Galesburg City Zoning Code
SIGN REGULATIONS
GENERALLY; ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
§ 152.180 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
(A) The City Council finds and declares that these regulations on outdoor advertising signs are necessary to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, aesthetic beauty and general welfare of the city.
(B) The sign regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this subchapter and §§ 152.205 through 152.220, and 152.230 through 152.233 are made in accordance with an overall plan and program for the public safety, area development, preservation of property values and the general welfare of the city, and are intended to aid in traffic control and traffic safety; lessen congestion of land and air space; provide against undue concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; establish reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and area development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets and highways; preserve the wholesome and attractive character of the city; and to recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that provides for a community that shall be beautiful as well as healthful, spacious as well as clean, and well balanced in its growth and development.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.1, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.181 APPLICABILITY.
No outdoor sign in the city shall be constructed, erected, converted, altered, rebuilt, enlarged, remodeled, relocated or expanded until a permit for the sign has been obtained in accordance with the standards and procedures set out in this subchapter. However, no permit shall be required for routine maintenance as defined herein.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.2, passed 1-4-2010) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.182 EXEMPTIONS.
This subchapter shall not apply to the following types of signs, provided the signs comply with the installation provisions of § 152.187:
(A) Traffic signs, municipal signs, state signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs and similar noncommercial signs in the public interest or erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty;
(B) Temporary displays, including holiday lights, decorations, painted window areas, works of art, flags (not exceeding 50 square feet), memorial signs, religious or historic symbols and other displays with no commercial message;
(C) Instructional, not exceeding five square feet in area, which provide direction or warning and are located entirely on the property to which they pertain to identify restrooms, public telephones, walkways, parking lot entrances and exits, and features of a similar nature or with respect to warnings, “no trespassing,” “no dumping” and similar warning signs. Parking lot entrance and exit signs shall not exceed five feet in height. All instructional signs shall be set back at least 18 inches from all property lines; and
(D) Non-electrical business nameplates denoting the business name of an occupation legally conducted on the premises, provided that the sign area does not exceed two square feet in area, provided that no more than one sign per principal use may be erected.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.4, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.183 COMPUTATION.
The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height.
(A) Computation of area of individual signs. The area of a sign face shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof which will encompass the entire sign face. The sign area excludes any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall when the fence or wall otherwise meets zoning ordinance regulations and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(B) Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when the sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
Figure 152.183: Area Calculation of Individual Signs
(C) Computation of height. The height of a sign shall be the measurement from the top of the highest element of the sign to the average level of the finished ground surface, exclusive of any filling or mounding.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.5, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.184 ALTERATIONS.
An existing sign shall not be rebuilt, relocated, enlarged or extended without conforming to the requirements of this subchapter, §§ 152.205 through 152.220 or 152.230 through 152.233. An existing sign, however, may be repaired and maintained. The repair or replacement of existing movable parts or the repainting or reposting of display matters shall not be deemed an alteration.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.6, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.185 MAINTENANCE.
(A) All components of a sign shall be kept in good repair at all times. The owner of any sign (existing or proposed) shall be required to have it properly painted, galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust and deterioration of all parts and supports of the sign. The Building Inspector may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.
(B) For any sign or advertising structure that is unsafe or insecure, is a menace to the public, or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this DO, the Building Inspector shall give written notice to the owner, agency or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which it is found. If, after notification, the proper person fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards of this section within 15 days after this notice, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to have the sign or advertising structure removed.
(C) In the event of failure by any party to reimburse the city within 60 days for costs incurred for repair or removal ordered by the Building Inspector, the City Council shall certify the charges for repair or removal to the city’s legal counsel, who will be then authorized to file a notice of lien in the office of the County Recorder of Deeds to foreclose this lien, and to sue the owner of the real estate, or signs permitted, or their agents, in a civil action to recover the money due for all the foregoing services, plus all expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees to be fixed by the Court. Included in the expenses recoverable by the city are the costs of filing the notice of lien, foreclosing the lien and all litigation costs, together with all office and legal expense incurred in connection with the collection of the amount due.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.7, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.186 HOUSEKEEPING.
The immediate premises occupied by the sign shall be kept free and clear of all sign material, weeds, trash, debris and other refuse by the owner or lessee of the sign.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.8, passed 1-4-2010) Penalty, see § 152.999
§ 152.187 INSTALLATION.
(A) Except for electronic message boards, no sign or its parts shall be permitted to be movable or rotating, nor shall any sign flash or have illuminated effects which convey the illusion of movement.
(B) No sign shall be attached, erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct free ingress to or egress from a required door, window, fire escape or other required exits.
(C) No sign shall be placed in a manner so as to interfere with required light and ventilation openings (windows, doors, vents or similar devices).
(D) No portion of any sign shall be located closer than 18 inches from any property line unless otherwise specified in §§ 152.230 through 152.233. Signs in the B3 Zoning District, however, may extend over the street right-of-way, provided no part of the sign or its structural mount shall project closer than 24 inches from the curbline. It is the duty of the applicant to satisfy itself that all state requirements are met.
(E) Except in any B3 Zoning District, signs located on corner lots and within 30 feet from the intersection (corner of property) shall not have any portion of the sign face, structure or pole in the area between a height of two and one-half feet and ten feet above the top curb line grades of intersecting streets or between a height of three feet and ten and one-half feet above the edge of the pavement grade where no curb is present. The foregoing restrictions shall apply to situations existing as of July 6, 2010, as well as situations arising thereafter. (See Figure 152.187.)
Figure 152.187: Signs Located on Corner Lots
(F) All signs shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the International Building Code, the NFPA National Electrical Code and other ordinances as adopted by the city.
(G) Any illuminated sign located on a lot adjacent to or across the street from any residential district, which sign is visible from the residential district, shall not be illuminated between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m. However, signs associated with emergency services may remain on overnight.
(H) Internally illuminated signs shall permit light to shine fully through only the lettering and graphic elements of the sign. The background for the lettering and graphics shall transmit light at a level substantially less than that transmitted through the lettering and graphics.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.9, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.188 RELOCATION.
Any sign that is moved to another location, either on the same or other premises, shall be considered a new sign; and a permit shall be secured for any work performed in connection therewith.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.10, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.189 OBSOLETE OR ABANDONED SIGNS.
For any sign or advertising structure now or hereafter existing, which advertises a business, commodity, service, entertainment, activity or event which has been discontinued, or is located on property which has been vacant and unoccupied, the Building Inspector shall give written notice requiring removal of the sign to the property owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or premises upon which it is found. If, after notification, the proper person fails to remove the sign or structure within 60 days after the notice, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to seek owner consent or court authorization for removal. However, if the sign structure meets all ordinance requirements for size and location, the owner may keep the existing sign structure provided a blank panel is provided while a new tenant is sought.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-1.11, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.190 PERMIT.
(A) Required. No person shall install, erect, alter or relocate a sign without first obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector and paying the appropriate fee (see Fee Schedule for required fees).
(B) Application. Application for a sign permit shall be made upon a form provided by the Building Inspector and shall include the following information:
(1) Name, address and telephone number of the property owner;
(2) Name, address and telephone number of the developer, if different than property owner;
(3) Address or location of property where sign is to be installed or removed;
(4) Zoning of property where sign is to be installed;
(5) Description of sign to be erected;
(6) Blueprints or drawings of the plans and/or specifications and method of construction, attachment to the building or ground and the position of the sign in relation to the building, structure or other signs and property lines of the lot to or upon which it is to be erected;
(7) Name, address and telephone number of person, firm or corporation installing or removing the sign, if different from the owner;
(8) Evidence that the person who will install or remove the sign has the appropriate insurance; and
(9) When requested by the Building Inspector, a copy of stress sheets and calculations showing that sign and sign structure are designed for dead load and wind pressure in any direction in the amount required by this and other laws and ordinances of the city shall be provided.
(C) Additional electrical permit. An electrical permit shall be obtained in addition to the sign permit required by the DO when the sign being installed requires electrical power.
(D) Insurance.
(1) Every person applying for a sign permit to install or erect a sign shall file with the City Clerk a policy or certificate of insurance from a company authorized to do business in this state.
(2) The policy or certificate of insurance shall insure the applicant for public liability and property damage in an amount not less than $100,000 for any one person injured or $300,000 for all persons injured and not less than $50,000 for property damage sustained in any one accident.
(3) The policy or certificate of insurance shall not be canceled or amended in any manner except after 30-days’ written notice has been given to the Building Inspector.
(4) The policy or certificate of insurance shall indicate coverage for the installation, erection and maintenance of the sign.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-2.1, passed 1-4-2010)
§ 152.191 APPEALS AND VARIANCES.
The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the power to do the following:
(A) Appeals. Hear and decide appeals by the sign permit applicant where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Building Inspector in the enforcement of this subchapter;
(C) Criteria for decision. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the power to grant a variance from the provisions or requirements of this subchapter only where the following criteria have been considered:
(1) The literal interpretation and strict application of the provisions and requirements of this subchapter would cause undue and unnecessary hardship to the sign user because of unique or unusual conditions pertaining to the specific building or property in question;
(2) The granting of the requested variance would not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare;
(3) The granting of the variance would not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity, nor substantially diminish or impair property values within the adjacent area;
(4) The unusual conditions applying to the specific property do not apply generally to other buildings or properties in the city; and
(5) The granting of the variance will not be contrary to the general objectives set forth in § 152.019.
(D) Determination of conditions. In granting a variance, the Commission may impose any conditions regarding the location, character or other features of the proposed sign as it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this subchapter and §§ 152.205 through 152.220 or 152.230 through 152.233.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 3-2.2, passed 1-4-2010; Ord. 17-3555, passed 7-17-2017)