This article shall be known as the "Hometown Sign Ordinance."
The purpose of this article is to promote the use of signs in
the City which are safe, aesthetically pleasing, compatible with their
surroundings and legible in the circumstances in which they are seen.
This article also recognizes the need for a well-maintained and attractive
physical appearance of the community and the need for adequate business
identification for the conduct of competitive commerce. This article
is also adopted for the purpose of reducing sign or advertising distractions
which may increase traffic accidents by distracting drivers' attention
from the roadway.
Terms used in this article, unless the context otherwise indicates,
mean as follows:
ATTENTION-GETTING DEVICE
A flag, propeller, spinner, streamer, search light or similar
device or ornamentation which is designed or used for the purpose
of promoting, advertising, or attracting attention for commercial
purposes.
BANNER SIGN
A temporary sign composed of lightweight material, either
enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted to an
existing structure.
CANOPY OR AWNING
A permanent roof-like shelter which may be freestanding or
extending from part or all of a building face and which is constructed
of durable material such as metal, cloth, glass or plastic. Lettering
must not exceed 20% of the total canopy area and is limited to placement
above windows and doors.
CLOSED SIGN
A sign in which more than 50% of the entire area is solid
or tightly enclosed or covered.
COPY, CHANGEABLE OR MESSAGE BOARD SIGN
A sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lamp
bank or through mechanical means, such as electrical or electronic
time-and-temperature units, or is changed manually in the field in
or upon the surface area of the sign.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign which directs or guides persons to an establishment
or to facilities intended to serve the public, including entrances,
exits, rest rooms, public telephones, walkways, parking areas, full-service
and self-service gasoline pumps, and similar facilities, but which
does not identify the establishment itself or other goods or services
available at the establishment and does not contain other advertising
messages.
FLASHING SIGN
Any sign which contains an intermittent, strobe, running
or flashing light source, or which produces the illusion of an intermittent,
strobe, running or flashing light.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign, usually a pole sign, which is completely supported
by one or more posts physically attached to the ground. A freestanding
sign is a type of ground sign.
GROUND SIGN
A sign supported by uprights or braces in or upon the ground
surface.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from the natural grade at
the base of the sign support to the highest point of the sign.
HOLOGRAM SIGN
A three-dimensional picture that is made on a photographic
film or plate without the use of a camera, that consists of a pattern
of interference produced by a split coherent beam of light and which
for viewing is illuminated with a coherent light from behind.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign which states the name of the business or establishment,
including either the national company or local proprietor, and/or
the address of a building.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which emanates light either by means of exposed
tubing or lamps on its surface or by means of illumination transmitted
through the sign faces.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which reflects light from a source intentionally
directed upon it; for example, by means of a flood light.
MARQUEE SIGN
A sign attached to or hung from a marquee, canopy or other
covered structure projecting from and supported by the building and
extending beyond the building wall.
NAMEPLATE
A sign which displays only the name and/or street address
of the occupant.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior
to the adoption and effective date of this article and any amendments
hereto, which fails to conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions
of this code, or a sign previously deemed to be nonconforming for
which a special permit has been issued.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN (OFF-SITE SIGN)
Any sign that identifies a business, person, activity, goods,
products, services or facilities or that directs persons to a different
location from where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN (ON-SITE SIGN)
Any sign that identifies a business, person, activity, goods,
products, services or facilities that are located on the same premises
as the sign itself.
OPEN SIGN
A sign in which at least 50% of the enclosed area is uncovered
or open to the transmission of wind.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign, usually of a temporary nature, not securely anchored
to the ground or to a building or structure and which obtains some
or all of its structural stability with respect to wind or other normally
applied forces by means of its geometry or character.
PROJECTING SIGN
A display sign which is attached directly to the building
wall and which extends (usually perpendicular) from the face of the
wall more than 12 inches.
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest,
erected by, or on the order of, a public officer in the performance
of a public duty, such as official signs and notices of any public
or governmental agency, or erected by or on the order of a court or
public officer, including official traffic signs authorized by the
Illinois Compiled Statutes or the Illinois Vehicle Code.
ROOF SIGN
A sign which is erected on the roof of a building.
SIGHT TRIANGLE
The area of the corner lot closest to the intersection which
is kept free of visual impairment to allow full view of both pedestrian
and vehicular traffic. It is marked by a point at which the two curblines
intersect, measuring back 15 feet on each street front, and drawing
a line across the two back points to form a triangulated area. Only
public signs, sign poles less than 12 inches in diameter and signs
higher than 10 feet may be installed in this area.
SIGN
Any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof,
which is used primarily to advertise, identify, display or direct
or attract attention to an object, person, establishment, product,
service, event or location by any means, including, without limitation,
words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, motion,
illumination or projected images, visible beyond the boundaries of
the lot or parcel on which they are situated or visible from any public
thoroughfare or right-of-way. This includes, but is not limited to,
wall signs, freestanding signs, ground signs, window signs, awning
or canopy signs, marquees, changeable-copy signs, message boards,
illuminated signs, moving signs, temporary signs, portable signs,
pennants, banners, streamers or any other attention-getting device,
flag, or other display, whether affixed to a building or erected elsewhere
on the premises. The term "sign" excludes those features of a building
which are an integral part of the building's design and structure.
SIGN AREA
The entire area of all sign faces, cumulatively, including
sign faces on which no copy is currently displayed.
SIGN FACE
That part of the sign which is or can be used to identify,
to advertise, to communicate information, or for visual representation
which attracts the attention of the public for any purpose. This shall
include any background material, panel, trim, color, and direct or
self-illumination that differentiates the sign from the building,
structure, backdrop surface, or object upon or against which it is
placed. This shall not include any portion of the support structure
for the sign, provided that no message, symbol, or any part of the
aforementioned sign face criteria is placed on or designed as part
of the support structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign constructed of cloth, fabric or other lightweight
temporary material, with or without a structural frame, intended for
a limited period of display; including decoration displays for holidays
or public demonstrations.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is painted on or directly attached to the surface
of a building wall and which extends not more than 12 inches from
the face of the wall, the face of the sign being substantially parallel
to the face of the building wall.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign that is installed inside, painted upon or placed against
a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises, not including
merchandise located in a window display.
No person shall erect, construct or maintain any sign upon any
property, structure or building without the prior written consent
of the owner or person entitled to possession of the property, structure
or building, or his/her authorized representative. The written consent
must accompany the application for a sign permit.
The permit fee for a sign shall be equal to 1% of the total
cost of construction of the sign plus any applicable electrical fees,
but in no event shall the permit fee be less than $15.
All signs shall be constructed and maintained in accordance
with the following limitations and requirements:
(A) International Building Code. All signs shall be constructed in accordance
with the minimum requirements of the International Building Code in
effect at the time of the permit application.
(B) Electrical Code. All signs which are illuminated or contain any electrical
parts shall be constructed in accordance with the electrical code
of the City.
(C) Access to building and roof. No sign shall be erected so as to prevent
free ingress to or egress from any door or window, or any other point
of access into a building, nor shall any sign be erected so as to
impair access to the roof of a building.
(D) Glass. All glass that is part of a sign shall be safety glass.
(E) Maintenance. Each sign shall painted and maintained as necessary
to prevent rusting, rotting, illegibility, or other deterioration.
All broken or missing parts shall be promptly replaced. All seams
between panels or the components of the sign shall be maintained in
a closed condition.
(F) External lighting. Any external lighting of signs shall be directed
away from the public right-of-way and from adjoining property.
(G) Identification. Every sign, other than a temporary sign, shall have
identification, by name and telephone number, of the company constructing
and maintaining such sign marked thereon.
The minimum setback requirements for all freestanding signs
shall be as follows:
(A) The minimum setback for the pole or support of the sign from the
right-of-way property line shall be one foot.
(B) Signs shall not be permitted in parkways, public easements, or in
the public right-of-way.
(C) No signs may be permitted within a sight triangle, except for safety-related
signs.
Except as specifically provided otherwise in this article, the
following signs and displays shall be strictly prohibited throughout
the City:
(A) Portable signs, except for one period not to exceed 30 calendar days
in each calendar year.
(B) Signs which are painted directly onto any exterior wall of any building
or other structure.
(C) Signs in public rights-of-way which are not public signs or located
on permitted bus shelters or advertising benches, except banners where
permitted by the Mayor on special occasions for placement on City
light poles.
(D) Streamers, posters, ribbons, light strings, light bulbs, light bands,
spinners, attention-getting devices that move, blinking, electronic
or flashing signs, except time, temperature and date signs, signs
which exhibit changing natural or artificial light or color effects,
and festoon lighting, signs (other than neon signs) which contain
bare, unshielded light or tubes which are visible from a public street
or a private residence. Christmas lights and ornaments shall be permitted
during the period of November 15 to the following January 15.
(E) Signs attached to trees, fences, public utility poles, standpipes,
gutter drains or fire escapes, other than warning signs issued by
government officials or public utilities.
(F) Abandoned or defunct signs, including the posts or other supports
thereof, that advertise or identify an activity, business, product
or service that is no longer conducted or available on the premises
where such sign is located. The property owner shall remove said sign
within 30 days of notification by the Building Commissioner.
(G) Signs which move, rotate, change position, have moving parts, or
create the illusion of movement, whether the movement is caused by
the wind or mechanically, except for the rotation of barber poles
and permissible changeable-copy signs.
(H) Signs erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress
to or access from any door, window, fire escape, driveway or utility
lines.
(I) "A" frame, sandwich board, sidewalk or curb signs on the public right-of-way.
(M) Signs which emit an audible sound, odor or visible matter.
(N) Signs which by reason of their size, location, movement, content,
coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed
to be a traffic-control sign, signal or device, or the light of an
emergency or road equipment vehicle, except where such sign is accessory
to a parking area and gives directions or instructions to drivers
or pedestrians.
(O) Signs which hide or interfere with traffic flow or any street sign,
signal or device.
(P) Signs or any advertising device attached to or located on a parked
vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, public property or private
property for the basic purpose of providing advertising of products
or services or directing people to a business or activity located
on the same or nearby property or any other premises.
(Q) Off-premises (off-site) signs, such as billboards, but excluding
public directional signs.
(R) Signs which do not meet the standards of, or which otherwise violate,
the Illinois Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971 (225 ILCS 440/1
et seq.), as amended.
(S) Signs which contain radio or microwave transmitters, or slots or
boxes for the distribution of pamphlets or similar materials.
(T) Plywood wall signs or any other wall sign not mounted in a metal
frame.
The following signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts
with a sign permit, subject to any requirements in this article:
(A) Construction signs. One sign shall be permitted that lists the building
contractors, professional firms and lending institutions on sites
under construction. The sign shall be confined to the site of the
construction, construction shed, or trailer and shall be removed no
later than 14 days after the completion of the project. Construction
signs for projects up to 10 acres shall not exceed 12 square feet
per acre, or 40 square feet, whichever is less. For construction projects
exceeding 10 acres, the sign shall not exceed 64 square feet. All
construction signs shall be subject to annual review.
(B) Real estate "for sale" or "for lease" signs over six square feet.
One temporary real estate "for sale" or "for lease" sign, located
on the commercial real estate to be sold or leased, shall be allowed
for each lot or parcel. For a tract of commercial real estate containing
one acre or more, signs shall not exceed 40 square feet. For a tract
of commercial real estate containing less than one acre, a sign shall
not exceed six square feet in area, except for tracts located on major
or minor arterial roads or major collector roads where signs up to
40 square feet are permitted.
(C) Not-for-profit and religious signs. Name and informational signs,
and emblems of service clubs, places of worship and not-for-profit
identification signs shall be permitted, but shall not exceed one
square foot in area for each two feet of lot line and adjoining a
street with a maximum of 40 square feet. Such sign or signs on a corner
lot may face each street but the total area shall not exceed a maximum
of 40 feet per sign. Message boards are permitted to occupy up to
50% of the sign face.
(D) Informational signs for public, charitable or religious events. Temporary
signs announcing any public, charitable, educational or religious
event, up to a sign area of 40 square feet, shall be permitted. Such
signs shall be allowed no more than 21 days prior to the event and
must be removed within seven days after the event.
(E) Integral signs. Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental
citations and commemorative tablets when carved into stone, concrete,
or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent
type construction and made an integral part of the structure shall
be permitted.
(F) Banners, pennants and hot-air balloons. Banners, pennants and hot-air
balloons are permitted for grand openings, sales, and other similar
special events on a temporary basis, for no more than 14 days at a
time, and no more than one time per year.
(G) Directional signs. Directional signs shall be permitted, provided
that no such sign shall have a sign surface area larger than eight
square feet. The maximum height of such sign shall be 3 1/2 feet.
(H) Signs designating parking areas. Signs designating parking areas
and entrances and exits to parking areas, other than parking areas
for single-family dwellings, are permitted, provided that:
(1)
No more than one such sign shall be permitted that identifies
each parking lot.
(2)
No more than one sign shall be permitted for each exit or entrance.
(3)
No such sign shall exceed a sign surface area of four square
feet.
The following signs shall be allowed in all zoning districts
without a sign permit, subject to any requirements in this article:
(A) Changing of the advertising copy or message on an existing approved
painted or printed sign, changeable-copy sign or similar approved
sign, whether electrical, illuminated or nonilluminated or painted
message, which is specifically designed for the use of replaceable
copy.
(B) Painting, repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair
of a sign (but not involving any structural component or electrical
work) for which a permit has been previously issued, so long as the
sign is not otherwise modified in any way. Replacement of the plastic
face will be exempted from the permit requirement, provided that it
is due to breakage or deterioration of the face.
(C) Changes in the content of a window display, window signs and window
promotional signs.
(D) Changes in the content of permitted temporary signs.
(F) Signs painted on or attached to a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicle
which is used in the normal course of a business which is not primarily
the display of the sign on the vehicle, and which is not parked overnight
visible to a public right-of-way.
(G) Tablets, grave markers, headstones, memorial statuary and plaques,
or other remembrances of persons or events which are noncommercial
in nature.
(H) Any flag, emblem, or insignia of a government or noncommercial enterprise,
provided that it is not larger than 96 square feet and does not amount
to an attention-getting device for commercial purposes.
(I) "No trespassing" signs, warning signs (such as "Beware of Dog"),
notification signs for emergency personnel, and other such signs,
provided that the sign does not exceed two square feet in sign surface
area and there are no more than two such signs on the lot.
(J) Temporary window, real estate, personal celebration, special event
and garage sale signs, subject to the following:
(1)
No such sign shall exceed six square feet in sign surface area.
(2)
No more than two temporary signs shall be placed on the property
at any one time, and no more than one temporary sign of a particular
type shall be placed on the property at any one time.
(3)
No such sign shall be illuminated.
(4)
The sign shall be erected and maintained in the interior of
the building on the property.
(5)
The sign shall be erected no earlier than 30 days before and
shall be removed no later than seven days after the sale, rental or
other event to which it pertains.
(6)
A temporary sign erected in connection with a personal or family
celebration shall in no case be erected for a period longer than one
week.
(K) Signs for candidates seeking public political office and for referendum
appearing on the ballot at any election shall be permitted up to a
total area of 16 square feet for each zoning lot and shall be located
only on private property.
[Amended 2-22-2011 by Ord. No. 1-2011]
(L) Signs for a public event at a location in the City conducted by a
unit of government not exceeding eight square feet located on private
property (not on the public right-of-way and not on utility poles)
for a period not earlier than 10 days before the event nor later than
two days after the event.
In addition to those signs allowed in §§
18.92 and
18.93, the following signs shall be allowed in the A Single-Family Dwelling District and B Two-Family Duplex Dwelling District, subject to any requirements in this article:
(A) Single-family residential nameplates. Two single-family residential
name signs not exceeding two square feet in area each shall be permitted
per single-family dwelling. Such signs shall be allowed on mailboxes,
but shall otherwise be located at least six feet from the nearest
property line.
(B) Street address signs. Two street number signs not exceeding two square
feet in area shall be permitted in any residential district. Such
signs shall be allowed on mailboxes, and near doorways, but shall
otherwise be located at least six feet from the nearest property line.
(C) Multifamily building nameplate and identification signs. In any multiple-family
dwelling in which a rental office is permitted, one nameplate sign
and one identification sign shall be allowed at each vehicular entrance
from a public right-of-way and at each major public entrance to the
dwelling for all offices in the dwelling. The identification sign
shall not exceed 20 square feet. One residential nameplate sign not
exceeding two square feet in area shall be permitted per dwelling
unit. Identification signs shall be located at least six feet from
any property line, and the top of the sign shall not be over five
feet above the ground, whether freestanding or on a building or structure.
The identification sign shall indicate only the name, address, telephone
number and rental information.
(D) Identification signs for institutional and other nonresidential uses.
No more than two such signs per lot, parcel or tract shall be permitted,
no more than one of which shall be a changeable-copy sign. The combined
surface area of all such signs on the property shall not exceed 60
square feet in sign surface area, with no single sign exceeding 30
square feet in sign surface area. The sign shall be located no closer
than 15 feet to any other lot, parcel or tract.
In addition to those signs allowed in §§
18.92 and
18.93, the following signs shall be allowed in the D Commercial District, subject to any requirements in this article (including the regulations provided in §
18.96, which shall apply to auto dealers and gas stations):
(A) Freestanding identification signs. The maximum sign face area shall
be one square foot per 1.5 lineal feet of frontage, up to 40 square
feet (for each of two sides) for developments under 400,000 square
feet, and up to 100 square feet for developments of 400,000 square
feet and greater. One freestanding identification sign shall be allowed
per lot, except for lots with over 300 feet of frontage on a public
right-of-way, which may have up to two freestanding signs, and except
for corner lots with over 300 feet of frontage on each public right-of-way
or major privately owned circulation road, which may have up to one
freestanding sign per frontage, and for developments over 400,000
square feet, which may have one freestanding identification sign at
each major entrance. The maximum height of such sign shall be 10 feet
for developments up to 400,000 square feet and 14 feet for developments
over 400,000 square feet. The maximum thickness of such sign shall
be two feet. Listing of tenants' names shall be permitted for
office buildings, but shall occupy no more than 60% of the freestanding
sign face. Message boards shall be permitted for commercial buildings,
which may occupy no more than 25% of the freestanding identification
sign face, provided that no tenants' names are listed on the
sign. No message boards shall be permitted for office buildings. A
freestanding sign is not permitted for any premises with a projecting
sign.
(B) Wall signs. The maximum sign area for wall signs shall be 500 square
feet. One wall sign shall be allowed per lot frontage on a public
right-of-way or major privately owned circulation road but not on
a minor street with residences across the street. However, where an
establishment has a rear entrance which is not visible from another
sign for the establishment, an additional sign which also directs
persons to the rear entrance may be posted above or to the side of
the rear entrance, provided that such sign does not exceed four square
feet in sign surface area. Commercial buildings may have an entrance
identification sign on a wall other than specified above, provided
that the entrance identification sign does not exceed 10 square feet
and is located on the wall within 10 feet of the primary public entrance
which leads directly into a lobby or waiting area. Wall signs may
not cover any part of a window or extend above the roof line. Movie
theaters may have, as additional signs, attraction board wall signs.
(C) Window signs. There shall be no limit to the number of window signs,
provided that the total area of all window signs shall not exceed
50% of the window glass area for that side of the building. Neon lettering
shall be permitted on window signs.
(D) Banners. Banners affixed to parking lot light poles shall be allowed
only on light poles bordering or parallel to the street, with a maximum
of one banner per 30 lineal feet. Banners shall be permitted on interior
parking lot light poles.
(E) Projecting signs. A projecting sign shall not extend beyond a vertical
plane which is two feet inside of the curbline. The maximum height
of a projecting sign is eight feet. The bottom edge of a projecting
sign must be located at least 10 feet above ground level. A projecting
sign is not permitted for any premises with a freestanding sign.
In addition to those signs identified in §§
18.92 and
18.93, only the following signs shall be allowed for automobile dealers and automobile service stations, subject to any requirements in this article:
(A) Window signs. There shall be no limit to the number of window signs.
(B) Service island canopy signs (automobile service stations only). Only
one canopy sign shall be permitted facing each frontage. The gross
surface area of such sign shall not exceed 20% of the gross surface
area of the face of the canopy to which such sign is to be affixed.
Such sign shall not project higher than the top or below the bottom
of the canopy to which such sign is to be affixed.
(C) Service island identification signs (automobile service stations
only). Service island identification signs may be permitted to indicate
the type of service offered, the price of gasoline, and other relevant
information or direction to persons using the automobile service station.
However, no advertising material shall be allowed on such signs. There
shall not be more than one service island identification sign for
each service or pump island located on the premises. The gross surface
area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet for each exposed
face nor exceed an aggregate gross surface area of 12 square feet.
Such signs may be located adjacent to or within the service or pump
island to which it relates.
Any sign legally in existence on March 1, 2006, which violates
or does not conform to the provisions of this article shall be removed,
altered, or replaced so as to conform with the provisions of this
article by March 1, 2020. An unlawful sign is not a nonconforming
sign.
The Building Commissioner shall have the right to grant a variation
to or a waiver of any provision of this article, provided that the
public convenience will be served and where literal enforcement of
this article will cause undue hardship. The City Council reserves
to itself the right to grant a variation to or waiver of any provision
of this article by formal action at a public meeting.
In addition to any sign authorized in all zoning districts without
a permit, the owner of a zoning lot which is in the process of being
sold or rented may erect one freestanding ground sign, subject to
the following:
(A) One sign only (whether a lawn sign or a window sign) per zoning lot
is permitted, such sign to have no more than two faces of information.
(B) The sign must be located on the zoning lot which is for sale or rent.
(C) Each face of the sign shall not exceed six square feet in area. The
maximum size of ground support shall be a four-inch-by-four-inch pole.
(D) The maximum height of the top of the sign is five feet above ground
level.
(E) The sign shall be located no closer than 15 feet to any side lot
line or front lot line (if space permits), or the sign shall be erected
inside of a window of the building. No sign may be attached to any
building, fence, tree, or other structure unless the lack of a front
yard restricts the placement of a ground sign, in which event the
sign may be attached to the building.
(F) The sign shall be unilluminated and shall not contain any moving
parts, flags, banners, lights, streamers or balloons.
(G) The content of the sign shall be limited to an indication that the
property on which the sign is located is for sale or for rent, the
name of the owner or agent thereof (such as a real estate broker or
real estate agent), and a telephone number for inquiries. Signs indicating
"Sold," "Rented" or other similar phrases are not permitted.
(H) A "For Rent" sign shall not be erected unless there is a vacancy
in the property or a lease in the property is being terminated within
31 days thereof.
(I) The sign must be removed within 48 hours after the property has been
sold or the vacancy has been rented.