A.

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of these sign regulations are:

To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the City;

To maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the City's ability to attract sources of economic development and growth;

To improve pedestrian and traffic safety;

To minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; and

To enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign restrictions. This sign Ordinance is adopted under the zoning authority of the City in furtherance of the more general purposes set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.

B.

Scope: The use of all signs and portions of signs erected, altered with respect to height and area, added to, or relocated in the city shall be in conformity with these provisions. Any existing sign not in conformity with the regulations herein prescribed shall be regarded as non-conforming.

C.

Interpretation:

1)

In interpretation and application, these provisions shall be held to be an expression of the maximum allowable number and size of signs which bring about the least potential conflict with surrounding uses and which promote and improve physical appearance within the City.

2)

When there is a conflict of provisions the regulations which are more restrictive or which impose higher standards or requirements shall govern.

3)

These provisions are not intended to abrogate any easement, covenant, or any other private agreement, provided that where the regulations are more restrictive or impose higher standards or requirements than such easements, covenants, or other private agreements, the requirements of this Chapter shall govern.

4)

When a sign type is not specifically listed in the sections devoted to permitted signs, it shall be assumed that such uses are, hereby, expressly prohibited.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, no more than one (1) sign may be erected or maintained on any premises at any one time; except that when a premises is located on a corner lot and has public entrances on two or more public ways, or where a building has both a front and rear public entrance, one (1) additional sign may be erected.

A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign. A double-faced sign shall be so constructed that the perimeter of both faces coincide and are parallel and connected to the same support structure. Signs enumerated in Section 15.11.08 shall not be counted in calculating the total number of signs.

Each premise shall be allowed three (3) square feet of signage per foot of frontage for the first sixty-seven (67) linear feet of building frontage on a dedicated street. An additional one and one-half (1½) square feet of signage will be allowed per foot of frontage on a dedicated street in excess of sixty-seven (67) linear feet.

Sign dimensions shall be reasonably and appropriately proportioned to the street frontage, as well as to the size of the principle building.

Premises having frontage on more than one dedicated street will be allowed signage for frontage on each street in accordance with above formula, however, the frontage will be considered continuous and the signs facing each street must be in proportion to the frontage on the street. Seven hundred fifty (750) square feet of total sign area will be the maximum allowed on any premise, in any case. (See Table A)

TABLE A

Every sign and all parts thereof, including framework, supports, background, anchors, and wiring systems shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with the building, electrical and fire protection codes of the City. Signs may not be painted directly on the surfaces of the walls or roof of a building. All signs, flags, pennants and banners and all parts thereof shall be kept in a good state of repair and maintenance.

It shall be unlawful for any person to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any matter in writing or in picture which, considered as a whole, predominantly appeals to prurient interest, that is, a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sex, or excretion, and goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters.

The illumination of all signs shall be diffused, internal or indirect and shall be so arranged that there will be no direct rays reflecting into the public way or any lot on the perimeter of the premises on which the signs are located. Signs with flashing lights shall not be permitted unless they reflect only the time and/or temperature.

A.

Signs shall be placed no closer than five (5) feet to any lot line, except for shopping and/or manufacturing center pole signs which shall be set back forty (40) feet from any street right-of-way line. Signs erected by a governmental body bearing no commercial advertising may be located in the right-of-way, where it does not obstruct the view of traffic.

B.

Within the part of the yard or open area of a corner lot included within a triangular area of forty (40) feet from the point of intersection of two (2) street right-of-way lines forming such corner lot, no sign shall be constructed having a height of more than twenty-four (24) inches above the ground grade. (See Figure A)

FIGURE A

A (area) = 40 square feet

Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this Section are permitted in all zones and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premise. However, such signs shall conform with the general regulations for signs enumerated in the remainder of this Section.

A.

Name and address plates permanently affixed to a building which give only the name and address of the resident of the building and which are not more than one (1) square foot in sign area.

B.

No trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, of no more than one (1) square foot in sign area in the general residential zone and three (3) square feet in all commercial, office and industrial zones.

C.

Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when it has a sign area of no more than twenty (20) square feet, if used exclusively for noncommercial announcements. The maximum height will be six (6) feet from grade adjacent to the sign.

D.

Signs regulating on-premises traffic and parking, and signs denoting sections of a building such as lavatory facilities and public telephone areas, when less than six (6) square feet in area and bearing no commercial advertising. The maximum height will be six (6) feet from grade adjacent to the sign.

E.

Signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools and playgrounds. The signs must be in keeping with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices printed by Illinois Department of Transportation.

F.

Memorial signs, flags, or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings no larger than five (5) square feet.

G.

The flag, pennant, or insignia of any government, or of any religious, charitable, or fraternal organization, so long as such flag, pennant or insignia is at least three (3) feet by five (5) feet in size.

H.

One (1) logo flag of a company shall be allowed in business and industrial zones provided that it shall be flown with and not larger than the American Flag. The American Flag shall not exceed forty square feet (40) in total area.

I.

Temporary signs no larger than thirty-two (32) square feet of sign area presenting information of a political nature concerning State, County, Municipal or other governmental body election, or advertising special events of charitable or public groups. Such signs must be removed within forty-eight (48) hours of the close of the event or election.

J.

Permanent residential development signs shall be located at major entrances and designed to identify a residential subdivision or Planned Unit Development and shall contain no commercial advertising. Such sign shall not exceed a height six (6) feet from grade. The sign shall be constructed of material which is the same or of a more permanent nature than the material used in the development.

K.

Signs identifying places of worship when located on the premises thereof.

L.

Residential developments containing two or more principal buildings shall be allowed not more than two (2) off-site residential development signs within the City to call attention and give directions to the development.

Each such sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area and shall not have a total height of more than six (6) feet. Such sign shall be considered a temporary sign and a permit for each sign may be issued for a period of six (6) months, renewable upon a written request to the Building Department until the completion of the project and issuance of the final Certificate of Occupancy. Such signs may be located in any zoning district, provided that no such sign shall be closer to an existing residence than one hundred (100) feet. Location and construction shall be approved at the time of the application and approval for each such sign.

M.

Garage Sale Signs—A permit is required. It will be issued by the City Clerk. A garage sale sign can be no larger than three (3) square feet. It may remain in place for three (3) days and can be placed only on the private property at which the sale is held.

A.

Name and address plates for buildings containing more than two (2) dwelling units, provided that such signs shall not be more than three (3) square feet in area.

B.

Identification signs for special uses provided that such signs are limited to one (1) sign per building entrance, and provided that each such sign be limited to twelve (12) square feet of area.

C.

Within residential Planned Unit Developments for which the approved site plan allows non-residential land uses, the signs allowed within such non-residential uses shall comply with other provisions of this Sign Code relating to the type of use allowed (e.g., residential zone, commercial zone, manufacturing zone).

A.

All signs permitted in the residential zones.

B.

Only signs which advertise the activity, services or merchandise offered or conducted on the premises thereof are permitted.

C.

Wall signs which do not extend more than twelve (12) inches from the building wall and do not extend above the roof line or building edge. Such sign shall not be painted directly on the surface of the wall or roof of a building.

D.

Ground signs are permitted at one (1) per street frontage, provided that no individual business or other enterprise within a shopping or manufacturing center may erect or maintain a ground sign, and provided that such signs in nonshopping center areas shall be no larger than three (3) square feet per linear foot of building frontage, and not to exceed sixty-four (64) square feet. The highest point on such signs shall be no more than six (6) feet above the grade adjacent to the sign.

E.

Poles signs are permitted, provided that no individual business or other enterprise within a shopping or manufacturing center may erect or maintain a pole sign, and provided when only one (1) sign is erected per dedicated street frontage, the area of the sign shall be no larger than three (3) square feet per linear foot of the building frontage, not to exceed sixty-four (64) square feet and no part of the sign, shall exceed a height of twenty-five (25) feet from grade. However, pole signs in shopping and manufacturing centers are permitted if they meet the following six requirements:

1)

No more than one (1) sign per dedicated street frontage.

2)

That the sign is not less than forty (40) feet from any street right-of-way line.

3)

The area of the sign shall be limited to one hundred sixty (160) square feet on each side.

4)

The advertising displayed on the sign shall be limited to business, merchandise and services found within the respective shopping and manufacturing centers.

5)

No part of the sign, including braces, supports or lights, shall exceed a height of twenty-five (25) feet or five (5) feet above the roof line whichever is greater.

6)

The height of the sign shall be measured from grade level directly below the face of the sign to the highest part of the sign.

F.

Identification signs, provided that such signs are limited to one (1) sign per building entrance.

G.

Not more than (1) gasoline price sign per street abutted by a gasoline filling station, with a maximum sign size of four (4) feet by six (6) feet.

H.

Window signs of paper or similar materials shall be allowed in commercial zones, provided that such signs are to be used to notify the public of special sales or current prices and do not take up more than fifty percent (50%) of the total window area.

I.

Portable or temporary sale signs shall be permitted under the following conditions:

1)

The sign must be on private property, in a safe location so as not to obstruct the public right-of-way.

2)

A portable or temporary sign permit shall be issued for a time period not to exceed a total of sixty (60) days per year, which may be divided into increments of no less than fifteen (15) days.

3)

Portable signs, mounted on wheels or which are capable of being moved from one location to another, shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in sign face and shall not exceed a height greater than eight (8) feet from grade level.

4)

Banners and pennants may be used as temporary signs, provided that banners shall be limited to one (1) square foot per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet, and pennants shall be limited to two (2) times the length of the linear building frontage. Pennants and banners shall be counted separately as two distinct and unique signs.

5)

Permit application must be approved by the zoning administrator. The fee for said permit is $25.00.

6)

In shopping centers, the number of stores which may erect portable or temporary signs, at one time, shall not exceed 20% of the total number of stores.

J.

Grand Opening or Anniversary signs shall be permitted, once per year, for fourteen (14) consecutive days, inclusive of the grand opening or anniversary date. The date of a Grand Opening shall be designated by the business owner within the first six months of operation. Anniversaries shall be considered the annual observance of the date of the Grand Opening. Grand Opening/Anniversary signage may include a combination of banners, pennants and temporary or portable sale signs, as defined, elsewhere in this Ordinance. The fee for said Grand Opening/Anniversary permit shall be $25.00.

Signs that have for their purpose or intent the selling or renting of real estate located in any zoning district, such as, but not limited to signs that contain the words "for sale", "for rent", or any similar language shall conform with the following provisions:

A.

No more than one real estate sign shall be erected on any premises.

B.

In areas zoned residential no real estate sign shall exceed four (4) square feet in area. The top surface of the real estate sign shall not exceed four (4) feet existing grade at the point of erection.

C.

In areas zoned commercial and manufacturing no real estate sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. The top surface of the real estate sign shall not exceed six (6) feet existing grade at the point of erection.

D.

Real estate signs, located on developed property in a residential zone, shall be erected outside the structure and parallel to the front side of the structure and shall be placed no more than three (3) feet from the front foundation wall.

E.

Real estate signs, on vacant property in areas zoned Residential, Commercial and Manufacturing, and in developed areas zoned commercial and Manufacturing, shall conform, in size, to the appropriate zoning district in which they are located, and shall be erected parallel to the public right-of-way and shall be placed no less than five (5) feet from the property line.

F.

Prior to erection of any real estate sign, the owner of any property within the City or his agent shall file an application in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14 of this Code.

G.

No real estate sign shall contain the words "sold," "leased," or any similar language.

H.

No real estate sign shall be an illuminated sign.

Variations to this Sign Ordinance may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals following a public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be published as required by the Zoning Division of the Illinois Municipal Code.

The applicant shall submit sketches, drawings or photographs showing the entire property and the proposed sign or signs and shall explain briefly in his written request where the proposed sign or signs vary from the provisions of this Chapter and the reason that an exception is needed.

A variance shall be granted only after the applicant proves unusual hardship. The full burden of proof in determining hardship rests with the applicant. The criteria for the variance is explained in the Administration article (Article 10) of the Zoning Ordinance.

A.

All permanent signs which are in existence at the time of passage of this Section, but which do not conform to one or more provisions of this Code shall be deemed to be a legal non-conforming use and may be continued only as provided in this Code.

B.

Any non-conforming sign which was made non-conforming by the provisions of any current or subsequent amendment to this Code may be continued in use for a period of two (2) years after the effective date of that amendment provided there is no physical change other than the necessary maintenance and repair, except as otherwise permitted herein. Any non-conforming sign which has not been removed or rendered conforming on or before the date of its required abatement shall be deemed a nuisance and may be abated.

C.

Any sign for which a permit has been lawfully granted prior to the effective date of this or any subsequent amendment to this Code and which does not comply with the provisions of such amendment may nonetheless be completed in accordance with the approved plans, provided construction of the sign is started within ninety (90) days after the passage of the Ordinance amendment and is diligently prosecuted to completion.

D.

Whenever a non-conforming use of a sign has been discontinued for a period of three (3) consecutive months, or whenever there is evident a clear intent on the part of the owner to abandon a non-conforming use, such use shall not, after being discontinued or abandoned, be re-established, and the use of the sign hereafter shall be in conformity with the regulations of this Code.

E.

Normal maintenance of a non-conforming sign is permitted, including necessary non-structural repairs and incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the non-conforming use.

F.

No structural alteration, enlargement or extension shall be made in a non-conforming sign, except in the following situations:

1)

When the alteration is required by law.

2)

When the alteration will actually result in eliminating the non-conforming use.

G.

If a non-conforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its replacement value at that time, the sign can be rebuilt or used thereafter only for a conforming use and in compliance with the provisions of this Code. In the event the damage or destruction is less than twenty-five percent (25%) of its replacement value, based upon prevailing costs, the sign may then be restored to its original condition and the use may be continued which existed at the time of such partial destruction until the non-conforming sign is otherwise abated by the provisions of this Code. In either event, restoration or repair of the sign must be started within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of damage or destruction and diligently prosecuted to completion.