Sign Regulations in Wood Dale, Illinois
Wood Dale, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Town Center Business District), Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Use, Identification Sign (Wall) - Nonresidential Use. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Wood Dale, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Wood Dale
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Use | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line |
| Identification Sign (Wall) - Nonresidential Use | No projection above the roof, parapet, or fascia of any building upon which it is located | 1.5 sq. ft. per 1 linear foot of building frontage or 50 sq. ft., whichever is less | — |
| Residential Entrance Monument Sign | 4 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Wood DaleFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
34
- Wall Sign (Town Center Business District)
- Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Use
- Identification Sign (Wall) - Nonresidential Use
- Residential Entrance Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
In Wood Dale, wall signs can be up to No projection above the roof, parapet, or fascia of any building upon which it is located and monument signs are limited to 6 ft.. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Wood Dale, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Wood Dale, regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Town Center Business District), Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Use, Identification Sign (Wall) - Nonresidential Use, Residential Entrance Monument Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Wood Dale, monument signs typically require a Minimum of 3 feet from any property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Wood Dale are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Wood Dale has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Wood Dale, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Wood Dale, Illinois regulates 34 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Uses in the Residential Zoning District zoning district are capped at 6 ft. tall and 24 sq. ft., with a Minimum of 3 feet from any property line setback (Sec. Sec. 13.601.A&B). Most commercial signs in Wood Dale require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Wood Dale, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Wood Dale (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Zoning District | 3 | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning District | 19 | 45 ft. (measured from grade of Illinois Route 390) or 60 ft. (measured from grade along the south side of Thorndale Ave.) | 672 sq. ft. per sign face, max 2 sign faces | — |
| Town Center Business District | 1 | No projection above the roof, parapet, or fascia | 1.5 sq. ft. per 1 linear foot of building frontage or 75 sq. ft., whichever is less | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Wood Dale(sample of 3 of 4 zones)
Residential Zoning District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification Sign (Monument) - Nonresidential Use | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line | 1 per zoning lot | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.601.A&B |
| Identification Sign (Wall) - Nonresidential Use | No projection above the roof, parapet, or fascia of any building upon which it is located | 1.5 sq. ft. per 1 linear foot of building frontage or 50 sq. ft., whichever is less | — | — | 1 per street frontage per entity; plus 1 4 sq. ft. sign for any public rear entrance | Only over or on the portion of the building occupied by the entity identified by the wall sign | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.601.A&B |
| Residential Entrance Monument Sign | 4 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line | 1 per street frontage | Minimum of 3 feet from any property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.601.A&B |
Nonresidential Zoning District
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning and Canopy Sign | No awning or canopy sign shall protrude above the ground floor or 20', whichever is less; nor above the canopy or awning | 2/3 of awning/canopy face | — | — | 1 per street frontage per business | Only over or on the portion of the building frontage occupied by the business identified by the sign; minimum 8' clearance above a sidewalk or vehicular use area | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.5 |
| Commercial Directional Sign | 4 ft. | 2 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 3' from any property line | 1 per street frontage for directing traffic into the site; no max for others | Minimum of 3' from any property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.1 |
| Community Landmark Sign | 45 ft. (measured from grade of Illinois Route 390) or 60 ft. (measured from grade along the south side of Thorndale Ave.) | 672 sq. ft. per sign face, max 2 sign faces | 48 ft. | — | Only one allowed within the municipality | Within 700' of Illinois Route 83; visible from Illinois Route 390; along south side of Thorndale Ave. | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.10 |
| Menu Board Sign | 6 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | — | Minimum of 3' from any property line | 1 per zoning lot | Minimum of 3' from any property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A |
| Monument Sign - 50'-100' Street Frontage | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | Min 3' from street line; set back from interior property lines min 10% of lot width | 1 per street frontage per lot (minimum 200' apart if more than one), plus 1 per business if site has multiple businesses | Minimum of 3' from street line and set back from interior property lines at least 10% of zoning lot width | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.1.b |
| Monument Sign - Over 100' Street Frontage | 10 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 3' from street, 10% of lot width from interior lines | 1 per street frontage per lot (min 200' apart if more than one), plus 1 per business if site has multiple businesses | Minimum of 3' from street line, set back from interior property lines minimum 10% of zoning lot width | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.1.b |
| Monument Sign - Shopping Center Monument | 20 ft. | 100 sq. ft. | — | Min 3' from any property line | 1 per large scale shopping center in addition to other permitted monument signs | Min 3' from any property line | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A & B.9 |
| Monument Sign - Tollway Bonus | 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. | — | Same as other monument signs | 1 per zoning lot (tollway frontage only) | Along tollway (Illinois Route 390) or associated frontage road right of way; subject to same setbacks as other monument signs | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.602.A |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign - Sandwich Board Sign | 4 ft. | — | 3 ft. | — | — | On private property, unless approved by City or applicable jurisdiction | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.502 |
| Temporary Sign (General; excluding exemptions) | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use/business at a time | Subject to approval by building official | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.501-502 |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | 6 ft. | 24 sq. ft. (general case), 32 sq. ft. for nonresidential construction/real estate signs | — | — | 1 per use/business at a time | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.501-502 |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Residential District) | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.402 |
| Temporary Construction Sign (Nonresidential District) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.502 |
| Temporary Nonresidential Real Estate Sign | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per property per real estate company/agent | On premises | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.502 |
| Temporary Open House Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | Min 2' from curb (if in ROW) | Max 5 per property | On subject property or within public right of way (min 2' from curb), must meet sight triangle requirement | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.402 |
| Temporary Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | Min 2' from curb (if in ROW) | Max 5 per property | On property or in public ROW (min 2' from curb), must meet sight triangle | — | Unlock | Sec. 13.402 |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Wood Dale — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Wood Dale — start freeProhibited Signs in Wood Dale
- No sign shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of any public rights of way in such a manner that obstructs the free and clear vision of a driver of a vehicle or pedestrian; all signs must maintain the sight triangle.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent or inhibit free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire escape.
- No sign may be displayed within the public right of way, unless otherwise allowed in the sign code.
- The illumination of a sign shall be from a steady, nonflashing source of light; flashing or intermittent intensity types are prohibited.
- Sign illumination shall not glare onto any public street or private residence and must be shielded as necessary.
- String lighting is prohibited on signs.
- All signs must comply with the construction and design standards of the chapter and the city building code.
- All signs and premises must be maintained in a clean and inoffensive condition; deteriorated signs are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained in violation of permit requirements under Article VII.
- No signs, except construction or real estate signs as permitted, are allowed on vacant land.
- Affixed signs, attention-getting devices, off-premises signs, pole signs, portable signs, roof signs, and inadequately maintained signs are prohibited.
- Signs painted on the exterior wall of a building are prohibited.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited, including those that obstruct vision, interfere with, or can be confused with traffic signals or make use of misguiding words/symbols.
- Unauthorized signs on public property or within the right of way (except government signs or as authorized) are prohibited.
- Unsafe signs or those that pose a public health or safety hazard are prohibited.
- No sign shall be constructed, located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, replaced, or altered except in conformance with the provisions of the sign code and after the issuance of a sign permit, unless exempt.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display unauthorized signs, signals, markings, or advertising signs imitating or resembling official traffic-control devices upon any street.
- No person may place or maintain, nor may any public authority permit, any traffic sign or signal bearing any commercial advertising.
Exempt Signs in Wood Dale
- Bulletin boards (up to 16 square feet per side, located on premises).
- Construction signs in residential districts (one per street frontage, up to 16 square feet, non-illuminated, removed within 72 hours of completion).
- Corporate flags and institutional insignias (must be smaller than U.S. flag/government flags flown in conjunction).
- Directional signs with only noncommercial copy meeting specific size, height, and setback requirements.
- "For sale" signs on vehicles parked on residential property when the vehicle is owned by the property owner, or on nonresidential property where the owner is licensed to sell vehicles.
- Free speech signs, provided they are not placed in the public right of way or on public property.
- Garage sale signs (max 6 square feet, not illuminated, up to 5 per property, subject to placement, ID, and duration limits).
- Government flags.
- Government signs and public signs required by governmental bodies or authorized for public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance.
- Historical identification signs.
- Memorial plaques.
- Nameplates (specific area limits by dwelling type; for home-based businesses and management companies).
- Open house signs (max 6 square feet, not illuminated, up to 5 per property, subject to placement, ID, and duration limits).
- Professional directory signs (up to 24 square feet; wall or freestanding up to 6 feet high).
- Public information signs (specific size limits for parking area designation etc.).
- Real estate signs for residential properties (max 6 square feet, non-illuminated, one per premises, on subject property, removed within one day after closing/lease, ID requirements).
- Athletic scoreboards.
- Signs displayed on commercial accessory structures (gasoline pumps, ATM, vending machines, etc).
- Temporary displays or decorations associated with national, state, local, or religious holidays.
- Temporary promotional window signs in nonresidential zoning districts, subject to total window sign area limits and removal within 3 days of event conclusion.
- Time and temperature signs (so long as no commercial copy is displayed).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Wood Dale
- A master sign plan is required when more than one wall, awning, canopy, and/or permanent window sign is proposed on any new building with multiple tenants; must be submitted for review by the Community Development Director.
- The master sign plan must include criteria for uniform style, appearance, color scheme, message format, font size/style, lighting, location, construction materials, and sign proportion.
- Upon approval, no sign shall be constructed, erected, placed, painted, or maintained except in conformance with the approved master sign plan; the plan is enforceable as any provision of the code.
- New signs may only be installed in compliance with the master sign plan, where one has been approved by the City.
- Community landmark signs must have their design reviewed by the Streetscape and Economic Enhancement Committee, then reviewed by City Council before permit submittal; permit is reviewed and approved under the standard building permit process.
- All requests for variations (variances) from the sign requirements require a public hearing before the Community Development Commission, with recommendation forwarded to the City Council for final approval.