Sign Regulations in Mettawa, Illinois
Mettawa, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Subdivision Sign, Real Estate Sign, Name Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Mettawa, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Mettawa
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Name Sign | — | 2.5 sq ft | — |
| General Contractor/Architect Sign | — | 8 sq ft | Minimum 5 ft from closest lot line |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
24
- Subdivision Sign
- Real Estate Sign
- Name Sign
- Identification Sign (Special Use Permit Property)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Mettawa 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 Mettawa, 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 Mettawa, regulated sign types include Subdivision Sign, Real Estate Sign, Name Sign, Identification Sign (Special Use Permit Property), 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 Mettawa 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 Mettawa are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Mettawa has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Mettawa, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Mettawa, Illinois regulates 24 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Freestanding/Monument)s in the O-R Planned Office/Research District, H, Office/Hotel District zoning district are capped at 3.5 ft (general); 8 ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94) tall, 28 sq ft (general); 128 sq ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94), and 8 ft (general); 16 ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94) wide, with a At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. setback (Sec. 10.304.A.1.b). Most commercial signs in Mettawa require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Mettawa, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Mettawa (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1 Single Family Residence District, R-2 Single Family Residential District) | 6 | 8 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| O-R Planned Office/Research District, H, Office/Hotel District | 9 | Structure: min 70 ft above grade, max 85 ft above grade; sign structure max 10 ft height | 50 sq ft | — |
| R-1 Single Family Residence District | 6 | 8 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| R-2 Single Family Residence District | 6 | 8 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
| O-R Planned Office/Research District | 3 | 4 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| H, Office/Hotel District | 7 | Located at least 70 ft above grade, not more than 85 ft; overall sign height max 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Mettawa(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Name Sign | — | 2.5 sq ft | — | — | — | Location must be approved; on public right-of-way requires approval from President and Board of Trustees; on private property requires majority of owners using driveway/street. | — | Unlock | 10.301.A |
| General Contractor/Architect Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from closest lot line | Maximum 2 (one per general contractor and/or architect) | Not in parkway, public right of way, or public property. Must be on lot, not less than 5 ft from closest lot line. | — | Unlock | 10.301.B |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On lot or building or portion that is for sale or rent. | — | Unlock | 10.301.C.1 |
| Open House Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | Not closer than 2 ft to adjacent street pavement | Maximum 5 per property | May be placed in parkway at intersections within 2 miles of the subject residential real estate (conditions apply); not closer than 2 ft to adjacent street pavement. | — | Unlock | 10.301.C.2 |
| Home Location Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | Not closer than 2 ft to adjacent street pavement | Maximum 5 per event | May be placed in parkway at intersections within 2 miles of property (conditions apply); not closer than 2 ft to adjacent street pavement. | — | Unlock | 10.301.C.3 |
| Solicitor Warning Sign (Permanent) | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | One per property | At main driveway entrance, if principal entrance door is at least 75 ft from front lot line. | — | Unlock | 10.301.C.4 |
O-R Planned Office/Research District, H, Office/Hotel District
| 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 | — | 50 sq ft | 5 ft (length) | Signs must be placed at least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per lot (two for corner lots) | On building wall; one per lot; on corner lots, two (one on each street-facing wall). | — | Unlock | 10.303.A.2 |
| Subdivision Sign | 4 ft | — | 30 ft | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per planned unit development | One per planned unit development | — | Unlock | 10.303.C, 10.304.A.3 |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding/Monument) | 3.5 ft (general); 8 ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94) | 28 sq ft (general); 128 sq ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94) | 8 ft (general); 16 ft (if lot adjacent to Interstate 94) | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per lot; one additional if adjacent to I-94 | One per lot; additional if adjacent to Interstate 94. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.b |
| Wall Sign (Building > 45 ft, Facing I-94 or IL Route 60) | Structure: min 70 ft above grade, max 85 ft above grade; sign structure max 10 ft height | — | Letter: 7 ft height, 14.5 ft width; structure max 45 ft width | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per qualifying wall | On wall facing Interstate 94, IL Route 60 or Riverwoods Blvd (with restrictions). | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.a |
| Building Leasing Sign (General) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 4 ft | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per lot | Freestanding, one per lot. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.c |
| Building Leasing Sign (Near Interstate 94) | 8 ft | — | 16 ft | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One additional | Within 50 ft of and facing Interstate 94 | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.c |
| Wall Sign (Retail Sales Building ≤45 ft, Gasoline/Diesel Station Accessory, Adjacent to I-94) | Each sign: min 15 ft above grade, max 31 ft above grade; max 10.5 ft sign height | — | Max sign width: 37.5 ft; letter height: 7 ft | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per exterior wall (except north) | Each exterior wall except north wall of principal retail sales building, adjacent to I-94 | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.2.a |
| Canopy Sign (Gasoline/Diesel Station Accessory, Adjacent to I-94) | 3 ft | — | 16 ft | At least 15 ft from any road and at least 5 ft from any property line. | One per exterior canopy side | Each exterior side of canopy over station. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.2.b |
H, Office/Hotel District
| 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 (Building >45 ft, Facing I-94/IL Route 60) | Located at least 70 ft above grade, not more than 85 ft; overall sign height max 10 ft | — | Letter: 7 ft height, 14.5 ft width; overall sign: 45 ft width | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per qualifying wall | On wall facing Interstate 94, IL Route 60 or Riverwoods Blvd (with restrictions) | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.a |
| Identification Sign (Freestanding/Monument) | 3.5 ft (general); 8 ft (adjacent to I-94); not to exceed 4.5 ft (where applicable) | 28 sq ft (general); 128 sq ft (if lot adjacent to I-94) | 8 ft (general); 16 ft (adjacent to I-94) | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per lot; one additional if adjacent to I-94 | One per lot; additional if adjacent to I-94. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.b |
| Building Leasing Sign (General) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | 4 ft | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per lot | Freestanding; one per lot. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.c |
| Building Leasing Sign (Near Interstate 94) | 8 ft | — | 16 ft | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One additional | Within 50 ft and facing I-94. | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.1.c |
| Wall Sign (Retail ≤45 ft, Gasoline/Diesel Accessory, Adjacent to I-94) | Each at least 15 ft above grade, not more than 31 ft; max 10.5 ft sign height | — | Max sign width 37.5 ft; letter height 7 ft | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per wall (except north) | Each exterior wall except north; retail sales with accessory gas/diesel, adjacent to I-94 | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.2.a |
| Canopy Sign (Gas/Diesel Station Accessory, Adjacent to I-94) | 3 ft | — | 16 ft | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per exterior canopy side | Each exterior side of canopy over accessory fuel station | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.2.b |
| Subdivision Sign | 4 ft | — | 30 ft | 15 ft from any road; 5 ft from any property line | One per planned unit development | One per planned unit development | — | Unlock | 10.304.A.3 |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Mettawa — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Mettawa — start freeProhibited Signs in Mettawa
- All signs not specifically permitted or specifically exempted from the regulations of this Chapter are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs, action signs, ad-benches, advertising signs, animated signs, awning signs, banners or flags, billboards, bulletin boards, illuminated signs (except as allowed in the H, Office/Hotel District), flashing signs, guide signs, marquee signs, mobile signs, portable signs, projecting signs, reader board signs, and window signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected, located or maintained upon any real estate within the corporate limits of the Village except as provided in the Chapter.
- No sign shall advertise or identify any business and/or use located off the premises whereon such sign is located; such signs are illegal.
- No temporary sign shall extend over or into any street, alley, sidewalk or other public dedicated right of way unless a license has been granted by the President and Board of Trustees.
- No temporary sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any door or fire escape, nor shall such sign be attached to any standpipe or fire escape.
- No signs are allowed upon or in view of any street that imitates, resembles, or interferes with an official traffic control device, or which would attempt to direct traffic or interfere with the movement or effectiveness of any traffic control device.
- No traffic sign or signal upon any street may bear any commercial advertising.
- It is unlawful for any person to possess official traffic control signs, signals, or markers identified as belonging to the Department of Transportation or the Village except as specified (employees, contractors, police officers, etc).
Exempt Signs in Mettawa
- The removal of legal nonconforming signs, except with respect to regulations governing their removal, is exempt from permit and regulations (except Section 10.501).
- Political signs are exempt provided they adhere to the bulk regulations set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
- Temporary decorations or displays clearly incidental to and customarily and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday or celebration are exempt.
- Temporary or permanent signs erected by public utility companies or construction companies to warn of danger or hazardous conditions (e.g., underground cables, gas lines, traffic or other Village signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and emergency temporary signs) or any other non-advertising signs approved by the President and Board of Trustees are exempt.
- All official traffic signs and warning signs, when erected or required by a governmental agency and temporary signs indicating danger, are exempt.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Mettawa
- Signs not exempted require a building permit from the Director of Building and Zoning unless otherwise specified.
- Applications for variances from the requirements (such as signage not in conformance) must be filed with the Village Clerk and processed through the Zoning Board of Appeals after a public hearing, with recommendations to the President and Board of Trustees.
- No specific 'master sign plan' is required by name, but approval of sign design and location is referenced for certain signs (e.g., street name signs), and variances may be petitioned through a public process.