(A) The Village Board find that signs can obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses of land and pose other problems that legitimately call for regulation. The purpose of this article is to regulate the height, area, color, illumination, movement, materials, and condition of signs placed upon property within the village, thus ensuring public safety, the protection of property values, the character of neighborhoods, the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community and the encouragement of economic development.
(B) It is the intent of this article to coordinate the type, placement, size, and scale of signs within the village's zoning districts and for the following purposes:
(1) To promote and protect public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience and general welfare through the reasonable and orderly display of signs;
(2) To encourage the physical appearance of signs to be in harmony with the visual character of the associated street corridor and to be an integral part of the aesthetic of the site and architectural style of associated buildings;
(3) To protect the general public, pedestrians, and motorists within the village by assuring the design, location, construction, and maintenance of signs presents safe navigation through discernable identification, and does not create distractions, obstructions, or hazards;
(4) To protect the public investment in streets and highways by reducing sign or advertising distractions that may increase traffic accidents;
(5) To ensure compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses and the environment;
(6) To foster attractive business areas within the village; and
(7) To advance the Village of Carol Stream's implementation of its Comprehensive Plan.
(C) These objectives shall be accomplished through the regulation of the display, construction, use, and maintenance of signs. However, these regulations do not entirely eliminate all of the harms that may be created by the installation and display of signs. Rather, they strike a balance that preserves ample channels of communication by means of visual display while reducing and mitigating the negative effects caused by signs. Signs shall be regulated based on their applicable zoning district. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, no sign shall be located in any area or in any manner so as to create a nuisance or a threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
(D) When a sign type is not specifically listed in the sections devoted to permitted signs, it shall be assumed that such signs are hereby expressly prohibited. If it is determined by the Community Development Director that such sign is similar to and not more objectionable than signs listed, such signs may then be permitted.
(E) From and after the effective date of this article, the use of all signs and portions of signs erected, altered with respect to height and area or sign face, added to, or relocated in the village shall be in conformity with the provisions of this article. Any existing sign not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as non-conforming.
(F) The regulations contained within this article are the minimum exercise of the police power required in order to accomplish the purposes of this article.
(G) The regulations contained within this article shall not be applicable to signs erected and maintained by the Village of Carol Stream, DuPage County, or State of Illinois for regulatory purposes.
(Ord. 2021-05-15, passed 5-3-2021)