A. Specific Signs Exempt: The following signs shall not require a sign permit or review by the Architectural Board of Review, so long as such signs comply with the following provisions applicable thereto, as well as all other provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, provisions regarding the allowable total number and size of signs on a premises:
1. Address Signs:
a. Address signs shall not exceed two (2) square feet in total surface area per officially assigned address or the size required by the law, order, rule or regulation, whichever is greater.
b. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10-10-19.A.1.a of this Code, in the Light Industry District (L-1) and Limited Light Industry District (L-2) if:
(1) The address sign is wall-mounted;
(2) The address sign is not included as part of a sign that also qualifies another sign type;
(3) If a master sign plan is approved for the property and the address sign complies with the provisions and requirements of the master sign plan;
(4) The address sign does not exceed the following maximum surface area:
Total Linear Building Frontage of Tenant | Maximum Surface Area |
Less than 100 linear feet | 4 square feet |
100 or more linear feet | 8 square feet |
(5) For a multi-tenant building that has multiple tenant spaces:
(a) The building is permitted one address sign, and the maximum surface area of such sign shall be consistent with Section 10-10-19.1.a.4 of this code; and
(b) Each tenant space is permitted one address sign, which address signs shall be placed above or adjacent to the respective entranceway of a tenant space, and the maximum surface area of such signs shall be consistent with Section 10-10-19.1.a.4 of this code based on the linear square feet of the frontage of the applicable tenant space.
2. Bulletin board sign. Such signs shall not exceed thirty (30) square feet (including support members) in total surface area and shall not exceed a maximum of seven feet (7') above grade. With respect to public, charitable or religious institutions where the bulletin board sign is located on the premises of the institution, a maximum of one bulletin board sign per institution shall be permitted.
3. Business nameplates. One nameplate per proprietor of a lawful business may be erected; provided, that such nameplate shall not exceed one square foot in total surface area.
4. Central business district signs. The following signs shall be allowed on properties located in the central business zoning district (CBD) in accordance with the following standards:
a. Auxiliary signs. Such signs shall be placed only on a door or window and shall total no more than two (2) square feet.
b. Project identification signs. Such signs shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in total surface area, shall not exceed six feet (6') above grade, and shall only be allowed within the property limits where a commercial building is undergoing construction or alteration.
c. Real estate signs.
(1) On site real estate signs. One sign, not exceeding four (4) square feet in total surface area and four feet (4') above grade shall be permitted on the private property that is the subject of the sign and not in the public right of way.
(2) Off site real estate signs. Such signs shall advertise only development in the central business district, shall be not exceed twelve (12) square feet in total surface area, and shall not exceed six feet (6') above grade.
5. Certain industrial and automotive park district signs. The following signs shall be allowed on properties located in the automotive park, light industry, limited light industry, office and research or service zoning district (AP-1, L-1, L-2, O&R, S) in accordance with the following standards:
a. Auxiliary signs. Such signs shall be placed only on a door or window and shall total no more than two (2) square feet.
b. Project identification signs.
(1) Ground sign. One ground sign not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in total surface area, the top of which shall not exceed six feet (6') above grade, shall be allowed within the property limits where a commercial building is undergoing construction or alteration.
(2) Trailer/truck signs. One painted or otherwise permanent sign shall be allowed on construction trailers or trucks. No additional signs, banners, or placards may be hung or otherwise attached onto a construction trailer or truck. All trailers and trucks shall be removed immediately following the issuance of the occupancy permit and/or completion of the construction.
c. Real estate signs.
(1) On site real estate signs. One sign, not exceeding thirty two (32) square feet in total surface area, ten feet (10') in length and ten feet (10') in height above grade, shall be permitted on the private property that is the subject of the sign and not in the public right of way for a period not to exceed six (6) months. Unless otherwise approved by the village administrator, no such sign may be allowed for a period of one year after the expiration of any such six (6) month period, or within a period of one year after the removal of such a sign.
(2) Real estate signs on corner lots. Two (2) signs, not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet in total surface area, ten feet (10') in length and ten feet (10') in height above grade each, shall be permitted on the private property, but not on the public right of way, for a period not to exceed six (6) months.
(3) Off site real estate signs. Such signs shall advertise only development in the automotive park district, light industry district, limited light industry district, office and research district and service district and shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet in total surface area and six feet (6') above grade.
6. Certain residential district signs. The following signs shall be allowed on properties located 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:
a. Flags and flagpoles. One flagpole and two (2) flags shall be permitted per zoning lot and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all property lines. Flagpoles shall not be permitted in the public right of way.
b. Private sale signs.
(1) On site private sale signs. One sign, not to exceed three (3) square feet in total surface area, may be located on the private property where the sale is to take place. On a corner lot, two (2) signs, not to exceed three (3) square feet in total surface area each, may be located on the private property where the sale is to take place, provided no more than one sign shall face each public street. The top of any such sign shall not exceed four feet (4') above grade.
(2) Off site private sale signs. Two (2) off site directional signs may be utilized in conjunction with a private sale. Any such off site sign may be placed in the public parkway only at local intersections, and such signs shall not exceed the dimensions set forth in subsection A6b(1) of this section, and shall specifically comply with the following specific requirements:
(A) Said signs shall be staked in or placed on the ground and shall not be attached to any street pole, tree, rock, fire hydrant, light pole or similar structure.
(B) Said signs shall contain only the wording necessary to describe the private sale (i.e., "garage sale", "house sale"), the hours of the sale, the address where the sale is to be conducted, and an arrow.
(C) Said signs shall be displayed only on the day preceding the sale and during the hours of the sale, and shall be removed at the end of each day of the sale.
(D) Said signs shall not create or present a traffic or pedestrian sight line obstruction.
(E) Said signs shall not be permitted or displayed for more than two (2) such private sales in any one calendar year nor for more than four (4) consecutive days for each private sale.
(F) Said signs shall not be placed in the middle grass island of East Center Avenue, at the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Green Bay Road, nor at the intersection of McKinley and East Sheridan Roads.
c. Open house signs.
(1) On site open house sign. One open house sign, not to exceed three (3) square feet in total surface area, may be located on the private property where the open house is to take place. The top of the sign shall not exceed four feet (4') above grade.
(2) Off site open house signs. Two (2) open house signs may be placed in the public right of way no more frequently than two (2) days a week and for a period of time not to exceed six (6) hours per day. Such signs shall not exceed the dimensions set forth in subsection A6c(1) of this section and shall comply with the specific requirements set forth for off site private sale signs in subsection A6b(2) of this section.
d. Project identification signs. One project identification sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in total surface area, the top of which shall be no higher than four feet (4') above grade, shall be allowed within the property limits of a residential building undergoing construction or alteration.
e. Real estate signs.
(1) On site real estate signs. One sign, not exceeding four (4) square feet in total surface area and four feet (4') above grade shall be permitted on the private property that is the subject of the sign and not in the public right of way.
(2) Real estate signs on corner lots. Two (2) signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet in total surface area each, and four feet (4') above grade on the private property that is the subject of the sign and not in the public right of way.
7. Certain signs in the RIO District. The following signs shall be allowed on properties located in the Recreational, Institutional, and Open Space District (RIO) in accordance with the following standards:
a. Flags and flagpoles. One flagpole and two (2) flags shall be permitted per zoning lot and shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all property lines. Flagpoles shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way.
b. Auxiliary signs. Such signs shall be placed only on a door or window and shall total no more than two (2) square feet.
c. Project identification signs. One ground sign not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in total surface area, the top of which shall not exceed six feet (6') above grade, shall be allowed within the property limits where a building is undergoing construction or alteration.
8. Political signs.
a. Size Per Sign: Political signs may be up to six (6) square feet in total area but no more than four feet (4') in height.
b. Permitted On Private Property: Political signs are permitted within the lot lines on private property at all times with the lot owner's consent. Political signs are not permitted on public rights-of-way at any time.
c. Location On A Lot: Political signs may be located on a lot between the building and the setback line, except that during an election period political campaign signs may be located between the setback line and the lot line.
d. Square Area Of All Signs: The total area of political signs on a lot shall not exceed eighteen (18) square feet during periods of time other than election periods. During election periods, no more than one political campaign sign may be displayed for each candidate or issue and the square footage of political campaign signs shall not count against the eighteen (18) square foot maximum.
9. Governmental signs.
10. Historic marker signs. Shall not exceed two (2) square feet in total surface area.
11. Holiday decorations.
12. Incidental signs. Shall not exceed two (2) square feet in total surface area.
13. Other signs.
a. One sign for each church, school, or public or quasi-public organization shall be permitted on the lot where said organization is located. Said sign shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in total surface area and, if a freestanding sign, shall not exceed a height of five feet (5') above grade. All such signs shall be located within the property limits and not on public rights-of-way. On a corner or through lot, two (2) such signs shall be permitted.
b. Warning signs, such as "no trespassing", "beware of dog", "no soliciting", provided they do not exceed one square foot in total surface area.
14. Temporary signs.
a. Interior nonilluminated advertising signs. Such signs shall be allowed only for the announcement of an event, sale or sale item, provided they do not exceed five percent (5%) of total window area per window and shall not be displayed longer than thirty (30) days.
b. Announcement signs. Such signs, including balloons and banners, that are erected on residential lots to announce a birth, birthday, anniversary, or other similar event are allowed, provided they shall be displayed no longer than twenty four (24) hours prior to the special occasion and removed within seven (7) days after the sign is first displayed. Temporary announcement signs in nonresidential districts shall comply with section 10-10-13 of this chapter.
B. Hardship Exemptions: The Village Board of Trustees, following a recommendation from the Architectural Board of Review, may grant or deny an exemption to any of the conditions for issuance of a sign permit set forth in any section of this chapter if the Village Board of Trustees determines that such an exemption is appropriate due to a particular hardship or special unique circumstance and if such exemption will not defeat the fundamental purposes and intent of this chapter as expressed in section 10-10-1 of this chapter, nor be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property in the vicinity of the property for which an exemption is granted. At least ten (10) days prior to consideration of the proposed exemption, pursuant to this subsection, before the Village Board, the Village Administrator shall notify in writing the owners of all property contiguous to or directly across public right-of-way from the lot on which the subject sign is proposed to be placed. The notice shall state the address of the lot on which the subject sign is proposed to be placed and the nature of the exemption.
C. Exemptions For Master Sign Plans: 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 Village Board of Trustees, following a recommendation from the Architectural Board of Review, may grant or deny an exemption to any of the requirements for approval of a master sign plan if such an exemption:
1. Is appropriate due to a particular hardship, special unique circumstance, or will further the fundamental purposes and intent of Section 10-10-14.F.3.a; and
2. Such exemption will not be unreasonably detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property in the vicinity of the property for which an exemption is granted. (Ord. 96-27, 9-24-1996; amd. 2009 Code; Ord. 2011-17, 9-26-2011; Ord. 2011-27, 12-19-2011; Ord. 2019-2, 1-28-2019; Ord. 2019-29, 12-9-2019)