CHAPTER 18
| 18.01 | Purpose |
| 18.02 | Intent |
| 18.03 | Definitions |
| 18.05 | Exemptions |
| 18.06 | Signs Permitted in Residential Districts |
| 18.07 | Signs Permitted in Business Districts |
| 18.08 | Existing Signs |
| 18.09 | Design and Construction Standards |
| 18.10 | Maintenance of Signs |
| 18.12 | Enforcement |
| 18.13 | Severability |
18.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the size, number, location, construction and maintenance of signs within the Village.
18.02 INTENT.
It is the intent of this chapter that advertising and informational signs be designed to be as compatible with their surroundings as possible; appropriate to the type of activity to which they pertain; expressive of the identity of the owner and of the Village in a manner which will not diminish property values; nondistractive to traffic safety and legible in the circumstances in which they are viewed. Official signs authorized by a governmental agency, such as traffic control, parking restriction, warning, directional and informational signs, shall be exempt from this chapter. Unless otherwise provided, it is the intent of this chapter that all advertising signs in the Village be "on premise" signs.
18.03 DEFINITIONS.
When used in this chapter, certain words and terms are defined as follows:
Advertising sign. A sign which promotes a product, commodity, service, person or event.
Awning or canopy sign. A sign attached to, painted or sewn on, or otherwise incorporated into the design and construction of an awning or canopy which projects from a building facade.
Bulletin sign. A sign displaying an advertising or informational message by means of changeable letters, sometimes termed a "changeable copy" sign.
Copy. The message or legend portrayed on a sign.
Double face sign. A sign which has 2 readable areas, placed back-to-back.
Flashing sign. A sign which has lights which are illuminated in a pulsating or intermittent manner.
Gross sign area. The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign, excluding support or attachment devices.
Ground sign. A sign supported solely by a structure on the ground and not attached to a building (sometimes termed a "freestanding" or "pylon" sign).
Illuminated sign. A sign designed to emit or reflect artificial light directly from a source incorporated in the sign or indirectly from another light source separate from the sign.
Lot frontage. The lineal distance that a parcel abuts a public right-of-way.
On-premise sign. A sign which advertises, calls attention to, or identifies a business or occupant at the address at which the sign is located.
Pole sign. A freestanding sign elevated on one or more poles with the bottom edge of the sign structure at least 10 feet above the surface of the ground immediately below.
Portable sign. A sign which is not permanently attached to a building or the ground.
Poster sign. A temporary sign on paper, fabric or other material which is posted in a public place to advertise a specific event.
Projecting sign. A sign which is attached to a building walk and which extends perpendicularly from the face of the wall. Projecting signs may extend over a public sidewalk but shall not extend over property owned by others.
Right-of-way. Land used for public road or public sidewalk purposes, whether publicly owned or by recorded easement.
Roof signs. Signs mounted on or projecting above the roof of a building are prohibited.
Sign. Any display of lettering, pictures, patterns, colors, lights (including neon tubes) or other devices for the purpose of informing, advertising, directing, identifying or otherwise drawing attention to goods, products, services, facilities, persons, properties or businesses.
Temporary sign. Any sign, banner, pennant or advertising display constructed of fabric, paper, plastic, cardboard, wallboard or other lightweight material, with or without a frame, and intended to be displayed for a period not to exceed 30 days.
Wall area. The gross area of the exterior wall of a building including windows and doors but excluding any roof component. For multi-tenant commercial buildings, the wall area is defined as the exterior of only that portion of the building occupied by the business for which the sign is intended.
Wall sign. A display or sign which is attached directly to the exterior wall of a building. Wall signs must abut and face a public street or alley, or a public or private parking lot. Signs painted directly on the exterior wall surface of a building are prohibited.
Window sign. A non-temporary sign painted on or displayed in a window of a building which is intended to be viewed from the exterior of the building.
18.04 PERMITS.
(1) Except as provided in § 18.05, no sign shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a sign permit. For signs which are illuminated, an electrical permit shall also be required.
(2) Application for a sign permit shall be on forms provided by the Village for that purpose and shall be accompanied by a scale drawing of the proposed sign indicating the dimensions, materials, colors, type of illumination, method of construction or attachment, and location in relation to buildings, structures, grade elevation and property lines. A permit fee as stipulated in the adopted Village Fee Schedule on file in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office shall also accompany each application.
(3) Sign permit applications shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator, who shall review the application for completeness, accuracy and compliance with this chapter and forward it to the Building Inspector along with a recommendation to approve or deny the permit. If the proposed sign is of such unusual design or character that compliance with the intent of this chapter is questioned by the Zoning Administrator, the application may be referred to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation.
(4) A sign permit shall become null and void if work authorized under the permit has not been completed within 6 months of the approval date.
18.05 EXEMPTIONS.
The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts without a permit but subject to certain restrictions:
(1) Real estate signs, not to exceed 4 sq. ft. in single-family residential districts and 8 sq. ft. in all other districts, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located. No real estate sign shall be placed on public property or within the street right-of-way.
(2) Resident name signs and professional home office/home business signs, nonilluminated and not to exceed one sq. ft. in area.
(3) Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions, not to exceed 24 sq. ft. in area and located at least 6 feet from any lot line.
(4) Memorial signs and tablets, and names of buildings and/or date of construction when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of wood, metal or other manufactured material and affixed flat against a structure.
(5) Election campaign signs located on private property. Such signs shall not be displayed more than 45 days prior to the date of the election and shall be removed within 7 days following the election.
(6) Rummage sale and garage sale signs located on private property and displayed no more than 3 consecutive days and a total of 9 cumulative days in a 12-month period.
(7) Entrance", "Exit", "No Hunting", "No Trespassing" and similar informational or warning signs, not to exceed 2 sq. ft. in area per sign.
(8) Construction signs, not to exceed 32 sq. ft. in area, to be removed within 15 days following completion of the construction project.
(9) Signs displayed on business doors and less than 2 sq. ft. in gross area.
(10) Temporary signs.
18.06 SIGNS PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
The following signs shall be allowed in certain residential districts with a permit, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. Subdivision, building and residential complex identification signs incorporated into an architectural feature such as a decorative wall, gate or landscaping, or as a separate ground sign not exceeding 5 feet in height and no more than 24 sq. ft. in area. One sign shall be allowed at each entrance into the subdivision or residential complex.
(2) R-1 AND R-2 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. For those commercial uses which may be allowed by the Plan Commission as a conditional use, such as fish hatcheries, green houses, stables, riding arenas, child day care centers or similar uses, one non-illuminated sign not to exceed 8 sq. ft. in area.
18.07 SIGNS PERMITTED IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS.
The following signs shall be allowed in certain business districts with a permit, subject to the following restrictions:
(1) B-1 COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT, B-2 OFFICE AND SERVICE DISTRICT, AND B-4 LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
(a) Wall Signs. The gross surface area of the sign(s) permitted shall not exceed 10 percent of the area. of the wall of the building on which the sign is attached. Wall signs shall not extend above the roof line or project more than 12 inches from the wall surface. Signs which project 2 or more inches from the wall shall be mounted at least 8 feet above any sidewalk.
(b) Projecting Signs. Projecting signs attached to a building wall shall not exceed 20 sq. ft. in area (per side) and shall not extend more than 5 feet from the wall of the building. Any projecting sign shall be at least 10 feet above any sidewalk.
(c) Ground Signs. Signs installed directly on a base or pylon in the ground shall not exceed 8 feet in height or 32 sq. ft. in area (per side, not including the supporting structure). Ground signs shall not be located within 30 feet of any street intersection, and components of ground signs shall not project over a public sidewalk. One foot of additional height and one sq. ft. of additional sign area per side shall be allowed for each one foot the sign is set back from the property line, not to exceed 18 feet.
(d) Pole Signs. Signs mounted on a pole or poles shall be no less than 10 feet or more than 20 feet in height and shall not exceed 50 sq. ft. in area (per side). One foot of additional height and one sq. ft. of additional sign area per side shall be allowed for each one foot the sign is set back from the property line, not to exceed 18 feet.
(e) Awning and Canopy Signs. Any sign which is suspended under an awning or canopy projecting over a public sidewalk shall be at least 8 feet above the sidewalk.
(f) Window Signs. Window signs shall not exceed 50 percent of the glass area upon which the sign is painted or displayed.
(2) B-3 BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT.
(a) Ground Sign. One ground sign is permitted within the front yard of any business, to identify the name of the business. The sign shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from the front property line and from any driveway, and a minimum of 50 feet from any intersection. The gross area of the sign shall not exceed 10 percent of the area of the front of the building, but not be larger than 100 sq. ft. and shall not exceed 7 feet in height.
(b) Wall Sign. No separate wall signs shall be permitted with the exception of one business identification sign not exceeding 8 sq. ft. in area located in the immediate proximity of the main entrance of the building.
18.08 EXISTING SIGNS.
(1) Existing signs which become non-conforming upon the effective date of this code may be maintained and kept in good repair but shall not be reconstructed, remodeled, relocated or changed in any manner unless such action will make the sign conforming in all respects of this code.
(2) A non-conforming sign which is damaged may be repaired and restored to its previously existing condition only if the owner of the sign has shown that the damage did not exceed 50 percent of the appraised value of the sign. If authorized repairs to a damaged sign have not been completed within 6 months, or if the sign is damaged to an extent greater than 50 percent of its appraised value, it shall be removed and shall not be replaced except by a sign which conforms in all respects to this sign code.
(3) Non-conforming signs located on a property which is either sold or gains a new lessee may not be re-used but shall be made to either conform to this code or be removed within 60 days of the date of sale or lease.
(4) Any sign which advertises a business no longer operated, or a product or service no longer available at the business location, or which falls into disrepair and thereby poses a threat to the safety and well-being of the public, shall be removed by the owner or lessee within 60 days of receiving written notification from the Village.
18.09 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.
(1) It is the desire and intent of the Village that the overall size, dimensions, design and location of any sign respect the architecture of the building at which it is displayed.
(2) All non-temporary business signs shall be designed, constructed and erected by a competent professional in the sign industry.
(3) Signs shall not be designed or placed so as to confuse, obstruct or interfere with traffic signs, traffic visibility, or be lighted in such a manner as to cause glare or impair driver visibility upon public streets.
(4) Signs located on business property abutting a residential district shall not be placed so as to face the adjacent residential property.
(5) Signs attached to exterior building walls shall be anchored or attached in such a manner as will ensure stability of the sign structure and safety to the public.
(6) All signs shall be constructed, erected and maintained to safety withstand wind pressure as specified by Wisconsin Statute and the applicable Wisconsin Administrative Code.
18.10 MAINTENANCE OF SIGNS.
(1) The owner of any sign shall keep it in good maintenance and repair, including periodic repainting and replacement of worn components. Owners of signs which are not repaired, repainted or maintained pursuant to written notification by the Village may be subject to municipal citation and penalty.
(2) The Village may cause any sign which poses immediate peril to persons or property because of damage, lack of proper maintenance or other valid reason, to be removed summarily and without notice, the cost of such removal to be assessed against the owner of the building as a special assessment.
18.11 APPEALS.
At the request of any applicant for a sign permit, the Plan Commission may consider and, in its judgment, waive or modify the provisions of this chapter where such action would further the public interest and uphold the purpose and intent of this sign code. Such waiver or modification may be based on, among other factors, site specific hardships such as topography or visual encumbrances, but shall not include a personal preference of the applicant as to the size or location of the proposed sign.
18.12 ENFORCEMENT.
Any person, firm, company or corporation who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with, or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than $25 dollars nor more than $200 dollars for each offense, together with the costs of prosecution. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate violation and be punishable as such.
18.13 SEVERABILITY.
If any section, clause, provision or portion of this chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected thereby. If an application of this chapter to a particular sign or sign structure is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not be applicable to any other sign or sign structure not specifically included in such judgment.