# Sign Regulations in Streamwood, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Streamwood, Illinois regulates 28 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Multiple-Family Dwellings)s in the Residential Districts, Planned Unit Developments zoning district are capped at Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade tall and 4 sq ft per building or development, with a 15 ft from any lot line setback (Sec. 11-10-3-1.A.2). Most commercial signs in Streamwood require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Districts, Planned Unit Developments | 10 | Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade | 24 sq ft per zoning lot | — |
| Commercial Districts, Nonresidential Districts | 13 | No higher than parapet line or 30 ft above grade, whichever is lower | 100 sq ft per side | — |
| Industrial Districts, Industrial Parks (Industrial Districts) | 9 | No higher than parapet or 20 ft above grade, whichever is lower | 100 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft | 3 sq ft per sign | — |

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

### Residential Districts, Planned Unit Developments

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) | Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade | 3 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per unit, or 2 for corner lots | Required front or side yard, must not extend over any lot line | — | 11-10-3-1.A.1 |
| Identification Sign (Multiple-Family Dwellings) | Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade | 4 sq ft per building or development | — | 15 ft from any lot line | 1 per building/development, or 2 on corner lot | Not within 15 ft of any lot line | — | 11-10-3-1.A.2 |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential Uses in Residential Districts) | Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade | 24 sq ft per zoning lot | — | 15 ft from any lot line | 1 per zoning lot, or 2 on corner lot | Not less than 15 ft from any lot line | — | 11-10-3-1.A.3 |
| Bulletin Board (Public, Semi-Public, and Religious Institutions) | Wall sign: 15 ft above grade; Ground sign: 6 ft above grade | 18 sq ft per zoning lot | — | Min. 1/2 required setback | 1 per zoning lot | Not closer to front or side lot line than one-half the minimum setback required | — | 11-10-3-1.B |
| Temporary Signs - Construction Signs | 6 ft from grade | 18 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | Min. 1/2 required setback | 1 per zoning lot; 2 on corner lot | Only on premises where construction is occurring or about to commence | — | 11-10-4-3.B.1, 11-10-4-3.C, 11-10-4-1.C |
| Temporary Signs - Real Estate Signs | 6 ft from grade | 10 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | On premises for sale or lease, in front or side yards but not beyond any lot line | — | 11-10-4-2.B.1, 11-10-4-2.C, 11-10-6.A.2 |
| Temporary Signs - Garage Sale Signs | Wall sign: 15 ft; Ground sign: 5 ft from grade | 3 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | Up to 3 per lot as described | On premises or (with permission) elsewhere in village limits but not on vehicles, wholly on private property | — | 11-10-4-4 |
| Temporary Signs - Political Signs | 6 ft from grade | 24 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | No maximum | On private property, with owner consent | — | 11-10-4-6.A,B |

### Commercial Districts, Nonresidential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign | 15 ft above curb level | 10 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | Any required yard, adjacent to principal or secondary entrance, not over any lot line | — | 11-10-3-2.A |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft above curb level | 32 sq ft per face, max aggregate 64 sq ft | — | 5 ft from any lot line | 1 per lot | In required front, corner side, side or rear yard, but min 5 ft from any lot line | — | 11-10-3-2.B.2 |
| Monument Sign | 20 ft from grade | 100 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per zoning lot | Not less than 5 ft from any ROW | — | 11-10-3-2.B.3 |
| Signs Accessory To Parking Area | 6 ft above average parking area grade | Entrance/exit signs: 2 sq ft each; identity/conditions sign: 9 sq ft; 2 on corner lot | — | See above | See above | Entrance/exit: front/side/rear yard, not beyond lot line. Conditions/identity: min. 1/2 district setback. | — | 11-10-3-2.C |
| Temporary Signs - Construction Signs | 15 ft from grade | 32 sq ft per face; max 2 faces; 15 ft max height | — | Min. 1/2 required setback | 1 per zoning lot; 2 on corner lot | Only on premises where construction is occurring or about to commence | — | 11-10-4-3.B.2, 11-10-4-3.C |
| Temporary Signs - Real Estate Signs | 15 ft from grade | 20 sq ft per face; max 2 faces; 15 ft max height | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | On premises for sale or lease, in front or side yards but not beyond any lot line | — | 11-10-4-2.B.2, 11-10-4-2.C, 11-10-6.A.2 |
| Temporary Signs - Political Signs | 15 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per face; max 2 faces; 15 ft max height | — | — | No maximum | On private property, with owner consent | — | 11-10-4-6.B.2 |
| Temporary Business Signs (including Portable Signs, Banners, Grand Opening signs) | Portable: 8 ft max | Portable: 32 sq ft; Banners: 1 sq ft per linear ft of frontage (max 100 sq ft); Pennants: up to 2x length of linear building frontage | — | — | As determined by director | On lot where sale/activity occurs, any required yard but not past lot line | — | 11-10-4-7 |

### Industrial Districts, Industrial Parks (Industrial Districts)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than parapet or 20 ft above grade, whichever is lower | — | — | — | Unlimited but size reduction applies after 4 | Any wall fronting public street, ROW, access or parking area | — | 11-10-3-3.A.1 |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft above curb level | 45 sq ft per exposed face, total 90 sq ft | — | 10 ft from lot line | 1 if frontage >150 ft, +1 if >500 ft | In required front, side or rear yard, min 10 ft from any lot line | — | 11-10-3-3.A.2 |
| Industrial Park Sign | 20 ft above curb level | 100 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | 10 ft from lot line | 1 per street frontage | Any required yard; min 10 ft from lot line | — | 11-10-3-3.B |
| Signs Accessory To Parking Area | 6 ft above grade | Entrance/exit: 2 sq ft each; identity/conditions sign: 9 sq ft; 2 on corner lot | — | Min. 1/2 district setback where applies | As above | Entrance/exit: front/side/rear yard, not beyond lot line. Conditions/identity: min. 1/2 district setback. | — | 11-10-3-3.C (refers to 11-10-3-2.C) |
| Temporary Signs - Construction Signs | 15 ft from grade | 32 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | Min. 1/2 required setback | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | On premises where construction is occurring or about to commence | — | 11-10-4-3.B.2 |
| Temporary Signs - Real Estate Signs | 15 ft from grade | 20 sq ft per face, max 2 faces | — | — | 1 per lot; 2 on corner lot | On premises for sale or lease, in front or side yards but not beyond lot line | — | 11-10-4-2.B.2 |
| Temporary Signs - Political Signs | 15 ft above grade | 32 sq ft per face; max 2 faces; 15 ft max height | — | — | No maximum | On private property, with owner consent | — | 11-10-4-6.B.2 |
| Temporary Business Signs (including Portable Signs, Banners, Grand Opening signs) | Portable: 8 ft max | Portable: 32 sq ft; Banners: 1 sq ft per linear ft of frontage (max 100 sq ft); Pennants: up to 2x length of linear building frontage | — | — | As determined by director | On lot where sale/activity occurs, any required yard but not past lot line | — | 11-10-4-7 |

## Prohibited signs in Streamwood

- No sign shall be painted on walls, doors, roof or fences.
- Signs shall not be erected on the roof of any building or structure.
- No sign, streamer, banner, flag, pennant or other advertising structure shall encroach upon, over or across any public street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or park except as a temporary sign, as provided.
- No sign shall block any required accessway or window.
- No sign shall be attached to a tree.
- No sign, other than an authorized temporary sign, may be erected on vacant property.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any moving or flashing sign or advertising device, except inside enclosed buildings and not observable from the exterior.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign or advertising structure that obstructs clear vision or distracts drivers due to its position, shape, or color.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any sign or advertising structure likely to interfere with, obscure, or be confused with authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices.
- It is unlawful to display obscene matter on any sign or advertising structure.
- Signs designed to be on or affixed to vehicles/trailers parked and used primarily for advertising are prohibited if visible from a public right of way. Incidental signs on vehicles primarily used for transportation are allowed.
- All signs must be constructed in accordance with applicable building and electrical codes.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair and attractive appearance.
- No sign shall be altered, rebuilt, enlarged, extended, or relocated except in conformance with zoning provisions.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Temporary signs shall not be illuminated in any manner.
- No sign shall be illuminated by colored lights (red, yellow, orange, green, etc.) so as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be illuminated by outlining or bordering with neon, tubing, or other forms of exterior illumination.
- Any sign that advertises a business no longer being conducted, or a product no longer being sold, must be removed within specified timeframes after notification.
- No sign shall be located, erected or maintained upon any public right of way or parkway for any purpose whatsoever, except certain entrance and exit signs allowed by Zoning Ordinance.
- It is unlawful for the owner of any property not to remove or paint over prohibited signs or graffiti painted directly on an exterior wall or structure (graffiti abatement).
- Discriminatory advertising based on race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, familial status, or national origin is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Streamwood

- Memorial plaques, tablets, grave markers, statuary, or other remembrances of persons or events that are noncommercial in nature.
- Public signs erected by or under the direction of a governmental body and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools and playgrounds, in accordance with state traffic control standards.
- Temporary decorations displayed in connection with traditionally accepted patriotic or religious holidays.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of political, religious, or educational organizations displayed for noncommercial purposes.
- Small nonilluminated directional signs not exceeding two square feet in gross surface area, displayed strictly for the direction, safety, or convenience of the public (e.g., restrooms, freight entrances, telephones).
- Work of fine art not displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise which may benefit from the display.
- Permanent, nonflashing signs on vending machines, gas pumps, or ice containers indicating only the contents of such devices, limited to three square feet.
- Occupant signs: limited to name and address, wall or ground signs, not more than two per street frontage, three square feet maximum, six feet maximum height, may be illuminated but not flashing or moving.
- Identification signs for single- and two-family dwellings, real estate signs, and political signs are exempt from permit requirements (but must comply with all other applicable provisions).
- Changing copy on a bulletin board or marquee, maintenance where no structural/electrical changes are made, or changing interchangeable letters on signs designed for interchangeable letters.
- Consumer self-service from vending machines as described in relevant ordinances (tobacco/vape).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign programs (sign plans) for multi-tenant developments are required as a condition of development plan approval. Such programs must address size, location, style, colors, and materials.
- Wall signs for structures developed on outlots of shopping centers must be consistent with the wall sign program established or approved for the shopping center.
- A sign plan is required to allow for a uniform appearance of signs within shopping centers. Tenants and owners must comply with the shopping center's approved sign plan.
- The shopping center sign plan must be approved as part of the building permit for the shopping center, or, for existing centers, by submittal and approval of a signage plan by the community development department.
- The sign plan must include provisions to ensure signs within the center are compatible in type, size, shape, color, style, illumination, material, and relative position.
- Amendments to the approved sign plan must be submitted in writing by the shopping center owner or management company for consideration by the zoning administrator.
- Requirements in the approved sign plan are in addition to the requirements of the ordinance; the more restrictive requirement controls in the case of conflict.

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

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