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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
