A. 
The purpose of this article is to establish minimum standards to safeguard life and property and promote public welfare and community aesthetics by regulating the appearance, construction, location and maintenance of all signs and billboards.
B. 
No person shall erect, enlarge, locate, move, reconstruct, extend, convert or structurally alter any sign in the Village of Howards Grove without first securing a sign permit from the Building Inspector. The fee for such permits shall be determined from time to time by the Village Board and adopted as part of the rate schedule kept by the Village Clerk-Treasurer. Exceptions to the sign regulations are listed in § 415-58.
The following definitions are used in this article:
AWNING
A temporary hood or cover which projects from the wall of the building, which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting structure. Decorative awnings without lettering or imagery are not considered signs.
BANNER
A temporary sign generally constructed of flexible nonrigid material (i.e., canvas, cloth, plastic, etc.) upon which a sign, logo, advertising, events or goods have been placed.
BILLBOARD
A sign which advertises goods, products or facilities, or services not necessarily on the premises where the sign is located or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
BLANKETING
The unreasonable obstruction of view of a sign caused by the placement of another sign.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign designed to give any artificial light directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or on such sign.
DIRECTORY SIGN
Any sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include offices and church directories.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE UNIT SIGN
Any sign whose message may be changed by electronic process, including such messages as copy, art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather or information concerning civic, charitable or other noncommercial activities, or the advertising of products or services for sale on the premises. This also includes traveling or segmented message displays.[1]
FLASHING SIGN
Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
GROUND AND/OR POLE SIGN
Any sign which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building. (Also referred to as "freestanding sign.")
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
Any sign which carries only the name of the firm, major enterprise, institution or principal products offered for sale on the premises or combination of these.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign that is illuminated from a source outside of the actual sign.
MARQUEE
A permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building's wall at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against weather.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to and made part of a marquee.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this article.
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground which is designed to be easily moved from one location to another.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign extending more than 12 inches but less than five feet from the face of a wall or building.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign that which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building.
SIGN
Includes anything that promotes, calls attention or invites patronage (or anything similar to the aforementioned) to a business, location or product.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign intended to be displayed for a short period of time, including real estate, political or construction site signs, and banners, decorative-type displays or anything similar to the aforementioned.
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached to, erected on or painted on the wall of a building or structure and projecting not more 12 inches from such wall.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and visible from a public way.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Required information: Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Village which contain the following information about the sign: dimensions, including display surface; materials; illumination; wiring; height above grade; distance from lot lines; and the person, firm or corporation erecting or altering the sign. The applicant must attach to the application a scale drawing of the design of the sign.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original 13-1-102(b), Fees, of the 1993 Code of Ordinances and which immediately followed, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II). See now § 415-54B.
A. 
Signs in Residential, Multifamily, and Parks and Recreation Districts. All signs are prohibited, except the following signs are permitted when located outside of the public right-of-way, and which comply with all side and rear yard setback requirements, except as otherwise provided in this article:
(1) 
Signs over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed two feet in height and 10 feet in length.
(2) 
Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which signs are temporarily located.
(3) 
Name, occupation and warning signs not to exceed two square feet located on the premises.
(4) 
Bulletin boards and signs for public, charitable or religious institutions located on the premises and not to exceed 60 square feet in area per side.
(5) 
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
(6) 
Temporary banners in accordance with § 415-63.
(7) 
Temporary portable nonflashing signs in accordance with § 415-63.
(8) 
Subdivision entrance and development signs may be permitted as a conditional use with Village Board approval. A development or subdivision may have one freestanding sign on each street which the development abuts. Each sign may not exceed 48 square feet in area or eight feet in height and may be single or double-faced. Signs permitted by this section may be exempt from the setback requirements of the district upon approval by the Village Board.
(9) 
Parks and recreation areas and multifamily buildings of 12 or more units may have a ground sign as herein regulated.
B. 
Signs in Commercial and Industrial Districts. Any sign permitted in a residential district is permitted in Commercial and Industrial Districts and is exempt from setback requirements unless otherwise noted. No signs may extend into any public right-of-way or easement. Identifying signs for the principal building of the commercial or industrial enterprise advertising a business or activity conducted on the premises are permitted in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) 
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than one foot from the wall surface or extend above or beyond the wall itself. The maximum allowable coverage of permanently mounted signs to the street side(s) wall shall not exceed a total of 300 square feet in total area, or 25% of the vertical surface of the wall, exclusive of the window and door opening square footage. If signs are placed in or on windows and doors, the actual sign area used in the windows and doors will also be included in the aggregate sign square footage.
(2) 
Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by attached structures shall not exceed 40 square feet in area on a side, shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines, and shall not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk. Only one projecting sign is permitted per lot. Projecting signs are allowed only when a pole or ground sign cannot be constructed to code.
(3) 
Ground signs shall not extend into any public right-of-way or easement and shall not exceed 100 square feet on a side and 200 square feet on all sides and shall not exceed eight feet in height above the main road grade measured at its highest point. Only one ground sign is permitted per lot. All ground signs shall have a minimum landscaped area of 16 square feet around the base of the sign.
(4) 
Pole signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height above the main road grade. The sign shall be completely within the property on which it is located and may not extend into any public right-of-way or easement. The total signage area per premises may not exceed six square feet for each 10 feet or fraction of frontage. No sign shall have an area exceeding 150 square feet on a side or 300 square feet on all sides. One pole sign per street frontage is permitted. All pole signs shall have a minimum landscaped area of 16 square feet around the base of the pole.
(5) 
In Commercial Districts, temporary window signs advertising a sale or special event at an individual commercial establishment shall be exempt from the sign regulations.
(6) 
A temporary sign for the purpose or designating a new building or development, announcement of a special event, or for similar special informational purposes may be permitted for limited period of time with the approval of the Village Board.
(7) 
A roof sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the roof and shall be considered part of the structure in meeting all height requirements and setbacks for the district in which it is located, and shall not exceed 100 square feet on all sides for any one premises. Only one roof sign per frontage is permitted.
(8) 
Permanent window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 25% of the total window area in aggregate/per side.
The following signs and related items shall not be included in the application of the regulations contained in this article:
A. 
Signs not exceeding one square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants or premises.
B. 
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
C. 
Legal notices, identification information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies.
D. 
Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
E. 
Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter, and not exceeding eight square feet in size.
F. 
Signs erected by national, state, county or municipal governmental agencies, including traffic and informational signs.
G. 
Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which signs are temporarily located.
H. 
Temporary banners.
A. 
No sign will be permitted that resembles the size, shape, form or color of official traffic control signs, signals or devices.
B. 
Advertising on vehicles.
(1) 
No persons shall park any vehicle or trailer on a public right-of way or public property or on private property so as to be seen from a public right-of-way, which has attached thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing people to a business activity located on the same or nearby property or any other premises.
(2) 
This subsection shall not prohibit "For Sale" signs on vehicles for sale provided the vehicle is not parked on a public right-of-way.
C. 
No sign in a conspicuous state of disrepair shall be permitted to exist. The Village Board may order removal on a twenty-day public notice or immediately if public danger exists.
D. 
No billboard signs shall be permitted.
E. 
Moving or flashing signs. No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, brilliant intermittent parts or lights, or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information. This prohibition shall apply to all signs, including portable and temporary.
A. 
Removal. All signs shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when a business which it advertises has not been conducted for a period of six months or when, in the judgment of the Building Inspector or Village Board, such sign is so old, dilapidated or has become so out or repair as to be dangerous or unsafe, whichever occurs first. If the owner or lessee fails to remove it, the Village Board may remove the sign at cost of the owner, following adequate written notice. The owner may appeal the Village Board's decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
B. 
Alterations. Any sign which was erected before the adoption of this article shall not be rebuilt or relocated without conforming to all of the requirements of this article.
C. 
Violations. All signs constructed or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this article are hereby declared public nuisances within the meaning of this Code of Ordinances. In addition to the penalty provisions for violation of this chapter, the Village Board may bring an action to abate the nuisance in the manner set forth in the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Variances or exceptions to these sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals and decisions by the Village Board may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
A. 
Installation. All signs shall be properly secured, supported and braced and shall be kept in reasonable structural condition and shall be kept clean and well painted at all times. Bolts or screws shall not be fastened to window frames. Every sign and its framework, braces, anchors and other supports shall be constructed of such material and with such workmanship as to be safe and satisfactory to the Village Board and Building Inspector.
B. 
Prohibitions.
(1) 
No sign shall be erected so that any portion of the sign or its supports is attached to or interferes with the free use of any fire escape, exit, any required stairway, door, ventilator or window.
(2) 
No sign shall be erected that will interfere with, obstruct, confuse or mislead traffic.
(3) 
At no time shall signs be permitted within a vision clearance triangle in such a manner as to restrict vision or impair safety.
(4) 
No sign located within 150 feet of a highway or street right-of-way shall contain, include or be illuminated by a rotating beam of light.
C. 
Signs on public rights-of-way. Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way except for traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified in this chapter.
D. 
General requirements.
(1) 
Awnings. Lowest part of any awning shall be a minimum of 10 feet above the sidewalk. Signs are allowed directly on the awning or hanging on the frame but not below 10 feet.
(2) 
Animated signs. Signs with any moving parts, beacon lights or moving lights shall not be permitted, except revolving-type signs are permitted.
(3) 
Illuminated signs. Any illuminated signs shall not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic. Bare reflecting type bulbs of any kind are not allowed for nonflashing signs unless they are properly shaded so as not to interfere with surrounding properties.
(4) 
Projection. Signs including supports shall not project beyond five feet of the face of the wall to which attached.
(5) 
Blanketing. Blanketing of signs shall not be allowed.
(6) 
Maintenance. All signs, including supports and attachments, shall be properly maintained and have an appearance that is neat and clean.
A. 
Temporary sign limitation.
(1) 
All temporary signs such as real estate and construction site signs shall be removed within 10 days after their use has discontinued. Political signs shall be subject to § 12.04, Wis. Stats.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Temporary signs may be placed on a property, but shall not be located on a right-of-way terrace, and shall not interfere with driveway vision clearance.
B. 
Portable signs.
(1) 
Such signs shall be limited in use to 30 days at a time, and not more frequently than three times per year at any one property location.
(2) 
The maximum size shall be 32 square feet on each face, back to back.
A. 
Signs eligible for characterization as legal nonconforming. Any sign located within the Village of Howards Grove limits on the date of adoption or amendment of this chapter or located in an area annexed to the Village of Howards Grove hereafter which does not conform with the provisions of this article is eligible for characterization as a legal nonconforming sign and is permitted.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Loss of legal nonconforming status.
(1) 
A sign loses its nonconforming status if one or more of the following occurs:
(a) 
The sign is structurally altered in any way, except for normal maintenance or repair, which tends to or makes the sign less in compliance with requirements of this article than it was before alteration.
(b) 
The sign is relocated.
(c) 
The sign fails to conform to the Village requirements regarding maintenance and repair, abandonment or dangerous or defective signs.
(2) 
On the date of occurrence of any of the above, the sign shall be immediately brought in compliance with this article or shall be removed.
C. 
Legal nonconforming sign maintenance and repair. Nothing in this article shall relieve the owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign or the owner of the property in which the sign is located from the provisions of this article regarding safety, maintenance and repair of signs.
All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Building Code[1] or other ordinances of the Village of Howards Grove.
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 175, Building Construction.
Except as otherwise herein provided, all sign messages shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which an off-premises sign is located when the business it advertises is no longer conducted where advertised. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Village Board shall give the owner 60 days' written notice to remove said sign and thereafter, upon the owner's or lessee's failure to comply, may remove such sign, any costs of which shall be charged to the owner of the property or may be assessed as a special assessment against the property, and/or the Village Board may take any other appropriate legal action necessary to attain compliance.