§ 156.167 GENERAL SIGN SPECIFICATIONS.
   (A)   Sign. Shall mean any identification, description, illustration, object, or device, whether illuminated or non-illuminated, that is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public and that directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution, business or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise, or any logo, painting, banner, pennant, streamer, placard or temporary sign designated to advertise, identify or convey information, with the exception of window displays and flags. "Signs" shall also include the sign structure. The term "sign" does not include an official traffic-control signal, an official governmental marker, a national, state, city, or educational institution flag, or governmental signs.
      (1)   Sign area. Shall mean the total square footage of the combined message, or display surface and shall include all letters and designs that are part of the sign. This area does not include structural supports for a sign, whether they be columns, pylons, or a building, or a part thereof. On a multi-sided sign, only one face is counted in computing the sign's total surface area. The term "sign area" and "gross sign area" may be used interchangeably.
      (2)   Sign structure. Shall mean anything built or constructed, whether or not permanently attached to a building, another structure, the ground, or other surface, which supports, or is capable of supporting a sign, and includes, without limitation, poles, cabinets, and decorative covers.
      (3)   Signs shall only be permitted in the districts defined by the village definitions.
      (4)   Signs are permitted by permission of owner of property. Signs shall not be placed on any right-of-way, with exception for traffic or village signs. Signs placed in the village right-of-way will be removed without notification.
      (5)   No sign shall be placed on utility pole, street sign, or public owned structure.
      (6)   No streamers or banners or other such sign devices shall be permitted with the exception of village approval.
      (7)   Business signs are permitted only in business zones, off premises signs are not permitted for a business.
      (8)   No trespassing or signs indicating the private nature of a driveway and/or premises are permitted in all zones.
      (9)   Ground signs are permitted in all zones.
      (10)   Wall signs are only permitted in the business and industrial zoned areas.
      (11)   Non-illuminated signs are permitted in all zones.
      (12)   Flashing signs shall not be permitted in any zone. No sign shall display intermittent lights resembling lights customarily used in traffic signals or those used by police, fire, ambulance or other emergency vehicles. No sign shall contain the word ‘stop,’ ‘danger,’ or any word, phrase, symbol or character which might be misconstrued to be a public safety warning or official traffic control signal.
      (13)   Signs with illuminated displays shall be permitted only in business and industrial zones.
      (14)   Electronic changing message signs shall only be located in business or industrial zones, or for a non-residential use in a residential zoning district such as a church or school. For electronic changing messages signs in non-residential areas, no more than half of the sign area may change. The rate of change of the sign shall be no less than five seconds per change. This is to specifically exclude signs displaying video or any type of animation.
      (15)   Signs not to obstruct motorist's view. No business sign or sign structure shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the motorist's view at any street or highway intersection.
      (16)   Portable signs mounted on wheels or a chassis so as to be readily moved from place to place are prohibited.
      (17)   Any sign defined to be illegal in other sections of this document is not permitted in any zone.
      (18)   Any sign considered illegal may be removed by the village.
      (19)   Billboards are limited to 150 square feet in area within the village per side.
   (B)   Comprehensive statement to apply to all signs within the village.
      (1)   No sign greater that 150 square feet in area, on each side, will be allowed in any section of village zoning.
      (2)   Any sign placed in any section which is permitted by the ordinance shall contain who erected the sign and the permit number referenced on the sign.
      (3)   No attached or free-standing sign shall project higher than 25 feet above the existing grade, and in no case above the roof line.
(Ord. 20-19, passed 10-13-2020)