1. General Requirements. All signs shall meet the construction and design standards of this Article and of Chapter 150 (Building Regulations).
2. Installation. All signs shall be installed so that necessary supports and braces are an integral part of the sign design.
3. Location. All signs shall comply with the following standards.
a. Public Property. Signs may only be placed on public property by a government agency or as authorized by this Section. Any sign placed on public property without authorization may be removed without notice.
b. Private Property. Signs may only be placed on private property with prior consent of the property owner and, if applicable, pursuant to an approved minor site plan review issued by the Zoning Administrator.
c. Building Exterior. A sign mounted on the exterior of a building shall not conceal any windows, doors, or unique architectural features. This standard does not apply to window signs.
d. Visibility Obstruction. Minimum clear sight distance at all intersections shall be in accordance with §156.05.D.3 (Visibility Obstruction) and other applicable guidelines, whichever is greater.
e. Special Areas of Control. The Village Board may designate geographic areas within the Village as a special area of control for purposes of these regulations. A special area of control is an area in which special standards are drafted in order to incorporate a wider variety of sign design, or to address unique communication needs.
(1) The Village designates park lands within the Village of South Elgin as Special Areas of Control. Any organization that has executed a formal contract with the Village concerning the use of park land and that has a published set of by-laws, rules or regulations governing sponsorship relationships that is consistent with Village ordinances and policies, may apply for a sponsorship sign permit to permit that organization to affix signage advertising the businesses and other sponsors of the organization. The application for sponsorship sign permits shall be reviewed by the Village. After review and comment by the Village, the proposed signage program shall be subject to approval by the Village Board.
(2) Nothing contained herein shall constitute a declaration by the Village that park lands are now a public forum nor shall anything contained herein constitute a waiver of any time, place and manner restrictions on assemblies or speech in Village parks.
4. Illumination. All signs shall comply with the following illumination standards.
a. Electrical Components. All electrical components used in the construction of a sign shall be installed and maintained as required by Chapter 150 (Building Regulations).
b. Light Level.
(1) LED Lighting. The light level of an illuminated sign lit with LED bulbs shall be no greater than 5,000 nits of luminance from dawn to dusk, and no greater than 150 nits of luminance from dusk to dawn.
(2) Non-LED Lighting. The light level of an illuminated sign lit with bulbs other than LED bulbs shall be no greater than one foot-candle at any time of day as measured at the curb line.
c. Direct Light and Glare. All sign illumination shall be located, shielded, and directed to illuminate only the sign face and to prevent direct light or glare from being cast upon adjacent rights-of-way and surrounding properties. No sign illumination may be combined with reflective materials, such as mirrors, polished metal, or highly-glazed tiles, which would increase glare.
d. External Illumination. Externally illuminated signs shall be illuminated by steady, stationary, fully shielded light sources concentrated on the face of the sign so as not to cause glare.
e. Neon Signs. Marquee signs may be illuminated with neon. Window signs that are illuminated with neon are allowed in accordance with the standards of § 156.10.D.2.h (Window Signs).
f. Hours of Operation. Illuminated signs shall be turned off from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., or 30 minutes after close of business, whichever is later. Uses that remain in operation between 11:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. are exempt from this requirement during the period of operation only.
5. Message Substitution. Any sign may contain, in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message, so long as the sign complies with the size, height, area, location, and other requirements of this Section.
6. Maintenance, Inspection, and Removal.
a. Maintenance. All signs, support structures, and the area immediately adjacent to signs shall be regularly maintained, including cleaning, repainting, and repairs. No sign may be constructed, erected, or maintained in a manner that is unsafe, insecure, or a danger to the public.
b. Inspection. The Village may inspect any sign regulated by this Section at any time to determine whether the sign is in need of repair or removal, or whether it is in conformance with the provisions of this Section.
c. Removal of Unsafe Signs. Any sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property may be removed by the Village without prior notice to the owner thereof. The cost of removal will be billed to the property owner.
d. Removal of Obsolete Signs. Any permitted sign may remain in place after a corresponding commercial use has vacated the subject premises, provided the sign is left non-illuminated and sign copy is removed within 30 days after the use vacates the premises. If a new on-site use for the sign has not commenced within six months of the previous use vacating the premises, the sign shall be deemed abandoned, and is subject to the provisions of § 156.11.D.6 (Discontinuation or Abandonment of Nonconforming Signs).