The following shall apply to all signs:
(A) Measurement of signs.
(1) Sign area. The entire area within a rectangle or square enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem, or any figure of similar character, together with any frame, tower, or other material, color or internally illuminated area forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign, shall be included in the measurement. Parts of a sign shall be deemed to be a single sign whenever the proximity, design, content or continuity reasonably suggests a single unit, notwithstanding any physical separation between parts.
(2) Two faces. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the sign area, except that where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as either:
(a) The area of one face, if the two faces are of equal area; or
(b) The area of the larger face, if the two faces are of unequal area.
(3) Sign height. Unless otherwise stated in this chapter, sign height shall be measured as the distance from the grade to the highest point of the sign structure, including any supportive or decorative appendages, excluding any berm, landscaping, grading, or artificially or unnaturally constructed raised portion of land at the point of measurement.
(4) Grade. The elevation of the public sidewalk closest to the sign base.
(B) Illumination.
(1) Sign illumination shall be designed, installed and maintained in a manner that minimizes off-site glare, light trespass and light pollution, and fits the character of the district. All lighting shall be shielded and concentrated within the area of the sign to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
(2) Sign illumination shall be provided solely by electrical means or devices, and shall not be flashing, intermittent, moving or animated.
(3) Sign illumination shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot candles above ambient light as measured using a foot candle (Lux) meter and certification from the sign manufacturer stating that the sign and/or light source is capable of complying with these brightness provisions must be provided.
(4) Underground wiring shall be required for any signs not attached to a building.
(C) Construction and maintenance.
(1) Materials and design. All signs shall be designed, constructed and maintained in conformity with the latest adopted edition of the state building code. Signs shall be constructed of permanent, all-weather materials.
(2) Fastenings. All signs must be erected in such a manner and with such materials to remain safe and secure during the period of use and all bolts, cables, and other parts of such signs shall be kept painted and free from corrosion. Any defect(s) shall be repaired by the property owner.
(3) Maintenance/landscaping. The property surrounding any ground sign shall be kept clean, sanitary and free from obnoxious and offensive substances, weeds, debris, rubbish, and flammable material. All plants and other landscape materials surrounding a ground sign shall be maintained on a regular basis, including pruning, mowing, watering, fertilizing and replacement of dead and diseased materials.
(4) Structural maintenance. All signs and components, including supports, braces, and anchors shall be kept in good repair. Peeling or missing paint, holes, broken, cracked, bent, ripped, warped, rotted, discolored, sagging, out-of-plumb, worn, rusted or missing material parts shall be repaired by the property owner.
(D) Legibility and design. All signs within the village must meet the following standards in the determination of the Zoning Administrator:
(1) Contrast. All lettering shall contrast with the background on which they are applied.
(2) Lettering. The font style and size used shall be clearly legible from all adjacent public rights-of-way.
(E) Additional regulations.
(1) Public right-of-way. Except for signs established and maintained by the village, county, state or Federal government, and other signs as specifically identified in this chapter, no sign shall be located in or project into a public right-of-way or dedicated public easement.
(2) Clear vision. No sign shall obscure the vision of drivers or conflict with traffic control signals on any street. Signs shall not be placed within the clear vision triangle.
(3) Site changes. Upon the change of use of the land, building, or use in a building, all signs must be brought into conformity with this chapter.
(4) Audio levels. The audio level of speakers and electronic broadcast media associated with any sign shall be restricted so as to not be audible from adjacent residences or beyond the lot lines of the premises on which the sign is located, whichever is less distant.
(5) Content neutrality. To prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech or message over noncommercial speech or message, any lawful sign under the provisions of this chapter may contain a non-commercial message. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
(Ord. 14.21, passed 5-23-18)