Except as otherwise noted herein, the general provisions of this chapter applicable to all signs within the Village shall apply to signs in the B1 Business District. Where a conflict between general regulations and regulations set forth in this section exists, the regulations of this section shall control. Permanent signs in the B1 District shall comply with the following requirements:
(A) General Requirements:
1. Illumination Requirements:
(a) Gooseneck reflectors and lights are permitted on ground signs and wall signs. The reflectors shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign so as to prevent glare upon the street or adjacent property.
(b) All sign illumination shall be designed, located, shielded and directed so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon adjacent publicly dedicated roadways and surrounding properties, or distract operators of vehicles or pedestrians in the public right-of-way.
(c) Except as may otherwise be provided for herein, series lighting or neon tubing used to accentuate or trim windows, architectural features, or to outline borders of windows, signs or buildings, is specifically prohibited. All neon window signs are prohibited in the B1-TC and B1-TOD Subdistricts.
(d) Any sign adjacent to, or separated only by a street, public alley, or railroad right-of-way, and directly facing a residentially zoned property, may not be illuminated between the hours of ten o’clock (10:00) P.M. and eight o’clock (8:00) A.M.
(e) Reader boards are prohibited in the B1 District.
(f) Internal or external illumination of canopy signs is permitted only on canopies over outdoor service areas, such as gasoline service station service areas, and only when the sign faces a public street, or faces or is exposed to view from a public street or railroad right-of-way. Illumination of canopy signs shall only be permitted from individual letters or from the sign that includes a business logo and letters in a continuous shape. The remainder of the canopy shall not be illuminated.
(g) External or internal illumination of wall or ground signs shall be permitted.
2. Sign Area Restriction: Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, of this subsection establishes the number of permanent signs permitted along with the maximum sign area and height for properties in the B1 Zoning District. In addition to the restrictions on maximum sign area for each individual sign type, the overall sign area of all signs on the zoning lot shall not exceed two (2) square feet of sign area for each one foot (1') of zoning lot frontage.
3. Temporary Business Identification Signs in B1 Zoning Districts. (See requirements in the B2 zoning district).
TABLE 2
B1 ZONING DISTRICT SIGN STANDARDS1
B1 ZONING DISTRICT SIGN STANDARDS1
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Area | Maximum Height | |
Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Area | Maximum Height | |
Total combined sign area shall not exceed 2 sq. ft. per linear foot of zoning lot frontage | ||||
B1-C Subdistrict: | ||||
Wall sign2 | No limit on number | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of lot frontage (or business frontage for multi- tenant buildings) with a minimum of 25 sq. ft. and maximum of 100 sq. ft. | Cornice line or second floor window line, whichever is lower | |
Window sign | 25% of window area 15% of window area for neon signs | Limited to first floor only | ||
Awning sign | 30% of surface area of any side or valance | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | ||
Canopy sign | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of canopy frontage | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | ||
Projecting sign | 1 per business establishment | 6 sq. ft. | Top of building or below second floor window sills. Minimum 8' 6" clearance above sidewalk | |
Monument sign3 | 1 ground sign per zoning lot | 32 sq. ft. | 6' | |
B1-TC Subdistrict: | ||||
Wall sign2 | No limit on number | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of lot frontage (or business frontage for multi-tenant buildings) with a minimum of 25 sq. ft. and maximum of 100 sq. ft. | Cornice line or second floor window line, whichever is lower | |
Window sign4 | 25% of window area | Limit to first floor only | ||
Awning sign | 30% of surface area of any side or valance | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | ||
Canopy sign | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of canopy frontage | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | ||
Projecting sign | 1 per business establishment | 6 sq. ft. | Top of building or below second floor window sills. Minimum 8' 6" clearance above sidewalk | |
Monument sign3 | 1 ground sign per zoning lot | 24 sq. ft. | 6' | |
B1-TOD Subdistrict: | ||||
Wall sign2 | No limit on number | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of lot frontage (or business frontage for multi-tenant buildings) with a minimum of 25 sq. ft. and maximum of 100 sq. ft. | Cornice line or second floor window line, whichever is lower | |
Window sign4 | No limit on number | 25% of window area | Limit to first floor only | |
Awning sign | No limit on number | 30% of surface area of any side or valance | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | |
Canopy sign | No limit on number | 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of canopy frontage | Minimum 8' 6" clearance | |
Projecting sign | 1 per business establishment | 6 sq. ft. | Top of building or below second floor window sills. Minimum 8' 6" clearance above sidewalk | |
Monument sign3 | 1 ground sign per zoning lot | 32 sq. ft. | 6' | |
Notes:
1. Additional standards for the signs listed herein are located in this section.
2. Wall signs: For a corner lot, the size of a wall sign on each side of the building shall be limited by the lot frontage of the property line the sign faces. In no case shall the 2 frontages be combined to create a larger sign on a wall than is permitted on each individual wall.
3. Ground signs must be set back a minimum of 18 inches from the property line.
4. Neon window signs are not permitted in the B1-TC and B1-TOD Subdistricts.
(B) Wall Signs:
1. For sign area and height restrictions, see Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, of this section.
2. All wall signs shall be oriented to face a public street, off street parking area or public alley by being mounted on the building facade generally parallel to the street, off street parking area or public alley. Where a property is located on a corner lot, signs may be provided on walls facing both streets. Where a property is located adjacent to a railroad right-of-way, wall signs may be provided on the wall facing the railroad right-of-way consistent with the requirements of Table 2 of this section.
3. Wall signs shall be safely and securely attached to the building wall. Wall signs shall be affixed flat against the building wall and shall not project more than twelve inches (12") from the building wall. The bottom of the wall sign shall be a minimum of nine feet (9') above grade.
4. Wall signs may not be painted onto a wall surface.
5. On existing buildings, a parapet wall shall not be constructed for the sole purpose of increasing the allowable height of a wall sign. For new buildings, when a sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, the parapet wall shall be consistent with the architectural design of the building, including building materials.
6. Wall signs should be located on the sign frieze, or the portion of the building immediately above the first floor window and below the second floor window sills in the case of a two-story building.
7. Gooseneck reflectors are permitted on wall signs, provided the reflectors shall concentrate the illumination upon the area of the sign face only.
8. Within a multi-tenant strip commercial development, all wall signs shall be located at a generally uniform height on the building wall.
(C) Ground Signs:
1. There shall be only one monument ground sign per zoning lot.
2. All monument signs shall be set back from the property line a minimum of eighteen inches (18"). No part of any pole or monument sign may extend beyond the property line.
3. For sign area and height restrictions, see Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, of this section.
(D) Projecting Signs: Projecting signs shall be permitted subject to the following:
1. For sign area and height restrictions see Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, and Figure 17, “Projecting Sign”, of this section.
2. Projecting signs shall not project more than four feet (4') from the face of the building to which they are attached, measuring from the point on the sign nearest the wall.
3. The bottom of any projecting sign shall be at least ten feet (10') above the sidewalk or thoroughfare. Projecting signs should be located on that portion of the building immediately above the first floor windows and below the second floor window sills in the case of a two-story building.
4. No projecting sign affixed to a building shall project higher than the building height, including sign support structure.
5. Projecting signs, including frames, braces, and supports shall be designed by a structural engineer or manufacturer. No projecting sign shall be secured with wire, strips of wood or nails nor shall any projecting sign be hung or secured to any other sign. Any movable part of a projecting sign such as the cover of a service opening shall be securely fastened by chains or hinges. Projecting signs shall neither be attached to, nor supported by, frame buildings nor the wooden framework of a building.
6. No floodlight, spotlight or reflectors of the gooseneck type shall be permitted on projecting signs. No projecting sign with internal illumination of any kind shall be permitted in the B1-TC and B1-TOD Subdistricts.
FIGURE 17:
PROJECTING SIGN
PROJECTING SIGN
(E) Window Signs:
1. The total area of all temporary and permanent window signs shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the total window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. Mullions are not considered an element that divides window area. (See Figure 18, “Window Signs”, of this section.)
2. For sign area and height restrictions, see Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, and Figure 18, “Window Signs”, of this section.
3. Neon window lighting shall be considered a permanent window sign and shall be included in the total window sign area. Neon window signs shall be measured by the height and width of the sign.
4. Neon window signs are not permitted in the B1-TC and B1-TOD Subdistricts.
FIGURE 18:
WINDOW SIGNS
WINDOW SIGNS
(F) Awnings:
1. Awnings that are considered an architectural feature of a building and are not used for advertising are not considered a sign.
2. All awnings shall be constructed in accordance with section 4-1-12 of this title. (See Figure 19, “Awnings”, of this section.) Awnings shall not project more than six feet (6') from the face of the building to which they are attached, measuring from the point on the sign nearest the wall.
3. For awning sign area and height restrictions, see Table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, and Figure 19, “Awnings”, of this section.
4. All awnings shall comply with the following design standards:
(a) Awnings shall be constructed out of canvas or canvas like material. Backlit and metal awnings are prohibited.
(b) Awnings shall be compatible in material and construction to the style and character of the building. The color shall be compatible with the overall color scheme of the facade.
(c) Awnings shall be tailored to the opening of the building and positioned so that distinctive architectural features remain visible. When feasible, awnings shall be generally aligned with others nearby in order to maintain a sense of visual continuity.
(d) Awnings shall be securely attached to and supported by a building. All frames and supports shall be made of metal or other similar rigid material.
FIGURE 19:
AWNINGS
AWNINGS
(G) Canopies:
1. Canopies that are considered an architectural feature of a building and are not used for advertising are not considered a sign.
2. All canopies shall be constructed in accordance with Section 4-1-12 of this title.
3. Canopy signage shall be affixed or adhered to the vertical fascia of the canopy. Backlit canopy signs and neon signs are prohibited.
4. No canopy sign, including temporary canopy signs, shall be suspended from or placed upon the roof of any canopy, nor shall they extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of the canopy.
5. Free-standing canopies, typically associated with gas stations, shall not extend or encroach into the public right-of-way.
6. For sign area and height requirements, see table 2, “B1 Zoning District Sign Standards”, of this section. (Ord. 2874, 4-16-2015; amd. Ord. 2967, 9-21-2017; Ord. 2999, 9-6-2018; Ord. 4048, 2-16-2023)