[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
Scope and purpose.
(1) 
The sign regulations of this division establish regulations for the fabrication, construction, and use of signs in the Village. The regulations govern the location, type, size, and height of signs within the Village.
(2) 
These sign regulations do not regulate every form and instance of visual communication that may be displayed. Rather, they are intended to regulate those forms and instances that are most likely to meaningfully affect one or more general purposes or findings set forth in this division.
(b) 
Findings. The adoption of this division reflects the formal findings by the Plan Commission and Village Board that these sign regulations advance the following compelling governmental interests:
(1) 
Protecting Village residents. Signs can obstruct views, distract motorists, displace alternative uses for land, and pose other problems that legitimately require regulation.
(2) 
Protecting property values. Regulating signs preserves the character of various neighborhoods, creates a harmonious community, and encourages economic development. This division allows adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs.
(3) 
Promoting public health, safety and general welfare. Regulating signs helps protect all persons using public thoroughfares and rights-of-way within the Village in relation to the signage displayed thereon, or overhanging, or projecting into such public spaces.
(c) 
Interpretation and administration. The regulations of this division must be interpreted and administered in a manner consistent with the First Amendment guarantee of free speech.
(d) 
Content neutrality. Any sign allowed under this chapter may contain, in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message, as long as the sign complies with all size, height, location and other applicable regulations of this division.
(e) 
Compliance required. The sign regulations of this division and all local and state building codes apply to all signs in all zoning districts, except as may be otherwise expressly stated in this chapter.
(f) 
General government exemption. The sign regulations of this division are not intended to and do not apply to signs erected, maintained or otherwise posted, owned or leased by the Village, state, or federal government. The inclusion of the term "government" in describing some types of signs does not subject the government to regulation but instead is intended to help clarify the types of signs that are exempt under this general government exemption.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
The following signs and sign characteristics are prohibited except as otherwise expressly stated:
(a) 
Signs for which no required permit has been issued;
(b) 
Signs that by reason of position, shape, color or design interfere with, obstruct the view of, or may be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device;
(c) 
Signs that use words such as "stop," "look," "danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses users of streets or highways;
(d) 
Fluttering, undulating, swinging, rotating, or otherwise moving signs, such as windsocks, motorized signs, pennants, pinwheels, festoons, inflatables, and streamers (does not apply to banner signs);
(e) 
Signs that project above the building parapet or eave;
(f) 
Flashing, scrolling, or animated signs;
(g) 
Beacons and search lights;
(h) 
Nonaccessory signs (also known as "billboards" and "off-premises advertising signs");
(i) 
Abandoned signs;
(j) 
Signs mounted on platforms with wheels, including portable trailer signs;
(k) 
Signs that prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape;
(l) 
Signs attached to a standpipe or fire escape;
(m) 
Roof signs;
(n) 
Signs attached to or painted on a licensed motor vehicle if the sign:
(1) 
Directs attention to a business, service, commodity, or activity offered or sold on the premises; and
(2) 
If the vehicle is parked closer to the street than the nearest building wall (does not apply to vehicles parked for the purpose of immediate loading and unloading).
(o) 
Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or nonmotorized) located in view of the right-of-way.
(p) 
Signs located in or obstructing required parking or loading spaces, or that otherwise obstruct vehicular or pedestrian access or circulation, or that pose any other hazard to motorized or nonmotorized travel;
(q) 
Signs that violate the intersection visibility regulations of Division 90-437;
(r) 
Signs located in or that project into the right-of-way of a public street, except as expressly allowed under this division or as otherwise permitted by the Village;
(s) 
Sign displays with a brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle; and
(t) 
Signs attached to trees; utility poles; fences; rocks; or hanging or suspended in air via rope or string.
[Added 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
All signs must be constructed, mounted, and maintained so as to comply with all applicable provisions of the building code and electrical code.
(b) 
The base or supports of all ground-mounted signs must be securely anchored to a concrete base or footing and must meet applicable minimum wind load capabilities.
(c) 
The footing and related support structure of a permanent freestanding sign, including bolts, flanges, and brackets, must be concealed by landscaping.
(d) 
Signs must be mounted so that the method of installation is concealed.
(e) 
Signs must be anchored to minimize any lateral movement that would cause wear on the sign face or supporting members or connections.
(f) 
All permanent signs and their supporting members must be constructed of standardized sign materials.
(g) 
No combustible materials other than approved plastics may be used in the construction of electric signs.
(h) 
All signs must remain in a state of proper maintenance, including the absence of loose materials (including peeling paint, paper or other material), the lack of excessive rust, the lack of excessive vibration or shaking, and the presence of the original structural integrity of the sign, its frame and other supports, its mounting, and all other components.
(i) 
Any signs that are rotted, unsafe, or that are not in a state of proper maintenance must be repaired or removed by the licensee or owner of the sign or owner of the property upon which the sign stands, upon notice of the Village.
(j) 
All signs erected or installed after September 24, 2018, must display in a conspicuous place thereon the date of erection, the manufacturer's name, the permit number, and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection with the sign.
(k) 
The owner, lessee, or manager of a sign, and the owner of the land on which the same is located, must keep grass or weeds and other growth cut and debris and rubbish cleaned up and removed from the site on which the sign is located.
(l) 
If a permitted sign is suspended or projects above a public right-of-way, the issuance and continuation of a sign permit must be conditioned on the sign owner agreeing to hold the Village harmless and obtaining and maintaining in force liability insurance for such a sign in an amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence per sign or such greater amount as the Village may reasonably determine.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
A sign permit must be obtained for any and all signs that are located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered, unless otherwise expressly stated in this division.
(b) 
Sign permits are not required for repainting, changing of parts, and preventive maintenance of signs if such activities result in absolutely no change in the appearance of the sign from that which was originally approved.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
The following signs may be erected and maintained without a sign permit as long as they do not constitute a hazard or nuisance. Such signs are not counted as signs for purposes of determining the number of signs or amount of signage on a lot.
(a) 
Signs erected and maintained pursuant to the discharge of governmental functions, or that are required by law, ordinance, or government regulation, or that are required to be posted in order to effectuate a legal right.
(b) 
Operational signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, restrooms and other such signs relating to the functional operation of the subject building or premises, including "no trespassing" and warning signs;
(c) 
Signs, plaques, or carvings that are affixed to a building with identifying information of a building or occupants, addresses, or dates of construction that are necessary to the public interest and that:
(1) 
Are not illuminated; and
(2) 
Do not exceed two square feet in area per sign.
(d) 
Interior and inside-window signs intended for viewing from inside or outside the building, provided that such signs are permitted only on buildings occupied by nonresidential uses and may cover or obscure no more than 40% of the subject building facade's total window area;
(e) 
Fuel price signs on lots occupied by fueling stations, as required by § 100.18(8), Wis. Stats.; and
(f) 
One instance of the federal, state, county, or Village flag as provided under § 90-440.80, Flags, for locational purposes.
[Added 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]; amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
Table 90-440-1 establishes general regulations governing the type, size, height and allowed location of signs allowed on lots occupied by nonresidential uses and/or lots occupied by three or more households. These regulations govern unless otherwise expressly stated under the regulations of this zoning chapter. Lots occupied by one or two households are not governed by the regulations of Table 90-440-1 but instead are allowed to display signs and flags in accordance with applicable provisions of §§ 90-440.50, 90-440.70, and 90-440.80.
Table 90-440-1
Nonresidential and Multi-Unit Residential Signs
(See § 90-440.60)
[Amended 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 05-2021]
Sign Type
Number of Signs Allowed
Total Sign Area Allowance Formula
Allowed Where
Maximum Sign Area and Height
(per sign, by zoning district)
RL
AG-1, RE, RM, RH, B-1, MX-1
AG-2, B-2, P-1, MX-2, M-1
B-3, B-4, B-P, M-2, M-3, P-2, MX-3, MX-4
Freestanding
1 per street frontage or driveway access point
1 square foot per linear foot of lot frontage1
Street yard2
Area: 50 square feet
Height: 6 feet
Area: 50 square feet
Height: 6 feet
Area: 100 square feet
Height: 8 feet
Area: 200 square feet
Height: 10 feet
On-building3
No limit
1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage4,6
Street-facing building facade
Area: 50 square feet
Area: 50 square feet
Area: 100 square feet
Area: 200 square feet5
Pedestrian
1 per business
Subject to maximum district limits
Within 6 feet of customer entrance
Area: 12 square feet
Area: 12 square feet
Area: 14 square feet
Area: 16 square feet
Highway
1 per parcel
1 square foot per linear foot of lot frontage
Allowed only within 1,000 feet of I-94; minimum setback equal to sign height2
Not allowed
Area: 100 square feet
Height: 20 feet
Area: 150 square feet
Height: 25 feet
Area: 200 square feet
Height: 40 feet
NOTES:
1
If approved at time of site plan review, signs not relating to any specific use, but to a grouping of uses, (i.e., project signs for multitenant centers) may combine their freestanding sign allowances (height and area) and use primary building nondriveway and larger driveway side setback of subject district, provided that they do not exceed the allowance for highway signs.
2
Freestanding and highway signs must be set back at least 10 feet from side lot lines or in accordance with the accessory building side setback regulation of the subject zoning district, whichever is less.
3
On-building sign may not extend beyond the curbline or more than six feet from the building facade, and must have a minimum vertical clearance of at least eight feet above ground surface below.
4
Sign area allowance applies only to ground floor uses, per linear foot of building facade, per business use, per each street frontage of the business, projected at right angles to the street (no transferring of unused sign area allowance from one street facade to another). A retail or service business facade facing a customer parking area qualifies as a front street.
5
Minimum sign allowance is 50 square feet regardless of actual building frontage.
6
If a building has a facade over 300 linear feet, additional total sign allowance area is awarded at 0.5 square feet for every linear foot above 200.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
Temporary signs allowed at any time.
(1) 
Up to three square feet of temporary window signage or temporary window signage covering up to 25% of the window, whichever is greater, is allowed per window.
(2) 
Up to six square feet of (nonwindow) temporary signage is allowed per 100 feet of lot frontage.
(b) 
Additional temporary signs during election season. Up to three additional square feet of temporary signage is allowed per 100 feet per lot frontage per ballot issue and per candidate for election during the periods of 30 days before and 15 days after an election involving:
(1) 
Candidates for a federal, state or local office representing the area in which the subject property is located;
(2) 
A ballot issue on the ballot of a federal, state or local election affecting voters of the area in which the subject property is located.
(c) 
Additional temporary signs on property for sale, rent or lease. In addition to the other temporary signs allowed under this section, up to six additional square feet of temporary signage is allowed per 100 feet of lot frontage in a residential district and up to 32 square feet of additional temporary signage is allowed in a nonresidential district per 100 feet of lot frontage in the following cases:
(1) 
The owner consents and that property is being offered for sale, rent or lease through a licensed real estate agent or through advertising in a local newspaper of general circulation.
(2) 
For up to 15 days following the date on which a contract of sale has been executed by a person purchasing the property.
(3) 
During the time between the issuance of a building permit for construction on the subject property and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. These signs may be affixed to temporary construction fencing.
[Amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
(4) 
Up to 30 days immediately following issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the subject property.
(5) 
When a property is offered for sale and being opened to the general public, including a period of 72 hours before that opening.
(d) 
Additional temporary signs on property being opened to the public. In addition to the other temporary signs allowed under this section, six additional square feet of temporary signage per 100 feet per street frontage may be located on the owner's property on a day when the property owner is opening the property to the public; provided, however, that the owner may not use this type of sign in a residential district on more than nine days in a year and may not use this type of sign in any commercial district for more than 30 days in a year. For purposes of this section, a year is counted from the first day on which the sign is erected counting backwards and from the last day on which the sign exists counting forward.
(e) 
General regulations. Under the temporary sign regulations of this section (§ 90-440.70):
(1) 
Any street frontage under 100 feet is counted as 100 feet. Additional allowances are per 100 feet and not awarded at a ratio.
(2) 
Each street frontage of a corner lot or double-frontage lot is counted separately and is given its own allowances.
(3) 
Additional signage allowances are not mutually exclusive; properties that meet multiple conditions that allow for additional temporary signage are allowed additional signage for each.
(4) 
Any temporary sign allowances under section can be subdivided or combined among individual signs, so long as any one sign does not exceed 12 square feet in a residential district or 32 square feet in any nonresidential district.
(5) 
The lessor of a property is considered the owner of the subject property if the lessor holds a right to use exclusive of others (or the sole right to occupy).
(f) 
Temporary signage height limits are set the same as the limits per zoning district set forth in Table 90-440- 1. Non-multifamily building types will use the RL classification.
[Added 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
(g) 
Temporary signs that do not meet these requirements can be approved via permit at the discretion of the community development director. The property can then apply to use its permanent signage allowance and must indicate an expiration date no less than one year from the application date.
[Added 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020; amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 33-2021]
(a) 
A flag, as defined in § 90-620.100, is a single piece of cloth or similar material, shaped like a pennant, rectangle, or square, attachable by one straight edge to a flagpole or attached at the top of a pole and draped.
(b) 
Flags cannot be hung or attached to trees, suspended via string or wire, or posted on fences, walls, or utility poles.
(c) 
This ordinance shall consider any similar item not attached to a flag pole, exceeding the flag regulations, or bearing a commercial message a temporary sign.
(d) 
Residential zoning districts. In a RE, RL, RM and RH Zoning Districts, a maximum of two flags, two structure-mounted flagpole brackets, and one ground-mounted flagpole over six feet in height are permitted per lot. Flags in R Zoning Districts may not exceed 15 square feet in area.
(e) 
Nonresidential zoning districts. In nonresidential zoning districts, a maximum of one flag per 25 feet of street frontage is permitted, up to a maximum of six flags and six ground-mounted flagpoles over six feet in height per lot. Flags in nonresidential zoning districts may not exceed 35 square feet in area.
(f) 
Location and maximum height generally. The height of a flagpole may not exceed the maximum allowed maximum building height in the subject zoning district.
(g) 
Government-owned property and cemeteries are exempt from these provisions.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
A single permanent sign placed by the property owner for the purpose of serving the public welfare through way-finding is permitted in all nonresidential zoning districts. Such way-finding signs may not exceed 12 square feet in area, except that such signs may be up to 30 square feet in area if a substantial landscape area is provided around the base of the sign and illumination on each side is limited to exterior lighting, not exceeding 1,100 lumens per 15 square feet of sign area.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
Drive-through signs are permitted in conjunction with drive-through uses, in accordance with the following regulations:
(a) 
Drive-through signs must be located within 10 feet of a drive-through lane.
(b) 
One primary drive-through sign not to exceed 36 square feet in area or eight feet in height is allowed per order station up to a maximum of two primary drive-through signs per lot. One secondary drive-through sign not to exceed 15 square feet in area or six feet in height is allowed per lane.
(c) 
Drive-through signs must be set back at least 25 feet from residential zoning districts.
(d) 
Drive-through signs must be oriented to be visible by motorists in allowed drive-through lanes.
(e) 
Internal illumination is permitted only when the sign is completely screened from view of abutting R-zoned lots.
Figure 90-440-1
Drive-Through Sign
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
Signs may not be erected or maintained if they contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing light, electronic change in messages, electronic change in background colors, electronic change in light intensity, or electronic video display, except for electronic messaging signs permitted under § 90-440.120.
(b) 
External light sources used to illuminate signs must be effectively shielded so as to prevent:
(1) 
Beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of any roadway; or
(2) 
Beams of light of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or impair vision of the operator of any motor vehicle.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
Prohibited electronic signs. The following types of electronic signs are prohibited:
(1) 
Video display signs; and
(2) 
Off-site electronic messaging signs.
(b) 
Electronic messaging signs. Unless otherwise expressly prohibited under this division, a freestanding sign or on-building sign allowed under Table 90-440-1 may be an electronic messaging sign or include electronic messaging elements, subject to compliance with the following regulations:
(1) 
An electronic messaging sign or sign element may not exceed 30% of the maximum sign area allowed for the subject sign type, as established in Table 90-440-1.
(2) 
The electronic display background color tones, lettering, logos, pictures, illustrations, symbols, and any other electronic graphic or video display may not blink, flash, rotate, scroll, change in illumination intensity, or otherwise change in outward appearance, except when the electronic message or display is changed to another message or display.
(3) 
The images and messages displayed on an electronic messaging sign must have a minimum dwell time of at least 20 seconds and may not contain any movement, animation, audio, video, pyrotechnics or other special effects. The images and messages displayed must be complete in and of themselves within the required dwell time.
(4) 
The transition or change from one message to another must occur in two seconds or less and involve no animation or special effects.
(5) 
Electronic messaging signs must be equipped with a default mechanism that will stop the messaging or freeze the image in one position when a malfunction in electronic programming occurs.
(6) 
Electronic messaging signs must have a nonilluminated background.
(7) 
The maximum illumination level of the display on an electronic messaging signs may not exceed 0.3 footcandle above ambient light levels, measured as follows:
a. 
At least 30 minutes past sunset, and with the electronic display either turned off, showing all black copy, or blocked, a footcandle (light) meter must be used to record the area's ambient light level. An ambient reading will be taken with the meter aimed directly at the electronic display and at the following distance:
Electronic Display Area
(square feet)
Measurement Distance
(feet)
Up to 100
100
More than 100
150
b. 
(Reserved)
c. 
To establish the illumination level, the electronic display must be turned on to show all white copy and a second reading taken. The difference between the two readings is the electronic display's illumination level.
(8) 
Electronic messaging signs must have an automatic dimmer control to produce a distinct illumination change from a higher illumination level to a lower level for the time period between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise.
(9) 
Audio speakers are not allowed with any electronic messaging sign.
(10) 
Any form of pyrotechnics is prohibited in association with an electronic messaging sign.
[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]
(a) 
Measurement of sign area. Sign area is calculated as follows:
(1) 
The area of a sign enclosed in a frame or cabinet is determined based on the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face.
Figure 90-440-2
Sign Area
(2) 
When the sign faces of a multisided sign are parallel or within 30° of parallel, only one side of the sign is counted for the purpose of determining the area and number of signs. If the sign faces are not parallel or within 30° of parallel, all sign faces are counted in determining the number and area of signs on the subject lot.
Figure 90-440-3
Multisided Sign
(3) 
The area of a sign comprised of individual letters or elements attached to a wall is determined by calculating the area of the smallest square, rectangle, or circle that can be drawn around the letters and graphic elements of the sign. Signs consisting of individual letters and/or graphic elements will be measured as one sign when the distance between the letters and/or elements is less than the largest dimension of the largest sign letter.
Figure 90-440-4
Individual Letter Signs
(4) 
Spherical, free-form, sculptural or other nonplanar sign area is measured as 50% of the sum of the areas using only the four vertical sides of the smallest four-sided polyhedron that will encompass the sign structure.
Figure 90-440-5
Nonplanar Signs
(b) 
Assignment of sign area: multitenant buildings. The allowable area for signs is based on the linear feet of a building facade assigned to each tenant.
(c) 
Measurement of sign height. The height of a sign is measured by calculating the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade to the top of the sign face. Normal grade is the lower of:
(1) 
The existing grade prior to construction; or
(2) 
The newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign.
(3) 
The average elevation of the property within 100 feet of the sign location.
[Added 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 05-2021]
(4) 
The average between the sign elevation and centerline elevation of adjacent public frontage within 100 feet of the sign location.
[Added 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 05-2021]