TABLE 10-1-6A
PERMANENT SIGNS
PERMANENT SIGNS
Item | Notes |
Item | Notes | |
Automatic changing | Message must remain for a minimum of 5 seconds before changing |  |
Awning | Same requirements as primary wall signs |  |
Changeable copy - portable | Not permitted |  |
Channel letter | Not permitted in the Downtown Zoning District |  |
Feather flags | Not permitted |  |
Illuminated - external | Required in the Downtown Zoning District |  |
Inflatable | Not permitted |  |
Monument | Permitted as noted |  |
Pole mounted | Not permitted, except as noted | |
Projecting | Projecting signs are permitted on walls fronting on an alley or designated right-of-way and can be installed in addition to allowable wall signs |  |
Roof | Not permitted |  |
Window | Window signs may not exceed 25% of the window to which it is applied. Window signs that flash, blink or otherwise create a distraction for motorists are prohibited |  |
(Ord. 2017-54, 11-28-2017; amd. Ord. 2018-36, 8-14-2018)
A. Wall Signs: Wall signs may be permitted subject to the following provisions:
1. Construction: Wall signs may be of wood, metal or plastic, and if illuminated, must meet the requirements of all Village codes.
2. Location:
a. Limitation Of Placement: No wall sign shall cover wholly or partially any wall opening or architectural feature, nor project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached.
b. Projection Above Sidewalk And Setback Line: No wall sign shall be permitted to extend more than ten inches (10") beyond the face or structure to which it is attached, provided it is an illuminated sign; and if attached to a wall or other structure so as to be suspended above and facing a sidewalk or other public thoroughfare, such wall sign shall be attached at a height of not less than eight feet (8') above the sidewalk.
If the above referenced sign shall not be illuminated, then maximum wall surface projection may not exceed six inches (6").
3. Primary Wall Signs: Front wall signs shall be permitted subject to the following regulations:
a. Primary Wall Sign: The maximum area of a primary wall sign shall be 1.5 times the length of the architectural front of a single tenant building or 1.5 times the length of the unit in a multi-tenant building; however a sign may never exceed the primary signable area on which it will be located (for example: 20 foot architectural front = 30 square foot maximum sign size).
An increase of up to ten percent (10%) of the maximum area of a wall sign may be approved based on demonstrated need, based on factors including, but not limited to, building design and building setback; but the sign may not exceed the primary signable area on which it will be located. The maximum area of wall signs may not exceed eight hundred (800) square feet.
4. Side Wall Signs: Side wall signs shall be permitted only for properties fronting on two (2) public streets and are subject to the same regulations as primary wall signs. A projecting sign is permitted on walls fronting on an alley.
B. Monument Signs: Monument signs may be permitted subject to the following provisions:
TABLE 10-1-6B
Square Feet Of Building | Maximum Square Feet Of Sign | Overall Maximum Structure Size |
Square Feet Of Building | Maximum Square Feet Of Sign | Overall Maximum Structure Size |
4,000 or less | 24 | 48 square feet |
5,000 | 30 | 56 square feet |
6,000 | 36 | 64 square feet |
7,000 | 42 | 72 square feet |
8,000 | 48 | 93 square feet |
9,000 | 54 | 102 square feet |
10,000 | 60 | 110 square feet |
11,000 or larger | 64 | 120 square feet |
1. Construction Materials Required: All monument signs shall be approved by the Community Development Director or their designee as being in compliance with all Village codes and shall be constructed of noncombustible or approved combustible materials.
2. Number Of Signs: Each zoning lot or parcel of land under one ownership or use may have not more than one monument identification sign. If said zoning lot has frontage on more than one street, highway or other public right-of-way, then said lot may be allowed two (2) monument ground identification signs.
3. Location; Setback: The minimum setback for all monument signs shall be ten feet (10') from the property line. No monument sign shall overhang in the public way nor shall be nearer than ten feet (10') to any building, structure, side or rear property line. The gross area and heights of a monument sign shall be governed by factors of frontage and setback:
a. Height Limitation: At minimum setback, the maximum height of a monument sign may not exceed eight feet (8') high as measured from the grade to which the sign is intended to face. The bottom edge of said sign shall be no less than twelve inches (12") above the level of the ground.
C. Illuminated Signs: The application for a permit for erection of a sign or other advertising structure, in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used, shall be submitted to the Community Development Department. The department shall examine the plans and specifications, inspecting all wiring and connections, to determine if the same complies with the most recent edition of the National Electrical Code, and shall approve the issuance of said permit if the said plans and specifications do comply with all applicable electrical provisions, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter and other Village ordinances, or disapprove the application if noncompliance is found.
1. Gooseneck reflectors shall be permitted on monument and wall signs; provided, however, that any lights be installed only in such manner that the direct rays of such lights be concentrated on the sign and be prevented from causing a glare on, or striking the street or adjacent and nearby property, or a reflector shall be provided with proper glass lenses concentrating the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare on the street or adjacent and nearby properties.
2. Illuminated signs located on a lot adjacent to or across the street from any residential district, shall be turned off and not operated between the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and seven o'clock (7:00) A.M., unless the premises on which or for which the sign is specifically operating is engaged in the operation of its business.
3. The maximum lighting shall be seventy (70) lumens reflecting from a white background as measured at the surface of the sign.
4. The use of unshielded lights, including incandescent light bulbs hung or strung on poles, wires or any other type of support, to illuminate buildings, outdoor sales areas, or outdoor storage areas, is prohibited, except that: a) during the month of December the use of such lighting for areas in which Christmas trees are offered for sale is not prohibited, and b) the use of such lighting in connection with carnivals is not prohibited, and c) lighting on piers (per International Building Code), and d) when used for ambient lighting over outdoor seating areas.
D. Automatic Changeable Copy Signs: An automatic changeable copy sign or electronic message center (EMC) of text, images or combination of both may utilize LED or similar illumination of a single color or full color. The sign may not flash, scroll or be animated and the message may change no more frequently than once every five (5) seconds. Automatic changeable copy signs are not permitted on any building or property located in the Downtown Zoning District. Automatic changeable copy signs are not permitted to be mounted on poles or building facades and must be an accessory to a permanent monument sign and installed below the name of the business.
E. Directional Signs: Directional or instructional signs accessory to parking and driveway areas are permitted subject to the following regulations:
1. Entrance Or Exit: One sign may be erected to designate each entrance to or exit from a parking or driveway area; each such sign shall not exceed three (3) square feet in area; such signs may be double faced signs and placed no higher than four feet (4') above immediately surrounding ground level.
2. Conditions Of Use: One sign designating the conditions of use will be permitted for each parking or driveway area; such signs shall not exceed a maximum of nine (9) square feet in area (including, if necessary, the name of the business for whose customers the parking or driveway area is maintained). On a corner zoning lot two (2) such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted.
3. Directional Arrows: Lane markers, directional arrows and other directional or instructional devices painted on the pavement or parking and driveway areas (including the traffic lanes thereof) shall be permitted without limitation; such markings to conform to the International Traffic Code.
4. Height: Such directional and/or instructional signs shall be constructed in a manner to not exceed four feet (4') above grade.
5. Wall Sign Requirements: Directional signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet.
6. Village Owned Directional Signs: The Village of Fox Lake directional signs installed on Village rights-of-way or on private property shall be allowed under this section; provided, there is compliance with the following conditions: Each individual sign shall only list the name of the business and a logo if necessary. The interest of this type of sign is to provide for directions from a main intersection to a business located on the side street of that intersection.
F. Marquees: Marquees shall mean any fixed hood (other than a canopy or awning) which is supported solely by the building to which it is attached, constructed of metal or other incombustible material, and includes a sign or advertising announcements. Its location shall be restricted to over the main entrances into a building.
1. Construction; Materials Required: All marquees, including the anchors, bolts, supports, rods and braces thereof, shall be constructed of incombustible or approved combustible materials, shall be designed by a design professional and shall be approved by the Community Development Director as being in compliance with the Village Building Code and the International Building Code. If appropriate, an electrical inspection shall be made to determine if the marquee is in compliance with all electrical provisions of this Code.
a. Drainage: The roof of all marquees shall be properly guttered and connected by downspouts to a storm sewer or other drainage that is acceptable to the Community Development Director so that the water therefrom will not drip or flow onto public property.
b. Roofs: The roofs of all marquees shall be used for no other purpose than to form and constitute a roof, and shall be constructed of incombustible materials.
2. Location; Height Above Sidewalks: No portion of a marquee shall be permitted to be less than ten feet (10') above the level of walkway over which it extends.
a. Setback From Property Line: No marquee shall be permitted to extend beyond the property line.
b. Width: No marquee shall be wider than the entrance or entrances of the building, plus five feet (5') on each side thereof, unless otherwise approved by the Community Development Director.
3. Erection, Bracing, Anchorage And Supports: Marquees shall be supported solely by the building to which they are attached, and no columns or posts shall be permitted as support therefor.
a. Roof Live Load Requirements: The roof of any marquee shall be designed and constructed to support a live load of not less than required by the International Building Code as adopted and amended.
b. Anchorage Wood Structure Prohibited: No marquee shall be erected on any building of wood frame construction.
4. Signs Attached To Marquees: No "temporary sign" as defined elsewhere within this chapter shall be attached to, or hung from a marquee except a sign painted or illuminated directly upon the vertical hanging fascia of the marquee, and shall in no instance be lower than ten feet (10') above the ground over which it is placed or constructed. No sign shall be placed upon the roof of any marquee, or extend higher than the marquee fascia.
G. Automatic Changing Signs: "Changing signs" shall mean any sign erected on the exterior of any building or structure and maintained by some person for the purpose of advertising their place of business or for the convenience of the public. These include time and temperature devices and street clocks.
1. Restriction: Automatic changing signs shall not be erected and maintained in any residential district or overhang public property.
2. Construction: All changing signs shall be constructed of incombustible materials, including the frames, braces and supports thereof.
3. Location; Changing Signs Erected On Walls: Changing signs supported on any building or structure shall not be less than ten feet (10') above the sidewalk, and shall not project beyond the property line.
4. Erection; Clocks Erected On Walls: All clocks and all components of the clock erected on the exterior of any building or structure shall comply with the requirements set forth in provisions on wall signs, including the wind pressure and dead load requirements.
5. Advertising Permitted: No advertising shall be placed upon any changing signs other than the name of the owner, or a reference to the business, industry or pursuit conducted within the premises to which said sign is attached.
6. Frequency Of Change: Displays on automatic changing signs shall not change at a frequency greater than once every five (5) seconds.
H. Waterfront Signs: In addition to the signage allowed under other sections of this chapter, any waterfront establishment shall be permitted the following:
1. One monument sign facing the water in accordance with subsection B1 of this section is permitted. Said signs shall not exceed the surface area calculation as outlined in table 10-1-6B of this section.
2. One wall sign facing the water may be permitted for purposes of this chapter, in accordance with subsections A1 and A2 of this section. Such sign or signs shall be permitted on the wall of the principal building. The total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the width of the rear face of the principal building; provided that the total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet. Only one side may be considered for a wall sign if there is more than one side with frontage on the water. There may be only one monument sign or one wall sign.
I. Signs On Windows And Doors:
1. No sign(s) in any window shall exceed twenty five percent (25%) of the total window area with no more than two (2) signs per window.
2. No sign shall be placed or maintained on the exterior of any window or door facing upon any sidewalk, street or other public way.
3. Provisions of this section shall not be construed to be contributory to maximum allowable sign or coverage thereof as provided elsewhere within this chapter.
4. The provisions of this section shall not restrict the reasonable application upon the glass surface of a door or window of lettering or decals giving the address, hours of business, entrance or exit information, professional or security affiliations or memberships, credit cards which are accepted, or other similar information, nor shall the surface area of such lettering or decals be included in the overall computation of allowable window signs. (Ord. 2017-54, 11-28-2017)