The purpose of this article is to establish minimum regulations
and standards for the display of signs in the Town of Barton.
A.
No signs allowed within public street rights-of-way. No signs, including
traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, except those of a duly
constituted governing body, shall be allowed to project or be located
within public street right-of-way lines.
B.
Roof-mounted signs not allowed. Signs shall not be mounted to the
roof of any building or structure and shall not extend higher than
the lowest roofline and shall meet all other sign regulations.
C.
Signs and required buffer yards. Signs may be located within a Chapter 500, Zoning, required buffer yard along a public street right-of-way and in the front yard only. No signs, however, shall be located along any side or rear lot line within a required buffer yard, unless permitted by the Plan Commission.
D.
Sign interference with railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices
not permitted. Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the
shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals,
or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness
of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices, nor be lighted in
such a way so as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public
ways.
E.
Sign abandonment. All signs and sign messages shall be removed by
the sign owner or owner of the property upon which the sign is placed
when the business it advertises is no longer conducted or, for an
off-premises sign, when the lease payment and/or rental income is
no longer provided. All signs shall be removed by the owner of the
sign or the owner of the property upon which the sign is placed within
30 days of the vacation of the premises. If the owner of the sign
or owner of the property upon which the sign is placed fails to remove
the sign or sign message, the Zoning Administrator or other authorized
agent of the Town shall give the owner of the sign, and owner of the
property upon which the sign is placed, 30 days' written notice to
remove said sign or sign message. Upon failure to comply with this
notice, the Zoning Administrator or Town Board shall cause a citation
to be issued and may seek from the court an order removing the sign
at the cost of the owner of the sign and/or the property owner of
the property upon which the sign is placed. Further, a per diem fine
shall be imposed for each day after the thirty-day notice expires
of not less than $10 nor more than $200, against the owner of the
sign and/or the owner of the property upon which the sign is placed.
Any fine imposed shall become a lien on that person's property named
in the citation or order and shall automatically be placed on the
tax roll as a special assessment against that person's property.
F.
Sign maintenance. The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance
and repair, which includes restoring, repainting, or replacement of
a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition,
and shall maintain the premises on which the sign is erected in a
clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, free and clear of obnoxious
substances, rubbish, and weeds.
Sign area shall be defined by the following:
A.
Sign area determination for freestanding, awning/canopy, and marquee
signs. In the case of freestanding, awning/canopy, and marquee signs,
the entire surface area of the sign on which copy could be placed,
including background and sign framing, is the sign area. The supporting
structure or bracing of a sign shall not be counted as a part of the
sign area. Where a sign has two display faces back-to-back, the area
of only one face shall be considered the sign area. Where a sign has
more than one display face, all areas which can be viewed simultaneously
shall be considered the sign area.
B.
Sign area determination for wall, fascia, and graphic signs. For
wall, fascia, and graphic signs whose message is fabricated together
with the background which visually borders or frames that message,
the sign area shall be the total area of the background which visually
borders or frames that message.
Sign height and clearance shall be determined as follows:
A.
Height of a freestanding sign. The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured as indicated in § 428-22 for the definition of "height, sign."
B.
Clearance of a projecting sign. The clearance of a projecting sign
shall be measured from the base of the sign face area to the ground
below.
C.
Height of a wall sign. The height of a wall sign shall be measured
from the grade level of the base of the building below the sign to
the top of the sign area. The top of the sign shall be no higher than
the maximum permitted building height.
Permitted methods of sign lighting and illumination may be divided
into the types described below:
A.
General. The sign has neither an internal light nor an external light
source which is intended to specifically light that sign. Rather,
the sign depends on the general lighting of the area (i.e., parking
lot, street, or pedestrian area lighting) for illumination.
B.
Internal illuminated message. The sign is made of metal, wood, or
other material that is not translucent, and the message is cut out
of the material and replaced with translucent material. The sign's
light source is located inside the sign.
C.
Internal illuminated sign. The sign face is made of translucent material
with an internal light source.
D.
Backlighting. The message is raised beyond the sign's background,
and the lighting illuminates the sign from behind in the form of backlighting.
E.
Shielded spotlight. The sign is lighted by spotlights specifically
directed at it. The spotlights are fully shielded so that they are
not visible from streets or adjoining property. Any spotlights permitted
to illuminate signs shall be shielded such that their light source
cannot be seen from adjoining roads.
In the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts, as delineated and described in Chapter 500, Zoning, as amended, signs shall conform to the dimensional requirements of this section.
A.
Permitted signs. Signs are permitted in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM,
BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts per zoning lot as indicated
in Table 428-10A:
|
Table 428-10A
Permitted Signs in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE,
I, PR and PUD Zoning Districts
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Type of Sign
| |||||
|
Freestanding
|
Wall (b)
|
Fascia (b)
|
Awning/ Canopy (b)
|
Marquee (b)
|
Graphic (b)
| |
|
R-10
|
1
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
NHB
|
1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
|
CB
|
1 per entrance (a)
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
|
FB
|
1 per entrance (a)
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
|
LM
|
1
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
BP
|
1 per lot; 1 per park entrance (a)
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
|
QE
|
1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
I
|
1
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
|
PR
|
1 per entrance (a)
|
Y
|
Y
|
N
|
Y
|
N
|
|
PUD (residential)
|
1 per entrance (a)
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
PUD (non-residential)
|
1 per entrance (a)
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
NOTES:
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Y
|
=
|
Indicates this sign type is permitted.
|
|
N
|
=
|
Indicates this sign type is not permitted.
|
|
(a)
|
=
|
One sign per road entrance is permitted.
|
|
(b)
|
=
|
With respect to wall, fascia, awning/canopy, and graphic signs,
where more than one of these sign types are shown as a permitted sign,
the total sign area (maximum sign size) of all such signs cannot exceed
the maximum sign area requirements of any one of the permitted sign
types indicated in this section.
|
B.
Maximum total accumulated sign area for all permitted signs. The
maximum total accumulated sign area for all signs permitted in the
R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts per
zoning lot is as indicated in Table 428-10B. In no case shall the
maximum total accumulated sign area per zoning lot exceed the maximum
specified in Table 428-10B.
|
Table 428-10B
Maximum Total Accumulated Sign Area for All Permitted
Signs in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR and PUD Zoning Districts
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for All Signs
(square feet)
| |
|
R-10
|
100
| |
|
NHB
|
175
| |
|
CB
|
250
| |
|
FB
|
300
| |
|
LM
|
175
| |
|
BP
|
150
| |
|
QE
|
150
| |
|
I
|
150
| |
|
PR
|
150
| |
|
PUD (residential)
|
100
| |
|
PUD (nonresidential)
|
200
| |
C.
Maximum accumulated total sign area for freestanding signs. The maximum
accumulated total sign area for freestanding signs permitted in the
R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR and PUD Zoning Districts per
zoning lot is as indicated in Table 428-10C:
|
Table 428-10C
Maximum Accumulated Total Sign Area for Freestanding Signs
in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR and PUD Zoning Districts
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for All Signs
(square feet)
| |
|
R-10
|
75
| |
|
NHB
|
125
| |
|
CB
|
150
| |
|
FB
|
150
| |
|
LM
|
125
| |
|
BP
|
150
| |
|
QE
|
100
| |
|
I
|
100
| |
|
PR
|
75
| |
|
PUD (residential)
|
60
| |
|
PUD (nonresidential)
|
150
| |
D.
Maximum accumulated total sign area for wall, fascia, awning/canopy,
marquee, and graphic signs. The maximum accumulated total for wall,
fascia, awning/canopy, marquee, and graphic signs permitted in the
R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts per
zoning lot is as indicated in Table 428-10D:
|
Table 428-10D
Maximum Accumulated Total Sign Area for Wall, Fascia,
Awning/Canopy, Marquee and Graphic Signs in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB,
LM, BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Maximum Total Sign Area for All Signs
(square feet)
| |
|
R-10
|
75
| |
|
NHB
|
125
| |
|
CB
|
150
| |
|
FB
|
150
| |
|
LM
|
125
| |
|
BP
|
150
| |
|
QE
|
100
| |
|
I
|
100
| |
|
PR
|
75
| |
|
PUD (residential)
|
60
| |
|
PUD (nonresidential)
|
150
| |
E.
Maximum sign height for all permitted signs. The maximum sign height
for all signs permitted in the R-10, NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR,
and PUD Zoning Districts is as indicated in Table 428-10E:
|
Table 428-10E
Maximum Sign Height for All Permitted Signs in the R-10,
NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, PR, and PUD Zoning Districts
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Zoning District
|
Maximum Sign Height
(feet)
| |
|
R-10
|
8
| |
|
NHB
|
15
| |
|
CB
|
20
| |
|
FB
|
30
| |
|
LM
|
15
| |
|
BP
|
15
| |
|
QE
|
15
| |
|
I
|
15
| |
|
PR
|
15
| |
|
PUD (residential)
|
10
| |
|
PUD (nonresidential)
|
15
| |
A.
Freestanding sign performance standards.
(1)
Permitted lighting. Shielded spotlight, internally illuminated message
signs, and internally illuminated signs are permitted in the NHB,
CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, and PUD (nonresidential) Zoning Districts.
Shielded spotlight and internally illuminated message signs are permitted
in the R-10, PR, and PUD (residential) Zoning Districts.
(2)
Distance of sign to other objects or property line. No freestanding
sign shall be closer than a distance equal to the height of the sign
to any other sign, building, structure, or property line.
(3)
Maintenance of area surrounding sign. All freestanding signs and
the premises surrounding the freestanding signs shall be maintained
by the owner thereof in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition,
and free and clear of all obnoxious substances.
(4)
Required landscaping at base of freestanding sign. All freestanding
signs shall provide a landscaped area with appropriate natural plant
material ground cover and other landscape plantings located at the
base of said freestanding sign equal in area to the sign area. When
earthen berms are used as part of said landscaping, the earthen berms
shall maintain a side slope of 3:1 with a maximum berm height of three
feet above adjacent surrounding grade. When earthen berms are used,
earthen berms shall count towards the maximum permissible sign height.
B.
Wall, fascia, awning/canopy, marquee, and graphic sign performance
standards.
(1)
Permitted lighting. Shielded spotlight, internally illuminated message
signs, backlighting, and internally illuminated signs are permitted
in the NHB, CB, FB, LM, BP, QE, I, and PUD (nonresidential) Zoning
Districts.
(2)
Placement of wall and fascia signs. Wall and fascia signs placed
against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than
12 inches outside of a building wall surface and shall not be placed
to extend above the parapet wall. Wall signs and/or fascia signs shall
not extend beyond the edge of any wall or other surface to which they
are mounted.
(3)
Placement of fascia signs. The bottom edge of fascia signs shall
be placed a distance not to exceed 12 inches above the lowest line
of the building fascia.
(4)
Painted wall signs. Wall signs painted directly onto a wall shall
not be permitted.
(5)
Minimum height of awning/canopy signs. Awning/canopy signs in all
districts shall have a minimum height of eight feet of clearance from
the surrounding grade.
A.
Development signs. The following regulations apply to all development
signs placed in the Town of Barton:
(1)
All development signs shall be freestanding signs.
(2)
Residential development signs shall only provide the name of the
subdivision or condominium development.
(3)
A development sign shall contain only the name of the development
and shall not have any individual store names, logos, wording, telephone
numbers, or similar features contained on it or attached to it.
(4)
Lighting of a development sign may be provided by internal lighting,
backlighting, the general lighting of the sign area, or by shielded
spotlights.
B.
Temporary signs. Temporary signs must conform to all regulations
of this section.
(1)
Election campaign signs. Temporary signs advertising political parties
or candidates for election may be erected or displayed and maintained,
provided that:
(a)
The size of any such sign is not in excess of eight square feet.
(c)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to what are commonly
referred to as "bumper stickers" or "car-top" signs when such signs
are placed on motor vehicle bumpers or tops, respectively.
(d)
No political or election signs of any type or size, advertisements,
handbills, snipe signs, or billboards shall be placed on property
owned or used by the Town or by other governmental agencies or units
in the Town.
(2)
Real estate signs.
(a)
Only one real estate sign may be located adjacent to each separate
street frontage of a lot. Signs shall be located entirely within the
property to which the signs apply; they shall not be directly illuminated.
Real estate signs shall be removed within 15 days after a deed has
been recorded for the sale or a lease signed for the rental or lease
of the property. Real estate signs shall not exceed the following
maximum area requirements:
(b)
No real estate sign shall be nearer than 10 feet to the property
line if placed upon vacant property, and, if placed on land improved
by a building, it shall not be placed nearer than five feet to any
property line or public street right-of-way line unless the building
is less than five feet from the property line or public street right-of-way
line, in which case it may be placed in or upon a front or side door
or window of the building. If there is a wall upon the property line,
then such sign may be placed on or against such wall.
(3)
Construction signs. Temporary construction signs denoting the architect,
engineer, contractor, or financial institution financing the project
are not to exceed 32 square feet in area and are not to be placed
longer than the duration of the construction period and shall be limited
to one such sign per parcel of land or lot of record. Construction
signs shall not be illuminated.
No sign, pennant, flag or banner shall be erected, placed, located
or maintained within the limits of any street or highway, unless allowed
as hereafter stated. Street or highway limits include all the dedicated
rights-of-way, encompassing the traveled portion of the highway, shoulders,
sidewalks, ditches and adjacent dedicated areas. This prohibition
applies to freestanding signs and those placed on trees, utility poles,
fence post stakes and all other structures within the highway limits.
A.
Failure
to comply with the provisions of this section shall be a violation
of § 86.19, Wis. Stats., which is hereby adopted, as well
as this section.
B.
Any sign
in violation of this section shall be removed without notice by the
Building Inspections and Neighborhood Services Department, the Police
Department, or the Public Works Department.
C.
This prohibition
shall not apply to signs placed within the limits of streets or highways
by duly constituted municipal, county or state authorities for the
guidance or warning of traffic, as provided in § 86.19(1)
and (4), Wis. Stats., or to mailboxes and paper boxes, bus shelters,
or to banners, signs, pennants, flags or other related decorations
hung over streets attached to public property as authorized by the
Board of Public Works, in which case these will not require a permit
under this section.
D.
No sign
shall be erected, placed, located or maintained at or near the intersection
of any streets so as to obstruct free and clear vision or at any location
where, by reason of position, shape and color, it may interfere with,
obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign,
signal or device, or which makes use of the words "stop," "look,"
"danger" or other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner
as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
