Given the unique property environment (e.g., pedestrian areas, mixed use areas, transit corridors), speed limits, parcel size considerations, and special aesthetic considerations, special additional signage requirements are necessary for properties located in the B-3A (Central Business District) or B-3B (Central Perimeter Business District) to meet the purpose and intent of this Chapter.
(A) Permanent Signs: Allowances provided are maximums. The general requirements of each sign type in this subsection shall apply:
1. Wall, Awning, And Canopy Signs
(a) Sign Area. The sum of the area of all wall, awning and canopy signage (in any combination) facing a qualifying facade shall not exceed an area equal to one (1) square foot for each linear foot of qualifying facade per side. Qualifying facades include public and private streets, sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, and parking lots.
(1) For Multi-Story Multi-Tenant Buildings: Excluding the first floor facade, a maximum combined area of ½ (.5) square foot per each linear foot of qualifying facade for all tenants located above and below the first floor on facades facing a public right-of-way. First floor signage shall be permitted in accordance with Section 5-11-6(A)1.a. above.
(b) Sign Location
(1) For Single-Tenant buildings: Signs shall be located on the portion of a building that the business occupies.
(2) For Multi-Tenant buildings: Signs for tenants located above and below the first floor shall be evenly distributed over the building facade, complement the architectural integrity of the building, be located in the general proximity of the tenant spaces, and shall not be clustered on one portion of the building facade. Locations are subject to review and approval by the Zoning Administrator.
(c) Height: Wall signs shall not extend above the roofline of the structure to which it is affixed.
(d) Illumination:
(1) External illumination, internally illuminated individual channel letter signage, and bare bulb signage is permitted.
2. Ground Signs: Permanent ground signs are only permitted along property frontage that abuts Ogden Avenue or Illinois Route 53.
3. Sidewalk Signs
(a) Sidewalk Signs are exempt from permit and are subject to the following regulations:
(1) Sign Area: Maximum of six (6) square feet per business.
(2) Height: Maximum of five (5) feet.
(3) Location: Shall be placed such that a minimum of six (6) foot clear passable walking space exists on the sidewalk to prevent obstructions to pedestrian movement. Said signs shall be placed on the sidewalk within the area defined by the building footprint limits wherein the tenant space is occupied.
(4) Illumination: Prohibited.
(5) Removal Requirements: Sidewalk signs must be removed at the end of the related business’ hours of operation and during severe weather, including high winds or heavy snowfall. Sidewalk signs must also be removed during Village snow removal operations.
4. Blade Signs
(a) Sign Area: Maximum of eight (8) square feet per side.
(b) Number: One blade sign for each tenant establishment per each frontage along a qualifying facade (as defined by Section 5-11-13) or alternative frontage which offers customer access to tenant space within a building.
(c) Location:
(1) A minimum clearance of eight (8) feet measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk above which the sign extends. Blade signs shall not extend more than three (3) feet from the vertical plane of the facade and must be six (6) inches from the facade, provided that no blade sign shall extend beyond the limits of the sidewalk below the sign.
(2) Upper and lower level business tenant blade signs must be located over or within two (2) feet of a door access to the business.
(3) Ground floor (first floor) business tenant blade signs may be located anywhere along the facade occupied by the business.
(c) Illumination:
(1) External illumination, internally illuminated individual channel letter signage, and bare bulb signage is permitted.
5. Development Identification Signage: Shall be permitted for developments containing ten (10) or more units, applies to both commercial and residential developments, and further subject to the following:
(a) For properties zoned B3-A: One wall sign, a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area, and shall be placed to compliment the architectural character of the building as approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(b) For properties zoned B3-B: One development sign per development, a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area. Such sign may be attached to the wall or mounted to a decorative feature/seating wall. Signage attached to a decorative feature/seating wall shall have a maximum sign height of three (3) feet. No setback is required.
6. Pedestrian Wall Sign
(a) Pedestrian Wall Signs are exempt from permit.
(b) Must be enclosed in a glass frame.
(B) Temporary Signs: Temporary signs containing a commercial message are permitted subject to the following provisions of this Section:
1. Time Period: No more than four (4) one-week (seven-day) periods during any calendar year. A temporary sign displayed for less than seven (7) days constitutes a one-week period. The signs must be removed immediately following the time period approved on the building permit.
2. Sign Area: A maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign.
3. Height:
(a) Ground mounted: Ten (10) feet as measured from grade.
4. Placement:
(a) Wall Mounted: Shall not extend above the roofline or
(b) Ground Mounted: Must be placed on private property and shall not be placed in a manner that creates a danger to the public, either as a result of dangerous construction, sight obstruction or any other cause. Signs must be placed to comply with the visibility requirements contained in this Chapter. See illustration for measurement in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2022-4972, 8-1-2022)