The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except for such instances where a sign listed herein is found to be unsafe or unlawful as provided in § 158.13 or as otherwise provided for in this chapter. Such signs are defined as exterior signs unless stated otherwise. Such signs shall not be illuminated unless otherwise specifically provided for. Such signs are exempted from all permit requirements herein, except that illuminated signs shall be subject to application for and receipt of an electrical permit.
(1) Bulletin boards. Bulletin boards shall be exempt, provided that they are located on the premises of charitable or religious institutions only, and do not exceed 16 square feet in surface area. Bulletin boards may be internally illuminated.
(2) Garage/yard sale signs. There are two separate sets of rules for onsite and offsite garage sale signs. This is intended to provide a balance between the rights of occupants of residential properties to sell unwanted personal property whenever they wish with the interests of the community as a whole in reducing roadside clutter and in treating all sellers of goods on a fair and equitable basis.
(a) Garage/yard sale signs—onsite. Garage/yard sale signs—onsite shall be exempt, provided that:
1. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in surface area if the sign is singlefaced or eight square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced;
2. Only one sign shall be permitted for each lot where the garage/yard sale is being held; provided, however, that one sign shall be permitted along each side of a lot abutting a public street up to a maximum of two signs per lot;
3. The sign shall not exceed five feet in height from grade;
4. The sign shall not be placed or erected for more than four consecutive days at the location of the sale; and
5. The sign shall be placed on private property on the premises of the sale and set back from any public right-of-way.
(b) Garage/yard sale signs—offsite. Garage/yard sale signs—offsite shall be exempt, provided that:
1. Offsite display of such signs shall be permitted only during the months of May, June, July, August and September;
2. From the first Thursday of each such month through the Sunday immediately following, residents shall be permitted to advertise garage sales using off-premises advertising signs;
3. No such sign may be placed on any village-owned property or right-of-way, nor shall such sign be stapled, taped or affixed to any telephone pole, streetlight pole or other publicly-owned structure;
4. No such sign may be placed on any property without the express permission of the owner of the property;
5. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in size, including the fronts and backs of any sign printed on both sides;
6. No such sign shall be placed in any location that presents a hazard to traffic or pedestrians by blocking any reasonably necessary sight-line, any safety device or any road sign;
7. The owner of any sign shall remove the sign not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Sunday ending the advertising period.
(3) Instructional signs. Instructional signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in surface area and shall be single-faced;
(b) Such signs shall not exceed eight feet in height from grade if placed on walls or on light poles or other similar single standards, and otherwise shall be constructed as free-standing signs which shall not exceed six feet in height;
(c) Such signs shall contain no advertising, logos or other promotional information;
(d) Such signs shall be located within the interior of any parking lot or facility, or adjacent to a pedestrian walkway leading to the building or use so identified, or otherwise set back a minimum of five feet from any property line or service drive;
(e) Such signs shall not include those signs accessory to parking areas or facilities as specifically provided for in § 158.07;
(f) Such signs shall not exceed two in number per lot or complex in residential zoning districts;
(g) Such signs shall not exceed four in number per lot in non-residential zoning districts; and
(h) The Building Commissioner may authorize additional signs of this type if determined to be warranted.
(4) Interior signs. Interior signs shall be exempt except as otherwise provided for in this chapter.
(5) Political signs. Political signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) There shall be no limit on the number of signs permitted for each building, dwelling unit, or lot; provided, however, that the quantity of signs displayed does not create a safety hazard to traffic by distracting motorists or interfering with safe pedestrian flow, in which case the Chief of Police and/or the Building Commissioner shall be authorized to require that the number of signs be reasonably reduced or relocated;
(b) The signs may be installed no earlier than 30 days prior to the election or referendum, and shall be removed within seven days after the election or referendum;
(c) In a residential zoning district, the sign does not exceed 16 square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced, or 32 square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced, and the signs do not obstruct traffic sight lines, sight triangles, traffic control signals, or public signs at street intersections or railroad crossings;
(d) In a non-residential zoning district, the sign does not exceed 16 square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced, or 32 square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced;
(e) In a residential zoning district, the sign does not exceed four feet in height from grade;
(f) In a non-residential zoning district, the sign does not exceed six feet in height from grade; and
(g) The sign shall be placed on private property and set back from any public right-of-way;
(6) Public signs. Public signs shall be exempt. Such signs may be illuminated.
(7) Residential real estate signs. Residential real estate signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) The sign content shall be limited to the words “For Sale”, “For Lease”, “For Rent”, “Open House” or “Sold” or substantially similar terminology; the name, address and phone number of the individual realtor or agent; and the name and logo of the realtor’s franchise or brokering office;
(b) The sign is located upon the property that is offered for sale, lease or rent, or has been sold;
(c) Only one sign shall be permitted for each building, dwelling unit or lot;
(d) The sign shall be removed within seven days after the real estate closing, or lease or rental transaction is completed, except that “Open House” signs shall be erected and removed on the day of the event;
(e) The sign does not exceed six square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced, or 12 square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced.
(f) The sign does not exceed four feet in height from grade; and
(g) The sign shall be placed on private property and set back from any public right-of-way.
(8) Vending machine signs. Vending machine signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) Such signs shall indicate only the contents of such devices, the pricing of the contents contained within, directional or instructional information as to use, and other similar information;
(b) Signage shall be limited to the signage originally furnished with the machine and shall relate to that product or item which is dispensed by that machine;
(c) Logos, names or other promotional information shall be considered the permitted sign;
(d) Such signs may be illuminated only on the front of the machine; and
(e) Such signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any public right-of-way;
(9) Window signs - residential zoning districts. Window signs in residential zoning districts shall be permitted only as temporary signs and shall be exempt, subject to the provisions of § 158.08.
(10) Window signs - non-residential zoning districts. Window signs in nonresidential zoning districts shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) Location. Window signs may be permanently affixed or applied to window glass of buildings where such windows or glass doors face the principal street frontage(s). Such signs to be affixed shall consist of high-quality design and copy, such as pre-cut decals, professionally-applied or painted copy using permanent-type inks, paints or gilding, and the like. Such signs may be affixed on the interior or the exterior surface of the glass;
(b) Surface area. The surface area of a permanent window sign shall not exceed 50% of the window surface area, exclusive of superficial borders and trim. This standard shall be consistent from window to window, or window pane to window pane as the case may apply, where a building has more than one qualifying window or window pane;
(c) Illumination. Window signs shall not be illuminated except those that are instructional, those that state whether the business or establishment is open or closed or those which state only the name of the business or establishment;
(d) Portability of surface area. A permanent window sign shall be permitted in addition to a permitted wall sign or projecting sign, provided that the surface area of all window signs shall be counted towards the maximum permitted surface area for the wall sign or projecting sign based on the signable wall area or the linear footage of the building front of the building;
(e) Displays. The display of merchandise shall not be construed as a window sign, nor any signs identifying or promoting merchandise or services, so long as the signs are located more than 12 inches back from the interior surface of the glass; and
(f) Temporary window signs. A window sign that is not permanently affixed to window glass shall be deemed a temporary sign and shall be subject to the provisions of § 158.08.
(B) Other signs.
(1) Name plate signs. Name plate signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) They are wall signs not exceeding one square foot in surface area indicating the name of the occupant of the premises in a residence, and not exceeding two square feet in surface area indicating the name of the occupant of the premises in a commercial or institutional establishment; and
(b) One sign shall be permitted for each building or dwelling unit, except for businesses or institutions that have more than one entrance for the general public, in which case one sign shall be permitted for each general public entrance.
(2) Address signs. Address signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) They are wall signs not exceeding one square foot in surface area for a residence, and not exceeding two square feet in surface area for a commercial or institutional establishment, indicating the legal address of the premises, limited to the display of address numerals and street name;
(b) A combination of a name plate sign and an address sign is permitted, provided that such sign does not exceed two square feet in surface area for a residence and does not exceed four square feet in surface area for a commercial or institutional establishment; and
(c) One address sign shall be required for each building or dwelling unit, except for businesses or institutions that have more than one entrance for the general public, in which case one sign shall be permitted for each general public entrance.
(3) Plaques. Plaques, memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, and similar types of identification and information when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other non-combustible material shall be exempt.
(4) Occupational signs. Occupational signs shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) They denote only the name and profession of an occupant in a commercial or institutional building and do not exceed two square feet in surface area;
(b) A combination of an address sign and an occupational sign is permitted, provided that such sign does not exceed four square feet in surface area. The use of an occupational sign shall forfeit the right to use a name plate sign; and
(c) One sign shall be permitted for each building, except for buildings that have more than one entrance for the general public, in which case one sign shall be permitted for each general public entrance.
(5) Service entrance signs. Signs designating the service or delivery entrance to a building or an individual unit in a building shall be exempt, provided that:
(a) There shall be a limit of one service entrance sign per delivery entrance to a building, or to an individual unit in a building;
(b) Such sign shall be a wall sign, or painted or decaled upon a door;
(c) Such sign shall not exceed two square feet in surface area;
(d) Such sign shall not be illuminated;
(e) Such sign shall not be located above the height of the adjacent door, or seven feet above the threshold, whichever is less; and
(f) Such sign shall contain information limited to the name and address numerals of the individual tenant, and delivery instructions.
(Ord. 2010-O-1, passed 1-5-10; Am. Ord. 2013-O-2, passed 3-19-13)