Williams Bay City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 10
Signage
§ 390-1001 Purpose.
The Village of Williams Bay has an historic tradition of being a highly scenic, primarily residential, vacation community. Signage has a strong visual impact on the character and quality of the community. As a prominent part of the scenery, signs attract or repel the viewing public, affect the safety of vehicular traffic, and their suitability or appropriateness helps to set the tone of the neighborhood. Since the Village of Williams Bay relies on scenery and physical beauty to maintain the high desirability of its primarily residential character, aesthetic considerations assume economic value. It is the intent of the Village of Williams Bay, through this article, to protect and enhance the Village's residential character and economic base through the provision of appropriate and aesthetic signage. In addition, it is the intent of the Village to limit the size, type, and location of signs in order to minimize their distracting effect on drivers and thereby improve traffic safety.
§ 390-1002 Compliance.
No sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted, or structurally altered without conforming with the provisions of this chapter.
§ 390-1003 Signs permitted in all zoning districts without a permit.
The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a permit, subject to the following regulations:
A.
Real estate signs not to exceed eight square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
B.
Name and warning signs not to exceed two square feet and located on the premises.
C.
Home occupation and professional home office signs not to exceed two square feet in area and mounted flush against the dwelling.
D.
Election campaign signs, provided that permission shall be obtained from the property owner, renter, or lessee; and provided that such sign shall not be erected more than 45 days immediately prior to an election, and removed within four days following the election.
E.
Rummage sale and garage sale signs, provided that no such signs shall be erected or placed within a public right-of-way and further provided that such signs are removed within 24 hours following the sale.
F.
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions not to exceed eight square feet in area and located on the premises.
G.
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
H.
Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information, and notices.
§ 390-1004 Signs permitted in all residential districts with permit.
The following signs are permitted in any residential district and are subject to the following regulations:
A.
Permanent real estate development signs placed at the entrance to a subdivision or development shall contain only the name of the subdivision or development and shall meet all the yard requirements of the district in which it is located. The Plan Commission shall determine the appropriate size of the sign based on the design of the sign and its compatibility with adjacent land uses.
B.
Temporary development signs for the purpose of designating a new building or development, or for promotion of a subdivision may be permitted for a limited period of time, provided that the sign shall not exceed 48 square feet in area and shall meet all the yard requirements of the district in which it is located. The Plan Commission shall specify the period of time the sign may remain based on the size of the development allowing a reasonable time to market the development.
§ 390-1005 Signs permitted in all business and industrial districts with permit.
The following signs are permitted in all business and industrial districts subject to the following restrictions:
A.
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches outside of a building's wall surface, shall not exceed 50 square feet in area for any one premises, and shall not extend above the roof line of the building.
B.
Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from, or supported by structures shall not exceed 20 square feet in area for any one premises; shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard; shall not extend more than three feet into any public right-of-way; shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines; shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean center line street grade; and shall not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk nor 15 feet above a driveway or an alley.
C.
Ground signs shall not exceed eight feet in height above the mean center line street grade, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which they are located, and shall not exceed 25 square feet on one side nor 50 square feet on all sides per sign for any one premises.
D.
Marquee, awning, or canopy signs affixed flat to the surface of the marquee, awning, or canopy are permitted, provided the sign does not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of said marquee, awning, or canopy. A marquee, awning, or canopy may extend to within one foot of the vertical plane formed by the curb. A name sign not exceeding two square feet in area located immediately in front of the entrance to an establishment may be suspended from a canopy, provided that the name sign shall be at least 10 feet above the sidewalk.
E.
Roof signs are prohibited in the Village of Williams Bay.
F.
Window signs, except for painted signs and decals, shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 25% of the glass area.
G.
Combinations of any of the above signs shall not exceed the requirements for an individual sign. The total surface area of all signs on any premises shall not exceed 50 square feet, exclusive of window signs.
(1)
The total number of signs on any premises shall be limited as follows:
Figure 390-1005 | |
|---|---|
Floor Area (square feet) | Maximum Number of Signs Permitted |
0 to 5,000 | 2 |
5,001 to 20,000 | 3 |
20,001 to 50,000 | 4 |
More than 50,000 | 5 |
(2)
Window signs shall be limited to the equal number of the maximum number of signs permitted above.
§ 390-1006 Signs permitted in public and park and recreation districts with permit.
[Amended 2-2-2015; 5-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
The following signs are permitted in the Public and Institutional and Parks and Recreation Districts and are subject to the following regulations:
A.
Private institutional and park name signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
B.
Public institutional and park name signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
C.
Athletic field off-premises signs when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission. Such signs may be located only on outfield fencing adjacent to athletic fields located in Village parks and may only be installed and in place from April 1 through October 31. Signs shall not exceed 40 square feet in area. The top edge of the sign must be not less than one foot below the top of the fence and the bottom edge of the sign must be not less than one foot above the surface of the ground. The depiction or description of alcohol or tobacco or other products and services not suitable for youth or the promotion of their values are prohibited. Restaurants or distributors may advertise their business name, provided no prohibited items are included.
D.
Public school variable message sign when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission. Such sign is subject to the requirements of § 390-1008.
E.
Scoreboards when approved by the Village Board following recommendation of the Village Plan Commission.
§ 390-1007 Portable signs.
The Building Inspector may permit the temporary use of a portable sign for advertising purposes in any district, provided that the portable sign will not be located in any public right-of-way, will not be located closer than 10 feet to an adjacent property, and will not cause a hazard to traffic or adjoining properties. Portable sign permits shall not be granted for a period of more than 60 days in any 365-day period. The permit required in § 390-1012 shall be required for portable signs. Banners are portable signs.
§ 390-1008 Variable message signs.
[Added 5-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
Variable message signs (VMS) shall be regulated as follows:
A.
Operation limitations. A VMS display shall contain static messages only, changed only through dissolve or fade transitions, or with the use of other subtle transitions and frame effects that do not have the appearance of moving text or images, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, or any part of the sign structure, design or pictorial segment of the sign, including the movement of any illumination or the flashing, scintillating or varying of light intensity.
B.
Hours of illumination. A VMS shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
C.
Changing of sign content. The content for a VMS cannot be changed once the sign is illuminated. Any content for a VMS must be changed while the sign is not illuminated.
D.
Brightness adjustment and appearance. All VMS shall be equipped with photosensitive equipment which automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast of the sign in direct relation to the ambient outdoor illumination. The background of the sign shall be a single solid color, including black but excluding white, and all messages displayed in single-color lights only.
E.
Permitted sign area. The message display area of the VMS shall be included when calculating the permitted sign area for the type of sign (e.g., wall, monument) in the zoning district in which the sign is located.
F.
Maintenance. All VMS shall be maintained so as to be able to display messages in a complete and legible manner.
G.
Location. A VMS shall be allowed only on the grounds of a public school.
H.
Number. A total of two VMS may be allowed as follows:
§ 390-1009 Facing.
§ 390-1010 Lighting and color.
A.
Signs shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size, form, or color of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals, or devices. Signs shall not be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape; and no sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape. Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility, nor be lighted in such a way as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public ways.
B.
Signs may be illuminated but nonflashing and shall further comply with the Village lighting ordinance. Illuminated signs for businesses are permitted only for businesses located within the Village and shall be illuminated only during the hours the businesses such signs advertise are open for business. Illuminated signs shall not be revolving or animated; however, copy on time and temperature devices may be cyclical. Signs in residential districts may be illuminated only with Village Board approval following recommendation by the Village Plan Commission.
[Amended 5-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-01]
§ 390-1011 Construction and maintenance standards.
A.
Wind pressure and dead load requirements. All signs and other advertising structures shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Village Building Code[1] or other ordinance.
B.
Protection of the public. The temporary occupancy of a sidewalk or street or other public property during construction, removal, repair, alteration, or maintenance of a sign is permitted, provided the space occupied is roped off, fenced off, or otherwise isolated.
C.
Maintenance. The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance and repair, which includes restoring, repainting, or replacement of a worn or damaged legally existing sign to its original condition; and shall maintain the premises on which the sign is erected in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish, weeds, and grass.
D.
Supporting members or braces of all signs shall be constructed of galvanized iron, properly treated wood, steel, copper, brass, or other noncorrosive incombustible material. Every means or device used for attaching any sign shall extend through the walls of the building should the Building Inspector determine that the safe and permanent support of such sign so requires and shall be securely anchored by wall plates and nuts to the inside of the walls in accordance with instructions given by the Building Inspector. Small flat signs containing less than 10 feet of area may be attached to a building by the use of lag bolts or other means to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
E.
No signs or any part thereof or sign anchors, braces, or guide rods shall be attached, fastened, or anchored to any fire escape, fire ladder, or standpipe and no such sign or any part of any such sign or any anchor, brace, or guide rod shall be erected, put up, or maintained so as to hinder or prevent ingress or egress through such door, doorway, or window or so as to hinder or prevent the raising or placing of ladders against such building by the Fire Department of the Village, as necessity therefor may require.
§ 390-1012 Existing signs.
[Amended 1-15-2024 by Ord. No. 2023-08]
A.
Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this chapter may be continued although the size or location does not conform to this chapter.
B.
Signs shall be kept in good repair. A sign which is not repaired, painted or maintained within 90 days of written notification by the Zoning Administrator shall be removed and the owner shall be subject to penalty.
C.
A nonconforming sign, although it shall be maintained, may not be replaced except by a conforming sign, except that the face of the nonconforming sign may be changed or modified provided that the new sign face is of the same dimensions of the existing sign and may be incorporated into the existing frame and supporting structure.
D.
A nonconforming sign may not be enlarged or modified to increase the nonconformity.
E.
If there is a change in ownership of the business or institution which the sign is representing, the face of the nonconforming sign may be changed or modified provided that the new sign face is of the same dimensions as the existing sign and may be incorporated into the existing frame and supporting structure.
F.
A nonconforming sign shall be discontinued and removed when the business identified on the sign has closed or moved or the use of the building upon which the sign is displayed or attached is changed. A nonconforming sign shall be deemed abandoned and shall be discontinued and removed if the property upon which such sign is located remains vacant for a period of 60 days.
§ 390-1013 Sign permit.
A.
Application for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the Building Inspector or Village Clerk and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
(1)
Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant and location of the building, structure, or lot to which or upon which the sign is to be attached or erected.
(2)
Name of the person, firm, corporation, or association erecting the sign.
(3)
Written consent of the owner or lessee of the building, structure, or land to which or upon which the sign is to be affixed.
(4)
A scale drawing of such sign indicating the display surface, the dimensions, the materials to be used, the type of illumination and wiring details, if any, and the method of construction and attachment.
(5)
A scale drawing indicating the location and position of such sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, height above grade, and distance from lot lines.
(6)
Copies of any other permit required and issued for said sign, including the written approval by the Building Inspector, in the case of illuminated signs, who shall examine the plans and specifications, reinspecting all wiring and connections to determine if the same complies with the Village Electrical Code.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(7)
Additional information as may be required by the Building Inspector or Village Plan Commission.
B.
Sign permit applications shall be filed with the Building Inspector, who shall review the application for its completeness and accuracy and approve or deny, in writing, the application within 30 days of receipt from the applicant unless the time is extended by written agreement with the applicant. A sign permit shall become null and void if work authorized under the permit has not been completed within six months of the date of issuance.
C.
Insurance. Any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of erecting, repairing, maintaining or relocating any sign shall maintain in effect at all times a policy of liability insurance with limits of $300,000 for bodily injury and $1,000,000 property damage. Proof of insurance shall be presented to the Building Inspector before the sign permit is granted.
D.
Inspection. The applicant shall, upon completion of the installation, relocation, or alteration of the sign, notify the Building Inspector, who will ensure that the sign complies with the regulations of this article. Every sign shall be inspected and approved by the Building Inspector within 30 days after it is erected or altered.
E.
Appeals. The Building Inspector may, at any time for a violation of this article, revoke a permit or require changes so the sign conforms to this article. The holder of a revoked permit shall be entitled to an appeal before the Zoning Board of Appeals (see § 390-1105). Any person, firm, or corporation aggrieved by any permit denial or decision by the Building Inspector relative to the provisions of these sign regulations may appeal and seek review of such decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
§ 390-1014 Measuring signs.
In calculating the area of a sign to determine whether it meets the requirement of this chapter, the Building Inspector shall include the sign copy and any border or frame surrounding that copy. Supporting members of a sign shall be excluded from the area calculation. Area of irregular-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.
§ 390-1015 Directional signs.
[Added 8-18-2014]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide information to the public to assist in locating businesses in the Village of Williams Bay and other destination facilities, which are not located on high-traffic streets and/or which are not located in the central business area, while providing sufficient regulation to maintain a consistent and uncluttered look adjacent to the heavily traveled streets within the Village.
B.
Eligibility.
(1)
The following are eligible for a directional sign:
(a)
Businesses with a location in the Village for which a valid certificate of compliance for commercial activities has been issued. This subsection shall not apply to businesses with a location adjacent to Geneva Street, Elkhorn Road or North Walworth Avenue from Geneva Street to Olive Street.
(b)
Destination facilities including, but not limited to, educational institutions, tourist attractions and health-care facilities.
(c)
Municipal-owned facilities.
(2)
Home-based occupations or other home-based commercial ventures are not eligible.
C.
Application for a directional sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the Building Inspector or Village Clerk and shall contain the following information:
D.
The directional sign permit application shall be filed with the Village Clerk, who shall forward all applications to the Streets and Highways Committee for review. Following its review, the Committee shall forward its recommendation on the application to the Village Board for final action.
E.
Where multiple businesses or commercial ventures are located in the same structure (e.g., mini mall), only the name of the structure may be listed on the directional sign.
F.
Where two businesses or commercial ventures are located on the same parcel but in separate structures, both names are to be listed on the same directional sign to reduce visual clutter. In the case of unusual circumstances, variances may be granted by the Village Board.
[Amended 5-18-2015]
G.
The costs for the production of directional signs, post (if required) and the recurring maintenance are the responsibility of the business, commercial enterprise or destination facility listed on the directional sign. Village staff will arrange for fabrication of all directional signs by a Village-approved vendor.
H.
Sign design. All signs shall consist of a blue background with white lettering. They shall be 10 inches by 36 inches in size.
I.
Location. To the extent possible, directional signs shall be mounted on existing Village poles and signs. If not possible, directional signs shall be installed on posts similar to those used on official signs.