[R.O. 2006 §530.010; CC 1986 §48.010]
The purpose of this Chapter is to regulate all exterior signs
so as to protect the property values as well as the character of the
various zoning districts in the City, to protect health, safety and
morals and to promote the public welfare. It is the intention of this
Chapter to regulate the maintenance of all signs both for appearance
and safety and to provide for the removal of unsafe, unsightly and
unlawful signs.
[R.O. 2006 §530.020; CC 1986 §48.020; Ord. No. 1301 §1, 7-8-2002]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms shall
have these prescribed meanings:
Any sign that advertises, promotes or gives information on
products or businesses not conducted within the premises or location
upon which the sign is located.
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership
and the like, singular or plural.
Wood or materials not more combustible than wood and approved
combustible plastics.
Those plastics which, when tested in accordance with American
Society for Testing Materials standard methods for test for flammability
of plastics over 0.050 inch in thickness (D635-44), burn no faster
than two and one-half (2.5) inches per minute in sheets of 0.060 inch
thickness.
That area enclosed by one (1) or more rectangles, the side
of which makes contact with the extreme points or edges of the sign,
excluding the supporting structure which does not form part of the
sign proper or of the display. When calculating the area one (1) side
shall be included. Wall signs: The area shall be within a single,
continuous perimeter composed of any straight line geometric figure
which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message. If the
sign is composed of individual letters or symbols using the wall as
the background with no added decoration, the total sign area shall
be calculated by measuring the area within the perimeter of each symbol
or letter. The combined areas of the individual figures shall be considered
the total sign area.
Any flasher, blinker, animation, banner, clock or other object
designed or intended to attract the attention of the public to an
establishment or sign.
A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall
of a building constructed of non-rigid materials on a supporting framework.
Any sign over forty (40) square feet which advertises a product
or business not located on the same lot or premises as the sign. This
includes, but is not limited to, billboards, junior poster panels
(billboards less than one hundred (100) square feet in surface area)
and freestanding signs on separate parcels. Real estate, subdivision
and subdivision real estate signs are excluded from this definition.
Any sign attached to or projecting from a building at a ninety
degree (90°) angle and is made an integral part of the building.
Any panel which is characterized by changeable copy illuminated
or unilluminated regardless of method of attachment. Changeable copy
signs shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements for the
same type primary sign.
The City Inspector or other person within the City of Willow
Springs charged with the administration and enforcement of the sign
ordinance.
Any sign which combines the characteristics of two (2) or
more types of signs. Combination signs shall conform to all requirements
for all types of signs comprising the combination sign.
Any freestanding sign not attached to a building which has
a clearance of less than ten (10) feet but does not rise from the
ground.
Any freestanding sign which has a clearance of ten (10) or
more feet.
A monument type identification sign which rises from the
ground, is either illuminated or unilluminated and generally has no
clearance under it.
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs,
faces, backgrounds or outlines illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent
lamps or luminous parts of the sign proper, these light sources being
either external or internal or any sign which uses electrical/mechanical
equipment or devices in its operation.
Cutouts or letters on top of signs, which shall not project
out over the sign more than six (6) feet.
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix
and shall also include the painting of signs on the exterior of a
building or structure.
The front or main face of any building or structure located
on any street or frontage road upon which the structure has established
a permanent address.
Any sign supported by uprights, braces, poles or other vertical
members in or upon the ground and not attached to a building.
Same as advertising signs.
A sign giving the name and address of a building, business,
development or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partly devoted
to a readily recognized symbol.
Semi-illuminated sign. Any sign which is uniformly
illuminated internally over its entire area, including the area of
the sign, by use of electricity or other artificial light.
Indirectly illuminated sign. Any sign which
is partially or completely illuminated at any time by an external
light source which is so shielded as to not be visible at eye level.
Fully illuminated sign. A sign which is illuminated
by an external or internal light source which is visible.
Individual letters mounted on a facade or parapet wall.
A lot, premise, building, wall, property or any place whatsoever
upon which a sign is located.
A roof which appears to be a part of the facade (wall), usually
constructed for appearance only.
A covering structure projecting from and attached to a building.
Any sign which is lighted by natural sunlight only.
A sign which is painted directly on a building or structure.
Painted wall signs will be permitted subject to the same restrictions
as wall signs.
A sign constructed to remain indefinitely.
A sign which is not permanently affixed to one (1) location
and has the capability of being moved from one (1) site to the next
without disassembly.
Where the eaves of the roof connect to the top of the wall,
except where a mansard roof is used. Mansard roof level shall be the
uppermost elevation of the roof.
That part of the roof or parapet which covers the major area
of the building.
A sign any part of which extends above the high point of
a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially
supported by said building.
Includes every sign, name, number, identification, description,
announcement, declaration, demonstration, device, display, flag, banner,
pennant, illustration, beacon, light or insignia and structure supporting
any of the same affixed, directly or indirectly, to or upon any building
or outdoor structure or erected or maintained upon a piece of land
and which directs attention to an object, product, service, place,
activity, person, institution, organization or business.
The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign.
A sign directing traffic to amenities such as a clubhouse
or swimming pool within the subdivision.
A sign identifying the subdivision, located at one (1) or
more of the subdivision entrances.
A sign of non-combustible or combustible material, with or
without a frame, which is usually attached to the outside of a building
on a wall or storefront, fence, tree, utility pole or temporary structure
for a limited period of time; or a sign which is not permanently attached
to the ground, building or other load-bearing structure. Temporary
signs are intended to be displayed for a short period of time not
to exceed thirty (30) days.
A sign attached to or erected against an exterior wall of
a building or structure, which projects not more than twelve (12)
inches from a wall and presents only one (1) face of advertising copy
to the public.
[R.O. 2006 §530.030; CC 1986 §48.030]
The applicant, the owner of the sign, the owner of the land
or structure and the person in charge of erecting the sign or structure
are all subject to the provisions of this Chapter and therefore subject
to the penalty hereinafter provided.
[R.O. 2006 §530.040; CC 1986 §48.040]
Any applicant, person, firm, corporation or other entity violating
the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than
twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall
constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.
