# Sign Regulations in Winnetka, Illinois

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Winnetka, Illinois (IL)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/illinois/winnetka
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-02
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/winnetka/latest/winnetka_il/0-0-0-24864)

## At a glance

Winnetka, Illinois regulates 39 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Portable Menu Board Sign (Restaurants/Food Service Establishments)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 36 inches tall, 24 inches wide by 36 inches high (including support elements), and 24 inches wide, with a ≤ 2 ft from face of building when placed on public sidewalk setback (Sec. § 15.60.080(J)(1)-(7)). Most commercial signs in Winnetka require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 36 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| R-5 Single-Family Residential District, R-4 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-1 Single-Family Residential District | 3 | Residential construction-site top ≤ 6 ft; real estate sign height < 6 ft | Generally ≤ 8 sq ft (see specific temporary sign types) | — |
| B-1 Multifamily Residential District, B-2 Multifamily Residential District | 1 | — | 3 sq ft | — |
| C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, C-2 General Retail Commercial District, D Light industrial District, C-2 Commercial Overlay District | 15 | Not above second-floor window sill level; if no second-floor sill, ≤ 14 ft above grade | 70 sq ft | — |
| WTSF Wireless Telecommunications Service Facilities Overlay Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Lakefront Preservation Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary) | Less than 6 ft (residential real estate sign) | 8 sq ft (residential property); On nonresidential property also limited to 8 sq ft if political/election-related; see related entries | — | — | 1 per lot; corner lots may have 1 per street frontage | On the lot or premises being sold/leased | — | § 15.60.090(A)(1) |
| Construction-Site Sign (Residential District) | Top of sign ≤ 6 ft above grade | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot or premises under construction | — | § 15.60.090(A)(2)(a)-(c) |
| Construction-Site Sign (Nonresidential District) | Top of sign ≤ 12 ft above grade | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot or premises under construction | — | § 15.60.090(A)(2)(b)-(c) |
| Election/Political Sign (Residential Property) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | Outdoor sign located on residential property | — | § 15.60.080(K) |
| Garage Sale Sign (Residential Property) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot; corner lots: 1 per street frontage | On the residential property on which the sale is conducted | — | § 15.60.090(A)(6)(a)-(c) |
| Incidental Signs | — | 1 sq ft (cumulative area per premises not to exceed 1 sq ft) | — | — | Cumulative area ≤ 1 sq ft | On premises | — | § 15.60.050 (definition of Incidental sign); § 15.60.080(I) |
| Portable Menu Board Sign (Restaurants/Food Service Establishments) | 36 inches | 24 inches wide by 36 inches high (including support elements) | 24 inches | ≤ 2 ft from face of building when placed on public sidewalk | 1 per restaurant/food service establishment | On public sidewalk ≤ 2 ft from face of building or on private property frontage | — | § 15.60.080(J)(1)-(7) |
| Civic Event Sign (Community Information Area) | 12 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | Areas of land designated by the Village Council as community information areas | — | § 15.60.130(I)(1)-(3) |

### R-5 Single-Family Residential District, R-4 Single-Family Residential District, R-3 Single-Family Residential District, R-2 Single-Family Residential District, R-1 Single-Family Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate Sign (Single- and Two-Family Dwellings) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 nameplate sign per dwelling | On building or premises used for single-family or two-family residential purposes | — | § 15.60.100(A)(4)-(6) |
| Exempt/Government Signs and Murals/Decorations (Residential) | — | — | — | — | — | On residential property | — | § 15.60.070; § 15.60.100(A)(1) |
| Temporary Signs Allowed on Residential Properties (See General Regulations) | Residential construction-site top ≤ 6 ft; real estate sign height < 6 ft | Generally ≤ 8 sq ft (see specific temporary sign types) | — | — | See specific temporary sign types | On residential property | — | § 15.60.100(A)(3); § 15.60.090(A) |

### C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, C-2 General Retail Commercial District, D Light industrial District, C-2 Commercial Overlay District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonstreet Exposure) | Not above second-floor window sill level; if no second-floor sill, ≤ 14 ft above grade | 20 sq ft per occupant (nonstreet exposure) | — | — | 1 nonstreet exposure wall sign per occupant per nonstreet exposure | On nonstreet exposure of premises | — | § 15.60.120(B)(1)(d); § 15.60.120(B)(9) |
| Wall Sign - Directory Type (Building with 3+ Commercial Occupants) | — | 35 sq ft (total for directory sign); individual listing ≤ 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 directory-type wall sign per building with 3+ occupants | On building façade | — | § 15.60.120(B)(1)(e)-(f) |
| Window Sign (Administrative Approval) | Overall height limited to one-third of the height of the glass area | ≤ 10% of area of single window pane/section; door/transom window signs ≤ 50% of window pane | Width limited to ≤ 90% of the glass width | — | — | Street exposure or nonstreet exposure windows of an occupant | — | § 15.60.120(B)(2)(a)(i)-(xi); § 15.60.120(A); § 15.60.150(B) |
| Projecting Sign (Court Yard Business) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per court yard business | Mounted perpendicular to wall on a court yard | — | § 15.60.120(B)(3)(a), (c) |
| Blade Sign (Over Public Way/Sidewalk) | Sign height ≤ 3 ft; clearance ≥ 8 ft above sidewalk | — | — | Minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk; projection ≤ 2 ft from wall | — | Extending over public way/sidewalk, mounted perpendicular to wall | — | § 15.60.120(B)(3)(b)-(c); § 15.60.130(B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign - Directory Type (3+ Occupants) | ≤ 8 ft above grade | Total ≤ 40 sq ft; any one side ≤ 20 sq ft; individual listing ≤ 3 sq ft | — | Building in which occupants are located must be set back ≥ 15 ft from street line | 1 directory-type freestanding sign per qualifying building | On premises of building occupied by 3 or more commercial occupants | — | § 15.60.120(B)(4)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Occupant (Fewer than 3 Occupants) | ≤ 12 ft above grade | Total ≤ 40 sq ft; any one side ≤ 20 sq ft | — | Building must be set back ≥ 15 ft from street line | 1 freestanding sign per qualifying building | On premises of building occupied by fewer than 3 occupants | — | § 15.60.120(B)(4)(c) |
| Display Case Sign (Eligible Food Uses) | Mounted/hung no more than 6 ft above grade | ≤ 3 sq ft (measured outer edge to outer edge of case) | — | — | 1 per eligible establishment | Mounted on exterior wall of eligible commercial establishment | — | § 15.60.120(B)(8)(a)-(g); § 15.60.140(E); § 15.60.130(B)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Winnetka

- Animated signs and strings or clusters of lights are prohibited, except decorations displayed for civic, patriotic, or religious holidays as allowed in the temporary sign provisions.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited.
- Translucent awnings and any signs placed on translucent awnings are prohibited.
- Changeable copy signs are prohibited, except for gasoline price signs at automobile service stations, incidental signs, portable menu board signs displayed per the code, display case signs, and the changeable portion of bulletin board signs for specified organizations.
- Signs attached to a roof, located upon or above a roof, or above the eave line are prohibited.
- Signs painted directly on building walls, fences, or similar structures are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs that advertise or direct attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment not conducted on the premises are prohibited; an exception exists for interior signs that direct attention to noncommercial events or organizations.
- Off-premises signs that advertise or direct attention to a garage sale are prohibited.
- Signs on or attached to any utility pole, street light, or lamp post, or placed or displayed on a public street, sidewalk, alley, or parkway are prohibited, except certain permitted banners and portable menu/sandwich board signs and governmental traffic or safety signs.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by the chapter is prohibited.
- No sign shall obstruct or prevent free ingress or egress from any window, door, fire escape, or stairway; no sign shall be attached to a fire escape.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained where, by reason of its position, shape, color, or wording, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device, or otherwise cause a safety hazard.
- Externally illuminated signs may not be displayed above the second-floor window sill level of a building.
- Externally illuminated signs are prohibited within, or within 100 feet of, the boundary of any residential zoning district if the illuminated face is parallel to or at an angle of less than 45 degrees from the boundary or otherwise has an adverse visual impact on adjacent residential properties; this restriction does not apply if the property is in a multifamily zoning district and is not used for residential purposes.

## Signs exempt from permit in Winnetka

- Signs, flags, and emblems of and on the premises of the United States, the State, the Village, and other municipal corporations and public bodies of the State are exempt from the regulations of this chapter.
- Murals and building decorations that are not an integral part of a sign are not considered signs for the purposes of this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for nonexempt signs; applications must include an application for a certificate of appropriateness and detailed drawings/photographs, and permits generally cannot be issued until a certificate of appropriateness is granted by the Design Review Board.
- The Design Review Board offers optional preliminary advisory review to guide a prospective applicant in developing a signage plan that will comply with the chapter.
- During review, the Board may recommend changes to signage plans; applicants must respond in writing to accept or reject recommendations.
- A signage package for a business establishment with multiple signs must have an overall plan demonstrating compatibility of design and colors; the Board evaluates signage using specified standards and criteria.
- Window signs that meet all administrative criteria may be approved by the Director; window signs that do not meet those criteria require a certificate of appropriateness, and any permitted deviation from window sign requirements requires approval of a variation by the Sign Board.
- Display case signs require a sign permit but do not require a certificate of appropriateness.
- Civic event signs in designated community information areas require application approval by the Director and issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
- Variations (variances) from sign regulations require an application to the Sign Board; the Board cannot waive permit requirements or safety/maintenance provisions, and may only allow certain prohibited sign types under limited circumstances.
- Appeals: If the Board’s certificate of appropriateness decision is by fewer than two-thirds of members present, appeals may be taken to the Village Council; Director enforcement decisions may be appealed to the Sign Board of Appeals.
- The code does not establish a master sign plan requirement; however, comprehensive signage plans/packages are reviewed for compatibility and appropriateness by the Design Review Board.

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

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