For purposes of these regulations, a sign shall include any identification, description, illustration or device which is affixed to or integrated into a building, structure or land, or otherwise situated on a lot and which is intended to direct or attract attention to, or announce or promote a product, place, activity, person, institution or business by means of letters, works, designs, colors, symbols, flags, banners, fixtures, images or illuminations. Signs shall be further classified by physical design or structure, and function or purpose based on the following:
(a) Physical Characteristics.
(1) Changeable copy sign: A sign such as a bulletin board or announcement board, where the message or graphics is not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background and may be periodically replaced or covered over manually. Copy or lettering is designed to be changed on a frequent basis. Multi-tenant business ID signs are not changeable copy signs.
(2) Free-standing sign: A sign which is supported by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground and is not supported by a building.
(3) Temporary sign: A sign that is used only for a predetermined period of time and is not permanently mounted.
(4) Wall sign: A sign erected parallel to or affixed on the outside wall or any building, and not extending more than 18 inches therefrom, and which does not project above the parapet wall or roof line or beyond the corner of the building.
(5) Window sign: A sign on the inside of a building affixed to, or near, a window or transparent door for the purposes of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
(6) Electronic changeable copy sign: A free-standing sign display comprised of small illuminated components that enable the display to change periodically and which shall have the following characteristics:
A. Has a static image for at least 60 seconds for signs located within all residential districts or the park district or has a static image for at least 15 seconds for signs located within any other zoning district.
B. Does not display any illumination that moves or appears to move, included animated, flashing, scrolling intermittent or full motion video elements.
C. Will adjust display brightness as ambient light levels change or be provided with a means to adjust brightness with a time clock.
D. When located within 300 feet of any residential district or the park district, the sign shall be provided with an automatic means to turn off from 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
E. No electronic changeable copy sign shall be permitted on any temporary sign, wall sign or window sign.
(b) Function.
(1) Builder's project sign: A temporary sign erected on a building site during the time of construction. Such signs may include a description of the project, and may list the owners, architects, engineers, developers, contractors and/or subcontractors.
(2) Directive sign: A sign located on private property, at or near the public right-of- way to direct traffic onto private property, usually indicating the entrance and exit to a parking lot.
(3) Identification sign: A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, building, or building unit according to the following:
A. Business identification sign: A sign indicating the business name or logo of a commercial or industrial enterprise and limited to identification purposes.
B. Institution identification sign: A sign displaying the name and/or organization occupying the premises of a public or quasi-public use restricted to: church or other place of religious worship; hospital; nursing home; public or non-profit corporation owned and operated recreational facilities; governmentally owned and facilities; schools.
C. Residential identification sign: A sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision, or a PURD or multi-family development with 12 or more dwellings units.
D. Municipal identification signs: A sign identifying the name of the municipality and/or municipal property.
(4) Instructional sign: A sign that has a purpose secondary to the use on the lot that is intended to instruct employees, customers or users as to specific parking requirements; the location or regulations pertaining to specific activates on the site or in the building; specific services offered, or methods of payments accepted. Examples of instructional signs include “Honk Horn for Service”, “Restrooms Inside”, “Parking for Customers Only”, “Parking for Residents Only”, menu boards, drive- up tellers, and “self-service” signs.
(5) Nameplates: A sign with no lighting attached to the wall of the principal building indicating only the name and address of the person or business occupying the lot or building.
(6) Political sign: A temporary sign advocating action on a public issue, promotion of a candidate for public office, or other ballot-oriented objectives.
(7) Product and service sign: A sign which advertises the services, products, merchandise or prices of commodities produced, stocked or sold on the premises.
(8) Real estate sign: A temporary sign which directs attention to the rental, sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located.
(9) Safety or regulatory sign: A sign erected by a public authority, utility, public service organization or private industry upon the public right-of-way or on private property which is required by law or otherwise intended to control traffic, direct, identify or inform the public, or provide needed public service as determined by the rules and regulations of governmental agencies or through public policy. Safety and regulatory signs include “No Parking Fire Lane.”
(10) Temporary promotional sign: A temporary sign, other than a construction, real estate or political sign, intended to announce special events, promotions or sales, including garage sales in residential districts.
(Ord. 3-95. Passed 1-17-95; Ord. 25-2012. Passed 9-18-12; Ord. 2017-01. Passed 2-7-17.)