(A)   Applicability.

      (1)   New development. The off-street parking standards of this section apply to any new building constructed and to any new use established.

      (2)   Expansions and alterations. The off-street parking standards of this section apply to all principal and accessory uses when an existing structure or use is expanded or enlarged. Additional off-street parking spaces will be required only to serve the enlarged or expanded area, not the entire building or use, provided that in all cases the number of off-street parking spaces provided for the entire use (preexisting + expansion) must equal at least 75% of minimum ratio established in the off-street parking schedule of subsection (B) below.

      (3)   Change of use. Off-street parking must be provided for any change of use or manner of operation that would, based on the off-street parking schedule of subsection (B) below, result in a requirement for more parking spaces than the existing use.

   (B)   Off-street parking schedule. Off-street parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule of requirements. (See rules for computing requirements, subsection (C) below.)

 

   (C)   Rules for computing requirements. The following rules apply when computing off-street parking requirements.

      (1)   Multiple uses. Unless otherwise approved, lots containing more than one use must provide parking in an amount equal to the total of the requirements for all uses.

      (2)   Fractions. When measurements of the number of required spaces result in a fractional number, any fraction of one-half or less shall be rounded down to the next lower whole number and any fraction of more than one-half shall be rounded up to the next higher whole number.

      (4)   Occupancy- or capacity-based standards. For the purpose of computing parking requirements based on employees, students, residents, or occupants, calculations shall be based on the largest number of persons working on any single shift, the maximum enrollment or the maximum fire-rated capacity, whichever is applicable and whichever results in the greater number of spaces.

   (D)   Off-street parking reductions for large developments. In order to prevent the establishment of a greater number of parking spaces than actually needed to meet the particular needs of large developments of over 500,000 square feet of gross floor area, a reduction in the number of required off-street parking spaces may be permitted by the Planning, Building and Development Director. Reduction shall be permitted subject to the following conditions.

      (1)   Maximum reduction. A maximum reduction of one parking space per every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area or 20% of the total spaces required (whichever is less) may be permitted. The site plan shall indicate the location and dimensions of the parking area provided.

      (2)   Reservation. Sufficient area shall be reserved to accommodate the total number of off-street parking spaces otherwise required by this section. The purpose of this reservation is to ensure adequate area to meet any future need for additional parking spaces. The reserved area shall be located on the same site and noted on the site plan. The reserved parking area shall not include areas for required landscaping, setbacks, or areas that would otherwise be unusable for parking due to the physical characteristics of the land or the requirements of this chapter.

      (3)   Installation of additional spaces. The Planning, Building and Development Director shall be authorized to require that the developer install additional parking spaces, up to the total number otherwise required by this section, if the Planning, Building and Development Director determines that additional parking spaces are necessary to satisfy the off-street parking needs of the use.

   (E)   Off-street parking alternatives.

      (1)   Off-site parking. The Planning, Building and Development Director may approve the location of required off-street parking spaces on a separate lot from the lot on which the principal use is located, subject to all of following standards.

         (a)   Limitation on amount of off-site parking. No more than 50% of a use’s required off-street parking may be located off-site unless the off-site parking is located on a lot that is contiguous to the lot containing the subject use. There shall be no limit on the amount of off-site parking located on a contiguous lot.

         (b)   Ineligible activities. Off-site parking may not be used to satisfy the off-street parking standards for residential uses, restaurants, bars, resorts, convenience stores, or other convenience-oriented uses. Required parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities may not be located off-site.

         (c)   Location. No off-site parking space may be located more than 600 feet from the primary entrance of the use served.

         (d)   Zoning classification. Off-site parking areas require the same or a more intensive zoning classification than required for the use served.

         (e)   Covenant for off-site parking. If the off-site parking area is under separate ownership from the use to be served by the parking area, an irrevocable written covenant among all owners of record shall be required prior to approval of the off-site parking. An attested copy of the irrevocable covenant between the owners of record must be submitted to the Planning, Building and Development Director for recordation on forms made available in the Planning, Building and Development Department. The covenant must be recorded in the Lake County Recorder’s office before any building permits may be issued for any use to be served by the off-site parking area. A shared parking covenant may be revoked only if all required off-street parking spaces will be provided, in accordance with subsection (B) above.

      (2)   Shared parking. The Planning, Building and Development Director may approve shared parking facilities for developments or uses with different operating hours or different peak business periods if the shared parking complies with the all of following standards.

         (a)   Location. Shared parking spaces must be located within 600 feet of the primary entrance of all uses served.

         (b)   Zoning classification. Shared parking areas require the same or a more intensive zoning classification than required for the use served.

         (c)   Shared parking study. Applicants wishing to use shared parking as a means of satisfying off-street parking requirements must submit a shared parking analysis to the Planning, Building and Development Director that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of shared parking. The study must be provided in a form established by the Planning, Building and Development Director and made available to the public. It must address, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed development, the composition of tenants, the anticipated rate of parking turnover, and the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses that will be sharing off-street parking spaces.

         (d)   Covenant for shared parking. A shared parking plan will be enforced through an irrevocable, written covenant among all owners of record. An attested copy of the irrevocable covenant between the owners of record must be submitted to the Planning, Building and Development Director for recordation on forms made available in the Planning, Building and Development Department. The covenant must be recorded in the Lake County Recorder’s office before any building permits may be issued for any use to be served by the shared parking area. A shared parking covenant may be revoked only if all required off-street parking spaces will be provided, in accordance with subsection (B) above.

 

 

   (F)   Location.  

      (1)   Except as otherwise expressly provided in this section, required off-street parking spaces shall be located on the same zoning lot as the principal use. Except as otherwise provided in this section, off-street parking and stacking spaces may be located within required setbacks but not within required landscaping and not within five feet of any property line. In lieu of providing side and rear setbacks, landowners of adjoining properties shall be entitled to enter into an agreement that provides for a waiver or partial waiver of the requirements. The agreement shall be in the form of a covenant or deed restriction and shall require approval of the Planning, Building and Development Director. Once approved, the agreement shall be recorded in the Lake County Recorder’s office and shall run with the land.

 

 

 

 

   (G)   Use of off-street parking areas. Required off-street parking areas are to be used solely for the parking of licensed motor vehicles in operating condition. Required spaces may not be used for the display of goods for sale or lease or for long-term storage of vehicles, boats, motor homes, campers, mobile homes, or building materials.

   (H)   Design.

      (1)   Design standards. The minimum size of each required off-street parking space shall be consistent with the chart below.

 

 

      (2)   Markings. Each required off-street parking space shall be designated by lines or parking blocks.

   (I)   Vehicle stacking areas. Vehicle stacking shall be prohibited within public rights-of-way.

 

 

      Number of Spaces

 

      Design and Layout

      1.   Size

      Stacking spaces must be a minimum of 8 feet by 20 feet in size.

      2.   Location

      Stacking spaces may not impede on- or off-site traffic movements or movements into or out of off-street parking spaces.

      3.   Design

      Stacking spaces must be separated from other internal driveways by raised medians if deemed necessary for traffic movement and safety.

   (J)   Accessible parking for physically handicapped persons. A portion of the total number of required off-street parking spaces in each off-street parking area shall be specifically designated, located, and reserved for use by persons with physical disabilities, in accordance with all applicable county, state, and federal standards.

   (A)   No use of public right-of-way.

      (1)   At no time shall goods be loaded or unloaded from the right-of-way of a collector or arterial street.

      (2)   No part of any vehicle shall be allowed to extend into the ultimate right-of-way of a collector or arterial street while being loaded or unloaded.

   (B)   Location. Plans for location, design, and layout of all loading spaces shall be indicated on required site plans.

   (C)   Design.

      (1)   Space size. Off-street loading spaces, excluding maneuvering areas, shall be at least ten feet wide and 25 feet long unless off-street loading will involve the use of semi-tractor trailer combinations or other vehicles in excess of 25 feet in length, in which case the minimum size of a space shall be 12 feet by 65 feet.

      (2)   Surfacing and maintenance.

         (a)   All off-street loading areas shall be kept in a dust-free condition at all times.

         (b)   Loading areas located between an improved street and the principal building on the parcel shall be paved.

(Ord., § 9.2, passed 10-13-2009)

   (A)   Intent. This landscape section is intended to accomplish the following:

      (1)   Preserve or enhance the appearance and character of the property and its surroundings;

      (2)   Reduce noise and air pollution, light glare, soil erosion, and solar heating of the environment;

      (3)   Provide buffering between land uses and zoning districts of differing intensity;

      (4)   Promote the preservation of existing significant vegetation;

      (5)   Improve the appearance of parking areas and property abutting public rights-of-way; and

      (6)   Promote the implementation of best management practices, low impact development features, and sustainable design elements. (See Appendix A.)

      (7)   Support ecological sustainability, stormwater management, and climate resilience.

         (a)   All development subject to the site capacity calculations/site plan review procedures of § 151.070(A); and

      (1)   When installing the plant material would compromise the health, vitality, or ecology of existing vegetation, or those natural resources requiring protection under § 151.070; or

         (a)    One plant unit is comprised of all of the following elements, of which at least six elements shall be native:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         (a)   Where a parcel extends to the centerline of an existing street or where the existing street adjacent to the development site contains less than the right-of-way width specified in § 151.169, the landscape material shall be located no closer than the ultimate right-of-way line of local streets and no closer than one foot outside the ultimate right-of-way of collector streets, arterial streets, and freeways, unless the roadway authority provides written notice there is no immediate or foreseen future need to widen the right-of-way.

         (b)    Native vegetation or plant species shall be utilized in all instances unless site conditions or availability of species warrant the use of cultivars or similar materials compatible with the area.

   (J)   Landscape standards for transition areas.

      (1)   Applicability.

         (a)   A transition area shall be required when a residential use is adjacent to a nonresidential use.

         (b)   A transition area and associated landscaping shall be provided along the perimeter of all developments subject to the standards of this section.

      (2)   Transition landscape standards.

         (a)   The width of a required transition area shall be calculated as 20% of lot width, but in no case shall the transition area be any less than ten feet or more than 30 feet in width.

         (b)   Plant unit intensity shall be based on transition area width, and shall be calculated proportionately at one plant unit for every ten feet of transition area width.

         (c)   Subject to this width requirement, transition area landscaping shall be determined in accordance with the following Table 151.167(J):

 

      (3)   Location.

         (a)   All plant material within transition areas shall be installed within the required setback line of the proposed development site as close to the property line as practical.

         (b)   In instances where a drainage or utility easement are conterminous with the transition easement, the width of the transition area shall be increased so it does not compromise the function of the transition area plantings nor the utility or drainage easement.

 

 

(Ord., § 9.3, passed 10-13-2009; Ord. passed 8-14-2012; Ord. 19-1378, passed 9-10-2019; Ord. 23-0675, passed 5-9-2023; Ord. 24-0207, passed 3-12-2024; Ord. 24-0924, passed 8-13-2024)

   (A)   Applicability.

      (1)   General. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the provisions of this section shall apply to all outdoor lighting except lights on lots containing single family detached houses, public street lights, and the exempt active outdoor recreational uses specified in the following subsection (A)(2).

      (2)   Exempt active outdoor recreational uses. Because of their unique requirements for nighttime visibility and their limited hours of operation, active outdoor recreational facilities within a public park and schools shall be exempt from the outdoor lighting standards of this section. Exempt active outdoor recreational uses shall be subject to the following requirements in addition to the general standards applicable to all outdoor lighting contained in subsection (A)(3) below:

         (a)   Exempt outdoor recreational uses shall not exceed a maximum permitted post height of 50 feet;

         (b)   Light sources or luminaires shall not be located within landscape areas except on pedestrian walkways; and

         (c)   Lights shall not be illuminated after 11:00 p.m.

      (3)   General standards applicable to all outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting shall comply with the following standards:

         (a)   Outdoor lighting shall not exceed one-half footcandle at any point on the adjoining property if the subject property abuts a residential zoning district or a lot containing a residential use;

         (b)   Outdoor lighting shall not exceed one footcandle at any point on the adjoining property if the subject property abuts a nonresidential zoning district or lot containing a nonresidential use or at the right-of-way line;

         (c)   All luminaires shall be shielded to prevent light and glare spillover to adjacent residential property and abutting rights-of-way;

         (d)   No flickering or flashing lights, search lights, laser source lights or mercury vapor lamps shall be permitted; and

         (e)   Subject to the above standards, security lighting shall be installed on the site of nonresidential development in accordance with industry standards for security lighting.

   (B)   Measurements.

   (A)   Street classifications. Classification is the process by which streets are grouped into categories or classes according to the character of service provided. Factors that determine the classification of streets include the width of the roadway, continuity of alignment, spacing of intersections, frequency of the points of access, and traffic controls. Streets have two functions: to provide mobility and to provide access to land. There are four basic classifications: freeway, arterial, collector, and local.

      (1)   Local streets. Local streets provide access to adjacent land, provide service to travel short distances, provide the lowest level of mobility for through travel, and provide access service to other streets. Service to through traffic is discouraged. The minimum ultimate right-of-way width of local streets is 60 or 66 feet (depending on design), unless otherwise established through the subdivision approval process of § 151.191.

      (2)   Collector streets. Collector streets serve as intracounty travel corridors channelizing and distributing traffic to and from arterial and local streets. Collector streets often provide service by connecting urban areas, large developments, and other land uses of intracounty importance. The minimum ultimate right-of-way width of collector streets is 100 feet.

      (3)   Arterial streets. Arterial streets serve or connect major urban activity centers, are high volume travel corridors, provide for long trip desires, and form an integrated network providing intercounty and interstate service. Arterial streets channelize and distribute traffic to and from collector streets and freeways. Access to abutting land uses is subordinate to the provision of travel service for major traffic movements. The minimum ultimate right-of-way width of arterial streets is 120 feet.

      (4)   Freeways. Freeways serve or connect metropolitan areas, carrying the major portion of trips entering or leaving an urban area as well as the majority of through trips bypassing these areas. Freeways are high volume traffic corridors and carry a high proportion of the total area travel with a minimum of total mileage. Access to freeways is fully or partially controlled. The minimum ultimate right-of-way width of freeways is 200 feet.

      (5)   Designated freeways. Designated freeways are those streets so designated as provided for in 605 ILCS 5/8. Collector streets, arterial streets and freeways as classified by this chapter may all, in addition, be designated as designated freeways. Access to designated freeways shall be determined by the highway authority having jurisdiction over the designated freeway from which access is being taken. The minimum ultimate right-of-way width of a designated freeway shall be the same as for freeways.

   (B)   Street classifications map. See Appendix B.

   (C)   Street access.

      (1)   An access permit shall be obtained from the highway authority with jurisdiction over the street from which access is proposed to be taken. When the highway authority has not established access standards, the standards of the Lake County Division of Transportation shall apply.

      (2)   Each lot shall take access to an improved, approved street.

   (D)   Access easements.

      (1)   If a parcel is to be developed with any nonresidential land use, an access easement shall be provided by the property owner to adjoining properties which front on the same street and which may be developed or are developed with nonresidential land uses. Access easements shall have a minimum width of 30 feet and shall be situated parallel to the street right-of-way line abutting both parcels and at the ultimate right-of-way line unless otherwise established through the subdivision approval process. Access easements shall be maintained by the property owner.

      (2)   The Planning, Building and Development Director, after consultation and written consent of the highway authority having jurisdiction, may waive the requirement for an easement of access required above in those cases where unusual topography or site conditions would render the easement of no useable benefit to adjoining properties.

      (3)   The Planning, Building and Development Director, after consultation and written consent of the applicable highway authority, may approve the abandonment of an easement of access in those cases where adjoining parcels are subsequently developed with a residential use.

   (E)   Fire and emergency vehicle access. Fire and emergency vehicle access shall be provided in accordance with the Fire Code.

(Ord., § 9.5, passed 10-13-2009)

   (A)   Residential; requirements for community systems. Community sewer and water supply systems shall be required for all residential uses in all residential zoning districts, with the following exceptions.

      (1)   In all residential zoning districts, if community water facilities are not available within 250 feet at the time of initial development (measured from the lot line of the subject lot), another approved water source may be employed.

      (2)   Residential development in the R-1, Estate, Rural Estate and Agricultural Zoning Districts may utilize on-site sewage disposal systems regardless of lot size and lot width.

      (3)   (a)   Detached houses may be constructed in the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-4A, R-5, R-6, and RR Zoning Districts prior to the establishment of required community sewer systems on parcels containing at least 40,000 square feet of lot area and 130 feet of lot width.

         (b)   These width and area requirements shall not apply to legal nonconforming parcels.

 

   (B)   Nonresidential.

      (1)   Community water supply systems shall be required for all nonresidential uses, provided that if community water facilities are not available within 250 feet at the time of initial development (measured from the lot line of the subject lot), another approved water source may be employed if the systems comply with the requirements of the Lake County Health Department.

      (2)   Nonresidential uses that generate more than 1,500 gallons of wastewater per day, as determined by the Lake County Health Department, shall be allowed only when served by community sewer facilities.

(Ord., § 9.6, passed 10-13-2009; Ord. passed - -)

   (A)   Purpose. The purpose of these standards is to promote attractive well-designed development that is built to human-scale; to encourage creativity in new development (as opposed to homogeneity or “look-alike” projects); and to foster attractive streetscapes and pedestrian environments, while accommodating vehicular movement and access.

   (B)   Applicability. These standards shall apply to all developments that are subject to design review (see § 151.053).

   (C)   Prohibited building materials. The following materials shall not be used as exterior building materials and shall be prohibited on all exterior walls:

      (1)   Concrete finishes or precast concrete panels (tilt wall) that are not exposed aggregate, hammered, sandblasted, or covered with a cement-based acrylic coating shall be prohibited;

      (2)   Metal panels with a depth of less than one inch or a thickness less than U.S. standard 26 gauge shall be prohibited; and

      (3)   Mirrored glass with a reflectance greater than 40% shall be prohibited from covering more than 40% of the exterior walls of any building.

   (D)   Building orientation. To the maximum extent feasible, primary facades and entries shall face an adjacent street. Except in industrial districts, a main entrance shall face the adjacent street or a connecting walkway with a direct pedestrian connection to the street without requiring pedestrians to walk through parking lots or cross driveways.

   (E)   Massing. Single, large building masses shall be avoided. Structures with walls of more than 1,500 square feet must incorporate fascias, canopies, arcades, building setbacks of three feet or more, or other multidimensional design features to break up large wall surfaces on their street facing elevations. Wall surfaces must visually be divided by the features into areas of 750 square feet or less.

(Ord., § 9.7, passed 10-13-2009)

   (A)   Notwithstanding any other standard of this chapter, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to impede or obstruct vision between a height of three feet and ten feet above the road crown within an imaginary area formed by a point on each street centerline located:

      (1)   One hundred feet from the intersection of local street centerlines and a third line connecting the two points; or

      (2)   One hundred thirty feet from the intersection of collector or higher category street centerlines and a third line connecting the two points.

   (B)   This provision may be modified by the Planning, Building and Development Director after consulting with the subject highway authority. (See Figure 151.172(B).)

 

 

(Ord., § 9.8, passed 10-13-2009; Ord. passed 8-14-2012)

   (A)   General.

      (1)   Purposes. The purposes of these sign regulations are to:

         (a)   Permit the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the county;

         (b)   Maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment and the ability of the county to attract sources of economic development and growth;

         (c)   Maintain pedestrian and traffic safety and minimize the distractions, hazards, and obstructions caused by signs;

         (d)   Minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and

         (e)   Enable the fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.

      (2)   Applicability. Signs may be erected, placed, established, painted, created, or maintained only in conformance with the provisions of this section.

   (B)   Computations and measurements.

      (1)   Sign area of individual signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral section of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence or wall when the supporting device otherwise meets the regulations of this chapter and is clearly incidental to the display itself.

      (2)   Area of double-faced signs. Where the sign faces of a double-faced sign are parallel or the interior angle formed by the faces is 90 degrees or less, only one display face shall be counted in computing sign area. If the two faces of a double-faced sign are of unequal area, the area of the sign shall be the area of the larger sign face. In all other cases, the areas of all faces of a multi-faced sign shall be added together to compute the area of the sign.

      (3)   Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance to the highest point of the sign or sign structure, measured from the elevation of the road to which it is oriented, or, if there is no road, from the natural ground elevation beneath the sign.

      (4)   Wall area. In computing the area of a wall only the first 12 feet of building height shall be used.

      (5)   Maximum total permitted sign area for a lot. The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a lot shall be computed by applying the formula set out in Table 151.173(H), Maximum Total Sign Area, to the lot frontage, building frontage, or wall area, as specified in the table. Lots fronting on two or more streets shall be allowed the stated sign area for each street frontage. However, the total sign area that is oriented toward a particular street may not exceed the portion of the lot’s total sign area allocation that is derived from the lot, building, or wall area frontage on that street.

   (C)   Location.

      (1)   Visibility triangles. All signs shall be located outside of required visibility triangles in accordance with § 151.172.

      (2)   Landscaping. Signs may be located within required landscaping if the Planning, Building and Development Director determines that the intent of the landscaping regulations will not be adversely affected.

      (3)   Right-of-way. All signs shall be located outside the public right-of-way.

   (D)   Signs exempt from regulation. The following signs shall be exempt from regulation under this section:

      (1)   Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance;

      (2)   Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door that is not legible from a distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the lot or parcel on which the sign is located;

      (3)   Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, not to exceed 60 days per year;

      (4)   Traffic control signs on private property, such as “stop”, “yield”, and similar signs, the faces of which contain no commercial message of any sort;

      (5)   Merchandise display signs not exceeding four square feet in area;

      (6)   Barber poles not exceeding 12 inches in diameter and six feet in height;

      (7)   Vending machines;

      (8)   Tombstones;

      (9)   Works of art that do not contain any commercial message and are not intended to attract attention to the type of business or activity conducted on the premises;

      (10)   Fuel pumps; and

      (11)   Mailboxes.

   (E)   Prohibited sign types. All signs not expressly permitted under this section or exempt from regulation are prohibited. The signs include but are not limited to:

      (1)   Animated signs;

      (2)   Beacons;

      (3)   Bench signs;

      (4)   Directional signs, except as allowed by subsection (G)(5)(h)3.d.;

      (5)   Flashing signs;

      (6)   Pennants;

      (7)   Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a rigid background, unless expressly exempted;

      (8)   Inflatable signs and tethered balloons;

      (9)   Portable signs;

      (10)   Roof signs;

      (11)   Signs that by their position, working, illumination, size, shape or color, obstruct, impair, obscure, or interfere with traffic signs, signals, or devices;

      (12)   Signs that mimic official traffic control signs and devices;

      (13)   Signs that obstruct any window, door, fire escape, stairway, or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress, or egress for any building that would cause a violation of building codes; and

      (14)   Illuminated signs that cause glare onto traffic or adjacent property.

   (F)   Zoning district classes. For the purpose of this section, zoning districts are grouped into the following classes:

      (1)   Residential = AG, RE, E, RR, and all R Districts;

      (2)   Nonresidential = GO, LC, RC, GC, LI, and II; and

      (3)   Institutional = OS Zoning District, nonresidential use allowed in the AG District and nonresidential uses permitted in residential districts.

   (G)   Permitted sign types. Signs shall be allowed in accordance with Table 151.173(G), Permitted Sign Types.

      (1)   Signs permitted without permits. An “A” indicates that a sign type is allowed in the

respective zoning district without a permit. Signs permitted without permits are subject to all other applicable regulations of this section.

      (2)   Signs requiring permits. A “P” indicates that a sign type is permitted in the respective zoning district only after a sign permit for the subject sign has been obtained in accordance with § 151.055. The signs shall be subject to all other applicable regulations of this section.

      (3)   Signs not allowed. An “N” indicates that a sign type is not allowed in the respective district.

      (4)   Special sign standards. Special sign standards that apply to certain types of signs are indicated in the permitted sign types table by [bracketed] letters.

 

      (5)   Special sign standards.

         (a)   Banners. See subsections (J) and (K) below.

         (b)   Building markers.

            1.   Residential districts. Building markers in residential districts shall be not greater than two square feet in area.

            2.   Nonresidential and institutional districts. Building markers in nonresidential and institutional districts shall be not greater than four square feet in area.

         (c)   Entrance signs.

            1.   Residential districts. One entrance sign shall be allowed per entrance within a residential development. Entrance signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area, with a maximum height of six feet and a minimum setback of seven and one-half feet from all rights-of-way. Entrance signs for residential development shall be allowed in addition to all other allowed signage within a development and shall not be counted in calculating a site’s maximum allowed signage.

            2.   Nonresidential and institutional districts. Entrance signs in nonresidential and institutional districts shall comply with all other applicable standards of this section and shall be counted in calculating a site’s maximum allowed signage.

         (d)   Identification signs.

            1.   Residential districts. Identification signs in residential districts shall be no larger than two square feet in area. Identification signs may carry only the property address and occupant name. They shall carry no commercial message.

            2.   Nonresidential and institutional districts. Identification signs in nonresidential and institutional districts shall be not greater than ten square feet in area. Identification signs may carry only the property address and occupant name. They shall carry no commercial message.

         (e)   Incidental signs. The size of incidental signs shall not exceed two square feet. Incidental signs shall not be counted toward the maximum number of signs permitted on a lot.

         (f)   Projecting and suspended signs. Projecting or suspended signs shall have at least nine feet of vertical clearance between the ground beneath the sign and the bottom of the sign. Projecting or suspended signs shall not encroach into any street rights-of-way.

         (g)   Residential signs. Residential signs shall carry no commercial message except for a message identifying a permitted bed and breakfast use.

         (h)   Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall be allowed in addition to all signs allowed under this section and shall not be counted in calculating a site’s maximum allowable signage. Temporary signs shall be subject to the following standards.

            1.   Setbacks and height. Temporary signs are subject to the setback and height standards of subsection (I) below.

            2.   Location. Temporary signs shall be located only on the site for which the sign is requested.

            3.   Residential, nonresidential, and institutional districts. The following types of temporary signs shall be allowed in residential, nonresidential, and institutional zoning districts. The signs shall be located only on private property, outside of the public right-of-way.

               a.   Construction signs. One temporary sign, up to 12 square feet in area, shall be permitted for the duration of an allowed construction project.

               b.   Temporary uses and special events. One temporary sign, up to 16 square feet in area, shall be permitted per entrance or per road frontage for temporary uses and special events for which a temporary use permit has been issued in accordance with § 151.114(B). In any event, the total number of signs for a temporary use or a special event shall not exceed two. The signs shall be allowed for the duration of the temporary use permit or such other time as expressly established at the time of approval of the temporary use permit.

               c.   Real estate signs. One temporary real estate (“for sale” or “for rent”) sign shall be permitted per road or water frontage per parcel. In any event, the total number of signs per parcel shall not exceed two. Temporary real estate signs shall not exceed six square feet in area in RE, E, R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts, 12 square feet in area in AG (for parcels less than ten acres), R-4, R-4A, R-5, and R-6 Districts, and 32 square feet in area in AG (for parcels ten acres and greater) and nonresidential districts. Real estate signs shall be permitted only on the property for sale or for rent, and shall not be permitted off-site.

               d.   Directional signs. One temporary directional sign, up to four square feet in area, shall be permitted per development or per each 1,000 linear feet street right-of-way within a development. Directional signs shall be allowed during the time that lots are being marketed. Directional signs shall contain no commercial message other than the name of the developer/builder.

               e.   Election signs. Temp-orary election signs shall be allowed without a permit.

               f.   Subdivision marketing signs. One temporary sign, not to exceed 96 square feet, may be permitted per external road frontage for marketing lots within a subdivision that has received final plat approval in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The signs shall be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the right-of-way and shall not exceed 15 feet in height. The subdivision signs shall be permitted only during the time lots offered for sale remain unsold. Permits for the signs shall be issued for a one-year period and may be renewed for additional one-year periods to allow time for reasonable display, up to a maximum of five years. Subdivision marketing signs shall be permitted only on the property for sale, and shall not be permitted off-site.

         (i)   Wall signs. See subsections (J) and (K) below.

         (j)   Window signs. See subsections (J) and (K) below.

         (k)   Electronic message boards. Electronic message boards are allowed, subject to the following standards.

            1.   The electronic message board component of a freestanding sign may comprise no more than 60% of the sign’s total allowed sign face area. The electronic message board component of a building sign shall not exceed 48 square feet in a nonresidential zoning district class and 36 square feet in an institutional zoning district class.

            2.   Freestanding electronic message boards must be mounted on a base with a width that is at least 75% of the width of the sign’s face, based on the greatest horizontal dimension of the sign face.

            3.   The maximum height of the electronic message board component of a freestanding sign shall be 12 feet as measured from the ground elevation to the highest point on the electronic message board component. This provision shall not apply to the electronic message board component of a building sign.

            4.   a.   The message area of an electronic message board sign may be illuminated by incandescent lamps, LED (light emitting diodes), or magnetic discs. Whatever the light source, undue brightness is prohibited. For the purpose of enforcing this provision, undue brightness will be construed to mean illumination of a white portion of the sign in excess of the intensity levels specified below:

 

 

               b.   To ensure compliance with this provision, the sign must have an automatic phased proportional dimmer, which must be used to reduce nighttime brightness levels (compared to daytime brightness levels). Further, prior to the issuance of a permit for an electronic message board sign, the applicant shall provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set not to exceed the levels specified above, and the intensity level is protected from end-user manipulation by password-protected software or other method as deemed appropriate by the Planning, Building and Development Director.

            5.   Any individual letter scrolling or otherwise displayed on the electronic message board shall remain illuminated and visible for at least two seconds.

            6.   The message shall not flash. Any message that remains visible for less than two seconds shall be considered as flashing.

            7.   A zoning lot shall be allowed one message board. A message board sign shall be allowed along a collector or arterial street, but shall not be allowed along a local street.

            8.   Electronic message board signs are prohibited within 100 feet of a principal residential structure if any part of the sign face would be visible from the principal residential structure.

 

 

   (H)   Maximum total sign area per lot. The sum of the area of all building and freestanding signs on a lot shall be less than or equal to the maximum permitted sign area indicated in Table 151.173(H), Maximum Total Sign Area Per Lot. The lowest number resulting from any of the applicable alternative computations in any column in Table 151.173(H) shall be the maximum total sign area permitted for the respective district class.

 

   (I)   Number and dimensions. All allowed signs shall comply with the standards of Table 151.173(I).

 

   (J)   Building signs in nonresidential districts. Building signs in nonresidential districts shall be subject to the standards of Table 151.173(J).

 

   (K)   Sign characteristics. All allowed signs shall comply with Table 151.173(K), Permitted Sign Characteristics.

 

 

   (L)   Design, construction, and maintenance. All signs shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following standards.

      (1)   All signs shall comply with the applicable provisions of the current Building and the Electrical Code of the county and shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance with all building and electrical codes.

      (2)   Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and window signs conforming in all respects with the requirements of this section, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure.

   (M)   Signs in the public right-of-way. No signs shall be permitted in the public right-of-way, except for those signs erected by or on behalf of the highway authority having jurisdiction over the subject right-of-way.

   (N)   Flags. Flags do not require a permit but are subject to the size and location limitations below:

      (1)   The total area of all flags on a lot shall not exceed 60 square feet in area;

      (2)   No flag shall be flown from a pole that exceeds 40 feet in height;

      (3)   If a flag is mounted to a building, the vertical clearance from ground level when limp shall not be less than nine feet; and

      (4)   No flags shall be mounted above the roofline of a structure.

   (O)   Non-commercial signs, not otherwise classified. The signs do not require a permit but are subject to the requirements of Table 151.173(I).

(Ord., § 9.9, passed 10-13-2009; Ord. passed 8-14-2012; Ord. passed - -)