§ 156.174 SIGNS PERMITTED IN ALL DISTRICTS.
   Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this section are permitted in all zoning districts and shall not require a sign permit nor be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premises. However, such signs shall conform to all other general regulations in this subchapter, for example, height, area, setback, clearance and the like.
   (A)   Name and address plates which give only the name and address of the resident of the building and which are not more than one square foot in sign area.
   (B)   Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings, no larger than five square feet.
   (C)   No trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, not more than two square feet in sign area in residential districts and six square feet in all commercial and industrial districts.
   (D)   Real estate signs, not exceeding six square feet per side in all districts. Such real estate signs shall be removed within 15 days after the premises so advertised has been sold or leased.
   (E)   Up to six temporary real estate marketing signs no larger than six square feet in area shall be allowed to call attention and give directions to a residential subdivision. Such signs shall be considered temporary, must be located entirely on private property and can be up no longer than 48 hours over a 72-hour period.
   (F)   Signs regulating on-premises traffic and parking, and signs denoting building facilities such as lavatories and public telephone areas, when less than six square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising.
   (G)   Signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools and playgrounds.
   (H)   The flag, pennant or insignia of any government, or of any religious, charitable or fraternal organization.
   (I)   One logo flag of a company shall be allowed provided it is flown with and is not larger than the American flag.
   (J)   Garage sale signs, not exceeding six square feet in area, may be placed at the curb in residential areas for not to exceed a total of six days.
   (K)   Signs no larger than 32 square feet in area advertising the sale of edible farm products on the premises or advertising auctions. Such signs may remain for 30 days, must be located entirely on privately-owned property, and must be removed upon close of the event.
   (L)   Signs announcing a candidate seeking political office or social issue. Such signs must adhere to the following:
      (1)   Signs cannot exceed six square feet in area in all residential zoning districts and 32 square feet in area in all other zoning districts.
      (2)   Must be installed, anchored and maintained sufficiently so as not to become deteriorated, blighted, unsafe, or capable of being blown or washed off the property.
      (3)   Located entirely within private property not closer than three feet from an adjacent property or public right-of-way.
   (M)   Window signs of paper or similar material shall be allowed in commercial districts, provided that such signs are to be used to notify the public of special sales or current prices, and further provided that such signs do not take up more than 50% of the total window area.
   (N)   Off-premise signs shall be permitted only under the following conditions:
      (1)   Off-premise signs shall be constructed, managed, and maintained by the village as a directional sign plaza.
      (2)   Off-premise signs and the directional insets will be constructed in a uniform manner designated by the village. All lettering (size, font, color, etc.), colors, and sizes shall be assigned by the village; however, the village will try to accommodate an applicant's request to the aesthetics of the sign if possible.
      (3)   The location of off-premise signs shall be designated and approved by the Village Board with a recommendation provided by the Planning and Zoning Commission. An applicant may make a formal request in writing to the village for an off-premise sign; however, the location of an off-premise sign must meet the following criteria before approval can be granted:
         (a)   The directional inset must be for commercial, industrial, recreational, or institutional use. If the directional inset is for a specific use within a building, it must be for a single tenant building only. Multi-tenant buildings may use the name of the retail center on the directional inset.
         (b)   Three or more possible locations that meet the criteria herein must be able to benefit from the proposed off-premise sign.
         (c)   No off-premise sign can be located within 1,000 feet of another on the same street frontage.
         (d)   The use being proposed for an off-premise sign and/or directional inset must not be clearly visible from an arterial or major collector road when within 3,000 feet of its proposed directional inset location.
      (4)   If the commercial use, business, commodity, service, or activity is suspended, inactive or closed for one month or more at any given time, the village holds the right to remove the directional inset.
      (5)   The fee for granting a directional inset permit shall be a minimum of $25.
   (O)   Portable commercial sign. Such signs must be located entirely on private property, and must be taken indoors upon close of business each business day and may not interfere with pedestrian traffic in reference to the American Disabilities Act. Such signs shall be no larger than nine square feet in size and no higher than four feet off the ground.
(Ord. 730, passed 9-21-92; Am. Ord. 1342, passed 5-3-04; Am. Ord. 1559, passed 12-1-08; Am. Ord.1618, passed 5-3-10)