Flossmoor City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Signs
§ 285-22-1 Purpose.
Much valuable information is conveyed by certain business signs of local retail and service establishments, to the mutual benefit of both the business establishments and the public. It is the intent of this chapter to encourage such signs wherever they are consistent with good taste and the public safety, but to discourage signs which distract the attention of motorists or are otherwise hazardous, or which create an atmosphere inconsistent with the suburban character of the Village of Flossmoor.
§ 285-22-2 Sign permits.
No sign may be painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded until a sign permit is obtained in accordance with Section 35 of the Building Code. No sign permit shall be issued for any sign unless the sign is accessory to a permitted use and the sign is permitted by, and complies with, the regulations of this article; provided, however, that the following types of signs are exempt from the permit requirement and from the regulations of this article:
A.
Flags or emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization, displayed on private property.
B.
Traffic signs or similar regulatory devices, legal notices and warning at railroad crossings.
C.
Address numerals and other signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule or regulation, provided that the content and size of the sign do not exceed the requirements of such law, order, rule or regulation.
D.
Small signs not exceeding two square feet in area displayed on private property for the convenience of the public, including directional or informational signs, but excluding advertising signs. These signs permitted are exempt from the permit required, but must comply with all of the other regulations of this article.
E.
"No trespassing" signs. "No trespassing" signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, such as "no swimming" and "no fishing," are subject to the following restrictions:
[Amended 8-16-2010 by Ord. No. 1684]
(1)
The area of sign shall not exceed two square feet in sign area.
(2)
The height of sign shall not exceed four feet above grade.
(3)
The sign shall be located on private property and provide a minimum setback of five feet from any property line.
(4)
Multiple signs shall not be located closer than 100 feet to each other.
§ 285-22-3 General standards.
All signs hereafter painted, constructed, erected, remodeled, relocated or expanded shall comply with the following standards:
A.
Pennants, streamers, strings of lights. No pennant, streamer, string of lights or any other similar sign shall be permitted on private property except as specifically permitted by § 285-22-9M.
[Amended 6-7-1999 by Ord. No. 1292; 5-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
B.
Illuminated signs. Signs shall be shaded wherever necessary to avoid casting bright light upon property located in any residential district or upon any public street or park. Any illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to or across the street from any residential district, which sign is visible from such residential district, shall not be illuminated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except that licensed businesses for the retail sale of alcoholic liquors may illuminate their signs during hours of business permitted by applicable provisions of the Flossmoor Municipal Code.[1]
C.
Flashing or moving signs. No flashing signs, rotation or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights or creating the illusion of movement shall be permitted, except as specifically allowed by § 285-22-9L. A sign whereon the current time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent lighting shall be deemed to be a flashing sign.
[Amended 9-4-2012 by Ord. No. 1735]
D.
Projecting signs. No projecting sign shall be permitted. A projecting sign is any sign which is attached to a building and projects more than 12 inches beyond the wall surface of said building.
E.
Signs on vacant property. No sign shall be located on vacant property except a sign advertising the premises for sale or lease which meets the standards of § 285-22-6.
F.
Signs on trees or utility poles. No sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole, whether on public or private property.
H.
Area of sign. Sign area shall be the gross surface area, further defined as the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of such sign. Such perimeter shall not include any structural or framing elements lying outside the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the display. For computing the area of any wall sign which consists of letters mounted or painted on a wall, the area shall be deemed to be the area of the smallest rectangular figure which can encompass all of the letters.
I.
Traffic safety. No sign shall be maintained at any location where by reason of its position, size, shape or color it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
J.
Obsolete and off-premises signs. No sign shall be permitted which advertises a business which is not being presently conducted on or adjacent to premises on which the sign is located. Any obsolete sign shall be removed within 10 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator.
K.
All signs shall be maintained to prevent deteriorating or hazardous or unsafe conditions. Such conditions apply to structural soundness of a sign, its base, or method of attachment to a building; safety of any electrical elements; prompt repair of any damaged elements; and painting or other maintenance measures as may be reasonably required by the Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator, after an inspection of a sign, may order the repair or maintenance steps required to eliminate the deficiency.
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
§ 285-22-4 Signs accessory to residential uses.
[Amended 9-20-1993 by Ord. No. 1078]
Each sign accessory to residential uses shall be set back from the street line a distance at least 1/2 of the required minimum setback specified in the district regulations, except for signs permitted under § 285-22-6A and B. Signs permitted under § 285-22-6A need not be set back from the street line. Signs permitted under § 285-22-6B shall fully comply with the minimum setback requirements for that district. No sign accessory to any residential use shall be permitted except in compliance with the following regulations.
§ 285-22-5 Nameplate and identification signs.
A.
Nameplate and identification signs shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations:
(1)
For each single-family dwelling, there shall be permitted one nameplate, not exceeding one square foot in area, indicating the name of the occupant.
(2)
For each multiple-family dwelling, there shall be permitted one nonilluminated identification sign not exceeding five square feet in area located near the main entrance to the building and indicating only the name and address of the building and name of the owner or manager.
(3)
In connection with the construction of a business building, there shall be permitted one nonilluminated sign not exceeding 25 square feet in area indicating the names of any or all of the architects, engineers and contractors engaged in the construction; on corner lots, two such signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. Any signs permitted under this subsection shall be removed by the person or persons erecting the same not longer than two weeks after completion of the structure indicated.
(4)
For single-family and multifamily residential developments, subdivisions or neighborhoods with 10 or more lots or buildings there shall be permitted, as a special use, one sign for identification purposes.
(5)
In areas of the Village which are substantially fully developed, as of the date of this amendment, no sign which would separate the area to be identified from that area of which it is a logical or historical part shall be permitted unless a new street is being constructed.
B.
Standards for approval. The sign referred to in Subsection A(4) shall meet the following standards:
(1)
The sign shall contain only the name of the development, subdivision or neighborhood.
(2)
The sign shall be limited to a maximum area of 20 square feet.
(3)
The height of the sign shall not exceed six feet as measured from grade.
(4)
The sign shall be located on private property and must be set back a minimum of five feet from any property line.
(5)
There shall be a homeowners' association, condominium association or civic organization which shall assume responsibility for future maintenance.
(6)
The design of the sign shall be subject to Appearance Commission review.
[Amended 11-19-1991 by Ord. No. 1016]
§ 285-22-6 "For sale" and "to rent" signs.
"For sale" and "to rent" signs shall be permitted, subject to the following regulations:
A.
For sale or rental of real property, there shall be no more than one such sign per lot. Such sign shall not be illuminated, shall not exceed six square feet in area and shall not exceed a height of three feet above grade at the base of the sign. Each such sign must be devoted solely to the sale or rental of the property being offered and must be removed immediately upon the sale or rental of the property. The words "sold" or "rented" or synonyms thereof are prohibited.
B.
Where more than six dwelling units (or lots for dwelling purposes) are offered for sale or rental by the same party, there shall be permitted one sign facing each public street providing access to the property being offered. Each such sign shall not be illuminated, shall not exceed 12 square feet in area, and shall not exceed a height of four feet above grade at the base of the sign. Each such sign must be devoted solely to the sale or rental of the property being offered and must be removed immediately upon the sale or rental of the last property offered at that location, but in no event shall such signs be permitted longer than two years after the last actual original sale or lease. (See also Subsection D.) The words "sold" or "rented" or synonyms thereof are prohibited.
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
C.
A temporary real estate development sign is a sign that directs attention to a parcel of property, larger than one acre, which is offered for sale or development. Not more than one temporary real estate development sign may be permitted upon application to and issuance by the Zoning Administrator of a permit therefor. In the issuance of such permit, the Zoning Administrator shall be guided by the following standards: a temporary real estate development sign shall not exceed 50 square feet, shall not be higher than 10 feet above grade from the base of the sign, shall not be illuminated, and shall not be located within five feet from a street line. Each permit for a temporary real estate development sign shall be valid for a period of not more than one year and shall not be renewed for more than five successive periods at the same location. (See also Subsection D.)
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
D.
In the event that a sign or signs is/are erected under the provisions of Subsection B, then no sign shall be permitted under the provisions of Subsection C. In the event that a sign is erected under Subsection C, then no sign or signs shall be permitted under Subsection B.
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
§ 285-22-7 Signs accessory to parking areas.
Signs accessory to parking areas are permitted, subject to the following regulations:
A.
One sign may be erected to designate each entrance to or exit from a parking area; each such sign shall be no more than two square feet in area; such signs are exempt from minimum setback requirements but shall be located at least one foot behind the lot line.
B.
One sign designating the conditions of use shall be permitted for each parking area; each such sign shall be limited to a maximum area of nine square feet; such signs are exempt from minimum setback requirements but shall be screened from adjoining property.
§ 285-22-8 Signs accessory to public uses, churches and nonprofit institutions.
Signs accessory to public uses, churches and nonprofit institutions are permitted, subject to the following regulations:
A.
There shall be not more than one sign per lot, except that on a corner lot two signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. No such sign shall exceed 20 square feet in area. Such signs shall be set back from the street line a distance at least 1/2 of the minimum setback requirements specified in the district regulations. No sign shall have a height exceeding six feet. Any such sign must be approved as part of an overall landscaping plan.
B.
Temporary signs advertising events sponsored by public agencies and nonprofit institutions may be permitted upon application to and issuance by the Zoning Administrator of a permit therefor. In the issuance of such permit the Zoning Administrator shall be guided by locational and dimensional standards for signs in business districts as contained in Article XXII. Each permit shall be valid for a period of not more than three weeks prior to the sponsored event and not more than one week after the sponsored event. A Building Code sign permit is not required for signs which are permitted pursuant to this Subsection B.
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
§ 285-22-9 Signs accessory to business uses.
No sign accessory to any business use shall be permitted, except in compliance with the following regulations:
A.
Front wall signs. Front wall signs shall be permitted, subject to the following standards:
(1)
A sign or signs shall be permitted on the front wall of any principal building. The total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed 1/10 of the area of the front face (including doors and windows) of the principal building, provided that the total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed 100 square feet.
(2)
Where a single principal building is devoted to two or more businesses, commercial or industrial uses, the operator of each such use may install a front wall sign. The maximum area of each such sign shall be determined by determining the proportionate share of the front face (including doors and windows) of the principal building occupied by each such use and applying such proportion to the total sign area permitted for the front wall of the building.
(3)
Front wall signs which do not violate § 285-22-3 may project not more than 12 inches from the building front wall.
(4)
Signs constructed of metal and illuminated by any means requiring internal wiring or electrically wired accessory lighting fixtures attached to a nonmetal sign shall maintain a free clearance to grade of nine feet. Accessory lighting fixtures attached to a nonmetal frame sign shall maintain a clearance of nine feet to ground. In the event that a metal sign structure or accessory fixture herein described is grounded by the use of a grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors and said structure or fixture is also grounded by being bonded to a grounding electrode at the sign site, no clearance to grade shall be mandatory.
(5)
Front wall signs may be illuminated by interior means of lighting of an intensity to prevent excessive glare, or by indirect lighting designed to flood only the area of the sign with light and to prevent light from being directed on surrounding property. Exposed neon signs are prohibited.
B.
Side wall signs. Side wall signs shall be permitted only on properties with two street frontages, subject to the following standards:
(1)
The total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed 1/10 of the area of the side wall (including doors and windows) of the principal building, provided that the total area of such sign or signs shall not exceed 50 square feet.
(2)
Side wall signs which do not violate § 285-22-3D may project not more than 12 inches into required side yards.
(3)
Signs constructed of metal and illuminated by any means requiring internal wiring or electrically wired accessory fixtures attached to a metal sign shall maintain a free clearance to grade of nine feet. Accessory lighting fixtures attached to a nonmetal frame sign shall maintain a clearance of nine feet to ground. In the event that a metal sign structure or accessory fixture herein described is grounded by the use of a grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors and said structure or fixture is also grounded by being bonded to a grounding electrode at the sign site, no clearance to grade shall be mandatory.
(4)
Sidewall signs may be illuminated by interior means of lighting of an intensity to prevent excessive glare, or by indirect lighting designed to flood only the area of the sign with light and to prevent light from being directed on surrounding property. Exposed neon signs are prohibited.
C.
Rear wall signs. A sign or signs shall be permitted on the rear wall of any principal building only when there is regular public access, subject to the following standards:
(1)
The maximum area of such rear wall sign or signs shall not exceed 25% of the maximum area permitted for a front wall sign or signs on the same building.
(2)
Rear wall signs which do not violate § 285-22-3D may project not more than 12 inches into the required rear yards.
(3)
Signs constructed of metal and illuminated by any means requiring internal wiring or electrically wired accessory fixtures attached to a metal sign shall maintain a free clearance to grade of nine feet. Accessory lighting fixtures attached to a nonmetal frame sign shall maintain a clearance of nine feet to ground. In the event that a metal sign structure or accessory fixture herein described is grounded by the use of a grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors and said structure or fixture is also grounded by being bonded to a grounding electrode at the sign site, no clearance to grade shall be mandatory.
(4)
Rear wall signs may be illuminated by interior means of lighting of an intensity to prevent excessive glare, or by indirect lighting designed to flood only the area of the sign with light and to prevent light from being directed on surrounding property. Exposed neon signs are prohibited.
D.
Ground signs. Ground signs are signs placed on the ground supported by a permanent foundation. For lots with an area of more than 25,000 square feet, the face of a ground sign shall not exceed 60 square feet in area, and for lots with an area less than 25,000 square feet, the face of a ground sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area. A sign may be single- or double-faced. The height shall not exceed six feet, measured from the grade level of the sign. Such a sign may be permitted within a required front yard or setback, but shall not be located less than five feet from a property line. On corner lots, a ground sign may be permitted on each street frontage. Ground signs may be used in conjunction with wall signs, or instead of wall signs, according to the following classification of occupancies.
[Amended 7-7-1986 by Ord. No. 806; 9-4-1912 by Ord. No. 1735]
(1)
Single-occupancy building. A ground sign may be used in lieu of a wall sign.
(2)
Multiple-occupancy retail buildings. A ground sign may be permitted in addition to permitted wall signs.
(3)
Multiple-occupancy office buildings with a common entrance. A ground sign may be permitted in lieu of a wall sign.
(4)
Multiple-occupancy office buildings with separate entrances for each occupancy. Owners or managers of such buildings are encouraged to develop a comprehensive plan of sign placement and graphics. Ground signs may be permitted in addition to wall signs.
E.
Roof signs. No part of any sign shall be maintained on the roof, or in the airspace over the roof, of any building or structure.
F.
Awnings or canopy signs. Signs on awnings and canopies shall be considered to be wall signs and are subject to the regulations therefor.
[Amended 3-21-1983 by Ord. No. 728]
G.
Window signs. All permanent window signs shall be included in the total allowable sign area for the premises. All temporary window signs shall be limited to 20% of the glass area. Temporary posters announcing or advertising events by noncommercial organizations shall be exempt from limitations on window signs. Temporary window signs constructed of paper, cardboard, or similar materials shall refer only to sales, special events, or to announcements of new services or products, and shall not refer to the name of the business or its regular services or products available on a continuing basis. No temporary window sign shall be displayed for a period in excess of 30 days.
[Amended 7-7-1986 by Ord. No. 806]
H.
Door identification signs. In multiple-occupancy buildings with separate entrances for each occupancy, door identification signs may be affixed or painted to allow pedestrians to locate the entrance to a particular occupancy. Such signs shall be limited to an area of four square feet. Such signs may be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
[Amended 7-7-1986 by Ord. No. 806]
I.
Nonconforming signs. Lawful nonconforming signs may be maintained, subject to the provisions of § 285-24-6.
J.
Automatic teller machine signs. Automatic teller machines, which are separate structures provided as accessory uses to banks, savings-and-loans, and other financial institutions, shall be permitted to have signs in compliance with the following requirements.
[Amended 1-18-1988 by Ord. No. 862]
(1)
An information sign that provides instructions in the operation of the machine to customers may be placed on the same wall as the machine face and shall not exceed four square feet in area. The sign shall be in addition to those permitted in Subsection J(2).
(2)
Signs may be placed on any wall of the structure. No sign shall exceed 15% of the area of the wall on which it is placed. The total combined area of all signs shall not exceed 40 square feet.
K.
Temporary advertising banners. A temporary advertising banner is a sign composed of lightweight flexible material such as canvas or rubberized cloth. Such signs may be affixed to a permanent structure or installed in a manner similar to a ground sign. Any such sign must be placed on private property at the location of the business being advertised. Off-site placement of such signs shall be prohibited. Not more than one temporary advertising banner may be permitted, upon application to and issuance by the Zoning Administrator of a permit therefor. In the issuance of such permit, the Zoning Administrator shall be guided by the following standards:
[Amended 6-7-1999 by Ord. No. 1292]
(1)
Size: shall not exceed 30 square feet in area.
(2)
Height. If installed as a ground sign no banner may have a height greater than six feet above grade. If affixed to a building or structure, the sign may not project above the maximum height of the building.
(3)
Frequency: permitted for grand openings, sales and other special events and for no more than three such events per calendar year.
(4)
Duration: permitted on a temporary basis for no more than 15 days at a time.
(5)
Maintenance. All such signs shall be placed and maintained in an orderly manner. Torn, badly faded or partially unsecured signs shall be immediately removed, replaced or repaired.
L.
Electronic variable message signs.
[Amended 9-4-1912 by Ord. No. 1735]
(1)
An electronic variable message sign is a sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and/or color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light-emitting diode) or digital sign.
(2)
Electronic variable message signs are permitted as a subordinate component of a larger ground or monument sign only and subject to the following restrictions:
(a)
May only be located on property that is adjacent to a roadway with four or more traffic lanes. Turning lanes are not counted as traffic lanes.
(b)
May only be located on property that has a minimum of 100 feet of frontage on the roadway cited above and a minimum area of 25,000 square feet.
(c)
In no circumstances may such a sign be located in the B-5 Central Business Zoning District.
(d)
The variable message component/panel may not comprise more than 40% of the area of the overall sign.
(e)
No sign shall exceed an illumination level of 0.3 footcandle above ambient light as measured using a footcandle meter at a distance of the square root of the product of the area of the EMC display panel and 100 (√[X x 100] = measuring distance, with "X" being the area of the display panel).
M.
Grand opening event displays. Temporary grand opening event displays may be permitted, upon application to and issuance by the Zoning Administrator of a permit therefor. In the issuance of such permit, the Zoning Administrator shall be guided by the following standards:
[Amended 5-16-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
(1)
A grand opening event display shall only be permitted within 60 days of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a newly constructed business occupancy, or for an existing business occupancy which has a new occupant or change in ownership. The duration of a grand opening event shall be a maximum of 15 days. The display for a grand opening event may be erected up to seven days prior to, and shall be removed no later than two days following, the grand opening event. Not more than one permit shall be issued for a grand opening event display in any calendar year for a single business occupancy.
(2)
A grand opening event for any business occupancy which is not located on property adjacent to a roadway with four or more traffic lanes (excluding turning lanes), shall be subject to the standards provided in Subsection K.
(3)
Business occupancies which are adjacent to a roadway with four or more traffic lanes (excluding turning lanes), may be permitted to display a combination of pennants, pole banners, temporary banners, balloons (under 24 inches in diameter and excluding Mylar or metallic balloons), and vertical advertising banners or feather flags. Such displays shall be subject to the following additional standards:
(a)
A site plan shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator which depicts the proposed locations of all displays and includes but is not limited to display dimensions, mounting details, mounting heights and materials used. The site plan shall be subject to review by the Zoning Administrator and Inspectional Services review staff, and may be subject to review by other Village staff as deemed necessary. Upon the erection of the display, an inspection shall be conducted prior to the grand opening. Review and inspection fees shall be in accordance with Chapter 150, Article 7, of the Flossmoor Municipal Code.
(b)
All displays shall be located entirely within the zoning lot of the business occupancy. No off-site displays or advertising shall be permitted. No display components shall be permitted where they may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal or device, or where they may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic. No display components may interfere with pedestrian rights-of-way. No display components shall be located within five feet of a property line.
(c)
Temporary banners may be affixed to a permanent structure or installed in a manner similar to a ground sign. If installed as a ground sign, no banner may have a height greater than six feet above grade. If affixed to a building or structure, a temporary banner(s) may not project above the height of the building or structure. Temporary banners shall not exceed 1.5 square feet in area for each lineal foot of occupancy frontage up to a maximum sum of 120 square feet in area for all temporary banners displayed. Temporary banners shall not be affixed to any existing permanent sign; or to any trees, shrubs or other landscaping; or to any utility pole; or to any street or regulatory signs or signaling devices.
(d)
Pennants shall not be affixed to any trees, shrubs or other landscaping.
(e)
Pole banners may be permitted to be secured to permanently mounted standards such as light poles. Pole banners shall be no larger than eight feet high by two feet in width and shall provide a minimum vertical clearance of nine feet. No more than two banners are permitted per pole. Pole banners shall not obstruct the intended illumination provided by any lighting equipment upon any paved surface.
(f)
Vertical advertising banners or feather flags shall not exceed 15 feet in height nor three feet in width and shall be securely mounted to the ground. Stand-mounted banners and flags shall be prohibited. Vertical banners and feather flags shall be spaced no closer than 25 feet apart from any other vertical banner or feather flag.
(g)
Displays shall be maintained in an orderly manner. Torn, damaged or unsecured components shall be immediately removed, repaired or replaced.
(h)
The following displays and signs shall be prohibited: air puppets/dancers; cold-air-, hot-air- or helium-filled balloons and inflatables (over 24 inches in diameter); flashing, rotating, spinning or animated signs; illuminated signs; rooftop displays, flags or signs; string or rope lights; sign walkers; sandwich boards; searchlights or beacons; audible devices.