# Sign Regulations in Palos Hills, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Palos Hills, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/palos-hills
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Palos_Hills/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.42SI)

## At a glance

Palos Hills, Illinois regulates 16 sign types across 4 zoning districts. For Sale / To Rent Sign (Residential)s in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 6 ft. above ground level tall and 6 sq. ft., with a No projection beyond property line setback (Sec. 17.42.400.B.1, 17.42.400.B.3). Most commercial signs in Palos Hills require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential zones | 1 | — | 2 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential districts | 7 | 15 ft. above curb level or one story | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Business and manufacturing zones | 7 | 75 ft. above average terrain/highway (whichever is greater) | 400 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Single Family Home) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | One per occupancy | On each single-family home | — | 17.42.395 |

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Two-Family Dwelling) | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | One per dwelling unit | For each dwelling unit | — | 17.42.400.A.1 |
| Identification Sign (Multifamily/Other) | — | 9 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building | For multiple-family dwellings, apartment hotels, or buildings other than dwellings | — | 17.42.400.A.2 |
| Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | One per project; two on corner lots | In connection with construction or remodeling of a building | — | 17.42.400.A.3 |
| For Sale / To Rent Sign (Residential) | 6 ft. above ground level | 6 sq. ft. | — | No projection beyond property line | One per zoning lot; two on corner lot | On property for sale or rent; not projecting beyond property line | — | 17.42.400.B.1, 17.42.400.B.3 |
| Accessory Parking Area Signs - Directional | 7 ft. above curb level | 2 sq. ft. each | — | No projection beyond property line | Two per entrance/exit | Parking area entrances or exits | — | 17.42.400.C.1, 17.42.400.C.3 |
| Accessory Parking Area Signs - Use/Identity | — | 9 sq. ft. | — | No projection beyond property line | One per parking area; two on corner lot | On parking area | — | 17.42.400.C.1 |
| Church Bulletin Sign | 15 ft. above curb level or one story | 16 sq. ft. | — | No projection beyond property line | One per zoning lot; two on corner lot | On church property | — | 17.42.400.D.1, 17.42.400.D.3 |

### Business and manufacturing zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Ground Sign | — | 200 sq. ft. (all faces included) per sign | — | — | One per frontage; more if frontage >200 ft with distance and area restrictions | Each developed parcel or premises with street frontage | — | 17.42.405.A |
| Wall or Facia Sign | — | — | — | — | One per occupancy per frontage; under-canopy sign allowed if building has canopy | On building per occupancy | — | 17.42.405.B |
| Directional Sign | 8 ft. above grade | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | Two per driveway | At each driveway on each street frontage | — | 17.42.405.C.1 |
| Interstate High-Rise/Freeway-Oriented Sign | 75 ft. above average terrain/highway (whichever is greater) | 400 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Within 1,320 ft of interstate right-of-way | — | 17.42.405.C.2 |
| Manual or Automatic Changeable Copy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.42.405.C.3 |
| Window Sign | — | Window signs cannot cover more than 50% of the glass area being used | — | — | — | On window panes of nonresidential establishments | — | 17.42.405.D |
| Portable Advertising Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.42.405.E-F-G |

## Prohibited signs in Palos Hills

- No sign shall block any required accessway or window.
- No sign shall be located on vacant property in any district except a sign advertising the premises for sale or lease.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole.
- No person shall construct, alter, rebuild, enlarge, erect or place a sign without first filing a written application and obtaining a permit (except for exempt signs).
- No sign shall be permitted which is placed on public property or over or across the street or public thoroughfare.
- No tacking, pasting, or otherwise affixing of signs of a miscellaneous character, visible from a public way, located on the walls of buildings, barns, sheds, on trees, poles, posts, fences or other structures.
- No person shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way with a sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement.
- Flags other than those of any nation, state or political subdivision or corporate flags are prohibited except as set forth in Section 17.42.600.
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that will allow the sign to swing due to wind action.
- "A"-frame or sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be permitted to be placed on any wall, fence or standard facing any adjoining lot located in a residence district.
- No illuminated sign shall be of the flashing or intermittent type except advertising devices denoting the time, temperature and other similar information.
- Signs in conflict with public traffic signals shall not be permitted.
- Ad bench signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Off premises or off-site signs are prohibited.
- No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises any sign which is in a dangerous or defective condition.
- No person shall erect on any premises any sign which does not comply with the provision of the code.
- Signs bearing or containing statements, words or pictures of obscene, pornographic, or immoral character, or which contain untruthful advertising matter, are prohibited.
- Signs purporting to be, or imitating officials traffic signs, or bearing words such as "Stop," "Go Slow," "Caution," or "Warning" are prohibited.
- No sign shall exceed 30 feet in height without special consent of the city council.

## Signs exempt from permit in Palos Hills

- Changing the advertising copy or message on an existing approved painted or printed sign, marquee, changeable copy sign or similar approved sign specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign not involving structural changes, replacement of the plastic face due to breakage and/or deterioration, not involving substitution of a new or different advertiser.
- Changes in the content of show window displays and permitted temporary signs.
- Traffic or directional signs designating entrances, exits and conditions of use of parking facilities accessory to the main use of the premises, provided located within the property line.
- One construction sign per construction project not exceeding 32 square feet in residential districts or 64 square feet in commercial or industrial districts, subject to time and location requirements.
- Directional or instructional signs entirely on property to which they pertain and not exceeding two square feet, including restroom, public telephone, walkways, parking lot entrance and exit signs and similar.
- Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision or corporate flag; banners promoting commercial or public activity or event upon approval by city council.
- Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and public service company signs indicating danger and aids to service or safety required by law or public officer.
- Holiday or seasonal signs or decorations of a primarily decorative nature commonly associated with national, local, or religious holidays.
- House numbers and nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential building.
- Signs not readily visible from the outside and located within any interior building, stadium, enclosed lobby or court, inner/outer lobby or entrance of any theater (still subject to structural/electrical/material code).
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when part of building or in incombustible material.
- Notice bulletin boards not over 32 square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions on their premises.
- No-trespassing or no-dumping signs not to exceed two square feet and not exceeding four per lot, except with special permission.
- One identification sign per dwelling unit not to exceed two square feet, indicating name or location of occupant or home office.
- Plaques or nameplate building signs not more than four square feet fastened to building.
- Signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance.
- Political campaign signs (meeting area, size, location, time, and other requirements per 17.42.705).
- One real estate sign per lot or parcel, within property, not illuminated, not exceeding six (6) square feet in residential areas and sixteen (16) square feet in business/manufacturing, removed within seven days after transfer.
- Religious symbols, historical plaques, and emblems not exceeding four square feet and placed flat against the building.
- Warning signs warning of danger, excluding advertising material, to be removed upon subsidence of danger.
- Neighborhood identification signs consisting only of neighborhood or tract name.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The administrator may require that all plans be drawn by a registered architect or structural engineer. (17.42.345 Permits—Filing—Fee)
- The application for a permit shall contain all such information and drawings as may be required by the administrator, including sign type, size, location, and method of attachment. (17.42.345 Permits—Filing—Fee)
- On denial of a permit, appeals are heard by the zoning board of appeals (ZBA); the plan commission hears requests for special use to construct or install a sign or signs other than as permitted in this chapter (17.42.890, 17.42.375).
- Requests for hearings for signs other than as permitted must be made in writing to city council and reviewed/heard by the plan commission (17.42.900, 17.42.910).

## 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 Palos Hills — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Palos+Hills+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-palos-hills

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