# Sign Regulations in Prospect Heights, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Prospect Heights, Illinois regulates 37 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Public or Quasi-Public Use Sign (Ground)s in the Residential Districts, R-1 zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq ft, with a 15 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. 5-9-3(A)(4)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts, R-1 | 12 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Business Districts | 16 | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | No extension above or below fence | 32 sq ft per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Residential Districts, R-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Number Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | Visible from street; attached to residence | — | 5-9-3(A); 5-9-2(E)(7) |
| Identification Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | Wall of residence or as open wall sign | — | 5-9-3(A)(1); 5-9-2(E)(7) |
| Tract Identification Sign (Open Wall) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per major entrance | At major entrance to tract (open wall) | — | 5-9-3(A)(2) |
| Tract Identification Sign (Ground) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | One per major entrance | At major entrance to tract (ground mounted) | — | 5-9-3(A)(2) |
| Parking Area Entrance/Exit Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft each | — | — | Two per entrance or exit | Parking area entrance/exit | — | 5-9-3(A)(3) |
| Parking Stall Condition/Identity Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft each | — | — | One per stall | One per parking stall | — | 5-9-3(A)(3) |
| Public or Quasi-Public Use Sign (Ground) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft | — | 15 ft from any lot line | One per zoning lot, two on corner lot | At least 15 ft from any lot line | — | 5-9-3(A)(4) |
| Public or Quasi-Public Use Sign (Wall) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One per zoning lot, two on corner lot | On wall of public/quasi-public building | — | 5-9-3(A)(4) |

### Business Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Principal Frontage) | 10 ft vertical (not above wall/top of wall/parapet/mansard/parapet). For mansards/parapets, up to 3 ft above roofline at attachment. | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per wall | Each wall fronting on public street/right of way/easement | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Tenants) | 10 ft vertical (not above wall/top of wall/parapet/mansard/parapet). For mansards/parapets, up to 3 ft above roofline at attachment. | 64 sq ft | — | — | One per tenant | Ground floor for each business/professional use | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(c) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Street Frontage) | — | Half of permitted area for principal frontage wall sign | — | — | One per secondary street | Side street frontage buildings with multiple street frontage | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(c) |
| Identification Sign (Wall) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | As allowed | On each wall fronting public street/right of way/easement | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(c) |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 15 ft from any lot line | One per zoning lot | On the property, set back 15 ft from any lot line | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(d) |
| Menu Board Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft (plus 10 sq ft temp. signs attached top/sides) | — | 15 ft from residential district lot line | — | Minimum 15 ft from residential district lot line (including ROW) | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(g) |
| Service Station Price Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per pump area | Above each pump area | — | 5-9-3(B)(2)(f) |
| For Sale/Lease Sign | — | 16 sq ft per face for property up to 1 acre; 32 sq ft per face for property over 1 acre | — | — | One per frontage | On each frontage of lot | — | 5-9-4(E) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 20 sq ft per zoning lot (aggregate for all signs) | — | — | — | Within boundaries of zoning lot in any district | — | 5-9-4(B) |
| Tract Development Sign (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | One per frontage | On zoning lot of at least 5 acres in any zoning district; one per frontage | — | 5-9-4(D) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet | — | — | — | — | — | Displayed on private property | — | 5-9-2(E)(6) |
| Directional/Instructional Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Entirely on property to which they pertain | — | 5-9-2(E)(5) |
| Address Numeral Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | 5-9-2(E)(7) |
| Temporary Public/Quasi-Public Sign (Window) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | Window in any zoning district | — | 5-9-4(C)(4) |
| Temporary Activity Sponsor Outfield Fence Sign | No extension above or below fence | 24 sq ft | — | — | No more than one field per parcel | On outfield fence, public baseball field | — | 5-9-2(E)(12) |
| No Smoking Sign | — | — | — | — | — | At each public place/place of employment entrance where smoking is prohibited | — | 3-12-3(A)-(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Prospect Heights

- No person shall erect, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the building department, except as otherwise exempted.
- No sign or any part thereof shall be in the public right of way.
- No sign shall block any required exit, fire escape, door opening, or window; nor obstruct any opening required for ventilation.
- No sign shall be painted or pasted or similarly applied on exterior building walls, roofs or fences.
- Illuminated signs shall be shaded so as not to shine or reflect light on adjacent residential properties.
- No flashing signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights or signs creating the illusion of movement shall be permitted in any zoning district, whether located within or without a building if plainly visible from the outside. (except time/temperature display or rotating signs by special use permit)
- An off premises sign shall be prohibited unless approved as set forth in section 5-9-5, 'Special Uses', of this chapter.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to display on any sign or other advertising structure any matter in writing or in picture which, considered as a whole, predominately appeals to prurient (lewd) interest and goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters, and advertising matter which is untruthful.
- Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall make use of the words, 'stop', 'go', 'look', 'slow', 'danger', or any similar word, phrase, symbol, or character.
- No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or as to distract the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of position, shape, or color thereof.
- No fluttering or wind actuated sign, bunting, banners, streamers, pennants or flags shall be erected or maintained except as specifically permitted.
- All signs, including exempt signs, must be maintained in good structural condition and neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports.
- Any sign that advertises a business, event, or a product that no longer exists or sign pylons that no longer support a sign, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, or agent, within ten (10) days after written notification from the city.
- All signage relating to structures that have been demolished shall be deemed abandoned and must be removed.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed or maintained in such a way as to endanger the public safety or interfere with or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular travel or create a traffic safety problem.
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street or highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which resembles or imitates an official traffic-control device, or attempts to direct movement of traffic, or hides from view or interferes with movement of traffic or effectiveness of such devices.
- No person shall place or maintain any traffic sign or sign bearing thereon any commercial advertising upon or in view of any street or highway.

## Signs exempt from permit in Prospect Heights

- Signs six (6) square feet in area or smaller in residential districts are exempt from the permit requirements, but must comply with all other regulations.
- Real estate signs, not to exceed six (6) square feet, not illuminated, and located entirely within the property to which the sign applies, are exempt from permit requirements (must be removed within seven (7) calendar days of sale).
- Real estate open house signs, provided such sign is not located on public right of way, is not illuminated, and does not exceed six (6) square feet. Only permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Temporary political signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with the temporary sign regulations.
- Temporary public and quasi-public signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with the temporary sign regulations.
- Directional or instructional signs (located entirely on the property to which they pertain, do not advertise a business, and do not exceed three (3) square feet in area), signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, or signs providing direction such as parking lot entrance and exit signs and those of similar nature (must comply with specific regulations) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property are exempt from permit requirements.
- Address numerals and signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area and bearing the names of the occupants of the premises are exempt from permit requirements.
- Government flags and insignia and signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertising (such as traffic signals, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools, churches, parks, libraries, and playgrounds) are exempt from permit requirements.
- Government flags flown by any person on their premises are exempt from permit requirements.
- Legal notices are exempt from permit requirements.
- Holiday decorations which are clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday, provided such signs are not erected or maintained more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the holiday and removed within ten (10) days after the termination thereof, are exempt from permit requirements.
- Temporary signs of activity sponsors placed on public baseball fields on the outfield fences, subject to size, duration, and content requirements, are exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No explicit mention of a master sign plan or sign plan required for multiple signs or developments in the general requirements.
- For a sign permit, application must include legible drawings showing location of the subject sign and all other existing signs requiring permits on the same property or zoning lot.
- Drawings for permit application must show dimensions, colors, construction, supports, electrical wiring, materials, methods of attachment, and character of structural members; engineering data may be required at the city's request.
- Special use signs (electronic message centers, off premises business directory signs, rotating signs) require a special use permit process before the plan/zoning board of appeals, in accordance with the city's special use permit procedures.
- All signs within a Planned Unit Development (PUD) must comply with the general requirements and the specific use provisions of the chapter.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Prospect Heights, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Prospect+Heights+IL&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-prospect-heights

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