Every outdoor sign in Bellwood is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Bellwood code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Bellwood.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Bellwood, Illinois. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in Bellwood, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
Census snapshot
Population
18,611
Median household income
$72,228
Median home value
$207,100
County
Cook
Time zone
Central Time
Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Bellwood; they do not affect sign-code requirements.
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Authority
Sign Chapter Scope 2
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: mansard roof or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof. BUILDING, TEMPORARY. Any building not designed to be permanently located, placed or affixed to the place where it is intended to be placed. BULK. The term used to indicate --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- visions of this subchapter, as amended from time to time, and with the applicable provisions of this chapter. (B) The corporate autho
Sign Chapter Scope 3
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: 6.207 OFF-SITE ADVERTISING SIGN REGULATIONS. (A) Off-site advertising sign permit. All owners or operators of an off-site advertising sign must apply for and obtain an off-site advertising sign permit. (B) Off-site advertising signs cannot have a total sign face area that exceeds 1,200 square feet per face and not exceed 2,400 total square feet for a double faced sign. The height of the sign must not exceed 99 feet f
Internal illumination permitted for lettering or logo only in B1/B2 commercial districts; all artificial illumination limited to 0.5 foot-candles maximum with shielding to prevent glare on adjacent property or streets
Ground Signs
Ground Sign Type
Ground and pole signs are permitted types.
Permits
Application Requirements
Source-backed sign permit application requirements: 6.202 APPLICATION. It is unlawful to install, use, display, enlarge, expand, alter, operate, maintain, locate, relocate, or remove any sign within the village except in conformance with the regulations of this subchapter. Any sign not expressly permitted by the regulations of this subchapter is prohibited. Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, for any new zoning district created in the village, the applicable sign
Permit Required
Source-backed sign permit requirement: 6.213 DISTRICT REGULATIONS: RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. (A) Sign table. (1) The signs set forth in the following table may be erected and maintained in any Residential District without a sign permit. RESIDENTIAL: SIGNS NOT REQUIRING A SIGN PERMIT Permitted Signs Number of Signs Permitted on a Lot Maximum Permitted Sign Area Maximum Permitted Sign Height Permitted Signs Number of Signs Permitted on a Lot Maximum Permitted
Source-backed temporary sign rules: event, or program. (3) Construction sign. A sign that announces the subdivision, development, construction, or other improvement of a lot or lots and located on that lot during the subdivision, development, construction, or improvement. (4) Development map or directory sign. A sign that depicts some or all of the buildings and other prominent features of, or that lists, by address or other summary means, some or all
Temporary Signs 2
Source-backed temporary sign rules: ically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display of the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving,
Temporary signs prohibited from illumination; area, height, duration, and permit requirements not specified in provided facts
Wall Signs
Wall Signs
Source-backed wall sign rules: ssuance of conditional use permits in accordance with the provisions of § 156.160. (D) General dynamic display regulations. Dynamic displays are allowed subject to the following conditions: (1) Dynamic displays are allowed only on ground, projecting, pole and wall signs. Dynamic displays may occupy no more than 75% of the sign face area. The remainder of the sign face must not have the capability to have any dynam --
Wall Signs 2
Source-backed wall sign rules: ions of § 156.160. (D) General dynamic display regulations. Dynamic displays are allowed subject to the following conditions: (1) Dynamic displays are allowed only on ground, projecting, pole and wall signs. Dynamic displays may occupy no more than 75% of the sign face area. The remainder of the sign face must not have the capability to have any dynam --- SIGN CODE FOCUSED SLICE --- its in accordance with the provisi
Source-backed window sign rules: lace, event, or structure. (11) Nameplate sign. A sign that is limited in content to the name or address, or both, of the owner or occupant of a building or lot on which it is located. (12) Off-site advertising sign. Any sign, including, without limitation, a billboard, that advertises or directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or activity conducted, sold, or offered on property other than the lot on whi
Window Signs 2
Source-backed window sign rules: t on which the sign is located and meets current IDOT requirements within 660 feet of I-290 and I-294. (13) Official flag or emblem. A flag or emblem of a government, college, theological seminary, religious institution, or commercial enterprise. (14) On-site directory sign. A sign, not readable from any public right-of-way, that lists the names and locations of some or all of the occupants or uses of a building or g