Mc Graw Village City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Signs
[Amended 5-6-2014 by L.L. No. 2-2014]
§ 175-61 Purpose.
The regulation of signs by this article is intended to promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare by reducing distractions, obstructions and hazards to pedestrian and auto traffic caused by the indiscriminate placement of signs, by safeguarding and enhancing property and historic values within the Village, and by enhancing and protecting the physical and visual appearance of the Village to encourage and promote a healthy business and tourist economy and to maintain a high quality of residential life.
§ 175-62 Scope.
The regulations of this article shall govern all signs within the Village visible from any street, sidewalk, or public or private common open space.
§ 175-63 Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BILLBOARD
Static or digital sign advertising a good or service that is located away from where the sign is located.
EMC
Electronic message centers, which arc digital signs utilizing LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.
FACING
The surface of the sign upon which the writing or picture is displayed.
FOOTCANDLE
A unit of measurement; the illumination cast on a surface by a one-candela source one foot away, equal to one lumen per square foot, or approximately 10.764 lux. For the purposes of this article, 10.764 lux shall be rounded to 10 lux.
FREESTANDING
A sign supported by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground.
GROUND GRADE
Surface and elevation of the ground as it naturally occurs, and not raised artificially higher than the natural surrounding grade.
OFFICIAL SIGNS
A sign established pursuant to federal or state governmental authority.
PROJECTING
A sign affixed to a structure, usually by braces, extending perpendicularly from the structure.
SIGN
A printed or visual object which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment or which gives direction.
WALL-MOUNTED
Fixed flush to a wall, parallel to the wall, and not extending above a roofline.
§ 175-64 General prohibitions.
The following regulations shall be applicable within all districts:
A.
Exemption. Official signs as defined in § 175-63 are exempt from the provisions of this article.
B.
Obstructions. No sign shall obstruct, by physical or visual means, any roadway, driveway, fire escape, or any means of ventilation or ingress or egress (such as doors, windows) of any public building, or of any public area of private buildings, or of any other opening which is required to remain unobstructed by any applicable law.
C.
Projections.
(1)
No sign shall project, at any height, into a vehicular driveway.
(2)
No sign shall project, at any height, into a pedestrian walkway.
D.
Placement. No sign shall be placed upon, or attached to, any public area in the Village, including, but not limited to, any lamppost, building, bridge, wall, or tree, or any public or private water or fire hydrant.
E.
Hazards to public safety. No sign may be erected that, by its placement, color, design or use, it tends to confuse, detract from, or in any other way obstruct traffic. Nor may any sign be placed that tends to confuse, detract from, or obstruct the use of any traffic regulatory device. Examples of prohibited uses include:
(1)
The use of words such as "stop," "go," "caution," "look," "danger," "warning," and similar nomenclature.
(2)
The use of design and colors similar to those used by traffic regulatory devices.
(3)
The use of any lights, color or design which tends to cause confusion, or which creates glare either directly or indirectly.
F.
Billboards are prohibited.
G.
Corner visibility. No sign shall conflict with the "clear sight triangle" requirements of § 175-33 of this chapter.
§ 175-65 Residential districts.
Signs in residential districts shall be regulated as follows:
A.
All parcels may support one home business advertising sign, no larger than four square feet, attached to a house or building (wall mounted or projecting), or one freestanding (ground mounted), nonilluminated sign, no larger than six square feet. Freestanding signs cannot be mounted higher than four feet from the ground grade (from nonartificially built-up ground) as measured from the top of the sign, and must be set back a minimum of five feet from the street.
B.
Roof, animated, illuminated, flashing/blinking, and acoustical signs are prohibited.
C.
Nameplates, house numbers and welcome signs are not regulated under this article.
D.
Posted signs may be placed according to state law; however the top of such signs cannot exceed the height of four feet from the ground grade (nonartificially built-up ground).
E.
Directional signs, solely for the control of traffic and parking, cannot exceed six square feet in total sign area and are limited to one per parcel. Such signs must be set back at least five feet from the street.
F.
Temporary signs. The following signs may be erected temporarily, for the durations listed below. Such temporary signs must comply with Subsection B, above, and cannot exceed six square feet if freestanding, or four square feet if attached to a structure. Freestanding signs cannot be mounted higher than four feet from the ground grade (nonartificially built-up ground) as measured from the top of the sign, and must be set back a minimum of five feet from the street.
(1)
Political signs must be removed immediately after the election to which they pertain.
(2)
Real estate signs must be removed after the real estate closing is completed.
(3)
Sale (e.g., garage sale) or event signs must be removed immediately after the event occurs. In no case may such signs be displayed for more than 30 days per year or they shall be considered a home business sign and regulated pursuant to § 175-65A, above.
§ 175-66 Business district.
Signs in the business district shall be restricted as follows:
A.
All buildings may support a wall mounted or freestanding business advertising sign. Where more than one business occupies a building, each business may support one sign. Projecting signs may be used only where they are not above sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas. Projecting signs must also have a minimum elevation of 14 feet from the ground grade, and cannot extend above the roofline.
B.
No sign shall contain more than two facings, and no sign may exceed a total sign area of 40 square feet.
C.
All signs may be illuminated as follows:
(1)
Non-EMC signs shall not produce illumination in excess of one footcandle above ambient lighting conditions at a distance of four feet, except that illumination of off-premises advertising signs shall be regulated by § 175-67.
(2)
EMC signs shall not produce illumination in excess of .3 footcandles above ambient lighting conditions at a distance of 32 feet.
(3)
Illumination shall not adversely affect adjacent properties and shall not create a distractive hazard to traffic or glare pursuant to § 175-64E(3).
D.
Roof, flashing/blinking, animated, and acoustical signs are prohibited.
E.
All freestanding (ground signs) shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from any street; however such signs cannot be placed in any manner that interferes with the public right-of-way, (i.e., cannot block the sidewalk or entry onto the sidewalk from street parking areas).
F.
Freestanding signs cannot be taller than 25 feet as measured from the ground grade (nonartificially built-up ground) to the top of the sign.
G.
When a sign is illuminated from an external source, that light source shall be shielded effectively so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed into the adjoining property. Also, such light source shall be positioned above the sign it is illuminating and shall be directed at such sign.
H.
The Village's Main Street, its business district, is a designated historic district. All signs should bear an appearance consistent with the historic character of the district.
§ 175-67 Penalties for offenses.
A.
A nonconforming sign in violation of the provisions of this article shall constitute an offense and shall be punished by a fine of $100.
B.
A subsequent offense committed within one year of the prior offense shall be punished by a fine of not more than $250, or by imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both.
C.
Each seven days that the violation exists shall constitute a separate offense.
D.
The Village of McGraw shall have the right to apply to the Supreme Court for an order directing that the violation be abated, along with the payment of costs and attorney's fees. Information and appearance tickets alleging violations of this article may be issued by any Village-designated enforcement officer.