The Village’s regulations relating to signage are listed below. When this ordinance refers to Signs or sign regulations, it is referring to this Chapter. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish balanced regulations of signage by promoting the optimum conditions for communication between people and their environment, as follows:

   (A)   To preserve and promote the public health, safety, and welfare through the reasonable, orderly, and effective display of all signs.

   (B)   To preserve property values within the Village by regulating and controlling the design, location, construction, and maintenance of all signs.

   (C)   To protect the physical appearance of the Village by recognizing and advocating a sense of aesthetic appreciation for the visual environment and compatibility with the surroundings.

   (D)   To advance the economy of the Village by recognizing the need for adequate site identification through promoting the reasonable and objective display of signage, and to encourage effective communication between signs and the public.

   (E)   To protect the general public, pedestrians, and motorists within the Village by assuring the design, location, construction, and maintenance of signs presents safe navigation through discernable identification, and does not create distractions, obstructions, and hazards.

   (F)   To acknowledge that signs may cause harm to the public by creating obstructions, providing distractions to motorists, displacing alternative land uses, decreasing property values and aesthetics, and endangering the safety of person and property.

   (G)   To establish the Village’s substantial and compelling interest in regulating signs in a manner as to reduce the effects and impacts signs have on the public health, safety, and welfare.

   (H)   To enhance the physical appearance of site identification to be in harmony with the visual character of the associated street corridor and to be an integral part of the aesthetic of the site and architectural style of associated buildings.

   (I)   To encourage signs that further advance adopted Village guidelines and plans. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

Any sign not expressly permitted in this Chapter is prohibited. No person or entity shall display any of the following signs within the Village of Lisle:

   (A)   Signs which by color, location, or design resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals.

   (B)   Portable signs, excluding sidewalk signs as defined within this Chapter.

   (C)   Commercial signs on a vehicle where said vehicle is parked adjacent to or near the right-of-way for the purposes of identifying or calling attention to the business, such as utilizing directional signage, and is not used for daily operations or during the regular course of business, or is not licensed, insured, or operational.

   (D)   Outdoor advertising sign (“Billboards”).

   (E)   Signs containing exposed gas tubing, exterior to the building, including argon and neon.

   (F)   Flashing signs.

   (G)   Any signs or attention getting devices, that rotate, revolve, or have any visible moving parts or that gives the appearance of movement, including, but are not limited to, searchlights, spinners, streamers, balloons, and other similar devices, or ornamentation designed for purposes of attracting attention, promotion or advertising, unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter.

   (H)   Off-premise signs displaying commercial speech.

   (I)   Any sign or structure, which constitutes a hazard to public health or safety, including dangerous construction or sight obstructions.

   (J)   Any sign located in the public right-of-way, unless otherwise provided for in this Chapter.

   (K)   Roof signs as defined within this Chapter.

   (L)   “V” shaped signs, except as a temporary sign in accordance with this Chapter.

   (M)   Cabinet box signs as defined within this Chapter.

   (N)   Pole signs as defined within this Chapter.

   (O)   Changeable Copy signs, as defined in this Chapter, in the B-3A; Central Business District.

   (P)   Illuminated window signs.

   (Q)   Signs advertising a business no longer conducted on the premises. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2022-4972, 8-1-2022; Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)

Signs on properties being used for residential purposes, regardless of zoning classification.

   (A)   Exempt Signs: The following signs are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter, subject to compliance with the following requirements:

      1.   Address numbers, non-illuminated or directly illuminated, located on the property to which the sign is apparent.

      2.   Governmental signs incidental thereto for identification, information, directional, or public safety purposes erected or required by governmental bodies, or authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance, such as traffic control signs and legal notices, including those located in the right-of-way.

      3.   Flags and handheld signs displaying only non-commercial speech, images or messages.

      4.   Historical Marker signs: Maximum of six (6) square feet in area.

      5.   Signs on Property for Sale or Lease: One yard sign per frontage not to exceed six (6) square feet and a maximum height of five (5) feet, including any support structure, and shall not extend outside the property line. Such sign shall be removed upon closing of the sale or initiation of the lease.

      6.   Construction Signs: One yard sign is permitted for construction sites not to exceed six (6) square feet and a maximum height of five (5) feet, including any support structure, and shall not extend outside the property line. The sign shall be confined to the site of the construction, and shall be removed within three (3) days after the construction is complete.

      7.   Development Project Signs: One forty-eight (48) square foot sign with a maximum height of ten (10) feet shall be allowed for each frontage for a residential development including at least five (5) contiguous lots under the control of a single entity. Such signs shall be removed upon the completion of the development project.

      8.   Temporary non-commercial, non-illuminated wall and ground mounted signs subject to the following requirements:

         (a)   Sign area per individual sign shall be a maximum of six (6) square feet.

         (b)   Sign height shall be a maximum of five (5) feet, including any support structure.

      9.   Signs on private property designed or installed to not be viewed from a frontage as defined in this Ordinance. These signs do require issuance of a building permit.

   (B)   Permanent Signs: Permanent signs shall be installed for an indefinite period of time, subject to all maintenance requirements as required by this Chapter. These provisions shall not apply to legal nonconforming uses.

      1.   Neighborhood or Subdivision Identification Signs:

         (a)   Two (2) ground signs per each entrance.

         (b)   Sign area per individual sign shall be a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet.

         (c)   Sign height per individual sign shall be a maximum of six (6) feet, except that said sign height may be increased to nine (9) feet if installed along Maple Avenue, Ogden Avenue, Warrenville Road, and Illinois Route 53.

         (d)   Sign shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line.

      2.   Home occupation Signs: Properties with a permitted home occupation shall be limited to:

         (a)   Wall Sign: One wall sign not to exceed four (4) square feet in area; or

         (b)   Home occupation signs shall not be illuminated. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2022-4972, 8-1-2022)

Signs that identify, advertise, or direct attention to non-residential structures or services, including but not limited to business, industrial, office, public, civic, or institutional uses. Mixed use structures are classified as non-residential property for purposes of this Chapter. Signage allowances are based on actual land use, not zoning classifications. Signage shall only be displayed upon the property to which the sign pertains.

   (A)   Exempt Signs: The following signs are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter, subject to compliance with the following requirements:

      1.   Governmental signs incidental thereto for identification, information, directional, or public safety purposes erected or required by governmental bodies, or authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute or ordinance, such as traffic control signs and legal notices, including those located in the right-of-way.

      2.   Directional signs up to a maximum six (6) square feet in sign area and four (4) feet in height installed on private property.

      3.   Address Numbers: Non-illuminated or directly illuminated, located on the lot to which the sign is apparent.

      4.   Flags displaying only non-commercial speech, images or messages. One flag displaying commercial speech on parcels one acre or larger in size.

      5.   Historical Marker signs up to a maximum of six (6) square feet in area.

      6.   Sidewalk Sign: One sidewalk sign not to exceed six (6) square feet in area and five (5) feet in height placed within five (5) feet of the building entrance during the hours of the operation of the building to which it corresponds. Sidewalk signs shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way, unless otherwise noted in this Ordinance.

      7.   Nonilluminated Window Signs: Shall occupy a maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of a single window pane and no more than fifty (50%) of the total window surface area per storefront elevation.

      8.   Handheld Signs or People in Costume: Shall be located on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the building within which the tenant to which they are advertising is located.

      9.   Signs on Property for Sale or Lease: One ground or wall sign, up to forty-eight (48) square feet in size is permitted per frontage (lot or building). Such signs shall be removed upon the closing of the sale or initiation of the lease.

         (a)   The maximum height for ground signs is 10 feet.

      10.   Construction Sign: On a property to which an active building permit has been issued, one yard sign no more than forty-eight (48) square feet with a maximum height of ten (10) feet shall be permitted. Such signs shall be removed upon the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Village.

      11.   Pedestrian wall signs, up to a maximum of six (6) square feet in area.

      12.   Temporary non-commercial site signage subject to the following requirements:

         (a)   Sign area per individual sign shall be a maximum of twelve (12) square feet.

         (b)   Sign height shall be a maximum of five (5) feet, including any support structure (e.g., fence, sign, frame, building).

         (c)   Sign location shall be no closer than ten (10) feet from the paved portion of any street or back of curb where no sidewalk is present.

      13.   Like for like replacement of individual tenant panels on a multi-tenant sign except in those cases when the revision of the tenant panels is due to a change of the business tenant.

   (B)   Permanent Signs: Allowances provided are maximums. The general requirements of each sign type in this subsection shall apply:

      1.   Wall, Awning, And Canopy Signs:

         (a)   Area:

            (1)   For facades with street frontage (public or private) and facades that directly face sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, and parking lots, where customer access is also available, wall, awning, and canopy signage (in any combination) shall be permitted up to a maximum sign area of one (1) square foot for each linear foot of qualifying facade, and shall not exceed a maximum of three hundred (300) square feet. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

            (2)   For facades on properties separated from the adjacent street frontage by another lot that is not designed to have a building located upon it (e.g. reserved exclusively for parking, stormwater management, etc.), permits for wall, canopy and awning signage may be authorized by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the limits provided in this subsection.

            (3)   For Multi-Story Multi-Tenant buildings: Excluding the first floor facade, the maximum combined area of ½ (.5) square foot per each linear foot of qualifying facade for all tenants located above and below the first floor on facades facing a public right-of-way. First floor signage shall be permitted in accordance with Section 5-11-5(B)1.a.

            (4)   For facades adjacent to sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, or parking lots where customer access is not available, the total sign area shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the maximum sign area permitted as provided in this subsection.

            (5)   Regardless of the qualifying facade measurement, the minimum wall sign square footage allowance is 16 square feet.

         (b)   Placement: Signs shall not extend above the roofline or parapet of a building. Wall signs may be painted on, or attached in a place substantially parallel to the building exterior wall, and must not interrupt architectural details. Awnings and canopies shall be installed so that a clearance from grade to the bottom of the awning or canopy of no less than eight (8) feet is maintained. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

         (c)   Color and Patterns: If a raceway is visible it shall match the color of the exterior of the building. Awnings and canopies shall be limited to two (2) colors, except for logos, which are exempt from this provision.

         (d)   Incentive: Wall signs which are constructed of pin-mounted channel letters, backlit illumination channel letters without exposed raceway, which utilize distinctive materials or designs, or signage which is otherwise determined by the Zoning Administrator to substantially further the purposes outlined in this Chapter, shall be eligible for one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the maximum sign area as otherwise provided in this subsection.

      2.   Ground Signs:

         (a)   All permanent ground signs must be of a monument type.

         (b)   Number: Each property with a minimum of seventy five (75) feet of lot frontage is allowed one monument sign, oriented perpendicular to the eligible lot frontage. The eligible frontage is the frontage that measures a minimum of 75 feet. Each property with a minimum of five hundred (500) linear feet of lot frontage may have two (2) monument signs placed no closer together than two hundred (200) feet and must meet the area and setback requirements as indicated in this Chapter. Exceptions are provided in Section 5-11-6.

         (c)   Sign Area and Height:

            (1)   Area: Each side of the freestanding sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet. Properties with frontage along Ogden Avenue, Route 53, Maple Avenue or Warrenville Road that have at least a street frontage of one hundred fifty feet (150') shall be allowed each side of the freestanding sign not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet.

            (2)   Height: Ten feet (10), as measured from grade, and may be increased an additional two (2) feet for architectural features for monument signs. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

         (d)   Setbacks:

            (1)   When fronting roadways: Five (5) feet from the front street lot line and side street lot line.

            (2)   From side lot line: Twenty-five (25) feet, except as provided for in Section 5-11-7, or unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator if reduced setbacks are needed to limit impact on required parking, reasonably accommodate locations with limited open space, and avoid obstructions to existing signage. Signs shall not be placed in a manner that creates a danger to the public, either as a result of dangerous construction, sight obstruction or other cause.

         (e)   Landscape Requirement: A landscaped area located around the base of the ground sign equal to one and one-half (1.5) square feet for each one square foot of monument sign area is required for all monument signs. The landscaped area shall contain well maintained material including living landscape materials, architectural stones, water features or other beautification measures placed throughout the required landscape area. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

         (f)   Address Identification: Address number must be incorporated into a ground sign. Street address numbers will not be counted against the maximum sign area.

         (g)   Tollway Property Allowance: For properties that adjoin the I-88 tollway corridor, the following additional regulations shall apply, unless otherwise noted:

            (1)   Number: One ground sign located along the I-88 tollway corridor frontage shall be permitted for properties with a minimum of five hundred (500) feet of frontage along the tollway corridor. If multiple lots are located within a single campus or shared development, all lot frontages may be totaled to determine compliance with the five hundred (500) foot minimum frontage requirement.

            (2)   Sign Area: Maximum of one hundred twenty (120) square feet.

            (3)   Height: Maximum height of twenty-five (25) feet, as measured from grade.

            (4)   Landscaping: Shall be provided at the base of the sign unless waived by Zoning Administrator due to limited visibility or maintenance concerns. The landscape area shall be equal to one and one-half (1.5) square feet for each one square foot of ground sign area. The landscaped area shall contain well maintained material including living landscape materials, architectural stones, water features or other beautification measures placed throughout the required landscape area. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

      3.   Blade Signs:

         (a)   Sign Area: Eight (8) square feet per side.

         (b)   Number: One blade sign per each establishment per each facade with street frontage (public or private) or adjacent to an off-street parking area where customer access is also available.

         (c)   Location: A minimum clearance of eight (8) feet measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk above which the sign extends, and shall extend from the building facade a maximum of three (3) feet. See illustration in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

   (C)   Signs Not Visible from Frontage. Signs which are located on private property and are designed or installed so as not to be viewed from a lot frontage as defined in this Chapter are exempt from the requirements of this Section. These signs do require issuance of a building permit.

   (D)   Temporary Signs: Temporary signs containing a commercial message are permitted subject to the following provisions of this Section:

      1.   Time Period: No more than four (4) one-week (seven-day) periods during any calendar year. A temporary sign displayed for less than seven (7) days constitutes a one-week period. The signs must be removed immediately following the time period approved on the building permit.

      2.   Sign Area: A maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign.

      3.   Height:

         (a)   Inflatable: Twenty-five (25) feet as measured from grade.

         (b)   All other ground mounted: Ten (10) feet as measured from grade.

      4.   Placement:

         (a)   Wall Mounted: Shall not extend above the roofline or parapet of a building.

         (b)   Ground Mounted: Must be placed on private property and shall not be placed in a manner that creates a danger to the public, either as a result of dangerous construction, sight obstruction or any other cause. Signs must be placed to comply with the visibility requirements contained in this Chapter. See illustration for measurement in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter.

(Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2022-4972, 8-1-2022; Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023; Ord. 2024-5079, 6-3-2024)

Given the unique property environment (e.g., pedestrian areas, mixed use areas, transit corridors), speed limits, parcel size considerations, and special aesthetic considerations, special additional signage requirements are necessary for properties located in the B-3A (Central Business District) or B-3B (Central Perimeter Business District) to meet the purpose and intent of this Chapter.

   (A)   Permanent Signs: Allowances provided are maximums. The general requirements of each sign type in this subsection shall apply:

      1.   Wall, Awning, And Canopy Signs

         (a)   Sign Area. The sum of the area of all wall, awning and canopy signage (in any combination) facing a qualifying facade shall not exceed an area equal to one (1) square foot for each linear foot of qualifying facade per side. Qualifying facades include public and private streets, sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, and parking lots.

            (1)   For Multi-Story Multi-Tenant Buildings: Excluding the first floor facade, a maximum combined area of ½ (.5) square foot per each linear foot of qualifying facade for all tenants located above and below the first floor on facades facing a public right-of-way. First floor signage shall be permitted in accordance with Section 5-11-6(A)1.a. above.

         (b)   Sign Location

            (1)   For Single-Tenant buildings: Signs shall be located on the portion of a building that the business occupies.

            (2)   For Multi-Tenant buildings: Signs for tenants located above and below the first floor shall be evenly distributed over the building facade, complement the architectural integrity of the building, be located in the general proximity of the tenant spaces, and shall not be clustered on one portion of the building facade. Locations are subject to review and approval by the Zoning Administrator.

         (c)   Height: Wall signs shall not extend above the roofline of the structure to which it is affixed.

         (d)   Illumination:

            (1)   External illumination, internally illuminated individual channel letter signage, and bare bulb signage is permitted.

      2.   Ground Signs: Permanent ground signs are only permitted along property frontage that abuts Ogden Avenue or Illinois Route 53.

      3.   Sidewalk Signs

         (a)   Sidewalk Signs are exempt from permit and are subject to the following regulations:

            (1)   Sign Area: Maximum of six (6) square feet per business.

            (2)   Height: Maximum of five (5) feet.

            (3)   Location: Shall be placed such that a minimum of six (6) foot clear passable walking space exists on the sidewalk to prevent obstructions to pedestrian movement. Said signs shall be placed on the sidewalk within the area defined by the building footprint limits wherein the tenant space is occupied.

            (4)   Illumination: Prohibited.

            (5)   Removal Requirements: Sidewalk signs must be removed at the end of the related business’ hours of operation and during severe weather, including high winds or heavy snowfall. Sidewalk signs must also be removed during Village snow removal operations.

      4.   Blade Signs

         (a)   Sign Area: Maximum of eight (8) square feet per side.

         (b)   Number: One blade sign for each tenant establishment per each frontage along a qualifying facade (as defined by Section 5-11-13) or alternative frontage which offers customer access to tenant space within a building.

         (c)   Location:

            (1)   A minimum clearance of eight (8) feet measured from the bottom of the sign to the sidewalk above which the sign extends. Blade signs shall not extend more than three (3) feet from the vertical plane of the facade and must be six (6) inches from the facade, provided that no blade sign shall extend beyond the limits of the sidewalk below the sign.

            (2)   Upper and lower level business tenant blade signs must be located over or within two (2) feet of a door access to the business.

            (3)   Ground floor (first floor) business tenant blade signs may be located anywhere along the facade occupied by the business.

         (c)   Illumination:

            (1)   External illumination, internally illuminated individual channel letter signage, and bare bulb signage is permitted.

      5.   Development Identification Signage: Shall be permitted for developments containing ten (10) or more units, applies to both commercial and residential developments, and further subject to the following:

         (a)   For properties zoned B3-A: One wall sign, a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area, and shall be placed to compliment the architectural character of the building as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

         (b)   For properties zoned B3-B: One development sign per development, a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet in sign area. Such sign may be attached to the wall or mounted to a decorative feature/seating wall. Signage attached to a decorative feature/seating wall shall have a maximum sign height of three (3) feet. No setback is required.

      6.   Pedestrian Wall Sign

         (a)   Pedestrian Wall Signs are exempt from permit.

         (b)   Must be enclosed in a glass frame.

   (B)   Temporary Signs: Temporary signs containing a commercial message are permitted subject to the following provisions of this Section:

      1.   Time Period: No more than four (4) one-week (seven-day) periods during any calendar year. A temporary sign displayed for less than seven (7) days constitutes a one-week period. The signs must be removed immediately following the time period approved on the building permit.

      2.   Sign Area: A maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per sign.

      3.   Height:

         (a)   Ground mounted: Ten (10) feet as measured from grade.

      4.   Placement:

         (a)   Wall Mounted: Shall not extend above the roofline or

         (b)   Ground Mounted: Must be placed on private property and shall not be placed in a manner that creates a danger to the public, either as a result of dangerous construction, sight obstruction or any other cause. Signs must be placed to comply with the visibility requirements contained in this Chapter. See illustration for measurement in Section 5-11-7 of this Chapter. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2022-4972, 8-1-2022)

The following criteria shall be used in measuring a sign or building facade in order to determine compliance with this Chapter. The illustrations provided in this Section are provided to offer clarification, not replace the written requirements of this Chapter. These illustrations do not reflect every sign type.

   (A)   Sign Area, Ground Sign

      1.   The sign area shall be the extreme outer dimension of the ground structure, excluding the support structure and architectural features. For ground signs that contain multiple cabinets on one structure, the modules together are counted as one sign face in order to compute the sign area.

   (B)   Sign Height, Ground Sign

      1.   The overall height of a ground sign or sign structure is measured from the average finished grade at the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign structure.

   (C)   Sign Setback, Ground Sign

      1.   The minimum setback of a ground sign shall be the distance from the extreme outer dimension of the structure to the applicable property line. This extreme outer dimension shall include, but not be limited to, the sign face, support structures, and architectural features.

   (D)   Ground Sign, Landscape Requirement

      1.     Ground Sign (Landscape Requirement): The landscape requirement is determined by calculating the area of the landscaped area located around the base of the ground sign. Examples of a rectangular and circular area are provided below:

   (E)   Sign Area, Wall Sign (Single Element)

      1.   The sign area is determined by calculating the measurement of the outer dimensions of the frame surrounding the sign. See Illustration below.

   (F)   Sign Area, Wall Sign (Multiple Elements)

      1.   When signs are constructed of individual letters and / or elements, the area will be measured as one sign when the distance between the elements is less than the largest dimension of the largest sign letter or element. The sign area is determined by calculating the combined area of an imaginary rectangle, circle, triangle, or parallelogram drawn around the sign elements. See Illustrations below.

   (G)    Sign Area, Awning And Canopy

      1.    When signs are incorporated into the awning or canopy, the sign area is determined by calculating the combined area of an imaginary rectangle, circle, triangle, or parallelogram drawn around the sign elements. See Illustration below.

   (H)   Measurement of Qualifying Façade

      1.   Qualifying facades include facades that directly face public or private streets, sidewalks, alleys, courtyards, and parking lots.

      2.   For the purposes of determining maximum wall sign area:

         (a)   The linear width of first floor tenant spaces shall be calculated as the width of the exterior building wall (or walls) that directly abut the tenant’s interior floor space. Exterior wall dimensions shall be measured at the base of the ground floor, excluding screened walls, fences, etc. Alcoves, entryways and extruding portions shall be measured through as though along a flat wall of a building.

         (b)    All tenant spaces located above or below the first floor of a building shall be eligible for a combined / cumulative pool of wall sign square footage equal to one-half (1/2) the width of the overall qualifying facade on which these wall signs are located.

   (I)   Clearance, Awning / Canopy And Blade Sign

      1.    Awnings and canopies shall be installed with a minimum clear ance of eight (8) feet measured from grade to the bottom of awning or canopy. Blade signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet measured from grade to the bottom of the sign and shall extend a maximum of three (3) feet from the building facade to which it is attached.

   (J)   Sign Area, Window Signs

      1.    Shall occupy a maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) percent of a single window pane and no more than fifty percent (50%) of the total window surface area per storefront elevation. The area of a window includes only the glass or glazed elements of the window. Frames, mullions and similar features shall not be counted as part of the window area.

   (K)   Measurement Of Non-Planar Signs

      1.   The area in square feet of a non-planar sign is measured as 50% of the sum of the areas using only the 4 vertical sides of the smallest 4-sided polyhedron that will encompass the sign structure.

(Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)

Internally or externally illuminated signs and bare bulb signs shall be permitted, per the regulations of this Chapter, provided they meet the following requirements:

   (A)   Signs shall be illuminated only by steady, stationary, shielded or shaded light sources directed solely at the sign or internal to it so that the light intensity or brightness does not create either a nuisance to adjacent property or a traffic hazard for motorists or pedestrians.

   (B)   Individual letters or logos shall be internally illuminated. All other portions of the sign shall be opaque.

   (C)   No exposed reflective type bulb and no strobe light shall be used.

   (D)   Illuminated signs shall produce no more than thirty (30) foot-candles of illumination, four (4) feet from the sign.

   (E)   Whenever external illumination is used to illuminate a sign, the source of light shall be located, shielded, and directed in such a manner that the light source is not visible from a public street or private residence. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Sign Area: Changeable copy signage shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the permitted maximum sign area of a ground sign or Tollway ground sign.

   (B)   General Regulations:

      1.   Dwell Time

         (a)   The images and messages displayed on a changeable copy display must have a minimum dwell time of at least ten (10) seconds and shall not contain any movement, animation, audio, video, pyrotechnics or other special effects.

         (b)   The transition or change from one message to another must occur in one (1) second or less and involve no animation or special effects.

         (c)   The images and messages displayed must be complete in and of themselves within the required dwell time.

      2.   Changeable copy displays must be equipped with a default mechanism that freezes the display in one position or presents a static or blank display if a malfunction occurs.

      3.   Changeable copy displays shall not have a brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle.

      4.   Changeable copy displays must be equipped with a light detector / photocell that automatically adjusts the display’s brightness according to natural ambient light conditions.

      5.   Brightness

         (a)   The maximum brightness level of a changeable copy display shall not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours or 250 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, as those times are determined by the National Weather Service (Actual Time).

         (b)   Brightness must be measured from the brightest element of the sign’s face. Before the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant must provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set so that it will not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter).

         (c)   For the purpose of verifying compliance with maximum brightness level requirements, the Zoning Administrator will measure brightness levels with the changeable copy display sign set to run full white copy with a luminance meter positioned at a location perpendicular to the sign face center. When taking the luminance reading, the sign face must be the only subject visible in the viewfinder. If the measurement is more than the maximum allowed, the brightness level is in violation of this Section and must be adjusted downward. Failure to make such adjustments may result in other available enforcement actions to be taken by the Village.

         (d)   Light trespass from any changeable copy display shall not cause the light level along a property line adjoining any residentially zoned property, as measured at a height of 60 inches above grade in a in a plane at any angle of inclination, to exceed 0.1 foot-candles above ambient light levels at the property line adjoining the residentially zoned property. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

Any nonconforming sign lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this Chapter or any subsequent amendment hereto may be continued in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Nonconforming signs may continue to exist provided the signs are in conformity with the provisions of this Section.

   (A)   Ordinary repairs and maintenance, including removing and replacing of the outer tenant panels shall be permitted (except in those cases when the revision of the display of commercial speech is due to a change of the business tenant). No structural alterations, or other similar work shall appreciably extend the normal life of the sign.

   (B)   No repair, alteration, or replacement which increases the size of the sign shall be permitted.

   (C)   No sign shall be moved in whole or part to any other location on the same or any other lot unless every portion of such sign is made to conform to all regulations of this Chapter and other applicable regulations of the Village.

   (D)   A nonconforming sign which is destroyed or damaged by fire or other casualty or act of nature to the extent that the cost of restoration to the condition in which it was before the occurrence shall exceed fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the replacement of the entire sign, shall not be restored unless said sign shall conform to all of the regulations of this Chapter and other applicable regulations of the Village of Lisle.

   (E)   In the event such damage or destruction is less than fifty percent (50%) of the cost of restoration of the sign to the condition in which it was before the occurrence of damage or destruction, restoration must be completed within ninety (90) days from the date of such damage or destruction, and diligently pursued to completion, or the sign shall be removed.

   (F)   If a nonconforming sign is discontinued for a continuous period of one ninety (90) days, it shall be removed, and any subsequent sign shall conform to all of the requirements of this Chapter and other applicable regulations of the Village of Lisle.

   (G)   No substitution, through repair or alteration, of any element of a sign, which causes such sign to be classified as nonconforming, for another such element, shall be permitted.

   (H)   Any nonconforming sign which violates any provision of this Section shall be considered a nuisance and removed within thirty (30) days. Failure to remove within thirty (30) days shall subject the sign to abatement by the Village. The owner of the nonconforming sign shall be responsible for reimbursement to the Village of Lisle for all costs relating to the abatement of the nuisance. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

Non-commercial signage may be substituted in any location where commercial signage is allowed under this Chapter. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

The following definitions may include references to other terms defined herein, and are identified by Italicized text: