Marinette City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXVII
Signs
§ 465-221 Purpose and construction.
A.
This article allows adequate communication through signage while encouraging aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs. The regulations, controls and provisions set forth in this article are made in accordance with an overall plan and program to promote the public safety, area development, preservation of property values and the general welfare of the City and are intended to: aid in traffic control and traffic safety; preserve and protect the property value; lessen congestion of land and air space; provide against undue concentrations of signs which distract and endanger traffic safety and traffic flow; establish reasonable standards for commercial and other advertising through the use of signs in order to maintain and encourage business activity and area development; avoid uncontrolled proliferation of signs; recognize the rights of the public in roads, streets, highways and the areas adjacent to those roads, streets and highways; preserve the wholesome and attractive character of the City; and to recognize that the general welfare includes a community plan that shall be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, and well-balanced in its growth and development. This article must be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. This article, therefore, establishes minimum standards by regulating the design, area, number, location, construction and maintenance of signs in the City.
B.
These regulations do not regulate every form and instance of visual communication that may be displayed anywhere within the jurisdictional limits of the City. Rather, they are intended to regulate those forms and instances that are most likely to meaningfully affect one or more of the purposes set forth above. Signs not expressly permitted as being allowed by right or by permit under this article, by specific requirements in another portion of this Code or other applicable law, or otherwise expressly allowed by the Common Council or other authorizing body, are prohibited.
C.
These regulations are not intended to and do not apply to signs erected, maintained or otherwise posted, owned or leased by, on behalf of, or as specifically directed or ordered by federal, state or local governments and government agencies in the furtherance of authorized government operations or activities within the public right-of-way.
§ 465-222 Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, the following words and phrases have the designated meanings:
A sign located on a property which becomes vacant and is unoccupied for a period of 30 days or more; any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies; or a sign which no longer directs attention to a business activity, service or product sold on the premises.
A sign on an awning, canopy or similar structure.
Any sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentation applied to paper, plastic, vinyl or fabric of any kind. Flags, as defined below, shall not be considered banners for the purpose of this article. Any sign of this nature shall be for temporary display.
Any off-premises sign exceeding 12 square feet.
The maximum building width measured at grade on a straight line on the side of the building that faces a street.
Those geographical areas identified in the Zoning Map and defined in § 465-22 by any district designation other than a residential ("R") designation or Park ("P-1) designation or Conservancy ("C-1") designation.
An individual lessee or separate commercial activity in a business site or mall.
A lot or lots occupied by a commercial activity.
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign.
Any sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed, together with other pertinent information included thereon.
A sign which designates entrances, exits, parking areas and similar functions without advertising.
A temporary sign erected and maintained during that time period before or after a primary, general or special election, as more specifically defined in § 465-246 below. No regulation contained herein shall concern the content or message contained on such election signs, but rather only the special rules for size, placement and related regulatory limitations placed on the additional temporary signs allowed by § 465-246 during election periods.
A sign capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means.
The modification of a sign without changing the location or area of the sign.
Any fabric or bunting attached along only one edge to a pole or permanent structure, containing distinctive colors or patterns, logos and/or corporate masthead or official corporate title/name, and used solely as an identifier of a government or political subdivision, institution or business, or as a decorative display [e.g., decorative flags, garden flags, welcome flags, spiritual flags, enthusiast (sports) flags, etc.]. "Flags," as defined herein, shall not include displays which contain advertising for goods or services. "Banners," as defined above, shall not be considered flags for the purpose of this article.
A sign which is attached to or part of a completely self-supporting structure other than a building that has a structural base of less than 75% of the width of the area of the sign.
The overall height of a sign or sign structure as measured from the adjacent ground surface to the highest point of the sign. In the case where a sign is to be located on a berm, the grade shall be determined by the average of the grades measured at the toes of slope at the front and back of the berm.
Those geographical areas defined in this Chapter 465, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Marinette as a historical district established by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Any sign that:
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tube.
A sign that did meet code regulations when it was originally erected, either by adherence to the previous sign ordinances of the City of Marinette, or by a variance or other exception granted, but does not comply with all the present regulations of this article.
The replacing or repairing of a part or portion of a sign made unusable by ordinary wear, tear or damage beyond the control of the owner or the reprinting of existing copy without changing the wording, composition or color of such copy.
Any permanent roof-like structure bearing a signboard or copy projecting beyond a building or extending along and projecting beyond the wall of the building, generally designed and constructed to provide protection from the weather.
A sign independent from any building that has a structural base of not less than 75% the width of the sign. (Example: A sign that is eight feet wide would require a structural base of six feet or more in width.)
A sign which is not appurtenant to the use of the property where the sign is located or to a product sold or a service offered upon the property where the sign is located, and which does not identify the place of business where the sign is located as purveyor of the merchandise or services advertised upon the sign.
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
Any sign which is intended to be and is so constructed as to be of lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear) and position, and in permanent manner affixed to the ground, wall or building.
Those geographical areas defined in the Article XXV as residential planned development district and business planned development district.
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building. Sandwich board signs and balloons are included in this definition, except as provided under § 465-261.
A projection of light onto a physical surface in a manner designed to communicate a message by creating a variable intensity of light on the physical surface in the form of letters, shapes or symbols.
Any sign, other than a wall sign affixed to any building or wall, whose leading edge extends beyond such building or wall.
Any temporary sign placed on a property which is for sale, rent or lease.
Those geographical areas defined in § 465-22 as R-1 Single-Family Residential Zoning District, R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential Zoning District, RM-1 Multiple-Family Residential Zoning District, and RM-2 Multiple-Family Residential Zoning District.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
A sign extending above the roof surface.
A sign used to identify seasonal commercial establishments, including but not limited to garden centers, Christmas tree lots and fruit and vegetable stands.
The area of the sign shall be the area enclosed by the smallest square(s) or rectangle(s) that encompasses all of the copy and design.
The entire display surface area of a sign upon, against or through which copy is placed.
Any type of sign not permanently attached to the ground, wall or building, which is displayed for a period of time of 67 days or less.
Any sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of or erected and confined within the limits of the outside wall of any building and supported by such wall or building and which displays only one advertising surface. This definition includes signs composed of individual letters or symbols.
Any sign painted on a freestanding water reservoir.
Any sign placed inside or upon an interior or exterior window surface, and which is intended to be seen from the exterior of the building.
§ 465-223 Legal nonconforming signs.
A.
Existing sign and/or sign structures rendered nonconforming. Signs which existed prior to the effective date of this article and which were constructed in compliance with the previous regulations but became nonconforming as a result of this legislation will be regulated as follows:
(1)
A nonconforming sign may be altered, converted or changed as long as such alteration, conversion or change does not increase the extent of nonconformity or exceed the 50% provision in Subsection A(4) of this section. No such sign shall be moved in whole or in part to any other locations where it would remain nonconforming.
(2)
Any nonconforming sign, the use of which has been discontinued for a period of 90 days, regardless of any intent to resume or not to abandon such, shall not thereafter be reestablished except in full compliance with this article.
(3)
The routine maintenance or repair of a sign and sign structures is permitted, provided the cumulative repair or maintenance does not exceed 50% of the replacement cost of the sign.
(4)
If any nonconforming sign requires change, repair, or maintenance which would constitute an expense of more than 50% of the replacement cost of the sign, such sign must either be removed or brought within the requirements of this section. Any nonconforming sign that is damaged due to circumstances beyond the owner's control shall be allowed to be rebuilt, provided that the nonconformity is not increased in any way. Any sign that must be removed shall be done so within 60 days, weather permitting, of the date of the receipt of notice from the Building Inspector. Any sign requiring change, repair, or maintenance to become conforming must be restored within 120 days, weather permitting, from the date of notice.
(5)
A sign that would be permitted under this article only with a sign permit, but which was in existence on the effective date of this article, or on a later date when the property is annexed to the City, and which was constructed in accordance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of its construction, but which by reason of its size, height, location, or construction is not in conformance with the requirements of this article, shall be issued a nonconforming sign permit if an application is filed within 90 days of receiving notification of nonconformance from the Building Inspector.
(6)
Bring the existing sign into compliance with the chapter.
B.
Change in ownership. Any change in ownership or tenancy of premises which is accompanied by any change in the signs for the premises shall necessitate that the signs for the premises be brought into compliance with the provisions of this article.
C.
Projecting signs over public property. Projecting signs which overhang public property, including streets and public sidewalks, are prohibited, unless such signs are installed and maintained pursuant to a validly granted encroachment agreement from the City, and shall be considered to be nonconforming signs.
D.
Projecting signs and liability insurance. The owner of a legal nonconforming projecting sign over public property shall furnish public liability insurance, approved by the City Attorney, in an amount of not less than $100,000 to ensure compliance with this article, proper erection and maintenance of the projecting sign or fixture, and protection of the City against claims of any nature and kind arising by reason of the erection or maintenance of the overhanging sign by its owner. Proof of the continuing liability insurance under such policy shall be presented and filed with the City Clerk annually at least 10 days prior to the day on which the previous insurance policy lapses.
E.
Conditional use for billboards. Existing billboards which were constructed in compliance with a previously existing ordinance shall be considered a conditional use.
§ 465-224 Revocation of permits.
The Building Inspector shall have the authority to revoke any sign permit upon determination that the sign authorized by the permit has been constructed or is being maintained in violation of the permit or the provisions of this article.
§ 465-225 Removal of signs.
A.
The Building Inspector is authorized to remove any illegal sign, as defined by this article. For any such sign not located on public land, before taking action to require removal of any such illegal sign, the Building Inspector shall give a written compliance notice to the holders of the permit for the sign, or if no permit has been issued, to the owner(s) of the premises on which such sign is located and to the lessee(s) of the premises to which such sign pertains. The notice shall state the grounds for removal, specifying the deficiencies or defects in such sign with reasonable definiteness, and the violations charged, if any. Such notice shall specify what repairs, if any, will make the sign conform to the requirements of this article and specify that the sign must be removed or made to conform with the provisions of this article within a specified time period. Service of notice shall be made on the parties specified above as follows:
(1)
By mailing via regular mail a copy of the notice to such parties; or
(2)
By personally delivering copies of the notice to such parties; or
(3)
By leaving a copy of the notice with any person in charge of the premises; or
(4)
In the event that no such person can be found on the premises, by affixing a copy of the notice in a conspicuous position at an entrance to the premises.
B.
The Building Inspector may cause any signs which are of immediate peril to persons or property to be removed and destroyed summarily and without notice and also at the expense of the owner of the sign or premises upon which the sign is located.
C.
The cost associated with any removal performed by the City may be assessed as a charge against the property pursuant to the provisions of § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.
§ 465-226 Illumination.
A.
No illuminated sign may directly face an adjacent residential district.
B.
Electronic message board brightness shall be determined pursuant to rules and standards established pursuant to Subsection C below.
C.
The City of Marinette Plan Commission may set and enforce general rules and guidelines regarding illumination levels and may direct changes in illumination levels for any specific sign.
§ 465-227 Abandoned signs or sign structures.
Signs that are on a premises which becomes vacant or unoccupied for a period exceeding 30 days shall be presumed to have been abandoned, and it shall be the responsibility of the owner of record to have such sign structures or supports removed within 45 days of receiving notice from the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall have discretion to extend the 45-day time limit upon request of the owner of record upon a showing of good cause why the sign structures or support cannot or should not be removed within the 45-day time limit.
§ 465-228 Penalties.
General penalty provisions shall apply to any violation of this article, and each day such violation continues is a separate violation. Double fees may be assessed where work is performed without the proper permit.
§ 465-229 Requirements and procedures.
A.
Requirement of permit.
(1)
An owner or occupant must obtain a sign permit before the erection, re-erection, construction, alteration, placement or relocation of all signs, except as otherwise provided in this article. Where signs are illuminated electrically, a separate electrical permit shall be obtained as required by Chapter 173, Building Construction, Article II, Electrical Code, of the City's Code.
(2)
A permit shall not be required for the following signs or activities:
(a)
Nameplate signs for single-family residence;
(b)
Relocation of signs if required by the City;
(c)
Election signs as permitted herein;
(d)
Window signs;
(e)
Address markers/signs on a wall or awning sign;
(f)
Flags (banners are not considered flags for the purpose of this article);
(g)
Signs located in the interior of any building;
(h)
Historic preservation signs; however, historic preservation signs must be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission;
(i)
Directional signs;
(j)
Temporary signs not exceeding six feet in height and six square feet in area in residential districts.
B.
Address markers located on a wall or located on an awning do not count against the allowed number or allowed total footage of signs.
C.
Nothing contained herein shall prevent the erection, construction, placement, maintenance or location of official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices and markings of the state and the City or other public authorities, or the posting of notices required by law.
D.
The City of Marinette Plan Commission shall review the aesthetics of all structurally modified new monument and freestanding signs. Areas around signage shall be appropriately landscaped where possible in order to ensure the aesthetic quality in the design, location, size and purpose of all signs.
§ 465-230 Permit application and expiration.
All applications to obtain a sign permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City of Marinette Plan Commission. All such applications shall show the site address of the proposed sign and be signed by the owner(s) of the premises on which the sign is to be located and the lessee(s) of the premises to which the sign pertains, which signatures shall indicate agreement to be bound by the terms of this article. Throughout this article, the owner(s) and lessee(s) may be referred to collectively as "holders of the permit," as defined herein. No permit under this article shall be issued to any person or entity other than the owner and lessee of a premises as provided herein, it being hereby intended that the subleasers (or the equivalent) of a premises shall be entitled to obtain a permit hereunder.
§ 465-231 Required plans.
At least 14 sets of plans or drawings shall be submitted to the City of Marinette Plan Commission for examination at the time the application is filed. The plans or drawings shall be legible and drawn to scale or be dimensioned and shall include the following:
A.
A survey or plot plan showing the exact location of the proposed sign(s), supporting structure and distances to lot line(s);
B.
An elevation plan detailing all dimensions, construction details, height above grade, type of illumination, landscaping, typescript, material color(s) and style of sign;
C.
Material samples that show color and texture;
D.
Photographs of existing signs located on the property.
§ 465-232 Permit fees.
In accordance with the current City Fee Schedule, the applicant must tender a preliminary fee at time of application which will be applied to the permit, with the balance payable at time of issuance. Permit fees are not refundable.
§ 465-233 Construction requirements.
A.
Wind load and dead load requirements. All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Building Code or other ordinances of the City. Structural analysis by a registered engineer may be required.
B.
Illumination. Illumination shall be so installed to avoid any glare or reflection into any adjacent property or onto a street or alley to create a traffic hazard as determined by the Building Inspector. Overhead electrical wiring is prohibited, and all electric signs shall be listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
§ 465-234 Prohibited lighting, movement and signs.
A.
Bare light bulbs shall not be permitted. No flashing, blinking or rotating lights shall be permitted for either permanent or temporary signs, except for holiday lights on holiday displays, which are permitted as long as they contain no reference to goods or services.
B.
No sign shall be permitted which moves by any means, except flags.
§ 465-235 Location requirements.
A.
Obstruction of exits. No sign shall be constructed or maintained so as to obstruct any door, window, stairway or fire escape of any building.
B.
Signs prohibited within or in proximity to limits of any street or highway.
(1)
No sign shall be erected, placed, located or maintained within the limits of any street or highway. Street or highway limits include all the dedicated right-of-way encompassing the traveled portion of the highway, the shoulders, ditches and adjacent dedicated areas.
(2)
The Building Inspector may cause any signs which are in violation of this section to be removed and destroyed summarily and without notice, and also at the expense of the owner of the sign or premises upon which the sign is located.
§ 465-236 Inspections.
§ 465-237 Maintenance.
Each sign, including those specifically exempt from the permit requirements of this article, shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs shall be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports thereof that are not galvanized or of rust-resistant material. Any faded vinyl coverings, lettering or artwork shall be maintained to reflect a proper appearance. The Building Inspector shall have the authority at any time to inspect and order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of a sign which constitutes a hazard to safety, health or public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or change in local conditions.
§ 465-238 Destruction of residential yard signs.
A.
The theft, tampering with, defacing, or destruction of any legally placed yard sign on a residential property is prohibited and shall be penalized as provided in Subsection B of this section.
B.
Any violation of this provision shall be punishable by a forfeiture of not less than $250 nor more than $2,000 per violation, plus costs.
§ 465-239 Signs in residential districts.
Only the following signs are allowed in residential districts:
§ 465-240 Signs in planned unit development overlay districts.
Signage in a planned unit development overlay district shall be controlled by the provisions in the plan for the development as adopted by the Common Council. If no sign provisions were adopted, the underlying district sign regulations apply or a planned unit development amendment must be approved by the Common Council.
§ 465-241 Signs in historical districts.
Signage in historical districts shall be governed by the applicable provisions of §§ 465-239 through 465-242 of this article, and by § 465-188B(7) of the City's Code.
§ 465-242 Signs in business, commercial, industrial and institutional districts.
A.
Total amount of square footage allowed. The gross allowable sign square footage allowed for each business site shall not exceed the lineal building front footage multiplied by 1 1/2 feet. The owner of a business site is responsible for dividing the gross allowable sign square footage among all occupants of the multi-use building.
B.
Total number of signs.
(1)
Subject to Subsection A of this section, each business premises located on the ground floor of a multi-use building may have either a wall sign or an awning sign at least 32 square feet in area, not exceeding the lineal front footage of the business premises multiplied by 1 1/2 square feet. If the business premises is located on a corner of an arterial street, it may have an additional sign, subject to Subsection A of this section. Each multi-use building that has separate signs for any of its tenants may have only two signs in addition to the signs allowed for the tenants under this subsection.
(2)
Each business site that does not have separate signs for its tenants may have only two signs unless one of the signs is a monument type; in which case three signs are allowed.
(3)
Each business site with over 300 feet of lot frontage may have an additional sign so long as the total amount of signage allowed under Subsection A of this section is not exceeded.
(4)
Gasoline service station. Price signs are limited to 24 square feet in area, and there may not be more than four price signs per business site. These signs are exempt from signage calculation.
(5)
Window signs are excluded from the above calculations.
§ 465-243 Banners.
A.
Maximum size. Banners shall not exceed 36 square feet in area.
B.
Banners shall not be freestanding.
C.
Banners shall not be illuminated.
D.
Not more than one banner per street frontage may be displayed at any time.
E.
Permits for banners shall expire after 60 days. Permits for special events may be extended upon approval by the Building Inspector.
F.
Not more than four permits per business per calendar year shall be allowed; permits may not be consecutive and at least 30 days shall have elapsed between permits.
§ 465-244 Temporary church/school/City facility signs.
A.
Maximum size. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area.
B.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
C.
Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
D.
Signs shall not be illuminated, nor contain any electrical, mechanical or audio auxiliary.
E.
Only one sign is permitted per premises.
F.
Signs may be displayed for only 67 days. No permit is required.
G.
Temporary signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way.
H.
Permits are not required for temporary signs, except that the appropriate City officials may issue orders to a property owner or sign's sponsor for immediate correction or removal of a sign with structural or regulatory defects. If City officials undertake immediate corrective action for a sign defect in the event that traffic or pedestrian safety is impaired by a sign, or for any other reason permitted by law, a notice shall be placed in first class mail or otherwise provided within two days to the property owner or the sign's sponsor, stating the date and time of the corrective action, and describing the reason for said action.
§ 465-245 Construction signs.
A.
Maximum size. Nonresidential district signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height. A permit is required. Residential district signs shall not exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height. A permit is not required.
B.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
C.
Only one sign is permitted per street frontage.
D.
A sign may be single- or double-faced.
E.
A sign may be freestanding.
F.
Construction signs shall not be illuminated.
G.
All such signs shall be removed from the premises within 30 days following the completion or occupancy of the building.
H.
Safety-related signs such as "hard hat area" are exempted from the requirement of this article.
§ 465-246 Election signs.
In addition to temporary signs otherwise allowed under this article, one additional temporary sign per choice regarding each issue and per candidate may be placed on any property during an "election campaign period," as defined in § 12.04, Wis. Stats., involving candidates for a federal, state or local office that represents the district in which the property is located or involves an issue on the ballot of an election within the district where the property is located. Except as specifically provided in this section, all election signs shall comply with the applicable provisions of this article.
A.
Freestanding signs. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in size nor six feet in height.
B.
Wall signs. Wall signs shall not extend beyond the perimeter of the structure or obstruct any window, door, fire escape, ventilation shaft or other area that is required to remain unobstructed by an applicable building code.
C.
In business districts, any signs in place outside of the election campaign period described above shall be considered permanent signs and shall count toward the total area and number restrictions of § 465-242.
D.
Signs in place during an "election campaign period," as defined in § 12.04, Wis. Stats., are presumed to be temporary signs and shall not be subject to additional restrictions.
E.
Signs must be set back at least five feet from any lot line.
F.
Election signs shall not be illuminated, nor contain any electrical, mechanical or audio auxiliary.
G.
No election signs shall be placed in the public right-of-way.
H.
Permits are not required for election signs, except that the appropriate City officials may issue orders to a property owner or sign's sponsor for immediate correction or removal of a sign with structural or regulatory defects. If City officials undertake immediate corrective action for a sign defect in the event that traffic or pedestrian safety is impaired by a sign, or for any other reason permitted by law, a notice shall be placed in the first class mail or otherwise provided within two days to the property owner or the sign's sponsor, stating the date and time of the corrective action, and describing the reason for said action.
I.
Signs allowed pursuant to this section shall be removed within seven days following the conclusion of the qualifying election.
§ 465-247 Real estate signs.
A.
Nonresidential districts. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and six feet in height. A permit is not required.
B.
Residential districts. Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height. A permit is not required.
C.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
D.
Premises or vacant land for sale, lease or rent may have one temporary, freestanding, wall or window sign on each street which the development abuts. The sign must be placed on the property being sold, leased or rented.
E.
A sign may be single- or double-faced.
F.
A sign may be freestanding.
G.
Sale signs must be removed within seven days of sale.
H.
Lease signs must be removed six months after erection or when the unit which is the subject of the sign reaches 90% occupancy, whichever occurs first.
I.
Real estate signs shall not be illuminated.
§ 465-248 Seasonal signs.
A.
Maximum size. A sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
B.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
C.
Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
D.
Only one sign is permitted per business site.
E.
A sign may be single- or double-faced.
F.
A sign may be freestanding.
G.
Signs shall not be illuminated.
H.
A permit for a seasonal sign shall expire after 60 days.
§ 465-249 Awnings.
A.
Maximum size. The width of signage on an awning shall not exceed 60% of the width of the awning.
B.
No awning or similar structure, whether adjustable or rigidly attached, shall be less than eight feet from its lowest edge to the established grade below.
C.
The entire projection of the awning or other similar structure cannot extend more than six feet from the building.
D.
The maximum height of an awning shall be limited to the height of the rooftop or parapet wall of the building.
E.
The projection of any awning or other similar structure shall not extend over the public right-of-way without an encroachment agreement and insurance certificate/endorsements approved by the City.
F.
Any signage on an awning or other similar structure is limited to business identification.
G.
An awning sign may be internally illuminated.
§ 465-250 Changeable copy signs.
Changeable copy signs, including electronic message boards, are permitted as follows:
A.
Maximum size: 24 square feet when placed within five feet of the lot line; 32 square feet when placed beyond five feet.
B.
Only one changeable copy sign is permitted per business premises.
C.
The sign may be double-faced.
D.
Except for electronic changeable message signs, the copy may only be changed once per hour.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
E.
Banners are not permitted on sites with changeable copy signs.
F.
A changeable copy sign may be illuminated.
G.
Changeable copy signs shall be a part of a permanent sign.
H.
Illumination levels must be adjustable and may not be of such brightness that they unreasonably disturb or interfere with ordinary activities in the vicinity of the sign. The Building Inspector may set and enforce general rules and guidelines regarding illumination levels and may direct changes in the illumination level for any specific sign in order to implement this provision.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
I.
Electronic changeable message sign copy is limited to displaying no more than three separate colors at any time.
J.
Electronic message displays may be permitted with the approval of a use permit, in designated areas, subject to the following requirements.
(1)
In no case shall the display use the flash mode of operation.
(2)
Display time. Each message on the sign must be displayed for a minimum of four seconds.
(3)
Illumination. The display must be equipped with automatic and manual dimming controls. The maximum nighttime brightness cannot exceed 500-750 NITs (candela per square meter).
(4)
Hours of operation: 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, with a static message from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m.
(5)
Square footage percentage. Electronic message center percentage of the overall square footage may not exceed 75% of the sign structure.
(6)
Content. The display may only be used to advertise goods and services sold on the property, time-and-temperature and public service announcements. It may not be used to sell advertising to outside businesses. The owner should register with AMBER Alert™.
§ 465-251 Permanent church/school/City facility signs.
A.
Maximum size. Signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
B.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
C.
Signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
D.
Changeable copy panels are permitted.
E.
Only one monument sign is permitted per building, and one wall or awning-style sign is permitted per street frontage.
F.
Scoreboards do not require permits. Advertising on scoreboards is prohibited, except that sponsor names may appear on scoreboards if the names are no larger than six square feet in area.
§ 465-252 Directional signs.
A.
Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
B.
One single- or double-faced sign shall be permitted for each driveway and/or each 5,000 square feet of lot area.
C.
Signs located within 50 feet of the property line shall be no higher than four feet.
D.
Signs located 50 feet or more from the property line shall be no higher than 14 feet.
E.
Directional signs may be illuminated.
F.
A permit is not required.
§ 465-253 Freestanding signs.
A.
Maximum size: 140 square feet for each face of the sign (this maximum size includes 24 square feet maximum for changeable copy signs when placed within five feet of the lot line or 32 square feet when placed beyond five feet).
B.
Vision setback. The sign box may be at lot line but must be a minimum of eight feet above grade and any supports must be a minimum of five feet from the lot line.
C.
A freestanding sign may be double-faced.
D.
The maximum height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 feet in height and 15 feet in width.
E.
A freestanding sign may be illuminated.
F.
Only one sign is permitted per business site.
§ 465-254 Monument signs.
A.
Maximum size: 32 square feet when placed between five feet and less than 10 feet from the lot line; 100 square feet when placed 10 feet or more from the lot line.
B.
Signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from front or side lot line.
C.
Maximum height shall not exceed eight feet for a horizontally-orientated sign. Maximum height shall not exceed 14 feet for a vertically-orientated sign. No more than two feet of that maximum height may be considered as base.
D.
A monument sign may be double-faced:
E.
One monument sign is allowed for each street frontage. If a business is entitled to two monument signs under this chapter, two monument signs may be placed on the same street if they are placed at least 200 feet apart.
F.
A monument sign may be illuminated.
§ 465-255 Projecting signs.
A.
Maximum size. A projecting sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in area.
B.
Such sign shall not be less than eight feet from its lowest edge to the established grade.
C.
No projecting sign may extend out more than four feet from the building to which it is attached or from which it projects and shall not extend over the lot line unless an encroachment is approved by the Common Council.
D.
The maximum height of such sign shall be no more than the height of the rooftop or the top of the parapet wall of the building on which it is located.
E.
Projecting signs may be illuminated.
F.
Only one sign shall be permitted per ground floor business premises.
§ 465-256 Time/temperature signs.
§ 465-257 Wall signs.
A.
Maximum size. A wall sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in area. Exception: When the building is more than 50 feet from the front lot line, the maximum size equals 100 square feet plus one square foot for every foot over 50 feet that the building is set back from the lot line.
B.
Two or more signs that individually fall within the size limits set by this section may not be combined to form one larger sign that would be larger than this section allows. Such signs shall be placed far enough apart so that the signs are easily identifiable as separate signs.
C.
The maximum size of a sign on a business premises is limited to 60% of the width of the premises' facade, not including architectural features, e.g., windows, wing walls, corner details.
D.
No part of a wall sign shall extend above the roofline unless it is erected on a parapet wall or fascia which extends above the roofline of a flat roof on at least three sides of a building. A wall sign is allowed on a roof surface only if the roof surface is within 25° of vertical (i.e., mansard roof).
E.
The face of a wall sign may not project more than 12 inches from the wall.
F.
A wall sign that identifies a business must be placed on the wall of the structure which the business occupies.
G.
Wall signs may be illuminated.
§ 465-258 Water tower signs.
§ 465-259 Window signs.
§ 465-260 Other signs.
A.
The Building Inspector shall have the authority to approve temporary signs in cases of exceptional circumstances; an example of exceptional circumstances would be grand opening, special event, building construction, remodeling or road construction. Grand opening and similar special events signs shall be limited to 30 days.
B.
Markers and plaques may be erected or placed in any district as approved by the Building Inspector.
§ 465-261 Portable sandwich-type signs.
Portable sandwich-type signs are permitted within the City right-of-way, as follows:
A.
Number. One sign shall be permitted per business. Exception: If the business is located on the ground floor of a corner building on an arterial street, it may have one sign per street frontage.
B.
Size. The maximum sign size shall be six square feet, but such signs may be double-sided.
C.
Style. The City has designed sign standards. Only sign styles approved by the City are permitted.
D.
Location. Signs shall be located in front of the business premises and placed so that an unobstructed area of four feet is maintained for pedestrian traffic. No off-premises signs are permitted.
E.
Illumination. Signs shall not be illuminated.
F.
Liability. A sign owner shall furnish a public liability insurance certificate and endorsements in an amount not less than $1,000,000 and shall name the City as an additional insured. Proof of insurance shall be filed annually with the City Clerk's office at least 10 days prior to the policy renewal date. A hold harmless agreement with the City shall be required in addition to the liability insurance.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
G.
Safety. Signs must be stored inside when the business is closed. The City may order any sign moved or removed that creates a pedestrian or traffic hazard.
H.
Permit. A permit for each sign is required effective January 1 of each year. Permits are issued by the City Clerk's office upon application, approval and payment of a permit fee. Permits are not transferable to another business.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
I.
Fee. The permit fee will be as outlined in the City's consolidated fee schedule and may be prorated monthly for any sign permit obtained between January and December.