For the purposes of this title, the following definitions shall apply:

ABANDONED SIGN: Any sign which no longer correctly directs or exhorts any person, advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, entity, product, or activity conducted, or product available on the premises where such sign is displayed.

AREA OF A SIGN: The area within a perimeter, which forms the outside shape, including any part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled, including spaces between each module. In the case of a sign with two (2) or more visible surfaces, the gross area shall be the square footage of the largest side of the sign.

BUSINESS SIGN: Any sign placed on the building or in front of the building or on the premises to designate the name and nature of the business or profession or tradesman occupying the building or premises upon which the sign appears.

CONSTRUCTION SIGN: A sign for the purpose of identification of a site as a construction site. Only the owner's, general contractor's, subcontractors', architect's and engineer's names, hours of work and safety information shall be permitted on the sign.

DIRECTIONAL SIGN: Any sign which serves solely to designate location or direction.

FASCIA SIGN: Any sign attached to a building, wall or canopy.

FLASHING SIGN: A sign or accessory light which is illuminated on an intermittent cycle. Flashing sign is different from a moving message sign.

GROUND SIGN: A sign mounted on freestanding pylons, pipes, piers, posts, or other self-supporting structures not attached to a building.

HEIGHT OF SIGN: The vertical distance measured from the adjacent public street grade to the highest point of the sign.

IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant or business establishment.

ILLUMINATED OR ELECTRIC SIGN: Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, or outlines illuminated by electric lights, luminous tubes, or any other means of internal or external illumination.

MANSARD ROOF: An architectural designation of a roof/wall design which exhibits a vertical or nearly vertical face. For the purposes of this title, the vertical or nearly vertical face shall be considered a wall.

MENU BOARD SIGNS: A sign or signs that lists items for sale at an establishment with drive-through facilities.

MOVING MESSAGE SIGN: A sign, display or device capable of showing a series of different messages, either in a predetermined or programmed sequence or via real time operator selection where the message changes more frequently than once in twelve (12) hours.

OFF PREMISES SIGN: A sign which advertises goods, services or facilities which are not available on the premises where the sign is located.

OPEN WALL SIGN: A wall sign that consists of formed or shaped letters, numerals, or trademarks that are attached to a wall and between which the wall is exposed.

PARAPET WALL: That portion of a wall which projects above the roofline intersecting it.

PROJECTING SIGN: Any sign other than a wall sign suspended from or supported by a building or structure or sign structure and projecting out therefrom.

REAL ESTATE SIGN: Any sign pertaining to the sale, lease, rental of land or buildings, which is erected or displayed on the lot or parcel to which it applies.

ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected, constructed and maintained upon or over the roof or top of the wall, wall tower or turret of any building with the principal support on the roof structure.

SIGN: Any identification, display, device, notice, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform and shall include every ground sign, wall sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, pylon or pole sign, marquee, awning, canopy, and street clock, and shall further include any announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration, or insignia used to advertise or promote the interest of any person which is visible from any public place or is located on private property and exposed to the public.

TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign advertising or announcing an event that is to be in existence for a limited period of time, including banners, pennants, flags (not intended to include flags of any nations, states, countries or municipalities) searchlights, twirling or sandwich type signs, sidewalk or curb signs and balloons or other air filled or gas filled objects.

TEMPORARY WINDOW OR BUILDING SIGN: Any sign painted on the interior of a window or constructed of paper, cloth, or other like material and attached to the interior side of a window or displayed on the exterior of a building wall in order to direct attention of persons outside the building to a sale of merchandise or a change in the status of the business.

TRACT DEVELOPMENT SIGN: A sign advertising the development or conversion of a tract of land.

TRACT IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A permanent sign placed at the major entrances to a tract or planned unit development (PUD) identifying that tract or PUD.

WALL SIGN: Any sign attached or applied flush to the exterior wall of any building. (Ord., 7-1989; amd. Ord. O-18-29, 8-27-2018)

   A.   Permits Required: No person shall erect, alter or relocate within the city any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the building department and making payment of the required fee. No permit shall be required for cleaning and other normal maintenance or repair of a sign structure so long as the sign or sign structure is not modified in any way. The repainting or refacing of an existing sign, if performed in a professional manner, shall not constitute a modification as long as the sign area remains unchanged.

   B.   Application: Application for a permit shall be made to the city upon a form provided by the building department as may be required to assure compliance with all appropriate ordinances and regulations of the city including, but not by way of limitation:

      1.   Legible drawings with description clearly showing location of the sign which is the subject of the permit and all other existing signs whose construction and installation require permits, when such signs are on the same property or zoning lot.

      2.   Drawings showing the dimensions, colors, construction supports, sizes, electrical wiring and components, materials of the sign, method of attachment and character of structural members to which attachment is to be made. The design, quality, materials, and loading shall conform to the requirements of the city. If required by the city, engineering data shall be supplied on plans by a licensed architect or structural engineer licensed by the state of Illinois.

   C.   Fees: Application for permits shall be filed with the building department. The schedule of fees for sign permits shall be as follows based upon the size of the sign:

 

 

   D.   Inspection: The person erecting, altering or relocating a sign shall notify the building department upon completion of the work for which permits are required. All ground signs shall be subject to a footing inspection and all signs to a final electrical inspection by the city. Said inspection will verify proper location and compliance with all approved specifications and conditions of the permit.

   E.   Exemptions: The only signs exempted from the permit requirements are as follows:

      1.   Signs six (6) square feet in area or smaller in residential districts are exempt from the permit requirements, but must comply with all other regulations in this chapter.

      2.   Real estate signs, not to exceed six (6) square feet and not illuminated and located entirely within the property to which the sign applies. Such signs shall be removed within seven (7) calendar days of the date of sale.

Real estate open house sign, provided such sign is not located on public right of way, is not illuminated, and does not exceed six (6) square feet. Such signs are only permitted on Saturdays and Sundays.

      3.   Temporary political signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with subsection 5-9-4B of this chapter.

      4.   Temporary public and quasi-public signs are exempt from permit requirements, but must comply with subsection 5-9-4C of this chapter.

      5.   Directional or instructional signs which are located entirely on the property to which they pertain and do not in any way advertise a business and do not exceed three (3) square feet in area, signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, or signs providing direction such as parking lot entrance and exit signs and those of similar nature, but must comply with subsection 5-9-3A4 of this chapter.

      6.   Memorial signs and tablets displayed on private property.

      7.   Address numerals and signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in area and bearing the names of the occupants of the premises.

      8.   Government flags and insignia and signs erected by a governmental body, or under the direction of such a body, and bearing no commercial advertising, such as traffic signals, railroad crossing signs, safety signs, and signs identifying public schools, churches, parks, libraries, and playgrounds.

      9.   Government flags flown by any person on their premises.

      10.   Legal notices.

      11.   Holiday decorations which are clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday; provided that such signs are not erected or maintained more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the holiday and shall be removed within ten (10) days after the termination thereof.

      12.   Temporary signs of activity sponsors placed on public baseball fields on the outfield fences, provided that no such signs shall extend beyond the boundaries of any such facility for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days. No signs containing alcoholic beverage, firearms, tobacco, or sexual related materials/advertising will be permitted. The signs shall not exceed twenty four (24) square feet and shall not extend above or below the fence. The advertising shall be shown on one side only facing the playing field. No such signs shall be permitted on more than one field per parcel of property. The signs shall be maintained in good condition and no self-illumination is allowed.

   F.   Construction: All signs shall be constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the city building code.

   G.   Planned Unit Developments (PUDs): Within residential PUDs for which the approved site plan allows nonresidential land uses, the signs allowed within such nonresidential uses shall comply with other provisions of this chapter relating to the specific use.

   H.   Maintenance: Every sign in the city, including, but not limited to, those signs for which permits or for which no permits or permit fees are required, shall be maintained in good structural condition at all times. All signs, including those exempted, shall be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports. The city shall inspect and have the authority to order the painting, repair, alteration or removal of signs which become dilapidated or are abandoned, or which constitute physical hazard to the public safety.

   I.   Obsolete Signs: Any sign that advertises a business, event, or a product that no longer exists or sign pylons that no longer support a sign, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, or agent, within ten (10) days after written notification from the city. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified, the city shall cause the removal of such sign from the property to which such sign is attached at the expense of the property owner, including all court costs incurred by the city.

   J.   Abandoned Signs: All signage relating to structures that have been demolished shall be deemed abandoned and must be removed.

   K.   Unsafe Signs:

      1.   If any sign is found to be unsafe or insecure, or is a hazard to the public, the city shall given written notice to the owner or operator of the sign. If he fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within ten (10) days after such notice, such sign shall be removed or altered to comply, by the city, at the expense of the property owner, including all court costs incurred by the city. The city may cause any sign that is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and with notice.

      2.   No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with, any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. Accordingly, no sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall make use of the words, "stop", "go", "look", "slow", "danger", or any similar word, phrase, symbol, or character.

      3.   No sign, advertising structure, marquee, canopy or awning shall be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or as to distract the attention of the driver of any vehicle by reason of position, shape, or color thereof.

      4.   No fluttering or wind actuated sign, bunting, banners, streamers, pennants or flags shall be erected or maintained except as permitted in subsection 5-9-4G of this chapter.

   L.   Miscellaneous:

      1.   No sign shall block any required exit, fire escape, door opening, or window; nor obstruct any opening required for ventilation.

      2.   No sign or any part thereof shall be in the public right of way.

      3.   No sign shall be painted or pasted or similarly applied on exterior building walls, roofs or fences.

      4.   Illuminated signs shall be shaded so as not to shine or reflect light on adjacent residential properties.

      5.   No flashing signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights or signs creating the illusion of movement shall be permitted in any zoning district, whether located within or without a building if plainly visible from the outside. A sign whereon the current time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent lighting shall not be deemed to be a prohibited sign because of its flashing. Rotating signs may be permitted by a special use permit.

      6.   An off premises sign shall be prohibited unless approved as set forth in section 5-9-5, "Special Uses", of this chapter.

      7.   It shall be unlawful for any person to display on any sign or other advertising structure any matter in writing or in picture which, considered as a whole, predominately appeals to prurient (lewd) interest and goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description or representation of such matters, and advertising matter which is untruthful.

      8.   Portable or wheeled signs are prohibited. (Ord., 7-1989; amd. Ord. 0-01-10, 4-16-2001, eff. 4-26-2001; Ord. 0-03-18, 6-2-2003, eff. 6-12-2003; Ord. O-18-05, 3-12-2018)

   A.   Residential Districts: In all residential districts house number signs shall be clearly readable from the street (especially at night). The following classes of signs are permitted in accordance with the regulations set forth herein:

      1.   Identification signs: There may be only one nameplate or open wall sign, not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, indicating the name and/or address of the occupant.

      2.   Tract identification signs:

         a.   Only one such sign may be permitted at each major entrance to the tract.

         b.   Only open wall and ground signs are permitted for use as a tract identification sign.

         c.   Only the name and/or address of the tract shall be permitted on the sign.

         d.   Signs shall be no more than five feet (5') in height.

         e.   No such sign shall have an area greater than thirty two (32) square feet.

      3.   Signs accessory to parking areas shall be subject to the following requirements:

         a.   Area And Number: Signs, designating parking area entrances or exits, are limited to two (2) signs for each such exit or entrance and to a maximum size of three (3) square feet each. One sign per parking stall designating the condition of use or identity of such parking area and limited to a maximum size of three (3) square feet, shall be permitted.

         b.   Height: No sign shall be higher than four feet (4') above the established average grading of the parking area.

         c.   Projection: No sign shall project beyond the property line.

      4.   Public Or Quasi-Public Use: Church bulletins and signs for public or quasi-public buildings shall be subject to the following requirements:

         a.   Area And Number: There shall be no more than one such sign per zoning lot, except that on a corner lot two (2) signs, one facing each street, shall be permitted. No sign shall exceed twenty four (24) square feet in area.

         b.   Height: No ground sign shall be higher than six feet (6') above the established average grade.

         c.   Projection: All signs shall be set back at least fifteen feet (15') from any lot line.

   B.   Business Districts: In all business districts all signs are subject to the provisions stated herein and in section 5-9-2 of this chapter, as well as the specific requirements of the type of sign. The types of signs listed in this section are permitted in addition to those permitted in residential districts. Tract development signs are not permitted in business districts.

      1.   Business District General Provisions: In all business districts, the permitted signs are subject to the following:

         a.   Area: The area of any sign shall be limited by the specific requirements of that particular type of sign but, in no case, shall exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area.

         b.   Location: The sign or signs shall be located on the zoning lot and shall front the principal street or parking area. In the case of corner buildings, located on both principal and side streets, signs shall be permitted on the portion of the side street wall within forty feet (40') of the principal street. Signs in direct line of vision of any traffic signal shall not have red, green or amber illuminations.

         c.   Projection: Signs suspended from any building may project four feet (4') from the face of the building but shall not project into the public way, or building setback area; and the bottom of such signs shall not be less than ten feet (10') above the finished grade of the sidewalk.

         d.   Height: No sign shall be located higher than thirty feet (30') above the mean grade of the property. Specific types of signs may have more restrictive height limitations.

         e.   Illumination: Signs shall be shaded whenever necessary to avoid casting light upon adjacent property. Flashing signs are not permitted. Rotating signs may be permitted by a special use permit.

         f.   Placement: No signs shall be painted, pasted or similarly posted directly on the surface of any wall nor shall any sign be permitted to be placed on any wall, fence or stand facing the side of any adjoining lot located in a residential district.

         g.   Setback: All ground signs used for any purpose shall be set back fifteen feet (15') from any lot line.

      2.   Permitted Business Signs:

         a.   Marquee And Canopy Signs: Signs located on a marquee or canopy shall be affixed to the surface thereof and shall not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said marquee or canopy. Marquees or canopies shall have a headroom of not less than eight feet (8').

         b.   Awning Signs: Signs located on awnings shall be affixed to the surface thereof, and shall indicate only the name, address and telephone number of the establishment on the premises. No sign shall exceed eight (8) square feet in area. Further, no such sign shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limit of said awning. Awnings shall have a headroom of not less than eight feet (8').

         c.   Wall And Fascia Signs: No more than one wall sign on each wall fronting on a public street, public right of way or easement, except for identification signs, not to exceed four (4) square feet, except for multiple tenant buildings, which shall be permitted to have one wall sign on the ground floor for each business or professional use in the building. The maximum area in square feet shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of building occupancy. No wall sign shall project beyond the top and edges of the wall to which it is affixed.

No attached sign shall exceed ten feet (10') in vertical dimension and shall be subject to the city's approval for location and arrangement. No attached sign shall extend in height above the top of an exterior wall, except in the case of a mansard, mansard type roof, or parapet wall. The height of the sign attached to such mansard/parapet shall not extend above the top of such mansard/parapet nor shall it extend more than three feet (3') in height above the roofline immediately behind the mansard/parapet at the point to which the sign is to be attached. The maximum size of any wall sign shall not exceed sixty four (64) square feet.

Buildings with multiple street frontage shall be permitted to have one wall sign on the secondary street frontage, provided this sign shall not exceed one-half (1/2) the sign area permitted on the principal frontage, and shall not exceed one square foot for each linear foot of the side of building to which said secondary sign is affixed.

         d.   Ground Signs: No more than one ground sign shall be permitted on a zoning lot. No ground sign shall have a total height greater than fifteen feet (15') above the mean grade level of the property. The area of a ground sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet. All parts of the ground sign, including its supports, shall be entirely within the property line of the premises upon which it is located.

Ground signs in areas of vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be set at a height to allow safe passage.

         e.   Permanent Window Signs: Permanent signs painted, posted or displayed by any other means in a window, together with all other signs, shall not exceed the gross area permitted for signs on the zoning lot, and shall not occupy more than thirty three and one- third percent (331/3%) of the gross window area.

         f.   Signs Accessory To Automobile Service Stations: Automobile service stations are hereby declared to be an activity which requires certain additional regulations regarding signs.

            (1)   Matter appearing on gasoline pumps regulating safety and use shall not be considered as signs for the purposes of this title.

            (2)   In addition to all other permitted signs, there may be one sign, not larger than six (6) square feet, above each pump area stating whether the area is a "self-service" or a "full service" area and the current price per gallon of the gasoline sold at the station. No element of the cost to the customer of the gasoline shall be omitted from the statement of the price per gallon.

            (3)   Items for sale on the premises may be openly displayed within ten feet (10') of the principal building. Products may be displayed under group island canopies or between pumps within the area of the pump island base.

The city shall impose, as a condition for the issuance of a permit for temporary signs, such requirements as to the material, manner of construction and method of erection of a sign as are reasonably necessary to ensure the safety and convenience of the public. Temporary signs may be erected and maintained in accordance with the following provisions:

   A.   Permitted Business Signs: No window business sign, other than one displayed on the interior side of a window, shall be erected or maintained except pursuant to a permit issued by the city.

      1.   A temporary business sign is a sign calling attention to a special, unique or limited activity, service, product or sale of limited duration.

      2.   A temporary business sign is permitted in business districts in accordance with the provisions regulating the height and location of permanent business signs.

      3.   The total area of a temporary business sign(s) shall not exceed twenty four (24) square feet; and, if displayed in a window, shall not occupy more than thirty three and one-third percent (331/3%) of the gross window area.

      4.   A temporary business sign may be displayed on a zoning lot for not more than sixty (60) days in any calendar year.

      5.   A temporary business sign shall not be a projecting sign.

   B.   Permitted Political Signs:

      1.   The total area of all political signs on a zoning lot shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet.

      2.   Political signs may be erected and maintained within the boundaries of a zoning lot in any zoning district, but shall not be located within any public right of way.

   C.   Quasi-Public Signs:

      1.   A quasi-public sign is a sign giving notice of events and activities sponsored by civic, patriotic, religious or charitable organizations for noncommercial purposes.

      2.   Nonprojecting wall or ground type quasi-public signs, having an area not exceeding twenty four (24) square feet, may be erected on the zoning lot on which the event or activity advertised is to occur or be conducted.

      3.   A quasi-public sign may not be erected or maintained more than thirty (30) days prior to the date(s) on which the event or activity advertised is to occur or be conducted and shall be removed within seven (7) days after the termination thereof.

      4.   A quasi-public sign may be displayed in a window in any zoning district. Said sign may not be erected or maintained more than thirty (30) days prior to the event and shall be removed within seven (7) days after the termination thereof.

      5.   No quasi-public sign shall be erected or maintained within any public right of way except pursuant to a permit authorized by the city council.

   D.   Permitted Tract Development Signs: One tract development sign on each frontage of a zoning lot of at least five (5) acres advertising the sale, rental or conversion of real property in the development on which the sign is located, not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet for each face, may be permitted in any zoning district. Each permit shall be valid for a period of not more than two (2) years and shall not be renewed for more than two (2) successive periods at the same location.

   E.   For Sale/Lease Signs (Business District): One sign is permitted on each frontage of a zoning lot advertising the sale, rental or conversion of real property in the development on which the sign is located, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet for property of one acre or less. Signs located on property in excess of one acre may have a maximum size of thirty two (32) square feet per face.

   F.   Construction Signs: There shall be permitted one sign not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area in R-1 districts. All other districts not to exceed thirty two (32) square feet. On multi-frontage lots, two (2) such signs, each one facing a different street, shall be permitted except in R-1 zoning districts. No such sign shall be erected more than ten (10) days before the building permit is issued. Said signs shall be removed within one week after completion of the construction. Construction signs may be permitted in addition to a tract development sign. (See subsection D of this section.)

   G.   Permitted Buntings, Banners, Pennants And Flags: Incidental and accessory to temporary business signs and quasi-public signs, buntings, banners, pennants and flags may be erected and maintained pursuant to a permit issued by the city and subject to the following provisions:

      1.   Buntings, banners, pennants and flags accessory to temporary business signs shall be subject to the following provisions:

         a.   Shall be permitted in business districts only in accordance with the same provisions regulating the height and location of permitted business signs.

         b.   May be displayed for not more than sixty (60) days in any calendar year.

      2.   Buntings, banners, pennants and flags accessory to quasi- public signs shall be subject to the following provisions:

         a.   Shall not be erected or maintained within any public right of way except pursuant to a permit authorized by the city council.

         b.   May not be erected or maintained more than thirty (30) days prior to the date on which the event or activity advertised is to occur or be conducted and shall be removed within ten (10) days after the termination thereof.

      3.   Buntings, banners, pennants and flags shall not be erected or maintained in such a location or manner as may endanger the public safety or interfere with or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular travel or create a traffic safety problem. (Ord., 7-1989; amd. Ord. O-20-34, 10-12-2020)

The following signs may be allowed by special use permit issued by the plan/zoning board of appeals in accordance with the provisions of section 5-10-9, "Special Use Permits", of this title. (Ord., 7-1989; amd. Ord. 0-03-35, 9-15-2003)

   A.   Electronic Message Centers:

      1.   The electronic message center shall serve the public convenience at that location and shall be located no closer than five hundred feet (500') to another such sign directed to the same street.

      2.   The electronic message center shall be designed and located such that the entire sign message will be legible to the motorists viewing the sign.

      3.   The sign structure shall conform to all applicable regulations as specified in this chapter.

      4.   The sign message shall not consist of flashing, scintillating, chasing or animated lights, and shall not change more frequently than once every two (2) seconds.

   B.   Off Premises Business Directory Sign:

      1.   Off premises signs shall only be permitted for purposes of identifying the location of businesses along a particular street or within a particular area (i.e., industrial park directory). Such signs shall only be permitted in the business zoning districts.

      2.   Off premises signs may be erected on permanent ground. Signs should not exceed forty (40) square feet in area and ten feet (10') in height above the established average grade.

      3.   Off premises signs may be double faced and each side shall be considered as facing traffic flowing in the opposite direction.

      4.   Off premises signs shall be located no closer than five hundred feet (500') to another such sign directed to the same street.

   C.   Rotating Signs: