Except as authorized in section 1 with respect to nonconforming signs, all signs shall be in compliance with the provisions of this article.

For the purpose of the requirements of this article, the size of a sign is determined in the following manner:

A.

When a sign is on a plate or framed, all of the plate or frame shall be included in the dimensions.

B.

When a sign is not on a plate or framed, but is partly or entirely outlined by a line or area of artificial light, or if on a plate or frame and circumscribed by a larger line or area of light, all of the area circumscribed by a line or area of artificial light shall be included in the dimensions.

C.

When a sign consists only of letters, designs or figures engraved, painted, projected or fixed on a wall, or freestanding in front of a wall the total area of the sign shall be the area of the smallest rectangle or circle within which all of the fixed lettering, designs or figures may be included.

A.

Permitted accessory signs. In all residence districts, subject to the additional regulations set forth in section 3F, accessory signs are permitted as set forth in section 3B to section 3C inclusive.

B.

Nonilluminated nameplates and identification signs.

1.

For residential buildings other than multiple dwellings, one nonilluminated nameplate, with an area not exceeding one square foot and indicating only the name or address of the occupant or a permitted occupation is allowed for each dwelling unit or rooming unit.

2.

For multiple dwellings, including apartments, hotels, and for permitted nonresidential buildings or other structures, one identification sign with an area not exceeding twenty-four (24) square feet and indicating only the name or address of the building or the management thereof is permitted. The height of letters on any side of awnings or canopies shall not exceed one foot.

3.

For community facility uses, a bulletin board with an area not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet is permitted.

C.

"For sale" or "for rent" signs. Temporary "for sale" or "for rent" signs, with an area not exceeding twelve (12) feet on any individual zoning lot, or with an area not exceeding two hundred (200) square feet for any group of zoning lots in single ownership, are permitted. If located on vacant land, such signs shall not be within fifteen (15) feet of the street line nor within six (6) feet of any other lot line.

D.

Signs for parking areas. One sign with an area not exceeding two (2) square feet and a height no greater than seven (7) feet above the ground, designating each entrance or exit of an off-street parking area is permitted.

E.

Illuminated signs. In all residential districts, for a business, professional or governmental office, clinic, office service establishment or funeral home, one illuminated nonflashing sign, with an area not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet, is permitted.

F.

[Certain regulations in residence districts.] In all residence districts, any sign permitted under the provisions of section 3B to 3C, inclusive, shall conform to the following regulations:

(a)

No sign shall extend more than twenty (20) feet above the level of the ground.

(b)

No sign shall project over any public easement for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(c)

Exclusive of signs for parking areas as permitted by section 3D, not more than one sign is permitted for each use, building or dwelling unit, and not more than two (2) signs are permitted for each office building, office service establishment or funeral home. However, on a corner lot, two (2) signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted for each use, building or dwelling unit.

G.

Advertising signs. Advertising signs are not permitted in any residence district.

A.

Permitted accessory business signs. In commercial districts, accessory business signs are permitted as set forth in section 4B and 4C, subject to the additional regulations set forth in section 4D and section 4E.

B.

Nonilluminated signs. In the respective commercial districts indicated, nonilluminated signs with areas not exceeding those shown in the following table are permitted:

C.

Illuminated signs. In an S-1 [C-1] district, flashing signs are not permitted, but illuminated nonflashing signs with areas not exceeding fifty (50) square feet are permitted.

In other commercial districts, illuminated or flashing signs are permitted, but the total area of all signs (illuminated and nonilluminated) on the same zoning lot shall not exceed the maximum area prescribed in section B.

D.

Additional regulations for business signs. In addition to the other applicable regulations, permitted business signs in commercial districts are subject to the restrictions of the City Code of Beardstown, Illinois.

E.

Height of signs. In respective commercial districts as indicated, no permitted ground sign shall extend above the grade at a height greater than that shown in the following table:

No sign attached to a building shall extend above grade at a height greater than the applicable minimum building height prescribed in this ordinance.

In the C-2, the city council may, following a hearing by the planning commission, permit illuminated ground signs with a height exceeding seventy-five (75) feet, if the applicant establishes to the satisfaction of the planning commission and the council that the sign will not interfere with the proper residential use of nearby residential areas. The procedure for obtaining such a permit shall be the same as that provided in Article XIV for conditional permitted uses.

Advertising signs are not permitted in the C-1 district. In the C-2 commercial district, no advertising sign shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of the nearest wall of a residence district.

A.

Permitted accessory business signs or advertising signs. In industrial districts, business and advertising signs are permitted with no restriction except for the following:

1.

No advertising sign shall be located within one hundred (100) feet of the nearest wall of a residence located in a residential district; and no illuminated sign, wether [whether] business, [or] advertising, shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of the wall of a residence located in a residential district unless all illuminated portions of the sign face at an angle of at least ninety (90) degrees from the wall of such residence.

2.

No ground sign shall extend above grade at a height greater than seventy-five (75) feet. No illuminated ground sign shall extend above grade at a height greater than fifty (50) feet except that the council [may], following a hearing by the planning commission, permit illuminated ground signs with a height greater than fifty (50) feet, but not exceeding seventy-five (75) feet if the applicant establishes to the satisfaction of the planning commission and the council that the sign will not interfere with the proper residential use of nearby residential areas. The procedure for obtaining such a permit shall be the same as that prescribed in Article XIV for conditional permitted uses.

3.

No sign attached to a building shall extend above grade at a height greater than the applicable maximum building height prescribed in this ordinance.

In all districts, a nonconforming sign may be continued for fifteen (15) years after the effective date of this ordinance or after such later date that the sign becomes nonconforming. Upon the expiration of such fifteen-year period, such nonconforming sign shall be removed. However, a nonconforming sign shall be allowed to continue if it is a type permitted by the applicable district regulations and is not more than one hundred fifty (150) per cent of the permitted size.