A. Exempt Alteration And Maintenance On Existing Signs: The following activities are exempt from requiring a sign permit:
1. Painting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, not involving structural changes, or changes in the electrical components of the sign, including the removal and replacement of electrical components. Any activity that increases the sign area, sign height, or any sign dimension, or moves the location of a sign, requires a sign permit. The changing of a sign face is not exempt from a sign permit.
2. Changing the copy of a changeable message sign or electronic message sign.
B. Exempt Ancillary Signs:
1. Signs not visible from any public right-of-way up to thirty two (32) square feet in sign area.
2. Logos and labels located on mechanical equipment, recycling bins, trash containers, and the like, which are part of the equipment as manufactured and/or installed, are exempt.
3. A maximum of one (1) sign mounted on each gas station pump island is permitted and is limited to 1.5 square feet in sign area. Such signs must be oriented to face the vehicle fueling.
4. Signs identifying only the address and name of a building or the name of an occupant thereof. A maximum of one (1) such sign is allowed per street frontage or primary building entry, whichever is greater. Signs must be wall-mounted and no more than two (2) square feet in area, unless authorized by the Village.
C. Exempt Permanent And Temporary Signs:
1. A-Frame Sign:
a. A-frame signs are permitted in the business districts and the O-1 and O-2 Districts.
b. One (1) A-frame sign is permitted per establishment, including one (1) for each tenant in a multi-tenant development. A minimum fifteen foot (15') separation is required between all A-frame signs.
c. An A-frame sign must be placed within fifteen feet (15') of the primary entrance of the business, and must not interfere with pedestrian traffic or violate standards of accessibility as required by the ADA or other accessibility codes. A-frame signs may be placed in the public right-of-way concurrent with the lot of the establishment being advertised, but must maintain a five foot (5') sidewalk clearance at all times.
d. A-frame signs are limited to six (6) square feet in area per side and four feet (4') in height.
e. The placement of A-frame signs outdoors is limited to business hours only. A-frame signs must be stored indoors at all other times.
f. A-frame signs must not be used outdoors when high winds, heavy rain, or snow conditions exist.
g. Illumination of A-frame signs is prohibited.
h. No A-frame sign may have any type of electronic component.
2. Flags: Flags are permitted in any district.
a. Flags may be freestanding or wall-mounted.
b. Flagpoles are limited to the maximum number of three (3) poles and a maximum height of thirty feet (30').
c. Flagpoles must be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from any lot line.
d. Wall-mounted flags may not extend over the public right-of-way.
e. External illumination of flags is permitted but must be focused on the flagpole and flag.
f. All flags must be maintained in good condition.
3. Government Sign: Federal, State, or local governments or taxing bodies may install signs in the public interest in any number, configuration, or size in any district. Such signs may be illuminated as required by the agency. Any electronic message signs require Village approval, with the exception of temporary roadway work, utility work, or emergency information signs.
4. Holiday Decorations: Decorations on private property clearly incidental and customary, and commonly associated with, national, local, or religious holidays, are allowed but are limited to a maximum display period of forty five (45) days for each holiday.
5. Light Pole Banner: Light pole banners on private property are allowed as follows:
a. Light pole banners are permitted for light poles on private property and must be mounted so that they are held taut between support posts.
b. Light pole banners are limited to a maximum area of fifteen (15) square feet.
c. Light pole banners must be mounted to project perpendicular from light poles.
d. Light pole banners must not be used as a temporary off-premises sign.
LIGHT POLE BANNER
6. Memorial Signs: To memorialize a historic person, event, structure, or site, a sign is permitted as follows:
a. Memorial signs are permitted in any district.
b. Memorial signs may be constructed as either freestanding or wall signs, subject to the following:
(1) Memorial signs are limited to four (4) square feet.
(2) Freestanding signs are limited to four feet (4') in height and must be located five feet (5') from any lot line.
(3) Wall mounted signs shall be inlaid so as to be an integral part of the structure, cut into stone or masonry, or be a permanently affixed plaque of bronze or aluminum.
(4) Signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
c. Memorial signs are limited to one (1) per street frontage.
7. Multiple Tenant Building Entryway Sign: Multiple tenant buildings, such as townhouse dwellings, multi-family dwellings, and non- residential developments with multiple tenants, are permitted an additional building entryway sign subject to the following:
a. Multiple tenant building entryway signs may be constructed as either freestanding or wall signs, subject to the following:
(1) Signs are limited to six (6) square feet in area.
(2) Freestanding signs are limited to five feet (5') in height, and must be located within five feet (5') of the building entry and no less than five feet (5') from any lot line. Freestanding building entryway signs must be installed so that they are primarily viewable from the building entryway and not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way.
(3) Signs may only be internally illuminated.
b. Multiple tenant building entryway signs are limited to one (1) per building entry.
8. Noncommercial Message Sign: Signs used for the expression of noncommercial ideas and messages, which include but are not limited to signs advocating a public issue, recommending a candidate for public office, alerts, or warnings, are permitted in all districts.
a. Noncommercial message signs may be constructed as either freestanding, wall, or window signs. There is no limit on the number of signs permitted.
b. Freestanding and wall-mounted noncommercial message signs in residential districts are limited to sixteen (16) square feet in area. Noncommercial message signs in all other districts are limited to thirty two (32) square feet in area.
c. Window-mounted noncommercial message signs must meet the coverage limitations of window signs. If no coverage is specified, the limitation is thirty percent (30%) of the window area.
d. Freestanding noncommercial message signs must be located five feet (5') from any lot line.
e. Noncommercial message signs posted on private property must have the permission of the property owner.
f. Noncommercial message signs may not be illuminated.
g. Noncommercial message signs cannot be used as a temporary off-premises sign.
9. Not-For-Profit Community Event Signs:
a. Not-for-profit community events are permitted temporary signs. Signs allowed for not-for-profit community events cannot be used as temporary off-premises signs, which are prohibited, that direct attention to a for- profit commercial activity.
b. When located on private property, permission from the property owner is required. When located on public property, permission from the Village or other applicable authority is required.
c. Signs for not-for-profit community events are limited to six (6) square feet in area.
d. Signs for not-for-profit community event are limited to the following display periods:
(1) When the sign for not-for-profit community event advertises an event that has a specific start and end time: a total display period of thirty (30) days prior to the start of the event, the time period of the event, and three (3) days following the end of the event.
(2) All other attention-getting device advertises (non- time specific): Thirty (30) days.
10. Parking Lots And Structures; Additional Signs: Parking lots and structures are permitted additional signs, whether such parking lots or structures are a principal or ancillary use.
a. An additional sign is permitted at each entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, and other circulation points.
b. Signs are limited to four (4) square feet in area.
c. A freestanding sign is limited to six feet (6') in height and must be five feet (5') from any lot line that abuts a street.
d. Signs located at an entrance/exit, driveway intersection, drive-through lane, and other circulation points may be internally or externally illuminated.
11. Real Estate Activity Sign: When a structure or lot is offered for sale, lease, or rent, such lot is permitted an additional temporary sign as follows:
a. Real estate activity signs are permitted in all districts. Real estate signs must be located on the site of the property for sale, lease, or rent.
b. Real estate signs are limited to one (1) per street frontage.
c. Real estate activity signs may be constructed as either freestanding, wall, or window signs.
d. Real estate activity signs are limited to sixteen (16) square feet in residential districts and thirty two (32) square feet in all other districts.
e. Freestanding signs are limited to five feet (5') in height and must be located within five feet (5') from any lot line.
f. Real estate activity signs may not be illuminated.
g. Real estate activity signs must be removed within five (5) days of final closing, lease, or rental. If such real estate signs are used in conjunction with a promotional event related to the sale, lease or rent, such signs may be installed forty eight (48) hours prior to event and must be removed within twenty four (24) hours of the end of the event.
12. Window Sign:
a. Window signs are permitted for all non-residential uses in all districts.
b. All window signs, whether temporary or permanent, are limited to no more than thirty percent (30%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area.
c. Up to five percent (5%) of window area may be illuminated, including any neon or LED sign, but this area is included in the maximum total area of thirty percent (30%). Flashing or animation is prohibited.
WINDOW SIGNS
(Ord. 2017-4-198, 4-17-2017; amd. Ord. 2022-07-468, 7-18-2022)