A. Residence Districts: The following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed or maintained in the residence zoning districts (C-E, E-1, E-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6) in accordance with the following standards:
1. Municipal, school, library and park district signs.
2. Portable signs shall not be permitted.
3. Subdivision signs.
4. Subdivision "for sale" signs. Any sign advertising the sale of vacant property and/or new residential construction in a subdivision consisting of four (4) or more separate parcels, shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. There shall be no more than one sign per subdivision. Such sign shall be located within the private property limits of one of the lots in the subdivision.
b. No such sign shall exceed twenty four (24) square feet in total surface area or eight feet (8') above grade.
c. Such sign shall remain only until twenty five percent (25%) of the total parcels in the subdivision or three (3) parcels, whichever is greater, remain to be sold.
B. Central Business District: The following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed or maintained in the Central Business Zoning District (CBD). All businesses shall be limited to one awning sign, or one wall sign, or one ground sign, or one projecting sign. In addition, any sign within said district shall comply with the following standards:
1. Awning Signs: All such signs shall comply with the following:
a. Such signs shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion of the projecting frame shall not be less than seven feet six inches (7'6") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare, and the lowest portion of a descending skirt shall not be less than six feet eight inches (6'8") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
b. Awnings signs shall be permitted only on multi-tenant buildings if the Architectural Board of Review has approved an awning sign color scheme for the entire building.
2. Door Signs: Signs on doors shall be limited to the business name and hours of operation. The area of total signage on a door shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the area of the glass when mounted on glass, or fifteen percent (15%) of the area of the door when mounted on an opaque surface. Said sign shall be placed so as not to interfere with the safe ingress and egress through said door.
3. Flags And Flagpoles: One flagpole and two (2) flags shall be permitted per zoning lot. Flagpoles shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way. Flagpoles shall be no greater than thirty feet (30') in height and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all property lines.
4. Ground Signs: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than one ground sign per lot shall be allowed, including on lots containing multi-tenant buildings.
b. Said signs shall not exceed a total surface area of fifteen (15) square feet.
c. Said signs shall not exceed three feet (3') in height.
d. Said signs shall not exceed eight feet (8') in length including any foundation and supporting structures.
e. No extra ground signs shall be permitted for businesses on corner or through lots.
5. Municipal, Park Signs: Municipal, school, library and park district signs.
6. On Site Informational Sign: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than two (2) on site informational signs per lot shall be allowed.
b. Said signs shall not exceed a total surface area of three (3) square feet each.
7. Portable Signs: Portable signs shall not be permitted.
8. Projecting Signs: Such signs shall be limited to one per business in accordance with the following specific requirements:
a. Said sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in total surface area, not including the frame or support mechanism, and said sign shall project from a wall or facade no more than four feet (4') including the frame or support mechanism.
b. Said sign shall be no less than seven feet six inches (7'6") above grade at its lowest point and shall not exceed a height of twelve feet (12') at its highest point, but in no event shall said sign exceed the roofline.
9. Wall Or Fascia Signs: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than one wall or fascia sign shall be permitted per business on the front facade.
b. Said sign shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet of total surface area or five percent (5%) of the total surface area of the building facade, whichever is less.
c. Said sign shall be no more than six inches (6") in depth and shall be placed flush to the face of the building on which it is attached. Said sign shall not be permitted to extend above the fascia line or coping line of the wall to which said sign is attached for one story, or located above the first floor elevation of the building.
d. An additional sign on a corner building with frontage on two (2) public streets shall be permitted; provided, that said additional sign shall be deducted from the total maximum sign area allowed for the front facade.
10. Window Signs: The aggregate coverage of such signs shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) per window.
C. Automotive Park District:
1. The following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed or maintained in the Automotive Park Zoning District (AP-1):
a. All businesses designated as new or used vehicle dealership franchises shall be limited to one awning sign or one projecting sign, and two (2) wall signs, and one ground sign. The permitted awning or projecting sign may be substituted for an additional wall sign.
b. All businesses not designated as new or used vehicle dealership franchises shall be limited to one awning sign or one projecting sign, or one wall sign, and one ground sign and one window sign.
c. The size, location, and coloring of all signs requiring a permit shall be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Board of Review.
2. In addition, any sign within said district shall comply with the following standards:
a. Awning Signs: All awning signs shall comply with the following:
(1) Letters shall be placed on the descending skirt only.
(2) Such signs shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion of the projecting frame shall not be less than seven feet six inches (7'6") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare, and the lowest portion of the descending skirt shall not be less than six feet eight inches (6'8") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
b. Banners And Display Signs: Banners, pennants, paper window signs, string lights, searchlights, flashing lights and signs, signs on vehicles (other than vehicle price stickers and model year stickers that each do not exceed 16 inches by 24 inches) and similar signs shall be prohibited at all times and at all locations in the Automotive Park District, except as specifically allowed on a temporary basis by the Village Administrator as provided by section 10-10-13 of this chapter.
c. Door Signs: No more than one door sign identifying the owner, occupant or business on the premises shall be allowed. Said sign shall be placed so as not to interfere with the safe ingress and egress through said door. The lettering of all door signs shall not exceed five inches (5") in height and shall be placed in the upper half of the door.
d. Flags And Flagpoles: Flags and flagpoles signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
(1) No more than three (3) flagpoles and four (4) flags shall be permitted per new or used vehicle dealership franchise.
(2) No more than one flagpole and two (2) flags shall be permitted per business not designated as a new or used vehicle dealership franchise.
(3) Flagpoles shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way.
(4) Flagpoles shall be no greater than thirty four feet (34') in height and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all property lines.
(5) No individual flag shall exceed fifty (50) square feet in total area.
e. Ground Signs: Ground signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
(1) No more than one ground sign per business shall be permitted.
(2) One "electronic reader board" ground sign shall be permitted per zoning lot.
(3) One monument sign, to be used solely to describe the tenants of the district, shall be permitted per zoning lot. An additional monument sign may be substituted for the "electronic reader board" sign permitted in subsection C2e(2) of this section.
f. Municipal, Park Signs: Municipal, school, library and park district signs.
g. On Site Directory Sign: On site directory signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
(1) Said signs shall not exceed a total surface area of six (6) square feet.
(2) Said signs shall not exceed four feet (4') in height.
h. On Site Informational Sign; New Or Used Vehicle Dealership Franchises: On site informational signs for new or used vehicle dealership franchises shall comply with the following specific requirements for new or used vehicle dealership franchises:
(1) No more than four (4) on site informational signs shall be allowed.
(2) Said signs shall not exceed a total surface area of six (6) square feet each.
i. On Site Informational Sign For All Businesses Not Designated As New Or Used Vehicle Dealership Franchises: On site information signs for all businesses not designated as new or used vehicle dealership franchises shall comply with the specific requirements as set forth in subsection B6 of this section.
j. Outdoor Display Pads: Outdoor display pads are regulated by subsection 10-6C-12C of this title.
k. Projecting Signs: Projection signs shall be no less than seven feet six inches (7'6") above grade at it lowest point and shall not exceed a height of fifteen feet (15') at its highest point. In no event shall said sign exceed the roofline.
l. Wall Or Fascia Signs: Wall or fascia signs shall not be permitted to extend above the fascia line or coping line of the wall to which said sign is attached.
m. Window Signs: The aggregate coverage of window signs shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) per window. No sign shall be placed or maintained on the exterior of any window facing upon any street, except for warning and entrance and exit signs.
D. Office And Research And Service Zoning Districts: The following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed, or maintained on properties located in the Office and Research and Service Zoning Districts (O&R and S). Each lot shall be limited to one awning sign, or one ground sign, or one wall sign, in accordance with the following standards:
1. Awning Signs: Such signs shall be regulated exactly as those in the Central Business District, pursuant to the provisions provided in subsection B1 of this section.
2. Door Signs: No more than one door sign identifying the owner, occupant or business on the premises shall be allowed. Said sign shall be placed so as not to interfere with the safe ingress and egress through said door. The lettering of all door signs shall not exceed five inches (5") in height and shall be placed in the upper half of the door.
3. Flags And Flagpoles: No more than three (3) flagpoles and four (4) flags shall be permitted per zoning lot. Flagpoles shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way. Flagpoles shall be no greater than thirty feet (30') in height and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all property lines.
4. Ground Signs: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than one ground sign per lot (multi-tenant buildings shall utilize one sign for all tenants) shall be permitted.
b. Said sign shall not exceed a total area of sixty four (64) square feet per sign face and a total area of one hundred twenty eight (128) square feet for all sign faces combined, calculated by taking the width of the sign multiplied by the height measured from the existing grade to the top of the sign, including any space under the sign.
c. Said sign shall not exceed twenty feet (20') in height.
d. A building on a corner or through lot with frontage on two (2) public streets will be permitted a second sign of the same area as specified above.
5. Municipal, Park Signs: Municipal, school, library and park district signs.
6. On Site Informational Signs: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than three (3) on site informational signs per lot shall be allowed.
b. Said signs shall not exceed a total surface area of six (6) square feet each.
7. Portable Signs: Portable signs shall not be permitted.
8. Projecting Signs: Projecting signs shall not be permitted.
9. Wall Or Fascia Signs: Such signs shall comply with the following specific requirements:
a. No more than one wall or fascia sign shall be permitted per lot on the front facade.
b. Said sign shall not exceed sixty (60) square feet in total surface area and shall have a height no greater than twenty feet (20') above grade.
c. Said sign shall be no more than twelve inches (12") in depth and shall be placed flush to the face of the building on which it is attached. Said signs shall not be permitted to extend above the fascia line or coping line of the wall to which said sign is attached.
d. A building on a corner lot with frontage on two (2) public streets will be permitted a second sign of the same area as specified above.
10. Window Signs: Window signs shall not be permitted.
E. RIO District: The following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed or maintained in the Recreational, Institutional, and Open Space District (RIO) in accordance with the following standards:
1. Municipal, school, library, park district, and church and houses of worship signs.
2. Portable signs shall not be permitted.
F. Light Industry And Limited Light Industry Districts:
MULTI-TENANT NON-RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS - INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES: Means a development of two (2) or more office and limited service uses, which uses are designed to have their own entryways.
MULTI-TENANT NON-RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS - SHARED ENTRY: Means a development of two (2) or more office or limited service uses, in which tenant uses are designed to be internal to the building and accessed by one or more shared entryways.
MULTI-TENANT RETAIL AND SERVICE CENTER: Means a development designed for two (2) or more commercial, retail, service, or restaurant establishments, that is planned, owned, and/or managed as a unified development, such as shopping centers and strip retail centers.
SINGLE TENANT DEVELOPMENT: Means a development designed for one user or tenant.
2. Signs Installed On Properties Without An Approved Master Sign Plan: Except for signs erected, installed, and maintained in accordance with a master sign plan approved pursuant to Section 10-10-19.14.F.3 of this Code, the following signs shall require a permit and review by the Architectural Board of Review pursuant to section 10-10-15 of this chapter prior to being erected, installed, or maintained on properties located in the Light Industry and Limited Light Industry Zoning Districts (L-1 and L-2), and must comply with the following standards:
a. Awning Signs:
(1) Only one awning sign is permitted on a building.
(2) An awning sign is permitted for buildings with less than one hundred (100) linear feet of building frontage provided that such building does not have a wall or fascia sign. Buildings with one hundred (100) linear feet of building frontage or more are permitted both a wall or fascia sign and an awning sign;
(3) An awning sign may be installed only above an entryway of a building.
(4) An awning signs must be mounted in line with all other awnings on the building's façade and be of the same single base color;
(5) Sign copy on any awning sign surface shall be limited to twenty five percent (25%) of each surface. A valance shall be considered a separate surface. Copy includes, without limitation, words, images, logos, and graphics; and
(6) Awning signs must be constructed and erected so that:
(a) The lowest portion of the projecting frame is not less than seven feet, six inches (7' 6") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare, and
(b) The lowest portion of a descending skirt is not less than six feet, eight inches (6' 8") above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
b. Flags And Flagpoles:
(1) No more than three (3) flagpoles and four (4) flags are permitted on a zoning lot; and
(2) Flagpoles shall be a maximum of thirty feet (30') in height and must be set back from all property lines a minimum of ten feet (10').
c. Ground Signs:
(1) Only one ground sign is permitted on a zoning lot; provided however, a corner or through lot with frontage on two (2) public streets is permitted a second ground sign on the second street frontage;
(2) A ground sign may not exceed a total sign area of sixty four (64) square feet per sign face, with a total area of one hundred twenty eight (128) square feet for all sign faces combined, calculated by taking the width of the sign multiplied by the height of the sign measured from the existing grade to the top of the sign, including any space under the sign; and
(3) No ground sign shall exceed twenty feet (20') in height, measured from the existing grade to the top of the sign, including any space under the sign.
d. Menuboard Signs:
(1) Menuboard signs are permitted only for drive-through facilities;
(2) Only one menuboard sign shall be permitted per drive-through lane; provided, however, temporary signs may be affixed to a menuboard sign so long as the total sign area of any temporary signs does not exceed ten (10) square feet;
(3) If only one menuboard sign is located on a property, the menuboard sign shall be larger than fifty (50) square feet in sign area. If more than one menuboard sign is located on a property, each menuboard sign shall be no larger than thirty two (32) square feet in sign area;
(4) A menuboard sign may not exceed seven feet (7') in height, measured from the existing grade to the top of the sign, including any space under the sign; and
(5) Menuboard signs may be internally illuminated and contain an electronic or video display screen and audio component for interaction with the customer. No menuboard sign may be externally illuminated.
e. On-Site Informational Signs:
(1) No more than three (3) on-site informational signs are allowed on a zoning lot; and
(2) No on-site informational sign shall exceed a total sign area of six (6) square feet.
f. Wall Or Fascia Signs:
(1) Either a wall or fascia sign is permitted for buildings with less than one hundred (100) linear feet of building frontage provided that the building does not have an awning sign. Buildings with one hundred (100) linear feet of building frontage or more are permitted both a wall or fascia sign and an awning sign;
(2) No more than one wall or fascia sign is permitted on the front façade facing the public street; provided, however, that a building on a corner lot with frontage on two (2) public streets is permitted a secondary wall or fascia sign on the second façade facing a public street. For a structure that contains multiple tenants, a wall sign is permitted for each tenant that has exterior business façade area with an entryway along the linear building frontage;
(3) The maximum sign area for primary and secondary wall or fascia signs shall be as follows:
Development Type | Maximum Sign Area |
Development Type | Maximum Sign Area |
Single tenant developments | Primary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage |
Secondary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage | |
Multi-tenant retail and service centers | Primary Sign: 1.75 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage |
Secondary Sign: 1.5 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage | |
Multi-tenant non-retail developments - shared entry | Primary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage |
Secondary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage | |
Multi-tenant non-retail developments - individual entries | Primary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage |
Secondary Sign: 1 square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage | |
(4) Wall or fascia signs shall be located no more than twenty feet (20') above grade; and
(5) Wall or fascia signs shall not project more than twelve inches (12") from the face of the building on which it is installed, and not extend above the fascia line or coping line of the wall to which such sign is attached.
g. Window Signs:
(1) Window signs shall be permitted on the ground floor only; and
(2) The total window sign area, whether temporary or permanent, shall be limited to no more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total surface area of windows within the applicant's tenant space.
3. Master Sign Plan:
a. Purpose: The intent of the regulation of master sign plans is to ensure that properties with multiple buildings, and buildings with multiple occupants or tenants, provide signage that is well designed and consistent throughout that building or property, while providing some flexibility in the design of the signs that are approved through a master sign package.
b. Requirement To Obtain Approval Of A Master Sign Plan: Except for properties developed prior to ___________, an owner must submit an application for, and obtain approval of, a master sign plan for (a) multi-tenant non-retail and service centers and (b) multi-tenant non-retail developments - individual entries. An owner may, but is no required to, submit an application for, and obtain approval of, a master sign plan for (x) a single tenant development, (y) a multi-tenant tenant non-retail development-shared entry, and (z) multi-tenant non-retail and service centers and multi-tenant non-retail developments - individual entries constructed prior to ___________.
c. Planned Commercial Developments:
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in section 10-10-14.F.3.b, an owner must submit an application for, and obtain approval of, a master sign plan as part of the approval of a planned commercial development. Following approval of the planned commercial development, the construction, installation, and maintenance of signs in a planned commercial development must comply with the approved master sign plan. All sign standards approved as part of a planned commercial development prior to ______________ are deemed to be, and shall be considered, an approved master sign plan for that planned commercial development.
(2) If an applicant applies for approval of a master sign plan in conjunction with the approval of or an amendment to a planned commercial development, the Architectural Board of Review shall not have final authority to approve the master sign plan; rather, the Architectural Board of Review shall have the authority to issue a recommendation to the Village Board, and the Village Board shall have the authority to grant or deny the application for a master sign plan as part of its consideration for approval of the planned commercial development or an amendment thereto. In determining whether to issue a recommendation to the Village Board to grant or deny an application for a master sign plan, or when considering whether to approve an application for a master sign plan, in accordance with this subsection, the Architectural Board of Review and Village Board shall consider the standards set forth in section 10-10-14.F.3.e of this Code.
d. Master Sign Plan Requirements: No master sign plan shall be approved unless it contains the following details and specifications to establish a coordinated design and consistent pattern for all signs to be constructed, installed, and maintained on a zoning lot:
(1) The number and description of all signs permitted within the development;
(2) Location of all signs, and for wall signs, the dimensions of any sign band;
(3) Maximum dimension of all signs and minimum dimension, if applicable;
(4) Information about the permitted sign support structure types, design, and colors;
(5) The types of sign illumination permitted;
(6) Sign construction materials;
(7) Any design or format of message requirements or restrictions for tenants, such as color, font restrictions, and/or construction type (channel letters, raceway mounted, etc.);
(8) If awning signs are included, the required color scheme for awnings, lettering, and graphics;
(9) The location of ground signs and freestanding signs, such as on-site informational signs, relative to all circulation points, such as driveways and drive aisle intersections within a parking lot. The plan must show that the location and dimensions of the signs at any circulation point intersection will not create dangerous obstructions of view; and
(10) Any additional information required by the Architectural Board of Review or Village Board.
e. Process And Standards:
(1) An application for a master sign plan shall be submitted to the Architectural Board of Review for its review and approval in accordance with this section. No master sign plan shall be approved by the Architectural Board of Review unless the Architectural Board of Review shall find that the master sign plan incorporates signage that is:
(b) Unified and consistent throughout the building or property;
(c) Of a higher quality than would be otherwise required under the applicable sign regulations; and
(d) Compatible with the design and materials of the building or buildings, and consistent with the area surrounding the building or property.
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10-10-14, if an applicant for a master sign plan also applies for an exemption to the requirements set forth in Section 10-10-14.F.2 of this Code, the Architectural Board of Review shall not have final authority to approve the master sign plan or the exemption; rather, the Architectural Board of Review shall have the authority to issue a recommendation to the Village Board, and the Village Board shall have the authority to grant or deny the master sign plan and exemption in accordance with Section 10-10-19.C of this Code. In determining whether to issue a recommendation to the Village Board to grant or deny a master sign plan and any exemptions to Section 10-10-14.F.2, the Architectural Board of Review shall consider the standards set forth in Sections 10-10-14.F.3.e and 10-10-19.C of this Code.
f. Appeal: If the Architectural Board of Review denies an application for a master sign plan, the applicant may appeal the decision to the Village Board.
g. Amendments To Master Sign Plans: A master sign plan may be amended after in the same manner and subject to the same procedures and limitations as required for approval of an initial master sign plan under the terms of this Section 10-10-14.F. (Ord. 96-27, 9-24-1996; amd. Ord. 2000-20, 12-11-2000; 2009 Code; Ord. 2018-26, 11-12-2018; Ord. 2019-2, 1-28-2019; Ord. 2019-29, 12-9-2019)