Source: https://www.ecode360.com/9346321
Timestamp: 2020-08-06 13:41:29
Document Index: 526820024

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 66', '§ 395', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 420', '§ 801', '§ 801']

Village of Pleasant Prairie, WI Signs, Flags, Festoons and Lights
Ch 420 Art X Signs, Flags, Festoons and Lights
§ 420-58 Purpose.
§ 420-59 Definitions.
§ 420-60 Compliance required.
§ 420-61 Preconditions to issuance of permit.
§ 420-62 Permit application.
§ 420-63 Incomplete application.
§ 420-64 Application approval or denial.
§ 420-65 Permit issuance.
§ 420-66 Changes in display provided for in sign permit.
§ 420-67 Binding nature of application.
§ 420-68 Acceptance of permit before commencement of work.
§ 420-69 Duration of rights pursuant to permit.
§ 420-70 Assignment of permit.
§ 420-71 Inspections.
§ 420-72 Suspension, revocation or voiding of permit.
§ 420-73 Exempted signs, flags, festoons and lights.
§ 420-74 Prohibited signs, flags, festoons and lights.
§ 420-75 Signs allowed without permit.
§ 420-76 Signs allowed only with sign permit.
§ 420-77 Signs allowed with special exception permit.
§ 420-78 General sign regulations.
Village of Pleasant Prairie, WI / Part III: Land Use Legislation / Zoning Ordinance
Article X Signs, Flags, Festoons and Lights
The purpose of this article is to regulate the use of outdoor signs, flags, festoons and lights; to provide for signs and related devices which are functional, attractive and safe and which satisfy the reasonable needs of owners and users of real property and of the public; to maintain and enhance the aesthetic environment of the Village; to protect property values; to promote vehicular and pedestrian safety; and to clarify the rights and duties of owners and users of nonconforming signs.
The definitions set out below shall apply to this article and shall control with respect to signs, flags, festoons and lights, in the event of any inconsistency between such definitions and the definitions set out in Article XXI of this chapter. The following definitions are not necessarily intended to be mutually exclusive, e.g., because signs in this chapter are classified both by function and by physical characteristics.
A sign that is accessory to a particular principal use of the property on which the sign is located, as distinguished from a principal use sign, a principal structure sign or an off-site sign. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78T of this chapter, nonconforming accessory signs are not nonconforming uses; that the right to continue an accessory sign after it becomes nonconforming does not necessarily run with the land; and that the nonconformity must be cured when such a sign becomes obsolete, or when such a sign is destroyed or damaged to the extent of more than 50% of the cost of its replacement, or when the cumulative cost of structural alterations, modifications or repairs exceeds 50% of the cost of its replacement.)
AGGREGATE PERMITTED BACKGROUND COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGN AREA
The total area of commercial advertising signs that is permitted to exist on a property used for any business, manufacturing, institutional, recreational or agricultural purpose or use, exclusive of primary monument signs (or related sign area allowances), secondary monument signs, freeway signs (or related sign area allowances), other identification signs, drive-through customer information signs, on-site information signs, window signs (nonilluminated) or any temporary signs. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78V of this chapter, freestanding signs are not permitted for background commercial advertising sign purposes.)
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign located in an agricultural zoning district that identifies an agriculture-related business, other than farming, which is operated on the property where the sign is located.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign or a wall sign which advertises the sale of agricultural products on the property where the sign is located.
ANGLED SIGN
A freestanding or projecting two-faced sign whose faces are connected at one end and form an angle of not more than 90°.
APPLICANT (for a sign permit or a sign special exception permit)
The owner or user of the property on which a sign is proposed to be located or modified who/which is seeking a sign permit or sign special exception permit. (Note that pursuant to § 420-62 of this chapter, the applicant may designate an agent to act for the applicant in connection with such application.)
AREA (of a single-faced sign or of a single face of a sign having more than one face)
Except as otherwise specifically provided below, the area of a sign (or the area of a single face of a sign having more than one face) is the area of the smallest horizontally and vertically oriented rectangle that fully encloses the extreme limits of the message, writing, emblem, logo, symbol or other graphic or pictorial representation on the face of a sign and any background panel, surface or color which forms the backdrop of the message or other graphic or pictorial representation or which differentiates the message or other graphic or pictorial representation from the structure on or against which the sign mounted, placed or depicted, together with any related framing, but excluding any differentiated sign base or other differentiated supporting structure or apparatus of the sign other than such background panel, surface or color and related framing.
The area of a single face of a three-dimensional sign is the area of the smallest horizontally and vertically oriented rectangle that fully encloses the one-dimensional outline of such sign, produced at the same scale as the sign itself and from the perspective from which the outer dimensions of such sign are most extensive, exclusive of any differentiated sign base or other differentiated supporting structure or apparatus. (Note that pursuant to the definition of "three-dimensional sign" in this section, any three-dimensional primary monument sign is deemed to have two sides.)
The area of a wall sign, canopy sign or roof sign consisting only of words, letters, numerals, characters and/or symbols, with no differentiated background panel, material or color other than the surface of the wall, canopy or roof itself, is the area of the smallest horizontally and vertically oriented rectangle that fully encloses such words, letters, numerals, characters and/or symbols, exclusive of decorative striping. [Each word, phrase, number, character or symbol or each group of related words, letters, numerals, characters and/or symbols that functions as an independent message (but excluding the street address) shall be enclosed within a single rectangle for this purpose.]
The area of a primary monument sign does not include the street address appearing on the base of the sign but does include the space between separate display areas.
The following are arterial streets or highways in the Village of Pleasant Prairie: all state and county highways, Cooper Road (75th Street/STH 50 to 93rd Street), Bain Station Road, 7th Avenue (corporate limits to 91st Street), 52nd Avenue (corporate limits to 75th Street/STH 50), 85th Street (39th Avenue/CTH EZ to Green Bay Road/STH 31), 91st Street (22nd Avenue to Sheridan Road/STH 32), 93rd Street (30th Avenue to Green Bay Road/STH 31), 95th Street (Green Bay Road/STH 31 to 88th Avenue/CTH H), 104th Avenue (75th Street/STH 50 to Wilmot Road/CTH C), 116th Street (Sheridan Road/STH 32 to Green Bay Road/STH 31), and 120th Avenue (I-94 frontage road, east and west).
A sign painted or mounted on an automobile.
BACKGROUND COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGN
A commercial advertising sign exclusive of the following types of signs: primary monument signs, secondary monument signs, freeway signs, other identification signs, drive-through customer information signs, on-site information signs, window signs (nonilluminated) or any temporary signs. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78V of this chapter, freestanding signs are not permitted for background commercial advertising sign purposes.)
A freestanding or projecting two-faced sign whose faces are connected, parallel, oriented in opposite directions and not more than four feet apart.
BASE (of a sign)
The solid, solid-appearing or enclosed foundation or supporting structure of a freestanding sign, which is differentiated from the display, and which appears to directly support at least 75% of the horizontal dimension of the display of the sign. Although the base of a sign is generally the lower portion of the sign, that is not necessarily a defining characteristic of a sign base. (See Illustration 6 in Appendix A, incorporated herein by reference, which illustrates a variety of acceptable sign bases.) The base of a sign is to be distinguished from supporting structural elements which are neither solid, solid appearing nor enclosed (e.g., two posts) or which do not appear to directly support at least 75% of the horizontal dimension of the sign display (e.g., a single post or pole).
A wall sign mounted near the main entrance of a principal building, and under certain circumstances a freestanding sign located in front of a principal building, which is comprised of the numerals forming the numerical portion of the street address of the building.
The floor area of a principal building, based on the exterior dimensions of the building and the number of floors (but in the event of partial floors, counting only the area of such partial floors), less the area of any floor or any partial floor which is in an area of the building that is not fully enclosed, or is not heated, or is used for parking.
The name or date of a building cut, molded or cast into any masonry surface of the building or cut, molded or cast into a masonry or metal plaque affixed flat against the wall of a building.
A changeable copy wall sign used to display information relating to meetings and other activities of a public, charitable or religious entity located or operating on the property where the sign is located.
A sign mounted or displayed on or otherwise incorporated into a canopy or awning and which does not extend beyond any horizontal or vertical edge of the canopy or awning or appear to do so from the perspective of the intended viewers. (Note that pursuant § 420-73H of this chapter, decorative striping on a canopy does not constitute a canopy sign.)
A sign whose message, or a portion thereof, can be manually changed from time to time.
CLEARANCE (with respect to a sign)
The vertical distance from the bottom of the display of a projecting sign to the ground surface or pavement below, or to the highest elevation of such ground surface or pavement if it is sloped under the sign.
A temporary plastic or fabric wall sign advertising or announcing a business or other entity that has made legally binding arrangements to locate in the building where the sign is located within the next 90 days.
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign which advertises, announces or draws attention to any business or any other person, entity, place, event or activity involved in the production of revenue (whether for profit or not for profit) or which advertises, announces or draws attention to any products, goods, services, activities, properties or other things for sale, rent, trade or otherwise available in exchange for compensation or other consideration. (Note that pursuant to the definitions of "aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area" and "background commercial advertising sign" in this section, not all commercial advertising signs are counted toward the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area.)
COMMUNITY BANNER SIGN
A temporary fabric or plastic sign displayed within a public street or highway right-of-way to advertise or announce a special event that is open to the public and of interest to a substantial portion of the community, but excluding commercial promotional events at a merchant's place of business or at a shopping center or mall.
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign identifying a contractor currently doing remodeling, roofing, paving, painting or other similar work on the property where the sign is located.
COST (of a new sign or of alterations, repairs or other modifications to an existing sign)
The total cost of a new sign, or the total cost of any alterations, repairs or other modifications to an existing sign, including but not limited to parts, materials and labor, and design, fabrication, painting, purchase, installation, construction, wiring and lighting and any related site work.
CURE (with respect to a violation or nonconformity relating to a sign)
To remove the sign or otherwise eliminate the violation of or nonconformity with this article pursuant to and in accordance with a valid sign permit or sign special exception permit.
DECORATIVE POLE SIGN
Under certain very limited circumstances, a freestanding commercial advertising sign that is suspended or projected from a decorative pole.
A sign that has become unsafe, unsightly or otherwise in need of maintenance or repairs. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78H and Q of this chapter, a dilapidated sign is subject to removal by the Village at the cost of the owner if not timely removed or otherwise cured following service of a notice of violation.)
DISPLAY (of a sign)
The message, writing, emblem, logo, symbol or any other graphic or pictorial representation on a sign, including any background panel, surface or color which forms the backdrop of such message or other graphic or pictorial representation or which differentiates the message or other graphic or pictorial representation from the structure on or against which it is mounted, placed or depicted, together with any related framing, but excluding any differentiated sign base or other differentiated supporting structure or other apparatus of the sign, other than such background panel, surface or color and related framing.
DISTANCE (of a sign from a boundary or object)
Measured horizontally from the vertical extension of the closest part of such sign to the vertical extension of the closest part of such boundary or object, excluding any building or other structure or object on which the sign is mounted which exists independently of the sign.
DRIVE-THROUGH CUSTOMER INFORMATION SIGN
A sign providing information to drive-through customers who are already on site, relating to specific products, goods or services available on the property where the sign is located; such signs are not directed to off-site passing motorists or pedestrians.
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign relating to a candidate, political party or proposition involved in a scheduled election.
ELECTRONIC CHANGING MESSAGE SIGN
A sign whose message, or a portion thereof, changes frequently by means of electronic devices.
A sign whose message, or a portion thereof, changes in a scrolling fashion by means of electronic devices.
A sign that is not regulated by this article.
FACE (of a sign)
The side of a sign on which a message or other display appears. (Note that under § 420-78B of this chapter, a sign may have only one face unless otherwise expressly authorized by this article.) Any three-dimensional primary monument sign allowed by this chapter shall be deemed to have two faces for purposes of determining its area.
FARM IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign that identifies a farming operation conducted on the property where the sign is located.
A string of lights, tinsel, pennants, pinwheels or other similar devices hanging between two points.
Any individual flag, banner, pennant, streamer or standard, but excluding a community banner sign.
The pole or staff to which a flag is attached, provided that the height or length of such pole or staff exceeds 10 feet.
A ground-mounted sign having its own dedicated base or support system, as distinguished from a sign mounted on or displayed from a building, structure or object existing independently of the sign.
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign or wall sign that advertises to vehicular traffic on or exiting from the freeway (and to local traffic as well) the identity and presence on the property where the sign is located of one or more individual retail business uses or an aggregation of retail business uses in a unified development, which at that location are largely dependent for their customer base on freeway traffic, including gasoline filling stations with or without convenience stores, restaurants, hotels, and motels, and also including major shopping centers, shopping malls or other major retail stores or outlets which, individually or collectively as a unified development, exceed 100,000 square feet in building floor area.
The length of a property measured along any abutting public street or highway right-of-way line.
Height of a sign: the vertical distance from the ground surface or pavement under the sign (or nearest to being under the sign in a situation where some portion of a building or structure is directly beneath the sign, or from the mean elevation of the ground surface or pavement under the sign in a situation where the grade changes) to the top or highest point of the sign. In a situation where the sign is located on an artificially increased elevation relative to the surrounding terrain (as on a berm), the difference between such artificially increased elevation and the elevation of the ground surface in the absence of such artificially increased elevation is included in the height of the sign.
Height as applied to the portion of the sign base located directly under the sign display: the vertical distance from the ground surface or pavement under the sign (or from the mean elevation of the ground surface or pavement under the sign in a situation where the grade changes) to the top or highest point of that portion of the base which is directly under the display of the sign.
A wall sign which identifies and provides basic information about a home occupation operated on the property where the sign is located pursuant to an approved home occupation permit, which may include the name of the home occupation, the name of the person conducting the home occupation, the street address, telephone number and/or hours of operation of the home occupation.
HORIZONTAL DIMENSION (of the display of a sign)
The horizontal dimension of the smallest horizontally and vertically oriented rectangle that fully encloses the display of a sign.
Any primary monument sign, secondary monument sign, freestanding freeway sign, nonresidential development identification sign, agricultural business identification sign, agricultural products identification sign, farm identification sign, multifamily residential development identification sign, single-family/duplex development identification sign or home occupation identification sign.
Any sign which is in violation of this article, including, without limitation, the following: any nonconforming sign that was initially installed or constructed other than in full compliance with all applicable requirements of this article or of the then-applicable requirements of any zoning ordinance or code, or other than in full compliance with any permit required for such sign; or any nonconforming sign that has been reinstalled, reconstructed, relocated, enlarged, extended, altered or otherwise modified (including any modification of the sign's message or other display) without a required permit, or other than in full compliance with all applicable requirements of this article or all applicable requirements of the then-applicable requirements of any zoning ordinance or code, or other than in full compliance with any permit required for such modification; or any nonconforming principal use, principal structure or off-site sign that has ceased to be a valid nonconforming use; or any obsolete sign or dilapidated sign existing as such for more than 30 days. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78H of this chapter, an illegal sign is subject to removal by the Village at the cost of the owner if not timely removed or otherwise cured following service of a notice of violation.)
Any nonfreestanding sign the area of which is one square foot or less.
A violation of this article which continues for more than 30 days after the date of service of a notice of such violation by the Village. Each day that an intentional violation continues constitutes a separate intentional violation. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78G, the minimal forfeiture for each intentional violation is $250.)
LANDSCAPING (with respect to a sign)
Low-growing shrubs, ground cover, or perennial and/or annual flowers that reasonably and attractively fill a worked bed of the required dimensions around the base or other supporting structure of a freestanding sign.
A wall sign memorializing a person or event.
A temporarily freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign which identifies an unoccupied dwelling as a demonstration unit for purposes of selling or renting other similar dwelling units.
MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign located within a multifamily residential development which identifies the development and which may optionally include the owner's or manager's name, logo and telephone number.
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign relating to an individual or family event or occurrence in a residential neighborhood, such as a garage sale sign, a lemonade stand sign, a welcome home sign, or a congratulatory sign.
A sign that does not conform to the current requirements of this article. Depending upon the circumstances, a nonconforming sign may be an illegal sign; or it may be a valid nonconforming use sign if it is a principal use sign, a principal structure sign or an off-site sign which is allowed to continue, subject to certain restrictions, so long as it continues to satisfy all of the tests for a valid nonconforming use; or it may be a valid nonconforming accessory sign which is allowed to continue, subject to certain restrictions, pursuant to § 420-78T of this chapter. (See definitions for "valid nonconforming use sign" and "valid nonconforming accessory sign.")
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign located within a nonresidential development which identifies the development and which may optionally include the developer's name and logo, and which does not advertise any individual businesses or other entities located within the development. [Note that pursuant to § 420-76R(2), only a nonresidential unified development encompassing a minimum of 100 acres, exclusive of public streets and highways, is eligible for such a sign.]
NO PERMIT SIGN
A sign which is regulated by this article but for which no sign permit or sign special exception permit is required.
A nonfreestanding sign mounted on an object other than a building or a structure.
A sign that advertises, announces or directs attention to a business, product, service, place, activity, event, person, entity, feature, object, destination, hazard, prohibition or restriction which is past or no longer existent, or which is no longer located or available on the property where the sign is located or at the location stated on the sign. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78P of this chapter, an obsolete sign is subject to removal by the Village at the cost of the owner if not timely removed or otherwise cured following service of a notice of violation.)
OFFICIAL PUBLIC SIGN
A sign installed or constructed by the Village, or some other federal, state or local governmental authority or public utility, to protect, preserve or foster the public health, safety, convenience or welfare.
Any sign which advertises, announces, or directs attention to a business, product, service, place, property, activity, event, person or object not located, operating, manufactured, for sale, for rent or otherwise available on the real property where the sign is located, or which states or expresses a belief, idea, concept or position unrelated to a business, person, product, service, place, activity, event, or object located, living, operating, manufactured, for sale, for rent or otherwise available on the property where the sign is located (other than by virtue of the sign itself or a related lease or license arrangement); a billboard or other sign for rent is an off-site sign.
ON-SITE INFORMATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign (or when pedestrian-oriented, a solid-appearing freestanding sign having three or four interconnected faces, the cross section of which is a triangle or square, provided that the thickness of the sign does not exceed four feet) or a wall or structure sign providing information and/or direction to customers, employees, invitees, visitors and/or vendors who are already on site, relating to matters such as directions to on-site destinations, entrances and exits, parking areas or safety regulations, but not relating to businesses, products, goods or services that are available on site other than as destinations. On-site information signs are mutually exclusive of commercial advertising signs. The appearance of a small logo on on-site information signs, associated with the owner, occupant or user of the property where the signs are located, does not convert an on-site information sign to a different type of sign, but an on-site information sign cannot be directed to off-site passing motorists or pedestrians (except entrance and exit signs).
OUTDOOR (with respect to signs, flags, festoons and lights)
Located outdoors or located within a building or structure but having as its principal purpose to be visible from outside the building or structure (e.g., an illuminated beer sign in the front window of a tavern).
The rigid flat surface of a typical sign on which the display appears and which often forms the background for the message or other graphic or pictorial representation in the display.
Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, city, village, town, county, state, trust, estate, agency, association or any other entity.
PERSONAL MESSAGE SIGN
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign stating beliefs, ideas, concepts or positions of or asserted by the owner or user of the property where the sign is located, and under certain circumstances a nonfreestanding sign of the same function substituted for permitted background commercial advertising signs.
An unrestricted driveway used generally by customers, tenants, employees, invitees, visitors and/or vendors to access a property used for purposes other than single-family or two-family residential or agricultural.
PRIMARY MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign situated on a solid or solid-appearing base, having one or more display areas, which identifies all individual businesses or other entities or uses located or operating on the property where the sign is located or, alternatively, which identifies a unified development located or operating on the property where the sign is located (e.g., a shopping center or shopping mall), and which optionally identifies one or more individual businesses or other entities located or operating in the unified development (e.g., the names of the anchor stores in a shopping mall).
PRINCIPAL USE OR PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE SIGN
A sign that is itself a principal use of and/or a principal structure on the property on which it is located, as distinguished from an accessory sign.
A privately installed single-faced freestanding, wall or structure sign containing a cautionary message, such as a "beware of dog" sign or a "no trespassing" sign.
A single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign that is attached to an exterior wall of a building and extends more than 12 inches from the surface of such wall.
PROPERTY (with respect to a sign)
All of the real property (including all of the tax key parcels) involved in the particular use(s) or the unified development to which an accessory sign relates (or in a unified development, for certain purposes, the area occupied by a particular business or other entity to which an accessory sign relates), or the tax key parcel on which a principal use sign, principal structure sign, or an off-site sign is located. (See definition of "site", which is synonymous.)
PUBLIC INTEREST SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign (or, when pedestrian-oriented, a solid-appearing freestanding sign having three or four interconnected faces, the cross section of which is a triangle or square) that identifies and optionally describes the significance of a conservancy or preservation area, a parkway, waterway, scenic way or ethnic, archaeological, or historical site or trail, or other site or feature of public interest. A public information sign may incidentally identify the sponsor of the sign.
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign that advertises the sale or lease of all or part of the real property on which the sign is located and which is larger, includes more information, and is subject to more stringent regulations than a real estate sign.
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back sign or wall sign that advertises the sale or lease of all or part of the real property on which the sign is located and which may include the name and telephone number of the person selling the property.
A sign mounted on or attached to the roof of a building. [Note that pursuant to § 420-76X(2), all parts of a roof sign must be within 12 inches of the surface of the roof, and no part of the sign may actually extend above or beyond any horizontal or vertical edge of the roof or appear to do so from the perspective of the intended viewers.]
A restricted driveway (e.g., designated for deliveries or vendors only) which is used to access a property used for purposes other than single-family residential, two-family residential or agricultural.
SECONDARY MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign situated on a solid or solid-appearing base, having one or more display areas, which identifies all individual businesses or other entities or uses located or operating on the property where the sign is located or, alternatively, which identifies a unified development located or operating on the property where the sign is located (e.g., a shopping center or shopping mall) and which optionally identifies one or more businesses or other entities located or operating in the unified development (e.g., the names of the anchor stores in a shopping mall) but which is smaller than a primary monument sign and subject to somewhat different restrictions.
SETBACK (as applied to a sign)
The required minimum distance from a sign to a property line, public highway or street right-of-way line or other boundary line or object with respect to which a setback distance is established by this chapter, measured horizontally from the vertical extension of the closest part of the sign (excluding any building or other structure or object existing independently of the sign on which the sign is mounted) to the vertical extension of the closest part of the boundary or object from which the setback is established. (See the definition of "distance" in this section.)
Any writing, inscription or other graphic or pictorial representation, including, without limitation, words, letters, numerals, characters, symbols, emblems, logos, trademarks, images, maps or diagrams which, together with any background panel, surface or coloring that serves as a backdrop for the message or other graphic or pictorial representation, and any related framing, and any base or other supporting structure or apparatus:
Is an independent structure or is attached to, suspended from, painted on or otherwise represented or displayed on or from a building, structure, utility pole, tree or other object;
Is either located outdoors or is located within a building or structure but has as its principal purpose to be visible from outside the building or structure; and
Advertises, announces or directs attention to a business, product, service, place, activity, event, person, feature, object, destination, idea, concept, position, hazard, prohibition or restriction.
A permit issued by the Village Zoning Administrator which is required to install, construct, reinstall, reconstruct, relocate, move, enlarge, extend, alter or otherwise modify a sign or any part of a sign (including, without limitation, changing the message or other display of a sign), except as is specifically provided in such permit or in applicable provisions of this article.
SIGN SPECIAL EXCEPTION PERMIT
A permit, approved and issued by the Zoning Administrator, which is required to install, construct, reinstall, reconstruct, relocate, move, enlarge, extend, alter or otherwise modify (but not including changing the message or other display on such a sign, which requires only a sign permit) certain specified types of signs or certain signs under certain specified conditions.
[Amended 2-2-2009 by Ord. No. 09-01]
SINGLE-FAMILY/TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign located within a single-family or two-family residential development which identifies the residential development and which may optionally include the developer's name and logo.
SITE (with respect to a sign)
See the definition of "property," which is synonymous.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN OR DEVICE
A temporary sign or device (e.g., a festoon) advertising, announcing or calling attention to a festival, auction, bazaar, school performance, fund-raising event, carnival, circus, antique show, grand opening, going out of business sale, new management or other similar special event.
A sign mounted or displayed on a structure, other than a building wall, which exists independently of the sign.
A temporary plastic or fabric wall sign used to display the name of a new occupant of a building pending installation of a nontemporary wall or canopy sign.
TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT SIGN
A temporary freestanding single-faced or two-faced back-to-back or angled sign used to identify, advertise and/or offer for sale or lease a development project that has received final approval from the Village and is under construction on the property where the sign is located and which optionally identifies the owner, occupant, developer, broker, architect, contractor, financial institution or other persons or entities involved in the development.
THICKNESS (as applied to a sign)
The greatest horizontal dimension of a sign, excluding any differentiated base below the level of the display, measured as perpendicular as possible to the face of the sign or, as applied to an angled sign, measured through the thickest side of the angle, without regard to the other half of the "V," or, as applied to a three-dimensional primary monument sign, measured through the thickest part of the sign from the perspective from which the outer dimensions of the sign are most extensive, exclusive of any differentiated base or other differentiated supporting structure or apparatus.
A roundish sign without distinct faces or a sign with a thickness exceeding four feet. [Note that pursuant to § 420-76T(15) and V(5) only primary monument signs and public interest signs may be three dimensional.]
A development on one or more tax key parcels which was planned and developed in a coordinated fashion, which is operated or generally recognized as a collective whole, and which is unified by covenants running with the land, planned development zoning, physical layout (e.g., no side yard setbacks at tax key parcel boundaries), and/or single or unified ownership. (Note that pursuant to § 420-78K of this chapter, certain regulations under this chapter are, at the option of the owner of the property, applied either to the whole of the unified development or individually to its appropriate parts or units.)
VALID NONCONFORMING ACCESSORY SIGN
An accessory sign which fully conformed to the applicable zoning requirements when it was installed or constructed but which has subsequently become nonconforming as a result of an amendment of this chapter. (Note that a valid nonconforming accessory sign is a type of nonconforming accessory structure, not a nonconforming use, which is allowed to continue subject to certain restrictions pursuant to § 420-78T of this chapter, including, without limitation, that the nonconformity must be timely cured whenever the sign becomes obsolete or illegal.)
VALID NONCONFORMING USE SIGN
A principal use sign, principal structure sign, or off-site sign that fully conformed to the applicable zoning requirements when it was installed or constructed but has subsequently become a nonconforming use, which is allowed to continue, subject to certain restrictions, so long as it continues to satisfy all of the tests for a valid nonconforming use.
VERTICAL DIMENSION (as applied to the display of a sign)
The vertical dimension of the smallest horizontally and vertically oriented rectangle that fully encloses the display of a sign.
A sign mounted or displayed on an exterior building wall. (Note that pursuant to § 420-76DD of this chapter, all parts of a wall sign must be within 12 inches of the surface of the wall, and no part of the sign may actually extend above or beyond any horizontal or vertical edge of the wall or appear to do so from the perspective of the intended viewers. Note also that pursuant to § 420-73H of this chapter, decorative striping on a wall does not constitute a wall sign.)
A sign displayed within a window. (Note that different restrictions apply to window signs depending upon whether they are illuminated or nonilluminated.)
The Village Zoning Administrator and his or her designee(s).
No person may install or construct a new sign, or any part thereof, or use, allow to continue, maintain, repair, reinstall, reconstruct, relocate, extend, enlarge, alter or otherwise modify an existing sign or any part thereof (including, without limitation, changing or blanking out the message or other display of an existing sign), except in full compliance with the requirements of this article and in full compliance with the terms and conditions of any required sign permit or of any required sign special exception permit, and in full compliance with the requirements of any applicable approvals, decisions, orders, judgments or other requirements made, issued or imposed pursuant to or in the enforcement of this chapter, and in full compliance with the requirements of any other applicable Village, county, state or federal statute, ordinance, code, regulation, permit, approval, decision, order or judgment relating to land use, land division, environmental protection or development control, and no person may fail to install, construct, use, maintain, repair, modify, blank out or remove a sign as required by this article or by any such sign permit or sign special exception permit for a sign, or by any such other applicable requirements.
No sign permit application or sign special exception permit application may be deemed complete and no sign permit or sign special exception permit may be issued until all of the applicable preconditions set out below have first been satisfied. No sign permit or sign special exception permit issued by mistake shall be valid or effective until all such preconditions have been satisfied.
A complete sign application, signed by the applicant (see the definition of "applicant" in § 420-59), together with all required information and documentation, has been filed with the Village Zoning Administrator;
All applicable sign application fees imposed by or pursuant to this chapter have been paid to the Village (and no sign permit or special exception permit may be issued until all sign inspection fees imposed by or pursuant to this chapter have been paid);
All unpaid overdue forfeitures resulting from violations of any Village ordinance or code owed by the applicant or the owner of the property for which the sign or sign modification is proposed have first been paid, pursuant to § 66.0115, Wis. Stats., unless the imposition of such unpaid forfeiture(s) is being appealed;
With respect to a sign proposed for any lot or parcel created in violation of Chapter 395, Land Division and Development Control, of the Village Code, all such violations have first been cured, in accordance with § 395-14B of that chapter;
All outstanding building or zoning violations on the property on which the sign or sign modification is proposed, regarding which the Village has issued a written notice of violation, have first been cured, unless the notice of violation is being appealed; and
The use of the property on which the sign or sign modification is proposed is in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
Prior to filing a sign permit application or a sign special exception application, an applicant shall first confer with the Zoning Administrator regarding the contemplated sign(s) or sign modifications and the applicable requirements of this article.
Except as is otherwise specifically provided in this article (without limitation, see §§ 420-73 and 420-75), a complete sign permit application or sign special exception permit application shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator, on a form supplied by the Zoning Administrator, for any proposed new sign or any proposed alteration, repair or other modification of an existing sign, including, without limitation, any proposed modification of or blanking out of the message or other display of a sign. Without limitation, such form shall require the following information: the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the applicant (the owner, occupant or user of the property who/which is seeking the permit); the name, address, telephone number and fax number of any person who is authorized to act for the applicant in connection with the application; the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the owner of the property on which the sign will be located or modified, if the applicant is not the owner (fax numbers for the applicant, agent and owner are optional); the street address of the property; the tax key parcel number(s) of the property; whether the property is part of a unified development; a representation that the owner of the property has authorized the installation, construction or modification of the sign if the applicant is not the owner; the physical type and function of the sign; the zoning classification of the property; the amount of the application fee submitted with the application; the total cost of any new sign or of any sign modification; and, with respect to any modification of a nonconforming sign, the cumulative cost of all modifications since the sign became nonconforming or since the effective date of Ordinance No. 00-09 (February 28, 2000), whichever is later, and the total cost of replacement.
Multiple sign permit applications, or multiple sign special exception permit applications, relating to the same property may be filed as a package to make efficient use of common supporting materials or to more efficiently demonstrate that the signs are coordinated for purposes of functionality and aesthetic appeal and that the design and materials of such signs are complementary to the use(s) on the property, to the design and materials of the buildings and structures on the property and to the other signs on the property.
A complete sign permit application or sign special exception permit application shall include or attach the following documents and information; provided, however, that the Zoning Administrator is authorized to waive in writing, on the application or separately, the submission of any information which is readily available to the Village or which is otherwise not required to process the application:
A fully completed sign permit application form, provided by the Village and signed by the applicant. (See the definition of "applicant" in § 420-59.) If the individual signing the application form is not the owner or user of the property, or expressly an officer or partner of such owner or user of the property, the Zoning Administrator may (but has no duty to) require written evidence of the applicant's authority to act as agent of such owner or user.
Scaled drawings, diagrams or photographs showing the display, base and/or other supporting structure or apparatus of the proposed sign and the appearance, design, colors, materials and dimensions of the sign, including the height and thickness of the sign, and the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the sign display; and, in the case of a freestanding sign, the height of the base under the sign display, the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the base, and the distance the base extends to either side of or above the display of the sign; and, in the case of a projecting sign, the clearance of the sign and the maximum distance it extends from the building wall on or to which it is mounted or attached; and, in the case of a wall sign, the maximum distance it extends from the surface of the wall and its actual and apparent position relative to any edge of the wall behind it; and, in the case of a roof sign, the maximum distance it extends from the surface of the roof and its actual and apparent positioning relative to any edge of the roof behind it.
A scaled site plan showing the location and orientation of the face(s) of the proposed sign on the property and the distance from the closest part of any freestanding sign to any existing or proposed building or structure, property line, public highway or public street right-of-way line, sidewalk, driveway, private roadway, parking lot, overhead or underground wires, pipes, conduits or similar structures, or floodplain and/or wetland boundary within 35 feet of such sign (within 50 feet of a freestanding freeway sign), and the distance of the closest part of such sign to the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable water within 90 feet of such sign.
Detailed scaled plans and specifications for the installation or construction of any proposed sign, including, without limitation, the base and/or other supporting structure, apparatus or footings, and for any connections to any independent structure, which explain how the sign will satisfy all applicable safety standards.
Detailed scaled plans and specifications for any landscaping or berming associated with any proposed sign, including, without limitation, the specific location, type and dimensions of all proposed plantings and other landscape elements.
Detailed scaled plans and specifications for any proposed lighting for a sign which explain how prohibited glare on any neighboring properties or on any public street or highway will be avoided.
Detailed scaled plans and specifications and operating limitations for any electronic changing message sign or component of a sign, or any electronic scrolling sign or component of a sign, and a detailed and complete description and explanation of the proposed limitations on the types of messages or information that will be displayed, the proposed frequency and manner of change of the message (second to second and day to day), and how and why such changes will not constitute a prohibited hazardous distraction to motorists or a prohibited flashing or pulsing light source.
Detailed plans and specifications and operating limitations for any changeable copy sign or component of a sign and a detailed and complete description and explanation of the proposed limitations on the types of messages or information to be presented and the proposed frequency and manner of change.
Written consent of the owner of the real property upon which any proposed new sign is to be located, or upon which any existing sign is proposed to be altered or modified, if the applicant is not the owner or lessee of the property.
For a proposed sign modification, a copy of the sign permit or sign special exception permit for the existing sign and the supporting application and related documents and information, together with all documents and information necessary to update, complete and make currently accurate such prior application and supporting documents and information and to fully describe, picture and explain the proposed alteration or modification.
For a sign special exception permit application, any information required by the Zoning Administrator to evaluate the particular criteria for granting such a permit or other requirements to make the necessary findings to grant such a permit.
Documentation supporting the figures provided with respect to the cost of the sign or sign modification and the cost of replacement (if applicable).
Any other information requested by the Zoning Administrator.
Payment of the sign application fee provided for in or by this chapter.
The Zoning Administrator is authorized to hold for completion or deny, in his or her discretion, any incomplete sign permit application or sign special exception permit application. With respect to any such application held for completion, the Zoning Administrator shall promptly notify the applicant in writing by first class mail or by fax what information is needed to complete the application and what if any preconditions must be satisfied pursuant to § 420-61 of this chapter. Any application not completed within 30 days after the filing the application shall be denied.
As soon as practicable after a sign permit application is complete, the Zoning Administrator shall approve or deny it. The Zoning Administrator, or his/her designee, shall have authority to impose any conditions reasonably based upon the requirements of this article. The Zoning Administrator, or his/her designee, shall promptly notify the applicant of the approval and any conditions of approval. If denied, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing by first-class mail, e-mail or fax and state in such notice the reasons for any denial.
[Amended 7-6-2015 by Ord. No. 15-21]
As soon as practicable after a sign special exception application is complete, the Zoning Administrator, or his/her designee, shall approve or deny it and state in its decision the reasons for any denial, any findings it is required to make to approve the application, and any conditions of its approval. The Zoning Administrator shall have authority to impose any conditions reasonably based upon the requirements of this article and any conditions which it reasonably determines are necessary for it to make any required findings. The Zoning Administrator, or his/her designee, shall promptly notify the applicant of the approval and any conditions of approval. If denied, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing by first-class mail, e-mail or fax and state in such notice the reasons for any denial.
[Amended 2-2-2009 by Ord. No. 09-01; 7-6-2015 by Ord. No. 15-21]
Neither a sign permit nor a sign special exception permit may be issued unless the proposed sign or proposed sign modification fully complies with all applicable requirements of this article and all applicable orders, decisions, permits or other approvals made or issued pursuant to this chapter and with all other applicable Village, county, state or federal statutes, ordinances, codes, regulations, permits or orders relating to land use, land division, environmental protection or development control.
Among the conditions that shall be imposed on any permit, to the extent applicable, are the following:
That the applicant has duly authorized the filing of the application and all related information and that all information contained in or submitted in connection with the application is true and accurate;
That the permit and all terms and conditions thereof must be reviewed and accepted by the applicant prior to commencement of the installation, construction or modification of the sign and that such commencement constitutes acceptance;
That commencement of installation, construction or modification of the sign constitutes a waiver of any right to appeal the decision or permit of the Zoning Administrator or any part thereof to the Village Zoning Board of Appeals or to otherwise challenge such decision or permit;
That in the case of a freestanding sign, the applicant shall stake the location of the sign prior to commencement of the installation or construction of the sign, and any boundaries, buildings or objects for which sign setbacks have been established, which are within the standard thirty-five-foot area of concern [or the fifty-foot area of concern with respect to a freeway sign or the ninety-foot area of concern with respect to the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable water, pursuant to § 420-62C(3)] and shall request a Village inspection of such stakings;
That the applicant shall request a final inspection of the sign by the Village within seven days of its completion to avoid a violation; and
That the sign shall be installed, constructed or modified only in full compliance with this article and the terms and conditions of the permit and must be in accordance with the approved plans, specifications and other information submitted with the application.
If a sign permit is not issued within 30 days after the date on which written notice of approval of the sign application was mailed or faxed to the applicant or the applicant's agent, the sign application approval shall automatically be void. No sign permit shall be issued on the basis of a void sign application approval. The applicant may reapply without prejudice.
A permit shall be issued only upon payment of any sign inspection fees provided for in or by this chapter.
A sign permit or sign special exception permit may specify that the message or other display of the sign may be changed in specified ways, and with specified frequency, without having to seek a new permit, but specific limitations shall be imposed on such changes. Such provisions may be allowed only in situations where this article specifically allows changeable copy signs, electronic changing message signs or electronic scrolling signs. With respect to electronic changing message signs, the permit shall state that a new message shall not appear more frequently than once every three seconds, and the sign shall not have the appearance of flashing or pulsing.
It shall be the duty of the applicant to review and duly authorize the filing of any sign permit application or sign special exception permit application and any information submitted with or in connection with any such application. Every sign permit and sign special exception permit shall be conditioned upon the accuracy of all such information. Any permit approved or issued on the basis of materially inaccurate information may be suspended, revoked or voided by the Zoning Administrator.
It shall be the duty of the applicant to review and accept the terms and conditions of any sign permit or sign special exception permit before commencement of the installation, construction or modification of any sign pursuant to such permit. Commencement of installation, construction or modification of any sign pursuant to a permit automatically constitutes acceptance of the permit and waives any right to appeal or challenge the permit decision, the permit or any condition thereof. Any permit not accepted prior to commencement of installation, construction or modification may be suspended, revoked or voided by the Zoning Administrator.
The right to install, construct or modify a sign pursuant to a sign permit or a sign special exception permit shall automatically expire 12 months after the date of issuance of the permit. After such right expires, or after the permit is revoked or voided, or while it is suspended, no work requiring such a permit shall be commenced, continued or resumed until after a new permit is issued or until after the original permit has been reinstated. A suspension of the permit tolls the remainder of such twelve-month period.
The right to install, construct or modify a sign pursuant to a sign permit or a sign special exception permit may be extended in writing by the Zoning Administrator for up to 60 additional days upon a showing of good cause by the applicant and the payment of any permit extension fee imposed by or pursuant to this chapter, provided that the applicant's rights under the permit have not expired or been revoked or voided. New or amended sign regulations that have become effective after the approval of the initial sign permit shall be applied to any application for an extension, and an extension shall not be granted unless the original application is amended to conform to such new or amended sign regulations.
A sign permit or sign special exception permit may be assigned to a new owner or user of the property, or to a successor of the applicant, upon written consent of the Zoning Administrator, provided that the rights pursuant to the permit have not expired or been revoked or voided, that there are no uncured violations of the permit or of this article associated with such sign, that no modification of the permitted sign or the permit is required to prevent the sign from becoming obsolete, and that the assignee or successor accepts the permit and timely satisfies all conditions of the permit to the reasonable satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator.
Prior to installation or construction of any new freestanding sign that requires a sign permit or a sign special exception permit, the applicant shall stake the proposed sign or any modification that changes the location or dimensions of the sign and any boundaries, buildings or objects for which sign setbacks have been established which are within the thirty-five-foot area of concern (or the fifty-foot area of concern with respect to a freeway sign or the ninety-foot area of concern with respect to the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable water) pursuant to § 420-62C(3) of this chapter and shall request that a staking inspection be performed by the Village. The applicant shall modify the staking to comply with the results of such staking inspection prior to commencing installation, construction or modification of the sign, and the sign shall be installed or constructed in accordance with the approved staking.
Within seven days of the completion of any sign that requires a sign permit or a sign special exception permit, the applicant shall request that the Village perform a final inspection to ensure that the sign is in compliance with the permit and the applicable provisions of this chapter. If necessary, the applicant shall promptly modify the sign to comply with the permit and this article. A sign for which such an inspection request has not been timely made or which has not promptly been modified to comply fully with the permit and this article is a violation of this chapter.
In the event the Zoning Administrator determines, prior to the completion of permitted sign work pursuant to a sign permit or sign special exception permit, that the sign or related work is not in accordance with the terms and conditions of such permit or the requirements of this article, or that the information on the basis of which the permit was approved or issued was untrue or inaccurate in material respects, the Zoning Administrator may suspend such permit, notify the applicant or the applicant's designated agent in writing by first class mail or by fax of the reasons for the suspension and issue a written stop-work order until the problem or defect is cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator. In the event the applicant refuses or fails to cure the problem or defect within 30 days following such notice of suspension, and after conferring with the applicant or the applicant's agent regarding such refusal or failure, the Zoning Administrator may revoke a sign permit and notify the applicant in writing by first class mail or by fax of the reasons for the revocation and any related violations.
In the event the Zoning Administrator determines, after the completion of work done pursuant to any such permit, that the sign or related work was not in accordance with the terms and conditions of such permit or the requirements of this article, or that the information on the basis of which the permit was approved or issued was inaccurate in material respects, the Zoning Administrator shall issue and cause to be served a notice of violation. If such violations are not cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator within 30 days following service of such notice of violation, the Zoning Administrator may, in addition to all other remedies, void the permit and promptly notify the owner and user of the property where the sign is located in writing by first class mail or by fax of the reasons for voiding the permit.
A sign installed, constructed or modified pursuant to a permit which has been revoked or voided is illegal and a violation of this article.
Except as may be specifically prohibited by § 420-74, the following signs, flags, festoons and lights are exempt from this article:
Indoor signs, flags, festoons and lights, unless their primary function is to be visible from outdoors (e.g., an illuminated beer sign in the front window of a tavern).
Lights, unless used in conjunction with a sign or used specifically for commercial advertising purposes.
Holiday decorations reasonably proximate in time to the holiday.
Hand-held signs, flags, festoons and lights.
Incidental signs (one square foot or less in area), unless there are more than two such signs within 15 feet of a building entrance.
Seed identification signs in an agricultural district, provided that they are less than two square feet in size.
Art work, except in the form of a freestanding sign, or when used in conjunction with an explicit message or text.
Decoration, not including logos (e.g., decorative striping on a building).
Architectural features containing elements that might be considered a sign, provided that the sign is not the principal reason for the architectural feature and is clearly incidental and subordinate to the function of the architectural feature.
Automobile signs that advertise a business or other entity or activity in which the automobile is used as an automobile on a day-to-day basis, other than merely for advertising.
Rooftop signs not visible from the ground or from other buildings.
Brand or model names or designations on equipment or goods.
Emergency signs erected by appropriate governmental or utility authorities.
Signs, flags and lights on floating boats.
Scoreboards used in connection with outdoor athletic facilities.
Any signs, flags, festoons or lights that are not expressly permitted by this article are prohibited. Without limitation, the following signs or types or uses of signs, flags, festoons or lights are prohibited:
Any sign with flashing or pulsating lights, except pursuant to § 420-75I of this chapter (but excluding a validly permitted electronic changing message sign or electronic scrolling sign pursuant to § 420-76J or K of this chapter).
Any sign that moves or has moving or animated parts, except pursuant to §§ 420-75I and 420-76J or K of this chapter.
Any inflatable sign, including but not limited to tethered balloon signs or other gas-filled figures.
Any off-site sign, principal use sign or principal structure sign, except an official public sign pursuant to § 420-75I of this chapter, or except as may be approved in connection with planned development zoning.
Any temporary, spring-action metal advertising sign used, for example, to advertise cigarette or gasoline prices.
Any festoon, except as approved as a special event device pursuant to § 420-76AA of this chapter, or an official public sign pursuant to § 420-75I of this chapter.
Any commercial advertising sign painted on or attached to a bench, bus shelter, garbage can, or garbage enclosure, except incidental signs.
Any sign that creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to motorists.
Any sign that creates a public nuisance or a private nuisance to neighboring properties.
Any sign that resembles, imitates or approximates the size, shape, form and/or color of railroad or traffic safety signs, signals or devices.
Any sign that is lighted in such a way as to cause unpleasant glare upon any public street or highway or upon neighboring properties.
Any sign that is attached, fastened or anchored to a fire escape, fire ladder, standpipe or fire hydrant.
Any sign that prevents or hinders ingress or egress to or from public or private driveways, parking lots, fire escapes or doorways.
Any sign that prevents or hinders pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk.
Any sign that prevents or materially hinders the raising or placing of ladders against a building by the Fire & Rescue Department.
Any sign that is installed on or attached to any public utility facilities, except pursuant to § 420-75I or 420-76G of this chapter.
Any sign that is installed or constructed in or attached to trees or other landscaping within a public right-of-way, except pursuant to § 420-75I of this chapter.
Any vehicle that is painted as or displays a commercial advertising sign, which is parked on a lawn or other area where the parking of a vehicle is not permitted, or which is parked on or visible from a public street or highway, unless the vehicle is used in the day-to-day operations of the business or other entity or activity so advertised for a purpose other than such advertising.
A "for sale" or a price sign displayed on or in a vehicle parked within a public right-of-way.
Any sign located within in the C-1 Lowland Resource Conservancy District, the C-3 Natural and Scientific Area Resource Conservancy District, or the FPO Floodplain Overlay District, unless specifically allowed in such district or any district pursuant to this article.
Any sign located within a vision triangle,[1] except pursuant to § 420-75I of this chapter.
Editor's Note: See § 420-44, Vision triangle.
Any sign other than an emergency official public sign installed or constructed within the right-of-way of a Village street without the written approval of the Village.
Any sign containing statements, words or pictures that are obscene.
Any spotlights used as visual attention-getters.
The following types of signs are permitted without a sign permit or a sign special exception permit, provided that they comply with the specific requirements stated below and all other applicable requirements of this article:
Agricultural products identification sign.
Permitted in any agricultural district.
Maximum number: one sign per property on which a roadside produce stand or "pick your own" operation is located, provided that the property on which the sign is located has a minimum of 150 feet of frontage, and further provided that two wall signs may be substituted for the freestanding sign, and further provided that if the property on which the roadside stand or "pick your own" operation is located has a minimum of 600 feet of frontage, two freestanding single-face signs on the property are permitted.
Maximum area: 20 square feet per face or per wall sign.
Maximum height: six feet for freestanding signs.
Minimum setback: two feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
Building address sign.
Permitted in any zoning district.
Minimum number: one building address sign shall be located on each principal building to designate the correct numerical address of the property.
Minimum vertical dimension: three inches in height.
If a principal building is located more than 75 feet from the public street or highway right-of-way line, or if the building address sign is not readily visible from the public street or highway for any other reason, and there is no primary monument sign or other identification sign on the property on which the building address is stated, then a freestanding building address sign shall be installed in front of such building to identify the address of the property.
Building marker sign.
Maximum number: one per principal building.
Permitted in any agricultural or residential district.
Maximum number: one per property.
Maximum area: nine square feet per face.
Minimum setback: two feet from any public street and highway right-of-way lines.
Shall be removed upon completion of work.
Permission shall be obtained from the owner, or occupant of the property on which the sign is placed.
Flag/flagpole.
One flagpole and three flags per property in any agricultural or residential district.
Three flagpoles and six flags per property in any other district.
Seven flagpoles and 14 flags if in conjunction with a nonresidential development identification sign.
Minimum setback: the distance from any public street or highway right-of-way line equal to the height or length of the flagpole.
Maximum height of any flagpole:
Twenty feet in any agricultural or residential district.
Forty feet in any other district.
May be illuminated, provided that adequate precautions are taken to prevent prohibited glare on neighboring properties or on any public street or highway right-of-way.
Maximum number: one per building.
Time limitation: three days.
Maximum number per calendar year: six
Maximum area: 18 square feet per face.
Official public sign.
[Amended 11-17-2008 by Ord. No. 08-55]
Permitted in public street or highway right-of-way in any district, provided that:
Written Village permission is required for any sign installed in a Village street right-of-way for a period of more than seven days.
Permission from Kenosha County or the State of Wisconsin may be required for such signs installed in the right-of-way of county trunk highways or state trunk highways, respectively.
Permitted on any Village owned land in any district; provided that written permission is obtained from the Village and that the size and location is approved by the Village Zoning Administrator.
Personal message sign.
Permitted as a freestanding sign in any residential or agricultural district [but see Subsection J(8) below for personal message signs permitted in place of certain background commercial advertising signs].
Maximum number at one time: one per property.
Maximum duration: 10 days.
Maximum number per calendar year: six.
May be substituted as a nonfreestanding sign in any zoning district for any permitted background commercial advertising sign that is permitted there, subject to the applicable regulations for the particular type of sign involved, aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area restrictions, and the restrictions stated above for duration, number at one time and number per calendar year in Subsection J(5), (2) and (6), respectively.
Private warning sign.
Minimum setback: none.
Maximum number: one per property for each street or highway frontage.
Shall be removed upon completion of the transaction.
Window sign (nonilluminated).
Shall be placed on the inside of a window of a principal building.
Maximum area: such signs shall not exceed 30% of the area of any window.
Total maximum area per building in any residential district: 10 square feet.
Total maximum area per building (or per store or other unit in a building with two or more occupants): 30 square feet.
The following types of signs are permitted only pursuant to and in full conformity with a validly issued sign permit or sign special exception permit, the applicable requirements stated below and all other applicable requirements of this article:
Agricultural business identification sign.
Maximum height: six feet if located adjacent to an arterial street or highway; four feet if adjacent to a nonarterial street.
Maximum area: 36 square feet per face.
Minimum setback: 10 feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of three feet in every direction from the base or other support structure of the sign.
May be placed on two supports or on a solid or solid-appearing base directly supporting a minimum of 75% of the sign display. The height of the base or supports below the bottom of the sign display shall not exceed three feet.
Permitted in any business, institutional, PR-2 or PR-3 district.
[Amended 5-4-2009 by Ord. No. 09-23]
Maximum area: nine square feet.
Shall be mounted on the wall of a principal building adjacent to the entrance.
Changeable copy sign is permitted.
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional, PR-2, PR-3 or multifamily residential district.
Limited to one line of copy upon the border of the awning or canopy.
No repetitious wording or display is permitted on any portion of the canopy or awning facing in the same direction.
Shall not be placed on the curved or angle portion of the canopy or awning.
Changeable copy sign. A changeable copy sign is only permitted as or as part of the following signs: primary monument sign, drive-through customer sign, bulletin board sign, wall sign, projecting sign and official public sign. (See § 420-66 of this chapter.)
Coming soon sign.
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional, PR-2, PR-3 or agricultural district.
Maximum number: one per property (or one per store or other unit in a building with more than one occupant).
Maximum area: 20 square feet.
Maximum duration: 90 days.
Shall be securely attached to the exterior wall of the building so as to remain flush against the wall and not flap in the wind.
Shall be located on a building wall below an elevation which is 35 feet above grade.
Shall be removed upon occupancy unless continued as a temporary banner sign, subject to the requirements of Subsection BB of this section if continued as a temporary banner sign.
Commercial advertising sign. Without limitation, commercial advertising signs are subject to regulations relating to particular types of commercial advertising signs, e.g., primary monument signs, and to regulations limiting the aggregate permitted background of commercial advertising sign area (see § 420-78K) and limiting the use of freestanding signs as background commercial advertising signs (see § 420-78V).
Community banner sign.
Permitted in any zoning district in a public street or highway right-of-way.
Maximum height: six square feet.
Number, size, location and duration of such signs are subject to approval by the Village Administrator, on an as-reasonably-needed basis, subject to the basic requirements that the sign is safe and advertises a special event (excluding commercial promotional events at a merchant's place of business or at a shopping center or mall) that is open to the public and of interest to a substantial portion of the community.
Larger, over-the-street community banner signs are a special exception (see § 420-64B) which the Zoning Administrator must find are not a substantial distraction to motorists and are reasonably safe under the circumstances.
Decorative pole sign.
Permitted as a substitute for a primary monument sign in a situation where a primary monument sign is not physically practicable [see Subsection T(13) of this section].
Shall not be placed so that the sign projects above a surface that is intended for vehicular traffic.
Minimum clearance: 8.5 feet.
Shall be fastened to, projected or suspended from a decorative pole of wrought iron or other similar material.
Drive-through customer information sign.
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional or agricultural district.
Maximum number: as approved by the Zoning Administrator, based on reasonable need.
Maximum area: 36 square feet per side, with a total of 72 square feet for both sides.
Area and height actually permitted: as approved by the Zoning Administrator, based upon reasonable need.
Shall be addressed to customers who are already on site and shall not be addressed to passing motorists.
Changeable copy signs, electronic changing message signs and electronic scrolling signs are permitted.
Electronic changing message sign. An electronic changing message sign is only permitted as or as part of a primary monument sign, freeway sign, wall sign, projecting sign, or drive-through customer information sign. The message in an electronic changing message sign shall not change more frequently than once every three seconds. Such a sign shall not have the appearance of flashing or pulsing. (See § 420-66 of this chapter.)
Electronic scrolling sign. An electronic scrolling sign is only permitted as or as part of a primary monument sign, freeway sign, wall sign, projecting sign, or drive-through customer information sign. Such a sign shall not have the appearance of flashing or pulsing. (See § 420-66 of this chapter.)
Farm identification sign.
Maximum area: 24 square feet per face.
Minimum setback: five feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
Freestanding sign. Without limitation, a freestanding sign may be used as a primary monument sign (or substituted decorative pole sign), secondary monument sign, freeway sign, various other identification signs, official public sign, on-site information sign, public interest sign, and various temporary signs but is restricted for other commercial advertising purposes (see § 420-78V of this chapter).
Freeway sign.
Permitted in any B-3 or B-4 District only for the following uses: gasoline filling stations with or without convenience stores, restaurants, hotels, motels, and also major shopping centers, shopping malls or other major retail stores or outlets which, individually or collectively as a unified development, exceed 100,000 square feet in building floor area, provided that the sign is located within 1,000 feet from the main traveled lanes of I-94.
Maximum area: 300 square feet per face; alternatively, 300 square feet may be added to any wall sign(s) on the property.
An electronic changing message sign or an electronic scrolling sign may be incorporated into the sign.
Minimum setback: 20 feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
May be illuminated, internally only.
The sign installer shall provide written verification to the Village Zoning Administrator upon installation that the sign complies with the sign permit requirements.
Permitted in any agricultural or residential district, provided that an approved home occupation permit pursuant to Article VII of this chapter has been issued.
Shall be mounted on the wall at the entrance to the principal or accessory structure used in conjunction with such home occupation.
Shall not project more than six inches from the wall and shall not be placed on or over a mailbox or mailbox enclosure.
Model home sign.
[Amended 9-20-2010 by Ord. No. 10-48]
Permitted in any residential district wherein a conditional use permit has been approved for such use.
Maximum area: 16 square feet per face.
Shall be a wooden or composite material sign mounted on two wooden or composite material decorative posts with tops or other sign or decorative post materials as approved by the Zoning Administrator. The height of the base or supports below the bottom of the sign display shall not exceed three feet.
Colors shall be complementary to the model home.
Shall be removed upon expiration of conditional use permit for said use or when the home is no longer used as a model home.
Multifamily residential development identification sign.
Permitted in any R-9, R-10, R-11 or PR-1 District.
Maximum number: one such sign may be permitted per development, except that if there is more than one entrance to such development from an arterial street or highway, then an additional sign may be approved at each such entrance.
Minimum setback: two feet from any public street right-of-way line if located adjacent to a nonarterial Village street or five feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line if located adjacent to an arterial street or highway.
Permitted within a boulevard island at the entrance to a development, subject to the following requirements:
Shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the back of the curb of the center boulevard island adjacent to the intersecting street or highway;
Shall be located a minimum of four feet from the back of the curb of the center boulevard island adjacent to the street in which the boulevard island is located; and
A maintenance agreement and an indemnification and hold harmless agreement shall be entered into with the Village which are satisfactory to the Village.
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of three feet in every direction from the base or other support structure of the sign, except if the sign is located in a boulevard island, then the landscaping shall not extend closer than two feet from the back of the curb of the boulevard island.
May be placed on two supports or may be placed on a solid-appearing decorative base which supports a minimum of 75% of the display of the sign.
The sign supports or base shall be constructed of materials that complement the materials used in the development.
Maximum height of base under display: four feet.
Nonresidential development identification sign.
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, park and recreational or institutional district.
Maximum number: one sign may be permitted per unified development including at least 100 acres, exclusive of public street and highway right-of-way, except that if there is more than one primary entrance to said development from an arterial street or highway, additional sign(s) may be approved at each entrance from such an arterial street or highway.
Maximum area: 160 square feet per face.
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of five feet in every direction from the base or other support structure of the sign.
May be in the form of a wall sign or a freestanding single-sided or two-sided sign (pedestrian-oriented signs may have up to four sides, provided that they do not exceed four feet in thickness).
Maximum height: four feet for a freestanding sign.
Maximum area: 32 square feet per face, 64 square feet total for a freestanding sign.
Minimum setback: five feet from any public street or highway right-of-way lines.
The number, size and location of such signs are subject to approval of the Village Zoning Administrator, based on reasonable need.
Primary monument sign.
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional, PR-2 or PR-3 district.
One sign is required for each property improved with one or more principal buildings and used for any business, manufacturing, institutional, or recreational purpose or use, except as provided in Subsection T(13) and (14) below.
Maximum number: one per property; provided, however, a second primary monument sign is permitted in the following instances:
If the property is more than five acres and has frontage and primary entrances on more than one street or highway and the distance between such signs is a minimum of 600 feet as measured along the street or highway right-of-way lines, and further provided that a second primary monument sign may be permitted in a shared driveway situation pursuant to Subsection Y(4) of this section without compliance with the foregoing requirements.
If the property is located in a business, manufacturing, institutional, PR-2 or PR-3 district and has frontage on more than one street or highway, wherein one street frontage is on an arterial street or highway with no access and the second primary monument sign fronts on the arterial street or highway, and further provided that a second primary monument sign may be permitted in a shared driveway situation pursuant to Subsection Y(4) of this section without compliance with the foregoing requirements.
A changeable copy sign, electronic changing message sign or electronic scrolling sign is permitted.
Maximum area: 130 square feet per face, except:
[Amended 3-3-2008 by Ord. No. 08-18; 5-4-2009 by Ord. No. 09-23]
If located in the B-1 Business District, the maximum area is 36 square feet per face; or
if a second primary monument sign is located in a manufacturing, institutional, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, PR-2 or PR-3 district pursuant to Subsection T(3)(b) above, the maximum area is 48 square feet.
If the property has frontage on a state trunk highway, the maximum area is 160 square feet per face.
[Added 11-2-2009 by Ord. No. 09-56]
Maximum height: 10 feet, except:
If located in the B-1 Business District, the maximum height is four feet; or
If a second primary monument sign is located in a manufacturing, institutional, B-2, B-3, B-4, B-5, PR-2 or PR-3 district pursuant to Subsection T(3)(b) above, the maximum height is eight feet.
If the property has frontage on a state trunk highway, the maximum height is 16 feet.
Minimum setback distance: 15 feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
Shall include the street address of each principal building on the property (or each principal building served by a shared driveway entrance), including the street number(s) and the name of the street, but such address(es) may be placed on the base of the sign (where they will not count toward the maximum area of the sign display).
Shall be placed on a solid-appearing decorative base which supports a minimum of 75% of the horizontal dimension of the sign display.
The base of the sign shall:
Have a height that does not exceed the vertical dimension of the sign display.
Not extend to either side of the sign display by a distance exceeding 1/2 of the horizontal dimension of the sign display, or extend above the level of the top of the sign display by a distance exceeding 1/2 of the vertical dimension of the sign display.
No primary monument sign shall be required if the physical constraints of the property render such a sign physically impracticable. In such situations, a wall sign, projecting sign or decorative pole sign may be permitted as a substitute for a primary monument sign, but the maximum area of a substitute wall sign shall be the maximum area for one face of the primary monument sign.
A primary monument sign is not required in a B-1 District; however, the maximum area of one face of the primary monument sign may be added to the aggregate permitted commercial advertising sign area.
Maximum area: 12 square feet per face.
Maximum number: one per business, person or entity on the property.
A changeable copy sign, an electronic changing message sign or an electronic scrolling message sign is permitted.
Minimum clearance: 8.5 feet above any surface intended for pedestrian traffic; 10 feet above any surface intended for vehicular traffic.
Maximum height: 16 feet.
The sign installer shall provide written verification to the Village Zoning Administrator upon installation that the sign complies with all requirements of the sign permit.
Public interest sign.
Maximum area: 48 square feet per face and 96 square feet total.
May be three-dimensional in that the thickness may exceed four feet.
Shall be supported by no more than two supports.
Minimal disturbance to the wetlands, floodplain or other natural features.
The location, size and number of such signs are subject to approval of the Zoning Administrator, based on reasonable need.
Real estate marketing sign.
Permitted in any residential, business, manufacturing, institutional, park and recreational or agricultural district.
Permitted in a residential district only on a parcel of at least five acres.
Maximum number: one sign per each street or highway frontage of the property where the sign is located.
Maximum area: 48 square feet per face.
Shall be located on the property to which it relates.
Maximum duration: two years, and an extension may be permitted for a period not to exceed five years total; provided, however, that such sign shall be removed promptly upon the completion of the transaction.
Minimum setback: 15 feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line.
No changeable copy, electronic changing message sign or electronic scrolling sign is permitted.
Shall be mounted on or against the roof of a building and shall not extend more than 12 inches from the surface of such roof.
Shall not actually extend above or beyond any edge of the roof behind it and shall not appear to so extend from the perspective of the intended viewers.
The sign installer shall provide written verification to the Village Zoning Administrator upon installation that the sign complies with all permit requirements.
Secondary monument sign.
Maximum number: one sign permitted on the property for each primary entrance from a street or highway, less the number of primary monument signs on the property.
The sign shall be located no more than 15 feet from a primary entrance driveway, as measured from the back of the curb of the driveway.
If a primary entrance driveway serves as a shared access driveway for two or more properties, only one shared secondary monument sign is permitted adjacent to such driveway; if the shared sign is appropriately a primary monument sign for any of the properties sharing the sign, it may be a primary monument sign even though one or more of the other properties are not entitled to a primary monument sign at that location.
[Amended 3-3-2008 by Ord. No. 08-18]
Minimum setback from any public street or highway right-of-way line: six feet.
Landscaping: three feet in every direction from the sign base or other supporting structure.
May be placed on two supports or may be placed on a solid or solid-appearing base which supports a minimum of 75% of the horizontal dimension of the sign display. The sign supports or base shall be constructed of materials complementary to the materials used in the buildings and structures on the property where the sign is located. The supports or base may not exceed three feet in height beneath the sign display.
Single-family/two-family residential development identification sign.
Permitted in any C-2, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, R-6, R-7, R-8, R-12 or PR-1 District.
Maximum number: one such sign may be permitted per development, except that if there is more than one entrance to such development from an arterial street or highway, an additional sign is permitted at each such entrance.
Minimum setback: two feet from any public street or highway right-of-way line if located adjacent to a nonarterial street or five feet if located adjacent to an arterial street or highway.
Shall be located a minimum of 15 feet from the back of the curb of the boulevard island adjacent to the intersecting street or highway;
Shall be located a minimum of three feet from the back of the curb of the boulevard island adjacent to the street in which the boulevard island is located; and
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of three feet in every direction from the base or other support structure of the sign, except that if the sign is located in a boulevard island, then the landscaping shall not extend closer than two feet from the back of the curb of the boulevard island.
The sign supports or base shall be constructed of materials that complement the materials used in the development. In no case shall the sign supports or base under the sign display exceed four feet in height.
Special event sign or device.
Minimum setback from any public street or highway right-of-way line: 15 feet.
Maximum duration: for a period not to exceed 21 days prior to the special event and shall be removed within seven days after the event.
Maximum number per calendar year: four, except in a PR-3 and I-1 District, where there is no limit.
Temporary banner sign.
A complete sign application for a wall sign, canopy sign or projecting sign pursuant to § 420-62 of this chapter shall have been approved and a permit issued for such a sign prior to issuance of a temporary banner sign.
Maximum number: one such per business, person or other entity located or operating on the property.
Maximum duration: 21 days, at which time the wall sign shall be installed and the temporary banner shall be removed.
Temporary development sign.
Maximum duration: two years, and an extension may be permitted for a period not to exceed five years total; provided, however, that such sign shall be removed prior to occupancy of any principal building on the property.
[Amended 1-21-2013 by Ord. No. 13-06]
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional, park and recreational or agricultural district. Refer to the § 420-78K related to the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area to determine the total area allowed.
Shall be securely mounted on the exterior wall of a building and shall not extend more than 12 inches from the building's wall surface.
Shall not actually or appear to extend above or beyond any wall edge.
Shall not be placed upon or cover any architectural feature, and shall be set back a minimum of six inches from the edge of the fascia, architectural feature or exterior building wall.
Shall not extend past an individual tenant's internal leasable storefront space (within a multitenant building) unless specifically approved by the Village Zoning Administrator due to undue hardship or unique building configuration.
Only channel-type or pin-mounted letters shall be allowed; however, a symbol or company logo may be allowed if approved by the Village Zoning Administrator.
Box/cabinet signs may be allowed if approved by the Village Zoning Administrator.
No sign raceways are allowed, and no visible electrical "crossovers" are allowed.
May be illuminated. If illuminated, the sign may be internally, externally, or halo-type illumination. The following types of signs/sign illumination shall not be permitted unless approved by the Village Zoning Administrator on a case-by-case basis, including, but are not limited to: (a) External neon outlining illumination; or (b) Background painting of the building façade.
All exterior building walls/facades where former signage was placed shall be patched and/or repaired as a condition of any new wall sign permit approval. All exterior building walls/facades shall be maintained in a state of good repair at all times.
The sign installer shall provide written verification to the Village Zoning Administrator upon installation of the sign that said sign complies with the sign permit.
Window sign (illuminated).
Permitted in any business, manufacturing, institutional, or park-recreational district.
Shall be on the inside of a window.
Maximum number: one per building or per store or other unit in a building having more than one occupant.
Maximum area: nine square feet and occupying no more than 30% of the window area.
See § 420-76G of this chapter relating to community banner signs that are suspended across a public street.
See § 420-78L of this chapter relating to signs for multi-occupant buildings that straddle tax key parcel boundary lines.
See § 420-78AA of this chapter relating to signs for nonconforming uses.
Coordinated, complementary signs. The commercial advertising and on-site information signs located on each property shall be coordinated for purposes of functionality and aesthetic appeal, and the design and materials of such signs shall be complementary to the use of the property, to the design and materials of the buildings and other structures on the property, and to the other commercial advertising signs and on-site information signs on the property. This subsection is not intended to limit the use of any logo or trademark on signs or to require that the colors appearing in a particular logo or trademark must be replicated throughout the signs on the property where such a logo or trademark is displayed.
One face. A sign shall not have more than one face unless expressly authorized by this article.
Safe, functional and attractive. All signs shall be designed, installed and/or constructed so as to be safe, functional and attractive.
Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a safe, attractive and well cared for condition and shall be promptly repaired, restored, repainted, replaced or cured as needed.
Waiving cured violations. The curing of an illegal sign or a violation of the provisions of this article shall not bar the Village from pursuing all legal remedies with respect to any prior violations, but the Village Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to waive, in writing, prior violations provided that a complete cure of such violations has been effected and that all costs incurred by the Village in connection with such violations and such cure, including, without limitation, any actual attorney fees, have been paid in full.
Intentional violation. The failure to cure a violation of this article within 30 days of service of a notice of violation shall be deemed to constitute an intentional violation. The filing during such thirty-day period of a complete application for a sign permit or a special exception sign permit required to cure the violation shall extend such period to 60 days after the permit application is approved, provided that the application is approved and that the permit is issued and that the cure is completed within such sixty-day period.
Minimum forfeiture for intentional violation. The minimum forfeiture for an intentional violation of this article shall be $250, and each day that an intentional violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct intentional violation.
Illegal signs. Any illegal sign shall be promptly removed or otherwise cured so as to eliminate any violation of this article. Any illegal sign shall be subject to removal by the Village, at the cost of the owner, if such sign is not removed or otherwise cured within 30 days after service of a notice of violation. The filing during such thirty-day period of a complete application for a sign permit or a special exception sign permit required to cure the violation shall extend such period 60 days after the permit application is approved, provided that the application is approved and that the permit is issued and that the cure is completed within such sixty-day period.
Effect of sign variance. A previously issued sign variance shall not be interpreted as immunizing a sign from subsequent amendments of this article or of any other applicable provisions of this chapter, to the extent that the effect of such amendments is to make the sign nonconforming.
Primary monument sign. Every property improved with a principal building that is used for any business, manufacturing, institutional or recreational purpose shall have a primary monument sign. Every primary monument sign shall include the street address of the property on which it is located, which shall be in letters and numerals at least three inches in height and at least 18 inches above the surface of the ground. If required, a primary monument sign shall be a condition precedent to occupancy.
Aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area.
Except as is otherwise specifically provided in this article, the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area allowed on a property used for any business, manufacturing, institutional, park or recreational or agricultural purpose shall be as follows:
[Amended 7-5-2005 by Ord. No. 05-31]
1,000 to 4,999.9
5,000 to 9,999.9
10,000 to 19,999.9
20,000 to 99,999.9
100,000 to 199,999.9
Note that not all commercial advertising signs are counted in determining the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area, pursuant to the definition of "aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area" in § 420-59 of this chapter. In a situation where more than one principal building is located on the property and the buildings are not or will not be occupied by the same business or other entity, the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area may, at the option of the owner, be applied on a per-building basis. In a situation where a single building is or will be occupied by more than one store, business or other entity, each having its own dedicated entrance, the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area allowance may, at the option of the owner, be applied on a per-store or other unit basis, in which event the allowance shall be based on the interior qualifying floor area exclusively occupied by each such store or other entity. Once such option is exercised, it can be reversed only if all of the background commercial advertising signage on the property is brought into conformance. No new commercial advertising sign may be permitted if the property on which the sign is proposed to be located has more than the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area.
Signs for buildings straddling tax key parcel boundaries without side setbacks. A special exception sign permit shall be required for the installation, construction or modification of any commercial advertising sign (including, without limitation, a modification of the message or other display) on a property on which is located a shopping center or shopping mall building, or any other building occupied by multiple businesses or other entities, which straddles a tax key parcel boundary without side yard setbacks, unless such tax key parcels are combined into a single tax key parcel; or the property is zoned for planned development, and a requirement of the planned development zoning is coordinated and complementary signs in accordance with Subsection A of this section; or the property is subject to a covenant running with the land requiring coordinated and complementary signs in accordance with Subsection A of this section, which has been approved by and is enforceable by the Village. A condition of any such special exception permit shall be that the subject sign shall be and shall continue to be coordinated and complementary.
Materials. All nontemporary signs, and all temporary signs having a height greater than four feet that are intended to be in place for 120 days or more, shall be constructed of sound, high-strength, appropriately sized, attractive materials that are resistant to rust, corrosion, rot or unattractive weathering to ensure safe construction.
Wind pressure requirements. All nontemporary signs, and all temporary freestanding signs having a height greater than four feet, shall be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of surface area.
Temporary occupancy or obstruction of public space. The temporary occupancy or obstruction of a sidewalk, public street or highway right-of-way, or other public property during construction, removal, repair, alteration, or maintenance of a sign is permitted with written approval of the Village or other body having jurisdiction, provided that the space occupied or obstructed is fenced off or otherwise appropriately isolated, that any required temporary warning signs or devices are installed and that all other applicable conditions or requirements are satisfied.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this article, any obsolete sign that has been obsolete for more than 30 days is illegal and a violation of this article.
If an otherwise conforming sign becomes obsolete, it shall be promptly removed, or the sign display shall be promptly modified to make it nonobsolete, or the display area of the sign shall be appropriately blanked in a safe, stable and attractive fashion. Such a sign that is blanked for more than six months shall be promptly removed. The Zoning Administrator may extend this six-month period for up to an additional six months on good cause shown and upon receipt of a cash deposit or satisfactory letter of credit in an amount sufficient to pay for the removal of the sign and a written agreement of the owner authorizing the Village to remove the sign if it is not modified pursuant to a valid permit during such additional period to make it nonobsolete and conforming.
If a nonconforming accessory sign becomes obsolete, it shall be promptly removed or otherwise cured. In curing such a sign, all nonconformities with or violations of this article shall be eliminated.
If a nonconforming principal use, principal structure of off-site sign becomes obsolete, it shall be promptly removed, or the sign display shall be promptly modified to make it nonobsolete, or the display area of the sign shall be appropriately blanked in a safe, stable and attractive fashion. Such a sign that is blanked for more than 12 months shall be promptly removed.
Dilapidated signs.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this article, any dilapidated sign that has been dilapidated for more than 30 days is illegal and a violation of this article.
Subject to Subsection T of this section relating to nonconformities, any dilapidated sign shall promptly be restored to nondilapidated condition.
Zoning Administrator. The Village Zoning Administrator shall have the authority and duty to interpret and apply the provisions of this article in the first instance.
Application to planned development districts. The provisions of this article shall automatically be incorporated by reference into any zoning ordinance establishing or amending the regulations applicable to a planned development zoning district except to the extent that the Village Board specifically approves in such ordinance other or different regulations relating to signs.
Nonconformities. The following regulations shall apply to and govern signs which are themselves a valid nonconforming use, or a valid nonconforming accessory sign, or a sign which relates to a valid nonconforming use:
A principal use sign, principal structure sign or off-site sign which is itself a valid nonconforming use shall be allowed to continue subject to the regulations of § 420-140 of this chapter, relating to nonconforming uses, and all applicable requirements of this article.
A valid nonconforming accessory sign shall be allowed to continue, subject to the applicable requirements of this article, until such sign becomes obsolete or becomes an illegal sign or a violation of this article for any other reason. At that point, the sign must be cured and any violation or nonconformity must be eliminated. Such signs shall not have valid nonconforming use status, and the right to continue such signs shall not necessarily run with the land.
At such time as the cumulative cost of modifications to a nonconforming accessory sign exceeds 50% of the cost of replacing the sign, such sign shall become illegal and shall be removed or otherwise cured. Any such cure shall eliminate all nonconformities with or violations of this article.
Any nonconforming accessory sign that is destroyed or damaged to the extent of 50% of the cost of replacing the sign shall be illegal and shall be removed or otherwise cured. Any such cure shall eliminate all nonconformities with or violations of this article.
Any permit issued with respect to a nonconforming accessory sign shall expressly state that the permit is issued for a nonconforming accessory sign and that neither the permit nor the work done nor the expense incurred pursuant to such permit will change the status of such sign.
Any application for a sign permit for an accessory sign relating to an allegedly valid nonconforming use shall be treated and processed as an application for a special exception sign permit.
The regulations of this article relating to accessory signs that would be appropriate for the nonconforming use if it were located in an appropriate zoning district shall be utilized as a guide in acting upon any such application for an accessory sign, and the Zoning Administrator shall have authority to impose conditions which are more stringent than such regulations if it specifically finds that:
Such conditions are required to avoid a nuisance, to protect the value of neighboring properties from significant diminution or otherwise to avoid serious interference with the rights and reasonable expectations of owners and users of property within the zoning district where the nonconforming use exists which would otherwise result from the proposed sign; and
The imposition of such conditions will not substantially interfere with the right of the nonconforming use to continue.
No special exception permit for an accessory sign relating to a nonconforming use shall be granted unless the Zoning Administrator specifically finds that:
The use is a valid nonconforming use, regarding which the owner or applicant has the burden of proof with respect to all elements of nonconforming use status, by a preponderance of the evidence (such a finding does not estop or otherwise bar the Village from making a subsequent determination that the use is not a valid nonconforming use, either because of subsequent events or circumstances or because of new evidence regarding prior events or circumstances); and
The permit will not allow and is not associated with an expansion, extension or change in the nature of the nonconforming use.
Any such special exception sign permit shall be expressly conditioned upon continuation of the status of the principal use to which the sign relates as a valid nonconforming use and shall expressly provide that any rights acquired by virtue of the permit shall terminate automatically upon the termination of valid nonconforming use status of such principal use.
Indemnification for sign installed, constructed or modified in Village street right-of-way. Any person who applies for a permit to install, construct, or modify a sign in the right-of-way of any Village street shall offer to enter into a written agreement with the Village, satisfactory in form to the Village Attorney, agreeing to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Village, its officers, agents and employees for, from and against any and all causes of action, claims or demands of any person arising out of or relating to such sign or its location in the Village right-of-way or any work done on or in connection with such sign, and all related liability or costs (including reasonable attorney fees) incurred by the Village.
Freestanding signs. No freestanding sign may be used for any of the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area allowed pursuant to the definition of "aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area" in § 420-59 of this chapter.
Standard minimum setback distances. The following standard minimum setback distances shall apply to all signs:
Five feet from any wetland or floodplain, unless specifically permitted by the wetland or floodplain provisions of this chapter.
Seventy-five feet from the ordinary high-water mark of any body of navigable water.
The distance from any side or rear property line equal to the height of the sign.
Reasonable need. Whenever this article provides that signs may be permitted based upon reasonable need, the following considerations shall apply, without limitation:
Whether the signs are excessive in terms of number, size or repetition.
Whether the signs will add substantially to a cluttered sense about the site.
Whether the signs are addressed to the appropriate audience under the circumstances.
Whether the signs present information that will be useful and helpful to the public.
Whether the signs are appropriately located in light of their type, message and the physical layout of the site.
Wall sign or canopy sign for a particular business or other entity in a multi-occupant building. A wall sign or canopy sign for a particular business or other entity that has an obvious storefront area and its own dedicated entrance in a multi-occupant building shall not extend past the storefront area of the business or other entity so advertised.
Corner sign. In any situation where the maximum allowable dimensions of a sign are affected by whether or not it is located adjacent to an arterial street or highway, and a sign is located at the corner of an intersection and is essentially equidistant from the two intersecting streets or highways, and one of the intersecting streets or highways is arterial and the other is not, the sign shall be deemed to be located adjacent to an arterial street or highway.
Signs for nonconforming use. Notwithstanding any provisions of this article relating to the zoning districts in which certain types of signs may be permitted, it is the intent of this article that a nonconforming use may generally be permitted to have the same types of signs that it could have if it were a conforming use, but such signs require a special exception sign permit and are subject to more stringent regulation pursuant to Subsection T of this section..
Sign required for unit in unified development. A wall sign or a temporary banner sign is a condition precedent to occupancy of a store or other unit in a unified development that is or will be occupied by more than one business or other entity, if such store or other unit has its own dedicated entrance, and if the owner has exercised the option to apply the aggregate permitted background commercial advertising sign area on a per-store or other unit basis.
Service of notice of violation. Any notice of violation of this article shall be served on the person or entity occupying the property where the sign is located in the manner of serving a summons pursuant to § 801.11, Wis. Stats., and a copy of such notice shall promptly be mailed by first class United States mail to the last known address of the owner of such property and, if the owner or user of the sign is not the owner of the property, to the last known address of the owner or user of the sign. If there is no person occupying the property where the sign is located, or if service cannot be made pursuant to § 801.11, Wis. Stats., with reasonable effort, the mailed notice(s) shall suffice.