Certain terms are defined for the purposes of this Ordinance as follows:

"Abandoned sign" means a sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.

"Administrator" means the Sangamon County zoning administrator or his designated representative.

"Animated sign" means any sign which uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene (compare "Flashing sign").

"Area" see "Sign, Area of."

"Awning" means a shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework. An awning will not project more than five (5) feet from the wall or closer than two (2) feet to any curb line.

"Awning sign" means a sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.

"Banner sign" means a sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing framework.

"Billboard" see "Off-premise sign."

"Building" means as defined in Section 17.04.030 of this ordinance.

"Building frontage" means that building elevation that fronts on a public street, plaza, mall, parking area or private drive.

"Canopy" means a structure made of metal or other material intended to be freestanding or affixed to a building that serves as an overhang intended to shield persons from the elements.

"Changeable copy sign (automatic)" means a sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lampbank or through mechanical means, e.g., electrical or electric time and temperature units.

"Changeable copy sign (manual)" means a sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, e.g., readerboards with changeable letters.

"County" unless the context clearly discloses a contrary intent, the word "county" shall mean the County of Sangamon.

"Clearance (of a sign)" means the smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent street or street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.

"Construction sign" means a temporary sign identifying an architect, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.

"Copy" means the wording on a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter form.

"Directional/information sign" means an on-premise sign giving directions, instructions, or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy, e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs.

"Double-faced sign" means a sign constructed to display its message on the outer surfaces of two identical, opposite and parallel planes.

"Electrical sign" means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, or fixtures are used.

"Electronic message center" see "Changeable copy sign, automatic."

"Elevation" means one entire exterior face of a building.

"Face of sign" means the area of a sign on which the copy is placed.

"Festoons" means a string of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, or pinwheels.

"Flashing sign" means a sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention. Does not include changeable copy signs, animated signs, or signs which, through reflection or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light (compare "Animated sign," "Changeable copy sign, automatic").

"Freestanding sign" means a pole sign or monument sign.

"Ground sign" means a freestanding sign, which is permanently anchored directly to the ground by any means, including, but not limited to pole, pylon, monument-type signs and wall like structures.

"Government sign" means any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by the city, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction or for designation of or direction to any school, hospital, historical site, or public service, property, or facility.

"Height (of a sign)" means the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less (compare "Clearance").

"Identification sign" means a sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation being identified.

"Illegal sign" means a sign which does not meet the requirements of this code and which has not received legal non-conforming status. This shall include any sign that was not lawfully erected or maintained, or was not in conformance with the ordinance in effect at the time of erection of the sign, or which was not installed with a valid permit from the County.

"Illuminated sign" means a sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.

"Incidental sign" means a small sign, emblem, or decal informing the public of goods, facilities, or services available on the premises, e.g., a credit card sign or a sign indicating hours of business.

"Maintenance" for the purposes of this ordinance, the cleaning, painting, repair, or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design, or structure of the sign.

"Marquee" means a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the facade of a building (compare "Awning").

"Marquee" means a sign Any sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.

"Monument sign" means a freestanding sign in which the bottom of the sign is flush with the ground and the vertical dimension which must be less than four (4) feet is less than the horizontal dimension.

"Nameplate" means a nonelectric on-premise identification sign giving only the name, address, and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.

"Nonconforming sign" means (1) A sign which was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations. (2) A sign which does not conform to the sign code requirements but for which a special permit has been issued.

"Occupancy" means the portion of a building or premises owned, leased, rented, or otherwise occupied for a given use.

"Occupancy frontage" means the building frontage of that portion of a multi-tenant building occupied by a single tenant.

"Off-premise sign" means a sign structure advertising an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment, which is not sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property on which said sign is located, including, but not limited to, billboards or other outdoor advertising signs.

"On-premise sign" means a sign which pertains to the use of the premises on which it is located.

"Owner" means a person recorded as such on official records. For the purposes of this ordinance, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the Administrator, e.g., a sign leased from a sign company.

"Pennant" means 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.

"Person" for the purposes of this ordinance, any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership, or similarly defined interest.

"Point of purchase display" means advertising of a retail item accompanying its display, e.g., an advertisement on a product dispenser.

"Pole cover" means covers enclosing or decorating poles or other structural supports of a sign.

"Pole sign" means a freestanding sign supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces in the ground surface and having a height in excess of six (6) feet.

"Political sign" for the purposes of this ordinance, a temporary sign used in connection with a local, state, or national election or referendum.

"Portable sign" means a sign not permanently anchored or secured to either a building, structure, columns, braces or the ground such as, but not limited to A frame signs, T-shaped and inverted T-shaped signs, signs affixed to a chassis with wheels for towing.

"Premises" means a parcel of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable unit of real estate.

"Real estate sign" means a temporary sign advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale.

"Roof sign" means any sign erected over or on the roof of a building or painted on a roof.

"Rotating sign" means a sign in which the sign itself or any portion of the sign moves in a revolving or similar manner. Such motion does not refer to methods of changing copy.

"Searchlight" means an apparatus on a swivel that projects a strong beam of light.

"Sign" means any announcement, declaration, display, billboard, illustration and insignia when designed and placed so as to attract general public attention. Such shall be deemed to be a single sign whenever the proximity, design, or content or continuity reasonably suggest a single unit, notwithstanding any physical separation between parts. "Sign" includes any banner, bulbs or other lighting devices, streamer, pennant, balloon, propeller, flag (other than the official flag of any nation or state) and any similar device of any type or kind, weather bearing lettering or not.

"Sign area of" means:

1. When a sign is on a plate or framed, all of the plate or frame shall be included in the dimensions.
2. When a sign is not on a plate or framed, but is partly or entirely outlined by a line or area of artificial light, or if on a plate or frame and circumscribed by a larger line or area of artificial light, all of the area circumscribed by a line or area of artificial light shall be included in the dimensions.
3. When a sign consists only of letters, designs, or figures engraved, painted, projected, or fixed on a wall, or freestanding in front of a wall, the total area of the signs shall be the area of the smallest ninety (90) degree geometric shape or circle within which all of the fixed lettering, designs, or figures may be included.
4. When a sign is double-faced, only one face shall be used for the purpose of calculating sign area.
5. In the case of two-sided, multi-sided, or three dimensional signs, other than when the sides are back-to-back and parallel (double-faced), the sign surface area shall be computed by including the total of all sides designed to attract attention or communicate information.

"Snipe sign" means a temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence, etc.

"Street frontage" means the length of the property line of any one premise along a public right-of-way on which it borders.

"Subdivision identification sign" means a freestanding or wall sign identifying a recognized subdivision, condominium complex, or residential development.

"Temporary sign" means a sign not permanently affixed to the ground or any structure, including, but not limited to any sign, banner, pennant, balloons, or other display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, sheet metal or other light materials, "A" frame, "T" shaped and inverted "T" shaped signs, or any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. Temporary signs include, garage sale, special event, construction, election, yard sale and similar signs intended for a temporary period of posting. "temporary sign" does not include a "portable sign" or a real estate sign.

"Under-canopy sign" means a sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee.

"Use" means the purpose for which a building, lot, sign, or structure is intended, designed, occupied, or maintained.

"Wall sign" means a sign attached parallel to and extending not more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall of a building. This definition includes painted, individual letter, and cabinet signs.

"Window sign" means a sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to erect, place, or maintain a sign in the County of Sangamon except in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

The following types of signs are prohibited in all districts:

1. Abandoned Signs. An abandoned sign that is located on a site and the sign was used by an establishment that has not occupied that site for a period of ninety (90) days or more shall be removed. However, any sign structure or supports that are in conformance with provisions of this chapter may remain in place, provided the sign face is removed.
2. Banners, Pennants, Festoons, Searchlights (except as allowed in Section 17.62.100).
3. Signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals.
4. Snipe signs or signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, streetlights, or placed on any public property or public right-of-way.
5. Signs placed on vehicles or trailers which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said sign (this does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business).
6. Roof Signs.
7. Portable Signs.
8. Off-Premise Signs except those that meet the requirements of the Illinois Outdoor Advertising Control Act of 1971, as amended, 225 ILCS 440/1 et seq.
9. Flashing signs except digital display signs which indicate the time, temperature or weather or other similar information shall not be considered flashing signs, provided that the total area of such sign is not greater than sixteen (16) square feet.
10. Animated Signs.
11. Signs which move or give the appearance of movement. This category includes signs which flutter, undulate, swing, rotate, oscillate or otherwise move by natural or artificial means.
12. Signs in violation of Section 17.40.010 (B) concerning obstructions on corner lots at the intersection of any two streets. In this restricted area pole signs with a sixteen (16) inches maximum pole diameter and clearance of ten (10) feet between the bottom of the sign and grade shall be permitted.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Unless otherwise provided by this ordinance, all signs shall require permits and payment of fees as described in Chapters 17.60 and 17.70 of this ordinance. No permit is required for the maintenance of a sign or for a change of copy on painted, printed, or changeable copy signs. All permitted signs shall permanently display stickers as issued by the county zoning administrator.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

The following types of signs are exempted from permit requirements but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this ordinance:

1. Construction signs of sixteen (16) square feet or less.
2. Directional/Information signs of two (2) square feet or less.
3. Temporary Signs.
4. Nameplates of one (1) square foot or less.
5. Government signs or public notices, or any sign relating to an emergency.
6. Window signs.
7. Incidental signs.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

All signs shall be maintained. Exposed surfaces shall be clean and painted if paint is required. Defective parts shall be replaced. The administrator shall have the right to order the repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Unless otherwise specified by this Ordinance, all signs in the A, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1 and I-2 Districts may be illuminated. However, no sign regulated by this ordinance may utilize:

1. An exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector and without a sunscreen or comparable diffusion.
2. Any exposed incandescent lamp unless a screen is attached or unless the sign is placed over fifteen (15) feet above the ground.
3. Any revolving beacon light.
4. Lighting which beams upon any part of any residential building or into a residential district or into a street.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Unless otherwise specified by this ordinance, any sign herein allowed may use manual or automatic changeable copy.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

All persons involved in the maintenance, installation, alteration, or relocation of signs near or upon any public right-of-way or property shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify the County, its officers, agents, and employees, against any and all claims of negligence resulting from such work insofar as this ordinance has not specifically directed the placement of a sign.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

The following signs are allowed in all zoning districts:

1. One (1) construction sign for each street frontage of a construction project, not to exceed twelve (12) square feet in sign area in residential zoning districts or sixteen (16) square feet in sign area in all other zoning districts. Such signs may be erected seven (7) days prior to beginning of construction and shall be removed seven (7) days following completion of construction.
2. One (1) attached nameplate per occupancy, not to exceed one (1) square foot in area.
3. Any number of political signs not to exceed a total of twelve (12) square feet in residential zoning districts or sixteen (16) square feet in all other zoning districts. Such signs must be removed seven (7) days following the election.
4. Temporary special events signs and decoration for special events, grand openings, or holidays. Such signs and decorations may be erected seven (7) days prior to a special event or holiday and shall be removed seven (7) days following the event or holiday. For grand openings such signs may be used for no more than thirty (30) days. In residential zoning districts, one temporary sign not to exceed twelve (12) square feet is permitted per zoning lot. In all other districts two (2) temporary signs, not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet each are allowed. In the Agricultural District, agricultural test/demonstration plots shall be considered special events, which run from planting to harvest. Any number of political signs are permitted per zoning lot. No political sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
5. Directional/information sign, not to exceed two (2) square feet in sign area or eight (8) feet in height.

(Res. No. 11, Exh. A(3), 2-13-2013; Res. 9, Exh. A (part), September 14, 2004; Res. 12 Exh. D (part), May 8, 2001)

Signs are allowed as follows in residential and office zoning districts:

1. All signs as permitted in Section 17.62.100.
2. One (1) subdivision identification sign per neighborhood, subdivision, or development entrance not to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area.
3. One (1) identification sign per apartment or condominium complex entrance, not to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area.
4. For permitted nonresidential uses, including churches and synagogues, one (1) freestanding sign, not to exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area, and one (1) wall sign up to ten (10) percent of wall area or a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet. On corner lots, two (2) such wall signs shall be allowed.
5. All allowed freestanding signs shall have a maximum height limit of twelve (12) feet, no part of a sign shall be within ten (10) feet of a street right-of-way line including the overhanging parts of pole signs as projected vertically from property lines.

(Res. 12 Exh. D (part), May 8, 2001)

Signs are allowed as follows in the A, B-1 and B-2 zoning districts:

1. All signs as permitted in Section 17.62.100.
2. One (1) freestanding sign per zoning lot, not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area for each linear foot of narrowest street frontage up to a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet. Such signs may not exceed a height of twenty-five (25) feet.
3. For each occupancy up to three (3) wall signs or awnings for each elevation, up to ten (10) percent of wall area or a maximum of one hundred (100) square feet and limited to two (2) occupancy frontages.
4. One (1) under-canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed three (3) square feet in sign area.
5. Incidental signs, not to exceed five (5) square feet in aggregate sign area per occupancy.
6. No part of a freestanding sign shall be within ten (10) feet of a street right-of-way line, including overhanging parts of pole signs as projected vertically from the property line. A minimum clearance of ten (10) feet over any vehicular use area or pedestrian use area shall be provided.
7. No freestanding sign shall be placed closer to a lot improved with a residence or residentially zoned than the height of the sign.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Signs are allowed as follows in the B-3, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts.

1. All signs as permitted in Section 17.62.100.
2. One (1) freestanding sign per street frontage limited to two (2), not to exceed one (1) square foot in sign area for each linear foot of street frontage up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet. Such signs shall not exceed a height of thirty-five (35) feet.
3. For each occupancy up to three (3) wall signs or awnings for each elevation, up to ten (10) percent of wall area or a maximum of one hundred fifty (150) square feet and limited to two (2) occupancy frontages.
4. One (1) under-canopy sign per occupancy, not to exceed three (3) square feet in sign area.
5. Incidental signs not to exceed five (5) square feet in aggregate sign area per occupancy.
6. No part of a freestanding sign shall be within ten (10) feet of a street right-of-way line including projecting parts of pole signs as measured vertically from property lines. A minimum clearance of ten (10) feet over any vehicular use area and ten (10) feet over any pedestrian use area shall be provided.
7. No freestanding sign shall be placed closer to a lot improved with a residence or residentially zoned than the height of the sign.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Existing signs which do not conform to the specific provisions of the Ordinance hall be eligible for the designation "Legal nonconforming" provided that:

1. The administrator determines that such signs are properly maintained and do not in any way endanger the public.
2. The sign was covered by a valid permit or variance or complied with all applicable laws on the date of adoption of this ordinance.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

A legal nonconforming sign will lose this designation if:

1. The sign is relocated or replaced.
2. The structure or size of the sign is altered in any way except towards compliance with this ordinance. This does not refer to change of copy or normal maintenance.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

The legal nonconforming sign is subject to all requirements of this code regarding safety, maintenance, and repair. However, if the sign suffers more than fifty (50) percent appraised damage or deterioration, it must be brought into conformance with this code or removed.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)

Where otherwise prohibited by the ordinance, the owner of a sign removed by acquisition of right-of-way may apply for relief to allow relocation under Chapter 17.66 — Variations. In such instances, Section 17.66.050 (A)(2) shall be found in the affirmative in that the removal of such sign shall be the result of governmental action and not the action of the property owner. All other findings and conditions of the section shall apply.

(Res. 12 Ex. D(part), May 8, 2001)