(A) Authority. This chapter is enacted by ordinance pursuant to the police powers granted to the Village by the Illinois Compiled Statutes, ILCS Ch. 65, Act 5, §§ 11-13-1, et seq.
(B) Purpose. All signs which are located within the corporate limits of the village shall be located, constructed, erected, displayed, placed, designed, altered, used, removed and maintained in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.
(C) Legislative intent. The regulations of this chapter are intended to coordinate the use, placement, physical dimensions, and design of all signs within the village, as well as protect public health, safety and welfare, to preserve and enhance the image of the community and to develop a satisfactory visual appearance within the village by:
(1) Promoting the objectives, principles, and standards identified in the Winthrop Harbor Comprehensive Plan and in this code for residential, commercial and industrial development;
(2) Protecting the public from damage or injury caused by signs which are poorly designed or maintained, and from distractions or hazards to pedestrians or motorists caused by the indiscriminate placement or use of signs;
(3) Maintaining property values by eliminating signs that are incompatible with the surrounding land uses;
(4) Encouraging a viable economic environment through uniform control of signs;
(5) Facilitating effective communication between the public and the environment through signs which are appropriate for the type of street and site upon which they are located;
(6) Encouraging quality sign design to promote a better visual environment; and
(7) Enhancing the physical appearance of the village through a program which ensures the removal of inadequately maintained, illegal and nonconforming signs within a reasonable time period.
(D) Scope and application. The regulations set forth in this chapter shall govern the location, construction, erection, display, placement, design, structural or graphic alteration, use, removal and maintenance of all signs within the village. It shall be unlawful to locate, construct, erect, display, place, design, structurally or graphically alter, use, remove, relocate or maintain any sign except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2010-O-1, passed 1-5-10)