§ 155.95. COMMERCIAL USE SIGNS.

(A)

Wall Signs:

(1)

Number and Location: There shall not be more than one (1) wall sign for each building except where the building abuts two (2) or more streets, additional such signs, one (1) oriented to each abutting street, shall be permitted. A wall sign may be located on the outermost wall of any building but shall not project more than sixteen inches (16") from the wall to which the sign is to be affixed.

(2)

Area: The gross surface area of a wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the building wall, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed, or two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is smaller. The gross surface area of a wall sign may be increased to twenty percent (20%) if such a wall sign consists only of individual characters without background, except that the gross surface area of the sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet. On buildings ten (10) stories to nineteen (19) stories in height, wall signs shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet. On buildings twenty (20) stories or greater wall signs shall not exceed (400) four hundred square feet. When signs are constructed of individual elements, the area of all sign elements, which together convey a single, complete message, shall be considered as a single sign. The sign area is determined by calculating the area of a maximum of two (2) imaginary circles, rectangles or squares drawn around the sign elements.

(3)

Illumination: If illuminated, such illumination shall be shielded where the light source is not visible or exposed on the face or sides of the characters.

(4)

Height: A wall sign shall not project higher than the parapet line of the wall to which the sign is to be affixed.

(5)

Special Conditions:

a.

Where a single-story building is devoted to two (2) or more uses, the operator of each use may install a wall sign upon his/her proportionate share of the building wall to which the sign is to be affixed. The maximum gross surface area of each such wall sign shall be determined by calculating the proportional share of the area of the building wall, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed.

b.

Where a building over one (1) story tall seeks to install a wall sign identifying a primary tenant, only one (1) such tenant may display their identification on the building.

c.

A permitted wall sign may be relocated if approved as part of an administrative exception as described in section 155.169 of the Village Code.

(6)

Ground Level Uses:

a.

Location: Ground level use sign shall be permitted at the ground level only.

b.

For ground level uses greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, the gross surface area of the wall sign shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the area of the building wall, including doors and windows, to which the sign is to be affixed, or one hundred (100) square feet, whichever is smaller. The gross surface area of a wall sign may be increased to twenty percent (20%) if such wall sign consists only of individual characters without background, except that the gross surface area of the sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet.

(B)

Ground Signs:

(1)

Number:

a.

There shall not be more than one (1) ground sign for each building.

b.

There shall not be more than one (1) menu board and one (1) pre-menu board, a sign display for a type C restaurant, which displays the varieties of food and drink available to the customer, for each restaurant drive-through facility aisle. Double drive-through aisles shall be restricted to two (2) menu boards and two pre-menu boards.

(2)

Area:

a.

The gross surface area of a ground sign shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet for each exposed face, nor exceed an aggregate gross surface area of two hundred (200) square feet.

b.

The gross surface area of a menu board sign and attachments shall not exceed forty (40) square feet of gross surface area.

c.

The gross surface area of a pre-menu board shall not exceed twelve (12) square feet of gross surface area.

(3)

Location:

a.

A ground sign may be located in any required yard but shall not extend over any lot line.

b.

Menu board signs and pre-menu board signs may only be located along a drive-through lane, but shall not extend over any lot line.

(4)

Height:

a.

A ground sign shall not project higher than fifteen feet (15'), as measured from base of sign.

b.

Menu board signs and pre-menu board signs shall not project higher than seven feet (7'), as measured from base of sign.

(5)

Design:

a.

Ground signs shall be limited to monument style signs having the poles enclosed by an architectural design compatible with the primary structure with regards to style, colors and materials.

b.

Menu board signs and pre-menu board signs may include electronic message board signs, provided that they are intended to serve customers in the drive-through. Menu board sign and pre-menu board sign images shall change no faster than once every ten (10) seconds, and must be static (i.e., no flashing, scrolling, animated text or images). Scrolling messages or messages that carry over to multiple slides are prohibited.

(C)

Awning and Canopy Signs:

(1)

Number: There shall not be more than one (1) awning or canopy sign exceeding an aggregate gross surface area of four (4) square feet for each building. Awning or canopy signs which are four (4) square feet or less in aggregate gross surface area are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(2)

Area: The gross surface area of an awning or canopy sign shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the gross surface area of the face of the awning or canopy to which the sign is to be affixed, or ten percent (10%) of the wall space with a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet, whichever is smaller.

(3)

Location: A sign may be affixed to or located upon any awning or canopy. The location and arrangement of all such signs shall be subject to the review and approval of the director of community development or his/her authorized designee.

(4)

Height: An awning or canopy sign shall not project higher than the top of the awning or canopy to which such sign is affixed.

(Ord. 2163, passed 9-14-1982; Am. Ord. 97-90, passed 8-12-1997; Am. Ord. 98-09, passed 1-27-1998; Am. Ord. 07-110, passed 7-24-2007; Am. Ord. 09-047, passed 4-28-2009; Am. Ord. 10-010, passed 2-9-2010; Am. Ord. 10-038, passed 4-27-2010; Am. Ord. 11-069, passed 7-12-2011; Am. Ord. 17-024 , passed 3-28-2017; Am. Ord. 19-025 , passed 4-9-2019)