# Sign Regulations in Midlothian, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Midlothian, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/midlothian
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Midlothian, Illinois regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Sign for Non-Residential Uses (e.g. Church, School, Community Building)s in the Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at If wall sign: not exceed building height or 30 ft above curb, whichever is lower; if freestanding: ≤10 ft above ground grade tall and 32 sq ft (single face); 64 sq ft (double face), with a 8 ft from side/rear setback (Sec. 11-14-13(A)(2)(a)-(e)). Most commercial signs in Midlothian require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 6 | If wall sign: not exceed building height or 30 ft above curb, whichever is lower; if freestanding: ≤10 ft above ground grade | 32 sq ft (single face); 64 sq ft (double face) | — |
| B-1 District, B-3 District, O/I District | 16 | 30 ft | 500 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft lot frontage, whichever is smaller | — |
| B-2 District | 16 | 10 ft | 500 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft lot frontage, whichever is smaller | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate (R-1, R-2 Single/Two-Family) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | Affixed flat against the door or adjacent wall; or elsewhere on accessory building/land within lot boundaries. | — | 11-14-13(A)(1)(a) |
| Nameplate (R-3, R-4, R-5, Multi-Family) | One story or 20 ft above curb level, whichever is lower | 9 sq ft | — | See additional requirements | — | May be wall sign or freestanding (see setback). | — | 11-14-13(A)(1)(b) |
| Sign for Non-Residential Uses (e.g. Church, School, Community Building) | If wall sign: not exceed building height or 30 ft above curb, whichever is lower; if freestanding: ≤10 ft above ground grade | 32 sq ft (single face); 64 sq ft (double face) | — | 8 ft from side/rear | 1 per lot; 2 on corner | On same lot as principal use | — | 11-14-13(A)(2)(a)-(e) |
| Sign for Preschool/School Identification | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 11-14-13(A)(2)(f) |
| Special Use Occupant Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11-14-13(A)(2)(g) |
| Exempt Signs | — | See general exemptions | — | — | — | — | — | 11-14-13(A)(1)(c); 11-14-13(A)(2)(h) |

### B-1 District, B-3 District, O/I District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Pole Sign | 30 ft | — | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner | On lot; see general provisions for pole placement | — | 11-14-13(B)(3), (5); 11-14-12(A) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 11-14-13(B)(4); 11-14-12(B)(1)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign (Horizontal) | — | 50 sq ft per side | — | Not less than 3 ft inside curb line | — | 9 ft or more above public sidewalk, within 2 ft of building face, ≥3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(B)(6); 11-14-12(D) |
| Projecting Sign (Vertical) | — | 100 sq ft per side | — | Not less than 3 ft inside curb line | — | 9 ft or more above public sidewalk, within 2 ft of building face, ≥3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(B)(6); 11-14-12(D) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | No wider than entrances + 5 ft each side; entrances <20 ft apart may have continuous structure | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | Attached/hung from marquee at building entrance(s) | — | 11-14-13(B)(7); 11-14-12(E) |
| Awning Sign | — | Advertising and logo may occupy ≤25% of side area; address excluded | — | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | At least 9 ft above sidewalk/street; can't extend beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(B)(8); 11-14-12(F) |
| Canopy Sign | — | Advertising and logo may occupy ≤25% of side area; address excluded | — | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | At least 9 ft above sidewalk/street; can't extend beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(B)(9); 11-14-12(F) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale/lease/rent | — | 11-14-13(B)(12); 11-14-3(B)(1) |

### B-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 500 sq ft or 1 sq ft per linear ft lot frontage, whichever is smaller | — | — | — | On wall of building | — | 11-14-13(C)(2); 11-14-12(C) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | — | — | 11-14-13(C)(3),(4); 11-14-12(B) |
| Projecting Sign (Horizontal) | — | 50 sq ft per side | — | Not less than 3 ft inside curb line | — | 9 ft or more above public sidewalk, within 2 ft of building face, ≥3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(C)(6); 11-14-12(D) |
| Projecting Sign (Vertical) | — | 100 sq ft per side | — | Not less than 3 ft inside curb line | — | 9 ft or more above public sidewalk, within 2 ft of building face, ≥3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(C)(6); 11-14-12(D) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | No wider than entrances + 5 ft each side; entrances <20 ft apart may have continuous structure | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | Attached/hung from marquee at building entrance(s) | — | 11-14-13(C)(7); 11-14-12(E) |
| Awning Sign | — | Advertising/logo ≤25% of side area; address excluded | — | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb | — | At least 9 ft above sidewalk; cannot extend beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(C)(8); 11-14-12(F) |
| Canopy Sign | — | Advertising/logo ≤25% of side area; address excluded | — | No part beyond 3 ft inside curb | — | At least 9 ft above sidewalk; cannot extend beyond 3 ft inside curb line | — | 11-14-13(C)(9); 11-14-12(F) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale/lease/rent | — | 11-14-13(C)(12); 11-14-3(B)(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Midlothian

- No sign or other advertising structure shall obstruct free and clear vision at any street, intersection, parking lot entrance or exit, or driveway.
- No sign shall interfere with or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device because of its position, shape or color.
- No sign shall use the words 'STOP', 'LOOK', 'DETOUR', 'DANGER' or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in a manner that misleads, interferes with or confuses traffic.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in violation of the permit requirements.
- Billboards, except those allowed within office/industrial zoning districts and near interstate highways, are prohibited.
- Pasted signs on the exterior surface of a building or structure are prohibited.
- No sign shall have visible, moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement, except for the movable hands of street clocks.
- Roof signs erected after the effective date of the ordinance are prohibited.
- Any sign painted, pasted, or otherwise affixed to any tree, rock, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, sidewalk, curb, street, bench or trash receptacle is prohibited.
- Searchlights without a permit and special approval are prohibited.
- Beacons and strobe lights are prohibited.
- Signs on public property without prior approval of the village board are prohibited.
- Signs attached to a vehicle or trailer primarily for display are prohibited, except for normal business vehicle identification.
- No sign shall display or depict specified criminal acts, sexual activities, nudity, or specified anatomical areas as defined in chapter 10.
- A-frame signs used to identify a business are prohibited, except as temporary exempt signs.
- Advertising signs or displays within single-family residential R-1 or R-2 districts are prohibited.
- Window signs exceeding 50% of the window surface area of each windowpane are prohibited.
- Banners used to identify a business are prohibited, except for ‘grand opening’ banners (limited to 30 days), and other temporary banners exempt per code.
- Flashing signs or signs with lights that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, or vary in intensity or color are prohibited (except time-temperature-date signs and electronic message boards).
- Electrical mobile signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be inadequately maintained to show deterioration including peeling, rust, dirt, fading, discoloration or holes.
- No sign shall create a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate design, construction, repair, or maintenance.
- No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to obstruct doors, windows, or fire escapes, or attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- No sign shall be illuminated with lights that glare into or upon the surrounding area or any residential premises or distract operators of vehicles or pedestrians.
- It is unlawful to park a vehicle anywhere in the village with a 'for sale' or similar sign unless in a licensed car lot, or to place signs on parked vehicles to advertise or direct the public, except as allowed.
- Temporary directional signs and garage sale signs maintained in violation of exemptions are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to erect any political sign in violation of exempt sign provisions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Midlothian

- Changing advertising copy or message on an existing changeable copy or approved sign, whether illuminated or not.
- Normal maintenance and repair of a sign, including painting and cleaning, not involving structural or electrical changes.
- Window signs attached to the inside of a window not exceeding 50% of the window surface area of each windowpane. (Illuminated window signs requiring electrical permits are not exempt.)
- Signs that are an integral part of the historic nature of a landmark building or historic district.
- Municipal directional signs for traffic or directions to streets, schools, historic sites, or public buildings.
- Flags in business and office/industrial districts up to 150 sq ft and in residential districts up to 40 sq ft, provided they comply with code.
- Commercial building occupational signs not exceeding 2 sq ft in area.
- Memorial or commemorative plaques not exceeding 4 sq ft.
- Property identification/address signs not exceeding 2 sq ft in residential areas and 6 sq ft in nonresidential.
- Bulletin boards up to 16 sq ft for public or religious institutions on their premises.
- Permanent residential development signs at major entrances, up to 15 sq ft, with no commercial advertising and of compatible materials.
- Multi-family residence/project identification signs up to 9 sq ft, one per street frontage.
- Public recreation/community facility identification sign up to 64 sq ft per sign face; illuminated signs in this category require a no fee permit.
- Real estate signs up to 8 sq ft in residential areas and 16 sq ft elsewhere; must be removed within 7 days of property sale/rental; one per tenant space.
- Political signs up to 8 sq ft per side, only on private property with owner permission, not on public property.
- Temporary directional signs for garage sale or public events, posted no earlier than 24 hours prior and removed within 24 hours after event.
- Temporary event signs for charitable, not-for-profit organizations up to 32 sq ft, no earlier than 14 days before event, removed within 3 days after; time may be extended by written appeal.
- Temporary displays/decorations associated with holidays, erected up to 45 days before and removed within 14 days after event.
- Hand held noncommercial signs not affixed to the ground and not exceeding 10 sq ft.
- Construction site signs (not in single-family residential areas) up to 32 sq ft, erected only after site plan approval, removed within 7 days after occupancy permit or project completion.
- Temporary special occasion signs (e.g., birth, birthday, holiday) up to 24 sq ft, displayed up to 7 days.
- Banners for decorative purposes, meeting dimensional and structural criteria, as described.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No general, village-wide requirement for a master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan was identified in the provided ordinance text.
- For construction site signs, a site plan must be approved before sign is erected.
- The code requires a sign permit for all non-exempt signs, via application to the superintendent of buildings, with plan details including blueprints or drawings for review.
- For certain sign types (freestanding signs over 10 feet high, all projecting signs, marquees, canopies), a structural engineer or manufacturer statement regarding structural integrity is required with the application.
- No reference to a required variance meeting, master sign plan, or administrative sign plan for multi-tenant developments in the ordinance as provided.

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

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