# Sign Regulations in Park Ridge, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Park Ridge, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/park-ridge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Park_Ridge/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=ART19SICA)

## At a glance

Park Ridge, Illinois regulates 42 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Temporary Banner or Pennant (Commercial - Large Lot)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 7 ft (vertical sign) tall and Banner: 12 sq ft; Pennants: each 25 ft counted as one sign, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. 14.6.B.2). Most commercial signs in Park Ridge require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 7 ft (vertical sign) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Districts | 14 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4) | 5 | 20 ft | See figures: B-1, B-4 Uptown Commercial/Transitional/Public/Institutional: 32 sq ft, 6 ft high; B-2: 50 sq ft, 8 ft high; B-3: 50 sq ft, 8 ft high; Uptown Core, Uptown Commercial Sub-Districts B-4: Monument signs not permitted | — |
| B-1 District, B-4 District (Excluding Sub-Districts: See Details) | 1 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| B-2 District | 2 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-3 District | 2 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| B-4 District - Uptown Core Sub-District | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-4 District - Uptown Commercial Sub-District | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-4 District - Transitional Commercial Sub-District | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-4 District - Public/Institutional Sub-District | 1 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Hospital District | 2 | 7 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Open Space District | 1 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Educational Boarding District, Sexually-Oriented Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Parking District | 1 | 6 ft (directional); 7 ft (parking area identity) | 3 sq ft; 9 sq ft for parking area identity sign (up to 7' tall) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Site | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage (1 for SF/2F) | On-site, per street frontage (or 1 for SF/2F dwellings) | — | 14.6.A.1 |
| Temporary Sign - Home Improvement Services | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site at project location | — | 14.6.A.1.b |
| Temporary Sign - Directional for Public Events | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Off-site, for open house or events at gov buildings, parks or educational institutions | — | 14.6.A.2 |
| A-Frame Sign (Sandwich Board - Commercial Districts - Temporary) | — | 24 sq ft (12 per side) | — | — | 1 per establishment | Along actual frontage of the establishment (on private or public property with insurance) | — | 14.6.A.9 |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (Residential & Special Purpose) | 6 ft (if ground-mounted) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 (interior), 2 (corner) | On property for sale/lease | — | 14.6.A.4.a |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign (Commercial District) | 6 ft (if ground-mounted) | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 (interior), 2 (corner) | On property for sale/lease | — | 14.6.A.4.a |
| Garage or Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 2 per sale | On lot of sale and one other with permission | — | 14.6.A.5 |
| Temporary Banner or Pennant (Commercial - Large Lot) | 7 ft (vertical sign) | Banner: 12 sq ft; Pennants: each 25 ft counted as one sign | — | 5 ft from property line | Max 4 per property | Commercial districts only; lot must be 80,000 sq ft or more | — | 14.6.B.2 |

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | Valance: height 8", lettering 6" max; Non-valance: 25% of height, 50% width above valance (one awning); logo: 50% of height above valance (one awning) | — | — | — | On awning; no portion less than 8 ft above sidewalk/thoroughfare; not less than 4 ft from curb line | — | 14.10.A |
| Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On vertical face/fascia only | — | 14.10.B |
| Ground Monument Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft (except B-3, see district) | 1 per lot (2 if corner lot, 1 per frontage) | On-site; minimum 5 ft setback from property line, except B-3 (to property line) | — | 14.10.C.1-2 |
| Ground Pole Sign | 20 ft | See zone-specific (B-2: 32 sq ft, B-3: 50 sq ft) | — | 10 ft | 1 per lot (2 for >200 ft corner) | On-site | — | 14.10.D.1-3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per ground floor business | Above 1st floor windows, below 2nd floor sill; max 4 ft from face of building | — | 14.10.F |
| Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Sign | — | 3 sq ft (on one side) | — | — | 1 per ATM | On ATM only (exterior portion/drive-through) | — | 14.10.I |
| Directional Sign (Permanent) | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | Based on driveway/intersections | On-site, not beyond property line | — | 14.10.J |
| Bus Shelter Sign (Advertising) | — | 25% of wall space | — | — | As permitted by wall area | Private property, wall parallel to road, bus shelter | — | 14.10.L |

### Business Districts (B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Monument Sign - Business Districts | See above | See figures: B-1, B-4 Uptown Commercial/Transitional/Public/Institutional: 32 sq ft, 6 ft high; B-2: 50 sq ft, 8 ft high; B-3: 50 sq ft, 8 ft high; Uptown Core, Uptown Commercial Sub-Districts B-4: Monument signs not permitted | — | 5 ft except B-3 (property line) | 1 per lot (2 for corner, 1 per frontage) | On-site, 5 ft setback unless in B-3 (may go to property line) | — | 14.10.C, Figure 32A, 32B, 32C |
| Ground Pole Sign - B-2, B-3 Only | 20 ft | B-2: 32 sq ft; B-3: 50 sq ft | — | 10 ft | 1; more per corner lot >200 ft | On-site; 10 ft setback | — | 14.10.D, Figure 32B, 32C |
| Wall Sign (Business Districts - Main Street Frontage) | — | — | — | — | 1 per street-facing wall | Facing public street; first floor only | — | 14.10.G.9 |
| Wall Sign (Business Districts - Secondary Frontage) | — | — | — | — | 1 per qualifying frontage | Facing other public streets | — | 14.10.G.9.b |
| Wall Sign (Per Tenant, Multi-Tenant Building) | — | — | — | — | 1 per tenant per wall | Public street facing wall per tenant unit | — | 14.10.G.9.c, 14.14 |

## Prohibited signs in Park Ridge

- It is unlawful to erect, relocate, or structurally alter any sign or other advertising structure on any property, public or private, without first obtaining a sign permit from the City, unless specifically exempted.
- No sign shall be placed or erected on any public property, except for signs placed by federal, state, and/or local governments, those authorized by the Zoning Administrator, or certain political signs on election days as specified.
- No sign shall be placed on any private property without prior consent of the property owner.
- All signs must comply with the view obstruction provisions of Section 11.2.G.
- No sign may encroach upon the public right-of-way, unless specifically allowed (e.g., certain transit signs and projecting signs as defined).
- Signs which constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate design, construction, repair, or maintenance are prohibited.
- Signs that obstruct ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape or that are attached to a standpipe or fire escape are prohibited.
- Signs with blinking, flashing, or moving lights, or other illuminating devices with changing light intensity, brightness, or color, or traveling/chasing lights, or rotating beacons are prohibited.
- Signs with moving, revolving, or rotating parts or that have visible mechanical movement of any kind (except clocks with movable hands) are prohibited.
- Signs advertising a business, product, service, or activity that is no longer located on the premises (obsolete or abandoned) are prohibited.
- Off-premise signs are prohibited except for specific exceptions related to window displays or proximity to certain interstates, or in specified school/park district settings.
- Signs painted on exterior walls, roofs, facades, chimneys, or fences are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited, except those located on the lower plane of a mansard style roof or wall (constructed at an angle of 70 degrees or more), which are considered wall signs.
- Signs which are of an offensive nature (obscene, patently offensive) are prohibited.
- Signs placed or painted on vehicles parked primarily for advertising are prohibited.
- Strobe lights, spotlights, and floodlights for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Trailer and portable signs, including those attached to vehicles or trailers to circumvent prohibitions, are prohibited.
- Balloon signs and signs attached to balloons or other inflatable devices are prohibited.
- Electronic message board signs are prohibited, except for certain Miscellaneous Information Signs associated with transit agencies as described.
- Series lighting or neon tubing used to accentuate or trim windows, architectural features, or to outline borders of windows, signs, or buildings is specifically prohibited.
- Signs shall not be erected or maintained so as to obscure or physically interfere with official traffic control devices, signals, or railroad safety signs, or obstruct/interfere with driver's view at intersections.
- Signs shall not use words such as STOP, LOOK, DETOUR, DANGER, or similar, or be illuminated in red, green, or amber if in the line of sight with a traffic control device.
- Randomly affixed signs (e.g., to trees, rocks, utility poles, hydrants, benches, trash receptacles, bridges, sidewalks, or curbs) are prohibited.
- A-frame (sandwich board) signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed under section 14.6.A.9.

## Signs exempt from permit in Park Ridge

- The following activities are exempt from sign permit requirements: changing advertising copy or message on an existing changeable copy or similar approved sign; painting, repainting, cleaning, changing permitted items of information, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, provided no structural or electrical changes are made.
- Temporary signs listed in section 14.6.A (subject to the stated criteria/limitations and compliance with all other City regulations): construction and home improvement service signs, directional signs for public events, holiday/special occasion decorations with a non-commercial message, 'For Sale' and 'For Rent' property signs and vehicle signs, garage or yard sale signs, not-for-profit special event signs, political signs or non-commercial messages, temporary window signs (up to 30 days), certain A-frame signs, certain window displays in commercial districts, patio umbrella signs.
- Permanent signs exempt from permit requirements as listed in section 14.11 (but must comply with stated limitations and code): bulletin boards (for public, charitable or religious institutions not over 12 sq. ft.), directory signs for multi-tenant buildings (not over 6 sq. ft.), flags (governmental or organizational, maximum 4 per lot, max flagpole height 40 ft.), non-internally illuminated house numbers, building identification signs (non-illuminated, max 1 sq. ft., 1 per unit except exceptions for rear/alley), memorial plaques (max 4 sq. ft.), miscellaneous information signs (on pumps, vending boxes, entry/door information, instructions, certain transit schedule/status info, etc.), municipal signs (e.g., traffic, public information/kiosks/legal notices, subject to City Council approval), occupational signs (wall sign, max 1 sq. ft.), warning signs (no trespassing/dumping, max 1.5 sq. ft., up to 4 per lot, more with approval).
- Permanent directional signs are exempt from permit if they meet the limitations listed in section 14.10.J: only on the property they pertain to, limited content (identification or direction only, no advertising), size (max 6 ft high and 3 sq. ft. per sign for driveway access, max 7 ft high/9 sq. ft. for parking area sign), location, and number.
- Any sign placed by federal, state, or local government, or authorized by the Zoning Administrator, is exempt from permit as to placement on public property.
- Signs required to display date of installation, permit number, and voltage are required but this information does not count toward the limit on items of information.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan is required for a commercial development with multiple tenants where more than one wall, awning, or canopy sign is proposed (see subsection 14.14). The master sign plan must be submitted for review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- The master sign plan must include coordinated design for all building-mounted signs, specifying general appearance, message format, font size and style, lighting, location, construction materials, and may not cover or overhang architectural features.
- In the case of commercial developments with multiple tenants and more than one wall, awning, or canopy sign proposed, a master sign plan is required (see also 14.9.F.3 regarding general design standards for permanent signs).
- To obtain sign variances or appeals, an application may be made to the Appearance Commission (for design guideline denials), to the Zoning Board of Appeals (for interpretations), or a variation may be requested under Section 4.4 of the Zoning Ordinance.

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

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