Refer to Sign Code under Municipal code Chapter 27.15.
27.15 SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS
1. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish standards to safeguard life and property and promote public welfare and community aesthetics by regulating the appearance, construction, location and maintenance of all signs and billboards.
2. Definitions. The following definitions are used in this section:
a. Accessory sign. A sign relating in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located.
b. Awning. A temporary hood or cover which projects from the wall of the building which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting structure.
c. Billboard. A sign which advertises goods, products or facilities, or services not on the premises where the sign is located or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
d. Blanketing. The unreasonable obstruction of view of a sign caused by the placement of another sign.
e. Detached sign. A sign not attached to or painted on a building but which is affixed to the ground, fence or wall not part of a building. Also referred to as pole or pylon signs.
f. Directly illuminated sign. Any sign designed to give any artificial light directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or on such sign.
g. Directory sign. Shall mean any sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include offices and church directories.
h. Electronic message unit sign. Any sign whose message may be changed by electronic process, including such messages as copy, art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather information concerning civic, charitable or the advertising of products or services for sale on the premises. This also includes traveling or segmented message displays.
i. Flashing sign. Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
j. Ground and/or pole sign. Any sign, which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building. Also referred to as freestanding sign.
k. Identification sign. Any sign, which carries only the name of the firm, major enterprise, institution or principal products, offered for sale on the premises or combination of these.
l. Indirectly illuminated sign. Shall mean a sign illuminated from a source(s) outside of the actual sign.
m. Marquee sign. Shall mean any sign attached to and made part of a marquee is defined as a permanent roof‑like structure projecting beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against the weather.
n. Nonconforming sign. Any sign, which does not conform to the regulations of this section.
o. Portable sign. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground, which is designed to be easily moved from one (1) location to another.
p. Projecting sign. Any sign extending more than eighteen (18) inches, but less than five (5) feet from the face of a wall or building.
q. Real estate sign. Any sign, which are used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
r. Roof sign. Any sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building.
s. Sign. Any structure, part thereof, or device attached thereto or painted or represented thereon which displays or includes any numeral, letter, word, model, banner, emblem, device, trademark or other representation used as, or in the nature of, an announcement, advertisement, direction or designation of any person or thing in such a manner as to attract attention from outside of the building.
t. Sign area. Sign area shall be computed as including the entire area within the periphery of a regular geometric form or combinations of regular geometric forms, comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed; but not including frames or structural elements of the sign bearing no advertising matter. In the case of double face signs; where both faces advertise a single facility, produce or service, only one (1) face shall count toward area. (See illustration).
u. Sign, number of. For the purpose of determining number of signs, a sign shall be considered to be a single display surface or devise containing elements organized, related and composed to form a unit. Where subject matter is displayed randomly without any organization of the elements, each element shall be considered to be one (1) sign. (See illustration).
v. Temporary sign. Any sign intended to be displayed for a short period of time, including real estate, political or construction site signs and banners, decorative‑type displays or anything similar to the aforementioned.
w. Wall sign. Any sign attached to, erected on or painted on the wall of a building or structure and projecting not more than eighteen (18) inches from such wall.
x. Window sign. Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and visible from a public way.
Prohibited Signs.
- Banners, streamers and all other fluttering or spinning signs shall be prohibited.
- No sign shall display flashing or intermittent lights customarily associated with danger or emergencies.
- Signs on Public Rights-of-Way. Signs shall not be permitted on public right-of-ways except for traffic control, parking and directional signs and as otherwise specified in this section.
- Traffic Interference. Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices. Signs shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices or the safe flow of traffic. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
- Moving or Flashing Signs. No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information or where allowed by conditional use permit.
- Bills and posters shall not be posted on the exterior of buildings, windows, fences, signs, signposts or other structures.
Signs excepted from permits.
- Signs over show windows or doors of a conforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupant of the proprietor.
- Real Estate and Construction Signs. Signs, which advertise the construction, sale, rental, lease of the premises on the parcel, which said signs are temporarily placed.
1. The maximum size in a single-family district shall be eight (8) square feet.
2. The maximum size in a district that is not single-family shall be as follows:
a. Signs located on parcels adjoining streets or highways where the posted speed limit is less than or equal to forty (40) miles per hour shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.
b. Signs located on parcels adjoining streets or highways where the posted speed limit is greater than forty (40) miles per hour shall not exceed sixty-four (64) square feet.
c. Header boards or riders not to exceed twelve (12) square feet may be added to a sign.
3. Exceeding sixty-four (64) square feet. Signs may exceed sixty-four (64) square feet by meeting one of the following tests:
a. Signs submitted concurrently with a final plat for a subdivision may exceed sixty-four (64) square feet with the Plan Commission approval.
b. Any other sign greater than sixty-four (64) square feet shall require a Special Exception.
4. Number of Signs on a Non Single-Family Lot. The number of signs permitted on a controlled property is equal to one (1) sign per street frontage plus one (1) sign per three hundred (300) feet.
5. Removal. Real estate and construction signs shall be removed within thirty (30) days of sale, lease or project completion.
a. Name, occupation and warning signs not to exceed four (4) square feet located on the premises.
b. 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 the structure.
c. Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices.
d. Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, restrooms and other such signs relating to functional operation of the building or premises shall be permitted not exceeding nine (9) square feet.
e. Signs not exceeding one (1) square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of premises.
f. Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
g. Legal notices, identification information, or directional signs erected by governmental bodies.
h. Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
i. Temporary paper signs advertising a cultural or civic matter within thirty (30) days of such an event.
j. Temporary, Real Estate and Political Signs.
1. All temporary signs such as real estate, construction site and political signs may be erected for thirty (30) days and shall be removed within ten (10) days after their use has discontinued. The maximum size in a commercial or industrial zone shall be sixty-four (64) square feet. The maximum size in a residential zone shall be eight (8) square feet. Real estate and construction site signs shall be removed within ten (10) days of sale or project completion.
2. Temporary signs may be placed on a property, but
shall not be located on a right‑of‑way terrace and shall
not interfere with driveway vision clearance.
k. Help wanted or other employment signs.
Sign permits required. Except those specified in Section 4,
above, no signs or billboards shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a building permit and without being in conformity with the provisions of this section. The sign shall also meet all other structural requirements of other applicable codes and ordinances of the town.
- General Requirements.
1. Installation. All signs shall be properly secured, supported and braced and shall be kept in reasonable structural conditional and shall be kept clean and well painted at all times. Bolts or screws shall not be fastened to window frames. Every sign and its framework, braces, anchors and other supports shall be constructed of such material and with such workmanship as to be safe and satisfactory to the inspector.
2. Maintenance. All signs, including supports and attachments,
shall be properly maintained and have an appearance that is neat and clean.
3. Awnings. Lowest part of any awning shall be seven (7) feet above the sidewalk. Signs are allowed directly on the awning or hanging on the frame but not below seven (7) feet.
4. Roof signs. No sign shall be located so as to project above the parapet line, unless approved by the Plan Commission. Shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height above the roof, shall meet all yard requirements for the district in which it is located, shall be considered part of the structure.
5. Illuminated signs. Any illuminated signs shall not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic.
6. Projection. Signs including supports shall not project beyond five (5) feet of the face of the wall to which attached.
7. Blanketing. Blanketing of signs shall not be allowed.
8. Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than eighteen (18) inches out from a building's wall surface and shall not extend above the wall on which it is placed.
9. Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures shall not exceed twenty (20) square feet in area for one (1) premises, shall not extend more than six (6) feet into any required yard, shall not extend into any public right‑of‑way shall not be less than ten (10) feet from all side lot lines, shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet above the mean centerline street grade and shall not be less than ten (10) feet above a driveway or an alley.
10.Ground/pole signs: Shall meet all dimensional requirements for the district in which it is located, measured from the average lot grade if multiple road frontage exists.
11.Temporary Signs, Banners and Balloons for Special Events. A
temporary sign(s) for the purpose of designating a new building or development, for promotion of a subdivision, for announcement of a special (sales) event or for similar special informational purposes may be permitted to a limited period of time in any district with the approval of the Zoning Administrator and subject to the following:
a. The permitted size and location of any such sign shall be at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator based upon the character of the area, the type and purpose of the sign(s) and the length of time permitted.
b. Where the sign(s) is to be located on the premises involved, such may be permitted for a period up to ten (10) days. Off‑premise temporary signs shall be permitted for thirty (30) days maximum.
c. Drawings showing the specific design, appearance and location of the sign(s) shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval.
12.Temporary Signs - Business Sales and Information.
a. Two (2) free-standing temporary signs shall be permitted if it does not present a vision obstruction, the maximum size shall be six (6) square feet on each face and do not require a permit.
b. One (1) temporary sign per wall or at the base of a support structure shall be permitted. The sign shall be enclosed by a weatherproof cabinet or case or attached to the wall so that the sign does not sag or move. The sign or cabinet or case shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet and shall require a permit. No signs shall be permitted on canopies or canopy support poles.
c. Other temporary or portable signs shall be limited in use to thirty (30) days at a time, the maximum size shall be thirty-two (32) square feet and not more frequently than four (4) times per year on any one (1) location and requires a permit.
d. Commercial flags shall be permitted as temporary signs. Flags shall be spaced no closer than seventy-five (75) feet. No flags shall exceed eight (8) square feet.
e. Pennants and flags may be attached to a vehicle antenna.
13.Electronic Message Unit Signs.
a. Such signs may be used only to advertise activities
conducted on the premises or to present public service
information pursuant to Subsection above.
b. Traveling messages may travel no slower than sixteen
(16) light columns per second and no faster than thirty-
two (32) columns per second.
c. An electronic message unit shall not be located in a
Residential District.
d. An electronic message unit shall require a special
exception permit.
14.Search Lights. The Town Board may permit the temporary use
of a search light for advertising purposes in any district
provided that the search light will not be located in any
public right-of-way, will not be located closer than ten (10) feet to an adjacent property and will not cause a hazard to traffic or adjoining properties. Search light permits shall not be granted for a period of more than five (5) days in any six (6) month period.
15.Inflatable Signs. To advertise a special sale or event for
a business, an inflatable, temporary sign may be used on the
property where the business is located. The inflatable,
temporary sign shall be permitted two (2) times per calendar
year for a seven (7) day period, upon issuance of a sign
permit from the Community Development Department. Inflatable,
temporary signs must be mounted on the roof or any portion of
the property where the business is located.
16.Other Balloons. Floating signs or other tethered inflatable
signs exceeding five (5) feet in length are prohibited.
Balloons on tethers less than five (5) feet in length do not
require a sign permit. No part of an inflatable temporary sign
shall encroach into or over the public right-of-way or be
situated so as to obstruct or impair vision or traffic, or in
any manner create a nuisance, hazard or disturbance to the
health or welfare of the public.
17.Location.
a. No ground/pole sign, except those permitted in Subsection, above, shall be permitted within one hundred (100) feet of residential district boundary.
b. Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings.
c. Any sign qualifying as more than one (1) of the above listed types shall meet the requirements for each type.
6. Signs Permitted By District.
a. Agricultural District - Permitted Accessory Signs.
1. One (1) sign, not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area, identifying the premises or establishment.
2. One (1) sign, not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in area, advertising the sale of farm products on the premises.
3. Temporary signs for the sale or lease of the property.
b. Residential District - Permitted Accessory Signs.
1. One (1) subdivision identification sign limited to forty (40) square feet in area.
2. One (1) temporary sign for each street frontage advertising the sale or lease of real estate and one (1) temporary sign advertising the development of property. No temporary sign shall be erected within ten (10) of any adjacent side yard or remain after the sale, lease or development of the property.
3. In connection with any public or semi-public institution, the following signs are permitted: one (1) identification sign limited to thirty (30) square feet in area, one (1) bulletin board limited to twenty (20) square feet in area and not more than two (2) temporary signs or banners limited to a combined area of thirty (30) square feet in connection with special events, provided that no such sign or banner shall be displayed for a period of more than two (2) weeks.
4. No sign in a residential district shall exceed eight (8) feet in height or produce artificial light from within.
a. Commercial Local and Commercial Regional, C-3 and C-4 Districts - Permitted Accessory Signs.
1. All Permissible Principal Uses and Structures. For
each lot or each frontage on a public street or
highway, if such establishment is located at the
intersection of two (2) public streets or highways,
the following signs:
a. One (1) detached sign, in the building setback area (front yard), as shown in Table S-1, no part of said sign shall be closer than ten (10) feet to the right-of-way unless such sign is less than three (3) feet in height above grade or at least twelve (12) feet above grade (excluding supporting structures to the bottom of the structure). (Clear space shall be maintained between three (3) feet and twelve (12) feet above grade for visibility purposes).
b. No portion of any sign shall overhang the right- of-way.
c. Building permits are required prior to placement of permanent signs.
d. Wall, projecting and marquee signs.
1. Temporary signs advertising the sale or lease of property are permitted without permits provided they conform to the dimension requirements for the underlying zoning districts.
c. Planned Commercial Office, C-1 and C-2 Districts –
Permitted Accessory Signs.
1. For each Development. One (1) general identification sign limited to three hundred (300) square feet in area if maintained approximately parallel to the right-of-way or two (2) signs limited to one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area if mounted back to back or angled to be read from opposite directions, for each frontage of development.
2. For Each Lot. One (1) ground/pole signs, project and marquee signs and one (1) wall sign as shown in Table S-1.
3. Temporary signs advertising the sale or lease of property.
d. Industrial M-1 and M-2 Districts – Permitted
Accessory Signs.
1. For each Principal Building. For each lot or
each frontage on a public street or highway if
such establishment is at the intersection of two
public streets or highways, the followings signs:
a. One (1) detached sign, in the building setback area (front yard), as shown in Table S-1; provided, however, that no part of a supporting structure shall be closer than ten (10) feet to the right-of-way, no part of the sign shall overhang the right-of-way and at least twelve (12) feet of clear space, exclusive of the supporting structure, shall be maintained underneath the sign for visibility purposes.
b. Wall signs limited in aggregate area to twenty (20) percent of the wall area fronting on a public street or highway.
2. Temporary signs advertising the sale or lease of
property.
7. Special Exception Signs.
- On premise, pole signs existing on the date of adoption or amendment to this ordinance that exceed the area, height or locational requirements, is classified as a special exception in the district in which it is located. Any extension, enlargement or change in the sign face shall require approval according to the terms of this ordinance.
- The Plan Commission shall require the property owner to limit the use of the Special Exception sign to the current owner. Any change of ownership shall require the owners to meet the permitted sign requirements in the district in which it is located.
Table S-1
Permitted On-Premises Signs Dimensional Requirements
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|
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C-1 |
C-2 |
C-3 |
C-4 |
BP |
M-1 |
M-2 |
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|
Local & Regional |
Neighborhood |
Planned Office |
General |
Large Scale |
Business |
Light |
Heavy |
|
|
Commercial |
Commercial |
Commercial |
Commercial |
Commercial |
Park |
Industrial |
Industrial |
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1. Freestanding Sign - Pole/Monument: Height (feet) - measured from average lot grade |