(A) Purposes.
(1) Signs make use of private land and the sight lines created by public rights-of-way to inform and persuade the general public by publishing a message. This chapter provides standards for the erection and maintenance of private signs. All private signs not exempted as provided below shall be erected and maintained in accordance with these standards. Signs shall be designed, erected, altered, reconstructed, moved and maintained, in whole or in part, in accordance with the type, design, size, location, illumination and other provisions set forth in this chapter.
(2) The construction, erection and maintenance of all signs shall be in accordance with this chapter. The provisions of this chapter shall not amend, nor in any way interfere with, other codes, rules or regulations governing traffic signs within the village. The display of official public notices and the emblem or insignia of an official governmental body shall not be affected by the provisions of these regulations. Further, signs used for safety purposes relative to the repair or maintenance of streets, sidewalks or utilities in a public right-of-way shall not be affected by the provisions of these regulations.
(B) Objectives. The general objectives of these standards are to promote health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of the public and, in part, to achieve the following.
(1) Safety. To promote the safety of persons and property by providing that signs:
(a) Do not create a hazard due to collapse, fire, collision, decay or abandonment;
(b) Do not obstruct firefighting or police surveillance; and
(c) Do not create traffic hazards by confusing or distracting motorists or by impairing the driver’s ability to see pedestrians, obstacles or other vehicles, or to read traffic signs.
(2) Communication and efficiency. To promote the efficient transfer of information in sign messages by providing that:
(a) Those signs that provide messages and information most needed and sought by the public are given priority;
(b) Businesses and services may identify themselves;
(c) Customers and other persons may locate a business or service;
(d) No person or group is arbitrarily denied the use of the sight lines from the public right-of-way for communications purposes; and
(e) Persons exposed to signs are not overwhelmed by the number of messages presented and are able to exercise freedom of choice to observe or ignore such messages, according to the observer’s purpose.
(3) Landscape quality and preservation. To protect the public welfare and to enhance the appearance and economic value of the village landscape by providing that signs:
(a) Do not interfere with scenic views;
(b) Do not create a nuisance to persons using the public rights-of-way;
(c) Do not constitute a nuisance to occupancy of adjacent and contiguous property by their brightness, size, height, or movement; and
(d) Contribute to the special character of particular areas or districts within the village, helping the observer understand the village and orient himself or herself within it.
(Prior Code, § 1288.01) (Ord. 652, passed 11-8-1999)