[L.L. No. 1-1992]
The purpose of this local law is to promote and protect the public health, welfare and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor advertising signs and outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, preserve the scenic and natural beauty and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community. It is further intended hereby to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public right-of-way, provide more visual open space, and curb the deterioration of the community's appearance and attractiveness.
This local law is intended to promote attractive signs which clearly present the visual message in a manner that is compatible with its surroundings. The appearance, character and quality of a community are affected by the location, size, construction and graphic design of its signs. Therefore, such signs should convey their messages clearly and simply to enhance their surroundings.
[L.L. No. 1-1992; L.L. No. 3-2012; L.L. No. 4-2013]
Any material, structure or device, or part thereof, composed of lettered or pictorial matter which is located out-of-doors, or on the exterior of any building, or indoors as a window sign, displaying an advertisement, announcement, notice or name, and shall include any declaration, demonstration, display, representation, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any person or business or cause when such is placed in view of the general public.
AWNING SIGN
Means any visual message incorporated into an awning attached to a building.
COPY-CHANGE SIGN
Means a sign on which the visual message may be periodically changed.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Means a sign limited to providing information on the location of any activity, business or event.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Means any sign not attached or part of any building but separate and permanently affixed by any other means, in or upon the ground. Included are pole signs, pylon signs and masonry wall-type signs.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Means any sign illuminated by electricity, gas or other artificial light from the interior of the sign, or which includes reflective and phosphorescent-type lights.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Means a sign unrelated to a business or a profession conducted, or to a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is located.
PORTABLE SIGN
Means a sign, whether on its own trailer, wheels or otherwise, designed to be movable and not structurally attached to the ground, a building, a structure or another sign.
PROJECTING SIGN
Means a sign which is attached to the building wall or structure and which extends horizontally more than fifteen (15) inches from the plane of such wall, or a sign which is perpendicular to the face of such wall or structure.
REPRESENTATIONAL SIGN
Means a three-dimensional sign built so as to physically represent the object advertised.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Means a sign related to a single activity or event having a duration of no more than thirty (30) days.
WALL SIGN
Means a sign which 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, and not extending more than fifteen (15) inches from the face of such wall.
WINDOW AND/OR DOOR SIGN
Means a sign including real estate signs, windowpaper covering, temporary posters promoting community events, business information applied to the window or door material and visible from a sidewalk, street or other public place, or located inside within two (2) feet of the window, but not including graphics in connection with customary window display of products.
SIGN DIRECTORY
Means a listing of two (2) or more business enterprises, consisting of a matrix and sign components.
SIGN STRUCTURE
Means the supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign. In the case of a sign structure consisting of two (2) or more sides where the angle formed between any two (2) of the sides or the projections thereof exceeds thirty (30) degrees, each side shall be considered a separate sign structure.
SIGN SURFACE AREA
Means the entire area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing all elements which form an integral part of the sign. The structure supporting a sign shall be excluded unless the structure is designed in a way to form an integral background for the display. Both faces of a double-faced sign shall be included as surface or area of such a sign.
VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Means any unit that is closed for business for a period of more than four (4) weeks.
[L.L. No. 1-1992]
Except as otherwise provided, no person shall erect, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit from the building inspector. Subsequent to this initial application, no permit shall be required for a sign to be repainted, repaired.
(1) 
Application procedure. Applications shall be made in writing to the building inspector on forms prescribed and provided by the village board and shall contain the following information:
a. 
Name, address and telephone number of:
1. 
Applicant;
2. 
Owner of the property.
b. 
Location of the building, structure or land upon which the sign now exists or is to be erected.
c. 
If a new sign is to be erected, elevation and plan drawings to scale should be included. In addition, a full description of the placement and appearance of the proposed sign should be included and should cover the following:
1. 
Location on the premises, specifically, its position in relation to adjacent buildings, structures and property lines.
2. 
The method of illumination, if any, and the position of lighting or other extraneous devices, and a copy of the electrical permit related to the electrical connections.
3. 
Graphic design including symbols, letters, materials and colors.
4. 
The visual message, text, copy or content of the sign.
d. 
Written consent, or a copy of the contract made with the owner of the property upon which the sign is to be erected, if the applicant is not the owner.
(2) 
Permit. Upon the filing of a completed application for a sign permit and the payment of the required fee, the building inspector shall examine the plans, specifications and other data submitted and the premises on which the sign is to be erected or now exists. If it shall appear that the sign is in compliance with all the requirements of this local law, he shall then, within fifteen (15) days, issue a permit for the erection of the proposed sign or for an existing sign. The issuance of a permit shall not excuse the applicant from conforming to the other laws and ordinances of the municipality.
If the erection of the sign authorized under any such permit has not commenced within six (6) months from the date of the issuance, the permit shall become null and void, but may be renewed within thirty (30) days prior to the expiration, for good cause shown, for an additional six (6) months, upon payment of one-half (½) of the original fee.
[L.L. No. 1-1992]
(a) 
The following signs are permitted in all zones and are exempt from requiring a permit.
(1) 
Historical markers, tablets and statues, memorial signs and plaques; names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze, stainless steel, or similar material; and emblems installed by governmental agencies, religious or nonprofit organization; not exceeding six (6) square feet.
(2) 
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
(3) 
On-premise directional signs for the convenience of the general public, entrances and exits and similar signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet per face. Business names and personal names shall not be allowed.
(4) 
Warning, private drive, posted or no trespassing signs, not exceeding two (2) square feet per face.
(5) 
One (1) on-premise sign, either freestanding or attached, in connection with any residential building in any zoning district, for permitted professional offices or home occupations, not exceeding two (2) square feet and set back at least ten (10) feet from the highway right-of-way. Such sign shall state name and vocation only.
(6) 
Number and name plates identifying residents, mounted on house, apartment or mailbox, not exceeding one (1) square foot in area.
(7) 
Lawn signs identifying residents, not exceeding one (1) square foot, or two (2) square feet if double-faced. Such signs are to be nonilluminated except by a light which is an integral part of a lamp post if used as a support, with no advertising message thereon.
(8) 
Private-owner merchandise sale signs for garage sales and auctions, not exceeding four (4) square feet for a period not exceeding four (4) days.
(9) 
Temporary nonilluminated "For Sale," "For Rent," real estate signs and signs of similar nature, concerning the premises upon which the sign is located. In a residential zoning district, one (1) sign not exceeding four (4) square feet per side. In a business or industrial zoning district, one (1) sign not exceeding fifty (50) square feet set back at least fifteen (15) feet from all property lines. All such signs shall be removed within three (3) days after the sale, lease or rental of the premises.
(10) 
At gasoline stations: Price signs on gasoline pumps.
(11) 
One (1) sign, not exceeding six (6) square feet in the residential district nor sixteen (16) square feet in the business district, listing the architect, engineer, contractor and/or owner, on the premises where construction, renovation or repair is in progress.
(12) 
Political posters, banners, promotional devices and similar signs, not exceeding four (4) square feet in the residential districts nor sixteen (16) square feet in the business districts, providing:
a. 
Placement shall not exceed thirty (30) days, and a period of eleven (11) months shall elapse between the last day of one (1) period of showing and the first day of the next.
b. 
The names and addresses of the sponsor and the person responsible for removal are identified.
(b) 
Prohibitions.
(1) 
No off-premises signs shall be allowed other than as permitted under the exempt signs provision of section IV.
(2) 
There shall be no illuminated signs located on the exterior of a building or in any windows. There shall be no signs that contain flashing, intermittent, rotating or moving lights. There shall be no rotating or moving signs.
(3) 
No signs shall impair or cause confusion of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, in its design, color or placement. No sign shall impair visibility for the motorist at a street corner or intersection by placement and location within twenty-five (25) feet of the intersection of the street or highway lanes.
(4) 
No sign or sign supports shall be placed upon the roof of any building. No sign shall be attached to any trees, fences or utility poles.
(5) 
No sign shall consist of banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners or similar moving, fluttering or revolving devices.
(6) 
No advertising message shall be extended over more than one (1) sign placed along a street or highway.
(7) 
There shall be no signs in any residential zone except as allowed under section 4.
(8) 
There shall be no portable signs.
(9) 
Any illuminated signs existing as of the date of enactment of this law may remain pursuant to the regulations of section 6.
(10) 
Color and material signs allow any combination of the primary colors of green, red, black, white, yellow or blue.
[L.L. No. 1-1992]
(a) 
Each structure or building shall be permitted one (1) wall sign or one (1) projecting sign and one (1) detached or ground sign unless said structure or building has more than one (1) business enterprise conducted within. Then each business enterprise shall be permitted one (1) wall sign or one (1) projecting sign.
(b) 
All wall signs shall be located on a wall fronting on a public street. The total area of all wall signs shall not exceed in total area one (1) square foot for each horizontal foot of wall that the signs are to be located upon. All wall signs shall not be located greater than fifteen feet in height from the ground and project more than one (1) foot from said wall.
(c) 
All projecting signs shall not exceed a maximum of four (4) square feet in area and project more than two (2) feet from the structure.
(d) 
No detached or ground sign shall be larger than twenty-five (25) square feet and exceed six (6) feet in height. In the professional business zone, the sign shall be placed parallel to the road on which the sign faces.
(e) 
Any business whose main entrance is not located on a through street shall be entitled to one (1) wall sign or projecting sign not exceeding a maximum of four (4) square feet, a width of two (2) feet, a height of two (2) feet located near that business's main entrance. Such hanging sign shall not project from the structure more than three (3) feet and shall be secured to the structure by a metal bracket.
(f) 
Where a commercial establishment within a complex or group of commercial establishments is obscured from ready exposure to a main thoroughfare, one (1) detached directory sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area and enumerating in a similar style the trade name of each commercial establishment.
(g) 
All signs shall be kept in a good state of repair and neatly painted.
[L.L. No. 1-1992]
Any sign, existing on or before December 31, 1991 shall be permitted to remain even though it may not meet the requirements of this Code. Within the proceeding six (6) months after enactment of this Code, the building inspector is instructed to take an inventory of all signs that were existing on or before December 31, 1991 that do not have a valid sign permit. The building inspector shall issue a sign permit for all such signs upon the receipt of a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). Upon the expiration of said six-month period all signs without permits must either acquire a permit pursuant to this law or be removed.
All signs existing after the effective date of this law, which no longer advertises an existing business conducted or product sold on the premises upon which such sign is located, shall be removed.
If the building inspector shall find that any sign regulated in the local law is not used, coded in advertising, is abandoned, unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, the inspector shall give written notice to the named owner of the land upon which it is located, who shall remove or repair the sign within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice. If the sign is not removed or repaired within said time period, the building inspector shall revoke the permit issued for such sign and may remove or repair the sign and assess the owner for all costs incurred for such service.
The building inspector may cause any sign which is a source of immediate peril to persons or property to be removed immediately and without notice.
[L.L. No. 1-1992; L.L. No. 3-2012]
(a) 
General.
(1) 
All signs installed after the effective date of this local law shall have attached to the sign, a name plate giving the sign permit number and the name and address of the owner, person or corporation responsible for the general requirements and maintenance as outlined in this local law.
(2) 
All freestanding signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of surface area.
(3) 
All signs, including wall-mounted and 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.
(5) 
All projecting, freestanding or wall signs shall employ acceptable safety material.
(6) 
All signs shall be painted and/or fabricated in accordance with generally accepted standards.
(b) 
Specific regulations to sign types.
(1) 
Wall signs.
a. 
Wall signs shall not extend beyond the ends or over the top of the walls to which attached, and shall not extend above the level of second floor of the building.
b. 
Wall signs shall not extend more than nine (9) inches from the face of the buildings to which attached, except that copy-change signs may extend fifteen (15) inches.
c. 
Any part of a sign extending over pedestrian traffic areas shall have a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet six (6) inches.
(2) 
Projecting signs.
a. 
Projecting signs shall not have more than two (2) faces.
b. 
The exterior edge of a projecting sign shall extend not more than five (5) feet from the building face, or one-third (⅓) the width of the sidewalk, whichever is less.
c. 
No part of a projecting sign shall extend into vehicular traffic areas, and any part extending over pedestrian areas shall have a minimum clearance of seven (7) feet six (6) inches.
d. 
Projecting signs shall not extend above the level of the second floor of the buildings to which attached, or in any case be higher than twelve (12) feet.
e. 
No projecting sign shall be closer than fifteen (15) feet from the corner of a building located at a street intersection.
(3) 
Detached signs.
a. 
No detached sign shall be located less than fifteen (15) feet from the front property line nor less than five (5) feet from the side property line. No detached sign may be located less than fifty (50) feet from any other freestanding sign.
b. 
If for any reason the property line is changed at some future date, any detached sign made nonconforming thereby must be relocated within ninety (90) days to conform with the minimum setback requirements.
c. 
No detached sign shall extend over or into the public right-of-way, nor shall it overhang the property lines.
d. 
No detached sign under which a pedestrian walkway or driveway passes must have a ten-foot vertical clearance.
e. 
Masonry wall-type signs shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not be placed so as to impair visibility for motorists.
(4) 
Other signs.
a. 
Sign directories.
1. 
The character and size of the sign matrix and of the individual sign components comprising the directory shall be regulated in accordance with design guidelines provided by this local law.
2. 
Sign directories shall contain identification of and direction to several business enterprises, but shall contain no promotional advertising.
b. 
Awning signs.
1. 
No sign shall project from an awning.
2. 
Awning graphics may be painted or affixed flat to the surface of the front or sides, and shall indicate only the name and/or address of the enterprise or premises.
3. 
Awning graphics shall be a single line of lettering not exceeding six (6) inches in height, but if over, three (3) inches in height shall be debited against the permitted wall sign surface area.
c. 
Sandwich board signs.
1. 
Shall not exceed twenty-four (24) inches x forty-eight (48) inches;
2. 
Shall be located in front of the business for which the sign is erected;
3. 
Shall not impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or parking;
4. 
Shall be made of weather-resistant material with a wood frame;
5. 
Shall not be permitted during inclement weather, including snow, rain and windstorms;
6. 
Shall only be displayed during the hours when the business advertised is open to the public and shall be removed at the end of the business day, 8:00 p.m. or dusk, whichever is later;
7. 
Shall not be illuminated, shall not be vinyl and shall not be plastic;
8. 
Shall be the responsibility of the business advertised thereon and any [of] the owners of said business shall be liable for damages or lawsuits brought by individuals due to the sandwich sign; and
9. 
Shall require an application on a form approved by the village board and a permit issued by the village clerk.
[L.L. No. 1-1992]
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the building inspector relative to the provisions of this local law may appeal such decision in writing to the board of appeals as provided in the zoning regulations and shall comply with all procedural requirements prescribed by such board.
In granting any variance from the provisions of this article, the board of appeals must find that the variance is necessary for the reasonable use of the land or buildings, that granting the variance is in harmony with the general purposes and intent of this local law, that such will not be injurious to the neighborhood character or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare, and that denial of the variance would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship to the applicant.
[L.L. No. 1-1992; L.L. No. 2-2026]
If any sign is erected, re-erected, constructed, altered or maintained without first applying for and obtaining the necessary permit, or any other violation of any provision of this Division, shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not to exceed $5,000. Any corporation or entity which shall violate any such provisions shall be punishable by a special corporate fine not exceeding $10,000. Each week's continuous violation shall constitute a separate additional violation.
In case of a violation of this Division, the Village and its officers may, in addition to any other remedies specifically conferred by law or ordinance, institute any appropriate proceedings to prevent unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or use of any sign not in compliance with this Division.