# Sign Regulations in Westchester, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Westchester, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/westchester
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/IL/Westchester/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT18ZO_CH18.58SI)

## At a glance

Westchester, Illinois regulates 30 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall, 200 sq ft (per sign), and 15 ft wide, with a See general location regulations including intersection/corner lot triangles, driveway triangle; cannot be in sight triangles at corners or driveways. setback (Sec. 18.58.050(h)(1), (i), (k)). Most commercial signs in Westchester require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 100 ft | 1200 sq ft (per sign) | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3 | 16 | 100 ft | 1200 sq ft | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 | 16 | 100 ft | 1200 sq ft | — |
| I | 14 | 100 ft | 1200 sq ft | — |
| Westbrook Corporate Center | 3 | 30 ft (above grade) | 200 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft (per sign) | 15 ft | See general location regulations including intersection/corner lot triangles, driveway triangle; cannot be in sight triangles at corners or driveways. | If more than one, 100 ft separation required | Min. 5 ft from side lot line; must not protrude into public ROW unless exception granted; along Roosevelt/Cermak/31st/Mannheim, may extend over sidewalk but set back 3 ft from curb | — | 18.58.050(h)(1), (i), (k) |
| Wall Sign | Not to exceed top of roofline. Electrified/directly illuminated signs: min 8 ft above grade. | 200 sq ft (per sign), subject to overall lot allowance | 30 ft | — | — | On exterior front/rear/side wall; must not project above roofline | — | 18.58.050(l), (e) |
| Window Sign | — | ≤50% of total display window area | — | — | One or more per business | Display window(s) | — | 18.58.050(m), 18.58.080(a)(9) |
| Directional Sign (Parking & On-site Directional) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft (directional), 9 sq ft (parking conditions/identity) | — | ≥3 ft from public ROW | 2 per entrance/exit; 1 parking identity sign per street side | Entrance/exit of parking areas or within parcel | — | 18.58.050(q) and 18.58.080(a)(13) |
| Ornamental Entry Sign (Residential District) | 8 ft | 30 sq ft | — | Must meet sight triangle requirements at corners | 1 per access point | Private property at access point of development; not public ROW | — | 18.58.050(u) |
| Ornamental Entry Sign (Commercial District) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Must meet sight triangle requirements at corners | 1 per access point | Private property at access point to development; not public ROW | — | 18.58.050(u) |
| Large-Scale Development Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | 10 ft (max per side) | 15 ft from front and side property lines | 1 per development, or 2 if >2 street abutments | Ground-mounted, private property for developments ≥5 acres, erected only during construction | — | 18.58.050(w) |
| Off-Site LED Electronic Message Billboard | 100 ft | 1200 sq ft (per sign) | — | Must not extend over property line | — | Only by special use, only on lots abutting I-290/I-294 | — | 18.58.050(aa) |

### R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ornamental Entry Sign (Residential District) | 8 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per access point | Private property at access point to development | — | 18.58.070(a)-(d), 18.58.050(u) |
| Institutional Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (single face); 40 sq ft (double face) | — | — | 1 per zoning lot | On premises of public, charitable or religious institution | — | 18.58.050(t) |
| Government Sign (not on public ROW) | Same as Institutional Sign | Same as Institutional Sign in Residential | — | — | Same as institutional | On property not ROW; in R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3 subject to institutional sign rules | — | 18.58.050(y) |
| Large-Scale Development Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | 10 ft (side) | 15 ft from property lines | 1 per development tract; 2 if abutting >2 streets | Only during construction of 5+ acre projects | — | 18.58.050(w), 18.58.070 |
| Open House Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 off-site | On private property only (with owner permission) | — | 18.58.070(a)-(d); 18.58.100(j)(4) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft surface (resid), 9 ft (multi/comm.) | 6 sq ft per face (single fam), 16 sq ft (multi fam/comm.) | — | 3 ft from property line | 1 | Front yard, at least 3 ft from property line, not in ROW/attached to utility pole | — | 18.58.070(a)-(d); 18.58.100(j)(3) |
| Construction Site Sign | — | 32 sq ft, 10 ft (max one side) | 10 ft per side | — | 1 per project | On site of construction project | — | 18.58.070(a)-(d); 18.58.100(j)(1) |
| Off Premises Not-for-Profit Event Advertisement Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | 4 ft | — | — | Off-site on private property with permission; not in ROW | — | 18.58.070(a)-(d); 18.58.100(i) |

### B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft (per sign); see also shopping center rules (2.5 sq ft per ft frontage - interior lots; 2 sq ft per ft frontage - street lots) | 15 ft | General | 1 per frontage; more allowed w/ 100 ft separation | Min. 5 ft from side lot line; not in ROW except by special approval | — | 18.58.070(e)-(h); 18.58.050(h), (i), (k) |
| Wall Sign | Not above roofline; electrified/direct illuminate must be ≥8 ft from grade | 200 sq ft/sign; subject to lot aggregation | 30 ft | — | — | On exterior wall | — | 18.58.070(e)-(h); 18.58.050(l) |
| Signs Accessory to Parking Areas | 6 ft | 4 sq ft (directional), 9 sq ft (parking identity/conditions) | — | Min 3 ft from public ROW | 2 directional per entrance/exit, 1 conditions sign per street side | Parking area entrances/exits or premises | — | 18.58.050(q); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |
| Drive-Through Menu Board | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | Accessory to drive-through | — | 18.58.050(s); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |
| Institutional Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (single); 40 sq ft (double face) | — | — | 1 per lot | On institution's property | — | 18.58.050(t); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |
| Ornamental Entry Sign (Commercial District) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per access | Private property at access point | — | 18.58.050(u); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |
| Large-Scale Development Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | 10 ft/side | 15 ft from property lines | 1 per dev, 2 if multi street | Ground-mounted on ≥5 acre dev only during construction | — | 18.58.050(w); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |
| Real Estate Sign | 9 ft (multi-family/comm); 6 ft (single family) | 16 sq ft (multi-family or commercial buildings) | — | ≥3 ft from line | 1 | Front yard, ≥3 ft from property line | — | 18.58.100(j)(3); 18.58.070(e)-(h) |

## Prohibited signs in Westchester

- Any sign not expressly permitted by these regulations shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall project into the normal line of vision of any motor vehicle in a public street, within one hundred fifty feet of a traffic signal, or at a street or railroad intersection.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree, fence, or public utility pole, other than warning signs installed by public utilities or governmental bodies.
- No sign shall imitate or resemble any official traffic control device.
- No sign shall hide or interfere with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device.
- No exposed reflective type bulb, strobe or fluorescent light bulb shall be used on any sign.
- Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, signs that move or have moving parts are prohibited, whether or not such signs are illuminated.
- No sign visible from the street shall contain the words 'Danger' or 'Stop' or otherwise simulate any traffic sign or signal erected by any governmental body.
- Flashing signs, rotating or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights, or creating the illusion of movement, and flashing or moving lights shall not be permitted.
- Outlining buildings or premises by use of exposed neon tubing, strings of lights, or by any similar method is prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Trailer signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs mounted on a roof of a building are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs painted directly on a wall are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs located on the public right-of-way, unless the sign is property of a governmental body, or allowed with permission of the authority having jurisdiction of the right-of-way, are prohibited in all districts.
- Exposed chain, metal, iron, guy wires or other similar non-architectural materials used as the sign superstructure are prohibited in all districts.
- Temporary use of vehicles as signs is specifically prohibited.
- Temporary use of portable trailer signs is specifically prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Westchester

- Government signs when located on public right-of-way.
- Holiday decorations, provided that such decorations shall be displayed for a period of not more than sixty days for each holiday.
- Name plate signs, subject to specified limitations: limited to one wall sign per occupancy, no more than one square foot in area, not allowed in residential multi-family developments, no more than four per building, and calculated in total allowable sign surface area.
- Flags or symbols of state, village, fraternal, religious or civic organizations, provided that if the flag pole is over twenty-five feet in height, a special use shall be required, flags may not exceed twenty-four square feet in area, and no more than one flag pole per property.
- Private warning signs (e.g., 'No Trespassing', 'Beware of Dog', 'No Solicitation'), no more than two per property, each no more than two square feet.
- Garage sale signs as regulated by Section 18.58.100(g).
- Campaign/political signs as regulated by Section 18.58.100(j)(2).
- Open house signs as regulated by Section 18.58.100(j)(4).
- Window promotional signs as regulated by Section 18.58.050(n).
- Address signs.
- Legal notice signs required pursuant to federal, state, county, or local law are not subject to any further regulation.
- Real estate signs.
- Directional signs.
- Signs required in accordance with Chapter 8.16 of the municipal code.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit must be accompanied by plans and specifications showing the location, method of construction, illumination, and support of the sign.
- A scale drawing showing sign faces, exposed surfaces, and proposed message and design must be included in the permit application.
- Photographs showing all existing signs on the property and a calculation of the total existing sign area are required with permit applications.
- Written permission from the property owner is required if the applicant is not the owner.
- For variations from sign height, area, or location regulations, a meeting/hearing and recommendation from the plan and zoning commission is required, according to the variance (variation) process of the Village Zoning Ordinance.
- Special uses (such as off-site LED electronic billboards, electronic message board signs in specified locations) require approval via special use procedure as provided in the Village Zoning Ordinance. This may require a plan commission hearing or equivalent review process.
- Permit applications for neon and tube signs and outlining elements must be submitted before any work is performed.

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

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