(A) The following signs shall be permitted within the village as accessory uses in non-residential zoning districts, and shall be subject to all applicable standards:
(1) Exempt signs as specified in § 158.04;
(2) Temporary signs as specified in § 158.08;
(3) Official flags; and
(4) Ancillary and/or corporate flags.
(B) General provisions. The standards in this section shall apply to all general business, industrial and institutional establishments. Additional or different regulations for certain types of non-residential uses are contained in separate subsections of § 158.07 below.
(C) All signs shall relate to the name and/or use of the establishment, facility, premises or center.
(D) Free-standing signs. free-standing signs shall be permitted, subject to the following provisions.
(1) Number. There shall be a limit of one free-standing sign per lot, shopping center, shopping center outlot or multiple business center, which shall be erected for the purpose of identifying the establishment.
(2) Height. No ground sign shall exceed 12 feet in height from grade.
(3) Surface area. No ground sign shall exceed a maximum surface area of 50 square feet if single-faced or 100 square feet if double-faced.
(4) Setback. No ground sign shall be located closer than five feet to any property line. Such signs shall be placed no closer than 18 feet to any building or structure it identifies and shall not obscure any architectural features of a building, such as entrances, display windows or decorative cornices when viewed from any street.
(5) Illumination. Ground signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(6) Bonus provisions. A 15% bonus of square footage per face may be added to the permitted surface area of a ground sign if a permanent help wanted sign is incorporated into the overall sign design, or a 15% bonus of square footage per face if a permanent leasing sign is incorporated into the overall sign design, but only a maximum of a 25% bonus if both help wanted and leasing signage are incorporated into the overall sign design, provided that such square footage is used solely to advertise the availability of job openings, or the availability of leasable space, respectively, and is not appropriated for identification or promotional purposes. The use of this additional square footage shall permanently forfeit the right to construct any separate temporary or permanent help wanted or leasing signs on the property. Failure to comply with these requirements shall justify an order from the village that the entire sign be removed. Small, removable and professionally-designed temporary shingle-style help wanted signs may be fastened to the bottom of free-standing signs if compatible with the design of the sign.
(7) Tenant identification panels. Provision for identifying tenants within a shopping center or multiple business center as part of the permitted square footage of the sign identifying the shopping center or multiple business center as a whole shall be permitted, provided that there shall be a limit of two panels or divisions of the sign for such purposes.
(8) Menu board signs. In addition to the one permitted free-standing sign, one free-standing single-faced menu board sign shall be permitted per lot or outlot for restaurants with drive-through facilities, provided that such sign does not exceed 24 square feet in surface area or eight feet in height. Such sign may only be internally illuminated. Menu board signs shall be permitted only in business zoning districts.
(E) Wall signs. Wall signs shall be permitted, subject to the following provisions.
(1) Location. A wall sign shall be erected upon the wall of the building facade having its principal frontage upon a public street. A wall sign may be on the building facade other than the principal frontage if it faces a nonresidential district and the total square footage does not exceed the total permitted on the principal frontage. In no case shall a wall sign be permitted that faces the side of any adjoining lot located in a residential zoning district.
(2) Number. A maximum of one wall sign per establishment shall be permitted, erected for the purpose of identifying the establishment, subject to the following provisions.
(a) No wall signs shall be permitted for individual tenants in a multi-story or multi-tenant office building, unless specifically authorized as part of an approved PUD at the time of approval of the PUD.
(b) A corporate logo shall be permitted, but shall count as the permitted wall sign if it is not incorporated into the wall sign. The square footage of the logo shall be calculated along with the remainder of the sign copy to determine the overall surface area of the sign.
(3) Height. The maximum height of a wall sign shall be 30 feet from grade, or two stories, whichever is less, but in no case shall any portion of such sign be extended above the roof line.
(4) Signable wall area. A wall sign shall be located within a selected signable wall area.
(5) Surface area. The surface area of a wall sign shall not exceed one and one-half square feet per one linear foot of building front, or 150 square feet, whichever is less. In addition, the following provisions or additional size limitations shall apply: signage shall not occupy more than 70% of the width of the building front or the frontage of the establishment in a multi-tenant building.
(6) Projection. No wall sign shall project from the building wall more than 12 inches.
(7) Overhang. The edges of wall signs shall not overhang the top of bays or equivalent architectural features of building facades.
(8) Illumination. Wall signs may be internally illuminated, and may also be externally illuminated, consistent with the standards provided in § 158.10(C) of this code.
(9) Corner units, outlot buildings and corner buildings. Establishments occupying a corner unit in a multi-tenant building, or single-tenant outlot buildings or single-tenant free-standing buildings at a corner intersection of two public streets shall be entitled to have two wall signs, one per wall, each adhering to all of the other standards in this section, provided that:
(a) The primary wall sign shall be deemed to be that which is located on the side of the unit or building that has the legal address or the principal entrance for the general public;
(b) The surface area of the secondary wall sign shall not exceed that of the primary wall sign, and that the same style, color and content is used;
(c) The location of the secondary wall sign is not adjacent to any residential dwelling unit or vacant property located in a residential zoning district;
(d) Both sides of a corner unit in a multi-tenant building face a public street. Signs facing a service drive, loading dock entrance or the like shall be prohibited; and
(e) In the event that there is a conflict between the allowable surface area of a sign based on the signable wall area for the primary wall sign and that for the secondary sign, the computation of the maximum surface area permitted for the total of both signs shall be as follows:
1. For corner units in a multi-tenant building: the smaller signable wall area shall be used for computing the maximum permitted surface area for each of the two signs; and
2. For single-tenant outlot buildings or single-tenant free-standing buildings at a corner intersection of two public streets: the width of the longest side of the building shall be used to compute the maximum surface area permitted for the total of both signs, and that total surface area may be allocated between the two permitted signs as long as all other standards of § 158.07 are met.
(10) Signs to be erected upon mansard roofs shall be treated as wall signs, and shall be single-faced, subject to construction specifications as listed in § 158.09. In no case shall the roof or a portion of the roof itself be illuminated.
(F) Canopy, under-canopy, and marquee signs. Canopy, under-canopy and marquee signs shall be permitted subject to the following provisions.
(1) Number. There shall be a limit of one canopy or one marquee sign per lot or per establishment, erected for the purpose of identifying the establishment, except as otherwise provided for in this section, and provided that no wall signs are directed to the same street frontage.
(2) Location. Canopy/marquee signs may be mounted on the face (vertical edges only) of the canopy/marquee proper. Signs shall not be erected above the roof line of the canopy/marquee.
(3) Signable area. The signable area for canopy/marquee signs shall not extend beyond the canopy/marquee face on which the sign is located. No sign or portion of a sign shall exceed the borderline of any outer edge of the canopy/marquee. No sign shall be placed on or over the roof of the canopy/marquee.
(4) Surface area. The surface area of a canopy/marquee sign shall not exceed ten square feet or 30% of the signable wall area of a canopy/marquee attached to the building front, whichever is greater. A multiple-bay canopy/marquee, such as drive-up lanes at a financial institution, may have a sign for each bay, provided that the sum total of all such signs does not exceed 30% of the surface area of the face of the canopy/marquee that faces a public street or private drive.
(5) Projection. No canopy/marquee sign shall project more than eight inches from the canopy/marquee proper.
(6) Ground clearance. A clearance of eight feet shall be maintained from the lowest point on the canopy/marquee to the grade or walkway under the canopy/marquee.
(7) Material. Canopy/marquee signs shall be constructed of a non-combustible type material.
(8) Illumination. Canopy/marquee signs may only be internally illuminated, except for backlit canopy/marquee signs, which are prohibited.
(9) Under-canopy signs. In addition to the signage permitted in this section, one under-canopy sign shall be permitted to be erected above a general public entrance into the establishment in order to identify the establishment, provided that:
(a) A minimum clearance of eight feet from the walkway is maintained;
(b) Such signs shall be placed perpendicular to the building, with the top edge of the sign fastened to the bottom edge of the canopy;
(c) Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced or six square feet in surface area if the sign is double faced;
(d) Such signs may only be internally illuminated; and
(e) A limit of one sign per establishment shall be permitted.
(G) Awning signs. Awning signs shall be permitted in order to identify the establishment, subject to the following provisions.
(1) Location. Individual letters, words or symbols may be directly affixed or applied to any surface of an awning, generally by painting, printing or weaving. Signs shall not be constructed of or applied to other material which are then fastened to the awning.
(2) Surface area. The surface area of an awning sign shall not exceed 20% of the exterior surface area of the awning.
(3) Ground clearance. A clearance of eight feet shall be maintained from the lowest point on the Awning to the grade or walkway under the awning.
(4) Illumination. Awning signs shall not be illuminated.
(5) Portability of surface area. An awning sign shall be permitted in addition to a permitted wall sign, provided that the surface area of all awning signs shall be counted towards the maximum permitted surface area for the wall sign based on the signable wall area of the building.
(H) Automobile service station signs. The following additional or different sign requirements shall apply to automobile service stations.
(1) Free-standing signs.
(a) Number. There shall be a limit of one ground sign or pylon sign on the property.
(b) Height. No ground sign shall exceed 12 feet in height from grade. No pylon sign shall exceed 24 feet in height from grade.
(c) Surface area. A bonus of eight square feet per face may be added to the permitted surface area to incorporate a changeable copy board into the overall sign design for the purpose of providing gasoline pricing information, provided that the changeable copy is limited to identification of the various grades of fuel offered for sale and their associated prices. The use of this additional square footage shall permanently forfeit the right to erect any separate gasoline pricing signs on the property.
(2) Wall signs, number. A maximum of two wall signs per automobile service station shall be permitted, placed on separate walls of the building, provided that the signage shall otherwise conform to the provisions for wall signs for corner units, outlot buildings or corner buildings as stated in § 158.07(E)(9). A logo counts as one of these permitted signs.
(3) Canopy signs, number. A maximum of two canopy signs per automobile service station shall be permitted, placed on separate edges of the canopy, provided that the canopy is free-standing. Signs shall not be erected above the roof line of the canopy.
(4) Car wash buildings. If a detached car wash building is provided, one additional wall sign shall be permitted on that building, provided that it conforms to all other provisions for wall signs as stated in this section.
(5) Service bays. If an automobile service station is of the full-service variety that contains bays in active use for the servicing of vehicles, service bay identification signs providing directions or instructions to customers visiting the establishment shall be permitted, provided that:
(a) Such signs shall contain no advertising, logos, or promotional information;
(b) One identification sign shall be permitted for each service bay entrance;
(c) Such signs shall be wall signs;
(d) Such signs shall not exceed six square feet in surface area;
(e) Such signs shall not extend above the roof line;
(f) Such signs shall not be illuminated; and
(g) Such signs shall otherwise conform to all other provisions for wall signs as stated in this section.
(6) Service island instructional signs. Service island instructional signs indicating the type of service or products offered and other instructional information to assist customers in using the facility shall be permitted, provided that:
(a) Such signs shall contain no advertising, logos or promotional information;
(b) One service island instructional sign shall be permitted for each approach for each island;
(c) Such signs may be placed upon fuel pumps or upon support posts for free-standing canopies;
(d) Such signs shall not exceed five square feet in surface area;
(e) Such signs shall not be illuminated;
(f) Other fuel pump signage consistent with the exemptions stated in § 158.04; and
(g) Special instructional signs mandated by units of government (e.g. no smoking, licensing, inspection, and the like) shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(7) Pump advertising signs. One sign, which may be single-faced or double-faced, used for instructional or promotional purposes not to exceed two square feet in surface area per face, shall be permitted on top of each fuel pump machine.
(I) Parking lot entrance/exit and instructional signs. Certain signs related to the use of parking facilities accessory to the main use of the premises shall be permitted subject to the following requirements. Such signs shall be permitted only in non-residential zoning districts.
(1) Entrance/exit signs. Such signs shall be limited to one sign for each entrance/exit. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced or six square feet in surface area if the sign is doublefaced. Such signs shall not exceed three feet in height, shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line and may be illuminated. Such signs shall be limited in content to directional arrows, a single logo and the words “entrance” or “enter” or “exit” as applicable. Such signs shall not contain advertising, names/addresses of the establishment or other promotional information.
(2) Instructional signs. Signs designating the conditions of use or identity of parking facilities shall be limited to two signs per parking facility. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in surface area if the sign is single-faced or six square feet in surface area if the sign is double-faced. Such signs shall not exceed three feet in height, shall be located within the confines of the facility, and may be illuminated. Such signs shall contain no advertising, logos or other promotional information.
(J) Changeable copy signs. Changeable copy signs shall be subject to the following provisions.
(1) Such signs shall be permitted only if incorporated into free-standing signs used for identification of an establishment, and hereafter in this section such features shall be referred to as changeable copy boards. Such changeable copy boards may be permitted as part of wall signs only if erection of a free-standing sign is prohibited.
(2) Changeable copy boards on a sign face shall be composed in proportion to the entire sign face with a border or similar treatment around the board to integrate it into the sign face.
(3) Changeable copy boards shall be limited to 33% of the permitted surface area of a free-standing sign if the background upon which letters and numerals are placed is white or ivory. Backgrounds shall not be yellow or any other intense color. Such boards may occupy 40% of the permitted surface area of a free-standing sign if the background is opaque (i.e. that only the letters and numerals appear when the sign is backlit, and that any excess spaces after the copy is applied are filled in with opaque blocks).
(4) Copy on a changeable copy board shall be of a single, easily legible lettering style, and shall be of uniform color and size throughout the board.
(5) Changeable copy boards may only be internally illuminated.
(6) No provisions herein shall abrogate any other requirements for free-standing signs as provided for in this chapter.
(K) Seasonal signs. No sign that otherwise meets the requirements of this section shall be deemed to be non-conforming hereto if it is designed to be taken down and re-erected seasonally. (By way of example, an ice cream stand may have a sign that otherwise conforms to this chapter, but the shop closes for six months of the year due to climate conditions. The owner’s removal and storage of the sign each year for six months does not make it a non-conforming sign).
(L) Sandwich boards. Businesses located within the DT-1 zoning district will be permitted to display “A” frame chalkboard signs commonly known as “sandwich boards.” Such signs shall conform to the following regulations:
(1) No more than 1 A frame sign shall be allowed for each business;
(2) All A frame signs shall be placed immediately adjacent to, or in front of, the business it is promoting;
(3) No sign shall be placed so as to block sight lines for vehicles;
(4) All A frame signs shall be placed more than 4 feet from the curb or the edge of the pavement;
(5) A minimum of 4 feet of unobstructed sidewalk area is required for pedestrian traffic, and if there is an inadequate width of sidewalk available, no A frame sign shall be permitted;
(6) All A frame signs shall be maintained in good repair and neatly painted;
(7) No attachments to A frame signs shall be permitted;
(8) Only chalk on chalkboard may be used to create messages on permitted A frame signs;
(9) All A frame signs should be consistent in color with the DT-1 zoning pallette;
(10) Messages on A frame signs should be used to directly promote the businesses setting them out;
(11) A frame signs must not be displayed at any time that the business using it is not open; and
(12) All A frame signs must be weighted and stable, and in the event of heavy winds must be moved inside.
(Ord. 2010-O-1, passed 1-5-10; Am. Ord. 2017-1, passed 1-17-17; Am. Ord. 2017-O-4, passed 4-18-17)