A.   Purpose: The sign regulations of this section are intended to balance the following sometimes competing goals:

      1.   To support the desired character of the village, as expressed in adopted plans, policies, and regulations;

      2.   To promote an attractive visual environment;

      3.   To encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication for businesses, organizations, and individuals;

      4.   To provide a means of way-finding for visitors and residents;

      5.   To provide for reasonable business identification, advertising, and communication;

      6.   To prohibit signs of such excessive size and number that they obscure one another to the detriment of the economic and social well-being of the village and its residents, property owners and visitors;

      7.   To protect the safety and welfare of the public by minimizing hazards for motorized and nonmotorized traffic;

      8.   To minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and

      9.   To provide broadly for the expression of individual opinions through the use of signs on private property.

   B.   Scope and Applicability: All signs within the village are subject to the regulations of this chapter and all other applicable provisions of this zoning ordinance.

   C.   Content Neutrality; Substitution of Noncommercial Messages: Any sign allowed under this chapter may contain, in lieu of any other sign message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message if the sign complies with all size, height, location, and other applicable requirements of this chapter. Such a substitution of message does not require issuance of a sign permit. The purpose of this "substitution" provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech, or the favoring of any one noncommercial message over any other noncommercial message. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

The following signs and sign characteristics are prohibited except as otherwise expressly stated:

   A.   Off-premises outdoor advertising signs;

   B.   Electronic signs;

   C.   Signs painted on building walls;

   D.   Feather signs;

   E.   Signs located in or that project into the public right-of-way unless a license for such location is approved by the board of trustees;

   F.   Signs for which no required permit has been issued;

   G.   Signs located in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance;

   H.   Search lights, strobe lights, rotating beacon lights, flashing lights that are visible from public right-of-way, except as otherwise expressly allowed by this chapter or required by law;

   I.   Signs located in or obstructing a required parking or loading space, or that otherwise obstruct vehicular or pedestrian access or circulation, or that pose any other hazard to motorized or nonmotorized travel;

   J.   Signs that obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening used as a means of egress;

   K.   Signs that interfere with an opening required for ventilation;

   L.   Signs affixed directly to a tree, utility pole or traffic control device;

   M.   Signs that obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or that may be confused with, any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or device;

   N.   Sign displays with a brightness of such intensity or brilliance that they impair the vision or endanger the safety and welfare of any pedestrian, cyclist, or person operating a motor vehicle;

   O.   Roof signs;

   P.   Window border lights, such as LED light strips, and other forms of lighting outlining the border of a window.

   Q.   Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or non-motorized) located in view of a street right-of-way; and

   R.   Signs attached to or painted on a licensed motor vehicle if the sign:

      1.   Directs attention to a business, service, commodity, or activity offered or sold on the premises; and

      2.   If the vehicle is parked closer to the street than the nearest building wall (does not apply to vehicles parked for the purpose of immediate loading and unloading or to personal vehicles parked at the site of a residence). (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

The following signs are allowed as indicated and are not counted as signs for purposes of determining the number of signs or total sign area on a lot. These signs allowed as sign exceptions may not be illuminated unless such illumination is approved through the special use permit process of Section 10-12-4.

   A.   Signs Adjacent to Driveways and Drive Aisles: Signs adjacent to driveways and parking lot drive aisles are allowed in nonresidential zoning districts, as follows:

      1.   One sign may be installed at each driveway providing access to the lot. Such signs must be located within ten feet (10') of the intersection of the driveway and the street right-of-way and may not exceed four (4) square feet in area or three feet (3') in height.

      2.   Off-street parking areas with a capacity of more than eight (8) vehicles may display a sign on the interior of the parking area. Such signs must be located within twenty feet (20') of an internal drive aisle and may not exceed four (4) square feet in area or ten feet (10') in height. Such signs must be located to be visible from internal site drive aisles (rather than from off-site).

   B.   Drive-through Signs: Drive-through signs are permitted in conjunction with approved drive-through uses, in accordance with the following regulations.

      1.   Location: Drive-through signs must be located within ten feet (10') of a drive-through lane.

      2.   Number and Dimensions: One primary drive-through sign not to exceed thirty-six (36) square feet in area or eight feet (8') in height is allowed per order station up to a maximum of two (2) primary drive-through signs per lot. One secondary drive-through sign not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area or 6 feet in height is allowed per lot.

      3.   Residential Separation: Drive-through signs must be set back at least fifty feet (50') from A zoning districts.

      4.   Visibility: Drive-through signs must be oriented to be visible by motorists in allowed drive-through lanes.

   C.   Window Signs: Window signs are allowed in office, business and industrial districts, provided they do not cover more than twenty percent (20%) of the area of the individual window to which they are affixed.

   D.   Temporary Signs:

      1.   Temporary Signs on Lots Marketed for Sale, Rental or Lease” One temporary, non-illuminated sign is allowed per public street frontage on a lot or portion of a lot that is actively being marketed for sale, rental or lease. Such signs are subject to the regulations in Table 10-1:

 

 

      2.   Temporary Sale Signs: One temporary, non-illuminated sign is allowed in conjunction with an open house or occasional sale. Such signs are permitted for a maximum duration of thirty-six (36) hours per week and must be removed no later than one hour after conclusion of the open house or occasional sale. The sign area and height limits of Table 10-1 apply.

      3.   Temporary Signs on Active Construction Sites: One temporary, non-illuminated sign is allowed per public street frontage on a lot upon which building or construction is actively occurring pursuant to a valid, unexpired building permit. Such signs must be removed within thirty (30) days of completion of the construction or development activity or upon revocation or expiration of the building permit. The sign area and height limits of Table 10-1 apply.

      4.   Subdivision Signs: Signs at entrances to residential subdivisions may be approved as part of a landscape plan submitted at the time of subdivision plat or special use permit approval. Size and height limitations must be established by the board of trustees at the time of plan approval. Replacement of existing subdivision signs requires review and approval in accordance with the special use permit procedures of Section 10-12-4.

      5.   Banners:

         a.   Property owners in office, business and industrial districts may request approval to display up to one banner for a period of fourteen (14) days per calendar year.

         b.   The size, construction, material, and placement location of the banner must be approved by the architectural control commission and zoning official.

         c.   All banners must be safely and securely attached or secured to a wall or other structure. No strings, ropes, or wooden slats for anchoring or support purposes are permitted.

         d.   Banners may not project more than six inches (6") from the wall to which they are attached.

         e.   Banners may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

         f.   No electrical devices are permitted within the banner.

         g.   Every applicant for banner must submit the required application fee and other plans and information required by the zoning official.

      6.   Political Signs: Political signs are allowed on private property with the consent of subject property owner.

      7.   Special Event Signs: Special event signs are subject to approval of the board of trustees. Board of trustees-approved special event signs are not subject to the sign regulations of this chapter unless otherwise expressly stated at the time of approval.

   E.   Other Sign Exceptions: The following additional signs are also allowed as sign exceptions:

      1.   Non-illuminated awnings with no more than 6 square feet of sign area on the border of the awning;

      2.   Signs erected and maintained pursuant to the discharge of governmental functions, or that are required by law, ordinance, or government regulation, or that are required to be posted in order to effectuate a legal right.

      3.   Flags that do not contain a commercial message.

      4.   Wall plaques and wall signs mounted flush with the wall of a building that are not illuminated and that do not exceed four (4) square feet in area. No more than one such wall plaque or wall sign is permitted per building entrance.

      5.   Signs that are not legible from any public right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel;

      6.   Signs within completely enclosed buildings, provided that such signs are oriented to be primarily visible from inside the subject building; and

      7.   Manufacturer or product labels and warning notices on equipment or structures. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Applicability: The regulations of this section apply to wall-mounted and freestanding signs, except as otherwise expressly stated. These regulations apply in addition to any other applicable regulations established in this chapter.

   B.   Required Setbacks, Spacing and Separations: No portion of a freestanding sign may be located within ten feet (10') of lot line or within twenty-five feet (25') of an A-zoned lot.

   C.   Mounted Height of Wall Signs: Wall signs may not be mounted in a manner that results in the highest point of the sign exceeding the height of the building wall or parapet to which it is attached.

   D.   Illumination: Unless otherwise approved through the special use permit approval process, signs may be illuminated only by light cast upon such signs from a concealed light source.

   E.   Vertical Clearance: Signs that overhang a sidewalk or driveway must have a minimum vertical clearance of nine feet (9') above the ground surface below the sign. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Applicability: The regulations of this section apply to signs in all A districts. See also the general regulations of Section 10-10-3E.1.

   B.   Residential Uses: Only those signs expressly allowed in Section 10-10-3 are allowed on A-zoned lots occupied by residential uses.

   C.   Nonresidential Uses: The following signs are allowed on A-zoned lots occupied by nonresidential uses:

      1.   Wall Signs: Nonresidential uses in A districts are allowed a maximum of one wall sign per public building entrance. No individual wall sign may exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area. For buildings with multiple public building entrances, the sign area of all wall signs may not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in the aggregate.

      2.   Freestanding Signs: Nonresidential uses in A districts are allowed a maximum of one freestanding sign per street frontage. Allowed freestanding signs are subject to a maximum height limit of six feet (6') and may not exceed 0.25 square feet of sign area per linear foot of street frontage or forty-eight (48) square feet, whichever is less. The maximum sign area calculation must be based on the street frontage to which the sign is oriented. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Applicability: The regulations of this section apply to signs in all office, business, and industrial zoning districts. See also the general regulations of Section 10-10-3E.1.

   B.   Signs Allowed: In addition to those signs expressly in Section 10-10-3, the following signs are allowed in all office, business, and industrial zoning districts:

      1.   Wall Signs: A maximum of one wall sign is allowed per one hundred feet of building frontage. The cumulative area of all wall signs may not exceed 0.5 square feet per linear foot of building frontage or one hundred and twenty (120) square feet, whichever is less.

      2.   Freestanding Signs: A maximum of one freestanding sign is allowed per public street frontage.

         a.   The maximum area of an allowed freestanding sign may not exceed one square foot per linear foot of lot frontage or one hundred and twenty (120) square feet, whichever is less.

         b.   Freestanding signs may not exceed eight feet (8') in height above grade at the base of the sign.

         c.   All freestanding signs must be monument-style signs constructed with a base that is at least fifty percent (50%) as wide as the overall sign width; pole-mounted and pylon-mounted freestanding signs are prohibited.

         d.   Freestanding signs must prominently display the building addresses (with numerals) that have a minimum height of six inches (6").

         e.   All newly constructed freestanding signs require a landscape plan with the sign permit application and must be landscaped in accordance with the following regulations:

         (1)   Freestanding signs must have a minimum landscaped area of five feet (5') around the base of the sign.

         (2)   At least seventy-five percent (75%) of the landscape bed must be planted with vegetation with a minimum height of twenty-four inches (24").

         (3)   Vegetation must include shrubs and ornamental grasses that provide year-round interest.

         (4)   Freestanding signs in parking areas must be surrounded by bollards or a masonry barrier.

         (5)   All plantings must be continuously maintained and replaced as necessary. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

Signs in GU and PUD districts are subject to the regulations established at the time of development plan or site plan approval. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Any person proposing to erect any sign requiring a sign permit must submit a sign permit application to the zoning official. Applications for such permit must be accompanied by detailed plans, including scaled drawings of the proposed sign, a detailed site plan and other information deemed necessary by the zoning official to determine compliance with applicable regulations.

   B.   Sign permit fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

   C.   If the work associated with a sign permit has not been completed within one hundred and eighty days (180) days of the date of the issuance of the permit, such permit will lapse and become null and void. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Description: A nonconforming sign is a sign that was lawfully established but that no longer complies with applicable zoning ordinance regulations because of the adoption or amendment of regulations after the sign was established.

   B.   Regulations: Nonconforming signs may continue subject to the following provisions:

      1.   Nonconforming signs must be maintained in good repair and safe condition. No permits may be issued for upgrades or modifications of nonconforming signs.

      2.   If a sign is nonconforming by reason of restrictions on its brightness or illumination or its use of strobe or beacon lights, the sign must be immediately removed or made to conform.

      3.   A window sign that is nonconforming by reason of restrictions on its sign area must be immediately removed or made to conform.

      4.   If a nonconforming sign is damaged or partially destroyed to the extent of more than fifty percent (50%) of its replacement cost at the time of damage, the sign must be removed or made to conform to all applicable regulations within ninety (90) days of the date of the date of damage or destruction.

      5.   If the sign is not used for advertising purposes for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) consecutive days, the sign is deemed abandoned and must be removed.

   C.   Strobe Lights and Beacons: Search lights, strobe lights and rotating beacon lights that are visible from public right-of- way are prohibited and must be removed immediately, except as otherwise required by law. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)

   A.   Sign Area:

      1.   Signs Enclosed in Frames or Cabinets: The area of a sign enclosed in a frame or cabinet is determined based on the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face (see Figure 10-2).

      2.   Channel (individual) Letter Signs

         a.   The area of a sign comprised of individual letters or elements attached to a building wall is determined by calculating the area of the smallest geometric figure (e.g. square, rectangle, circle, polygon, etc.) that can be drawn around the letters and/or elements (see Figure 10-3).

         b.   Signs consisting of individual letters and/or elements will be measured as one sign when the distance between the letters and/or elements is less than the largest dimension of the largest sign letter (see Figure 10-4).

      3.   Multi-Sided Signs: Unless otherwise expressly stated, when the sign faces of a multi-sided sign are parallel or within thirty degrees (30°) of parallel, only one side is counted for the purpose of determining the area and number of signs. If the sign faces are not parallel or within thirty degrees (30°) of parallel, all sign faces are counted (see Figure 10-5).

      4.   Non-planar Signs: Spherical, free-form, sculptural or other non-planar sign area is measured as fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the areas using only the four (4) vertical sides of the smallest four (4)-sided polyhedron that will encompass the sign structure. Signs with greater than four (4) polyhedron faces are prohibited.

   B.   Sign Height: The height of a sign is measured as the vertical distance from curb level to the highest point of the sign.

   C.   Building Frontage:

      1.   For buildings occupied by a single tenant or multiple tenants that access the building via a common entrance, building frontage is the exterior building wall that:

         a.   Is adjacent to a street or a parking area or other vehicle circulation area that is accessory to and serves the subject building; and

         b.   Contains either windows or a public building entrance.

   Allowed wall sign area for a building that has two (2) or more building frontages must be calculated on the basis of each individual building frontage.

      2.   On buildings housing more than one tenant where each tenant has their own outside entrance, a tenant's building frontage is the exterior building wall (or walls) that directly abut the tenant's interior floor space and that:

         a.   Abuts, parallels, or is the nearest to parallel with a street or a parking area or other vehicle circulation area that is accessory to and serves the subject building; and

         b.   Contains either windows or a public building entrance.

   A tenant that has two (2) or more building frontages must calculate the permitted sign area on the basis of each individual building frontage.

      3.   Regardless of the height or number of tenants in a building, building frontage is determined by one measurement of the horizontal length of the wall at finished grade. Building walls must be measured along a flat, unbroken plane, regardless of the presence of recesses or projections along the building wall.

      4.   As an alternative to the allocation of permitted sign area on the basis of individual building frontages, a differing allotment of sign area may be assigned to the various tenants upon receipt and approval by the zoning official of written authorization from the building's owner or authorized management firm. In no instance may the total combined sign area for all signs exceed the maximum allowed sign area for the individual building frontages, as determined in accordance with building frontage measurement rules of this section. (Ord. 2025-1446, 10-9-2025)