For purposes of this subchapter, each sign is classified both according to function and structure, as follows:
(A) Functional sign types.
(1) Banner sign. A sign consisting of cloth, canvas, fabric, paper or other light material that is secured or mounted so as to permit movement of the material, but not an official flag or emblem.
(2) Civic event sign. A sign that announces or identifies a civic use, purpose, 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 of the locations within a multi-building development containing, and limited to, information to assist persons coming on the lot to locate destinations within the lot.
(5) Governmental sign. A sign that is erected and maintained pursuant to, and in the discharge of, any governmental function, or required by any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation.
(6) Holiday decorations. Signs that are in the nature of decorations, clearly incidental to, and customarily and commonly associated with, any national, local, or religious holiday.
(7) Identification sign. A sign that is limited in content to the name, trademark, or other readily recognized symbol or address, or any combination thereof, of a building or development that advertises the name of a business, profession, or service being conducted on the lot on which the sign is located.
(8) Joint-identification sign. A sign that serves as a common or collective identification sign for two or more business, professional, or service uses on the same lot.
(9) Lawn service sign. A sign that announces that lawn services are provided on a lot.
(10) Memorial sign. A sign that memorializes a person, place, 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 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 group of buildings, or both.
(15) On-site informational sign. A sign, other than a development map or directory sign, that is commonly associated with, and limited to, information and directions necessary or convenient for persons coming on the lot, including, without limitation, ground signs marking entrances and exits, parking areas, one-way drives, restrooms, and pick-up and delivery areas or window signs identifying, without limitation, entrances, exists, hours of operation, credit cards accepted, contact information, and services provided.
(16) Personal event sign. A sign that announces a personal event or occasion, such as a birth, graduation, or other celebration or event.
(17) Political election sign. A sign that announces or supports political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state, or local election.
(18) Political message sign. A sign, other than a political election sign, that expresses a noncommercial message regarding an issue of political or public concern.
(19) Promotional sign. A sign that promotes a sale, seasonal product or activity, or community or civic event.
(20) Public utility sign. A sign that is erected by public utility companies or construction companies to warn of danger or hazardous conditions, including, without limitation, any sign indicating the presence of underground cables, gas lines, and similar devices.
(21) Reader board sign. A sign that has changeable copy for the purposes of advertising special events, sales, or information changed on a regular basis.
(22) Real estate sign. A sign that advertises the offering for sale, rent, or lease, as well as the status of the sale, rental, lease, or management, of the lot upon which the sign is located.
(23) Security sign. A sign that announces that a security system is maintained on a lot.
(B) Structural sign types.
(1) Awning, canopy, or marquee sign. A sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to an awning, canopy, or marquee.
(2) Dynamic display; dynamic off-site advertising sign.
(a) A sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically 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, moving, flashing, blinking, or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink” or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
(b) In addition to the characteristics set forth in division (B)(2)(a) above, a dynamic off-site advertising sign must meet current IDOT requirements within 660 feet of I-290 and I-294.
(3) Ground sign. A sign that is mounted to or part of an independent base affixed to the ground and designed as an integral part of that base, the height of which base is three feet or less.
(4) Mobile sign. A sign that is attached to, or carried by, a person or any motor vehicle, bicycle, or other similar apparatus.
(5) Portable sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, a structure, or the ground and is not a temporary sign.
(6) Projecting sign. A sign that is affixed to any building or structure that projects outward from the building or structure by more than 12 inches.
(7) Pole sign. A sign that is supported by one or more columns, uprights, poles, or braces that extend from the ground or from an object on or in the ground.
(8) Roof sign. A sign that is erected, constructed, or maintained on or above the roof of any building.
(9) Temporary sign. A sign that is constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, paper, plywood, or other light material and intended to be displayed for a short period of time. Without limitation of the foregoing, and without preclusion of any other functional sign from being considered to be a temporary sign, the following signs shall, for purposes of this subchapter, be deemed to be temporary signs:
(a) Civic event signs;
(b) Construction signs;
(c) Holiday decorations;
(d) Personal event signs;
(e) Political election signs;
(f) Promotional signs; and
(g) Real estate signs.
(10) Wall sign. A sign that is affixed directly to, or painted on, or otherwise inscribed on an exterior wall, of any building.
(11) Window display.
(a) The display of actual merchandise, products, and goods sold, as well as the means or material necessary to display those items, including, without limitation, the following:
1. Stands;
2. Mannequins;
3. Platforms;
4. Lighting; and
5. Backdrops, provided that (a) a backdrop shall be located behind the displayed items; and (b) a backdrop that is not permanently constructed to fully enclose the window area shall not occupy more than 50% of the window area; and (c) any sign that is part of a backdrop shall not exceed 50% of the window area. For purposes of this section, BACKDROP shall be defined as a temporary structure that has been suspended from a ceiling, set on the ground, or otherwise supported and does not fully enclose a window area.
(b) Window displays shall not include words or messages on any board, banner, or other sign face including, without limitation, a business name, a product name, price or discount information, or description of services provided by that business.
(12) Window sign. A sign that is painted on or applied or attached to a window, or that is located within the interior of a structure and that is plainly visible and is erected, constructed, or maintained for the primary purpose of being viewed from the exterior of that structure. A window display, as defined by this subchapter, shall not be considered to be a window sign.
(Ord. 9-4, passed 2-25-09; Am. Ord. 19-11, passed 3-20-19)