(A) Maximum allowable sign area. The area of all permanent and temporary advertising signs for any single business enterprise may have an area equivalent to one and one-half square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of width of a building, or part of a building, occupied by such enterprise, but shall not exceed a maximum area of 100 square feet. For the purposes of this chapter, width shall be measured along the building face nearest parallel to the street line. In the case of a corner lot, either frontage may be used in determining maximum area of the sign.
(B) Determination of sign surface area. The area of a sign shall be measured by the following method.
(1) Areas excluded from calculation. Sign area shall not include foundations, supports or a base which contains no sign related elements.
(2) Frame or cabinet. The area of sign faces enclosed in frames or cabinets shall be based on the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face.
(3) Base material. When a sign is on a base material, such as a wood board or plexiglass panel, and attached without a frame, the sign area shall be the dimensions of the base material
(4) Faces containing advertising. In computing the area of signs, all faces on which advertising is displayed are considered sign area.
(5) Area within a rectangle. When signs consist of individual elements attached or painted on a wall, window or canopy, the sign area is determined by a rectangle drawn around all the elements.
(C) Sign bonus. The Planning Commission may, but is not required to, grant a sign bonus if in its determination a proposed sign is produced with outstanding artistry and craftsmanship. The purpose of the sign bonus is to protect the unique, small town identity of the village by encouraging one-of-a-kind signs of exceptional design and quality.
(1) Applicability of sign bonus. The sign bonus may be applied to the following types of signs:
(a) Canopy;
(b) Monument;
(c) Pole;
(d) Roof; and
(e) Wall.
(2) Outstanding design and craftsmanship. A sign bonus may be granted if the proposed design is one-of-a-kind, is especially creative, crafted with exceptional skill or uses unusually beautiful materials. Creative elements to be considered should include lettering, pictures and patterns, framing, poles and mountings, colors, shape and placement. A design that is used at other establishments in or outside of the community, even if it is of exceptional quality, does not qualify for the bonus.
(3) Bonus dimensions. For applicable signs, the following bonuses may be granted:
(a) Up to 15% increase of maximum sign area allowed; and
(b) Up to 15% increase in maximum height allowed.
(D) Illumination of signs. The following provisions shall be observed in the illumination of signs and advertising structures.
(1) Internal or reflected light permitted. All signs and advertising structures, except as otherwise restricted, may be illuminated internally or by reflected light; provided the source of light is not directly visible and is so arranged as to reflect away from the adjoining premises; and provided that such illumination shall not be so placed as to cause confusion or a hazard to traffic or conflict with traffic-control signs or lights.
(2) No appearance of flashing lights. No illumination involving flashing, movement or causing the illusion of movement by reason of the lighting arrangement or other devices shall be permitted except that portion of a sign indicating the time, date or weather conditions.
(E) Setbacks for signs. Except as provided elsewhere in this chapter, signs shall conform to setback requirements as follows.
(1) Near intersections. At intersection of any streets, the setback of any billboard shall not be less than 100 feet from the established right-of-way of each street.
(2) Signs facing an R District. No sign shall be permitted which faces the front lot line of any lot in any R District within 100 feet of such lot line.
(3) Side and rear setbacks. Signs shall be erected or placed in conformity with the side and rear yard requirements of the district in which located, except no sign shall be erected or placed closer than within 50 feet to a side or rear lot line in a B or M District which is adjacent to an R District.
(4) Maintain traffic visibility. No sign shall be erected which obstructs existing traffic visibility on any public right-of-way, public property or private property
(F) Materials, construction and maintenance standards.
(1) No permanent sign other than a canopy shall be fabricated from fabric, flexible vinyl or non-rigid plastic.
(2) All signs, canopies, including all supporting framework, shall be kept and maintained in a safe, clean and orderly condition and appearance, and shall be repainted or otherwise maintained periodically by the owner to prevent deterioration caused by weather, age or any other conditions
(3) All letters, figures, characters and embellishments on a sign shall be safely and securely attached to the sign structure.
(4) Materials used in sign fabrication that will be exposed to the weather when the sign is displayed shall be rated for exterior exposure.
(Ord. O-38-2020, passed 12-14-2020)