(A)   The intent of this subchapter is to regulate the location, size, construction and manner of display of signs and outdoor advertising in order to minimize their harmful effects on the public health, safety, welfare and traffic safety. While this section recognizes that signs and outdoor advertising are necessary to promote commerce and public information, it also recognizes that the failure to regulate them may lead to poor identification of individual businesses, deterioration and blight of the business and residential areas of the village, conflicts between different types of land use, and reduction in traffic safety to pedestrians and motorists.

   (B)   To achieve its intended purpose, this subchapter has the following objectives.

      (1)   To prevent the placement of signs in a manner that will conceal or obscure signs or adjacent businesses.

      (2)   To keep the number of signs and sign messages at the level reasonably necessary to identify a business and its products.

      (3)   To keep signs within a reasonable scale with respect to the buildings they identify.

      (4)   To reduce visual distractions and obstructions to motorists traveling along, entering or leaving streets.

      (5)   To promote a quality manner of display which enhances the character of the village.

      (6)   To prevent the proliferation of temporary signs which might promote visual blight.

      (7)   To promote economic development by allowing a fair opportunity for each property owner to attractively display their message in a clean and clear way.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

      (1)   Address signs bearing only the property numbers, post box numbers, name of occupants or other identification of the premises, limited to one per building entrance and two square feet of area;

      (2)   Historical signs designated by the state or federal government, limited to ten square feet per parcel, unless otherwise approved by the Historic District Commission; and

      (3)   Government signs erected on behalf or pursuant to the authorization of a government body, including street signs, legal notices, informational signs and regulatory signs.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022) Penalty, see § 153.999

      (1)   (a)   Signs shall not exceed the maximum allowable area permitted in this section for sign type and district or use.

         (b)   When not limited to one sign of a specific type, the maximum area shall be determined by the cumulative total of all the signs of a specific type.

      (2)   (a)   The area of a sign shall mean the area of all lettering, wording and accompanying designs, logos and symbols.

         (b)   The area of a sign shall not include any supporting framework, bracing or trim which is incidental to the display, provided it does not contain any lettering, wording or symbols.

      (3)   Where the sign consists of individual letters, designs or symbols attached to a structure, building, awning, wall or window, the area shall be that of the smallest rectangle which encompasses all of the letters, designs and symbols.

      (4)   Signs that consist of, or have attached to them, one or more three-dimensional (3D) or irregularly-shaped objects shall have a sign area of the sum of two adjacent vertical sign faces of the smallest cube encompassing the sign or object.

      (5)   Only one face of a double-sided sign will be used to determine the area of the sign.

      (6)   For V-shaped signs, either horizontally or vertically oriented, with interior angles greater than 90 degrees, the sign area is the sum of both sign faces, otherwise the area is the same as for double-sided signs.

      (1)   Sign height shall be measured as the distance from the highest portion of the sign to the mean finished grade at the base of the sign.

      (2)   (a)   Clearance for projecting, awning and canopy/marquee signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign.

         (b)   This includes any framework or other structural elements.

      (3)   The permitted maximum height for all signs is determined by the sign type and the zoning district or use in which the sign is located.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

   Internal and external illumination of signs shall be permitted for all signs, except where limited or prohibited in this subchapter, subject to the following.

   (A)   All illumination shall be concentrated on the area of the sign or landscape feature and directed or shielded so as to not interfere with the vision of persons on the adjacent streets or adjacent property.

   (B)   No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means or devices, and wiring shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

   (C)   All illumination shall emit light measuring 3,000 K or warmer (between 0 K and 3,000 K) on the Kelvin scale and shall not exceed 800 lumens.

   (D)   Internally illuminated signs shall have a dark background and light lettering.

   (E)   No sign shall include reflective materials.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022) Penalty, see § 153.999

   The following signs shall be prohibited in the village:

   (A)   No sign or banner shall be placed across any public right-of-way except by permission of the village;

   (B)   Signs incorporating any manner of flashing, strobe or moving lights, with the exception of approved electronic message signs;

         (a)   Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of non-illumination.

   (D)   Signs on park-type benches, trees or utility poles;

   (E)   Abandoned signs;

   (F)   Inflatable signs;

   (G)   Roof signs;

   (H)   Pole- or pylon-mounted signs, except associated with the installation of an approved billboard sign;

   (I)   Portable and vehicle signs parked primarily for the purpose of attracting attention to the message contained within;

   (J)   Any sign unlawfully installed, erected or maintained;

   (K)   Signs that completely block the view of other signs;

   (L)   Any additional signage for a business that has an existing nonconforming sign; and

   (M)   Signs displayed on umbrellas or table coverings used in association with outdoor dining areas.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

      (1)   Name, mailing address, email address and telephone number of the applicant;

      (2)   Location of building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign or other advertising structure is to be attached or erected;

      (3)   If proposed to be attached to a building, its proposed location on the building;

      (4)   A plot plan with dimensions of the sign, location on the lot, illumination source and method of construction and attachment to the building or placement in the ground;

      (5)   Name of person, firm or corporation erecting the sign;

      (6)   Written consent of the owner of the building, structure or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be erected;

      (7)   Other information as the Zoning Administrator shall require establishing compliance with this section;

      (8)   For temporary signs, the specific dates that the sign is to be displayed; and

      (9)   If in the Historic District, a certificate of appropriateness.

      (1)   It shall be the duty of the Zoning Administrator, upon the filing of an application for a zoning permit for a sign, to examine the plans and specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign.

      (2)   If the proposed sign meets all chapter requirements, the Zoning Administrator shall issue the sign permit within 15 days of receipt of a fully completed application.

      (1)   Any sign or other advertising structure regulated by this subchapter, which is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected, or is otherwise not in compliance with this subchapter shall be a violation of this subchapter.

      (2)   (a)   If the work associated with a sign authorized under a zoning permit is not completed within one year after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.

         (b)   However, the Zoning Administrator may grant a three-month extension without payment of an additional fee if the extension is requested prior to the original zoning permit becoming null and void.

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022) Penalty, see § 153.999

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)

 

(Ord. 160, passed 4-21-2022)