Winthrop Harbor City Zoning Code
SIGNS AND
BILLBOARDS
§ 154.160 SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
The following signs shall be permitted in any residential district:
(A) One sign of not more than one square foot of gross surface area giving the name of the occupant and the address of the premises.
(B) One bulletin board of not more than 12 square feet of gross surface area for charitable, educational, or religious institutions.
(C) One sign of not more than six square feet of gross surface area located on private property and pertaining to the sale or lease of the property on which the sign is displayed, provided that if said property faces on more than one street or highway, one such sign shall be allowed on each street or highway frontage. Each such sign shall be located at least ten feet from the lot line of the adjoining premises and at least 25 feet from any lot line that abuts a street or highway.
(D) Temporary signs may be displayed as provided for in § 154.167 of this chapter.
(E) Any residence approved for a "Major Home Occupation" shall be allowed one wall sign, not to exceed one square foot, indicating the address and the occupant's name and occupation.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64; Am. Ord. 2001-O-14, passed 5-15-01)
§ 154.161 SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS IN B-1 DISTRICT.
In the B-1 District both illuminated and non-illuminated signs shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:
(A) The gross surface area in square feet of all signs on any lot or premises shall not exceed two times the lineal number of feet in the frontage of the lot or premises. The gross surface area of all illuminated signs on any lot or premises shall not exceed one times the lineal feet of frontage of the lot or premises. In no event shall any non-illuminated sign exceed 150 square feet in gross surface area nor shall any illuminated sign exceed 75 square feet in gross surface area. Each side of the building which abuts upon more than one street shall be considered as a separate frontage.
(B) No temporary lines or extension cords shall be permitted to illuminate signs. The power feed to illuminate signs shall be of a permanent installation and be approved by the Electrical Inspector. The source of such illumination shall be arranged, oriented, or shielded in a manner which will not endanger the safety of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Such lighting shall be constant and not flashing, intermittent, or animated in any way.
(C) No sign shall be permitted unless it directs attention to a business or profession conducted upon, or product sold, or a service offered on the premises on which the sign is located.
(D) No sign that is wholly or partially independent of a building for support shall be higher than 20 feet above the ground level and such sign shall be set back at least 20 feet from each street on which it fronts. The bottom edge of any sign that is located within 50 feet of the intersection of any two or more streets or highways or within 20 feet of a driveway entrance into any street or highway shall be at least eight feet above ground level.
(E) Temporary signs may be displayed as provided for in § 154.167 of this chapter.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64; Am. Ord. 2001-O-14, passed 5-15-01)
§ 154.162 SIGNS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
Illuminated and non-illuminated signs are permitted in the B-2, B-3, B-4 and B-5 Business Districts and in the I-1 and I-2 Industrial Districts subject to the following conditions:
(A) The gross area in square feet of all signs on any lot or premises shall not exceed six times the lineal feet of frontage of such lot or premises and no single sign shall exceed a gross surface area of 200 square feet. However, the gross surface area of all illuminated signs on any lot or premises shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of such lot or premises, and no single illuminated sign shall exceed a gross surface area of 100 square feet. Each side of a building which abuts upon more than one street shall be considered as separate frontage.
(B) No temporary lines or extension cords shall be permitted to illuminate signs. The power feed to illuminate signs shall be of a permanent installation and be approved by the Electrical Inspector. Such lighting shall be constant and not flashing or animated in any way. Illuminating lighting shall be arranged, oriented, or shielded in such a manner that direct radiation or glare from such source does not penetrate adjacent or nearby residential uses zoning district.
(C) No sign that is wholly or partially independent of a building for support shall be higher than 20 feet above the ground level and such sign shall be set back at least 20 feet from each street on which it fronts. The bottom edge of any such sign that is located within 50 feet of the intersection of any two or more streets or highways or within 20 feet of a driveway entrance into any street or highway shall be at least eight feet above ground level.
(D) For integrated shopping centers in single ownership or under unified control, one additional sign may be erected not exceeding 120 square feet in area and containing only the name and location of such center of individual use and the name and type of business from each occupant of the center. Such sign shall be set back at least 25 feet from each street on which it fronts and the bottom edge of such sign shall be at least eight feet above the level of the ground and the overall height shall not exceed 20 feet above ground level.
(E) Temporary signs may be displayed as provided for in § 154.167 of this chapter.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64; Am. Ord. 1992-O-19, passed 8-1-92; Am. Ord. 2001-O-14, passed 5-15-01)
§ 154.163 OBSOLETE SIGNS.
It is unlawful to maintain for more than 30 days any sign which has become obsolete because of discontinuance of the business, service, or activity which it advertises, removal from the location to which it directs, or for any other reason. After 30 days the obsolete sign shall be removed by village employees and cost of the removal shall be paid by the owner of the property where the obsolete sign was located. If, after 90 calendar days, the costs of the removal of the obsolete sign is not paid for, the village shall place a lien against the property where the obsolete sign was located. The 90 calendar days shall start the day the property owner is notified by certified or registered mail.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.164 PERMIT FEES.
All cost for permits shall be covered under the ordinance established to provide uniform building permit fees and building construction valuations within the village.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.165 MOBILE SIGNS.
(A) Mobile signs shall be permanently attached to a frame or chassis and designed to be moved from place to place by means of being towed on a public road.
(B) A mobile sign shall not be located or utilized for display purposes on any site or premises unless a sign permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector may issue one permit per business. Any request for additional permits must be approved by the President and Board of Trustees.
(C) The Building Inspector shall collect a fee of $30 for each mobile sign permit. Said permit shall be valid for a maximum period of 30 days.
(D) Mobile signs shall be insured by owner or renter covering bodily injury and accidental death liability for each accident in the amount of $100,000 for each person and $300,000 for each accident, and property damage liability for $100,000 for each occurrence and $300,000 aggregate.
(E) If the Building Inspector shall find any mobile sign regulated by this code is unsafe or insecure, is a menace to the public, has been placed on public property to a greater extent than is permitted by this code, or otherwise in violation with this code, the Building Inspector shall give written notice to the holder of the permit. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the sign to comply with the standards set forth within 10 days after the notice, the sign shall be removed or altered to comply with this code by the Inspector at the expense of the permittee.
(F) Signs shall be designed according to generally accepted good engineering practice to withstand wind pressure of at least 24 pounds per square foot. Mobile signs shall be designed to rest on structural members other than wheels, except when being moved. Jacks and tongues shall be removed when the sign is being used for display.
(G) Mobile signs which include electrical lighting or equipment shall be constructed of components approved and labeled by the Underwriter Laboratories. Electrical connections to mobile signs shall be made through SO or STO flexible 12-3 cords not more than 75 feet in length and supplied by an approved grounded electrical outlet with a capacity of not less than 15 amperes. Mobile signs shall not be placed within five feet of any pole, guy wire, or line of any electric, telephone, or other utility. Every mobile sign unit shall have ground fault protection at its source of electrical power.
(H) Mobile signs shall not be placed on the median strip of a boulevard. Mobile signs shall be allowed to be placed within the building setback line solely on the temporary basis for which they are constructed. Mobile signs shall not be placed within an area of a triangle formed from the two points ten feet from the intersection of the right-of-way of two streets or highways. A mobile sign shall not be placed closer than 50 feet from another mobile sign. Any advertising sign located on the highways, rights-of-way, streets, or public buildings may, after due notice to the owner thereof to remove it, be removed by the village at the expense of the owner.
(I) No mobile sign shall be placed at any location in such manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at the intersection of any street or highway. No mobile sign shall use the words "Stop," "Danger," or any other words or phrases which could mislead or confuse traffic. No mobile sign shall utilize red lamps in illumination. No mobile sign shall display any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter. The area immediately surrounding a mobile sign shall be kept clear of all unsightly debris and vegetation. Illuminating lighting shall be arranged, oriented, or shielded in such a manner that direct radiation or glare from such source does not penetrate adjacent or nearby residential uses or zoning districts.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.166 PROHIBITED SIGNS.
The following signs may not be used or erected in the village:
(A) Any sign or similar object, color, light, or shape which resembles an official traffic control device or sign.
(B) Any obscene language or graphic material or other representation of an obscenity or obscene act.
(C) Any sign, signal, or similar device which emits music, speech, simulated speech, or any other sound on a regular or intermittent basis.
(D) Any sign affixed to a tree.
(E) Any sign affixed to a utility pole, light pole, traffic device, or similar object.
(F) Any sign or similar device containing a strobe light or any other high intensity light that is emitted on a periodic or irregular basis, or any such light used as an "eye catcher."
(G) Any sign attached or painted onto an inoperable and unlicensed motor vehicle in view of the public right-of-way or any sign attached to a licensed vehicle which is maintained in full view of the right- of-way or on the property to which the sign refers for a period of more than seven consecutive days.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.167 TEMPORARY SIGNS.
Temporary signs may be displayed without a permit, provided that any and all such signs must comply with the following rules and regulations:
(A) A TEMPORARY SIGN shall mean the following: Any sign, banner or other advertising device or display constructed of cloth, canvas, cardboard, wallboard, or other light temporary materials, with or without a structural frame, intended for a temporary period of display, including for illustrative purposes, but not limitation, decorative displays for holidays, garage sales, private parties, candidacy for public or private office, local refenda or public demonstrations.
(B) Temporary signs shall not be placed in any of the following locations:
(1) On any public property;
(2) On any public right-of-way;
(3) On any utility pole or tree;
(4) On any street or road sign or sign pole;
(5) On any other person’s property without express verbal permission;
(6) In any location that blocks or tends to block sight lines for vehicular traffic.
(C) Temporary signs may be displayed during a period not to exceed 30 days prior to the scheduled event or season which they advertise or are related to, and shall be removed within four days after that event is over or that season has ended.
(D) No temporary sign shall exceed 21 square feet, nor be more than five feet in height or eight feet in length.
(E) A person or corporation wishing to erect, install or maintain a temporary sign for a period of time longer than that permitted in division (C) of this section may petition the Village Board for such relief, and the Village Board may extend the time periods in its discretion.
(F) Any person or corporation who places or allows a temporary sign to remain upon his, her or its property in violation of division (B), (C) or (D) of this section shall be guilty of a petty offense, and shall be fined $50 for each such sign.
(G) Any person or corporation who shall be advertising an event, sale, party, holiday, election, demonstration or other, similar thing upon property belonging to any other person or corporation, and who shall place or allow a temporary sign to remain on that property in violation of division (B), (C) or (D) of this section shall be guilty of a petty offense, and shall be fined $50 for each such sign.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64; Am. Ord. 2001-O-14, passed 5-15-01; Am. Ord. 2002-O-16, passed 4-16-02)
§ 154.168 WARNING SIGNS.
Any warning sign may be installed in an area of danger to protect the public from said danger. However, the Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments shall be notified immediately of said danger.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.169 VARIATIONS AND GRANDFATHER PROVISION.
(A) All signs located on Sheridan Road (Illinois Route 173) that were legal before the state made Sheridan Road a four-lane highway shall be exempt from the 20-foot setback in §§ 154.161(D) and 154.162(D), for a period of five years after passage of this chapter.
(B) Any request for a variation shall be through § 154.248(A)(8).
(C) Any request for a variance shall be at a fee of $150.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.170 EXEMPTIONS.
The provisions of this subchapter do not apply to any signs established and maintained in the exercise of governmental functions by the United States government, the state, the county, or any other governmental body or unit, or by any agency of such government or governmental body or agent.
(Ord., passed 2-18-64)
§ 154.171 REMOVAL.
(Ord. 1989-O-36, passed 10-1-89)