Any sign not expressly permitted in this article shall be deemed prohibited.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.1), 9-21-2020)

Within the limitations and restrictions as further provided in this article, the total area of all signs which an establishment is permitted to display shall be computed according to the following formula:

One square foot of sign area per one foot of street frontage or two square feet of sign for each lineal foot of the front width of the building occupied by said business, provided, however, that no establishment in any district shall display more than 300 square feet of sign on any street front.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.2), 9-21-2020)

As used in this article, the term "sign area" means the area of the one imaginary square or rectangle which would completely enclose all the letters, parts, or symbols of a sign.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.3), 9-21-2020)

(a)

Except as specifically provided otherwise in this article, if an establishment has frontage on two or more streets, each side having such frontage shall be considered separately for purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this article. However, the area allowance for signs shall not be aggregated so as to permit such establishment to display on any one frontage a greater area of signs than would be permitted by application of the formula set forth in section 48-202.

(b)

The side of an establishment adjacent to an off-street parking area shall not be deemed frontage unless the establishment has no other frontage.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.4), 9-21-2020)

(a)

No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free access or egress from any door, window, fire escape, or driveway.

(b)

No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that it interferes with, obstructs the view of, or is likely to be confused with any authorized traffic control device.

(c)

Every sign shall be designed and constructed in conformity with any applicable provisions of the adopted building code, if any.

(d)

Every sign and appurtenance shall be maintained in a neat and attractive condition by its owner. The sign supports shall be kept painted to prevent rust or deterioration.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.5), 9-21-2020)

Illumination of signs is permitted, subject to the following requirements:

(1)

No sign shall employ red, yellow, or green lights in such a manner as to confuse or interfere with vehicular traffic.

(2)

No sign other than those providing time and temperature information shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness, or color; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to any message on any electronically-operated, changeable sign.

(3)

The light from any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded, or directed so that it creates neither a nuisance to adjacent property nor a traffic hazard.

(4)

Electronic displays may be used as portions of allowed wall or monument signs. Electronic displays shall be essentially static and not flash, simulate motion or create a strobe light effect. Examples include time/temperature information, gas prices, or other information.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.6), 9-21-2020)

A nonconforming sign means any lawfully erected sign or billboard that does not conform to one or more provisions of this article or any amendment thereto.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.7), 9-21-2020)

Any nonconforming sign as defined in section 48-207 that does not pose an imminent peril to life or property may lawfully remain subject to all the restrictions on the enlargement, alteration, or relocation, or reconstruction of nonconforming structures set forth in Article VIII of this Code; provided as follows:

(1)

Merely changing the message displayed on a nonconforming sign shall not be construed as a prohibited alteration;

(2)

Whenever any sign is nonconforming solely because it is appurtenant to a nonconforming commercial/industrial use located in the agricultural district or in any residential district, said sign shall be treated in the same manner as it would be if it were appurtenant to a commercial/industrial use located in any business district or in the industrial district.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.8), 9-21-2020)

Except as specifically noted otherwise, henceforth, the following signs and street graphics are strictly prohibited throughout the city:

(1)

Signs in the public right-of-way.

(2)

Mobile/portable marquees; except that they may be permitted as a temporary sign.

(3)

Signs attached to trees, fences or public utility poles, other than warning signs posted by government officials or public utilities.

(4)

Defunct signs, including the posts or other supports therefor that advertise or identify an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises where such sign is located.

(5)

Roof-mounted signs, that project or protrude above the highest point of the roof. (See section 48-212).

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.9), 9-21-2020)

Any sign or other street graphic enumerated below that complies with the indicated requirements is permitted in any district of the city. Such signs or street graphics shall not be debited against the displaying establishment's sign area allowance. (See section 48-202)

(1)

Construction signs identifying the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of the building, but not advertising any product: Such signs shall not exceed 24 square feet in area, shall be confined to the site of the construction, and shall be removed within 14 days after the intended use of the project has begun.

(2)

Real estate signs, indicating the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located: Such signs on residential property shall not exceed six square feet; on other property, such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet. Not more than one real estate sign per street front shall be erected on any lot. Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the sale, rental or lease.

(3)

Political signs, announcing candidates seeking public/political office and/or political issues and other pertinent information: In any agricultural or residential district, political signs shall not exceed eight square feet; in other districts, such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Political signs shall be removed within seven days after the election to which they pertain, by the party responsible for their erection.

(4)

Garage sale signs, advertising a garage or yard sale to be held on private residential property: Such signs shall not exceed four square feet, and shall not be posted for longer than five days.

(5)

Public interest signs and street banners, publicizing a charitable or non-profit event of general public interest: In the agricultural district, and in any residential district, public interest signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Public interest signs and street banners shall be permitted only for 60 days before and seven days after the event.

(6)

Governmental, public, and directional signs: Such as traffic control signs; railroad crossing signs; legal notices; signs indicating the location of underground cables; no trespassing signs; no parking signs; signs indicating the entrances and exits of parking lots; signs indicating the location of public telephones; restrooms, and so forth.

(7)

Institutional signs identifying a public, charitable, or religious institution: Such signs shall be located on the premises of such institution, shall not obstruct the vision of motorists, and shall not exceed 24 square feet.

(8)

Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, and containing such information as date of erection, name of building, and memorial tributes.

(9)

Subdivision entrance signs, identifying a residential subdivision or apartment complex: Such signs shall contain no commercial advertising, and shall not exceed 20 square feet.

(10)

Permanent house numbers and/or permanent name of occupant signs located on the lot to which the sign applies: such signs shall not exceed two square feet for single-family dwelling, nor six square feet for multiple-family dwellings.

(11)

Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, provided such signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively by the patrons or residents of such buildings.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.10), 9-21-2020)

No sign other than those listed in section 48-210 shall be erected in the agricultural district or in any residential district.

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.11), 9-21-2020)

No establishment located in any business district or in the industrial district shall display on any street front a total area of sign in excess of the allowance derived by application of the formula set forth in sections 48-202 and 48-210.

Additionally, signs in any business district or in the industrial district shall conform to the requirements indicated in the subsections below:

(1)

Flush-mounted signs. No flush-mounted (wall) sign shall:

a.

Project more than 18 inches from the wall or surface to which it is attached; or

b.

Extend above the roof line of the building to which it is attached.

(2)

Window signs. Signs permanently mounted in display windows shall not be debited against the sign area allowance of the particular establishment.

(3)

Projecting signs. No establishment shall display more than one projecting sign on any street front. No projecting sign shall:

a.

Project above the roof line of the building to which it is attached; or

b.

Extend below a point eight feet above the ground or pavement; or

c.

Project over a driveway or beyond the curb line of any public street; or

d.

Project more than four feet from the building to which it is attached; or

e.

Extend to a point above 12 feet.

(4)

Canopy or marquee signs. Signs mounted flush on any canopy or marquee shall be considered flush-mounted (wall) signs, and shall meet the requirements of section 48-212(1). Signs suspended beneath a canopy or marquee shall be considered projecting signs, and shall meet the requirements of section 48-212(3).

(5)

Freestanding signs. No establishment shall display more than one freestanding sign on any street front. Freestanding signs, whether mounted on the ground or post-mounted, shall comply with the following regulations:

a.

No part of any freestanding sign shall intrude into any public right- of-way. No part of any freestanding sign that extends below a point ten feet above the ground or pavement shall be located closer than ten feet from the public right-of-way line.

b.

The area of any freestanding sign, calculated in accordance with section 48-202, shall not exceed 100 square feet.

c.

When attached to its structural supports, no part of any freestanding sign shall extend more than 20 feet above the ground or pavement.

d.

The length or width of any freestanding sign shall not exceed 12 feet.

(6)

Illuminated sign. Any sign designed to internally give forth artificial light or designed to reflect light from one or more exterior sources of artificial light erected for the sole purpose of illuminating the sign.

(7)

Portable display sign. Any movable display structure, capable of relocation, under its own power, or towed by a motor vehicle. The display message of the sign may be painted or non- painted and capable of being readily altered. Portable display signs may be with or without electrical illumination and power, and with or without wheels.

(8)

Shopping center identification signs. Shopping centers identification signs (for commercial and industrial subdivisions with at least three lots, and for multi-tenant centers) shall be monument signs and limited to one sign per multi-tenant center. This does not preclude the use of individual signs for each business within the shopping center. A shopping center, as an entity, may erect an identification sign in accordance with the provisions of this article if the total gross floor area of all the establishments located in the center provided the shopping center identification sign shall not exceed 200 square feet in area. One sign shall be allowed per 75 linear feet of frontage, not to exceed two freestanding signs per shopping center. Shopping center identification signs shall display the range of addresses (numbers only) located within the shopping center, the square footage of such address portion of sign to be exempted from the 200 square feet of total sign area, with a minimum height of five inches, unless a finished base is provided, then the numbers may appear on the finished base (sign face sides), with a minimum height of five inches. Such range of addresses shall be of a reflective material if not illuminated.

(9)

Billboards. Billboards and other off-premises advertising signs are strictly prohibited in every district except the industrial district. No billboard shall:

a.

Be stacked on top of another billboard; or

b.

Be located closer than 25 feet to any lot line or any public right-of-way; or

c.

Be located closer than 500 feet from any other billboard on the same side of the roadway; or

d.

Extend more than 20 feet above the ground or pavement;

e.

Exceed 300 square feet in area.

f.

Shall be within 50 feet of US Highway 50 or as determined by IDOT.

(10)

Temporary signs. Temporary signs shall not remain in place for a period of more than 30 days except when the city extends the time period for an additional 30 days. Any further time extension shall thereafter be applied for through the city council. The city council may grant such time extension as seems reasonable and necessary in compliance with this article. A permit is required for all temporary signs. (See sections 48-57 and division 2 "Special Uses")

(Ord. No. 1769, § 1(Att. 48.6.12), 9-21-2020)