For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:

Advertising off-premises sign. A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted sold, or offered elsewhere than on the same zoning lot.

Building inspector. The building inspector of the building and zoning department.

Building and zoning department. The "building and zoning department" of the office of public works.

Building official. The manager of the building and zoning department.

Business on-premises sign. An accessory sign which directs attention to a profession, business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold, or offered on the same zoning lot, including "for sale" or "for rent" sign relating to the zoning lot on which it is displayed.

Commercial handbills. Any circular, pamphlet, dodger, advertisement, sheet, placard, poster, sticker or other written or printed matter designed to promote the sale of any article for profit, or designed to promote any profit-making venture. The words "commercial handbill" shall not include any regularly published newspaper or magazine.

Electrical inspector. The electrical inspector of the building department.

Erect. To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix, and shall also include the painting of wall signs.

Ground sign. 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.

Handbills. Any circular, pamphlet, dodger, advertisement, sheet, placard, poster, sticker or other written or printed matter except regularly published newspapers or magazines.

Illuminated sign. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs, or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign proper.

Incombustible material. Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1200°F and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.

Marquee. A canopy or covered structure projecting from and supported by a building, when the canopy or covered structure extends beyond the building, building line, or property line.

Marquee sign. An outdoor advertising sign attached to or hung from a marquee.

Person. Person shall mean property owner, contractor, or designer.

Projecting sign. An off-premises sign or a business on-premises sign which is affixed to any building wall or structure and extends beyond the building wall, structure, building line, or property line more than 15 inches.

Roof sign. An off-premises sign or a business on-premises sign erected, constructed, and maintained above the roof of any building.

Sign. Any structure or part thereof, or any device attached to, painted on, or represented on a building or other structure, on which is displayed or included any letter, work, model, banner, flag, pennant, insignia, decoration, device, or representation used as an announcement, direction, advertisement, or other attention directing device. A "sign" does not include a similar structure or device located within a building except for illuminated signs within windows visible from the street. A "sign" includes any billboard, but does not include the flag or cloth pennant or insignia of any nation or association of nations, or of any state, city, or other political unit, or of any political, charitable, educational, philanthropic, civic, professional, religious, or like campaign, drive, movement, or event. Signs shall also include any permanently installed or displayed merchandise.

Wall sign. An off-premises sign or a business on-premises sign which is affixed to the front, side, or rear walls of any building, when such sign shall project not more than 15 inches from the building wall.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Only a licensed sign contractor shall have the authority to secure sign permits and to install signs in the City of Springfield, except that the property owner of an owner-occupied building may secure a permit and install a sign on his own property. The requirements for the licensing and bonding of sign contractors are in the Code of City Ordinances, Chapter 110 Business Licensing, Section 110.285 Sign License. A License Application Routing Form, for use in obtaining a sign license, is available at the offices of the building and zoning department.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

This Chapter 152 shall not be applicable to outdoor political campaign signs on property with a residential zoning district classification or legal residential use. 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1(12).

(Ord. No. 267-7-100, § 1, 7-6-10)

Except as otherwise provided in the following section, no sign or sign structure shall be erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt, or relocated except as provided in this chapter and until a permit for the sign has been issued by the building and zoning department upon application therefor submitted in the form the building and zoning department may prescribe so as to include any information as may be required by the department for a complete understanding of the proposed work. This application shall be accompanied by a fee as scheduled in the Code of City Ordinances, Chapter 170 Building Code, Section 170.10.25 Permits and fees, Commercial Fee Schedule.

Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this chapter has commenced without first obtaining a permit, a fee of either $100 or an amount equal to the permit fee, whichever is greater, shall be assessed. This fee shall be in addition to the normal permit fee, and any other fine or fee that may be applicable.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

No permit will be required under this chapter for the following signs.

(a)

A sign not exceeding three square feet of display surface on a residence building stating merely the name and profession of an occupant.

(b)

A ground sign advertising either the sale or rental of the premises upon which it is maintained when the sign does not exceed 25 square feet of display surface.

(c)

Street, warning, and other official or nonadvertising signs erected by any government or by others where required by or pursuant to legal authority.

(d)

Alterations that do not include any of the following: number, size, height, weight, location, material, structural member, foundation, cabinet.

(e)

The exemptions permitted by this section shall apply only to the requirement of a permit and shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from responsibility for its erection and maintenance in a good and safe condition.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06; Ord. No. 296-08-10, § 1, 8-4-10)

The building and zoning department, upon the filing of an application for an erection permit as required by section 152.05, shall examine the plans and specifications and other data and the premises upon which it is proposed to erect the sign or other advertising structure. If it shall appear that the proposed structure is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and all other laws and ordinances of the city, the department shall then issue the erection permit.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

If the work authorized under an erection permit required by section 152.05 has not been completed within six months after the date of issuance, the permit shall become null and void.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Cross reference— Sign license, Ch. 110.

The building official of the building and zoning department or his designee shall inspect at such times as he deems necessary, each advertising off-premises sign, ground sign, roof sign, illuminated sign, projecting sign, or marquee regulated by this chapter for the purpose of ascertaining whether the sign is secure or insecure, and whether it is in need of removal or repair.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

The owner of any sign as defined and regulated by this chapter shall be required to have the sign properly painted, at least once every two years, including all parts and supports of the sign, unless the parts and supports are galvanized or otherwise treated to prevent rust.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Every sign, when erected, shall have painted in a conspicuous place thereon, in letters not less than one inch in height, the date of erection, the permit number, and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

(a)

The application for a permit for erection of a sign or other advertising structure in which electrical wiring and connections are to be used shall be reviewed by the department. The electrical inspector shall examine the plans and specifications respecting all wiring and connections to determine if the plans and specifications comply with chapter 172, and he shall approve the permit if the plans and specifications comply with this chapter or disapprove the application if noncompliance with this chapter is found.

(b)

Sign contractors may perform their own electrical wiring work within a lighted sign, sign post, and base of a sign. Sign contractors may also perform electrical wiring work on a light fixture which is solely used to illuminate a sign. All other electrical work, including running a circuit or electrical feeder to a lighted sign or light fixture, must be performed by an electrical contractor registered to perform electrical work in the City of Springfield.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product sold, shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which the sign may be found, within ten days after written notification from the building and zoning department, and upon failure to comply with the notice within the time specified in the order, the building and zoning department, through means as described in Chapter 172 of the City Code, is hereby authorized to cause removal of the sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which the sign is attached. Any expenses incurred by the department in enforcing this article shall become a lien upon the property where the sign was located. This lien is superior to all prior existing liens and encumbrances, except taxes and for expenses of building demolition, provided that notice of the lien is filed in the office of recorder of deeds in Sangamon County within 180 days after repair or demolition expenses are incurred. The lien shall consist of a sworn statement setting out a description of the real estate sufficient for identification thereof, the amount of money representing the costs and expenses incurred, and the date or dates when the cost and expense was incurred by the municipality or by the lien holder of record. Upon payment after the notice of lien has been filed, the lien shall be released by the municipality or person in whose name the lien has been filed; and the release may be filed of record as in the case of filing a notice of lien. The lien may be enforced by proceedings to foreclose as in the case of mortgages or mechanics' liens. A suit to foreclose this lien may be commenced by the city in accordance with state law.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

If the building official shall find that any sign or other advertising structure regulated by this chapter is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, he shall give written notice to the property owner thereof. If the property owner fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards set forth in this chapter within ten days after the notice, the sign or other advertising structure may be removed or altered to comply with this chapter by the building department at the expense of the property owner or owner of the property upon which it is located. The department shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or property owner or owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The department may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed as described in section 152.13.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

No outdoor advertising sign shall be erected, constructed, or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, or any window or door or opening used as a means of egress or for fire-fighting purposes, or so as to prevent free passage from one part of a roof to another part thereof. No sign shall be attached in any form, shape, or manner to a fire escape nor be so placed as to interfere with an opening required for legal ventilation.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Every outdoor advertising sign erected under the provisions of this chapter shall be plainly marked with the name of the person erecting the sign.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

(a)

All signs shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 90 miles per hour, exposure "C" wind loads, and seismic loads, as per the 2006 International Building Code adopted by Chapter 170. Signs that, by the nature of their design, will also support snow, must be designed for a ground snow load of 30 pounds per square foot.

(b)

The design, fabrication, and erection of structural steel and connectors shall be in accordance with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) standards. All wood components shall conform to the National Design Specification for Stressgrade Lumber and its Fastenings, recommended by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

(a)

No ground sign for which a permit is required shall be erected to a height of more than 12 feet above the ground unless the face is constructed of sheet metal or other noncombustible facing materials.

(b)

Ground signs which do not exceed 20 feet in height may have supports which consist only of vertical posts driven into or set in the soil, or which consist only of vertical posts rigidly attached to bases embedded in the soil. There shall be two or more vertical posts spaced not to exceed a distance equal to ½ the height of the sign above the ground, except that a sign which does not exceed 50 square feet in area, or a sign designed by either a structural engineer, or by an architect, licensed in the state Illinois, may be supported by a single post.

(c)

All ground signs over 20 feet in height, or with a face area greater than 50 square feet, shall be designed by either a structural engineer, or by an architect, licensed in the State of Illinois. The structural engineer or the architect shall design the sign, the supporting members, and the foundation.

(d)

The posts, or bases for rigidly attached posts, supporting unbraced ground signs shall be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed upon the soil in either a horizontal or vertical direction shall not exceed safe values. Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind load acting in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to pull out amounting to a force 25% greater than the required resistance to overturning.

(e)

The soil used for backfill for the dug-in type of anchor or post support shall be carefully placed and thoroughly compacted. The anchors and supports shall penetrate to a depth of 36 inches below finished grade.

(f)

Anchors or supports of wood to be treated with creosote. Whenever anchors or supports consist of wood embedded in the soil, the wood shall be treated under pressure with creosote or other approved preservative before erection. This requirement shall not apply to temporary signs which will not remain in place for more than six months.

(g)

Duty of owner or occupant of lot. The owner of a lot upon which there is a ground sign or the person occupying the lot or both are hereby required to keep the lot and the ground sign clean, sanitary, inoffensive and free and clear of all obnoxious substances and unsightly conditions.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

(a)

Every roof sign shall be constructed entirely of fire-resistive materials, including the uprights, supports, and braces, except that the ornamental molding, battens, cappings, and nailing strips, platforms, and the decorative trimmings may be constructed of combustible materials.

(b)

No roof sign shall project beyond the exterior wall.

(c)

Roof signs shall be so constructed as to leave a clear space, except for the structure supporting the sign, of not less than four feet between the roof and the lowest part of the sign.

(d)

Roof signs shall be thoroughly secured and anchored to the building over which they are constructed and erected. The dead and wind loads from the signs shall be distributed to the structural elements of the building in a manner that no element shall be overstressed. Roof signs weighing more than 50 pounds, or greater than six feet, zero inches in height, or with a face area greater than 20 square feet shall be designed by a structural engineer, or by an architect, licensed in the State of Illinois. The structural engineer or architect shall design the sign, the sign supports, and shall analyze the capacity of the roof structure to safely support the loads imposed by the sign.

(e)

Uplift due to overturning of roof signs shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to the building walls or structure, or by sufficient concrete counterweights to resist uplift. Proper anchorage to the building walls or structure shall include alterations to the building as may be needed to integrate and adequately interconnect sufficient dead load to equal not less than 50% in excess of the computed uplift applied to the building by the sign. Where uplift is resisted by counterweights, their weight shall exceed the amount of the uplift by 50%. If the counterweights apply loads to the roof that are greater than ten pounds per square foot, the roof structure must be analyzed by a structural engineer, or by an architect, licensed in the State of Illinois.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Wall signs attached to exterior walls of solid masonry or concrete shall be safely and securely attached to the walls by means of metal anchors, bolts, or expansion screws of not less than ⅜-inch in diameter which shall be embedded at least five inches. No wooden blocks or anchorage with wood used in connection with screws or nails shall be considered proper anchorage, except in the case of wall signs attached to buildings with walls of wood. No wall sign shall be entirely supported by an unbraced parapet wall.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

(a)

Signs shall in no case project from a building or structure to any point within two feet of a line drawn perpendicularly upward from the curb line. No projecting sign shall at the lowest point be less than nine feet above the sidewalk or the ground level. All projecting signs for which a permit is required shall be constructed entirely of fire-resistive materials approved by the building official for this purpose.

(b)

Projecting signs shall be securely attached to a building or structure by metal bolts, anchors, supports, chains, wire ropes, or steel rods. No staples or nails shall be used to secure any projecting sign to any building or structure. Projecting signs which are greater than 20 square feet in size, or which weigh more than 50 pounds, or which project more than 36 inches from the face of the building or structure, shall be designed by a structural engineer, or by an architect, licensed in the State of Illinois. The structural engineer or architect shall design the projecting sign, the sign supports, and shall analyze the capacity of the walls of the building to safely support the loads imposed by the projecting sign.

(c)

The dead load of projecting signs, not parallel to the building or structure, and the load due to wind pressure shall be supported by structural shapes, chains, wire ropes, or steel guy rods. These supports shall be erected and maintained preferably at an angle of 45 degrees or more with the face of the sign in an approximately horizontal plane to resist wind pressure. The lateral supports shall be spaced not more than eight feet apart and shall be secured to a bolt or expansion screw capable of developing the strength of the supporting chain, wire rope or steel guy rod. The expansive device and details of the anchorage shall be subject to the approval of the building official. Turn buckles or other approved means of adjustment shall be placed in all chains, wire ropes, or steel guy rods supporting or bracing projecting signs.

(d)

Chains, wire ropes, or steel guy rods used to support the dead or wind load of projecting signs may be fastened to solid masonry walls with expansion bolts or other devices approved by the building official, but no support shall be attached to an unbraced parapet wall. Where the supports must be fastened to walls made of wood, the supporting device must be fastened securely in a manner approved by the building official.

(e)

All metal supports and braces for projecting signs shall be galvanized or of corrosive-resistant material or painted at least once annually.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Fire-resistant marquee signs may be attached to or hung from a marquee. When attached to or hung from a marquee, the signs shall be at least nine feet at its lowest level above the sidewalk or ground level. No sign shall extend outside the vertical lines of the marquee.

No person shall in any manner affix any handbill to any utility pole, including but not limited to, any light, power, telephone or cable, or data poles within the city.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)

Any person who shall violate the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction be subject to a penalty not less than $50 per day nor more than $500. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues. In addition to this penalty the department may utilize any other statutory or common law remedies deemed appropriate by a court of law.

(Ord. No. 826-12-06, § 1(Exh. A), 12-19-06)