(A)   Purpose. The sign regulations of this section are intended to achieve balance among the following differing, and at times, competing goals:

      (1)   To support the desired character of Will County, 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, thus reducing traffic confusion and congestion;

      (5)   To provide for adequate 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 county and its residents, property owners and visitors;

      (7)   To protect the safety and welfare of the public by minimizing the hazards to pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

      (8)   To differentiate among those signs that, because of their location, may distract drivers on public streets and those that may provide information to them while they remain in their cars but out of active traffic;

      (9)   To minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and

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

   (B)   Scope and applicability.

      (1)   All signs within unincorporated Will County are subject to the regulations of this section and all other applicable provisions of this zoning ordinance.

      (2)   ILCS Ch. 225, Act 440, §§ 1 et seq. is an act that relates to the control of the erection and maintenance of billboards and other outdoor advertising devices on lands adjacent to the Federal-Aid Primary System and the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in Illinois. Consequently, the ordinance is applicable and enforceable only in commercially and industrially zoned areas along these roads and highways and in all zones along all other roads and highways in Will County.

   (C)   Content neutrality. Any sign allowed under this section may contain, in lieu of any other message or copy, any lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit, or to a product, commodity or service for sale or lease, or to any other commercial interest or activity, so long as the sign complies with the size, height, area and other requirements of this article.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

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

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

   (B)   Signs that interfere with an opening required for ventilation, except that signs may cover transom windows when not in violation of building and fire prevention codes;

   (C)   Signs, other than allowed campaign signs, special event signs and advertising signs (see § 155-13.30(C)(3) and (C)(4) and § 155-13.60), that direct attention to a business, commodity service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed;

   (D)   Signs larger than two square feet in area that are suspended by chains, ropes, or other means designed to allow the sign to swing or move freely;

   (E)   Signs affixed directly to a tree, pole, fence or traffic control device;

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

   (G)   Signs that violate the vision clearance provisions of § 155-14.80;

   (H)   Signs attached to or painted on an inoperable or unlicensed vehicle (motorized or non-motorized) located in view of the right-of-way;

   (I)   Signs attached to or painted on a licensed vehicle that is located in view of the right-of-way when the Zoning Administrator determines that the vehicle is parked solely for the purpose of displaying the sign to passing motorists or pedestrians (this prohibition is not intended to apply to vehicles regularly used for deliveries or otherwise integral to the operation of a legally operated business on the subject property);

   (J)   Search lights and rotating beams of light, including those that resemble emergency lights;

   (K)   Signs located in or that extend into the public right-of-way or that project beyond property lines (this prohibition on signs in the right-of-way does not apply to signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency); and

   (L)   Signs that include flashing lights, projected or moving images, moving parts or that emit noise, unless otherwise expressly authorized by regulations of this section.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   Signs that comply with all regulations of this section are allowed without a sign permit and are not counted as signs for the purpose of calculating the number and amount of signage on a site, unless otherwise expressly stated. Unless otherwise expressly stated, such signs may not be illuminated. All illuminated signs allowed by this ordinance require a sign permit

      (1)   Signs established by, or by order of, any governmental agency;

      (2)   Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision, provided they contain no commercial message;

      (3)   Commemorative plaques and memorial signs up to six square feet in area.

      (1)   One directional sign may be installed at each vehicle entrance and exit. Such signs may be illuminated, but they may not exceed four square feet in area or five feet in height. Commercial messages may comprise no more than 50% of the area of a directional sign.

      (2)   Off-street parking areas with a capacity of more than four vehicles may display signs that do not exceed nine square feet in area or ten feet in height. Such signs are intended to direct and inform patrons and visitors about parking rates and rules, the location of stairways and elevators, pedestrian routes, restrooms, telephones, and other facilities. Such signs may not be illuminated and may not contain any commercial messages.

         (a)   "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs on lots containing a single-family dwelling unit or zoned for single-family residential development are limited to a maximum area of nine square feet per sign.

         (b)   "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs on lots containing agricultural, multi-family, public/ quasi-public, commercial, or industrial use or that are zoned for such use may not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or 0.25 square feet of sign area per each linear foot of street frontage for the first 150 feet of street frontage and 0.10 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage for street frontage in excess of 150 feet. These area calculations must be based on the street frontage to which the sign is oriented. No such sign may exceed 150 square feet in area.

         (a)   Construction signs on a lot containing a single dwelling unit or a lot zoned for single-family residential development may not exceed 24 square feet in area.

         (b)   Construction signs on a lot containing multiple dwelling units, public/quasi- public, commercial or industrial uses or a lot zoned for such uses may not exceed may not exceed the greater of 32 square feet or 0.25 square feet of sign area per each linear foot of street frontage for the first 150 feet of street frontage and 0.10 square feet of sign area for each linear foot of street frontage for street frontage in excess of 150 feet. These area calculations must be based on the street frontage to which the sign is oriented. No such sign may exceed 150 square feet in area.

         (c)   Construction signs for new residential subdivisions or planned unit developments consisting of fewer than 100 dwelling units may not exceed 100 square feet. For subdivisions or planned unit developments of more than 100 dwelling units, up to two signs totaling no more than 200 square feet are permitted.

         (d)   Construction signs must be removed within two weeks of completion of the construction or development.

      (3)   Campaign signs. Temporary campaign (candidate or ballot issue) signs are allowed for a period of not more than 60 days before an election, referendum, or similar voting event. Temporary campaign signs must be removed no later than six days after the voting event. The total copy area for all campaign signs allowed without a sign permit may not exceed 32 square feet per lot and campaign signs allowed without a sign permit may not exceed six feet in height.

      (1)   Signs that are not legible from any public right-of-way or from beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel;

      (2)   Signs within completely enclosed buildings that contain no commercial message;

      (3)   Wall signs identifying allowed home occupations, provided the sign conforms to the regulations identified in § 155- 10.10(D), Home Occupations;

      (4)   Address signs and name plates not exceeding two square feet in area;

      (5)   "No trespassing," "no dumping" and similar warning/security signs, including the warning of beekeeping on premises, that do not to exceed four square feet in area; and

      (6)   Non-illuminated awnings with no more than six square feet of sign (copy) area on the border of the awning.

      (7)   Signs on scoreboards, fences and walls associated with sports fields and recreation and entertainment venues if such signs are primarily oriented and visible to participants and spectators within the venue.

      (8)   Non-illuminated murals on side and rear building facades and on fences and walls if such murals do not contain a commercial message. Illuminated murals and murals containing a commercial message are regulated as signs and require a permit.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Am. Ord. 15-202, passed 7-16-2015; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018; Ord. 18-192, passed 10-23-2018; Ord. 18-241, passed 9-20-2018)

   (A)   Applicability. The regulations of this division apply to signs accessory to residential uses in all zoning districts and to all uses in agricultural, residential and SP-PO zoning districts.

   (B)   Single-family and two-family. Signs accessory to single-family and two-family residential uses are subject to the regulations of § 155-13.30, which allows real estate (for sale/for rent) signs, home occupation signs and other sign types commonly associated with single-family and two-family residential uses.

   (C)   Multi-family. Signs accessory to multi-family residential uses are subject to the regulations of § 155-13.30. In addition, multi-family buildings or developments containing from three to ten dwelling units are allowed one wall or ground sign with a maximum area of nine square feet. Multi-family buildings or developments containing more than ten dwelling units are allowed one or wall or ground sign with a maximum area of 50 square feet.

   (D)   Neighborhood/subdivision identification signs. Neighborhood or subdivision identification signs are allowed as entrance features to neighborhoods or subdivisions. Neighborhood/ subdivision identification signs:

      (1)   Must be monument signs; and

      (2)   May not exceed eight feet in height or 40 square feet of area.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   (A)   Applicability. The regulations of this division apply to signs accessory to all commercial and industrial zoning districts.

   (B)   Wall signs.

      (1)   Maximum number. A maximum of one wall sign is allowed per 100 feet of building frontage or fraction thereof. See § 155-13.130(B) for "building frontage" calculation rules.

      (2)    Maximum area. Except as expressly stated in division (B)(3) of this section, the cumulative maximum area of all allowed wall signs is determined by multiplying the applicable maximum sign area ratio by the length of the subject building frontage. Different maximum sign area ratios are established for different sign types, as follows:

 

 

      (3)   Alternative maximum area.

         (a)   Regardless of the maximum wall sign area allowance calculated pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, the maximum area of a wall sign may not exceed 250 square feet.

         (b)   Conversely, all allowed wall signs may be at least 16 square feet in area, regardless of the length of the subject building frontage.

      (4)   Location. Except as otherwise expressly stated, wall signs may be placed on any wall as long as the sign does not cover more than 20% of the area of the wall or more than 70% of the building frontage to which it is attached. This provision does not apply to wall signs using the alternative maximum area allowance of division (B)(3)(b) of this section.

   (C)   Projecting signs.

      (1)   When allowed. Projecting signs may be substituted for allowed wall signs, provided that the total number of wall signs and projecting signs combined may not exceed one per 100 feet of building frontage or fraction thereof. See § 155-13.130(B) for "building frontage" calculation rules.

      (2)   Sign area calculation. In calculating the sign area of a multi-faced projecting sign, the area of the largest sign face must be counted twice.

      (3)   Maximum projection. Projecting signs may not project more than ten feet beyond the wall of the subject building.

      (4)   Vertical clearance. The bottom of a projecting sign must be at least nine feet above the ground elevation beneath the sign.

   (D)   Awning and canopy signs.

      (1)   When allowed. Non-illuminated awnings with no more than six square feet of sign (copy) area on the border of the awning may be used in addition to wall signs. Other awning signs or canopy signs may be substituted for allowed wall signs, provided that the total combined number of wall signs, projecting signs, awning signs and canopy signs may not exceed one per 100 feet of building frontage or fraction thereof. See § 155-13.130(B) for "building frontage" calculation rules.

      (2)   Maximum area. Letters, logos, and symbols on awning or canopy signs are limited to a maximum area of one square foot per one foot of awning length or 25% of the awning area, whichever is less. The total combined length of letters, logos and symbols may not exceed 70% of awning or canopy length. In calculating the length and area of an awning or canopy only the single longest plane of the awning or canopy may be counted. This generally means that the valance and sides (ends) of the awning or canopy will not be counted for purposes of measuring length or area.

   (E)   Freestanding signs.

      (1)   Maximum number. A maximum of one freestanding sign is allowed per lot. If a lot has more than 1,000 feet of street frontage, a maximum of two freestanding signs are allowed.

      (2)   Maximum area. Freestanding signs are subject to the following maximum sign area standards:

 

 

      (3)   Maximum height. Freestanding signs may not exceed 40 feet in height.

      (4)   Location.

         (a)   Freestanding signs must be set back at least ten feet from all public rights-of-way and from the back of curb or outer edge of all drive-ways.

         (b)   Freestanding signs must be set back at least 50 feet from all residential zoning districts.

         (c)   Freestanding signs are subject to the vision clearance provisions of § 155-14.80.

      (5)   Design.

         (a)   Poles or pylons used to support freestanding signs must be covered or concealed by a decorative cover that is architecturally compatible with the overall design of the sign and the architectural character of buildings on the site, in terms of style, colors, and materials.

         (b)   The ground area surrounding the base of all freestanding signs must be landscaped. The landscape area must be at least as large as the sign area. The landscape area must include shrubs, perennial and/or annual flowers, ornamental grasses, and/or vegetative ground cover. Landscape plans, indicating plant materials and location must be submitted with the sign permit application. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve alternative landscape or base treatments if the Zoning Administrator determines that landscaping at the base of the freestanding sign is impractical because of soil conditions, space constraints or other factors beyond the reasonable control of the applicant. Alternative landscape treatments may include additional landscaping elsewhere on the site, the use of masonry materials to conceal the base of the sign or other treatments that provide an equivalent or higher level of visual amenity than the otherwise required sign base landscaping requirements.

      (6)   Address. All freestanding signs must include the street address (number) of the subject property. Street address numbers will not be counted as part of the sign's area.

   (F)   Multi-tenant developments. Multi-tenant developments are subject to the regulations of divisions (B), (C) and (E) of this section, except as expressly modified or supplemented by the regulations of this division.

      (1)   Directory signs. In addition to other allowed signs, multi-tenant developments may have up to one directory sign for each driveway within the development. Directory signs may not exceed 15 square feet in area and, if freestanding, may not exceed six feet in height. Directory signs are intended to convey information to pedestrians and motorists within the boundaries of the development.

      (2)   Freestanding signs on outlots and outparcels. A maximum of one freestanding sign is allowed per outlot or outparcel in a multi-tenant development. Freestanding signs on outlots and outparcels are subject to the following regulations:

         (a)   Maximum area. Freestanding signs on outlots or outparcels are subject to the following maximum sign area standards:

 

 

         (b)   Maximum height. Freestanding signs on outlots or outparcels may not exceed 16 feet in height.

         (c)   Location.

            1.   Freestanding signs must be set back at least ten feet from all public rights-of-way and from the back of curb or outer edge of all driveways.

            2.   Freestanding signs must be set back at least 50 feet from all residential zoning districts.

            3.   Freestanding signs are subject to the vision clearance provisions of § 155-14.80.

         (d)   Design.

            1.   Poles or pylons used to support freestanding signs on outlots or outparcels must be covered or concealed by a decorative cover that is architecturally compatible with the overall design of the sign and the architectural character of buildings on the site, in terms of style, colors, and materials.

            2.   The ground area surrounding the base of all freestanding signs on outlots or outparcels must be landscaped. The landscape area must be at least as large as the sign area. The landscape area must include shrubs, perennial and/or annual flowers, ornamental grasses, and/or vegetative ground cover. Landscape plans, indicating plant materials and location must be submitted with the sign permit application. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve alternative landscape or base treatments if the Zoning Administrator determines that landscaping at the base of the freestanding sign is impractical because of soil conditions, space constraints or other factors beyond the reasonable control of the applicant. Alternative landscape treatments may include additional landscaping elsewhere on the site, the use of masonry materials to conceal the base of the sign or other treatments that provide an equivalent or higher level of visual amenity than the otherwise required sign base landscaping requirements.

      (3)   Master sign plans. Master sign plans are required for multi-tenant developments in accordance with § 155-13.80.

   (G)   Menu board signs. Menu board signs accessory to allowed drive-through uses are permitted in addition to other allowed signs, as follows:

      (1)   Number and dimensions. One primary menu board not to exceed 36 square feet in area or eight feet in height is allowed per order station up to a maximum of two primary menu boards. One secondary menu board not to exceed 15 square feet in area or six feet in height is allowed.

      (2)   Residential separation. Menu board signs must be set back at least 75 feet from residential zoning districts.

      (3)   Visibility. Menu board signs are intended to convey information to motorists within the boundaries of the development and therefore may not be located or oriented to be visible from off site.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   Advertising signs are subject to the regulations of this subsection.

   (A)   Where allowed. Advertising signs are allowed only in the C-4, I-1, I-2 and I-3 districts and only if reviewed and approved in accordance with the special permit use procedures of § 155-16.40.

   (B)   Area. Advertising signs may not exceed the following maximum area requirements for signs readable and intended to be viewed from the following types of highways and streets:

 

 

   (C)   Lease. Whenever the applicant for a permit does not own the proposed site, a fully executed site lease or other proof of consent to erect and maintain an advertising sign on the site must accompany the permit application.

   (D)   State permit. If the advertising sign site is adjacent to a Federal-Aid Primary or Interstate Highway, a county sign permit may not be issued until the applicant provides proof that a state permit has been approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation in accordance with ILCS Ch. 225, Act 440, and Title 92 Part 522 of the Illinois Administrative Code.

   (E)   Spacing and separation.

      (1)   No advertising sign may be located within a 5,280-foot radius of any other advertising sign. For purposes of interpreting this spacing requirement advertising signs attached to the same freestanding sign structure are not considered separate signs.

      (2)   No advertising signs are permitted within a 1,320-foot radius of any public park of more than five acres in area, as measured from the nearest point of the advertising sign to the nearest park property line.

      (3)   No advertising signs are permitted within a 1,320 foot radius of any residential zoning district, as measured from the nearest point of the advertising sign to the nearest residential zoning district.

      (4)   No advertising signs are permitted within a 1,320 foot radius of any school, as measured from the nearest point of the advertising sign to the nearest property line of a lot occupied by a school.

   (F)   Height. The maximum allowed height of an advertising sign is 40 feet above curb level or four feet above the roof or top of the parapet of the nearest building, whichever is higher.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   The regulations of this section govern the use of dynamic displays. Different regulations are established for advertising signs and all other signs.

   (A)   Advertising signs. The regulations of this division (A) apply to dynamic display advertising signs. See division (C) of this section for regulations governing other signs that incorporate dynamic displays.

      (1)   Purpose.

         (a)   There are few, if any, opportunities to establish new (static display or dynamic display) advertising signs in unincorporated Will County because of long-standing regulations that require advertising signs to be separated from one another and from certain protected land uses. At the same time, the county is extremely limited in its ability to require the removal of existing nonconforming advertising signs. The provisions of this section establish fair and objective regulations governing the use of dynamic displays on advertising signs.

         (b)   Among other things, these regulations allow some advertising signs to be converted from static to dynamic displays. Such regulations are intended to provide an incentive for the voluntary and uncompensated removal of nonconforming advertising signs under certain circumstances and to help reduce the number of nonconforming signs in the county, thereby improving its overall appearance. In doing so, these provisions are intended to advance the goals of the Land Resource Management Plan, the overall purposes of this zoning ordinance and specific purposes of this section.

      (2)   Where allowed.

         (a)   A new advertising sign that incorporates a dynamic display may be established only if approved as a special use (in accordance with the procedures of § 155-16.40), subject to compliance with all applicable advertising sign and dynamic display regulations of this section.

         (b)   An existing, conforming advertising sign face may be converted to incorporate a dynamic display if approved as a special use (in accordance with the procedures of § 155-16.40), subject to compliance with all applicable advertising sign and dynamic display regulations of this section.

         (c)   A single existing, conforming advertising sign face may be converted to incorporate a dynamic display as of right in exchange for the removal of at least two square feet of nonconforming advertising sign face area for each one square foot of dynamic display sign face area without obtaining special use approval, subject to compliance with all applicable advertising sign and dynamic display regulations of this section.

         (d)   A single existing, nonconforming advertising sign face may be converted to incorporate a dynamic display as of right in exchange for the removal of at least four square feet of nonconforming advertising sign face area for each one square foot of dynamic display sign face area without obtaining special use approval, provided that all of the following requirements are met:

             1.   The propose d advertis ing sign dynami c display sign face shall not be located within 300 feet of a residential zoning district as measured in a semicircular arc with a 300-foot radius as measured from the dynamic display sign face. The 300-foot radius shall be measured from the midpoint of the length of the dynamic displace sign face;

            2.   The advertising sign must be located at least one mile from any existing dynamic display advertising sign face facing the same direction along the same roadway;

            3.   The advertising sign must be located at least 660 feet from another dynamic display advertising sign on an intersecting roadway; and

            4.   The dynamic display advertising sign complies with all applicable advertising sign and dynamic display regulations of this section.

         (e)   A nonconforming advertising sign face may be converted to incorporate a dynamic display if approved in accordance with the special use procedures of § 155-16.40. Such conversions are subject to compliance with all applicable advertising sign and dynamic display regulations of this section and the "conversion" provisions of § 155-15.40(G).

         (f)   Advertising signs removed through the process of eminent domain or other similar process whereby monetary compensation from a federal, state or local government agency is received by the sign owner in exchange for removal of an advertising sign, are not eligible to use the static to dynamic display sign conversion regulations of divisions (A)(2)(c), (A)(2)(d) or (A)(2)(e) of this section.

         (g)   For the purpose of counting the square footage of a removed sign face area, the sign face area that is being replaced with a dynamic display sign face cannot be counted towards fulfilling the removal requirement.

      (3)   Voluntary removal of advertising signs.

         (a)   Before issuance of a sign permit for an advertising sign that incorporates a dynamic display, applicants who elect to remove nonconforming advertising signs in exchange for permission to convert a static display to a dynamic display must agree in writing to permanently remove, within 180 days after issuance of the sign permit, the number of advertising sign faces required to be removed pursuant to divisions (A)(2)(c) or (A)(2)(d) of this section.

         (b)   Signs to be removed must be owned or leased by the applicant for the dynamic display. Removal must include the complete removal of the above-grade structure and the foundation to at least one foot below grade.

         (c)   The applicant must also agree in writing that the county may remove the sign if the applicant does not do so within the time required, and the application must be accompanied by a financial guarantee acceptable to the Land Use Department to cover the county's costs of removing the signs.

         (d)   The applicant must also agree in writing that they are removing the sign voluntarily in order to receive a dynamic display sign permit as compensation for the removed sign and that they have no right under any law to financial compensation for the removed sign.

         (e)   If the removed sign face is one for which an Illinois state permit is required, the applicant must surrender the permit to the state upon removal of the sign. The dynamic display may not be operated until proof is provided to the county that the state permit has been surrendered.

         (f)   An owner of an advertising sign face also has the right to remove a conforming or nonconforming sign face in a Will County municipality that was originally permitted by Will County, provided that the advertising sign face is located wholly within the boundaries of Will County. The new dynamic display sign face must be installed on a sign structure that is located in unincorporated Will County. The removal of any sign located within a municipality must be done solely to fulfill the requirements of divisions (A)(2)(c) or (A)(2)(d) and cannot be combined to fulfill any municipal requirements.

         (g)   At a minimum, one advertising sign structure must be removed within a five-mile radius of the advertising sign face that is converted to a dynamic display to comply with divisions (A)(2)(c) or (A)(2)(d). If the advertising sign owner does not have any sign structures within a five-mile radius, then the radius will be increased in one-mile increments until the closest advertising sign owned is removed. Additional sign faces may be removed outside of the five-mile radius.

         (h)   A sign owner may remove an existing static advertising sign in advance before applying for a dynamic display building permit. In such cases the Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve a credit for the sign face area removed and apply that credit towards a future dynamic display permit for the sign owner. The sign owner must provide 30 days advance written notice to the Land Use Department before removing the static advertising signs; nighttime brightness levels must be verified when adjacent to a residential zoning district. The sign owner must provide written notification including property location, number of signs and faces (including area of sign faces, before and after photographs of each sign structure, and date of removal to the Land Use Department. The Land Use Department must then determine whether the requirements for receiving credit have been met and issue a letter to the sign owner acknowledging any sign face square footage that will be allowed to be counted towards a future dynamic display. A removed advertising sign may not be re-erected on the subject property without Land Use Department approval. The credit the sign owner receives is valid for no more than two years from the date of removal.

      (1)   If regulations governing dwell time of dynamic displays are modified by the Illinois Department of Transportation, advertising sign owners and operators are required to bring dynamic display advertising signs into compliance with those dwell time regulations. In no case may dwell time be less than ten seconds.

      (2)   If an Illinois licensed design professional determines that it is necessary to have an advertising sign upgraded or rebuilt to accept a dynamic display sign face, this work may be performed on the subject property only if a dynamic display sign face is being attached to the advertising sign structure in conformance with all the dynamic display regulations of this section. A special use permit is not required for an advertising sign that is upgraded or rebuilt to have a dynamic display sign face attached to it, the advertising structure will not have to conform to the current sign regulations except the advertising structure may not exceed the current size of the sign faces and the overall height of the advertising sign. Any sign structure that is rebuilt must be located on the same parcel and may not be located more than 10% of the parcel's lineal frontage or 200 feet from the center of the existing sign structure that is being replaced, whichever is the lesser distance.

      (3)   Dynamic display advertising signs are subject to the general dynamic display regulations of division (D) of this section.

         (a)   Prohibited locations. Dynamic displays are prohibited in agricultural and residential zoning districts, except as may be approved as a special use permit.

         (b)   Allowed locations. Dynamic displays are permitted for all allowed uses in commercial and industrial zoning districts, subject to the dynamic display regulations of this division. Dynamic displays may be approved as a special use permit in agricultural and residential zoning districts.

   (D)   General regulations. The general regulations of this division (D) apply to all dynamic displays, whether incorporated in advertising signs or in other signs.

      (1)   The images and messages displayed on a dynamic display must have a minimum dwell time of at least ten seconds and may not contain any movement, animation, audio, video, pyrotechnics or other special effects.

      (2)   The transition or change from one message to another must occur in one second or less and involve no animation or special effects.

      (3)   The images and messages displayed must be complete in and of themselves within the required dwell time.

      (4)   Dynamic displays must be equipped with a default mechanism that freezes the display in one position or presents a static or blank display if a malfunction occurs.

      (5)   Dynamic displays may not have 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.

      (6)   Dynamic displays must be equipped with a light detector/photocell that automatically adjusts the display's brightness according to natural ambient light conditions.

      (7)   The maximum brightness level of a dynamic display may not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter) during daylight hours or 250 nits between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, as those times are determined by the National Weather Service (Actual Time). Brightness must be measured from the brightest element of the sign's face. Before the issuance of a sign permit, the applicant must provide written certification from the sign manufacturer that the light intensity has been factory pre-set so that it will not exceed 5,000 nits (candelas per square meter).

         (a)   The maximum nighttime brightness level, measured in nits, of a dynamic display sign that is permitted by division (A)(2)(d) of this section may not exceed the nighttime brightness level, measured in nits, of the sign that is converted if the dynamic display sign is adjacent to and faces a residential zoning district.

         (b)   For the purpose of verifying compliance with maximum brightness level requirements, the Zoning Administrator will measure brightness levels with the dynamic display sign set to run full white copy with a luminance meter positioned at a location perpendicular to the sign face center. When taking the luminance reading, the sign face must be the only subject visible in the viewfinder.

         (c)   If the measurement is more than the maximum allowed, the brightness level is in violation of this ordinance and must be adjusted downward. Failure to make such adjustments may result in other available enforcement actions to be taken by the county.

      (8)   Regulations governing dynamic displays are subject to ongoing monitoring and future modification in the exercise of the county's police powers. No vested right is ever created in an existing dynamic display. If regulations governing operational aspects of dynamic displays (e.g., dwell time, transitions, illumination/brightness, etc.,) are modified by the county, sign owners and operators are required to bring dynamic display advertising signs into compliance with all applicable dynamic display regulations.

      (9)   Proposals for dynamic displays must be reviewed and approved by the Land Use Department for compliance with all applicable building, safety and electrical codes. Applications must include appropriate documentation from an Illinois licensed design professional of the sign structure's ability to accommodate the dynamic display technology.

      (10)   Light trespass from any dynamic display may not cause the light level along any residential zoning district, as measured at a height of 60 inches above grade in a plane at any angle of inclination, to exceed 0.1 footcandles above ambient light levels at the residential property line.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012: Ord. 13-265, passed 10-17-2013; Am. Res. 15-38, passed 2-19-2015; Am. Ord. 19-51, passed 3-21-2019)

   (A)   Applicability. No sign permit may be issued for a new multi-tenant development until a master sign plan has been reviewed and approved by the county. A master sign plan is not required for existing multi-tenant developments except when the development is being rehabilitated or expanded and the value of such rehabilitation or expansion exceeds three times the equalized assessed valuation of the development (based upon information obtained from the Will County Supervisor of Assessments or Township Assessor) for the most recent tax year.

   (B)   Contents of master sign plans. Master sign plans must indicate the number, location, materials, colors and dimensions of all freestanding and wall signs in the multi-tenant development. The master sign plan must also identify the types proposed and any other information necessary to determine whether the proposed signs comply with the sign regulations of this article.

   (C)   Design. Master sign plans must describe and illustrate a consistent pattern of signage in the development. All signs within the development must have at least three of the following design elements in common:

      (1)   Common colors on the background or text;

      (2)   Common lettering style;

      (3)   Common size (e.g., a height or wall location common to each sign); or

      (4)   Common materials.

   (D)   Sign structure color. All sign cabinets, trim caps, returns and all sign supports such as poles and braces must be of a common color.

   (E)   Plan approval and amendments. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve master sign plans and amendments to master sign plans. Amendments to master sign plans may be approved by the Zoning Administrator only if all signs approved under the existing master sign plan are in conformance or are brought into conformance with the provisions of the amended master sign plan.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Any person proposing to erect any sign requiring a sign permit must submit a sign permit application to the Zoning Administrator. Application for such permit must be accompanied by detailed plans, including scaled drawings of the proposed sign and other information deemed necessary by the Zoning Administrator to determine compliance with all applicable regulations.

   (B)   All freestanding signs and illuminated signs require review and approval and the issuance of a building permit.

   (C)   Where a proposed sign includes elements of two different sign types (e.g., box signs, raceway-mounted channel letter signs, distinctive materials/design signs), the Zoning Administrator must determine the appropriate classification of the sign based on the dominant characteristics of the proposed sign.

   (D)   Where this section requires the submission of master sign plan, such sign plan must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review and approval.

   (E)   Sign permit fees must be paid prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

      (1)   The calculation of the sign permit fee for an on-premise freestanding sign or projecting sign is based on each sign face.

      (2)   For wall signs, only the actual copy is counted in calculating the sign permit fee.

      (3)   The calculation of the sign permit fee for an advertising sign is based on the gross area of each sign face. A sign permit must be obtained for each sign face.

      (4)   An annual registration fee must be submitted by the sign owner to the county by February 1 of each year for each sign face on an advertising sign structure. The annual registration fee will be doubled if paid after February 1.

      (5)   In accordance with ILCS Ch. 225, Act 440, and Title 92 Part 522 of the Illinois Administrative Code, applicants for sign permits for advertising signs adjacent to the federal-aid primary or interstate system must provide verification that an Illinois state permit was issued and are subject to all applicable permits and fees required. No sign permits may be issued until such verification is provided to the Zoning Administrator.

   (F)   If the work associated with a sign permit has not been completed within one year of the date of the issuance of the permit, such permit will lapse and become null and void.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   The use of temporary mobile signs is allowed only in commercial zoning districts and is limited to no more than 21 days per calendar year. No more than two temporary use permits for a temporary mobile sign may be issued for a lot within a single calendar year.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   Nonconforming signs are subject to the nonconforming sign regulations of § 155-15.60.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)

   (A)   General. The provisions of this division describe a variety of unlawful signs. Upon determination that a sign is unlawful, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to take any action allowed by this zoning ordinance, the building ordinance and state law to enforce the provisions of this article, including requiring the sign's removal. For purposes of these provisions, sign removal means removing the entire sign and, in the case of freestanding signs, removing all supporting structures or elements.

   (B)   Revocation of sign permit. Any sign for which a sign permit has been revoked is unlawful.

   (C)   Signs installed without permit. Any sign installed without required permits, including those that may be required by this zoning ordinance or the building code is unlawful.

   (D)   Signs constructed in violation. Any sign installed in violation of county regulations, including this zoning ordinance or the building code, is unlawful.

   (E)   Signs in right-of-way. Except as otherwise expressly allowed, any sign installed or placed on public property or within public rights-of-way will be forfeited to the public and are subject to confiscation.

   (F)   Obsolete or abandoned signs.

      (1)   Any sign that advertises a business no longer conducted on the premises will be considered abandoned and must be removed by the owner within 30 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator.

      (2)   Any advertising sign that has not been used to display a message for a period of one year or more will be considered abandoned and must be removed at the sign owner's expense within 30 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator.

      (3)   In all cases, the sign structure must be kept in good repair at all times, with adequate painting and secure structure. If the provisions of this division (F) are not met, all portions of the sign and support structures must be brought into compliance or removed.

   (G)   Sign maintenance. All signs (including nonconforming signs) must be maintained in safe, presentable, and good structural material condition at all times, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning, and other acts required for sound maintenance and appearance of the sign. Any sign that is deemed by the county to be in violation of these maintenance provisions or other applicable regulations of this ordinance may be ordered to be removed by the property owner after notice has been given by the Zoning Administrator.

   (H)   Responsibility for removal. When removal of a sign is required, both the owner of the property on which the sign is located and the owner of the sign, if different, are jointly and severally responsible for removal.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   Sign area. This section sets forth rules for measuring sign area and other regulated dimensional features.

      (1)   Box or signs. The area of a box sign is determined based on the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face. However, screened box signs with raised or routed out letters, may be measured as described in division (A)(2) below.

      (2)   Channel (individual) letter signs. 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. 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.

      (3)   Multi-sided signs. Unless otherwise expressly stated, when the sign faces of a multi-sided sign are parallel or within 30 degrees of parallel, only one side is counted. If the sign faces are not parallel or within 30 degrees of parallel, all sign faces are counted.

   (B)   Building frontage. Many of the wall sign regulations of this ordinance are based on "building frontage." The following rules govern the measurement of 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 (or walls) that: (1) is adjacent to a street or a parking area or other vehicle circulation area that is accessory to and serves the subject building and (2) contains either windows or a public building entrance. Allowed wall sign area for a building that has two 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: (1) 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 (2) contains either windows or a public building entrance. A tenant that has two or more building frontages must calculate the permitted sign area on the basis of each individual building frontage.

      (3)   Regardless of the height, number of stories, or number of tenants in a building, building frontage will be 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 Administrator of written authorization from the owner or authorized management firm of the building or development. Such written authorization must be in the form of a master sign plan that complies with the provisions of § 155-13.80.

      (5)   In no instance may the total combined sign area for all signs exceed the maximum allowed sign area for the individual building frontages.

   (C)   Wall area. The area of a wall is calculated by multiplying the building frontage by the building's height or 15 feet, whichever is less.

   (D)   Window area. The area of a window includes only the glass or glazed elements of the window. Frames, mullions and similar features are not counted as part of the window area.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)    Externally illuminated signs may be illuminated only with stationary, downward-cast, shielded light sources that direct light solely onto the face of the sign. Light bulbs or light tubes, excluding neon, used for illuminating such signs must be shielded or positioned so that they are not visible from public rights-of-way or residential zoning districts.

 

 

   (B)   Light trespass from any sign may not cause the light level along any residential zoning district, as measured at a height of 60 inches above grade in a plane at any angle of inclination, to exceed 0.1 footcandles above ambient light levels at the residential property line.

(Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)