and removal requirements.
- Signs required by law to be exhibited may be displayed as one of the allowed signs, subject to area limitations.
- A sign serving the public convenience, such as notary public, public telephone, or public restrooms, may be displayed in addition to other allowed signs, subject to size limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Signs or billboards for sale of premises within an industrial park or residential subdivision area by developers require permission requested by letter and received from the president and board of trustees for not more than six months at a time.
- Signs exceeding six square feet in area for public or quasipublic buildings, parks, or playgrounds require approval by the zoning board of appeals to exceed gross surface area without fee.
- Ground, wall, or projecting signs generally must comply with permit and construction requirements; specific approval may be needed for signs over public ways or as specifically regulated.

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

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