The language set forth in the text
of this Code shall be interpreted in accordance with the following
rules and definitions:
A.
The singular number includes the plural,
and the plural the singular;
B.
The present tense includes the past and
future tenses, and the future tense includes the present;
C.
The word "shall" is mandatory, while the
word "may" is permissive;
D.
Terms connoting a particular gender shall
include each and every gender;
E.
Whenever a word or term defined hereinafter
appears in the text of this Code, its meaning shall be construed as
set forth in the definition hereof; and any word appearing in parenthesis
between a word and its definition shall be construed in the same sense
as that word;
F.
All measured distances shall be to the
nearest integral foot; if a fraction is 1/2 foot or more, the integral
foot next above shall be taken;
G.
All words and terms not defined herein
shall be construed in their generally accepted meanings; and
H.
All provisions of this Code imposing duties
upon the City, its officers or agents are directory, unless the context
clearly requires the provision to be construed as mandatory.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
A sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person,
advertises a bona fide existing business, lessor, owner, product or
activity product or product available.
(See "On-Premise Sign").
The Director of Economic & Community Development or his
designated representative.
[Ord. No. 2017-96; 8-10-2020 by Ord. No.
2020-53]
That copy on a sign describing products or services being
offered to the public or to one or more limited segments thereof.
A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion.
For purposes of this Code, this term does not refer to flashing, changing
or indexing, all of which are separately defined.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
A plastic material more than 1/20 inches in thickness which
burns at a rate of not more than 2 1/2 inches per minute when
subjected to the ASTM standard test for flammability of plastics in
sheets of 0.06 inch thickness.
A roof, wall, fascia or projecting sign with no visible legs
or braces - designed to look as though it could have been part of
the building structure, rather than something suspended from or standing
on the building.
Any projection from a building that is not intended for occupancy
and that extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building
but that does not include signs as defined herein. Examples of architectural
projections may include but not limited to: Awning, back-lit awning,
mansard, soffit and canopy, attached and freestanding.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
See Area of Sign.
Copy area including borders which for all intent are to be
made visible to the public.
An electronically activated changeable sign whose variable
message capability can be electronically programmed.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
An awning is a roof-like cover which projects from the wall
of a building and overhangs into a yard or a public or private street.
Building Officials and Code Administrators International,
Incorporated.
The entire area of a sign on which copy could be placed,
as opposed to the "copy area," when referred to in connection with
facia or wall signs.
A temporary sign composed of light weight material either
enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as
to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere.
See "Off-Premise Sign," "Off-Site Sign," or "Outdoor Advertising
(Posters and Bulletins)."
All windows and wall area of a building in one plane or elevation.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
The linear length of a building facing the right-of-way or
public place.
A sign lettered to give the name of a building itself, as
opposed to the name of occupants or services.
See "Off-Premise Signs," "Off-Site Signs," or "Outdoor Advertising."
Candidate means any individual actively seeking elected political
office, regardless of whether his name appears on the ballot.
A permanent roof-like shelter extending, from part or all
of a building face over a yard, public street or private street and
constructed of some durable material such as metal, glass, or plastic.
Any sign attached to or hung from a marquee or canopy or
other covered structure projecting from and supported by a building
and extending beyond the building wall, building line or public right-of-way
line.
A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, i.e.
reader boards with changeable pictorial panels.
A sign such as an electronically or electrically controlled
public service time, temperature, and date sign, message center or
reader board where different copy changes are shown on the same lamp
bank.
City of Bloomington, Illinois.
The City Clerk of the City of Bloomington, Illinois.
The City Engineer of the City of Bloomington, Illinois, or
his duly authorized representative.
The City Manager of the City of Bloomington, Illinois.
A display sign in which the entire area is solid or tightly
enclosed or covered.
A land use which is capable of direct association with certain
other uses because it is complementary, congruous, or otherwise not
detrimental. Permitted, special and accessory uses listed in the Zoning
Code for a specific district are considered compatible uses in said
district.
Building design and signs integrated into one architectural
plan, the comprehensive design being complete in all other building,
structural and electrical requirements.
The area in square feet of the smallest geometric figure
which describes the area enclosed by the actual copy of a sign. For
facia or wall signs, the copy area limits refer to the message, not
to the illuminated background, the entire area within a single continuous
perimeter composed of squares or rectangles which enclose the extreme
limits of the advertising message, announcement or decoration.
The wording of a sign surface either in permanent or removal
letter form.
The City Council of the City of Bloomington, Illinois.
The Department of Public Works for the City of Bloomington,
Illinois.
[Ord. No. 2018-93]
See "Ground Sign."
Any sign which serves solely to designate the location or
direction of any place or area. It is of the general type provided
for in the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code.
Any sign designed to provide artificial light either through
exposed lighting on the sign face or through transparent or translucent
material from a light source within the sign.
A sign with two faces, back to back.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
Election means the submission of all questions of public
policy, propositions, and all measures submitted to popular vote,
and includes primary elections.
Any sign indicating support of, or opposition to, any issue
or candidate in any regular, general or special election.
Any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or
intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.
This term shall mean attached, altered, built, constructed,
reconstructed, enlarged or moved, and shall include the painting of
wall signs, but does not include copy changes on any sign.
Sign exempted from normal permanent requirements.
The entire area of sign on which copy could be placed, including
borders.
The remodeling of a building's frontage which is visible
from a public right-of-way so that the building material, door frames,
window frames, and signs are designed in harmony with each other.
A sign attached to, painted on, or erected against a wall
of a building with the face horizontally parallel to the building
wall and extending not more than 15 inches from the face of said building
wall.
An electrical sign of such magnitude that it cannot be completely
constructed in the factory.
Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light
source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing
light by means of animation or an externally mounted intermittent
light source. Automatic changing signs such as public service time,
temperature and date signs or electronically controlled message centers
are classed as "Changing Signs" not "Flashing Signs."
See "Ground Signs."
A highway in respect to which the owners of abutting lands
have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting land,
or in respect of which such owners have only limited or restricted
right or easement of access and which is declared to be a freeway
or controlled access highway as provided on the Major Streets and
Highway Plan for the City.
Any sign identifying premises where food, lodging, or places
of business are located that engage in supplying goods and services
essential to normal operation of motor vehicles, and where such businesses
are directly dependent upon the adjacent freeway for business.
The length of the property line of any one premise parallel
to and along each public right-of-way it borders.
A regular election for the choice of a national, state, judicial,
district or county officer.
Street grade.
A sign erected on a freestanding frame, mast or pole and
not attached to any building. A sign supported by uprights or braces
in or upon the ground surface.
The vertical distance measured from the adjacent street grade
or upper surface of the nearest street curb other than an elevated
roadway which permits the greatest height to the highest point of
said sign.
After the time this Advertising Sign Code becomes effective.
Before the time this Advertising Sign Code becomes effective.
A sign on the premises which is limited to the name, address
and number of a building, institution or person on the premises, and
to the activity carried on in the building or institution, or the
occupancy of the person provided that this type of sign is permitted
only if the use of the premises is legal both in substance and at
that location.
See "Unlawful Sign" in this section.
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.
A sign pertaining to goods, products, services or facilities
which are available on the premises where the sign is located.
Turning and stopping action of the triangular vertical sections
of a multi-prism sign designed to show three messages in the same
area.
Any sign which reflects light from a source intentionally
directed upon it for example, by means of floodlights, gooseneck reflectors
or externally mounted fluorescent light fixtures.
Any sign made of self-contained letters that are mounted
on the face of a building, top of parapet, roof edge of a building
or on top of or below a marquee.
Property lines other than those fronting on a street, road
or highway.
Any matter of public interest, question of public opinion,
proposition, or any other measure submitted to popular vote.
In this context, the line above the display windows and below
transom windows (if any) on a store (usually and approximately nine
feet from grade).
For the purpose of this Code, a lot is a parcel of land of at least sufficient size to meet the minimum requirements for use, coverage, and area, and to provide such yards and other open space as required by Chapter 44 of the Bloomington City Code. Such lot shall have frontage on an improved public street, or on an approved private street, and may consist of:
To permit a sign, structure or any part or condition of any
of them to continue.
A permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all
of the building face over a public right-of-way and constructed of
some durable material such as metal, glass or plastic.
Any sign attached to or hung from a marquee or canopy or
other covered structure projecting from and supported by a building
and extending beyond the building wall, building line or public right-of-way
line.
The wording or copy on a sign.
Signs made with a series of triangular vertical sections
that turn and stop, or index, to show three pictures or messages in
the same area.
A non-electric sign identifying only the name, location and
home occupation or profession of the occupant of the premises on which
the sign is located, and it is permitted only if the use of the premises
is legal both in substance and at that location. If any premises include
more than one occupant, nameplate refers to all names and occupations
or professions as well as the name of the building and directional
information.
National Electrical Code.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
Electric discharge tubing manufactured into shapes that form
letters, parts of letter, skeleton tubing, outline lighting, other
decorative elements, or art forms and filled with various inert gases.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
Any advertising structure or sign which was lawfully erected
and maintained prior to such time as it became subject to this Code
and any amendments thereto, and which at the time it becomes subject
to this Code and fails to conform to all applicable regulations and
restrictions of this Code, or a nonconforming sign for which a special
permit has been issued.
Any sign that does not contain electrical wiring or is not
attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.
It is a sign that advertises goods, products, services or
facilities or directs persons to a different location from where the
sign is installed.
Any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity,
goods, products or services located on the premises where the sign
is installed and maintained.
A display sign in which at least 50% of the enclosed area
is uncovered, or open to the transmission of wind.
A person recorded as such on official records and including
duly authorized agent or notary, a purchaser, devisee, judiciary;
any person having a vested or contingent interest in the property
in question.
That portion of a building wall that rises above the roof
level.
A structure on top of a building roof such as that which
houses an elevator shaft or similar form.
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership
or other legal entity of any description, single or plural.
See "Ground Sign."
Any sign (other than an election sign permitted by § 3-1105 of this Code, an exempt sign permitted by § 3-802 of this Code, a banner permitted by § 3-605 of this Code, an "A" frame or sandwich board sign or a swinging sign with a sign area of nine square feet or less, or a sign displayed on or from an operational motor vehicle) not permanently attached to the ground or a building. A portable electric sign does not cease to be portable unless and until it is: (1) removed from any wheels, frames or device which allow it to be transported; (2) anchored in the ground with concrete footings; and (3) landscaped.
An area of land with its appurtenances and buildings which,
because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable
unit of real estate.
A sign, other than a wall sign, which is attached to the
building wall and which extends more than 15 inches from the face
of the wall. The area of double-faced projecting signs are calculated
on one face of the sign only.
Building frontage at least 30 feet wide which is accessible
unobstructed for the Fire Department.
The perpendicular distance across a public street measured
from property line to property line. When property lines on opposite
sides of the public street are not parallel, the public right-of-way
width shall be determined by the City Engineer.
Any sign intended primarily to promote items of general interest
to the community such as time, temperature and date, atmospheric conditions,
news or traffic control, etc.
Any on-premise sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental
of land or buildings.
Regular election means an election, either general or municipal,
regularly occurring at fixed interval.
The top edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, whichever
forms the top line of the building silhouette.
Any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof or
on top of or above the parapet of a building.
Any sign or portion of a sign which moves in a revolving
or similar manner, but not including multi-prism indexing signs.
Signs such as Christmas decorations, those used for a historic
holiday and installed for a limited period of time.
Any identification, description, illustration or device illuminated
or non-illuminated and with or without printing or writing, which
is visible from any public place and which directs or is constructed
to direct attention to a business, product, service, place, activity,
person, organization, institution or solicitation, including any permanently
installed or situated merchandise, a symbol of merchandise, logo or
display with the exception of window displays; or any emblem, painting,
banner, pennant, placard or temporary sign designed to advertise,
identify or convey information with respect to any business, product,
service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation, with
the exception of national, state, county, municipal and religious
flags. The required removal of any sign shall be understood to include
all associated sign structures and sign support structures unless
exempted from the removal requirement.
The area of the largest faces of the sign with a perimeter
which forms the outside shape including any frame, forms an integral
part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights
on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than
one section or module, all areas will be totaled and both faces of
double faced signs will be included in the sign area.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
See "Copy."
A sticker affixed either to the face or the channel of a
sign visible from the street denoting the name of the manufacturer
or designating the sign servicing company for purpose of identification
by City officials.
Any structure which supports, has supported or is capable
of supporting a sign including decorative cover.
An area of the facade of the building up to the roof line
which is free of windows and doors or major architectural detail.
It is calculated by selecting a continuous facade, then drawing an
imaginary rectangle within specified height limitations and computing
the square foot area of this rectangle.
Special election means an election, either general or municipal,
not regularly recurring at fixed intervals, irrespective of whether
it is held at the same time and place and by the same election officers
as a regular election.
Any sign other than a business, non-accessory identification
sign, including but not limited to traffic signs.
A privately owned lane, road or street which affords the
means of access to adjacent lots.
A public highway, road or thoroughfare which affords the
principal means of access to adjacent lots, measured from property
line to property line.
A sign installed on an arm or spar that is not, in addition,
permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or upright pole.
A sign which is not permanently affixed and includes all
devices such as banners, pennants, flags (not including national,
state, county, municipal or religious flags), searchlights, twirling
or sandwich type signs, sidewalk or curb signs and balloons or other
air or gas filled figures.
A sign painted on the interior of a window or constructed
of paper, cloth, or other like material and attached to the interior
side of a window or displayed on the exterior of a building wall in
order to direct attention of persons outside the building to a sale
of merchandise or a change in the status of the business.
The City Treasurer of the City of Bloomington, Illinois.
A sign suspended below the ceiling or roof of a canopy or
marquee.
A nonprofit organization which establishes standards for
electrical and mechanical equipment and materials and is commonly
referred to as "UL." Its electrical section is known as "Underwriter's
Laboratory 48."
[Ord. No. 1989-30]
A sign which contravenes this Code or any other law or which
the Administrator declares to be unlawful because it becomes dangerous
to public safety by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation
or abandonment or a nonconforming sign for which a permit required
under a previous Code was not obtained. The terms "unlawful" and "illegal"
shall have the same meaning at all times in all situations.
The purpose for which a building, lot, sign or other structure
is arranged, intended, designed, occupied or maintained.
A sign attached to, painted on, or erected against a wall
of a building with the face horizontally parallel to the building
wall and extending not more than 15 inches from the face of said building
wall.
A sign installed inside a window for purposes of reviewing
from outside the premises. This term does not include merchandise
located in a window.
