Barneveld City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VII
Signs
§ 280-50 Purpose.
[Added 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-08-03]
The purpose of this chapter is to create the legal framework to administer and enforce outdoor sign regulations within the Village of Barneveld. This chapter recognizes the need to protect the safety and welfare of the public; the need for well maintained and attractive sign displays within the community; and the need for adequate business identification, advertising and communication.
This chapter authorizes the use of signs visible from public rights-of-way, provided the signs are:
Compatible with zoning regulations.
Designed, constructed, installed, and maintained in such a manner that they do not endanger public safety or traffic safety.
Legible, readable, and visible in the circumstances in which they are used.
Respectful of the reasonable rights of other advertisers whose messages are displayed.
§ 280-51 Definitions.
[Added 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-08-03]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A sign which no longer correctly directs any person, or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product, activity conducted or product available.
The area of the largest single face of the sign within a perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame that forms an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled. Any irregular-shaped sign area shall be computed using the actual sign face surface.
A sign which provides direction or instruction to a location not on the property upon which the sign is located, and which does not in any way advertise a business, person, activity, good, product, facility or service. Directional signs may include, but are not limited to, signs identifying restrooms, telephones, parking areas, entrances or exits.
Any sign which includes action or motion by means of flashing, scintillating, blinking or traveling lights or by means of moving components. This term does not include a sign such as an electronic, manual or an electric-controlled time and temperature sign, a message center or reader board where different copy changes.
A sign erected on a freestanding frame, mast or pole, or more than one such mast or pole, not attached to any building. The area of double-faced ground signs shall be calculated on one face only, which shall be the largest face.
The vertical distance measured from the mean center line street grade where the sign is located to the highest point of such sign, including its structure.
Any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source.
Any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, good, product, facility or service not located on the premises where the sign is located, or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
Any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, good, or product, facility or service located on the premises where the sign is located.
A sign, normally double-faced, which projects at a lateral angle of 15° or more in relation to the facade of a building and may be attached to a structure. The area of projecting signs is calculated on one face only, which shall be the largest face.
A sign erected on the roof or above the parapet wall of a building, and which is wholly or partially supported by the building.
A sign attached to or erected against the wall of a structure.
A sign installed inside a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises.
§ 280-52 Permit required.
No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a zoning permit, except those signs excepted in § 280-53, and without being in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. The sign shall also meet all the structural requirements of Chapter 103, Building Construction, of this Municipal Code.
§ 280-53 Signs excepted.
[Amended 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-08-03]
All off-premises signs are prohibited in all zoning districts, with the exception of the following off-premises signs:
Signs over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed two feet in height and 10 feet in length.
Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which such signs are temporarily located.
Name, home, occupation, professional office and warning signs not to exceed two square feet located on the premises.
Farm signs giving the name of the farm, farm owner or commodities produced shall not exceed 15 square feet in total area.
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight square feet in area located on the premises.
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
Temporary signs or banners when authorized by the Plan Commission.
Construction signs. A contractor's sign may be displayed in the front or side yard of property for which a building permit has been issued during the actual time of construction.
Directional off-premises signs.
Government signs. Government signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, signs of public utilities indicating danger, and signs which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his or her public duty.
"No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs.
Public signs. Signs specifically authorized or required for a public purpose by a law, statute or ordinance.
Political and campaign signs. Such signs may be erected not earlier than the first day for circulation of nomination papers by candidates or the first day on which candidates would circulate nomination papers were papers to be required and shall be removed not later than the day of the election.
§ 280-54 Signs permitted.
[Amended 3-4-2002 by Ord. No. 02-03-01; 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-08-03]
On-premises signs and signs excepted in § 280-53 shall be permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following restrictions:
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches outside of a building's wall surface, exceed 400 square feet in area for any one premises and exceed 20 feet in height above the mean center line street grade.
Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures shall not exceed 100 square feet in area for any one premises, extend more than six feet into any required yard, extend more the three feet into any public right-of-way, be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines, exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean center line street grade and be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk nor 15 feet above a driveway or any alley.
Ground signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the mean center line street grade, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which it is located, shall not exceed 100 square feet in total advertising area. Exception: Ground signs in all Business Highway Districts shall not exceed 70 feet in height, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which it is located, and shall not exceed 520 square feet per side in total advertising area.
Roof signs shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the roof, shall meet all the yard and height requirements for the district in which it is located and shall not exceed 300 square feet on all sides for any one premises.
Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 25% of the glass area of the pane upon which the sign is displayed.
Combinations of any of the above signs shall meet all the requirements for the individual sign.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein to the contrary, noncommercial messages may be contained on any authorized sign.
§ 280-55 Traffic.
Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape, and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. No signs shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.[1]
§ 280-56 Sign removal.
At the termination of an advertised use, all signs advertising that use shall be removed from the public view within 30 days. Responsibility for violations shall be with the property owner according to the latest tax roll listing.
§ 280-57 Regulations; prohibited signs.
No flashing, moving or apparent moving signs shall be permitted except for time and temperature and changeable copy displays. Lighted signs shall be shielded to prevent glare onto adjoining properties or onto the public street. No sign shall be placed on a tree.
§ 280-58 Sign plan approval.
[Added 3-4-2002 by Ord. No. 02-03-01]
All signs, including lighting and design, shall be approved by the Plan Commission. Height and dimensional standards may be increased or decreased by the Plan Commission in the course of design review upon findings that increases or decreases are appropriate for sign visibility or aesthetic reasons, and that negative impacts upon neighboring properties will be avoided.
§ 280-59 Nonconforming signs.
[Added 8-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-08-03]
Notification of nonconformance. After the enactment of this chapter, the Village Building Inspector shall, as soon as practical, survey the Village for signs which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter. Upon determination that a sign is nonconforming, the Village Building Inspector shall use reasonable efforts to notify, either personally or in writing, the user or owner of the property on which the sign is located of the reason for the sign's nonconformity.
Legal nonconforming signs. Any sign located within the Village on the date of adoption of this chapter which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, is eligible for characterization as a legal nonconforming sign and is permitted, provided it meets the following requirements:
The sign was covered by a sign permit or variance immediately prior to the date of adoption of this chapter if a permit was required under applicable law.
No permit was required under applicable law for the sign in question and the sign was in all respects in compliance with applicable law immediately prior to the date of adoption of this chapter.
Loss of legal nonconforming status.
A sign loses its nonconforming status if one or more of the following occurs:
On the date of occurrence of any of the above, the sign shall either be immediately brought into compliance with this chapter with a new permit secured or shall be removed. A legal nonconforming sign that is partially or completely destroyed by an act of God or otherwise beyond the control of the owner may be restored to its state before such destruction, unless the owner's negligence significantly contributed to the destruction of the sign.