(A) General. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
EXISTING GRADE. The prevailing level of the soil at a given location, not to include any walls, raised flower beds, or other means of artificially modifying the level of the soil for the purpose of extending sign height.
HISTORIC SIGNS. Signs greater than 20 years of age as of September 10, 2009.
MULTI-FAMILY COMPLEX. A residential building or buildings consisting of three or more dwelling units which are designed for a corresponding number of families, and/or non-related individuals.
NORMAL MAINTENANCE. Include activities that keep the sign in safe, presentable, and sound condition, such as replacement of missing or defective parts, periodic cleaning, and re-painting with substantially the same colors as in the original sign. NORMAL MAINTENANCE does not include activities that alter the message, background, colors, dimensions, orientation, or location of a sign in any way or change the design of its support structure.
ROOF LINE. The edge of the roof around the building structure.
SIGN.
(a) Any display of letters, words, numbers, figures, devices, emblems, pictures, or any other means whereby the same are made visible for the purpose of making anything known, whether such display be made on, or attached to, or as part of a structure, surface, or any other thing, including, but not limited to, the ground, a rock, tree, or other natural object.
(b) SIGNS do not include holiday decorations, the flag or emblem of any nation, state, city, religious, fraternal, or civic organization; nor merchandise and pictures of models of products incorporated in a window display; nor works of art which in no way identity a product; nor scoreboards located on athletic fields, golf courses, and ski slopes.
SIGN SUPPORT STRUCTURE. A structure, including uprights, supports, frames, display surfaces, and other appurtenances, intended to support or display one or more signs. If painted, SIGN SUPPORT STRUCTURES shall include one color of the supported sign(s).
SIGNABLE SPACE. The area of a building face on which a sign may be placed, including fronting wall or gable space. The size of this area shall equal the total square footage of the area from the ground to the roof line (not including the roof itself), less the total combined area of window, doors, and dormers.
(B) Types of signs.
BILLBOARD/POSTER BOARD. A sign identifying, advertising, and/or directing the public to a business, merchandise, service, entertainment, development, or product which is located at a place other than the property on which such sign is located. These signs are also known as OFF-PREMISES, OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGNS.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. Signs indicating the location of publicly-owned buildings, parks, schools, hospitals, and scenic or historic places.
FESTIVAL SIGNS. Signs which are placed to commemorate and/or attract attention to a festival recognized by the Village Council.
GASOLINE PUMP SIGNS. Signs which are normally associated with the sale of gasoline and the price, self-service, and the like, information contained at the pump.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS. The decorations normally associated with the holiday seasons from November to January.
MULTI-FAMILY COMPLEX IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Signs bearing only the name of the relevant multi-family complex.
ON-PREMISES SIGNS. Signs located on land on which is located a house or building.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNS. Signs located on land on which a house or building is not located.
PORTABLE SIGNS. Signs designed or intended to be readily relocated. This shall include signs on wheels, trailers, truck beds, or any other device which is capable of or intended to be moved from one location to another. Signs painted or attached to operational vehicles are not intended to be included in this definition.
PRIVATE INFORMATION SIGNS. Signs which inform the public of private regulations.
PUBLIC SERVICE SIGNS. Signs displayed for the direction or the convenience of the public such as signs for restrooms, public telephones, and the like.
VILLAGE OFF-PREMISES DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. An off-premises sign owned and maintained by the village, identifying and providing directions to developments, facilities, or activities located within the village.
WINDOW SIGNS. Signs which are painted on or affixed to the windows, including windows in doors.
(C) Signs defined by method of attachment.
DETACHED SIGNS. Signs supported by a structure placed in the ground which is wholly independent of any building, fence, vehicle, or object other than the sign structure for support.
FLUSH ATTACHED SIGNS. Signs which are mounted flush to a building or attached to the top of a canopy or the cantilevered portion of a cantilevered roof with the face of the sign parallel to the wall. Such signs are attached throughout their entire length and do not extend above the highest point indicated below.
(a) Signs mounted flush to a building wall cannot extend above the highest vertical point of the building wall.
(b) Signs mounted to a cantilevered roof cannot extend above the cantilevered portion of the roof.
(c) Signs mounted to the top of a canopy cannot extend above the highest point of the top of the canopy.
PAINTED WALL SIGNS. Signs painted directly on any exterior building wall or door surface, exclusive of window and door glass areas.
PROJECTING ATTACHED SIGNS. Signs attached to building walls with the face of the sign projecting from the building walls.
(D) Signs defined by duration of display. Signs shall be categorized based upon their intended duration of display as follows. If a sign exceeds the duration of display for a category, it must comply with all requirements and obtain a permit for the appropriate category of duration.
ACCESSORY SIGNS. Signs intended for the recurring, periodic display of information. These signs are typically modified regularly, but are not necessarily temporary in nature.
PERMANENT SIGNS. Signs which are intended to be displayed continuously for a period of greater than one year. Signs (such as real estate signs) which are erected prospectively with the goal of being removed in less than one year do not constitute PERMANENT SIGNS.
SEMI-TEMPORARY SIGNS. Signs of a temporary nature that are erected for an intended or presumed duration of less than one year but typically greater than 14 days. Examples of signs in this category commonly include, but are not limited to, signs erected to advertise the sale of real estate and signs erected during a construction project. SEMI-TEMPORARY SIGNS may by erected for periods of greater than one year, provided that required permits are obtained. Signs intended to be erected permanently do not qualify for this category.
SHORT-TERM SIGNS. Signs erected for less than 48 hours.
TEMPORARY SIGNS. Signs or advertising display intended to be displayed for a short period of time (not greater than 14 days), often to inform the public of an unusual or special event. These signs are often in the form of “banners”. Signs erected for longer than 14 days do not qualify for this category.
TRANSITIONAL SIGNS. Signs erected for a maximum of six months while a permanent sign is being created.
(E) Areas of signs defined.
AREA OF A SIGN.
(a) Excluding wall or window signs, shall be considered to include all lettering, wording, and accompanying designs and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed, any frame around the sign, and any cutouts or extensions, but shall not include any supporting or bracing. In the case of a multi-faced sign, the AREA of the sign shall be considered to include all faces visible in one direction.
(b) The AREA of a wall or window sign consisting of individual letters or symbols attached to or painted on a surface, building, wall, or window, shall be considered to be that of the smallest rectangle or triangle which encompasses all of the letters or symbols.
(Prior Code, Ch. 8 § 803)