(1) Lights shall not be of such brightness so as to cause glare that is hazardous to pedestrians or motorists or cause reasonable objection from adjacent residential districts.
(2) Signs that have external illumination, whether the lighting is mounted above or below the sign face or panel, shall have lighting fixtures or luminaires that are fully shielded.
(3) No sign shall be illuminated in such a way that the source of light is visible from any premises other than that on which the sign is located.
(4) In no event shall an illuminated sign or lighting device permit the beams or illumination therefrom to be directed upon a public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a hazard or nuisance.
(5) Any illuminated sign or lighting device shall emit a light of constant intensity and no sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, intermittent, rotating, or moving light or lights. This restriction shall not apply to any legally permitted electronic message center sign, provided such sign is operated in accordance with § 150.358.
(B) Construction Standards. The construction, erection, safety and maintenance of all signs shall comply with all requirements of the applicable building and electrical codes and all of the following:
(1) All signs shall be constructed in a professional manner in conformance with the appropriate building code and other applicable requirements of the Village and County and shall be structurally sound to withstand wind pressures of at least 30 pounds per square foot of surface area.
(2) All permanent freestanding signs shall have self-supporting structures erected on, or permanently attached to, concrete foundations.
(3) Signs shall not be erected in locations that interfere with safe vehicular and pedestrian circulation or public safety signals and signs.
(4) If possible, signs should not be in locations that obscure architectural features such as pilasters, arches, windows, and cornices.
(5) Signs shall not project over or obstruct the required windows or doors of any structure or building, and shall not be attached to or obstruct a fire escape or interfere with other safety provisions as may be further related to other codes.
(6) Signs shall be structurally designed in compliance with ANSI and ASCI standards. All electric signs shall be constructed according to the technical standards of a certified testing laboratory, and shall be installed, repaired, altered, and serviced only by a contractor licensed to perform such tasks.
(C) Clearances.
(1) Vision clearance areas: Vision clearance areas are triangular shaped areas located at the intersection of any combination of rights-of-way or driveways. No sign shall be installed within the clear sight triangles defined below. See also Figure 150.360(C).
(a) At the intersection of two street rights-of-way, the triangle shall extend thirty (30) feet from the intersection of the rights-of-way in either/each direction.
(b) At the intersection of a street right-of-way and a driveway, the triangle shall be established by locating the intersection of the street curb with the driveway edge, and by measuring from this point a distance of ten feet along the driveway to a point and a distance of 20 feet along the street curb to a point and connecting these points.
(2) Signs shall not be erected so as to obstruct traffic-control lights, street name signs at intersections, or signals at railroad grade crossings.
(3) Vehicle area clearances: In areas outside of rights-of-way, when a sign or awning extends over an area in which vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the structure shall be at least fourteen (14) feet above the ground. Vehicle areas include driveways, alleys, parking areas, and loading and maneuvering areas.
(4) Signs in the Right-of Way. Only the Village may install signs in the public right-of-way, which, when installed shall be at least fourteen (14) feet above the ground.
(D) Maintenance Requirements. All signs shall be maintained in accordance with the following:
(1) The property owner shall maintain the sign in a condition appropriate to the intended use and in compliance with all applicable requirements of this Code.
(2) The Zoning Administrator may order any sign to be painted or refurbished whenever needed to keep the sign in a neat and safe condition. All supporters, guys, braces and anchors for such signs shall be maintained in a safe condition.
(3) If the sign is deemed by the Zoning Administrator to be in an unsafe condition, the owner of the business shall be immediately notified in writing, and shall, within 48 hours of receipt of such notification, respond to the Village with a plan to correct the unsafe condition, remove the unsafe sign, or cause it to be removed. If, after 14 days, the unsafe condition has not been corrected through repair or removal, the Zoning Administrator may cause the repair or removal of such sign, at the expense of the property owner or lessee. If the total costs are not paid in full within 30 days of the repairs or removal, the amount owed shall be certified as an assessment against the property of the sign owner, and lien upon that property, together with an additional 50% penalty for collection as prescribed for unpaid real estate taxes.
(a) All notices mailed by the Zoning Administrator shall be sent by certified mail. Any time periods provided in this subchapter shall be deemed to commence on the date of the receipt of the certified mail.
(b) For all other signs, the notice shall be mailed to the owner of the property on which the sign is located as shown on the last equalized assessment roll. If unknown, the notice shall be mailed to or delivered to the owner of the sign and the occupant of the property.
(c) Any person having an interest in the sign or the property may appeal the determination of the Zoning Administrator ordering removal or compliance by filing a written notice of appeal with the Committee of Zoning Appeals within 30 days after receipt of the notice.
(4) In cases of emergency, the Zoning Administrator may cause the immediate removal of a dangerous or defective sign without notice.
(5) Whenever any sign, either conforming or nonconforming to these regulations, is required to be removed for the purpose of repair, relettering or repainting, the same may be done without a permit or without any payment of fees provided that all of the following conditions are met:
(a) There is no alteration or remodeling to the structure or the mounting of the sign itself;
(b) There is no enlargement or increase in any of the dimensions of the sign or its structure;
(c) The sign is accessory to a legally permitted, conditional or nonconforming use.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)