Weyauwega City City Zoning Code

Ensuring Constitutionally protected speech.

Reducing distractions and obstructions from signs that would adversely affect traffic safety and alleviating hazards caused by signs projecting over or encroaching upon the public right-of-way.

Discouraging excessive visual competition in signage and ensuring that signs aid orientation and adequately identify uses and activities to the public.

Preserving or enhancing the natural beauty and unique physical characteristics of the City of Weyauwega by requiring new and replacement signage which is harmonious with the buildings to which signs relate, surrounding neighborhood aesthetics, and other signs in the area and is complementary to the City's suburban architectural character and unobtrusive commercial developments.

Promoting a healthy and properly designed business environment.

Protecting property values within the City.

Ensuring safe construction of signage.

The repainting, cleaning, and other normal maintenance and repair of the sign and sign structure.

Panel changes or face changes when such changes do not substantively change the dimensions of the existing sign or sign structure.

Those specific signs identified in this chapter as not requiring a sign permit.

The name, address, and telephone number of the sign owner, the property owner, where the sign is or will be located, and the sign contractor of the proposed sign.

Clear and legible color drawings with description of the proposed sign, the construction, size, dimensions, and kind of materials to be used is such structure.

Site plan drawing showing:

Scale drawing of sign(s) indicating dimensions, materials to be used, color scheme, type of illumination, if any, and the method of construction or attachment.

Means by which proposed sign(s) shall be affixed to the ground or attached to structures (as applicable).

Such other information as the Zoning Administrator may require to determine full compliance with this and all other applicable laws of the City.

Signature of the applicant.

All required fees.

The Zoning Administrator shall issue a sign permit upon determination that:

The Zoning Administrator shall notify the Building Inspector upon approval of a sign permit.

If the sign permit is denied, the Zoning Administrator shall provide written notice of the denial to the applicant, together with a brief statement of the reasons for the denial.

Signs that disfigure, obstruct, or conceal architectural details, windows and window openings, doors, or other significant structural accoutrements.

Signs that imitate, interfere with, obstruct the view of, or can be confused with any authorized traffic control sign, signal, or other device.

Wall signs on single- and two-family dwellings located in nonresidential zoning districts.

Electronic signs in residential districts.

Changeable copy signs in the residential districts, except for manual change of copy signs accessory to places of worship, fraternal clubs/lodges, and similar such institutional uses when located on a residential district lot.

Animated signs.

Flashing signs, including signs with scintillating, blinking, or traveling lights of more than 15 watts per lamp.

Off-premises signs.

Signs which are painted on, or attached or affixed to, rocks, trees, or other living vegetation.

Signs with any light flashing more than 10 times per minute.

Roof signs.

Flags displayed in a manner noncompliant with Section of this article pertaining to flags.

Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers that are parked on a public right-of-way, public property, or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way where the apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business or activity, unless otherwise specifically allowed in this chapter. This subsection shall not be interpreted to prohibit signs placed on or affixed to vehicles and trailers while the vehicle is parked or used incidentally to the primary use of the vehicle or trailer and are stored during periods of nonuse inconsistent with functional advertising.

Signs containing reflective elements which sparkle or twinkle in the sunlight.

Signs located in rear yards.

Signs attached to, erected, or maintained on any standpipe, exterior stairway, fire escape, tower, or balcony so as to interfere with the use thereof.

Signs entirely supported by a parapet wall.

Neon tubing exposed to view and not covered with an opaque cover of Plexiglas or other similar material.

Beacons of any type.

Blanketing of existing signs.

Any other signs not specifically permitted by this chapter.

No more than two ground signs, subject to the following:

One temporary sign, subject to the following:

One wall sign, subject to the following:

No more than two ground signs, each with a face area no larger than three square feet.

Two temporary signs, subject to the following:

Horizontal banners, subject to the following:

Feather signs, subject to the following:

One portable sign, subject to the following:

Door signs and window signs in the B-1 and B-2 Districts.

Neon signs.

Sandwich Board Signs.

Outdoor menu boards.

Integral signs, not to exceed two per structure.

Official and governmental signs, such as traffic control, parking, information, and notices.

Signs intended to protect public safety or warn of potential hazards associated with a specific activity. Such signs shall be maintained only so long as the activity for which they are intended is ongoing.

Official notices posted by public officers or employers in the performance of their duties.

Signs required as specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance.

Signs affixed to a truck, bus, trailer, or other vehicles, while operating in the normal course of business, which is not primarily the display of signs.

A sign carried by a person.

House numbers and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area for each residential, commercial, or industrial building.

Signs internal to a site not intended to be viewed from outside the site.

Interior signs.

Festoons.

Athletic field signage including signs, banners, and scoreboards designed for view from spectator areas and displayed on interior walls, fences, or other structures located inside an enclosed athletic field at a school, park, or other public or private athletic complex; except that approval of the Plan Commission shall be required to display a sign, banner, or scoreboard under this subsection at a City park. Signs may be illuminated so long as such illumination does not pose a safety risk within or outside the parcels in question. Scoreboards that qualify under this subsection may include flashing elements, if adequate screening is provided to screen the views from abutting streets, as approved by the Zoning Administrator. For purposes of this subsection, a "school" shall mean public schools as defined in Wis. Stats., § 115.01(1), private schools as defined in Wis. Stats., § 115.001(3r), and technical colleges authorized under Wis. Stats., § 38, Athletic field signage may be illuminated and may be temporary.

Memorials, grave markers, statuary or other remembrances of persons or events, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other nonreflective, unobtrusive, and incombustible materials.

Sanctioned event signs. Signs associated with a temporary, City-sanctioned event, provided type, size, location, and duration of placement of sign(s) is approved by the Zoning Administrator.

Residential District Lots other than R-3 District.

All other Districts and R-3 District.

Type of signs allowed. In addition to signs not requiring a permit, the following signs are allowed:

Signs accessory to places of worship, fraternal clubs/lodges, and similar such institutional uses:

Subdivision signs. Residential subdivision signs shall be permitted compliant with the following:

Type of signs allowed. In addition to signs not requiring a permit, the following signs are allowed:

Place name signs. Place name signs shall be permitted compliant with the following:

One gas canopy sign may be placed on each side of the canopy which directly abuts and faces a City street the right-of-way.

The maximum face area for gas canopy signs shall be limited to 25 square feet in total for all sides of the canopy.

Gas canopy signs shall not project more than 13 inches from canopy to which it is affixed.

Decorative striping shall not be placed on the canopy's vertical fascia.

Gas canopy signs may be unilluminated, internally illuminated, or backlit.

Transition time on electronic signs shall not exceed two seconds. No black space is allowed in between message changes.

Each electronic sign shall have a lighting sensing device that will adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.

No electronic signs shall be permitted within 200 feet of any railroad crossing.

Electronic signs shall not project more than 18 inches from a building space or the face of the sign.

Electronic signs shall contain a default design that will freeze the design in one position if a malfunction occurs.

Purpose. Historic signs are a distinctive feature of Weyauwega and provide a visual link to the community's past.

Preservation.

Maintenance. When preserved, historic wall signs and ghost signs shall be maintained but shall not be repainted.

Maximum area wall signs. The City desires to preserve existing, historic wall signs by allowing building owners to install new wall signs without existing, historic wall signs factoring into maximum dimensional standards associated with all other wall signs.

Districts allowed. Multi-tenant signs are permitted in B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, and G-1 Districts, and for places of worship, fraternal clubs/lodges, and similar such institutional uses when located in residential districts.

General standards.

Number.

Face area.

Height. The height of a multi-tenant sign shall comply with the maximum height for a ground sign in the applicable zoning district.

Setbacks. Multi-tenant signs shall comply with the setback requirements for a ground sign in the applicable zoning district.

Design standards. Multi-tenant signs shall comply with design standards ground signs.

Purpose. Murals provide a means by which to honor Weyauwega's past, present, and future and express pride in our community and its institutions.

Districts allowed. Murals are allowed in all Business Districts, Industrial Districts, Institutional Districts, and Open Space and Recreation Districts.

Permit required. A sign permit is required prior to installation of a mural.

Location.

Number. The maximum number of murals allowable on any individual structure is one.

Size. There is no maximum size for a mural. However,

Design standards. The mural shall be produced using high-quality materials to ensure the longevity of the graphic.

Off-site Impacts.

Care and maintenance.

Signs shall comply in all respects with applicable sections of City of Weyauwega Building Code.

All ground signs shall be self-supporting structures and permanently attached to sufficient foundations.

All signs, except those attached flat against the wall of a building and those signs of which no portion exceeds a height of three feet and are no greater than nine square feet in area shall be constructed to withstand wind loads as follows, with correct engineering adjustments for the height of the sign above grade:

Supports and braces shall be an integral part of the sign design. Angle irons, chain, or wires used for supports or braces shall be hidden from public view to the extent technically feasible.

All signs in which electrical wiring or connections are used shall be subject to all applicable provisions of state code. No person may erect any sign with exposed electrical cords or wires. Electrical service to ground signs shall be concealed wherever possible.

Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable, and structurally sound condition at all times. This includes restoring, repainting, or replacing a worn or damaged sign to its original condition. This also includes maintaining the premises on which the sign is erected in a clean and sanitary condition, free and clear of noxious substances.

All signs shall be maintained in a legible condition (except when a weathered or natural surface is intended). Painted signs shall be repainted at such times as the deterioration of the paint results in illegibility or disfiguration.

The Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector shall have the right to order the repair or removal of any sign which is defective, damaged, or substantially deteriorated.

Signable area. The signable area of a building is designated as the area of the facade of the building up to the roofline, which is free of windows and doors or major architectural detail on which signs may be displayed.

Measuring sign face. In calculating the area of a sign to determine whether it meets the requirement of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator shall include the sign copy and any border or frame surrounding that copy. Supporting posts or foundations shall be excluded from the area calculation. The area of irregularly shaped signs or signs containing two or more detached elements shall be determined by the area of the smallest regular polygon that will encompass all elements of the sign.

Measuring sign height. The sign height shall be the vertical distance measured from the grade at the base of the sign structure to the highest point of such sign or sign structure. In the case where a sign is to be located in a raised planting bed or berm, the grade shall be determined by the average of the grades measured at the base of the planting bed or the toes of the slope at the front and back of the bed or berm.

All signs.

Awning, canopy, and marquee signs.

All ground signs and pole signs for which a permit is required shall be set in a landscaped base of appropriate size to provide shrubs and base plantings that will enhance and compliment the sign.

Where any sign is proposed to be externally illuminated using ground-mounted fixtures, landscape plantings shall be installed in such a manner as will entirely shield the light source from the surrounding view.

Landscape species shall be consistent with the requirements of Article VIII, Landscaping, of this chapter and shall be of a type as will ensure effective year-long screening.

The sign is structurally altered in any way other than normal maintenance and repair that makes the sign less compliant with the requirements of this chapter than it was before the alteration.

The sign is relocated.

The sign is abandoned.

The permitted or conditional use associated with the sign changes.