# Sign Regulations in West Chicago, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** West Chicago, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/west-chicago
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/West_Chicago/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_APXAZO_ARTXIISI)

## At a glance

West Chicago, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Development Identification Signs in the Residential districts zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 84 sq ft per sign, with a At least 10 ft from adjacent right-of-way, 50 ft from residential property line setback (Sec. Sec. 12.9-1(C); Sec. 12.8-2). Most commercial signs in West Chicago require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts | 4 | 10 ft | 84 sq ft per sign | — |
| Business districts, Manufacturing districts | 16 | 22 ft | 120 sq ft per sign, 200 sq ft aggregate | — |
| B-1 Central Business District, Turner Junction Historic District | 1 | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — |
| Historic districts | 12 | 22 ft | 84 sq ft (unless otherwise limited) | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 2 | 12 ft | 84 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 12.9-1(A), Sec. 12.3 |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Ancillary to Institutional Signs) | — | Per above formula | — | At least 50 ft from residential district property line | 1 per zoning lot | Only where institutional use is present | — | Sec. 12.9-1(B); Sec. 12.7-1 |
| Development Identification Sign | 10 ft | 84 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from adjacent right-of-way, 50 ft from residential property line | 2 per entrance (one per side of each street) | At entrances of subdivisions, business parks, or multiple-family complexes | — | Sec. 12.9-1(C); Sec. 12.8-2 |
| Institutional Sign | 10 ft | 50 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from right-of-way; 50 ft from residential property line | 1 per street frontage | — | — | Sec. 12.9-1(D); Sec. 12.8-4 |

### Business districts, Manufacturing districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Changeable Copy Sign | — | 30% of freestanding sign area (except institutional, see formula above) | — | At least 50 ft from residential district property line | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Sec. 12.9-2(B); Sec. 12.7-1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft; base/support max 5 ft in height | 84 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from lot line; min 50 ft from residential district property line | 1 per zoning lot | Min 5 ft from lot line (no setback required in Turner Junction Historic District), at least 50 ft from residential property line, not in public right-of-way | — | Sec. 12.9-2(D); Sec. 12.7-3 |
| Development Identification Sign | 10 ft | 84 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from adjacent right-of-way, 50 ft from residential property line | 2 per entrance | At entrances of subdivisions, business parks, or multi-family complexes | — | Sec. 12.9-2(G), 12.8-2 |
| Drive-Through Restaurant Signs (Menu Display) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 50 ft from residential district property line | 2 per drive-through restaurant | Side or rear yard only (not visible from right-of-way), at least 50 ft from residential property line | — | Sec. 12.9-2(H), 12.8-3 |
| Institutional Sign | 12 ft | 84 sq ft | — | Min 5 ft from lot line; 50 ft from residential | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Sec. 12.9-2(I); Sec. 12.7-3, 12.8-4 |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign (<500 ft Frontage) | 12 ft | Per freestanding sign: 84 sq ft area, 12 ft height | — | Same as freestanding: min 5 ft from lot line; 50 ft from residential | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | Sec. 12.9-2(J); 12.8-5(A) |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign (≥500 ft Frontage) | 22 ft | 120 sq ft per sign, 200 sq ft aggregate | — | At least 100 ft from residential district property line | Up to 2 if >500 ft frontage | At least 100 ft from residential district property line, in sign easement/outlot | — | Sec. 12.9-2(J); 12.8-5(B-F) |
| Sidewalk Sign | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Only in B-1 Central Business District; on sidewalk contiguous to business | — | 12.9-2(M); 12.7-6 |

### Historic districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted Sign | — | — | — | — | Multiple allowed subject to area regs | On establishment wall, not above roofline | — | 12.9-3(C); 12.2-3; 12.7-2 |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft | 84 sq ft (unless otherwise limited) | — | No setback for Turner Junction Historic District, otherwise per general rules | 1 per zoning lot | — | — | 12.9-3(D); 12.2-3; 12.7-3 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | On establishment wall | — | 12.9-3(E); 12.2-3; 12.7-4 |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window space per building façade | — | — | Multiple allowed | On establishment window | — | 12.9-3(F); 12.7-5(A) |
| Development Identification Sign | 10 ft | 84 sq ft per sign | — | 10 ft from right-of-way, 50 ft from residential | 2 per entrance | At entrances | — | 12.9-3(H); 12.8-2; 12.2-3 |
| Drive-Through Restaurant Signs (Menu Display) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | 50 ft from residential | 2 per restaurant | Side or rear yard (not visible from ROW), at least 50 ft from residential property | — | 12.9-3(I), 12.2-3, 12.8-3 |
| Shopping Center Identification Sign | 22 ft | Same as shopping center signs (max 2, max 120 sq ft each, max 200 sq ft total, height 22 ft) | — | 100 ft from residential | Up to 2 | At shopping centers | — | 12.9-3(K), 12.8-5 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign; 48 sq ft aggregate | — | 5 ft from all property lines | Max 4 per parcel | — | — | 12.9-3(L); 12.10 |

## Prohibited signs in West Chicago

- Mobile/portable signs are strictly prohibited, except as temporary signs as described in section 12.10.
- Signs painted directly on the surface of any exterior wall of any building are prohibited.
- Pennants, streamers, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners and similar signs are prohibited, except as temporary signs as described in section 12.10 or holiday and special event signs as permitted by section 12.3(G).
- Signs attached to trees, fences or public utility poles, other than warning signs issued by public utilities, are prohibited.
- Defunct signs (including posts or supports) advertising or identifying an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises are prohibited.
- Roof-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Billboards, including all off-premises advertising signs, are prohibited.
- Signs or other street graphics that revolve, rotate, or mechanically move in any manner are prohibited.
- Signs or other street graphics that prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape or driveway are prohibited.
- Signs or other street graphics that interfere with, obstruct the view of, or are likely to be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device are prohibited. No street graphic shall contain the words 'stop,' 'go,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning,' or similar words.
- Lighting, including neon tubing or LED, around the perimeter of a window or other opening visible from the property boundary, is prohibited.
- Any sign or other street graphic not expressly permitted by this ordinance is deemed prohibited.
- Signs related to video gaming that are prohibited under chapter 9, article XXVII, of the Code of Ordinances are prohibited.
- Box signs on commercial multi-tenant buildings are prohibited.
- Sidewalk signs are prohibited unless located in the B-1 Central Business District.
- Window signs that completely block view through a window from outside are prohibited.
- Flashing lights, including strobe lighting, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in West Chicago

- Construction signs, subject to limitations on quantity, area, location, and removal timeframes.
- Directional and informational signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Flags, limited to four permanent flags per lot, with size and height restrictions.
- Garage, yard, or estate sale signs on private residential property, limited in area, duration, and location.
- Government facility signs, including identification, information, or directional signs and signs incidental thereto, which do not require a building permit but must submit signage plans for compliance.
- Governmental or public signs such as traffic control signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, etc.
- Holiday signs and similar celebratory signs, displayed within permitted timeframes.
- Home occupation signs, limited in number, illumination, mounting, and area.
- House numbers and/or occupant names on the lot, with area limitations based on dwelling type.
- Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, and memorial tributes.
- Interior signs located inside any building or enclosed lobby/court, provided they are at least six feet away from a window.
- Political campaign signs, confined to private property, with area and location restrictions by district and frontage.
- Property regulation signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Public interest signs publicizing a charitable or nonprofit event of general public interest, with size, height, location, quantity, and duration restrictions.
- Real estate signs on the property being advertised, with restrictions on area, number, and removal timing based on property type.
- Special event signs approved by the city council.
- Utility company signs serving public safety or indicating location of public telephones, underground cables, etc.
- Window signs displayed for a temporary period not more than thirty days, compliant with section 12.7-5.
- Replacement of a sign face on an existing sign structure.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign or other street graphic, except those listed in section 12.3 (exempt signs), shall be erected, expanded, altered, relocated, or reconstructed without a sign permit issued by the administrator.
- No permit is required when an existing sign is altered only by replacing the sign face.
- Government facility signs do not require a building permit but must submit signage plans for review for compliance with section 12.6 of the Zoning Code.
- A landscape plan must be submitted with the sign permit application for freestanding, development identification, and shopping center identification signs, and must conform to the landscaping regulations in article XIV of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Permanent signs in historic districts or on historical landmarks require a sign permit and a certificate of appropriateness application, subject to review by the historic preservation commission.
- All sign permit applications must include required information such as applicant details, sign description, location specifics, relation to traffic control devices, street frontage, and other info as reasonably required by the administrator.

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

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