(A) In general. Any sign not specifically permitted under the terms of this chapter or of ILCS Chapter 225, Act 440, §§ 1 et seq., the Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971, shall be prohibited.
(B) Owner’s consent. Except as provided in division (C) below, no person shall erect, alter or relocate any sign within the village without first obtaining the express consent of the owner of the land upon which the sign shall be erected, altered or relocated, in addition to obtaining a sign permit from the Building Official and making payment therefor.
(C) Permits not required; certain signs. No permits shall be required for the following signs when erected or displayed as set forth below and in accordance with all other requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. Except as noted, the signs shall not be illuminated and shall not be placed in or otherwise erected upon any public right-of-way, nor be attached to any building or structure thereon.
(1) Interior signs. Any sign which is completely within an enclosed building and which sign is not visible from outside the building.
(2) Monuments and markers. Tablets, grave markers, headstones, statuary or remembrances of persons or events which are non-commercial in nature.
(3) Decorations and displays. Non-commercial decorations or displays celebrating the occasion of legal or religious holidays and which are erected and/or maintained for a period of less than 45 days. The decorations or displays may be illuminated.
(4) Vehicular signs. Signs on a truck, bus, trailer or other vehicle while the vehicle is operated in the normal course of a business which is not primarily the display of the signs.
(5) Real estate signs. Free standing signs which are used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
(6) No trespassing and no dumping signs. No trespassing or no dumping signs not exceeding two square feet in area per sign and not exceeding four signs in number per acre.
(7) Temporary civic signs. Temporary signs not exceeding eight square feet in area and which pertain to drives or events sponsored by civic, charitable, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations; provided that, the signs are posted only during the drive or immediately prior to the event, but for no longer than 15 days.
(8) Political signs. Signs or posters announcing or describing candidates seeking public political office, announcing or describing political issues and data pertinent thereto. The signs shall contain a sign surface area not to exceed nine square feet. A double faced sign shall not exceed 18 square feet. Signs or posters relating to the candidates for office or issues shall be erected not more than 30 days prior to the election at which the candidates are to be elected or issues voted upon, and shall be taken down by the person or campaign committee or organization promoted by the sign or poster not more than three days after the date of the election to which they relate.
(9) Garage/rummage sale signs. Temporary signs announcing the sale of new or used personal property from a private residence where the sale activity is occasional and infrequent and not associated with a permanent commercial establishment.
(10) Employment or “help wanted” signs. Employment or help wanted signs which are placed in the window of establishment which intends to employ the personnel described in the sign and which is located in any commercial, office or industrial district.
(a) Employment or “help wanted” signs shall, in the aggregate, not exceed four square feet for any one establishment.
(b) No more than two signs shall be displayed for any one establishment.
(11) Daily temporary signs.
(D) Obstructions. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access to, or egress from, any door, window or fire escape. No sign containing advertising of any kind shall be attached or affixed to any standpipe or fire escape.
(E) Traffic hazards. In order to assure traffic safety, no sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained in a manner as will, in the determination of the Building Official:
(1) By reason of size, location, content, coloring or manner of illumination, obstruct the vision of drivers or obstruct or detract from the visibility or effectiveness of any traffic sign or control device on streets and roads within the village; or
(2) Make use of words, phrases, symbols, lights or characters, in a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(F) Movement. Moving, rotating or animated signs or signs creating the illusion of movement shall be prohibited, except for those signs permitted to contain an electronic message display as per the provisions of an overlay district established within this chapter.
(G) Illumination. In addition to other applicable requirements set forth in this chapter, all illuminated sighs must comply with the following provisions.
(1) All illuminated signs within 100 feet of any residential zoning district shall be turned off between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the establishment is engaged in the operation of business during the period, in which case the sign may be lit during the hours of operation only.
(2) Illumination shall be installed or applied only through a translucent surface; or recessed into the sign structure; or if the light source is external to the sign, directed to and concentrated on the sign. Signs utilizing exposed neon tubing shall not be permitted.
(3) Signs shall be shaded as necessary to avoid casting a bright light upon property located in any residential district or upon any public street or park.
(4) Floodlights, gooseneck reflectors or other external sources of illumination shall be contained within a protective casing.
(5) Illumination shall be constant in intensity and color, and shall not consist of flashing, animated, chasing, scintillating or other illumination conveying the sense of movement except for those signs that exhibit time and temperature or are permitted to contain an electronic message display as per the provisions of an overlay district established within this chapter.
(H) Vertical and horizontal extension.
(1) Any sign placed flat against a wall, mansard roof, canopy or awning shall not extend beyond any vertical corner edge of the wall, canopy, awning, roof line or parapet.
(2) In addition to the above requirements, placement of any wall sign must meet the following provisions:
(a) Signs shall not cover, wholly or partially, any wall opening, nor project beyond the sides of the wall opening, nor project beyond the sides of the wall to which it is affixed.
(b) Signs shall not project from the wall on which they are mounted in a manner as to pose an obstruction or hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.
(I) Changeable copy. Unless specifically provided for otherwise herein, changeable copy signs are prohibited. Where such signs are permitted, the area of the changeable copy sign shall be included within the total permitted area of the sign.
(J) Sign placement in public areas. Except for official signs erected by an agency or unit of government, no sign shall be erected on any tree, utility pole, traffic standard or other public sign standard.
(K) Planned development signs. Signs located within a planned development shall be governed by those standards set forth in the underlying zoning district. The standards may, however, be modified by the Plan Commission in accordance with the provisions of the planned development section of the zoning ordinance of the village as now or hereafter amended.
(L) Historic District.
(1) Prior to granting a permit for the erection of a sign to be located anywhere within the Historic District of the village or to be attached to any building or premises of any building outside the Historic District, but within the corporate limits of the village and constructed prior to the year 1900, the owner must make application to the Historic District Commission (HDC) to review the application and submit recommendations.
(2) The following requirements are hereby established:
(a) All signs shall be of material that was or could have been used in the era the building was designed, built, or renovated to reflect. Substitute materials with the same appearance may be approved.
(b) Sign materials shall utilize colors compatible with the era the building was designed, built, or renovated to reflect.
(c) Lettering shall be of a style compatible with the era the building was designed, built, or renovated to reflect.
(d) All three-dimensional signs shall be of a style used in the era the building was designed, built, or renovated to reflect and should pertain to the type of business conducted within.
(e) Signs may be externally illuminated only by fixtures compatible with the era the building was designed, built, or renovated to reflect. Internally illuminated signs shall not be allowed within the district. External neon signs may be permitted and shall not be housed in any sign canister or container.
(f) All signs shall be constructed or painted in a workmanlike manner and all lettering intended to be of a uniform size and style.
(g) Signs of a period other than when the building was erected may be approved if of special design merit.
(h) Any original sign that was used at any time on a building prior to the year 1900 or an authentic facsimile thereof may be replaced on that building subject to HDC approval.
(i) Within the historic district, signs shall identify only the name of the business and the general type of goods, produces or service offered. In addition to lettering, graphics may include a trademark, symbol or other representation directly related to the use but not advertising a specific brand sold within the building. A brand name or symbol may be included, however, if the business is a franchise and/or it is the major brand sold or service offered on the premises.
(j) The style, composition and appearance of all signs within the historic district shall comply as much as possible with any further design guidelines which may be adopted by the village for administration of the district.
(M) Flags.
(1) There shall be permitted for each zoning lot a maximum of one American flag and one flag bearing any other content, except as may otherwise be allowed by special use.
(2) There shall be a maximum of one flag pole for each zoning lot in all zoning districts governed by the following regulations:
(a) The maximum height of flag poles shall be 20 feet in zoning lots within all residential districts. The maximum height of flag poles in all non-residential districts shall be 40 feet.
(b) The setback of a flag pole in residential zoning districts from any property line shall not be less than its height. The setback of a flag pole in all non-residential districts shall be not less than 20 feet from any property line. If the setback is not available in a zoning lot for a flag pole of specified height, the flag pole shall not be permitted.
(c) Flag poles shall be permitted obstructions in front yards under Chapter 157 of this code of ordinances and shall be defined as structures under both the Building Code and Chapter 157 of this code of ordinances.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the setback and height restrictions for flag poles shall not apply to schools, libraries or principal offices of governmental entities.
(e) The vertical length of a permitted flag on a flag pole shall not exceed one-third the length of the pole upon which it is hung. All flags are to be maintained in an orderly fashion. Torn flags shall be taken down and replaced.
(N) Inspection.
(1) Every new sign in the village shall be subject to a general inspection; electrical inspection, if necessary; footing inspection; and any other inspections deemed necessary by the Building Official.
(2) The Building Official shall conduct subsequent periodic inspections as he or she deems necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether a sign requires removal or repair.
(O) Maintenance. Every sign in the village shall be subject to a general inspection; electrical inspection, if necessary; footing inspection; and any other inspections deemed necessary by the Building Official. The Building Official shall conduct subsequent periodic inspections as he or she deems necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether a sign requires removal or repair.
(P) Abandoned and obsolete signs.
(1) Any sign which no longer identifies a bonafide business, activity, event or service conducted, or product sold on the premises where the sign is located, or otherwise, shall be taken down by the owner of the building, structure or property upon which the sign is located.
(2) If the sign is not removed, the Building Official shall issue written notification to the owner of the building, structure or property and the sign shall be removed within ten days of receipt of the notification.
(Q) Non-conforming signs. It is reasonable that special conditions be placed upon the continuance of existing non-conforming signs. This special condition program permits the current business to continue using the non-conforming sign while at the same time assuring that the district in which the non-conforming sign exists will eventually comply.
(1) Continuance of non-conforming signs. Any sign prohibited by § 156.03(R) shall be considered nonconforming signs. All nonconforming signs which exist as of March 7, 2016, shall be altered, removed or otherwise made to comply with the provisions of this chapter within six months from March 7, 2016. The provisions contained in §§ 153.03(Q)(2) and 153.03(Q)(3) of this chapter shall in no case permit non-conforming signs to be operated or maintained beyond the six month limitation described herein.
(2) Termination of non-conforming signs.
(a) Abandonment or cessation for a period of 90 days or the change of the principal use to which the non-conforming sign is accessory shall terminate immediately the right to maintain the sign.
(b) Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall terminate immediately the right to maintain a non-conforming sign.
(c) The right to maintain any non-conforming sign shall terminate and shall cease to exist whenever the sign:
1. Is damaged or destroyed, from any cause whatsoever, to the extent that its repair or replacement cost exceeds 50% of its replacement cost as of the date it became non-conforming;
2. Becomes obsolete or substandard under any applicable ordinance of the village; or
3. Becomes a hazard or a danger to the safety or welfare of the general public.
(d) Change of business or business name shall terminate immediately the right to maintain a non-conforming sign. The occupant has 90 days from close of sale within which to bring the non-conforming sign into compliance.
(3) Notification of removal.
(a) If the Building Official shall find that any sign is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Building Official shall issue written notice of the condition or violation to the person to whom the permit for the sign has been issued.
(b) All notices issued by the Building Official shall describe the sign and its location and shall specify the manner in which the sign is in violation of the ordinances of the village. All notices issued by the Building Official shall be sent by certified mail return receipt requested to the current owner. Any time period provided for in this chapter shall be deemed to commence on the date of the receipt of the certified mail.
(c) If the party to whom the notice is issued fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the provisions of this chapter, within ten days of the receipt of the certified mail, the Building Official may remove or alter the sign at the expense of the owner.
(d) The cost of removing the sign may be recovered by the village through any appropriate legal proceeding or by assessment against the property. The cost of removal shall be deemed to include any and all incidental expenses, as well as all direct and indirect costs, incurred by the village in connection with removal of the sign.
(e) The Building Official may cause any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.
(f) The Building Official shall not issue any sign permit to any person who refuses to pay costs or expenses incurred by the village in removing or altering any sign for which he or she has previously obtained a permit, regardless of whether legal proceedings have been initiated for the purpose of recovering the costs.
(R) Prohibited signs.
(1) Billboards;
(2) Flags shall be prohibited, except to the extent they conform to the requirements as set forth above;
(3) Flashing signs, except for those signs permitted to contain an electronic message display as per the provisions of an overlay district established within this chapter;
(4) Off-premises signs;
(5) Pennants;
(6) Portable signs;
(7) Projecting signs;
(8) Roof signs;
(9) Streamers;
(10) Wall signs;
(11) Signs (other than neon signs) which contain bare, unshielded light or tubes; and
(12) Light strings, festoon lighting, neon tube lighting or light emitting diode (LED) lighting which outlines or illuminates the features of a building or structure, with the exception of Christmas lights or holiday lights, which shall be permitted during the period of November 15 to the following January 15.
(S) Exemptions. All community signs approved by a majority of the Village Board are hereby exempt from all regulations in this chapter.
(T) Electronic message display.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions included elsewhere in this chapter, electronic message displays containing a fully electronic message display consisting of words, symbols, figures or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means, including animated graphics and video shall be permitted as a special use for the following businesses:
(a) Gas stations.
(2) Signs with an electronic message display permitted as a special use are subject to the requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter.
(1981 Code, § 29.03) (Ord. 90-20, passed 10-15-1990; Am. Ord. 97-02, passed 2-3-1997; Am. Ord. 00-10, passed 6-5-2000; Am. Ord. 06-04, passed 2-6-2006; Am. Ord. 06-23, passed 7-17-2006; Am. Ord. 06-46, passed 10-16-2006; Am. Ord. 07-23, passed 5-7-2007; Am. Ord. 07-45, passed 11-5-2007; Am. Ord. 16-05, passed 3-7-2016) Penalty, see § 156.99