The language of this article shall apply to both on-premise and off-premise signs unless specifically limited to either on-premise signs or off-premise signs.
Materials and method of construction shall comply with the BOCA Basic Building Code currently adopted and referenced in Chapter 10 of the Bloomington City Code and other applicable Codes of the City.
A. 
Minimum horizontal separation:
(1) 
On-premise freestanding signs. More than one on-premise freestanding or ground sign may be permitted on each premise having frontage on a public street or an approved private street, provided that the minimum horizontal separation between such on-premise freestanding signs shall be 100 feet. The required separation in this section does not apply to on-premise signs on separate premises.
(2) 
Off-premise freestanding signs. After February 8, 1981, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any off-premise freestanding sign that violates the provisions of § 3-507 of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
B. 
Obstructions to traffic. No freestanding or ground sign shall be erected so as to obstruct free access to or egress from any building.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
C. 
Setback. No freestanding or ground sign shall be erected in such a manner as to impede visibility between a height of 2 1/2 feet and 10 feet above the top curbline grades (grade at edge of pavement when no curb is present) of intersecting streets or of street and driveway intersections in the area defined by the visibility triangles illustrated in Figure 1 and Table 1 and Figure 2 and Table 2 in Appendix A of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
D. 
Minimum clearance. Where a freestanding or ground sign projects over a vehicular traffic area, such as a private street, driveway or parking lot, the minimum clearance between the bottom of the sign and the ground shall be 14 feet.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
E. 
Projection over public or private streets. Freestanding or ground signs shall be allowed to project over a public or private street only to the same extent permitted for projecting signs.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
F. 
The maximum height of any portion of any freestanding or ground sign shall be accordance with Table 1. In joint or adjacent rights-of-way, the height of the sign will be regulated by the width and speed limit of the right-of-way immediately closest to the location of said sign.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
Table 1
Maximum Permitted Heights of Freestanding or Ground Signs
Highway or Street Closest to the Location of the Sign
Public Right-of-way Width
Official Speed Limits
(miles per hour)
Maximum Height From Grade
(linear feet)
60 feet or less
15 - 20
20*
25 - 30
25
35 - 50
30
More than 60 feet
15 - 20
30*
25 - 30
40*
35 - 50
50
NOTES:
*
Freestanding signs may have a maximum height of 100 feet above grade when located within 1,320 feet of the right-of-way line of a Federal Aid Interstate Highway interchange.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
G. 
Freestanding signs which are to be viewed from expressways or interstate highways shall conform with the "Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971," 225 ILCS 440/1 et seq., as hereafter amended.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
H. 
On freestanding or ground signs, the sign structure may extend above the maximum allowable height of such signs for embellishment purposes. Such extension shall not exceed 20% of the maximum allowable height for the sign. Such embellishment shall not include thereon any symbol, representation, logo gram, insignia, illustration or other form of advertising message.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
A. 
Maximum sign area buildings. The maximum sign area on a building shall not exceed the allowed Zoning District square footage per lineal foot of lot frontage in Article IV multiplied by the building frontage.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Materials. Wall or facia signs which have an area exceeding 40 square feet shall be constructed of metal or other approved noncombustible materials except for nailing rails and as provided in Chapter 10 of the Bloomington City Code.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
C. 
Reflectors. Lighting reflectors may project eight feet beyond the face of the wall provided such reflectors are at least 12 feet above the sidewalk level, but in no case shall such reflectors project beyond a vertical plane two feet inside the curbline.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
D. 
Extension. Wall or facia signs shall not be erected to extend above the parapet, nor extend beyond the ends of the wall to which they are attached unless such signs meet all the requirements for roof signs, projecting signs, or ground or freestanding signs as the case may be.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
E. 
Premises fronting on more than one public right-of-way may combine permissible signs for one frontage with another frontage for the purpose of placing the combined area of signs on one frontage if the combined frontage is 100 feet or less.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
F. 
Maximum height:
(1) 
A wall or facia sign shall not extend above the parapet of the wall to which it is attached unless it appears as an architectural blade.
(2) 
The height of copy placed in the space between windows may not exceed 2/3 the distance between the top of the lower window and the sill of the upper window.
(3) 
No vertical stacking allowed.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
G. 
Any identification wall or facia signs with non-illuminated letters up to but not exceeding six inches in height nor eight square feet in area are not restricted and may be permitted in addition to regulated signage.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
A. 
Materials. All signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or other approved noncombustible materials except as provided in Chapter 10 of the Bloomington City Code. Provisions shall be made for electrical ground of all metallic parts and where combustible materials are permitted in letters or other ornamental features, all wiring and tubing shall be kept free and insulated therefrom.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Bottom clearance. There shall be a clear space of not less than six feet between the lowest part of the sign and the roof level except for necessary structural supports. The six feet clearance shall not be required where signs are readily accessible on all sides, the sign face is not more than four feet in height, and proper drainage, access, and air circulation are maintained.
[Ord. No. 1983-31]
C. 
Closed roof signs. A closed roof sign shall not be erected to a height greater than 50 feet above fireproof and noncombustible buildings nor more than 35 feet above the roof of non-fireproof buildings.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
D. 
Open roof signs. An open roof sign shall not exceed a height of 100 feet above the roof of buildings of fireproof and noncombustible construction and not more than 60 feet above the roof of buildings of non-fireproof construction.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
E. 
Combustible supports. Within the Fire District, no roof sign which exceeds 40 feet in height shall be supported on or braced to wooden beams or other combustible construction of a building or structure unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
F. 
Roof signs on buildings which do not exceed three stories or 40 feet in height shall be subject to the height limitations in Table 2 of this section:
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
Table 2
Maximum Height for Roof Signs on Buildings Which Do Not Exceed 40 Feet in Height
Building Height
Maximum Roof Sign Height
(from top of parapet)
0 to 15 feet
15 feet
16 to 20 feet
20 feet
21 to 30 feet
25 feet
31 to 40 feet
30 feet
G. 
Roof signs on buildings which exceed 40 feet in height shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
All roof signs shall be manufactured in such a way that they appear as an architectural blade or penthouse and are finished in such a manner that the visual appearance from all sides is such that they are attached.
(2) 
All roof signs shall be installed or erected in such a manner that there shall be no angle iron support structure visible from street level or grade level.
(3) 
All roof signs shall be set back a distance at least three feet from all the outside walls of the building on or over which they are located in order to provide a clear passageway around said signs.
(4) 
No guy wires, braces or secondary supports shall be visible from the street or grade level.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
H. 
Sloping roof signs. A sign may be attached to the facia of or located on the sloping roof of a structure but shall not be located so as to extend higher than the roof top.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
I. 
Maximum sign area. The area of a roof sign is a part of the building signage and hence, must comply with § 3-502A.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
A. 
Materials. Projecting signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or other approved noncombustible materials except as provided in Chapter 10 of the Bloomington City Code.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Maximum projection. No such signs shall project over a street or other public space more than 10 feet from the face of the building or structure, nor in any case beyond a vertical plane two feet inside the curb face. Subject to these maximum projection limits, projection over the public right-of-way in a C-3 Business District shall be limited to 12 inches for each one linear foot of building frontage measured from the sign's location to the nearest side wall of the occupant's premises.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
C. 
Clearances. A clear space of not less than 10 feet shall be provided below all parts of such signs.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
D. 
Projecting signs shall project at a 90° angle from the building face except at a building corner fronting on two intersecting streets where projecting signs may project from such building corner at 45° angles to the building facades fronting on such intersecting streets.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
E. 
Installation. All projecting signs shall be installed or erected in such a manner that support structures visible above a roof or building facade shall appear as architectural blades.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
F. 
No projecting sign may extend more than 12 inches above the top of a parapet, unless it appears as an architectural blade.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
G. 
Illumination. Any sign projecting over a public right-of-way may be illuminated, except for awnings.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
H. 
Maximum, sign area. The area of a projecting sign from and on a building is a part of the building signage and hence, must comply with § 3-502A.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
A. 
Materials. Canopy (marquee) signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or other approved noncombustible materials except as provided in Chapter 10 of the Bloomington City Code.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Height. Canopy (marquee) signs shall not exceed seven feet in height nor shall they project below the facia of the marquee (canopy) nor lower than 10 feet above the sidewalk.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
C. 
Length. Canopy (marquee) signs may extend the full length of the canopy (marquee) but in no case shall they project beyond the ends of the canopy (marquee).
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
D. 
Area. Area of copy may be three square feet per lineal foot of canopy front and sides. Copy area or any part of copy area allowed for one facia of the canopy (marquee) shall not be added to that allowed for other facia of the canopy (marquee). On places of public entertainment such as theaters, arenas, meeting halls, etc., where one or more changeable copy signs are allowed, the copy area allowance may not exceed five square feet per linear foot of canopy (marquee) front and sides with a maximum total height of no more than five feet at any point.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
E. 
A freestanding (ground) sign may project above and over a canopy (marquee) provided that such sign is in compliance with § 3-501 of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
F. 
Under canopy signs. Signs attached to the underside of a canopy (marquee) shall have a copy area not greater than eight square feet, with a maximum, letter height of nine inches, subject to a minimum clearance of nine feet from the sidewalk. All such under canopy signs shall be mounted at a 90° angle to the building face.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
Signs consisting of one line of letters not exceeding nine inches in height may be painted, placed or installed only upon the hanging border of any awning erected and maintained in accordance with this Code. An identification emblem, insignia, initial or other similar feature not exceeding an area of four square feet, may be painted, placed or installed elsewhere on any awning provided that any sign emblem, insignia or other such similar item shall comply with all other provisions of this Code.
A. 
After February 8, 1981, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any off-premise sign having a sign area in excess of 300 square feet unless and until a variance for such off-premise sign exceeding 300 square feet in sign area has been granted by the Sign Code Board of Review in accordance with Article XII of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
B. 
After February 8, 1981, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any off-premise sign closer than 200 feet to any other off-premise sign located on the same side of a public street as such off-premise sign being erected.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
C. 
After February 8, 1981, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any off-premise sign on one side of a public street in such a manner that results in more than three off-premise signs being located on the same side of such street along any given 1/2 mile measured parallel to such street.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
D. 
Off-premise signs may be double faced and each side shall be considered as facing traffic flowing in the opposite direction. There will be no vertical stacking of these types of signs.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
E. 
Any off-premise sign may be a freestanding sign, a facia or wall sign, a roof sign, a projecting sign, a canopy sign, a sign on an awning, an incidental sign, a directional sign, a manual or automatic changeable copy sign, a changing sign, a rotating sign, or a special sign subject to the provisions of this Code for each of these aforementioned signs unless such provisions are restricted to on-premise signs.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
F. 
At the intersection of any two public streets, after February 8, 1981, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect a double or single faced off-premise sign at right angles to and, therefore, facing traffic on one street any closer than 200 feet to a similarly positioned double or single faced off-premise sign at right angles to and, therefore, facing traffic on the other street, if one sign is visible from the other.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
G. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to erect a structure for any freestanding or ground off-premise sign that is not of vertical or cantilever construction, and where the back of such sign is visible it shall be unlawful for the owner of such sign to not keep such sign suitably painted or otherwise covered to present a neat and clean appearance.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
H. 
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any off-premise sign to not keep the area around such off premise sign structure clean and clear of all scrub brush and tall grass to a distance of at least five feet to the rear and sides of such structure as well as to the front property line, and if on a corner site, to both front property lines.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
I. 
Subject to the provisions in Subsections A through H of this § 3-507 which establish customary use of off-premise signs within the City, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect any off-premise sign which is in violation of the "Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971," Ch. 121, Sec. 501 et seq., Ill. Rev. Stat., 1979, as amended.
[Ord. No. 1981-8]
J. 
The area of an off-premise sign shall not be included in the calculation of maximum allowed signage in a lot only if it is a ground or freestanding sign.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
K. 
The horizontal separation between ground/freestanding on-premise and off-premise signs shall be 100 feet.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
L. 
No off-premise sign shall be closer than 15 feet from a side lot line.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
M. 
No off-premise sign shall be closer than 100 feet to a residential zoning district boundary line.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]
A. 
Incidental signs. Up to two incidental signs may be attached to a freestanding sign structure or to a building wall as a wall or facia sign. Such signs are restricted to incidental signs as defined in § 3-202 including official notices of services required by law, or trade affiliations. Area of each sign shall not exceed five square feet.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
B. 
Directional signs. Directional signs shall not exceed four square feet per face in area nor exceed 12 feet in height. Directional signs shall conform to all the applicable requirements of § 3-507 of this Code for off-premise signs. No directional signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way, except as required by Article VIII, § 3-802D, N and T of this Code.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
C. 
Manual or automatic changeable copy signs and changing signs. Any sign permitted in this Code (except nameplates) may be a manual or automatic changeable copy sign or an automatic changing sign unless otherwise restricted by this Code. Such sign must be declared as a changeable sign during the permit issuance process and will require approval by the Administrator.
[Ord. No. 1988-33]
D. 
Rotating signs. Any sign permitted in this Code (except nameplates) may be a rotating sign provided that such rotating sign does not violate Article VI or VII of this Code or is otherwise restricted by this Code.
[Ord. No. 1979-12]
A. 
Neon signs, skeletal or outline lighting, exterior or interior, must have UL listed electrode connectors and covers with at least 1 1/2 inches tube supports.
B. 
Channel letters must be in a listed sign body, i.e., backs, sides and faces with suitable spacing for tube and connections per NEC. 600-32.
C. 
Only accepted and listed wiring methods and materials per NEC Article 600 and other referenced NEC articles.
[Ord. No. 1998-95]