Sign Regulations in Woodridge, Illinois
Woodridge, Illinois has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use), Bus Stop and Transit Shelter Bench Signs. 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 Woodridge, Illinois
Sample Sign Requirements in Woodridge
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Design and Maintenance Standards) | — | — | Detached: 10 ft from property lines unless exception applies. Temporary: 5 ft from property lines. Detached signs in principal corridors have extended setback rules. No sign in or over ROW except specific exceptions. |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Monument Sign (Residential Use) | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per sign (64 sq. ft. max per development) | 10 ft from property line unless exception granted. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
25
- Wall Sign
- Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use)
- Bus Stop and Transit Shelter Bench Signs
- Yard Sign (Temporary)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Other Cities in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
In Woodridge, monument signs are limited to 5 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 Woodridge, 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 Woodridge, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use), Bus Stop and Transit Shelter Bench Signs, Yard Sign (Temporary), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Woodridge, monument signs typically require a 10 ft from property line unless exception granted. 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 Woodridge are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Woodridge has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Woodridge, Illinois Sign Rules at a Glance
Woodridge, Illinois regulates 25 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Residential Use)s in the R-1, R-2, R-3, A-1, A-2 zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 32 sq. ft. per sign (64 sq. ft. max per development), with a 10 ft from property line unless exception granted. setback (Sec. Table 9-11-5-B.1). Most commercial signs in Woodridge require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Woodridge, Illinois
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Woodridge (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, A-1, A-2 | 8 | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — |
| B-1, B-2, B-3, RBC, ORI, M-1 | 22 | 25 ft (large), 18 ft (med), 12 ft (small), other per table | 250 sq. ft. (B-1, B-2, B-3); 150 sq. ft. (RBC, ORI); 300 sq. ft. (M-1) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Woodridge
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Design and Maintenance Standards) | — | — | — | Detached: 10 ft from property lines unless exception applies. Temporary: 5 ft from property lines. Detached signs in principal corridors have extended setback rules. No sign in or over ROW except specific exceptions. | — | Attached signs must be on signable area of building, detached signs must meet setback and landscaping; signage not allowed on trees or utility poles except for public safety; no signage in public ROW except as allowed for governmental, event, or emergency management, utility, or village banners. | — | Unlock | 9-11-2, 9-11-3, 9-11-4, 9-11-5 B.2-4; 6-3-6; 8-1E-11 |
R-1, R-2, R-3, A-1, A-2
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per facade | On facade of building (signable area). | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-A-1, 9-11-2 A.2. |
| Monument Sign (Residential Use) | 5 ft. | 32 sq. ft. per sign (64 sq. ft. max per development) | — | 10 ft from property line unless exception granted. | See sign_size_restrictions | At subdivision or development access, on commonly owned open space. | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-B.1 |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 6 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property line unless exception granted. | 1 | — | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-B.1; 9-11-7 |
| Bus Stop and Transit Shelter Bench Signs | — | Sized according to primary function of shelter/bench; not for signage display | — | — | Signs may be incorporated into transit shelter designs. | On transit shelters/benches. | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-B.1 |
| Electronic Message Center (Nonresidential Only) | — | Up to 50% of allowed monument sign area | — | Same as monument sign | — | On monument sign only | — | Unlock | 9-11-7 B |
| Yard Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. per sign; 24 sq. ft. total | — | 5 ft from property line | No maximum | On private property | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-6(A)(1); Table 9-11-6-D-1 |
| Swing Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 | On private property | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-6(A)(1); Table 9-11-6-D-1 |
| Site Sign (Temporary) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per frontage | On private property, not for parcels with residential use | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-6(A)(1); Table 9-11-6-D-1 |
B-1, B-2, B-3, RBC, ORI, M-1
| 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 Sign | 20 ft. above average surrounding grade | 5 sq. ft. (max signable area on awning valence) | — | — | 1 per awning | On awnings on buildings. | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-A-2 |
| Marquee Sign | 20 ft. above average surrounding grade | 20 sq. ft. per face, up to 3 faces | — | — | 1 per building | Marquee structures on permitted buildings only | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-A-2 |
| Drive-through Sign | 7 ft. | 25 sq. ft. per sign, 75 sq. ft. total | — | 15 ft from residential lot line | 3 drive-through signs per drive-through/dine-in | Drive-through establishment area, min 15 ft from residential zone | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-A-2, Table 9-11-5-B-2 |
| Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use) | 10 ft. (B-1, B-2, B-3, RBC, ORI), 12 ft. (M-1) | 160 sq. ft. (B-1, B-2, B-3, ORI), 40/80 sq. ft. (RBC by linear facade), 120 sq. ft. (M-1) | — | 10 ft from property line (B-1, B-2, B-3, RBC), 5 ft. from ROW (ORI) | 1 per lot (if no pole sign) | On nonresidential lot; see zone limitations | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-B-2 |
| Directional Sign (Nonresidential) | 5 ft. | 10 sq ft. | — | No minimum; must keep out of travel path | 1 per ingress/egress | At drive or walkway ingress/egress | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-5-B-2 |
| Electronic Message Center (Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft (large), 18 ft (med), 12 ft (small), other per table | See Table 9-11-7 C, e.g. 8'x12', 6'x9', 4'x6' for EMC screen per sign prototype/size | — | Table: 100-500 ft from res. zone, 10 ft from all other property lines. | See additional_requirements | As allowed by sign prototype, not less than 100-500 ft from res. zones; 10 ft from all other property lines. | — | Unlock | 9-11-7 C, Table 9-11-7 C |
| Swing Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft. | 6 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per frontage | On property | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-6(A)(2) |
| Site Sign (Temporary) | 8 ft. (B-1/B-2/B-3); 12 ft (RBC/ORI/M-1) | 32 sq. ft. (B-1/B-2/B-3); 200 sq. ft. (RBC); 150 sq. ft. (ORI/M-1) | — | 5 ft from property line | 1 per frontage | On private property | — | Unlock | Table 9-11-6(A)(2); Table 9-11-6-D-1 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Woodridge are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Woodridge
- Signs with more than two sign faces.
- Signs that are a traffic hazard because they simulate or imitate any traffic sign or signal in size, color, lettering, or design.
- Animated or moving signs visible from public rights-of-way, including moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, blinking, scintillating, fluctuating, or otherwise animated light, except as allowed in section 9-11-7 (Message Centers).
- Vehicle signs.
- Portable signs, except as specifically permitted in section 9-11-6 (Temporary signs).
- Billboards.
- Roof signs.
- Use of sound, smoke, or odor emitters in sign elements or structures (temporary or permanent).
- Awnings that are back lit and/or made of plastic.
- Use of stacked products (e.g., tires, soft drink cases, bagged soil or mulch) as sign elements.
- Unfinished wood support structures, except that stake signs may use unfinished stakes.
- Flags, banners, or comparable elements designed to move in the wind, if not affixed to permanent flagpoles or flagpoles mounted to buildings, when visible from public rights of way.
- Spinning or moving parts visible from public rights of way.
- Exposed reflective type bulb or strobe lights visible from public rights of way.
- Flashing lights visible from public rights of way.
- Use of motor vehicles as sign elements unless: vehicles are functional, currently licensed, signage is incidental to use of vehicle, and properly parked.
- Use of semi-trailers, shipping containers, or portable storage units as sign elements unless: functional for storage/pick-up/delivery, currently licensed, and properly parked or located on an active construction site.
- Text or graphics of an indecent or immoral nature and harmful to minors.
- Text or graphics that advertise unlawful activity.
- Text or graphics that are obscene, contain fighting words, defamation, incite imminent lawless action, or are true threats.
- Text or graphics presenting clear and present danger due to confusion with traffic signs/signals (e.g., using words like "Stop," "Yield," "Caution," or "Danger" in a misleading way).
- Signs may not obstruct building ingress or egress, including doors, windows, fire escapes, exitways, or prevent free passage across/onto roof areas.
- Signs may not obstruct required openings for ventilation (with exceptions for transom windows).
- Signs may not obstruct building or site features necessary for public safety (e.g., standpipes, fire hydrants).
- Signs may not obstruct sight distance triangles as required by code.
- No signs (temporary or permanent) may be posted/installed/mounted on trees.
- No signs may be posted/installed/mounted on utility poles, light poles, or utility cabinets unless posted by the village or utility provider for public safety/identification purposes.
- Signs may not be located in or over public rights-of-way, except for certain government signs or signs identified in an approved sign design program.
- Signs may not be located with less clearance from communication or power lines than prescribed by state law.
- Signs may not be placed within overhead utility easements.
- No sign face may contain more than twenty (20) items of information.
- All signs and outside lighting: No wire may be exposed to view; all wire must be in a raceway or protected by other approved methods.
- Freestanding signs and outside lighting poles must be wired underground.
- Signs that do not display a message for more than thirty (30) days are deemed abandoned.
Exempt Signs in Woodridge
- Official and legal notice signs issued by any court, public body, person, or officer in performance of a public duty, or in giving any legal notice.
- Signs erected, constructed, placed, maintained, or otherwise posted, owned or leased by the village.
- Signs affixed to a building/structure that do not exceed one (1) square foot in area (one per elevation visible from public rights-of-way or neighboring property); and signs less than three-fourths of a square foot affixed to machines, equipment, fences, gates, walls, gasoline pumps, public telephones, or utility cabinets.
- Flags not larger than thirty (30) square feet affixed to permanent flagpoles or flagpoles mounted to buildings.
- Signs being carried by people (not exempt if set down or propped on objects).
- Bumper stickers on vehicles.
- Interior signs not visible from residential lots, abutting property or public rights-of-way.
- Traffic control signs and other public safety signs installed by the village or other jurisdiction or required of a developer.
- Address signs required by the village are exempt from sign area calculations, provided numbers/letters are not more than fourteen (14) inches in height.
- Exception for outdoor political campaign signs on residential property: other than size regulations, display is not prohibited.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Woodridge
- Generally, all construction, relocation, enlargement, alteration, and modification of signs require conformity with the ordinance and approval via sign permit, unless otherwise exempted.
- A sign permit is required for all permitted signs exceeding six (6) square feet in area, unless otherwise exempted.
- The zoning officer may require applicants to submit photometric (lighting) plans as a condition to the issuance of a sign permit, particularly for illuminated signs or electronic message centers.
- For master planning or developments with multi-tenant electronic message centers, the sign permit application must identify eligible tenants for signage.
- Signs constructed by the village or another governmental or quasi-governmental entity may be permitted over rights-of-way when approved as part of a sign design program or intergovernmental agreement.
- When a new signage material is proposed, the zoning officer will determine material class and duration per sign code.
- Developments that use multi-tenant electronic message centers must meet eligibility and submit a sign permit application including eligible businesses.
- Sign plans/programs may be referenced/required in provisions related to banners or signage in public rights-of-way.