Local Sign Laws in Westchester, IL

Westchester is a suburban community in Cook County, Illinois, located just west of Chicago. Unlike larger municipalities with extensive zoning codes, Westchester’s sign regulations are relatively concise, but they still aim to preserve the character of the village and maintain public safety. Understanding these rules is important for businesses, homeowners and event organizers who plan to install signs. Because official published code sections for Westchester are not as readily accessible online as those for neighboring communities, this article synthesizes available public information including garage sale sign rules, permit applications and general municipal guidelines together with common best practices in suburban Illinois. The goal is to provide a clear overview of how Westchester regulates signs and to highlight steps for securing permits. A call to action at the end encourages readers to work with a professional sign company for guidance.

Why Westchester regulates signs?

As with most municipalities, Westchester regulates signs to promote safety, aesthetics and economic vitality. Signs placed without regard for size, location or materials can create visual clutter, distract drivers and diminish property values. Conversely, well‑designed signs help customers find businesses, allow homeowners to communicate events and showcase community pride. The village has adopted the International Building Code and other model codes, and its zoning ordinance includes provisions governing signage. Although the full text is not easily accessible online, the village’s permit forms and specific rules for temporary signs provide insight into local priorities. For example, the garage sale application posted on the village website specifies that signs advertising a garage or rummage sale:

• Must be placed only on residential property.
  
• May not be located in the public right‑of‑way.
  
• Must be no more than six square feet in area.
  
• Are limited to one sign on the property holding the sale; multi‑family group sales may have one sign per participating premises.
  
• Allow up to two off‑site signs per sale with the property owner’s written permission.
  
• May be displayed no earlier than two hours before the sale and no later than two hours after the sale ends.
  

These rules reflect a common approach to temporary signs in Westchester: limiting size, quantity, location and display duration to minimize clutter and prevent safety hazards.

Sign permits and contractor requirements

The village requires a permit for most permanent and temporary signs. The commercial sign permit application (available from the community development department) instructs applicants to submit basic information about the property, sign dimensions, materials and illumination. If a contractor will perform the installation, the contractor must be licensed and bonded with the Village of Westchester and must show proof of insurance. These requirements ensure that only qualified professionals perform sign installations, reducing the risk of structural failures or electrical hazards.

Although the detailed sign ordinance is not readily available, Westchester’s permit materials generally mirror other suburban communities in Cook and DuPage counties. Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• A scale drawing of the proposed sign, indicating size, height, materials and colors.
  
• A site plan showing where the sign will be located on the property and its distance from property lines and rights‑of‑way.
  
• Construction specifications describing how the sign will be anchored or mounted, how it will be illuminated, and whether electrical connections comply with the National Electrical Code.
  
• Landscape plan (for freestanding signs) showing any plantings around the sign base.
  
• Proof of contractor licensing and insurance when a sign company or contractor performs the work.
  

Permits help village staff verify that signs comply with setback requirements, height limits, lighting restrictions and structural standards. Failure to obtain a permit can result in fines or removal of the sign.

Size, height and location limits

Because Westchester’s full sign code is not publicly available, this section summarizes typical size, height and location rules adopted by many suburban Illinois communities and recommended by planning associations. These guidelines likely reflect Westchester’s intent, although property owners should confirm specific limits with the village before proceeding:

• Sign area based on frontage: Many sign codes allow a certain number of square feet of sign area per linear foot of street frontage (e.g., one square foot of sign area per one linear foot of building or lot frontage). Corner lots often calculate frontage on each street separately and may allow an additional sign.
  
• Maximum height: Freestanding monument signs are typically limited to 6–8 feet in height in residential and neighborhood commercial zones and up to 15 feet in general commercial districts. Pylon signs, if allowed, may reach 20–25 feet but are often restricted near residential areas.
  
• Setbacks from property lines: Freestanding signs must usually be set back a minimum distance (often 5–10 feet) from the front property line or right‑of‑way to ensure visibility and safety. Signs must not obstruct sidewalks or the “visibility triangle” at intersections, which is the area kept clear for driver sight lines.
  
• Spacing between signs: To avoid clutter, codes frequently require a minimum spacing between freestanding signs on the same lot (e.g., 50 feet between monument signs). Multi‑tenant developments often allocate sign area to tenants via a master sign plan.
  
• Wall sign limits: Wall signs are typically limited to a percentage of the wall area (for example, 15 percent of the façade) and must be mounted flush or project no more than a foot from the building. Roof signs are usually prohibited.
  

Because Westchester is largely built‑out with established neighborhoods and strip shopping centers, these typical limits likely apply in its zoning districts. The village would also likely restrict attention‑getting devices such as inflatable tubes, flashing lights or moving parts, except for special events approved through a temporary permit.

Temporary signs and special events

In addition to garage sale signs, Westchester residents and businesses may use temporary signs for events such as real estate open houses, election campaigns, community festivals or business promotions. General guidelines in many suburban codes likely mirrored in Westchester include:

• Real estate signs: Often limited to one sign per frontage, non‑illuminated, up to six square feet for residential property and 24 square feet for commercial property. Signs must be removed within a certain time after the property is sold or leased.
  
• Political signs: Allowed on private property during election season but prohibited in public rights‑of‑way. Size limits vary (often six square feet), and signs must be removed shortly after the election. Content cannot be regulated, but placement and size can.
  
• Contractor/job site signs: Contractors performing home improvements may place temporary signs on the property while the work is underway. These signs are usually limited in size (e.g., six square feet) and must be removed when the work is completed.
  
• Special event banners: The village may allow banners to be hung across local streets or at municipal buildings to promote community events. These banners typically require approval from the public works department and must meet structural and safety standards.
  

Westchester residents should note that signs placed in public rights‑of‑way or on utility poles are illegal and subject to immediate removal. Temporary signs should be made of durable materials that withstand wind and rain, but they are not intended for extended display.

Illumination, materials and maintenance

Although specific lighting standards for Westchester are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that the village enforces limitations similar to those in nearby communities:

• External lighting must be shielded so that light is directed toward the sign face and does not shine into adjacent properties or streets.
  
• Internal illumination is often limited to channel letters or lightbox signs using LED or fluorescent lighting. Neon or exposed bulbs may be prohibited outside entertainment districts.
  
• Flashing, blinking or moving lights are generally prohibited, except for time and temperature displays or civic information signs.
  
• Materials: Permanent signs must be constructed of durable, weather‑resistant materials such as aluminum, steel, masonry or high‑density urethane. Temporary signs may use vinyl, corrugated plastic (coroplast) or banners but must be secured to prevent movement in the wind.
  
• Maintenance: Property owners are responsible for keeping signs in good repair, free of rust, peeling paint or torn fabric. Damaged or faded signs should be repaired or removed promptly. Landscaping around freestanding signs should be trimmed to ensure visibility.
  

Enforcement and penalties

Westchester’s building and zoning department is responsible for enforcing sign regulations. Violations may result in warnings, fines, or removal orders. Common violations include installing a sign without a permit, exceeding size or height limits, placing signs in the public right‑of‑way or failing to remove temporary signs after their permitted display period. Businesses planning new signage should contact the village’s community development department early in the design process to verify requirements. Because the village may update its codes periodically, property owners should always check for the most recent regulations before proceeding.

Benefits of professional assistance

Navigating local sign regulations can be challenging, especially when the code is not readily available online. Working with a licensed signage company offers several advantages:

• Knowledge of local codes: Established sign companies maintain relationships with municipal officials and stay current on permit requirements, fees and inspection procedures.
  
• Design expertise: Professionals can create attractive signs that maximize visibility while fitting within size and height limits and complementing the architecture of the building.
  
• Permit assistance: Sign companies prepare detailed drawings and site plans required for permit applications and can address any comments from municipal reviewers.
  
• Quality fabrication and installation: Using a licensed and bonded contractor ensures that the sign is built to code, safely installed and electrically compliant.
  

Call to action: Work with Ambees Signage

For Westchester businesses and residents, navigating sign regulations doesn’t have to be stressful. Ambees Signage has decades of experience designing and installing signs across the Chicago suburbs, including communities like Westchester where codes may be less accessible. Their team handles every step from consultation and design to permit applications and installation ensuring that your signage meets local requirements and reflects your brand. Whether you need a monument sign for a shopping plaza, wall signs for an office building, temporary banners for a grand opening or modest yard signs for a fundraiser, Ambees provides high‑quality, custom solutions. Contact Ambees Signage today to ensure your sign project complies with Westchester’s regulations and makes a lasting positive impression on your customers and neighbors.