Mchenry County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 16
72: SIGNS
§ 16.72.010 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a framework for a comprehensive system of sign controls governing the display, design, construction, installation, and maintenance of signs that will:
A. Promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the County by ensuring the compatibility of signs with surrounding land uses.
B. Support and encourage the business and economic climate by enhancing and protecting the orderly and effective display of signs.
C. Encourage signs that communicate effectively without detracting from the scenic beauty of the countryside.
D. Protect the public from hazardous conditions that result from the indiscriminate use and placement of signs, structurally unsafe signs, signs that obscure the vision of pedestrians or motorists, and signs that compete or conflict with necessary traffic signals and warning signs.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.1; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.020 PERMIT REQUIRED.
It is unlawful for any person to erect, relocate, or structurally alter any permanent sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the County. The Zoning Enforcement Officer may revoke any sign permit where there has been a violation of the provisions of this Ordinance or misrepresentation of fact on the sign permit application.
Signs that do not require a sign permit may be required to obtain building permits for their structural and electrical components.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.2; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.030 SUBSTITUTION OF MESSAGE.
Any attention getting device, banner, flag, menu board, wall graphic, window graphic, or yard sign that is exempted from this ordinance and any sign that is allowed to be installed or maintained under this ordinance may be utilized to display a noncommercial message under the same standards as the display of a commercial message, unless otherwise allowed or restricted by State laws including, but not limited to, the Illinois Election Code and/or 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. as enforced by State Board of Elections or other appropriate officials.
Any sign, flag, attention getting device, banner, menu board, wall graphic, or window graphic that is exempted from this ordinance or that is allowed to be installed or maintained under this ordinance shall not be utilized to display an off-premises commercial advertising message unless it complies with either: 1) Table 16.32-1: Zoning District Uses and § 16.56.030EE. (Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Sign); or § 16.72.120 (Temporary Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Message).
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.3; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.040 LOCATION.
A. This ordinance does not regulate the installation or maintenance of signs by public agencies within the right-of-way of a public street or highway or on public property.
B. Any sign placed within the right-of-way of any public street or highway or on public property without authorization may be removed without notice and disposed of by the local authority having jurisdiction over the street, highway, or property, unless the sign is permitted to be placed on public property by State laws including, but not limited to, the Illinois Election Code and/or 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. as enforced by State Board of Elections or other appropriate officials.
C. No signs may be placed on any property without prior consent of the owner thereof and, where applicable, issuance of a sign permit.
D. No sign mounted on the exterior of a building may interfere with the operation of any windows, doors, fire escape, or other means of egress.
E. No sign may be erected within one hundred (100) feet of any railroad grade crossing or placed in such a manner that creates an obstruction of full view of the intersection of a highway and/or railroad right-of-way.
F. Any ground sign constructed on a corner lot or parcel shall not be erected within the sight distance triangle, which is the triangular area formed by the road easement lines and a line connecting said road easement lines at points twenty-five (25) feet along each road from the point of intersection, as measured at the property line. (See Figure 16.72-1: Sight Triangle)
G. Any legally established use on a flag lot or land-locked parcel which obtains it primary access through an easement across an adjacent parcel shall be permitted to install and maintain signage on the adjacent parcel at the point of access, provided such signage shall meet all other requirements of this ordinance.
(Ord. O-20141 0-10-035, passed 10-14-201 4; Ord. O-201601 -ZBA-00 6, passed 1-19-201 6; Ord. O-20160 3-ZBA-01 0, passed 3-17-2016 , § 18.4; Ord. O-20180 3-ZBA-10 -08, passed 3-19-201 8; Ord. O-20180 8-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.050 SIGN DIMENSION COMPUTATIONS.
The following principles control the computation of sign dimensions. (See Figure 16.72-2: Measurement of Sign Area, Figure 16.72-3: Computation of Sign Angle for Sign Area, and Figure 16.72-4: Measurement of Sign Height)
A. Computation of Sign Area.
1. For signs on a background, the entire area of the background is calculated as sign area, including any material or color forming the sign face and the background used to differentiate the sign from the structure against which it is mounted. Sign area does not include any supports or bracing (see Figure 16.72-2).
2. For signs consisting of freestanding letters or logos, the sign area is calculated as the total area of each square, circle, rectangle or triangle, or combination thereof, that encompasses each individual letter or logo. Sign area does not include any supports or bracing (see Figure 16.72-2).
3. The sign area of a three-dimensional, free-form, or sculptural (non-planar) sign is calculated as fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the area of the four vertical sides of the smallest cube that will encompass the sign (see Figure 16.72-2).
4. If the interior angle between two (2) sign faces is forty-five degrees (45°) degrees or less, the sign area is computed as the area of one (1) face only. If the angle between two (2) sign faces is greater than forty-five degrees (45°), the sign area is computed as the sum of the areas of the two (2) faces (see Figure 16.72-3).
B. Measurement of Sign Height. For freestanding signs, height is calculated as the vertical distance measured from the grade of the site where the sign is to be installed or the grade of the roadway, whichever is higher, to the highest point of the sign. Grade is considered the lower of the existing grade prior to construction or the newly established grade after construction (see Figure 16.72-4).
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.5; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.060 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.
A. Construction. All signs that require a sign permit shall comply with the provisions of this Article and the requirements of the building codes adopted by the County.
B. Illumination.
1. All sign illumination must be fully shielded, and located and directed to prevent the casting of glare or direct light upon roadways and surrounding properties.
2. The sign face of internally illuminated signs must function as a filter (i.e., prevent the direct exposure of any internal bulbs) for any illumination.
3. All external illumination must concentrate the illumination upon the printed area of the sign face.
4. The lighting intensity of any non-digital sign, whether internally or externally illuminated, is limited to a maximum of sixty (60) footcandles when measured with a standard light meter held at a distance of ten (10) inches from the sign face. The lighting intensity of digital signs is regulated under § 16.72.050C.5. (Digital Sign Message Controls) below.
C. Digital Sign Message Controls.
1. Each message or image displayed on a digital sign must be static and depicted for a minimum of ten (10) seconds before changing.
2. Blinking, flashing, scrolling, or strobe-light effects are prohibited.
3. Animation and/or streaming video of any type is prohibited.
4. A digital sign shall not be utilized to display an off-premises commercial advertising message without obtaining a conditional use permit for an off-premises commercial advertising sign as required by § 16.56.030EE. (Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Sign).
5. A digital sign must not exceed a maximum illumination of three-tenths (0.3) footcandles above the ambient light level when measured from a distance equal to the square root of the square footage of the sign multiplied by one hundred (100). (Measurement distance = sign area x 100). All digital signs must have ambient light monitors installed, which automatically adjust the brightness level based on ambient light conditions.
6. In response to complaints, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may require that the owner of a digital sign submit a certification demonstrating that the sign complies with the maximum illumination standards.
7. All digital signs must be programmed to automatically revert to a full black screen in the event of a malfunction.
D. Audio. No sign may emit sounds, including recorded messages and/or music.
E. Glass. Glass forming any part of a sign shall be safety glass, with the exception of neon.
F. Lettering. All letters, figures, characters, or representations in cut-out or irregular form, maintained in conjunction with, attached to, or superimposed upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the sign structure.
G. Identification Tag. Every sign or other advertising structure shall display the identification tag provided by the County, in a conspicuous place.
H. Sign and Premises Maintenance.
1. All signs, and the premises surrounding the sign, shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition.
2. If a sign is unsafe, unsecure, or erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this Ordinance, the Zoning Enforcement Officer will give written notice to the sign permit holder. If sign permit holder fails to remove or alter the sign to comply with the standards of this Ordinance within 14 calendar days, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may order the sign removed at the property owner’s expense in accordance with the enforcement provisions of this Ordinance. The County may remove, without notice, any other sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.6; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.070 MASTER SIGN PLAN REQUIRED.
New multi-tenant non-residential structures shall submit a master sign plan for review as part of site plan review.
A. A master sign plan shall provide for coordinated sign design. All building-mounted signs shall be described on the master sign plan to include, at a minimum, criteria and specifications for general appearance, sign area, lighting, and location.
B. Signs shall be located at a generally uniform height on the building wall.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.7; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.080 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
It is unlawful to erect or maintain the following signs:
A. Animated Signs. Animated signs are prohibited.
B. Flashing Signs. No sign may have blinking or flashing lights, or other illuminating device that has a changing light intensity, brightness or color, traveling/chasing or blinking lights, or rotating beacons. Time and temperature signs and digital signs are not considered flashing signs.
C. Moving Signs. No sign or other advertising structure may have moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind. Street clocks with movable hands and rotating barber poles are permitted.
D. Signs on Vehicles. Commercial messages placed or painted on parked vehicles, including trailers and other vehicle attachments, where the primary purpose is to advertise a product or service, or to direct the public to a business are prohibited.
This section does not prohibit trucks, buses, or other vehicles that are painted with or display a commercial message and that are being operated in the normal course of a business from being parked or stored on any location on any property as permitted by Chapter 16.64 (Off-Street Parking and Loading) provided that the primary purpose of such vehicles is not the display of the commercial message.
E. Signs that Interfere with Traffic. Any sign that imitates any official highway marker, traffic marker, traffic sign, or other traffic control device is prohibited.
Any sign placed within the right-of-way of any public street or highway or on public property without authorization may be removed without notice and disposed of by the local authority having jurisdiction over the road, highway, or property.
F. Signs Not Defined. Any type of sign, device, board, or graphic not defined in this Ordinance is prohibited.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.8; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.090 EXEMPTED SIGNS AND DEVICES.
A. The following signs and devices are exempt from regulation by this ordinance:
1. A-frame signs.
2. Attention-getting devices.
3. Banners.
4. Blade signs (aka Feather Signs).
5. Flags.
6. Menu boards.
7. Signs placed in the right-of-way of a public street or highway and signs placed on public property by the government agency having jurisdiction over the property.
8. Signs located on private property that are not oriented towards a public right-of-way or public property and which contain a COMMERCIAL MESSAGE or NON-COMMERCIAL MESSAGE that cannot be deciphered from a public right-of-way or public property.
9. Wall graphics.
10. Window graphics.
11. Yard signs.
12. Temporary Nonstructural Signs.
B. Exempted signs and devices may be used to display noncommercial messages under the same standards as the display of a commercial message, unless otherwise allowed or restricted by State laws including, but not limited to, the Illinois Election Code and/or 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. as enforced by State Board of Elections or other appropriate officials.
C. Exempted signs and devices shall not be utilized to display an off-premises commercial advertising message unless it complies with either: 1) Table 16.32-1: Zoning District Uses and § 16.56.030EE. (Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Sign); or § 16.72.120 (Temporary Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Message).
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.9; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.100 TEMPORARY STRUCTURAL SIGNS.
A. All uses in all districts are permitted one (1) temporary structural sign per street frontage in addition to the signs allowed in § 16.72.110B. (Ground Signs).
B. Temporary structural signs must meet the requirements of § 16.72.110B. except as otherwise expressly permitted or restricted by this section.
C. Temporary structural signs do not require a sign permit. Temporary structural signs may be required to obtain a building permit for their structural or electrical components.
D. Temporary structural signs may be erected for a limited period of display not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) days and shall be removed following the allowed display period.
E. Temporary structural signs shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any side lot line and five (5) feet from any front lot line. No part of a temporary structural sign may encroach onto a public right-of-way.
F. Temporary structural signs located adjacent to roads identified as Regional Transportation Corridors (see Appendix D) are limited to thirty-two (32) square feet in size and ten (10) feet in height.
G. Temporary structural signs located adjacent to roads not identified as Regional Transportation Corridors (see Appendix D) are limited to sixteen (16) square feet in size and ten (10) feet in height.
H. Temporary structural signs shall not be internally illuminated and may not include a digital component.
I. Temporary structural signs may be externally illuminated until 10:00 PM.
J. No prohibited sign as identified in § 16.72.080 (Prohibited Signs) of this ordinance shall be used as a temporary structural sign.
K. Temporary structural signs may be used to display a noncommercial message under the same standards as the display of a commercial message, unless otherwise allowed or restricted by State laws including, but not limited to, the Illinois Election Code and/or 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. as enforced by State Board of Elections or other appropriate officials.
L. Temporary structural signs shall not be utilized to display an off-premises commercial advertising message unless it complies with either: 1) Table 16.32-1: Zoning District Uses and § 16.56.030EE. (Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Sign); or § 16.72.120 (Temporary Off-Premises Commercial Advertising Message).
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.10; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.110 PERMANENT SIGNS.
Permit required.
A. Awnings and Canopies.
1. Awning and canopy signs are permitted for non-residential uses in the commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts.
2. Printing on any awning or canopy sign is limited twenty-five percent (25%) of the awning surface.
4. Awning and canopy signs shall be constructed durable, weather-resistant material like canvas, canvas-like material, nylon, vinyl-coated fabric, metal, or plastic. Back-lit awnings and canopies are prohibited.
5. When feasible, awnings should generally align with adjacent awnings to maintain a sense of visual continuity. Awnings and canopies shall
fit the opening of the building and be positioned so that distinctive architectural features remain visible.
6. The provisions of this section do not apply to signs mounted to the roof sheltering fuel pumps at gas stations. Such signs are regulated as wall signs.
7. Digital sign components are prohibited.
B. Ground Signs.
1 . Ground signs are permitted for residenti al subdivisi ons, multifamily developments, agricultural, and non-residential uses in all districts. In certain districts, as shown in Table 16.72-1: Ground Sign Regulations, only one type of ground sign may be allowed.
2. One (1) ground sign, whether pole or monument, is permitted per street frontage of a lot. Where a lot has over two hundred (200) feet of street frontage, an additional ground sign is permitted for each one hundred (100) feet of street frontage over the initial two hundred (200) feet. A minimum fifty-foot (50') separation is required between ground signs.
3. Ground signs shall be set back a minimum of five (5) feet from any side lot line and ten (10) feet from any front lot line. No part of a ground sign may encroach onto a public right-of-way.
4. Ground monument signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Ground pole signs may only be internally illuminated.
5. A digital sign component is allowed as part of a permitted ground sign as follows:
a. Non-residential uses are permitted a digital sign component.
b. The digital sign component is limited to seventy-five (75%) of the total sign area.
6. Ground signs shall be constructed of wood, stone, concrete, metal, or plastic.
MONUMENT | POLE | |||
MAXIMUM SIGN AREA | MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT | MAXIMUM SIGN AREA | MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT | |
MONUMENT | POLE | |||
MAXIMUM SIGN AREA | MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT | MAXIMUM SIGN AREA | MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT | |
Agricultural Zoning Districts | ||||
A-1 District | 32sf | 6' | 40 sf | 20' |
A-2 District | 32sf | 6' | 40 sf | 20' |
Residential Zoning Districts | ||||
E-5 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
E-3 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
E-2 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
E-1 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
R-1 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
R-2 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
R-3 District | 32sf | 6' | Prohibited | Prohibited |
Commercial Zoning Districts | ||||
B-1 District | 32sf | 6' | 40 sf | 20' |
B-2 District | 32sf | 6' | 40 sf | 20' |
B-3 District | 50sf | 8' | 60 sf | 25' |
Office and Industrial Zoning Districts | ||||
O District | 50sf | 8' | 60 sf | 25' |
I-1 District | 50sf | 8' | 60 sf | 25' |
I-2 District | 50sf | 8' | 60 sf | 25' |
C. Projecting Sign.
1. Projecting signs are permitted for non-residential uses in the commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts.
2. One (1) projecting sign of a maximum of forty (40) square feet is permitted per ground floor establishment with street frontage. In the case of a multi-tenant building, one (1) additional projecting sign identifying the name of the multi-tenant development is permitted.
3. Projecting signs cannot project more than four (4) feet from the face of the building to which they are attached, including the area between the sign and the face of the building. Projecting signs shall not extend beyond a point two (2) feet from the curb line.
4. Projecting signs must be constructed of wood, metal, durable, weather-resistant material like canvas, canvas-like material, nylon or vinyl-coated fabric, or plastic. Projecting signs constructed of material must be mounted so that they are held taut between support posts.
5. The bottom of any projecting sign shall be at least seven feet and six inches (7'6") above the sidewalk or thoroughfare. No projecting sign affixed to a building may project higher than the building height, including the sign support structure.
6. External illumination, such as goose-neck type lighting, is permitted on projecting signs provided that illumination is concentrated on the area of the sign face only. Projecting signs may be internally illuminated.
7. Projecting signs shall not contain a digital sign component.
D. Wall Sign.
1. Each business is permitted one (1) wall sign per building wall, with a maximum of two (2) wall signs per business.
2. The maximum size of a wall sign is established at one (1) square foot per linear foot of building facade (calculated for each individual business) where the wall sign will be mounted, or sixty (60) square feet, whichever is greater.
3. Wall signs shall be affixed flat against the building wall and shall not project more than eighteen (18) inches from the building wall. No wall sign affixed to a structure, including sign support structure, may project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached. However, wall signs may be mounted on a pitched roof, but the sign, including all support structures, may not exceed the peak of the roof.
4. Wall signs must be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, or durable, weather-resistant material like canvas, canvas-like material, nylon, or vinyl-coated fabric. Wall signs constructed of material must be held taut within frames.
5. Wall signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
6. A digital sign component is allowed as part of a permitted wall sign as follows:
a. Non-residential uses are permitted an digital sign component.
b. The digital sign component is limited to seventy-five (75%) of the total sign area.
7. Wall signs must maintain a minimum vertical clearance of seven feet and six inches (7' 6") above the ground.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.11; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.72.120 TEMPORARY OFF-PREMISES COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING MESSAGES.
A. One exempted sign or device, as specified in § 16.72.090 (Exempted Signs and Devices), or one allowed temporary structural sign, as regulated in § 16.72.100 (Temporary Structural Signs), or one permanent sign, as regulated in § 16.72.110 (Permanent Signs) may be utilized to display off-premises commercial advertising message(s) for one display period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days per calendar year per lot or parcel.
B. For the purpose of documenting the display period, property owners shall notify the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to posting any temporary off-premises commercial advertising message.
C. The display area for temporary off-premises commercial advertising messages located adjacent to roads identified as Regional Transportation Corridors (see Appendix D) are limited to thirty-two (32) square feet in size and must meet all other requirements of this ordinance.
D. The display area for temporary off premises commercial advertising messages located adjacent to roads not identified as Regional Transportation Corridors (see Appendix D) are limited to sixteen (16) square feet in size and must meet all other requirements of this ordinance.
E. No prohibited sign as identified in § 16.72.070 of this ordinance shall be used to display a temporary off-premises commercial advertising message.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 18.12; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)