(A) General.
(1) All signs should be made of high-quality materials and design.
(2) Signs shall be in harmony and consistent with the architecture of the building and relate to the features of the building.
(3) The design shall be consistent with the character of the surrounding area.
(4) The sign shall not be a nuisance to any residential uses.
(B) Location.
(1) All signs must advertise a business or service on the premises upon which the sign is located and to which the sign is accessory, unless otherwise specified herein.
(2) No sign, or portion thereof, shall be closer than four feet to any electric light pole, street lamp, or other public utility pole or standard.
(3) No sign, or portion thereof, shall be closer than 13 feet to any electrical conductor without proof of approval by the public utility company.
(4) No sign shall obstruct any opening required for building ventilation.
(5) No sign shall impede free entry or exit through any door, window, or fire escape.
(6) No sign shall be located in, project into, or overhang a public road right-of-way without the approval of the controlling government agency and the Village Council.
(7) No sign shall in any way obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or the view in any direction at a road intersection. The applicant shall submit proof of compliance with this standard from the applicable road agencies.
(C) Illumination.
(1) No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
(2) The light from illuminated signs shall be directed and shielded in a manner that will not interfere with vehicular traffic or the enjoyment and use of adjacent properties.
(3) No sign may be erected which flashes, rotates, or has moving parts.
(4) Internal illumination shall be permitted under the following circumstances:
(a) Individual back-lit letters which are silhouetted against softly illuminated walls;
(b) Individual letters with translucent faces, containing soft lighting elements inside each letter; and/or
(c) Metal-faced box signs with cut-out letters and soft-glow fluorescent tubes.
(5) Only indirectly illuminated signs shall be allowed in any residential district.
(6) Internally-illuminated plastic signs with dark-colored detachable letters shall be strictly prohibited in all districts.
(7) Gas-filled light types (fluorescent) shall be allowed for indirect illumination and when placed in such a manner that the tubes are not exposed to view from any point along the roadway or sidewalk.
(8) Rear-illuminated (backlit) awnings are prohibited.
(D) Safety.
(1) All signs shall be erected in compliance with all applicable building codes, and other applicable ordinances governing construction within the village. In the event of conflict between this section and other laws, the most restrictive shall govern.
(2) All signs shall be so placed as to not interfere with the visibility or effectiveness of any official traffic sign or signal, driver vision or pedestrian movement on any public sidewalk.
(3) No sign shall be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to obstruct firefighting or prevent free access to any door, window, or fire escape.
(4) Corner clearance. Signs higher than 30 inches shall be prohibited in the triangular area formed at the intersection of any two street right-of-way lines (existing or proposed) by a straight line drawn between said right-of-way lines at a distance along each line of 25 feet from their point of intersection. No sign shall be located in that area, or project into, or overhang into the area.
(5) Every sign and sign structure shall be maintained in a safe condition, in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes and this Code, including adequate protection against corrosion. If at any time the Zoning Administrator determines that a sign or sign structure constitutes a dangerous structure, the Zoning Administrator may require immediate action to mitigate the danger, including demolition of the sign or sign structure.
(6) A sign or sign structure that is broken, torn, bent, has a broken, bent, or damaged support, or is not reasonably level and plumb shall be repaired or reinstalled in a manner prescribed by the Zoning Administrator.
(7) A sign or sign structure shall not have more than 20% of its area covered with disfigured, cracked, rippled, or peeling material or paint for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
(8) A sign shall not have weeds, vines, or other vegetation growing upon it in a manner that obstructs the view of the sign for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
(9) An illuminated sign shall not remain partially illuminated with a failed light source for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
(10) A sign structure now or hereafter existing which no longer contains a sign shall be removed.
(Ord. 37, passed 8-28-2005; Ord. 95, passed 6-28-2010; Ord. 107, passed 12-12-2011; Ord. 173, passed 12-11-2023) Penalty, see § 152.999