The purpose of these sign regulations is to achieve the following objectives:

A.

To enhance the physical appearance of the village by preserving the scenic and natural beauty of the area.

B.

To assure compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses.

C.

To permit the full on-site and off-site expressions of noncommercial advertising and spreading of information.

D.

To promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience, and general welfare of the residents of the village.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

From and after the effective date of this chapter, the use of all signs and portions of signs erected, altered (with respect to height and area or sign face), added to, or relocated in the village shall be in conformance with the regulations herein prescribed.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

A.

Signs not specifically permitted herein are hereby expressly prohibited. If it is determined by the zoning officer that a proposed sign is similar to and not more objectionable than signs listed, such signs may then be permitted.

B.

All measured distances or standards shall be to the nearest integer; if a fraction is one-half or less, the integer below shall be taken.

C.

Height of signs shall be measured to the highest point thereon, from the crown of the highest adjacent street or from the grade level directly below the sign, whichever is higher.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

As specifically provided in this chapter, the number of signs which may be erected or maintained on any premises is limited according to which zoning district the property is in. A double-faced sign shall count as a single sign. Where a building has both a front and rear public entrance, one additional sign may be erected. Signs enumerated in section 11-10-6 of this chapter shall not be counted in calculating the total number of signs.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

Permits to build new permanent signs or to alter or to move existing permanent signs:

A.

Permit required; fees. No permanent sign shall hereafter be erected, altered or moved until the person proposing to erect, alter, or move such sign shall have obtained a permit from the zoning officer. Such permit shall be $50.00.

B.

Application for permit. Any person desiring such a permit shall file application upon a form which shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

1.

Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

2.

A map drawn to scale showing the location of the building, structure, or lot to which the sign is to be attached or erected, and showing the position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings and thoroughfares.

3.

A plan drawn to scale showing the design of the sign, materials used, and method of construction, and means of attachment to the building or ground.

4.

The name of the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting, altering or moving said sign.

5.

Written consent of the owner of the land on which the sign is to be erected, altered, or relocated.

6.

Any other information as the zoning officer shall require in order to show full compliance with this and all other applicable ordinances of the village.

C.

Awnings. Permit shall be required for any new awning of any type.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

A.

Requirement. All temporary signs, except those enumerated in section 11-10-10 of this chapter, shall have a permit. Possession of a valid permit for a temporary sign shall entitle the owner to display such sign for the time period specified thereon.

B.

Duration. Duration of temporary signs shall be as follows:

1.

Residential marketing signs or residential for sale signs, on- and off-site: 12 months, renewable on a six month basis thereafter.

2.

Commercial or industrial real estate signs: Six months, renewable on a six-month basis. They shall not exceed two feet by three feet.

3.

Temporary mobile signs. Advertising a special sale or event not to exceed 30 days nonconsecutively and only three times a year.

4.

Recreational sports league sponsorship signs: 120 days. They shall not exceed 135 square feet.

C.

Application for permit. Application for permit for a temporary sign shall be made on a form provided by the village. Permits for temporary signs must be kept on the premises where signs are displayed.

D.

Fee. Every applicant for a temporary sign shall pay a fee of $50.00, unless such fee is waived for good cause shown by the village board.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021; Ord. 2022-14, 7-5-2022)

A.

Prohibited signs enumerated. The following signs are expressly prohibited:

1.

Advertising signs or billboards. (Note: This prohibition relates to residential and commercial zoning districts only and commercial signs only.)

2.

Flashing signs or signs which scroll excessively slowly, recycle in less than two second intervals, or have backgrounds depicting simulated fireworks, explosions, flags, flying, or other distracting electronic displays.

3.

Electronic message boards at or near intersections shall not use red or green colored lettering in order to avoid confusion with traffic devices.

4.

Illuminated canopy signs.

5.

Windows painted or posted in excess of 50 percent.

6.

Freestanding panels, flags or banners used to advertise products, prices and services or attract attention.

7.

Roof signs.

8.

Vehicle signs.

9.

Signs painted directly on any surface of a building.

10.

Overhanging signs.

B.

Signs not listed. Signs not expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter shall be deemed to be prohibited, even though such a sign is not specifically listed in the subsection above.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021; Ord. 2022-18, 9-6-2022; Ord. No. 2022-18, § 2, 9-6-2022)

Within that part of the yard or open area of a corner lot included within a triangular area of 25 feet from the point of intersection of two street right-of-way lines forming such corner lot, no sign shall be constructed having a height of more than 30 inches above the crown of the streets adjacent thereto.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

Signs shall be placed no closer than five feet to any lot line. Gasoline price signs, one per street frontage, not to exceed 24 square feet, may be placed within one foot of the lot line where it does not obstruct the view of traffic nor exceed 15 feet in height when mounted on light standards. Temporary mobile signs shall be located no less than one foot from the property, provided they do not obstruct the view of traffic.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this section are permitted in all districts and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premises. However, such signs must conform to the general regulations, e.g., height, area, setback, clearance, etc., for signs enumerated in the remainder of this chapter.

A.

Name and address plates which give only the name and address of the resident of the building, and which is not more than one square foot in sign area.

B.

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

C.

No trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of a property, not more than two square feet in sign area in the general residential zone and six square feet in all business and industrial and agricultural zones.

D.

Real estate signs, not exceeding six square feet per side in sign area in the residential zone. Such real estate signs shall be removed within ten days after the premises or lot has been sold.

E.

Signs regulating on premises traffic and parking, and signs denoting sections of a building such as lavatory facilities and public telephone areas, when less than six square feet in area and containing no commercial advertising.

F.

Signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and containing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signs, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools and playgrounds.

G.

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

H.

Bulletin boards for public, charitable, or religious institutions, when it has a sign area of no more than 32 square feet, if used exclusively for noncommercial announcements.

I.

The flag, pennant or insignia of any government, or of any religious, charitable or fraternal organization.

J.

One logo flag of a company shall be allowed; provided, that it is flown with the American flag, provided it is not larger or higher than the American flag.

K.

Garage sales signs, not exceeding six square feet in area, may be placed at the curb in residential areas on the day(s) of the sale and must be removed upon close of the sale.

L.

Temporary signs no larger than 32 square feet in area advertising the sale of edible farm products produced on the premises, advertising auctions, political candidates, or special events of charitable or public service groups. Such signs may remain for 30 days and must be removed upon close of the event.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this section are permitted in all residential districts and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premise. However, such signs must conform to the general regulations, e.g., height, area, setback, clearance, etc., for signs enumerated in the remainder of this chapter.

A.

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

B.

Identification signs for nonresidential uses, e.g., churches, cemeteries, golf course, private nonprofit recreational areas, provided that such signs are limited to one sign per building entrance, and provided that each such sign be limited to 32 square feet in area and six feet in height if a ground sign.

C.

Community purpose signs (containing a message for noncommercial purposes) for dwelling units, provided that such signs shall not be more than ten square feet in area.

D.

Permanent residential development signs at the entrances to residential development or a residential planned unit development and containing no commercial advertising, constructed of material which is the same or of a more permanent nature than the material used in the buildings and as approved by the planning and zoning commission.

E.

Temporary residential marketing signs at major entrances to planned unit development of residential subdivisions; not to exceed 64 square feet in area, ten feet in height, containing the name of the overall development and the names of builders or units therein. The number and location of these signs shall be approved by the planning and zoning commission.

F.

Temporary residential marketing signs, off site, shall not be allowed at not more than four off site locations within the village to call attention and give directions to the development. Each such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall have a total height of not more than ten feet. Such may be located in any zoning district, provided that there is one-fourth mile separation between each sign, and that no such sign shall be closer to an existing residence than 100 feet. Location and construction shall be approved by the planning and zoning commission.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2020-13, 7-7-2020; Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this section are permitted in all business districts and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premises. However, such signs must conform to the general regulations, e.g., height, area, setback, clearance, etc., for signs enumerated in the remainder of this chapter.

A.

Ground or pole signs as follows:

1.

Single or combined use building and lot: One per street frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet in area and not to exceed six feet in height for a ground sign or 20 feet in height for a pole sign.

2.

Shopping plaza: One per street frontage, not to exceed 100 square feet in area and not to exceed six feet in height for a ground sign and 24 feet in height for a pole sign. No individual business or use within a shopping plaza may erect or maintain a ground sign or pole sign.

3.

No more than one gasoline price sign per street abutted by automobile gasoline station with a maximum sign size of 24 square feet and a maximum height of 15 feet.

B.

Awning signs not extending more than eight feet from building and set back at least three feet from the curb.

C.

Real estate signs: One per street frontage; not to exceed ten square feet of sign area per face for each one acre of land area up to a maximum of 120 square feet of sign area per face; not to exceed eight feet in height. Any such real estate sign exceeding six feet in height shall require a permit.

D.

Wall signs as follows:

1.

Single use building and lot: Two signs per facade, but not to exceed a total of four such signs.

2.

Combined use building and lot: Three signs per facade, but not to exceed a total of six signs.

3.

Shopping plaza: One sign per individual business or other enterprise, two signs per corner unit - one on each facade. A wall sign may be placed on any face of a building oriented to a public street, the main parking lot of the parcel, or a major access road.

4.

The above signs are limited to an area equal to ten percent of the facade upon which the sign is to be mounted.

E.

Electronic changeable copy signs which display words, symbols, or alphanumeric characters which are defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices that can be electronically or automatically changed by remote or automatic means.

F.

Total sign area per lot. Each premises shall be allowed an aggregate total of two square feet of signage per foot of building face for all signs located on the property. Premises having frontage on more than one dedicated street will be allowed signage for frontage on each street in accordance with the above formula.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021; Ord. 2022-18, 9-6-2022; Ord. No. 2022-18, § 3, 9-6-2022)

Unless otherwise stated, signs listed in this section are permitted in all industrial districts and shall not require a sign permit, and they shall not be counted when calculating the number of signs or square footage on a premises. However, such signs must conform to the general regulations, e.g., height, area, setback, clearance, etc., for signs enumerated in the remainder of this chapter.

A.

Wall signs. Wall signs are limited to an area equal to 12 percent of the facade upon which the sign is to be mounted.

B.

Ground signs and pole signs. One per street frontage; provided that the maximum size of signs in the industrial zone shall be 225 square feet, with such measurement being determined by measuring the entire structural perimeter of the sign, rather than merely its face area.

C.

Real estate signs. Real estate signs as follows. One per street frontage, not to exceed 20 square feet of sign area per face for each one acre of continuous land area, but not to exceed a maximum of 400 square feet of area per sign and not to exceed ten feet in height. Any such real estate sign exceeding six feet in height shall require a permit.

D.

Billboards, advertising signs, poster panels. Billboards, advertising signs, and poster panels, provided the total area of all such billboards, advertising signs and poster panels does not exceed 300 square feet or project higher than 20 feet from the ground level beneath it.

E.

Sign projections. No sign shall project higher than 45 feet above the ground level beneath it; provided, however, that a corporate name or logo may be affixed to a permanent structure at a height in excess of 45 feet.

F.

Advertising sign. No advertising sign shall be located within 500 feet of any public park of more than five acres in area, or within 500 feet of any property located in a residential district.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

A.

Permanent signs. All permanent signs which were in existence on the date of the approval of this chapter, but which do not conform to one or more provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be a legal nonconforming use and may be continued only as provided in this chapter.

B.

Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming sign has been discontinued for a period of six consecutive months or whenever there is evidence of clear intent on the part of the owner to abandon a nonconforming sign, such sign shall not, after being discontinued or abandoned, be reestablished, and the sign thereafter shall be in conformity with the regulations of this chapter.

C.

Maintenance. Normal maintenance of a nonconforming sign is permitted, including necessary nonstructural repairs or incidental alterations which do not extend or intensify the nonconforming features of the sign.

D.

Alterations. No structural alteration, enlargement or extension shall be made in a nonconforming sign, except in the following situations:

1.

When the alteration is required by law.

2.

When the alteration will actually result in eliminating the nonconforming use.

3.

If a nonconforming sign is damaged or destroyed by any means to the extent of 50 percent or more of its replacement value at that time, the sign can be rebuilt or used thereafter only for a conforming use and in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. In the event the damage or destruction is less than 50 percent of its replacement value, based upon prevailing costs, the sign may then be restored to its original conditions and the use may be continued which existed at the time of such partial destruction until the nonconforming sign is otherwise abated by the provisions of this chapter. In either event, restoration or repair must be started within a period of six months from the date of damage or destruction, and diligently prosecuted to completion.

4.

The building inspector shall notify each owner of a nonconforming sign and the manner in which such sign is not in compliance with this chapter. He shall further notify each owner of a nonconforming sign that such sign must either be brought into compliance with this chapter or removed prior to its required abatement date.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

A.

All signs, or other advertising structures, canopies or awnings shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to maintain free and clear vision of motorists.

B.

No sign or other advertising structures, canopies or awnings shall be permitted which distract the attention of the driver of the vehicle by reason of the position, shape or color thereof.

C.

Signs shall not project from the wall on which they are mounted, in such a manner as to pose an obstruction or hazard to pedestrians or vehicles.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)

A.

Variances to this sign code may be granted by the village board after an application has been filed in writing with the village clerk in a manner as prescribed herein for amendments. The application shall contain such information as the village board may require including sketches, drawings or photographs as shall be necessary to indicate the present condition of the property or sign and the condition of the property or sign after the variation is granted.

B.

In considering the application for variance, the village board shall consider any unique physical characteristics of the land involved, the available locations for adequate signage on the property, the detriments, if any, to the public from the granting of the variance, and the general intent of the sign code.

(Ord. 2014-13, 7-1-2014; amd. Ord. 2021-15, 11-9-2021)