The following general standards shall apply to all signs:
A. Sign: A sign is defined as any visual device or representation designed or used for the purpose of communicating a message or identifying a product, service, person, organization, business or event, with the use of words or characters, visible from outside the premises on which such device is located.
B. Illumination:
1. Location and Design of Light Source: Whenever an external artificial light source is used for a sign, such source shall be located, shielded and directed so as not to be directly visible from any right-of-way or private residence. No receptacle or device housing a permitted light source for a sign shall protrude more than twelve inches from the face of the sign or building to which it is attached; provided, however, that a receptacle or device housing a permitted light source for a sign may be located more than twelve inches from the face of the sign if such light source is ground mounted, locked in place and cannot be redirected.
2. Level of Illumination: In no event shall the illumination of any sign, resulting from any internal or external artificial light source, exceed one hundred twenty foot- candles when measured with a standard light meter held perpendicular to the sign face at a distance equal to the narrowest dimension of such sign face. All artificial illumination shall be so designed, located, shielded and directed as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent property or rights-of-way.
3. Signs Adjacent To Residential Areas: Any illuminated sign located on a lot abutting or across a right-of-way from, and visible from, any residentially zoned area shall not be illuminated between the hours of eleven o'clock P.M. and seven o'clock A.M. except that such sign may remain illuminated during such time as the activity to which the sign pertains is open for business so long as such sign is not a public or private nuisance.
4. Flashing Lights Prohibited: No flashing, blinking or intermittent lights shall be permitted.
C. Electrical Elements: All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of artificially illuminated signs shall be in accordance with the provisions of this code. No metal sign illuminated by any means requiring internal wiring and no electrical fixtures attached to any sign shall be lower than nine feet from grade unless it is grounded by the use of a grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors and is also grounded by being bonded to a grounding electrode at the sign site.
D. Structural Elements: The construction and structural components of all signs shall be in accordance with the standards and regulations of this code. All permanent signs shall be constructed of fire-resistant materials and shall be capable of withstanding wind pressures of at least thirty pounds per square foot of surface area and of receiving dead loads based on the actual weight of the structure.
E. Minimum Elevation of Certain Signs: The bottom of every awning, canopy, marquee, wall and pylon sign shall be elevated at least eight feet above grade. Whenever possible wall signs on the same facade shall maintain the same top and bottom elevations above grade.
F. Obstruction of Accessways: No sign or sign structure shall obstruct free ingress to or egress from a fire escape, door, window or other required accessway.
G. Obstruction of Window Surface: No sign shall project over, occupy or obstruct any window surface required for light or ventilation by any applicable provision of this code.
H. Traffic Safety:
1. Confusion with Traffic Signals: No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape, content, color or illumination it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with, any traffic control sign, sign or device or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
2. Obstruction of Sight Triangles Prohibited: No sign, nor any part of a sign other than a supporting pole or brace no greater than eighteen inches in width or diameter shall be located lower than eight feet from grade within the area of any sight triangle as defined in this code.
I. Signs in Rights-of-Way: Except as provided in this subsection, no sign except governmental signs authorized in this chapter shall be placed in or extend into or over any public property or right-of-way.
J. Sign Identification: All signs shall be plainly marked with the name of the person, firm or corporation hanging or erecting the sign and the sign permit number.
K. Sign Maintenance: The owner of a sign and the owner of the premises on which such sign is located shall be jointly and severally liable to maintain such sign, including its illumination sources, in compliance with this code and all applicable laws, in a safe and secure condition, and in a neat and orderly condition and good working order at all times, and to prevent the development of any rust, corrosion, rotting or other deterioration in the physical appearance or safety of such sign. The premises around ground and pylon signs shall be kept clean and free of all rubbish and weeds.
L. Sign Measurement:
1. Sign Area: Unless otherwise defined, sign area is determined by the total area enclosed by a continuous perimeter along the edges of a sign, including any sign area backing. The area of a sign composed of individually affixed letters is determined by total area of the smallest geometric shape enclosing the letters. A maximum of two geometric shapes may be utilized. The calculation for a double-faced sign shall be the area of one face only.
4-5-4(L)(1): Sign Area Measurement
2. Sign Height: Sign height is determined by the total distance between the highest point on a sign, including all supporting structures or bracing, to the crown of the right-of-way directly opposite the sign or from the natural grade level directly below the sign, whichever is higher.
4-5-4(L)(2): Sign Height Measurement
M. Signs on Lots with Multiple Users: Where more than one user occupies a zoning lot, the owner of the lot shall be responsible for allocating permitted signage among such users.
N. General Safety: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no sign shall be located in any area or in any manner so as to create a nuisance or a threat to the public safety and welfare.
O. Violations: Erecting or maintaining a sign in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter is unlawful, is declare a nuisance and shall constitute a violation and petty offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day any violation of any provision of this chapter shall continue. Liability for the violation or offense shall be with the applicant, should the violation or offense be related to a sign erected and maintained pursuant to a permit issued by the village. Liability for the violation or offense shall be with the owner of the property on which the sign exists, should the violation or offense be related to a sign erected and maintained without a permit issued by the village. Violations of this chapter shall be punished as provided in section 1-4-1 of this code. (Ord. 3392, 9-12-2011; amd. Ord. 3825, 11-30-2020)