(A) Intent. Sign regulations, including provisions to control the type, design, size, location, motion, illumination and maintenance thereof, are established in order to achieve, among others, the following purposes:
(1) To maintain high value residential districts and promote attractive public facilities, by permitting only name plates, bulletin boards and signs related to the development, rental or sale of properties in such districts;
(2) To provide reasonable, yet appropriate, conditions for advertising goods sold or services rendered in business districts by relating the size, type and design of signs to the type and size of establishments;
(3) To eliminate any conflict between advertising signs and traffic-control signs which would be hazardous to the safety of the motoring public or the pedestrian;
(4) To control the design of signs so that their appearance will be esthetically harmonious with an overall urban design for the area; and
(5) To promote the most desirable developments and economic activity in accordance with the objectives of the zoning code.
(B) Establishing regulations.
(1) Signs shall be designed, erected, altered, reconstructed, moved and maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with the type, design, size, location, illumination and other provisions set forth in this section.
(2) The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of all signs shall be in accordance with the Building Code. The provisions of this section shall not amend or in any way interfere with other codes, rules or regulations governing traffic signs within the village.
(3) The display of official public notices, and the flag, emblem or insignia of an official governmental body shall not be governed by the provisions of these regulations.
(C) Classification of signs.
(1) Definition. SIGN means any display, figure, painting, drawing, placard, poster or other device visible from a public way which is designed, intended or used to convey a message, advertise, inform or direct attention to a person, institution, organization, activity, place, object or product. It may be a structure or part thereof printed on or attached directly or indirectly on a structure;
(2) Classification by use types. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BULLETIN BOARD. An announcement sign which directs attention to and is located on the lot of a public or semi-public institution.
BUSINESS SIGN. A sign which directs attention to the name of the business or establishment, the goods or commodities sold, or services rendered, on the lot on which the sign is located.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign indicating the direction to which attention is called either on the lot on which the sign is located or which directs attention to another location.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign, indicating the name, owner or manager of an existing project, structure or building.
INDUSTRIAL OR SERVICE SIGN. A sign which directs attention to the name, service or industrial establishment, goods produced or sold, or service rendered, on the lot on which the sign is located.
INFORMATIONAL SIGN. A sign which is designed to give general information to the public concerning the location of places for lodging or eating, vehicle service, natural phenomena, weather, time, historic sites, areas of natural scenic beauty or outdoor recreation facilities and similar information.
NAMEPLATE. A sign indicating the name, address of the profession of the person or persons occupying the lot or a part of a structure or building.
PROJECT SIGN. A sign which directs attention to the promotion, development and construction of the property on which it is located and which identifies the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction.
REAL ESTATE. A sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign of any type to announce special events or sales, to announce the sale, lease or rental of property, and designed for use for a limited period of time.
(3) Classification by structural types.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy, of a covered entrance or walkway, or to a permanent awning or marquee.
GROUND SIGN. A freestanding sign which is supported by one or more poles, posts or braces in or upon the ground.
POLE SIGN. A sign which is supported wholly by a pole or poles and designed so as to permit pedestrian or vehicular traffic thereunder.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign, other than a wall sign, erected on the outside wall of a building and which projects out at an angle therefrom.
WALL OR PANEL SIGN. A sign integrated with the exterior face of an exterior wall of a structure or building, or attached to the wall or parallel with the wall and projecting not more than 12 inches therefrom.
WINDOW SIGNS. A sign painted, attached or affixed to the exterior or exterior surface of windows or doors of a structure or building.
(D) Measurement standards. Signs are regulated in this chapter by relating the gross area of signs to the building or use of a lot, or to the size of the building unit to which the sign is accessory.
(1) (a) The “gross area of signs” for a building or use shall include all the surfaces visible from a public way and shall be measured as the area enclosed by one rectangle, the sides of which make contact with the extreme points or edges of the sign, excluding the supporting structure if such structure does not form a part of the advertisement of the sign proper.
(b) The area of a sign composed of characters or words attached directly to a large, uniform structure or building wall surface shall be the smallest rectangle which enclosed the entire group.
(2) Whenever the gross area of the signs are related to the size of the structure, building or lot:
(a) The “frontage of a building” shall be the width of the facade of the structure, building, store, service or office unit which faces the principal street, or the facade containing the main entrance of a store, office, service or manufacturing building; for corner buildings half of the building depth facing the side street may be included in the frontage width factor.
(b) The “frontage of a lot” not occupied by a building shall be the number of lineal feet the lot abuts on the principal street.
(3) Buildings or lots having frontage on a second street or a secondary entrance to a parking area, may be permitted additional signs along such secondary streets which shall, however, not exceed 20% of the area of the signs permitted along the main facade.
(E) Design standards. Signs, as permitted in the various use districts shall be designed so as to be similar in character with regard to materials, color and size to signs designed or located on the same building and on adjoining buildings in order to equalize the attention they are meant to attract, and to produce an overall unified effect and in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.
(1) Wall or panel sign shall not project more than 12 inches from the structure or building wall to which it is attached and shall be setback from the end of the building and party wall lines for a distance of at least two feet and shall not project beyond any corner or above the coping or eaves of any structure or building.
(2) Projecting signs may be attached to the structure or building wall or canopy and project at an angle of approximately 90 degrees for a distance of not more than five feet or project over the cornice line more than one-third of the total height of the sign. Projecting signs shall be located not less than five feet from a party wall line and the lowest member of a projecting sign shall be at least eight feet above a public sidewalk and 15 feet above any drive. Signs shall not project into any dedicated right-of-way.
(3) Pole signs may be attached to the structure or building wall or canopy and project at an angle of approximately 90 degrees for a distance of not more than five feet or project over the cornice line more than one-third of the total height of the sign.
(4) Permanent ground signs shall not extend 50 feet in any district where such signs are permitted.
(5) Vertical dimension is the lowest member for all signs which project or are supported on posts, shall be not less than eight feet above the finished grade of a sidewalk or any other pedestrian way; and if located over a pavement used for vehicular traffic or within 18 inches of the vertical projection of the edge of such pavement, the lowest member of the sign shall be not less than 15 feet above the finished pavement.
(6) Relation to openings: signs shall not project over or obstruct the required windows or doors of any structure or building, shall not be attached to or obstruct a fire escape or interfere with other safety provisions as may be further regulated in other codes.
(7) Relation to traffic devices: signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct “sight lines” along any public way, traffic-control lights, street name signs at intersections or street sight lines or signals at railroad grade crossings. Signs visible from the sight lines along a street shall not contain an arrow or words such as “stop”, “go”, “slow” and the like. And the movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination shall not resemble highway traffic signs. Flashing or moving illumination shall be permitted only by approval of the Planning Commission.
(F) Illumination of signs. Light sources to illuminate signs shall be shielded from all adjacent residential buildings and streets and shall not be of such height so as to cause glare hazardous to pedestrians or auto drivers or so as to cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(G) Residential districts. Accessory signs in any residential district shall be designed, erected, altered, moved and maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with the regulations as follows.
(1) The types of signs permitted as to use, structure, size and number for each dwelling or lot shall be regulated as follows.
(a) One nameplate indicating the occupant’s name, and house number, not exceeding ten square feet in area may be located on any structure or building or lot but not less than ten feet from any lot or street right-of-way line. In a multifamily district one permanent identification sign, indicating the name, owner or manager of the multifamily project, not exceeding 20 square feet in area shall be permitted facing each major street but not less than ten feet from a side lot line and ten feet from any street right-of-way line.
(b) One directional or no trespassing sign not exceeding five square feet in area shall be permitted on any building or lot located not less than ten feet from any lot line or street right-of-way;
(c) One real estate sign, advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed, not exceeding ten square feet in area of five feet in height, shall be permitted for each dwelling or lot, provided, said sign shall be located not less than ten feet from any lot or street right-of-way line; illumination shall not be permitted.
(d) Subdivision project signs not exceeding 100 square feet in total area may be permitted while a subdivision is under construction provided said sign is located not less than 50 feet from any occupied residence and not less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way line. Permits for such signs shall be for a period not exceeding one year, however, such permits may be renewed while construction is pursued diligently. Project signs shall be removed within 30 days of the commencement of the intended use.
(e) One bulletin board or announcement sign not exceeding 20 square feet in area or five feet in height may be located on the premises of a public charitable or religious institution in any residential district but not less than ten feet from any residential lot line or less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way line; indirect illumination shall be permitted.
(H) Business district signs. Accessory signs in Convenience, General and Central Business Districts shall be designed, erected, altered, moved and maintained, in whole or in part in accordance with regulations as follows.
(1) Use types permitted.
(a) Business signs, directing attention to the business establishment;
(b) Directional signs, to direct pedestrians and vehicles;
(c) Professional nameplates and identification signs; and
(d) Real estate and project signs of a temporary nature.
(2) Structural types permitted. Wall or panel, canopy, ground, projecting and pole signs, shall be permitted in accordance with regulations set forth in this section in any Convenience, General or Central Business District.
(3) Maximum area and number permitted.
(a) Generally. The maximum gross area of all permanent signs permitted for each separate use occupying a structure of building, unit of a building or lot not occupied by a structure or building shall be related to the width of the structure or building, unit thereof or lot not occupied by a structure or building, adjusted, however, so that the smaller establishments may be permitted reasonable sign areas and so that the larger establishments may not have excessive sign areas. Signs accessory to a structure or building or unit thereof shall be determined by the following formula:
Maximum gross area of signs = (W x 1.5) + 40 square feet
(b) Formula elements. The elements of said formula being defined as follows:
1. “Maximum gross area” means the “total area of all permanent signs”; and
2. “W” means the “frontage of a structure or building” as defined in division (D) above.
(c) Lot not occupied by structure of building.
1. Signs permitted for each separate use of a lot not occupied by a structure or building shall be determined by the following formula:
Maximum gross area of sign = (W x .75)
2. Example: Assume a 30 foot wide store facing one street in a General Business District: Maximum gross area of signs equals 30 x 1.5 + 40 = 85 square feet.
(I) Business sign location and supplementary area regulations. Accessory signs in any business district shall be also controlled by location and supplementary area regulations as follows.
(1) Wall signs. A single wall sign shall not exceed 150 square feet in total area.
(2) Protective signs. Protective signs shall be limited to not more than one for each establishment or store unit and shall not exceed 50 square feet in total area for each face visible from any location on a public way. Projecting signs shall be located not less than five feet from a side lot line and not less than ten feet from any residential district boundary line. Signs shall not project into any dedicated right-of-way.
(3) Pole signs. Pole signs may be located within required yards if approved by the Planning Commission and shall be not less than ten feet from any residential district boundary line. In Convenience and/or General Business Districts, the maximum size of any face of a pole sign shall not exceed 70 square feet in area. The support for a pole sign shall not be located within, nor shall such sign project over, any dedicated right-of-way.
(4) Canopy or covered walk signs. Canopy or covered walk signs may be attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy or roof over a walkway structural member; however, the vertical dimension of such signs, including the fascia, shall not exceed five feet and the lowest member shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk grade.
(5) Ground signs. Ground signs shall not be located within required yards unless approved by the Planning Commission. Any ground sign shall not be less than ten feet from another business lot or street right-of-way line and not less than 20 feet from any residential district boundary line.
(6) Canopy signs for indoor theaters. The Planning Commission shall determine the size, area, and design of signs for each indoor theater in accordance with conditional use permit procedures set forth in § 155.50(G).
(7) Permanent directional signs. Permanent directional signs, indicating traffic routes and similar functions shall be permitted in addition to the other limitations of this section provided each sign does not exceed five square feet in area and is not closer than ten feet of any lot or street right-of-way line.
(8) Temporary project signs. Temporary project signs not exceeding 100 square feet in total area for each street frontage shall be permitted if located on the lot which is occupied by the building or use promoted or if announcing a proposed structure or building or a structure or building under construction. Such project signs shall be located not less than 50 feet from the nearest residential lot line and not less than ten feet from the nearest street right-of-way line. Permits for such signs shall be for a period not exceeding open year, however, such permits may be renewed while construction is pursued diligently. Project signs shall be removed within 30 days of the commencement of the intended use.
(9) Other temporary signs. Other temporary signs announcing sales, new products or special business events may be permitted in addition to the maximum gross area of a permanent business sign, and may be placed on the inside of windows and doors and on the exterior of any structure or building, provided said signs are not displayed more than 60 consecutive days.
(J) Industrial District signs. Accessory signs in Light and Heavy Industrial Districts shall be designed, erected, altered, moved and maintained in whole or in part, in accordance with the schedule and regulations as follows.
(1) Use types permitted.
(a) Directional signs of the type permitted and as regulated in business districts;
(b) Service and industrial signs, name plates and identification signs; and
(c) Real estate and project signs of a temporary nature.
(2) Structural types permitted. Wall or panel canopy, ground, projected and pole signs.
(3) Maximum area and number permitted. The maximum gross area of all permanent signs permitted for each separate use occupying a structure or building, or a unit of a structure or building in any industrial district shall be directly related to the width of the structure or building or unit thereof as follows.
(a) Light Industrial District. The maximum gross area of signs shall not exceed two square feet for each lineal foot of structure or building frontage.
(b) Heavy Industrial District. The maximum gross area of signs shall not exceed three square feet for each lineal foot of the building frontage, provided, however, the maximum area of any permanent identification sign shall not exceed 500 square feet on the lot occupied by the structure or building to which the sign is accessory.
(K) Industrial District sign location.
(1) Signs shall be located so as to maintain the same setback and yards as required for structures or buildings except one commercial or industrial ground or pole sign may be permitted within the required yards if approved by the Planning Commission.
(2) Ground and pole signs shall be located not less than 20 feet from any adjacent residential district in a Light Industrial District and 50 feet in any Heavy Industrial District.
(3) A permanent ground or pole sign shall not be located closer than ten feet to a public street right-of-way in any industrial district. The design of wall or panel, canopy, ground, projected and pole signs in any industrial district shall be in accordance with the standards set forth in division (E) above.
(a) Application for permits.
1. Application for permits to erect, place, paint, illuminate or alter a sign shall be made by the owner or lessee of the property for which a sign is proposed. The application shall be made either separately or with the application for a building permit.
2. A sign permit shall be required for all permanent signs as follows:
a. Residential districts: if the sign exceed 20 square feet in area;
b. Business districts: if the total area of the sign exceeds 100 square feet in area. A permit shall not be required for placing permanent signs on the surface of windows or doors; and
c. Industrial district: if the total area of the signs exceeds 300 square feet.
(b) Application.
1. Each application shall be accompanied by drawings to scale, showing:
a. The design and layout proposed including the total area of the sign, the size, character, materials and color of letters, lines and symbols;
b. The method of illumination, if any;
c. The exact location of the sign in relation to the structure or building and property; and
d. Details and specifications for construction, erection and attachment as may be required by the building.
2. In the development of a group of stores and services in any business district, a plan for the signing of said development shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 155.17.
(M) Maintenance of signs. All signs and sign structures shall be maintained in a safe and attractive condition. Signs which no longer serve the purpose for which they are intended, or which have been abandoned or are not maintained in accordance with this chapter and other applicable regulations of the village shall be removed by the latest permit holder or by the village at the expense of such permit holder.
(N) Nonconforming signs.
(1) A sign conforming as to the regulations prevailing on the effective date of this chapter but which does not conform with the regulations of this chapter or subsequent amendments shall be construed as a legal nonconforming sign.
(2) Nonconforming signs may be maintained and structural parts repaired or restored to a safe condition if required and if a permit is issued provided, however, that any sign or parts thereof which has been blown down, destroyed or otherwise taken down for any purpose shall not be rebuilt, re-erected or relocated unless it shall be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter and the Building Code.
(O) Removal of signs. Whenever the removal or maintenance of any permanent sign has been ordered by the Building Department, the person, firm or corporation who erected such a sign or on whose premises such sign or display structure has been erected, affixed or attached shall remove or maintain such sign within 30 days after receiving such notice. In the event of noncompliance, the Building Department may remove or cause to be removed or maintain such sign at the expense of the person, firm or corporation who erected such sign or on whose premises it was erected, affixed or attached and each such person, firm or corporation shall be individually and separately liable for the expense incurred in the removal of said sign.
(Ord. 656-70, passed 2-16-1970)