This article is designed to regulate the size, placement and
other characteristics of signs in the Village for the purpose of:
A.
Promoting quality signs to improve identification and communication
in advertising;
B.
Protecting the historic character and aesthetic value of buildings,
streetscapes and neighborhoods;
C.
Promoting and protecting the public health and safety;
D.
Enabling the public to conveniently and safely identify facilities;
and
E.
Enhancing and preserving the value and quality of properties.
A.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no sign or other advertising
device shall be erected, constructed, displayed, moved, reconstructed,
extended, enlarged or altered except in conformity with this article
and, where applicable, without first obtaining a permit from the Code
Enforcement Officer in accordance with the following procedures and
standards.
B.
The Code Enforcement Officer, at their discretion, may seek a recommendation
from the Planning Board regarding any application for a sign permit.
C.
LED/Electronic message centers and common signage plans must be approved
by the Planning Board prior to the Code Enforcement Officer issuing
a permit.
D.
A permit shall be required for any change in the size, shape, lighting, materials or location of an existing sign, except for exempt signs described in § 325-63 below.
E.
Application for a permit shall be made in writing to the Code Enforcement
Officer. One application may include more than one sign, provided
that all signs contained in such application are to be erected at
the same time on one lot. Applications for new signs or proposed changes
in existing signs shall include the following information:
(1)
Plans to scale detailing the dimensions and area of the sign(s),
the location of the sign(s) on the building, structure or property
where the sign(s) will be erected or attached and a visual simulation
or photo to scale illustrating colors, materials, lettering, artwork
and method of illumination, if any.
(2)
Written consent of the owner of the structure or real property upon
which the sign is to be attached or erected, in the event the applicant
is not the building or property owner.
(3)
Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by the fee set
forth in the current Fee Schedule adopted by the Village Board. Such
fee shall be based on all signs contained in such application.
The following signs may be erected and maintained without a
permit or fee, provided that such signs comply with all requirements
of this chapter:
A.
Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes,
street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs and signs of public
service or safety that are erected by or on the order of a public
officer in the performance of their public duty.
B.
Any signs required by state or federal law; such signs must be displayed
per state law.
C.
Signs denoting the name and address of the occupants of the premises;
such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area.
D.
Building identification signs that are incorporated on the facade
of a structure, not exceeding three feet in height nor more than 5%
of the facade of the building side upon which they are constructed.
Building identification shall not identify any tenant or occupant
of the structure. Only one building identification sign shall be allowed
on a facade and only on a facade that has street frontage. No illumination
of these signs is permitted.
E.
Historical site markers, memorial plaques and cornerstones.
F.
Flags, pennants or insignia of any government or nonprofit organization
when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as
an advertising device.
G.
Painted graphics that are murals, mosaics or any type of graphic
art that are painted on a wall or fence and do not contain copy, advertising
symbols, lettering, trademarks or other references to the premises,
products, or services that are provided on the premises where the
graphics are located or any other premises, are not signs for the
purposes of these regulations.
K.
Temporary signs.
(1)
A temporary sign is defined as a sign designed or intended to be
displayed for a short period of time. Signs that are temporary in
nature based on duration of an event, including but not limited to
election signs, "for sale" signs, grand opening event signs and other
event signs, shall be permitted without a permit, provided the following
standards are met:
(a)
Temporary signs shall be limited to 60 days and shall be removed
within 10 days of an event or conclusion of the activity unless otherwise
provided in this section.
(b)
Temporary signs may not exceed 12 square feet of sign area in
the OS, R-SF, R-MF and NMU Zoning Districts, and may not exceed 20
square feet of sign area in all other zoning districts.
(2)
Signs advertising the sale, lease, rental or construction on the
premises upon which they are located, which may include the name of
the owner, broker, contractor or any other person interested in the
sale or rental of such premises. Signs bearing the word "sold" or
"rented" may be erected or maintained, provided such signs are removed
within 10 calendar days of the change in occupancy or project completion.
L.
Wayfinding signs. Signs designating entrances or exits to or from
a parking area shall not count toward the maximum cumulative sign
area; however, such signage is limited to one sign for each exit and
entrance, and said signs are limited to a maximum size of four square
feet. In addition, each parking area shall be permitted one sign per
street frontage that designates identity and restrictions for parking.
M.
Announcement signs or bulletin boards. One announcement sign or bulletin
board, not exceeding six square feet in area, is permitted, either
fixed to a wall of the building or located in the required front yard,
provided it is set back at least three feet from the interior edge
of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement when no sidewalk
exists, and at least five feet from all other property lines.
The following signs are prohibited in the Village:
A.
Signs with any mirror or mirror-like surface, day glowing or other
florescent paint or pigment.
B.
Signs animated by means of flashing, blinking or traveling lights.
C.
Banners erected across any street in the Village, except upon application
for and receipt of a permit from the Village Board. Nothing in this
chapter shall be construed as restricting the reasonable and proper
display of the American flag.
E.
Inflatable devices.
F.
Marquees.
G.
Roof signs, which are defined as a sign erected upon or above a roof
or parapet wall of a building, and which is wholly or partly supported
by that building.
H.
Vehicular signs, which are defined as any vehicle and/or trailer
to which a sign is affixed in such a manner that the carrying of the
sign is no longer incidental to the vehicle's purpose but becomes
the primary purpose of the vehicle.
I.
Signs that detract from or obstruct public view of historic buildings
or structures.
J.
Signs using of the words "stop," "look," "danger," "caution" or any
other word, phrase, symbol or character that may tend to confuse,
mislead or resemble any governmental or duly authorized sign.
Additional provisions for signs depending on sign type and location
are provided in Schedule F of this article.[1]
A.
Sign area calculation.
(1)
Sign area. The area of a sign shall be determined by the smallest
rectangle that encompasses all letters or symbols that make up the
sign, together with the area of any background of a different color
or material than the general finish of the building, whether painted
or applied. For the purposes of calculating total sign area, one side
of a two-sided or double-sided sign shall be counted as long as the
two faces are identical in size and dimension.
 |
(2)
Sign height. Height shall be measured vertically between the highest
point of the sign or sign structure and the average adjacent ground
level for 10 feet in any direction of any sign support.
 |
(3)
Sign calculation on a corner lot.
(a)
Signs on corner lots may be displayed on both facades of the principal building fronting a public street. Such signs shall meet the size standards for the zoning district as provided in § 325-68, Schedule F[2] of this article for each front facade.
[2]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones,
is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Location of signs.
(1)
Signs shall not use utility poles or trees as a medium of communication
or means of support.
(2)
Signs shall not be placed on/attached to fences.
(3)
No sign shall be located in a public right-of-way, except as otherwise
permitted in the Village Code.
(4)
Permanent or temporary signs erected or placed at or near the intersection
of any street, alley or driveway access shall not cause a traffic
hazard by reason of the position, height, shape, color or illumination
of the sign that may interfere with line-of-sight visibility nor obstruct
the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal
or device.
(5)
No sign shall be located so as to detract from, or obstruct public
view of, historic structures or features, scenic views or any other
recognized natural features.
C.
Sign construction.
(1)
All signs shall comply with applicable regulations of the current
Uniform Code and the standards of the National Electrical Code.
(2)
All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand
a wind pressure of not less than 20 pounds per square foot of surface
area.
(3)
All signs, including projecting signs, shall be securely anchored
and shall not swing or move in any manner.
(4)
All signs, sign finishes, supports and electric work shall be kept
clean, neatly painted and free from all hazards such as, but not limited
to, faulty wiring and loose supports, braces, guys and anchors.
D.
Illumination of signs.
(1)
"Illumination" refers to any sign illuminated by artificial light,
either from the interior or exterior of a sign, and includes reflective
and phosphorescent light.
(2)
Internally illuminated signs are signs that derive illumination from
an internal source and shall include all plastic signs lighted from
behind and all awnings lighted to give the appearance of being lit
from within the awning.
(3)
Internally illuminated signs shall only be permitted in the CC and
TBL Zoning Districts.
(4)
Lighting directed toward a sign shall be shielded so it illuminates
only the face of the sign and does not shine directly into the public
right-of-way or onto a property other than the lot on which the illumination
is situated.
(5)
All backlit signs shall have a dark background. Only the letters
and/or message area of the sign shall be illuminated. Whenever possible,
backlit signs shall be constructed flush with the building facade.
(7)
Neon or LED-illuminated signs shall be permitted for use in window
signs only and shall not exceed 20% of the size of the window. Such
interior signs shall only be permitted on one face of the building.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones,
is included as an attachment to this chapter.
A.
Wall signs.
 |
(1)
Description. A wall sign is one that is painted on, or attached to,
the outside wall of a building, with the face of the sign in the plane
parallel to such wall.
(2)
On buildings with designated sign bands, wall signs identifying establishments
shall be located in the sign bands to maintain a cohesive and attractive
signage location and appearance.
(3)
Wall signs shall not project more than nine inches from the surface
of the wall.
(4)
Wall signs shall not extend more than 80% of the building frontage
in length or over the top of the wall to which the sign is attached
and shall not cover a window, obscure architectural detailing or interrupt
a roof line.
(5)
No wall sign may extend above the windowsills of the second story.
No portion of a wall sign may extend above the roofline or parapet
wall, or above the lower eave.
(6)
Wall signs shall not exceed 2 1/2 feet in height, except in
the E-C, GMU, CC and TBL Zoning Districts when the building on which
the wall sign is to be located is set back at least 50 feet from the
edge of pavement of all public streets.
(7)
Wall signs above or below the street level. A business or entity
located above or below street level of a building may have a sign
that does not exceed a maximum area of nine square feet.
(8)
Wall signs below street level. In lieu of a primary wall sign or
projecting sign, a sign may be located on the wall, planter or handrail
legally erected and located adjacent to the stairway leading to the
entrance of the business or entity. This primary sign may not exceed
1 1/2 feet in height and six feet in length and may not extend
beyond the end of the planter, wall or railing to which it is attached.
B.
Projecting signs.
 |
(1)
Description: a sign that projects more than 12 inches perpendicular
to the building's face.
(2)
One projecting sign shall be permitted per each distinct business
or entity facade on a lot in lieu of a wall sign, except that no more
than one projecting sign shall be permitted every 30 linear feet of
continuous faced frontage.
(3)
Signs shall not project more than four feet perpendicular from the
side of the building; and when suspended over a pedestrian walkway
such as a sidewalk or entranceway, the bottom of such signs shall
be no lower than eight feet measured vertically.
(4)
The highest point of the projecting sign must be no higher than the
bottom of the second-floor window line or the eave line of the principal
building on the property, whichever is lower.
C.
Freestanding signs.
 |
(1)
Description. A "freestanding sign" is defined as a permanent, self-supporting
sign standing alone on its own foundation. This definition shall not
include temporary or portable signs. This definition shall include
"monument" signs.
 |
(2)
One freestanding sign is permitted on a lot where freestanding signs
are permitted as provided in Schedule F[1] and only on a lot where the principal building is set
back a minimum of 15 feet from the front lot line.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones,
is included as an attachment to this chapter.
(3)
All freestanding signs shall be set back at least three feet from
the interior edge of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement
when no sidewalk exists; except on a corner lot, where freestanding
signs shall be set back 20 feet from the intersection measured at
the edge of pavement, and there shall be at least three feet of clear
space between the bottom of the sign board and the ground, provided
that necessary supports may extend through such clear space.
(4)
The maximum allowable height of a freestanding sign is provided in
Schedule F.
D.
Sandwich boards.
 |
(1)
Description: a portable sign not secured or attached to the ground
or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame
and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an "A."
(2)
No more than one sandwich board may be displayed per establishment
facade.
(3)
Sandwich boards may be up to eight square feet in size per side.
(4)
Sandwich boards may be displayed only during the hours when the establishment
is open to the general public.
(5)
Sandwich boards shall not be located in such a manner as to restrict
vision or impair vehicular or pedestrian safety or maintenance of
Village sidewalks, interfere with ingress and egress points, and must
maintain a minimum of five feet of sidewalk clearance at all times.
E.
Electronic message centers (EMC), including LEDs.
(1)
Description: any sign that contains liquid crystal diodes (LCD),
light-emitting diodes (LED), plasma, light bulbs or other digital
illuminated displays that allow for fixed or changeable copy, symbols,
figures or images by remote or automatic means.
(2)
Definition of display area: the area that encloses the limits of
the message, announcement or decoration on a building or freestanding
sign. For EMCs, the display area may equal the total allowed sign
surface area as permitted below.
(3)
EMC standards.
(a)
Only one EMC sign is allowed per lot, except in the case of
a single EMC with two faces that are back-to-back and not more than
24 inches apart. For purposes of gas stations, pricing on all pumps
shall constitute one sign use.
(b)
Message duration time and motion. The message or copy of an
EMC shall be static and may not change more than once in a twenty-four-hour
period.
(c)
Dimming. EMCs must include a photocell to control brightness
and automatically dim based on ambient light.
(d)
Colors. EMC messages or copy shall not be more than two colors
per message.
(e)
Brightness. The maximum allowable brightness for EMCs is no
greater than 0.3 footcandle above ambient light conditions as measured
by a footcandle meter, when measured perpendicular to the EMC face
at a distance determined by the following formula:
|
Measure distance (ft) = √[area of EMC sign (in sq. ft.)
x 100]
|
(f)
Light trespass. At property lines, light trespass from the EMC
shall be no more than 0.5 footcandle.
F.
Window signs.
(1)
Description. A regulated window sign consists of individual letters,
logos or symbols applied to, stenciled on or etched into the glass
surface or within four feet of the inside of a window, that is plainly
visible from the exterior of the building. Window signs also include
lighted signs with transparent backgrounds hung inside the window
glass.
(2)
Window signs may cover no more than 25% of the window area.
(3)
No window sign shall be displayed more than once per elevation, north,
south, east and west.
(4)
Exceptions to window coverage limit. The following exceptions are
permitted to exceed the 25% maximum coverage of a window:
(a)
Open/Closed sign: a maximum of two square feet is allowed; one
sign per street elevation is allowed.
(b)
Information sign. For posting of days and hours of operation,
building or tenant address, phone numbers, accepted credit cards:
a maximum of two square feet is allowed on or adjacent to the entrance
door.
(c)
Temporary window signs, except that no such sign, other than
a leasing or "for rent" sign, shall be displayed for more than 60
days.
(d)
Holiday decorations are exempt from these regulations.
G.
Feather flags.
 |
(1)
Description: a sign that is a vertically oriented banner attached
to a single pole allowing the fabric to hang loose at one, two or
three of the four corners.
(2)
Feather flags may only be used as a temporary advertising device
in the following manner:
(a)
One feather flag per lot may be utilized in the NMU and MS Zoning
Districts for up to 45 days in a twelve-month period, but shall be
removed daily at the close of business or end of the day's event.
If an event is multiple days, the feather flag shall still be removed
daily.
(b)
One feather flag per lot may be temporarily installed for up
to 60 days in a twelve-month period in the CC and TBL Zoning Districts.
(3)
Feather flags shall not exceed 10 feet in height, including the flag's
stand.
(4)
Feather flags shall be set back three feet from the interior edge
of the sidewalk or 10 feet from the edge of pavement where sidewalks
do not exist and shall not be placed in locations that restrict vision
or impair pedestrian or motor vehicle safety. An unobstructed pedestrian
pathway of five feet shall be maintained.
H.
Canopy and awning signs.
 |
(1)
Description. A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against
the surface of an awning made of canvas or fabric or similar material,
which is affixed to a building and projects therefrom. Such signs
may be retractable.
(2)
The valance portion of an awning or canopy meeting the following
standards may be used as a sign and shall count toward the total cumulative
sign area but shall not be counted as an additional sign:
(3)
The valance portion shall not project more than 10 feet from the
building facade and must be supported by a rigid framework securely
attached to said building in such a manner as to be at all times safe
and self-supporting.
I.
Off-premises directional signs.
(1)
Description. "Off-premises directional signs" are defined as signs
located on a parcel of land other than that parcel where the business,
service or event advertised is located that conveys instructions regarding
pedestrian and/or vehicular movement.
(2)
Off-premises directional signs are not permitted in the OS, R-SF,
R-MF, NMU or GMU Zoning District.
(3)
Off-premises signs shall meet sign area and all other standards of this chapter for the type of sign to be utilized, except as required in Subsection I(4) below.
(4)
An off-premises directional sign shall be situated at least 10 feet,
but not more than 15 feet, from the public right-of-way leading to
the building referenced by the sign, and shall be situated at least
10 feet from any other public right-of-way or property line of the
premises on which it is situated. The building where the business
referred to by the sign is conducted must be at least 100 feet from
any public right-of-way.
(5)
Only one off-premises sign up to 32 square feet may be located on
a lot.
(6)
Written permission of the landowner where the sign is to be placed
is required to be filed with the Code Enforcement Officer.
A.
The following signs are permitted in any zoning district with a permit
from the Code Enforcement Officer:
(1)
Signs denoting a subdivision name or multifamily residential property.
The total sign area shall not exceed 12 square feet in area. If such
sign is freestanding, it shall be set back three feet from the interior
sidewalk edge or 10 feet from the edge of pavement where no sidewalk
exists. Such signs shall not be illuminated.
(2)
(3)
A property utilized for a nonresidential or business activity as
a principal use shall be permitted up to one sign and shall meet the
following standards:
(a)
The total cumulative area of all signs permitted on such lot
shall not exceed 12 square feet.
(b)
Notwithstanding § 325-17J, Visibility at intersections, the maximum height of a freestanding sign above grade level of the road shall be five feet, and the sign shall be set back at least 10 feet from any property line unless on a corner lot. On a corner lot, a freestanding sign shall be set back 20 feet from the intersection.
A.
In addition to the signage permitted in all districts as established in § 325-67 above, additional signage is permitted in certain zoning districts as established in this section and in Schedule F with an approved permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule F, Sign Standards in Development Zones,
is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
The maximum cumulative sign area permitted for all signs on a lot,
the maximum sign area for different types of signs and the height
of signs are provided in Schedule F.
C.
Signage permitted in Schedule F shall meet the general requirements for sign types established in § 325-66.
D.
Number of signs.
(1)
In the NMU Zoning District, a total of one sign is permitted per
lot.
(2)
In the MS, DMU, GMU, CC and TBL Zoning Districts, the total number of signs is established by the maximum cumulative sign area permitted for all signs on a lot, the maximum sign area for different types of signs as provided in Schedule F and standards of § 325-66. The allowable sign areas differ to reflect the different character of each of these nonresidential or mixed-use districts.
B.
Common signage plans must be approved by the Planning Board.
C.
A common signage plan conforming to the provisions of this section
shall be allowed a 25% increase in the maximum total sign area for
each included lot, based on the Planning Board's review of the
following:
(1)
An accurate plot plan of the lot to scale.
(2)
Location of buildings, parking lots and driveways.
(3)
Computation of the maximum total sign area for the individual signs,
the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs.
(4)
An accurate indication of each present and proposed sign.
(5)
Specifications for all signs on the lots regarding color scheme,
lettering or graphic style, lighting, materials and sign proportions.
A.
A nonconforming sign may continue in existence and may be rebuilt
so long as the size is not increased beyond the existing size or square
feet of sign area, whichever is less.
B.
A nonconforming sign shall not be enlarged or replaced by another
nonconforming sign.
C.
If a nonconforming sign is taken down at any point other than for
maintenance, it shall be replaced with a conforming sign.
A.
Any sign found to be unsafe or derelict upon inspection by the Code
Enforcement Officer shall be repaired or made secure by the permit
applicant of record. The Code Enforcement Officer shall give notice
by certified mail, return receipt requested, to such person to repair
or remove such unsafe or derelict sign within five days of receipt
of said notice. If the sign is not repaired, made secure or removed
within said time period, or within such additional time as the Code
Enforcement Officer may allow, the permit issued for said sign shall
be revoked and the sign shall be ordered removed by the Code Enforcement
Officer.
B.
If a sign is found to be a source of imminent peril to persons or
property, the Code Enforcement Officer shall cause said sign to be
immediately removed without notice to the permit applicant of record
or property owner and all subsequent costs of removal by the Village
will be assessed against the property owner's tax bill.
A.
Any wall, surface or other area from which a sign is removed shall
be restored so that no remnant of the sign is visible.
B.
Any sign located on property that becomes vacant and unoccupied for
a period of 90 days or more, or any sign that pertains to a time,
event or purpose that no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been
abandoned. The sign shall be removed after written notice by the Code
Enforcement Officer to the owner of the property on which the sign
is affixed. In the event such sign is not voluntarily removed, subsequent
costs of removal by the Village will be assessed against the property
owner's tax bill.
