# Sign Regulations in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois

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

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

## At a glance

Winthrop Harbor, Illinois regulates 15 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Signs in the Residential zoning districts zoning district are capped at 5 ft (§154.167(D)), or 12 ft for banner signs (§158.08(B)(1)(b)) tall, Generally 21 sq ft max per sign; see §154.167(D), but check §158.08(A)(3) for one sign per premises at any time, except window/grand opening signs., and 8 ft (§154.167(D)) wide, with a Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way/public property (§158.08(A)(4)), see some types for 10 ft. setback (Sec. §158.08; §154.167). Most commercial signs in Winthrop Harbor require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zoning districts | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (single-faced) or 45 sq ft (double-faced) | — |
| Non-residential zoning districts | 9 | 30 ft or 2 stories, whichever is less. Not above roof line. | 150 sq ft (absolute max) | — |
| Business zoning districts, General business, Institutional establishments, Industrial establishments, B-2 District, B-3 District, B-4 District, B-5 District, I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District | 3 | 20 ft | Single sign: 200 sq ft; single illuminated: 100 sq ft; per lot/premises: 6 × lineal frontage (all signs), 3 × lineal frontage (all illuminated) | — |
| DT-1 zoning district | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-1 District | 2 | Wall/attached as building; freestanding: max 20 ft above ground. | 150 sq ft (non-illuminated sign); 75 sq ft (illuminated sign): per sign. | — |

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

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | — | — | — | See individual exempt sign type regulations. | See individual exempt sign type regulations. | As permitted for each exempt sign type; typically on the premises. | — | §158.04 |
| Temporary Signs | 5 ft (§154.167(D)), or 12 ft for banner signs (§158.08(B)(1)(b)) | Generally 21 sq ft max per sign; see §154.167(D), but check §158.08(A)(3) for one sign per premises at any time, except window/grand opening signs. | 8 ft (§154.167(D)) | Minimum 5 ft from right-of-way/public property (§158.08(A)(4)), see some types for 10 ft. | Generally one per premises at a time | On the property of the event; not on public property/right-of-way; setback per specific sign type | — | §158.08; §154.167 |
| Official Flags | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | §158.06(C) |
| Identification Sign (For Religious Institution, School, Taxing District Facility) | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (single-faced) or 45 sq ft (double-faced) | — | Setback minimum 10 ft from any lot line | One per institution | On premises | — | §158.06(D) |

### Non-residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Signs | — | — | — | See individual exempt sign type regulations. | See individual exempt sign type regulations. | As permitted for each exempt sign type; typically on the premises. | — | §158.04 |
| Temporary Signs | 8 ft (commercial real estate sign, special event freestanding); 10 ft (new development id.) | Typically 32 sq ft (commercial real estate sign, grand opening banner), 96 sq ft for new development id. See §158.08; §154.167 for general temporary sign limits. | — | Generally min 5 ft from property line, some types 10 ft; see sign type. | Typically one per premises at a time | On the subject property; window signs on first floor only; see sign type for specific location | — | §158.08 |
| Official Flag | — | — | — | — | — | On private property | — | §158.07(A)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (General Business/Industrial/Institutional) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft (single-face), 100 sq ft (double-face); plus up to 25% bonus for help wanted/leasing incorporated into sign (§158.07(D)(6)) | — | Min. 5 ft from property line; min. 18 ft from building. | One per lot, shopping center, shopping center outlot, or multiple business center. | Minimum 5 ft from property line; minimum 18 ft from building; shall not obscure architectural features or entrances. | — | §158.07(D) |
| Wall Sign | 30 ft or 2 stories, whichever is less. Not above roof line. | 150 sq ft (absolute max) | — | — | One per establishment, or two for corner/outlot/corner buildings meeting specific criteria. | Only on building facade that has principal frontage to public street, or facing nonresidential district if not over max surface area. | — | §158.07(E) |
| Canopy / Marquee Sign | — | See formula | — | — | One per establishment; more for drive-up facilities if sum does not exceed percent maximum. | On face (vertical edge) of canopy/marquee; not above roof line. | — | §158.07(F) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 3 sq ft (single face) or 6 sq ft (double face) | — | — | One per establishment | Above general public entrance, perpendicular to building, under canopy. | — | §158.07(F)(9) |
| Awning Sign | — | 20% of awning area | — | — | — | On awning attached to building. | — | §158.07(G) |

### Business zoning districts, General business, Institutional establishments, Industrial establishments, B-2 District, B-3 District, B-4 District, B-5 District, I-1 Industrial District, I-2 Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | Single sign: 200 sq ft; single illuminated: 100 sq ft; per lot/premises: 6 × lineal frontage (all signs), 3 × lineal frontage (all illuminated) | — | 20 ft from each street; 25 ft for shopping center sign; 8 ft above ground within certain intersections/driveways. | Integrated shopping centers: one additional sign (see above). | Min 20 ft from street frontage; min 8 ft bottom edge if within 50 ft of intersection or within 20 ft of driveway entrance. | — | §154.162 |
| Wall or Attached Sign | — | 200 sq ft (non-illuminated), 100 sq ft (illuminated) | — | — | — | On building wall or attached structure. | — | §154.162 |
| Temporary Signs | 5 ft (general), 8 ft for certain temp signs (§158.08) | 21 sq ft, 5 ft height, 8 ft length (§154.167(D)); up to 32 sq ft for commercial real estate signs (§158.08(B)(2)) | 8 ft | — | — | On premises; see restrictions against use in ROW/public property (§154.167(B)) | — | §154.167; §158.08 |

## Prohibited signs in Winthrop Harbor

- Any sign determined by the Building Commissioner and/or the Chief of Police to constitute a traffic or pedestrian hazard by reason of size, location, color, condition or type of illumination.
- Any sign located in or extending over public property or the public right-of-way, except public signs as provided for.
- Any sign which resembles, simulates, or imitates official traffic control signs or devices.
- Any sign which obstructs traffic sight lines, sight triangles, traffic control signals, or public signs at street intersections or railroad crossings.
- Any sign for which a permit is required, but for which no permit was applied for or issued.
- Any sign painted on an exterior building wall, fascia, parapet, chimney, on a fence or fence-type wall, retaining wall, bench, fence post, refuse enclosure, utility box, storage shed, bus shelter, satellite dish, antenna, or other accessory structure, except wall signs as permitted elsewhere in the code.
- Any sign attached, painted on, nailed, or otherwise affixed to trees, other vegetation, landscaping, stones or natural materials.
- Any sign attached to a chimney, on a fence or fence-type wall, retaining wall, bench, fence post, refuse enclosure, utility box, storage shed, bus shelter, satellite dish, antenna or other accessory structure.
- Any sign attached, painted on, or otherwise affixed to tents, except as specifically permitted for special events approved by the Village Board.
- Any sign which uses exposed exterior neon tubing and/or exposed light bulbs.
- Any exterior string of lights or exposed light bulbs, except those temporarily displayed in conjunction with traditional civic, patriotic, or religious holidays, for up to 60 days.
- Any sign painted on, attached, or otherwise affixed to flag poles or light poles, except public signs and certain instructional signs attached to light poles as permitted.
- Any additional or subsequent sign painted on, attached, or otherwise affixed to poles or pylons of permitted signs.
- Any additional sign attached or affixed to the face of a sign which extends beyond any edge of the sign.
- Any sign which emits sound, odor, or visible matter.
- Any sign or object, color, light, or shape resembling an official traffic control device or sign.
- Any obscene language or graphic material or other representation of an obscenity or obscene act.
- Any sign, signal, or device which emits music, speech, simulated speech, or any other sound on a regular or intermittent basis.
- Any sign affixed to a tree.
- Any sign affixed to a utility pole, light pole, traffic device, or similar object (other than as exempted public/instructional signs).
- Any sign or device containing a strobe light or high intensity light that is emitted periodically or irregularly, or used as an 'eye catcher.'
- Any sign attached or painted onto an inoperable and unlicensed motor vehicle in view of the public right-of-way or any sign attached to a licensed vehicle which is maintained in public view for more than seven consecutive days.
- Any sign placed or maintained upon any highway, traffic sign, signal, or marker imitating official signs or interfering with their visibility, movement of traffic, or their effectiveness.
- Any sign placed on public property, right-of-way, or utility pole, or street sign or sign pole.
- Any sign placed without the property owner's express permission.
- Any temporary sign violating height, size, or location restrictions established by ordinance.
- Any mobile sign located or used for display without a permit or after expiration of permit period.
- Any sign which is obsolete due to discontinuance of the business, service, or activity it advertises and not removed within 30 days.

## Signs exempt from permit in Winthrop Harbor

- Bulletin boards located on premises of charitable or religious institutions, not exceeding specified size and illumination limitations.
- Onsite garage/yard sale signs, subject to number, size, placement, and duration restrictions.
- Offsite garage/yard sale signs, subject to seasonal and locational restrictions.
- Instructional signs (e.g., directional, regulatory), with size, height, content, and placement limitations.
- Interior signs not readily visible from the exterior except as otherwise provided.
- Political signs, subject to size, height, number, placement, duration, and safety restrictions.
- Public signs erected by government or required/authorized for a public purpose (traffic, parking control, legal notices, street names, public facilities, etc.), which may be illuminated.
- Residential real estate signs meeting number, size, height, location, and duration limitations.
- Vending machine signs limited to product information, directions, pricing, and similar, and subject to illumination and setback requirements.
- Window signs in residential zoning districts (as temporary signs, subject to specific provisions).
- Window signs in non-residential zoning districts, subject to location, size, illumination, and surface area limitations.
- Name plate signs (residential and commercial/institutional), subject to size and number limits.
- Address signs (residential and commercial/institutional), subject to size and number limits.
- Plaques, memorial signs, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or made of non-combustible material.
- Occupational signs for commercial or institutional establishments, subject to type, size, and number limits.
- Service entrance signs, subject to number, size, illumination, and content limits.
- Temporary signs (including but not limited to those for holidays, garage sales, elections, special events, etc.), if meeting requirements for location, duration, size, and not violating other prohibitions (e.g., not on public property, utility pole, etc.).
- Decorative holiday, civic, patriotic, or religious lights/strings temporarily for up to 60 days.
- Signs necessary in the exercise of governmental functions (United States, state, county, or any other governmental body or agent).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The sign code refers to the use of a Planned Unit Development (PUD) master plan, where the Village may require or permit alternative signage or standards as part of final approval of a PUD.
- Final PUD approvals may impose different or additional sign standards (e.g., signage for multi-user developments, multiple business centers).
- Private sign covenants by property owners in multi-tenant/multi-user properties or shopping centers may establish stricter or higher standards than the sign code, but the Village will not enforce them and the stricter rule applies if in conflict.
- A 'sign plan' or unified common signage plan is not explicitly required for non-PUD applications, but standards of consistency and site integration (such as for shopping centers and multiple business centers) are discussed.
- Variations (i.e., variances) from the sign code require a public meeting before the Planning and Zoning Board; procedure outlined in § 158.14.
- Permit applications must conform to applicable requirements, site standards, and design standards contained in the chapter; administrative submission procedures may require scaled drawings and site plans (details managed by the Building Department).
- No explicit requirement stated for master sign plans outside of PUD approvals and private covenants, but sign plans may be required as part of application material, depending on Building Department procedures.

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

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