The purpose of this chapter is:
A. To regulate the size, height, type, construction standards, maintenance,
and placement of signs situated within the boundaries of the Village
of Richfield, Wisconsin.
B. To promote the public health, safety, welfare, and comfort of the
general public by:
(1) Reducing distractions and obstructions from signs that would adversely
affect traffic safety and alleviating hazards caused by signs projecting
over or encroaching upon the public right-of-way.
(2) Discouraging excessive visual competition in signage and ensuring
that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses and activities
to the public.
(3) Preserving or enhancing the community, natural beauty, and unique
physical characteristics of the Village of Richfield as a community
in which to live and work by requiring new and replacement signage
that is:
(a)
Creative and distinctive.
(b)
Harmonious with nearby buildings, surrounding neighborhood aesthetics,
and other signs in the area.
(c)
Appropriate to the use or business that is in operation on the
premises.
(d)
Expressive of the Village's identity in a manner that will not
diminish property values.
(e)
Complimentary to the Village's architectural character and commercial
developments.
(f)
Consistent with a healthy and properly designed business environment.
(g)
Consistent with property values within the Village.
Except as otherwise expressly noted herein, the regulations
of this chapter shall govern all outdoor signs, advertising structures
or devices with respect to location, safety, size, construction standards,
erection, attachment, support, and lighting.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
AWNING SIGN
A nonilluminated, projecting identification sign painted
on or affixed flat to the surface of an awning and which does not
extend vertically or horizontally from the awning.
BANNER
A nonilluminated, elongated sign, intended to be hung either
with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations,
or ornamentation applied to paper, plastic, or fabric of any kind
usually used for temporary display for the special announcement of
a coming event or occasion.
BILLBOARD
Any sign at least 200 square feet but not more than 800 square
feet in area per one side, no more than 35 feet in height and generally
used to advertise a place of business or product.
BULLETIN BOARD
A sign used by governmental and institutional agencies to
publicly display notices of meetings, services, regulations and announcements.
Such signs are not necessarily designed to be read from a distance
or by the traveling public.
CANOPY SIGN
A projecting sign affixed to or forming part of a permanent
canopy or marquee and which does not extend horizontally beyond the
limits or edge of such canopy or marquee.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
Any sign which is characterized by manually changeable words,
letters, numbers, or symbols, not including continuous moving or electronic-oriented
signs.
COMMUNITY SIGN
A temporary sign that conveys information to the public to
promote not-for-profit, civic, and community events or functions and
to create a sense of community and character.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A sign that identifies individuals or companies involved
in design, construction, wrecking, financing, or development of a
building and/or road and to identify these future uses.
ELECTRONIC SIGN
A sign that conveys text and/or graphic information that
is capable of being changed or manipulated electronically.
FLAGS and PENNANTS
Devices generally made of flexible materials, such as cloth,
paper, or plastic, and displayed on strings or wires. Such devices
may or may not include words, letters, or numbers. This definition
does not include the flag of any country or state.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign whose illumination is not kept constant in intensity
at all times when in use and/or which exhibits changes in light, color,
direction, animation, and word/text changes. Illuminated signs which
indicate the date, time, and temperature will not be considered as
part of a flashing sign.
GROUND SIGN
A freestanding sign affixed to or placed on the ground and
independent of any buildings or other permanent structure. (See "monument
sign" or "pole sign.")
MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding sign supported by a solid foundation on one
base that is at least as wide as the sign's display area.
POLE SIGN
A freestanding sign supported by one or more poles, except
a monument sign.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign that is mounted on wheels or can be readily moved
from place to place on the premises. Such signs are generally not
permanently attached to the ground or to a permanent structure on
the premises.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign not attached to the ground and projecting more than
12 inches from the face of a building or other permanent structure.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign primarily used for advertising the sale or transfer
of real estate.
REGIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL STATION
A motor fuel station located on a parcel that has direct
access to a state trunk highway and is located within 300 feet of
the right-of-way of an interstate highway and that also has 15 or
more pumps for passenger cars/light trucks and eight or more diesel
pumps for trucks.
[Added 11-29-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-11-03]
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected on or over the roof of a building.
SIGN
Any display of lettering, logos, colors, lights, or illuminated
neon tubes visible to the public from outside of a building or from
a traveled way, which either conveys a message to the public, or intends
to advertise, direct, invite, announce, or draw attention to goods,
products, services, promotions, events, occasions, facilities, persons,
property interest, or business either on the lot or on any other premises.
SIGNABLE AREA
The area of the facade of the building facing or abutting
upon a street right-of-way up to the ceiling line of the top floor
which is free of windows and doors or major architectural detail on
which signs may be displayed.
SIGN AREA
That part of a total sign structure which encompasses the
sign message, exclusive of a structure upon which the sign area is
affixed or which supports the sign area. However, for the purpose
of computing square feet of a sign area, any exposed structure which
supports a sign may not comprise more than 1/3 of the visible or exposed
surface of one side of a total sign structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground, wall or
building, designed to advertise a commodity or event for a specific
amount of time.
TEMPORARY SUPPORT BANNER
A banner affixed to the outfield fence or backstop of a baseball
diamond owned by the Village of Richfield for the purposes of off-site
advertising.
[Added 2-17-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-2-1; amended 1-19-2023 by Ord. No. O2023-01-01]
TOTAL SIGN STRUCTURE
The sign area, plus any exposed area or members of the supporting
structure on or to which the sign, or sign message, is affixed. Decorative,
landscaped earthen berms or structures which are composed principally
of exposed earth and/or landscape (plant) materials are not included
as part of the total sign structure.
VISION TRIANGLE
The unoccupied triangular space at the street corner of a
corner lot which is a line joining points on such lines located a
minimum of 15 feet from their intersection. Corner lots located on
arterial streets shall be increased to 30 feet.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is attached to a wall of a building or structure
and projects not more than 12 inches from such wall.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign painted on or affixed to a window. Materials affixed
to a window shall be affixed to the inside surface of the window.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Building Inspector
with respect to the administration of this chapter may, within 10
working days after receiving official notification by the Village,
appeal the decision of the Building Inspector to the Village Board.
Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter or related amendment to this chapter may be continued, although the size or location may not conform to this chapter, provided that the owners of such signs shall, within two years of the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto, apply for a permit under this chapter. Upon the filing of such application, the Building Inspector shall issue a permit to the sign owner without charge. Nonconforming signs shall adhere to the provisions of §
309-9.
[Amended 3-18-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-3-1]
A. Signs which were lawful prior to the time this chapter was passed
or amended but which would be prohibited, regulated, or restricted
under the terms of this chapter shall be deemed legal nonconforming
signs. Such signs shall be permitted to continue until such time a
major change is made to the sign. Major changes include changing the
name or size, adding lights, refurbishing and/or relocation.
B. All nonconforming signs shall be kept in good repair and in safe,
neat, clean, and attractive condition. In the event that a sign is
not kept in good condition or is demolished by any force whatsoever
to the extent of 50% or more of its replacement cost at the time of
the damage, any replacement sign shall then conform to this chapter,
except in circumstances where rebuilding is allowed by state statute.
Nothing herein shall prevent maintenance, repainting or normal repair
of legally established nonconforming signs.
C. In any zoning district, where any sign does not comply with the provisions
of this chapter, such sign and any supporting structures may be maintained
in their existing condition. Nonconforming signs can be repainted
or refaced, provided that the height and landscaping requirements
are met in the underlying zoning district. Nonconforming signs may
not be enlarged, extended, moved, modified, reconstructed, or structurally
altered except in accordance with this section and without first obtaining
the necessary permits from the Village.
D. A nonconforming sign must be removed if the structure, building,
or use to which it is accessory is destroyed, or demolished to an
extent exceeding 50% of the appraised value of the principal structure,
building, or use, except in circumstances where rebuilding is allowed
per state statute.
E. A nonconforming sign which is destroyed or damaged to an extent exceeding
50% of its appraised value may be altered, replaced, or reinstalled
as a special exception approved by the Plan Commission. If the damage
or destruction is 50% or less of the appraised value, the sign may
be restored within 60 days of the damage but shall not be enlarged
in any manner.
F. Supporting structures for nonconforming signs may continue in use
for a conforming sign if said supporting structures comply in all
respects with the applicable requirements.
G. If a legal nonconforming off-premises sign is removed for any reason,
the Village Board may, upon petition of the property owner and the
business owner, allow the reestablishment of such sign upon a determination
that the affected business is a permitted use in the zoning district
in which it is located or is classified as a legal nonconforming use,
the sign regulations in effect at the time do not allow the affected
business to establish an off-premises sign in the zoning district
in which it is located, and reestablishment of such sign is necessary
for the continued operation of the business. If approval is granted,
the property owner shall file a deed restriction, as approved by the
Village Attorney or Village Administrator, in the office of the Register
of Deeds for Washington County that contains the following provisions:
such sign may only advertise the business listed in the petition,
such sign shall be removed and not again reestablished if such business
does not operate for any reason for 12 continuous months, and any
other specific provision or condition of approval deemed advisable
by the Village Board. The reestablished sign shall be placed in the
same location as the sign that was removed, provided that such location
meets applicable siting requirements of this chapter, shall be no
larger than 32 square feet or the size of the sign that was removed,
whichever is smaller, and shall not exceed a height of eight feet
above existing grade.
Signs containing moving parts or reflective elements through means of flashing, blinking, scrolling, rotating, causing glare or other graphic portrayal are not permitted. Static information may be expressed within a five-minute time frame, with such information complying with Article
I of this chapter. Digital information must be shown using low-intensity lighting with soft colors, as seen from a public right-of-way. Use of fluorescent colors and/or high-intensity lighting is not permitted. Signs indicating the current time, date and temperature are also permitted.
All signs must meet the following illumination criteria:
A. All illuminated signs must meet the standards as specified in the
National Electrical Code, as adopted and amended by the state.
B. All illuminated signs must comply with Chapter
234, Lighting, Outdoor, §
234-7J, of this Code
C. No sign shall have blinking, scrolling, flashing, or fluttering lights,
nor shall any device be utilized which has a changing light intensity,
brightness or color, or gives that illusion.
D. The full number of illuminating elements thereof shall be kept in
satisfactory working condition or immediately repaired or replaced.
Signs that are only partially illuminated shall meet all electrical
requirements for that portion directly illuminated. All electrical
wiring shall be in conduit and not exposed to the elements or external
streets in any way. All electrical signs shall have a disconnecting
switch located in a readily accessible place.
E. The direct nonreflected light from a primary light source shall not
create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and/or
private roadways.
F. The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded,
or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable
to the surrounding areas. No light shall shine directly onto adjacent
property.
G. No sign within 50 feet of a residential use or residentially zoned
property shall be illuminated unless the sign is visibly obstructed
from view from the residential use or property. This restriction shall
not apply to signs identifying residential subdivisions or multifamily
developments.