The following types of signs shall require a permit. They shall meet all requirements incorporated in the following sign descriptions as well as all other provisions of this chapter.
Awning Signs: When nonretractable awnings are used as wall signs, they shall be subject to size requirements for wall signs but copy on the awning shall not take up more than sixty percent (60%) of the surface area of the slope. When awnings are used as decorative elements of the building, are retractable or nonretractable and are used in addition to wall signs, the copy on the signs shall be limited to the valance area and may not exceed five (5) square feet per awning.
Banner Signs: Banner signs are permitted as grand opening signs, business promotional signs and special event signs. No banner sign shall be hung across any public right-of-way without Village Board approval.
Blade Sign: No part of a blade sign shall inhibit lines of sight or access for pedestrians or vehicles.
Bulletin Board Signs: Allowed on the premises of a charitable or religious institution only and may not exceed sixteen (16) square feet. May be used in combination with an identification sign.
Business Promotional Signs: A temporary use permit is required; the fee is twenty five dollars ($25.00) annually. A single business may display a special event or promotional sign on a limited basis. These signs can be vinyl banner signs or other permitted temporary sign material as approved by the building official. All signs must be wholly displayed on private property.
A. Number: Businesses are permitted four (4) promotional event signs and/or special event signs per year. Only one such sign is permitted to be displayed at a time for each business or zoning lot.
B. Duration: Promotional signs shall be permitted for thirty (30) day periods. Display of any business promotional sign may not be sequential; there must be thirty (30) days between the issuance of permits for such signs. An exception may be made for events or promotions held in conjunction with traditional national holidays.
C. Size:
1. Promotional banner signs may not be larger than thirty two (32) square feet (4'x8' preferred).
2. Such signs shall not exceed 25% per individual/singular glazed area (window or door) and 25% of total first-floor glazing.
D. Location:
1. Banners: Banner signs must be affixed to the building walls in a nonprojecting manner and may not exceed the height of the first floor of the building or twelve feet (12') from grade, whichever is higher. Banners must be firmly secured with all four (4) corners pinned down. Banners may be secured to porch posts or railings only if the building official determines that no other area is feasible for display due to location of windows, doors, etc.
2. Other: All promotional business signs must be displayed on the elevation of the building with the store or business’ main entrance or on the elevation of the building facing the public street. If not affixed to the building, signs must be within ten feet (10') of the front elevation not blocking any ingress/egress point or line of sight. Exact locations shall be approved by the building official. For businesses with changeable copy signs attached to the freestanding signs, no business promotional signs shall be permitted. For businesses within large parks and/or retail areas whose frontage is not located adjacent to a public street, signs may be placed in common areas near to or secured to park or shopping center signs. Only one such sign is permitted at a time with landlord/owner approval.
E. Exceptions: The Village Board may grant exceptions related to the number, duration, size, and location regulations listed in subsections A through D above.
Canopy Signs: Shall only be used to identify the place of business and street address and shall be placed only on the slope sections of the canopy. No part of the canopy sign can extend above or below the canopy itself and shall not overhang the public right-of-way.
Changeable Copy Signs, Manual: Must be incorporated into freestanding signs used for identification of an establishment. The changeable copy section shall not occupy more than twenty five percent (25%) of the copy area for signs with display areas measuring greater than one hundred (100) square feet; shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the copy area for signs with display areas measuring one hundred (100) square feet to forty one (41) square feet; and shall not occupy more than fifty percent (50%) of the copy area for signs with display areas measuring forty (40) square feet or less and shall be in proportion to the entire sign and shall have similar treatment so it is integrated into the sign face. Changeable copy signs are not permitted as wall or window signs.
Construction Sign; Public Roadway Or Utility: All signs shall be removed at the completion of the public project.
Construction Signs; Site: All construction signs shall be removed before an occupancy permit is granted.
Directional Signs: Directional signs may be erected in addition to the permitted number of freestanding or wall signs. No directional sign shall be larger than three (3) square feet, and if freestanding, higher than five feet (5') and may not contain a logo or advertising.
Directory Sign: Such signs shall include sign panels listing the names of the tenants or the occupants of a building or group of buildings and may also indicate their respective professions or business activities. Directory signs may be incorporated into identification signs for a development.
Electronic Changeable Copy Signs: Appearance Review Commission approval required for new signs including electronic sign panels and for retrofitting existing signs with electronic sign panels. Electronic changeable copy signs are also subject to the following regulations:
A. Route 31 Business Corridor:
1. Permitted locations:
a. Electronic signs are permitted for properties with underlying business zoning or with a business component within a Special Development District.
b. Electronic signs are permitted for large-scale, multi-family residential rental developments along or connected to Route 31.
(1) The development shall contain at least twenty (20) acres.
(2) The sign shall be physically set back at least three-hundred feet (300') from Route 31.
c. Only one electronic sign is permitted per zoning lot.
d. Changeable copy, electronic signs are allowable for fuel station price signs at service stations in all areas of the community except for the historic area. Such signs are subject to the display regulations below but the fuel price must be a nonmoving display at all times.
e. Changeable copy electronic signs are permitted in certain areas according to the size of the site measured by linear footage as follows:
(1) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of less than three hundred feet (300') on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is fifty (50) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign may not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of the maximum sign copy area.
(2) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of three hundred and one feet (301') or greater on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is one-hundred (100) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign may not exceed twenty-five (25%) of the maximum sign copy area.
2. Base:
a. Electronic signs may only be incorporated into monument or ground signs with solid masonry bases.
b. Unfinished concrete masonry units (CMU) or unfinished poured concrete are not permissible masonry base materials.
c. Minimum base height shall be twenty-four inches (24").
d. The electronic sign panel must be placed at the bottom of the overall sign panel immediately above the masonry base.
(1) Masonry base shall extend the full width of the sign panel.
3. Display area:
a. Electronic copy may not contain any symbols, icons, characters, ideograms, or product representations.
b. Electronic copy shall be restricted to a maximum of two (2) colors displaying dark background and light or contrasting text.
c. Electronic copy may not flash, blink, fade, scroll or roll or have any type of continuous movement.
d. Copy must be of a nonmoving persistent nature with a single message displayed for at least ten (10) seconds for commercial properties and at least one (1) minute for large-scale, multi-family residential rental developments.
4. Minimum Design Standards:
a. Higher resolution display panels are encouraged. An electronic sign panel shall not have more than twelve millimeters (12 mm) pixel pitch spacing (high resolution).
b. The unit must be equipped with both a programmed dimming sequence as well as an additional overriding mechanical photocell that adjusts the brightness of the display to the ambient light at the all times of day. Such programming and mechanical equipment shall be set so that the unit, at night or in overcast conditions, will be no more than 40% of the daytime brightness level.
c. All electronic signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the image in one position when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.
5. Ancillary Use/Function:
a. Electronic signs to be equipped to override commercial messages for emergency situations or to accommodate community messages.
B. Route 72 Corridor: including properties with frontage on both sides of Route 72 from the eastern limits of the Village to Route 31 (but excluding the lots at the northeast and southeast corner of Routes 31 and 72.)
1. Permitted locations:
a. Electronic signs are permitted for properties with underlying business zoning.
b. Only one electronic sign is permitted per zoning lot.
c. Changeable copy electronic signs are permitted in certain areas according to the size of the site measured by linear footage as follows:
(1) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of one hundred eighty feet (180') or greater on Route 72:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is thirty (30) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum sign copy area.
d. Maximum sign size:
(1) Maximum height: eight feet (8')
(2) Maximum width: ten feet (10')
2. Base:
a. Electronic signs may only be incorporated into ground signs with solid masonry bases.
b. Unfinished concrete masonry units (CMUs) or unfinished poured concrete are not permissible masonry base materials.
c. Minimum base height shall be eighteen inches (18").
d. The electronic sign panel must be placed at the bottom of the overall sign panel immediately above the masonry base.
(1) Masonry base shall extend the full width of the sign panel.
3. Display area:
a. Electronic copy may not contain any symbols, icons, characters, ideograms, or product representations.
b. Electronic copy shall be restricted to a maximum of two (2) colors displaying a dark background and light or contrasting text with colors reflecting those used in the fixed sign panel.
c. Electronic copy may not flash, blink, fade, scroll or roll or have any type of continuous movement.
d. Copy must be of a nonmoving persistent nature with a single message displayed for at least thirty (30) minutes.
4. Minimum Design Standards:
a. Higher resolution display panels are encouraged and an electronic sign panel shall not have more than ten millimeters (10 mm) pixel pitch spacing.
b. The unit must be equipped with both a programmed dimming sequence as well as an additional overriding mechanical photocell that adjusts the brightness of the display to the ambient light at the all times of day. Such programming and mechanical equipment shall be set so that the unit, at night or in overcast conditions, will be no more than 40% of the daytime brightness level.
c. All electronic signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the image in one position when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.
5. Ancillary Use/Function:
a. Electronic signs to be equipped to override commercial messages for emergency situations or to accommodate community messages.
C. Spring Hill Mall and Mall Surrounding Area: including properties with frontage on Ring Road, Spring Hill Gateway, and properties along both the north and south sides of Route 72 from Route 31 to Sleepy Hollow Road, all property with commercial frontage along Huntley Road and the Elm Avenue entrance to the mall.
1. Permitted locations:
a. Electronic signs are permitted for properties with underlying business zoning.
b. Only one electronic sign is permitted per zoning lot.
c. Changeable copy electronic signs are permitted in certain areas according to the size of the site measured by linear footage as follows:
(1) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of seven hundred feet (700') or greater on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is one hundred sixty (160) square feet.
(B) Maximum electronic sign copy area is a function of display resolution (see Section 4(a) below).
(C) Maximum sign height shall be twenty-five feet (25') for a monument sign or fourteen feet (14') for a ground sign, with up to ten percent (10%) additional for an architectural element atop sign.
(2) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of between three hundred feet (300') and six hundred ninety-nine feet (699') on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is eighty (80) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign panel may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum sign copy area.
(C) Maximum sign height shall be fifteen feet (15') for a monument sign or ten feet (10') for a ground sign, with up to ten percent (10%) additional for an architectural element atop sign.
(3) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of between two hundred feet (200') and two hundred ninety-nine feet (299') on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is sixty (60) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign panel may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum sign copy area.
(C) Maximum sign height shall be twelve feet (12') for a monument sign or eight feet (8') for a ground sign, with up to ten percent (10%) additional for an architectural element atop sign.
(4) For single buildings, shopping centers or planned developments with linear frontage of less than two hundred feet (200') on a single roadway:
(A) Maximum sign copy area is forty (40) square feet.
(B) An electronic sign panel may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum sign copy area.
(C) Maximum sign height shall be ten feet (10') for a monument sign or seven feet (7') for a ground sign, with up to ten percent (10%) additional for an architectural element atop sign.
2. Base:
a. Electronic signs may only be incorporated into monument or ground signs with solid masonry bases.
b. Unfinished concrete masonry units (CMUs) or unfinished poured concrete are not permissible masonry base materials.
c. Masonry base shall extend the full width of the sign panel.
d. Minimum base height shall be eighteen inches (18").
e. Maximum base height shall be four feet (4').
f. Sign base shall be landscaped with plant material providing year-round appeal.
g. The electronic sign panel must be placed at the bottom of the overall sign panel immediately above the masonry base.
3. Display area:
a. Electronic copy may not flash, blink, scroll or roll or have any type of continuous movement.
b. Copy must be of a nonmoving persistent nature with individual signs or messages displayed for at least ten (10) seconds. The change in copy shall be a full screen replacement without motion or other action techniques. No movement, flashing, animation or scrolling messages shall be permitted.
c. Electronic copy may not include any advertising unrelated to the businesses or facility where the electronic sign is located.
4. Minimum Design Standards:
a. Higher resolution display panels are encouraged.
(1) An electronic sign panel of up to 35% of sign copy area shall not have more than fourteen millimeter (14 mm) pixel pitch spacing.
(2) An electronic sign panel of between 35% and 50% of sign copy area shall not have more than ten millimeter (10 mm) pixel pitch spacing.
(3) An electronic sign panel in excess of 50% of copy area shall not have more than eight millimeter (8 mm) pixel pitch spacing.
b. The unit must be equipped with both a programmed dimming sequence as well as an additional overriding mechanical photocell that adjusts the brightness of the display to the ambient light at all times of day. Such programming and mechanical equipment shall be set so that the unit, at night or in overcast conditions, will be no more than 40% of the daytime brightness level.
c. All electronic signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the image in one position when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.
3. Ancillary Use/Function:
a. Electronic signs to be equipped to override commercial messages for emergency situations or to accommodate community messages.
Fuel Station Price Sign: Electronic and manual fuel station price signs are subject to all rules for changeable copy signs.
Ground Signs: Shall be integrated into landscape features.
Identification Signs: Identification signs shall identify the establishment where the sign is erected by displaying the name of the business or building with other advertising kept to a minimum.
Menu Sign: Menu signs shall be permitted only in conjunction with drive-up window lanes, and shall be allowed in addition to the other permitted freestanding and wall signs. All menu signs must be at least twenty five feet (25') from the public right-of-way.
Monument Sign: Shall be integrated into landscape features and be taller than wider. Base shall be maintained free of copy or graphics.
Neon Signs: Neon tubing as an inside window or door signage treatment is allowed when such tubing is for the business name, instructional purposes, logos, graphics, products or services. No outlining of windows or doors with tubing is allowed. Window sign coverage regulations apply in totality.
Not For Profit Organization Signs: Not for profit organizations, clubs, and churches shall be allowed a no fee permit for display of temporary signs on private property. Such signs shall not exceed thirty two (32) square feet in area, not to be displayed longer than fourteen (14) days and in conformance to the setback requirements for the location installed. There shall be a limit of two (2) such signs displayed at the same time on any premises. If a permanent changeable copy sign exists on the premises, the number of signs shall be limited to one. Signs for any one event or promotion may not be displayed again until thirty (30) days after removal. Signs may be permitted on public property with Village Manager approval.
Portable Sign: Portable signs shall only be permitted as temporary signs when permitted by this chapter or by the Village Board for promotional purposes but may not be used as permanent signs for businesses.
Projecting Sign: Shall not project more than four feet (4') from a building wall.
Real Estate Sign: Real estate signs may be freestanding or wall mounted. All real estate signs shall be removed within five (5) days after the sale or rental of the property. No real estate sign or construction sign shall be illuminated.
Special Event Signs: A temporary sign permit shall only be issued in conjunction with special event approval as defined in section 3-8-3 of this Code.
Thematic Window Compositions, Temporary: A temporary sign permit is required; the fee is twenty-five dollars ($25.00) annually. A single business may display a thematic window composition on a limited basis. These compositions can be hand painted, vinyl banner signs or other permitted temporary sign material as approved by Village staff. All signs must be wholly displayed on private property.
A. B-1 Downtown Business District:
1. Number: Businesses are permitted four (4) thematic window compositions per year.
2. Duration: Thematic window compositions shall be permitted for thirty (30) day periods. Display of thematic window compositions may be sequential.
3. Size: Thematic window compositions shall not exceed 50% per individual/singular glazed area (window or door) and 50% of total first-floor glazing.
4. Locations:
a. Shall only be located on a current or formerly glazed area (windows or doors).
b. Shall only be permitted on the first floor.
5. Minimum Design Standards:
a. Shall not include business promotional language.
b. Shall not include contentious, abusive, or offensive material.
c. Permit application shall include an illustration / rendering / representation of the composition.
6. Other:
a. Display of thematic window compositions may not coincide or overlap with display of business promotional signs.
b. Thematic window compositions shall not obscure approved permanent window signage.
c. Permit applications shall be considered administratively. An appeal may be made to the Appearance Review Commission in the event that an application or proposal is denied a permit by village staff.
Wall Signs: Include blade signs, projecting signs and awning signs when used in place of traditional wall signs. The wall sign shall not extend beyond the top ends of the wall surface on which they are placed. Wall signs shall not project more than twelve inches (12") from the building wall surface or facade. If a wall sign projects more than twelve inches (12") from the wall, it shall be deemed a projecting sign.
Window Signs, Permanent: Window signs painted on, or attached to, or placed behind a window shall not cover more than fifty percent (50%) of the total glass area of the first floor facing the street. Window signs cannot be off premises and must be displayed only in windows that the tenant occupies. No window signs shall be permitted for individual tenants in a multi-story or multi-tenant office building.
A. Open sign, electronic: May not flash, blink, fade, scroll, animate, move sequentially, roll, have any type of continuous movement or give the illusion of movement in any manner.
Window Signs, Temporary: Temporary window signs above the first floor shall be allowed when the upper floor is occupied by a commercial tenant. Such signs shall not cover more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total glass area of any upper floor, facing the street. (Ord. 14-02, 1-20-2014; amd. Ord. 2014-16, 6-2-2014; Ord. 2015-05, 2-16-2015; Ord. 2015-33, 12-21-2015; Ord. 16-05, 3-7-2016; Ord. 16-31, 10-24-2016; Ord. 17-17, 5-22-2017; Ord. 17-19, 6-26-2017; Ord. 2019-02, 1-21-2019; Ord. 2022-02, 1-17-2022; Ord. 2022-35, 11-7-2022)