Sign Code Summary

Winnetka, IL

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

Last updated March 2026

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Understanding sign regulations in Winnetka, IL

Every outdoor sign in Winnetka 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 Winnetka 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 Winnetka.

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 Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, 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.

Appeals

Appeals Exceptions: Source-backed appeal/exception/variance rules: such written appeal \nand its decision shall be final. \nF. Standards and Criteria for Issuance. The following factors and characteristics relating to the \nsafety and appearance of signage, shall govern the Board's evaluation of design submittals: \n1. \nThe sign area shall be in proportion and scale to the building or to other buildings or signs in \nthe surrounding area; \n2. \nA signage package for a business est

Authority

Sign Chapter Scope: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: es. \n\"Display case sign\" means a changeable sign attached to the exterior wall of a building, the \nmessage of which is communicated by the posting of one or more sheets of paper and not by \nindividual characters, letters, or illustrations. \n\"Externally illuminated sign\" means a sign that is illuminated by directing a source of artificial light \nat the face of the sign or that is illuminated by backlit illumi
Sign Chapter Scope 2: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: of paper and not by \nindividual characters, letters, or illustrations. \n\"Externally illuminated sign\" means a sign that is illuminated by directing a source of artificial light \nat the face of the sign or that is illuminated by backlit illumination. \n\"Freestanding sign\" means a sign attached to a completely self-supporting structure such as a \npole or brace placed on, or anchored in or below the ground, and
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Building Signs

Building Sign Formula: Max 70 sq ft per wall sign; commercial street-exposure wall signs also have a 20 sq ft limit per sign.
Building Sign Max Number: 1 wall sign per street exposure per occupant; buildings with 3 or more commercial occupants may also display 1 directory-type wall sign.
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Freestanding

Freestanding Ground Monument: Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: dition and \nappearance, including, without limitation, keeping all changeable copy in a display case sign \nunfaded, legible, and in a condition that is not worn, torn or shredded. The owner of a sign \nshall be responsible for providing such maintenance for freestanding signs. Maintenance \nshall also require that the ground area, for a distance of not less than ten (10) feet in all \n § 15.60.130\nBUILDINGS AND CO
Freestanding Ground Monument 2: Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: quire that the ground area, for a distance of not less than ten (10) feet in all \n § 15.60.130\nBUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION\nCD15:145", "ondition that is not worn, torn or shredded. The owner of a sign \nshall be responsible for providing such maintenance for freestanding signs. Maintenance \nshall also require that the ground area, for a distance of not less than ten (10) feet in all \n § 15.60.130\nBUILDINGS AND CO

Illumination

Illumination: Source-backed illumination rules: materials which do not allow light to filter \nthrough the face or sides of the sign, and thus only illuminate the wall the sign is affixed to. \"Backlit \nillumination\" also is commonly referred to or known as \"halo\" illumination. \n\"Blade sign\" means a projecting sign that is mounted perpendicular to the surface of a wall. \n\"Board\" means the Winnetka Design Review Board. \n\"Building Code\" means Title 15 o
Illumination 2: Source-backed illumination rules: ailable on the premises, such as a credit card sign or a sign indicating hours of \nbusiness; provided, the cumulative area of such signs on any premise does not exceed one \nsquare foot. \n § 15.60.050\nBUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION\nCD15:133\n \n\n\"Internally illuminated sign\" means a sign that is illuminated by a source of artificial light that \ndirects the light through one or more translucent surfaces of the sig
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Nonconforming

Nonconforming Signs: Source-backed nonconforming signs: n has been \nfound to exist and the notice shall describe the features found to be deficiencies. \nD. Effect of Notice. Each existing permanent sign which is the subject of a notice given under \nsubsection C of this section shall thereupon be classified as a nonconforming sign subject to Section \n15.60.200. \nE. Appeals. The owner of a sign with respect to which a notice has been given under subsection \nC of this

Permits

Application Requirements: Source-backed sign permit application requirements: arranged without altering the face or \nthe surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall \nbe considered an animated sign, and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this code. \n\"Civic event sign\" means a temporary sign announcing an event of a religious, civic or philan-\nthropic organization. \n\"Commercial message\" means any sign wording, logo or other repres
Application Requirements 2: Source-backed sign permit application requirements: fourteen (14) feet above grade if there is no second floor \nwindow sill. The total area of all such nonstreet exposure wall signs displayed on a \nbuilding shall be limited to forty (40) square feet and the area of such signs shall count \ntoward the maximum sign area allowed for the street exposure of such occupant as \nprovided in this section. This provision shall not prohibit window signs or the painting \nof si
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Prohibited

Prohibited Signs: Source-backed prohibited signs: 0.060 Prohibited signs. \nNo person shall display any sign of the following prohibited types, or in the following prohibited \nlocations: \nA. \nAnimated signs and signs and displays consisting of a string, cluster or series of lights, \nexcept those permitted in connection with civic, patriotic or religious holidays in accordance \nwith Section 15.60.090(A)(3); \nB. \nInternally illuminated signs; \nC. \nTranslucent

Temporary

Temporary Signs: Source-backed temporary sign rules: 0.090 Permitted temporary signs. \nA. Signs Permitted. The following temporary signs shall be allowed without a permit; provided, \nthey meet the requirements of this section; and provided further, that, unless specifically provided \notherwise, the area of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet: \n1. \nNonilluminated real estate signs, advertising the sale or lease of the lot or premises on which \nthey are loc
Temporary Signs 2: Source-backed temporary sign rules: ict \nto advertise special sales of merchandise or special commercial events, subject to the \nfollowing conditions: \na. \nNo such sign may be illuminated; \nb. \nNo such sign shall be more than eight square feet in area and the total area of all \ntemporary window signs shall not exceed 10 percent of the window area; \nc. \nNo such sign shall be displayed for more than thirty (30) days. \n6. \nNonilluminated garage

Temporary Signs

Temp Sign Rules: General temporary signs: max 8 sq ft unless otherwise specified, no permit; temporary window signs: nonilluminated, max 8 sq ft each, total temporary window signs max 10% of window area, displayed up to 30 days.
Temp Signs Allowed: Yes. Temporary signs are allowed without a permit if they are nonilluminated and comply with Section 15.60.090.

Wall Signs

Wall Signs: Source-backed wall sign rules: 1. \nWall Signs. \na. \nNo wall sign shall contain information other than the name of the occupant or business, \na maximum of three words containing a generic description of the types of products or \nservices, and the occupant's logo or trademark. \nb. \nNo wall sign shall exceed seventy (70) square feet in area. \nc. \nWall signs shall be placed substantially parallel to the surface of the wall. \nd. \nCommercial
Wall Signs 2: Source-backed wall sign rules: description of the types of products or \nservices, and the occupant's logo or trademark. \nb. \nNo wall sign shall exceed seventy (70) square feet in area. \nc. \nWall signs shall be placed substantially parallel to the surface of the wall. \nd. \nCommercial wall signs shall be displayed only upon street exposures; except that one \nwall sign not exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area may be displayed by each \no
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Window Signs

Window Signs: Source-backed window sign rules: f any public street, sidewalk, \nparkway, alley or public place (except that such an electrical device more than eight \nfeet above the adjoining sidewalk may project a maximum of twenty (20) inches into a \npublic right-of-way). \n2. \nLocation of Externally Illuminated Signs on Building. No externally illuminated signs, \nwhether displayed on a building or as a window sign, shall be displayed above the \nsecond flo
Window Signs 2: Source-backed window sign rules: ey or public place (except that such an electrical device more than eight \nfeet above the adjoining sidewalk may project a maximum of twenty (20) inches into a \npublic right-of-way). \n2. \nLocation of Externally Illuminated Signs on Building. No externally illuminated signs, \nwhether displayed on a building or as a window sign, shall be displayed above the \nsecond floor window sill level of the building. \n3. \n
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