For purpose of this section, signs shall be classified according to their function and structural type, defined as follows:
(A) Sign Classification Table. For purposes of convenience, the following table is provided to clarify which sign structural types may be used for particular types of sign functions. An “X” shall indicate the only permitted use of various sign structural types for various types of sign functions:
FUNCTIONAL TYPE | STRUCTURAL TYPE | ||||||
AWNING | CANOPY | FREESTANDING | PORTABLE | PROJECTING | WALL | WINDOW | |
FUNCTIONAL TYPE | STRUCTURAL TYPE | ||||||
AWNING | CANOPY | FREESTANDING | PORTABLE | PROJECTING | WALL | WINDOW | |
ADVERTISING | X | ||||||
BUSINESS | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
DEVELOPMENT | X | ||||||
TENANT IDENTIFICATION | X | ||||||
MESSAGE BOARD | X | ||||||
GRAND OPENING | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
IDENTIFICATION | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
REAL ESTATE | X | X | X | ||||
TIME/TEMPERATURE | X | ||||||
TEMPORARY | X | X | X | ||||
POLITICAL | X | ||||||
DIRECTIONAL | X | X | |||||
TEMPORARY | X | ||||||
(B) Functional type.
(1) Advertising sign. A sign, commonly known as a billboard, which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the lot on which the sign is located; or, a sign which directs attention to a business that is no longer conducted or to a product that is no longer sold on the lot on which the sign is located. An advertising sign shall be a freestanding sign.
(2) Business sign. A sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to a commodity or service sold, offered or manufactured, or to an entertainment offered on the premises where the sign is located or to which it is affixed. A business sign shall be an awning, canopy, wall or window sign.
(3) Development sign. A sign designating the name and/or address of the development. A development for the purpose of this section shall mean a building or buildings located on a lot not less than 100 feet in width at the front property line and under unified ownership or control. A development sign may be used for the identification of residential or non-residential subdivisions or developments. A development sign shall be a freestanding sign and may include tenant identification signs, time and temperature signs, and message board signs.
(4) Tenant identification sign. A sign giving the name of a tenant on a lot on which two or more tenants or businesses are located. Said sign shall only indicate the name of the tenant or business establishment or a logo or symbolic representation of the type of business. Tenant identification signs shall be uniform in size and shape and be designed for maximum legibility.
(5) Message board/dynamic display/ digital sign. A sign designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged electronically, electrically, or manually without altering the face or surface of the sign. A message board sign shall only be accessory and incidental to a development, identification, or business sign, and shall only utilize LCD or LED technology that cannot be read past the property line on which the sign is placed.
(6) Grand opening sign. Any sign used for the purpose of advertising a grand-opening or grand re-opening of a new business. A grand opening sign may be an awning, canopy, freestanding, portable, temporary, wall or window sign. Grand opening signs shall not be used for promotions, special sales, seasonal sales, or going out-of-business sales.
(7) Identification sign. A sign giving the name and address of a residential building, business, development, industry, or other building or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partly devoted to a readily recognized logo or symbol. An identification sign shall be an awning, canopy, freestanding, projecting, wall, or window sign.
(8) Real estate sign. A sign indicating the sale, rental, lease, or development of a building or lot, or a portion thereof, on which the sign is located. A real estate sign may be a freestanding, wall or window sign.
(9) Time and temperature sign. A sign that provides current time and/or temperature information to the public. Such signs may be wholly or partially devoted to a readily recognized logo or symbol. A time and temperature sign shall only be accessory and incidental to a freestanding development, identification, or business sign.
(10) Temporary sign. Any sign, banner, pennant, streamer, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, card board, wall board, or other light-weight material without a frame. A temporary sign shall be a wall, window, awning or canopy sign.
(C) Structural type.
(1) Awning sign. A sign that is mounted on or attached to an awning that is otherwise permitted by this section. An awning may be fixed or retractable and shall be securely attached to and supported by the building. No posts or columns shall be permitted to support the awning. Awnings shall be designed to provide unobstructed flow of pedestrian traffic along any sidewalk. The construction materials and the manner of construction of all awnings shall be in accordance with the Romeoville Building Code.
(2) Canopy sign. A sign that is mounted on or attached to a canopy that is otherwise permitted by this section. A canopy shall not encroach upon the required building line on a lot. The construction materials and the manner of construction of all canopies shall be in accordance with the Romeoville Building Code.
(3) Freestanding sign. A sign supported independently of any structure. Such sign may be referred to as a ground, monument, or pole sign.
(4) Portable sign. A freestanding sign, no face of which shall exceed 32 square feet, attached to or mounted upon a frame intended to be moved from place to place. Such sign may be used as a grand opening sign and may or may not include moveable lettering and/or electrical equipment for use as illuminated signs. All illuminated portable signs shall be wired with a UL approved ground fault interrupter, and all service connections shall be approved by a Romeoville electrical inspector. No flashing lights or other moving displays shall be permitted on such sign, and all illumination shall be of an indirect or diffused nature.
(5) Projecting sign. A sign attached perpendicular to a wall of a building, supported solely by the building, and having not more than two faces which may be no more than 12 inches apart.
(6) Roof sign. A sign attached to or mounted on a roof of a building is prohibited. No sign shall be attached, anchored or located above the deck of a flat roof.
(7) Wall sign. A sign painted on or fastened to the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of, the sign and which does not project more than 12 inches from such building or structure. No sign shall extend beyond the width of the facade of the building to which it is attached.
(8) Window sign. A sign which is painted, applied, or attached to, or located within three feet of the interior of a window, which sign may be seen through the window from the exterior of the structure.
(Ord. 15-1190, passed 9-16-15; Am. Ord. 22-1794, passed 9-21-22)