Village of Vernon Hills Sign Ordinance August 31, 2006 Chapter 19 SIGNS* *Editor's note: Ord. No. 92-62, I, adopted Oct. 6, 1992, repealed former ch. 19, 19-1--19-12, it its entirety, which pertained to similar subject matter and enacted a new ch. 19 to read as herein set out. See the Code Comparative Table for a detailed analysis of inclusion. Cross references: Streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 20; traffic and motor vehicles, ch. 22; vehicles for hire, ch. 24; comprehensive plan, app. A; development regulations, app. B; zoning regulations, app. C. State law references: Highway Advertising Control Act, Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 121, 501 et seq. Sec. 19-1. Purpose and scope. (a) The purpose of this chapter is to regulate all exterior signs and interior signs as described in subsection (c) of this section so as to preserve, protect and promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the public; to minimize the possible adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; and to enable the fair and consistent enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. (b) In order to protect the safety and welfare of the general public, to minimize clutter, to reduce destructive competition between signs, to eliminate conflict between advertising signs and traffic- control signs, it has become necessary in the public interest to regulate the size, location, character and other pertinent features of all exterior signs in the village. (c) Furthermore, since the uncontrolled use of signs and of their shapes, colors, illumination, motion and distractive demand for attention can be injurious to the mental and physical well-being of the public, and can be destructive to adjacent property values and to natural beauty, it is deemed necessary to include interior signs which are visible to the general public through show windows or doors. (d) No person shall erect, maintain or alter a sign in the village except in compliance with this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to amend the zoning ordinance or the zoning classification therein contained and as from time to time amended. (e) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the signs which cannot be seen from a public right-of-way or other areas open to the public. Exception: drive-up menus not seen from public rights-of-way. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92) Sec. 19-2. Definitions. When used in this chapter the following terms shall have the following definitions:
Advertising message (copy) means wording and/or embellishments and logos, on a sign describing products or services being offered to the public or identifying building occupants. Area means maximum space allowed for any sign computed with standard formulae for squares, rectangles, triangles or circles. Banner means a temporary sign made of a lightweight material either enclosed or not enclosed in a rigid frame and secured or mounted in such a way that it may move with a movement of air. Billboard (off-premises sign) means a sign that advertises goods, products or services not offered or facilities not located on premises where the sign is installed. Building face or wall means all window and wall area of a building in one plane or elevation. Building frontage means the length of a building or a tenant space as measured along the wall facing the right-of-way or other public access way on which a public entrance to the building is located. Building line means a line beyond which no building may extend, as established by ordinance. Same as setback line in the zoning ordinance. Building, single tenant means a building which is located on a single lot and having no exterior walls less than 60 feet from any other building and which is intended for and is occupied by a single tenant. Subleasing a part of the building to another tenant disqualifies it as a single tenant building. Canopy (or marquee) means a permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all of a building face and constructed of some durable and non-combustible material. Commercial development means an area where there are two or more adjacent properties which are restricted to commercial use and which are a part of a common development plan whether developed simultaneously or in stages. Embellishment means letters, figures, characters or representations in cutouts or irregular forms or similar ornaments incorporated into letters in an advertising message. Erected means attached, altered, built, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged or moved. Location means a lot, premise, building, wall, or any place whatsoever on which a sign is located or placed. Logo means pictorial, geometric, abstract or any other type symbol chosen by a business establishment to represent its identity. This shall also include all copyrighted symbols. Maintain means to permit a sign, structure or any part of either to continue, or to repair or refurbish a sign, structure or any part of either. Neon sign means any sign with exposed gas-filled (neon or any other similar gas) discharge glass tubing on its surface. Owner means a person recorded as such on official record and including a duly authorized agent, a purchaser, devisee; or any person or entity having a vested or contingent interest in the property in question. Pennant means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind. Premises means an area of land with its appurtenances and buildings, which because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable unit of real estate.
Public right-of-way means all of the land dedicated for the use as a highway, street or other public thoroughfare intended to provide for the movement of the general public and owned by the federal government, state, county, village or the Vernon Hills Park District. Any and all such public rights-of-way within the corporate boundaries of the village are subject to the provisions of this chapter. Retail center means two or more retail stores and/or service establishments, or any combination thereof sharing customer parking area, regardless of whether such stores and/or establishments occupy separate structures or are under such separate ownerships. Roof line means the top edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette. Sign means any identification, description, illustration or device illuminated or nonilluminated which is visible from any public place, intended to attract attention to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, article, machine, service, activity or merchandise whatsoever, painted, printed or constructed and displayed in any manner whatsoever. This shall not include any official court or public notices, national or state flags, emblems or insignia of a government, school or religious group. For the purpose of removal, "sign" shall also include all sign structures. Sign, abandoned, means a sign which no longer correctly identifies or directs, advertises a business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted on any premises when in fact such business, etc., is no longer available at that location. Sign, advertising, means a sign or a device which directs attention to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity or service sold, offered or manufactured, or an entertainment offered on the premises where the sign is located or to which it is affixed. Sign, building, means a sign lettered to give the name of a building itself, as opposed to the name of occupants or services. Sign, canopy (or marquee), means any sign attached to or constructed in or on a canopy or marquee. Sign, changing (automatic), means a sign where different copy changes are shown, controlled electronically or electrically, showing any type of message. Sign, changing (manual) means a sign on which copy is changed manually in the field (i.e. reader boards with changeable letters or changeable pictorial patterns). Sign, directional, means any sign which serves solely to designate the location or direction of any place or area. Such signs shall direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to a specific area of a lot or parcel and shall not include names and/or identity of any establishment. Sign, electrical, means any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source. Sign, flashing, means any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, or an externally mounted intermittent light source. Sign, ground-mounted, means a sign erected on a base or frame, and not attached to any building. Sign, identity, means a sign which is limited to the name, address and number of a building, institution or person, and to the activity carried on in the building, or the occupation of the person, or any combination of these. Sign, illuminated, means any sign which emanates light either by means of exposed tubing or lamps on its surface, or by means of light transmitted through the sign faces.
Included in this definition are those signs which reflect light from the source intentionally directed upon it, by means of floodlights, gooseneck reflectors or externally mounted fluorescent light fixtures. Sign, monument (marker), means a ground sign placed at the entrance to a residential subdivision or a commercial development for the sole purpose of identifying such subdivision or development. Sign, moving means a sign or person whose purpose is to advertise or gain attention through natural or mechanical waving, flapping, swinging, rotating, or other physical movement of any major part or appendage. Sign, portable, means a sign which is not permanently affixed to a building or the ground and by nature of its construction may be moved from one location to another. This shall include, but not be limited to, wheeled signs. Sign, temporary, means a sign which is not permanently affixed, including all devices, such as banners, pennants, flags (not including flags of any nation), and signs painted on the interior of a window or constructed of paper, cloth or other like material and attached to the interior of or so displayed from the interior in order to direct attention of persons outside the building to a sale of merchandise or a change in the status of the business. Sign, under canopy, means any sign attached below a canopy to identify or direct entrance to an occupancy. Sign, wall-mounted, means a sign attached to or erected against the wall, facia or canopy (marquee) of a building, with the face in a parallel plane to the plane of the wall. Sign, window, means a sign installed inside a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. This term does not include merchandise displayed in the window. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 2005-15, I, 3-1-05) Cross references: Definitions and rules of construction generally, 1-2. Sec. 19-3. Sign standards by zone or district. (a) General. The following sign standards by zone are intended to include every zone in the village. The zones are as defined by the zoning ordinance and the official zoning map for the several zoning classifications therein set forth. If any zoning classification is not referred to herein, or if any new zone is created, no signs shall be permitted in such zone until this chapter shall be amended to include such zone. Editor's note: The zoning map referred to above is not set out herein, but is on file and available for inspection in the village offices. (b) Residential. (1) General. This section shall apply to all zones designated by the zoning ordinance as residential, single-family, or multifamily, or any combination of these. (2) Size. One sign not exceeding two square feet in area shall be permitted per singlefamily dwelling unit. For multiple dwellings, one or more additional signs at a rate of two square feet per dwelling unit, to a maximum of 12 square feet in total aggregate area including all the square foot area of all signs on the total premises, shall be permitted. (3) Location. Permitted signs may be located anywhere on the premises, except as restricted by the zoning ordinance. Further, they shall be not less than 15 feet from any lot lines; if ground-mounted, the top shall be not more than five feet above the centerline of the street; if wall-mounted, they shall be flush-mounted and shall not project above the roof line, nor shall they be mounted on the roof.
(4) Content. The sign per single-family dwelling unit shall indicate only the name of the occupant and may include the address. The sign permitted for multiple-family dwellings shall only identify the project or development. (5) Illumination. Illumination, if used, shall be only what is known as "white" or approved color and shall not be blinding, fluctuating or moving. Light rays shall shine only upon the sign or upon the property within the premises and shall not spill over the property lines, in any direction, except by indirect reflection. (c) Commercial. (1) General. This section shall apply to the B-1, general business district, O-R & D, research and development district, BP, business park district, PIB, public and institutional buildings, COS, conservation and open space, as designated in the zoning ordinance, and shall also include such areas in planned unit developments or other districts, where parcels or sites have been designated for uses comparable to the above commercial districts uses or are permitted by special use permits, annexation agreements or any other means which constructively results in commercial use of any parcel of land. (2) Content. Signs allowed in these zones shall be identity signs only, as defined elsewhere in this chapter, except that a "time and temperature" message only may be incorporated into an identity sign. (3) Embellishments. Embellishments which are substantially different from logos (letter extensions and attributes, borders, etc.) and which do not significantly alter appearance of the letters are permitted. (4) Logos. Logos consisting of not more than two colors are permitted and shall not exceed four square feet in area, which shall be counted toward the total allowable size for a given sign. (5) Illumination. Illumination of signs is permitted but in accordance with restrictions hereinafter especially set forth for illumination. (6) Type, location and size. a. Building-mounted signs. Except as provided below, a single flat wall sign may be located on the building wall, fascia, or canopy (marquee). Signs shall not project perpendicularly from the building or project above the roofline. Under canopy, identity, or directional signs shall not exceed three square feet. Total sign area: One square foot of sign area is permitted for each lineal [linear] foot of building frontage with the maximum total sign area not to exceed 150 square feet. Buildings set back a distance of 250 feet or more from the public street shall be permitted a wall sign calculated in accordance with the aforementioned formula or up to three percent of the total building face, whichever is greater. Where two or more tenants occupy the same building and have separate building entrances, each tenant is entitled to a building-mounted sign. Said signs shall be the same or similar in size, letter style, and color so to present a compatible appearance to the general public. Exception: Building-mounted signs are prohibited on single and multi-tenant office buildings. b. Businesses with multiple frontages. When a business has more than one frontage, the restrictions on the number of signs and sign area shall apply independently to each frontage; however, the maximum allowable sign area shall apply to only one frontage at the applicant's option and the maximum allowable sign area on any other frontage(s) shall be reduced by 50 percent. Excess area can not be transferred from one frontage to
another. Businesses with main entrances that do not face a public street or other public access road shall be allowed a sign in accordance with this section. c. Ground-mounted signs. Ground-mounted signs shall not be erected within ten feet of the street right-of-way and/or lot line, parallel or perpendicular to the street or thoroughfare which it faces. If mounted to face the corner, such sign shall be a 45-degree angle. The maximum area allowed is 50 square feet per side with a limit of two faces, or sides, for each ground sign. Ground-mounted signs shall only advertise the premises upon which the sign is erected. d. Directional signs. Directional signs indicating locations of public institutions, such as community centers, places of worship, parks, etc., and not exceeding two square feet in area may be placed in public rights-of-way. A written request for such signs shall be addressed to the village manager and, if approved, the signs will be installed by the village at no charge to the applicant. (7) Entitlement. a. Building wall, fascia, or canopy (marquee signs). Only the owner, or prime tenant, with an exterior public entrance to the building, is entitled to one sign per public street or other public access road frontage. Subtenants, with no direct exterior public entrance to their leased space are not entitled to exterior signage. Office buildings with one or more tenant(s) shall be permitted one tenant identification sign as defined herein. b. Ground-mounted signs. 1. Unless otherwise approved by a special permit, only businesses with driveway entrances located on a dedicated street frontage shall be permitted to install one groundmounted sign along said frontage. When there is more than one business operation conducted by the tenant(s), only one of those businesses may be advertised on the ground-mounted sign. 2. One additional ground-mounted sign is permitted when a project fronts on two or more dedicated streets and the premises are at least one acre or more in size. The second signs shall either face the second dedicated street front or be separated from the first sign by at least 400 feet, if on the same street front. 3. Temporary signs listed in section 19-4. c. Development identification signs (monument signs). Freestanding ground-mounted identification signs may be permitted for each residential subdivision, retail center and commercial development. Size, location, content and construction materials for such signs shall be approved by the village board prior to building department approval and issuing of a permit. (8) Design standards. a. All signs shall comply with the construction standards of the most recent adopted edition of the International Building Code and the National Electric Code. All internally illuminated signs shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing lab. b. Signs shall be erected, constructed or maintained so as not to obstruct traffic sight distance, obstruct any means of exiting, or obstruct required light, ventilation or any mechanical openings or equipment. c. Signs shall be located in such a way so that they maintain minimum clearance from high voltage lines, in accordance with the National Electric Code. d. All ground-mounted signs shall be self-supporting structures, erected on or permanently attached to concrete foundations.
e. All permanent ground-mounted signs shall have a base, a minimum of six inches in height, constructed of decorative concrete, masonry, or stone. f. All attachment devices, wiring, clips, transformers and other mechanisms required by the design of a sign shall be concealed. (9) Area computation and height limitations. a. The area of building, wall, fascia, or canopy (marquee) sign shall consist of the entire sign area within a single continuous perimeter composed of a square, rectangle or other geometric configuration with all the corners pointing outward (see Appendix A, Figure 1) which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement or decoration of a sign. When individual letters are used, the sign area shall be determined by the above procedure and shall include all of the blank space, as well as the individual letters, in the square foot area thus determined. b. The area of the ground-mounted sign shall consist of the entire sign area within the single continuous perimeter composed of a square, rectangle or other configuration which encloses the extreme limits of the sign including any supports and embellishments which form an integral part of the display. If the sign consists of more than one section or modules, all area will be totaled. Maximum height above the centerline of the street or parking lot is eight feet. c. Computations under this section shall be in conformity with Figure 1 attached and made a part hereof (see Appendix A). (10) Additional provisions for automobile service stations. a. Canopy signs are permitted to an extent that the combined area of a canopy and a wall sign on the same frontage shall not exceed the maximum allowable area. b. A sign, not to exceed four square feet in area, indicating gasoline prices may be placed at each end of pump isles. c. A portion of a ground sign identifying the station may be dedicated to gasoline prices. (11) Nonconforming uses. Signs used on any building or land used not in conformance with the zoning ordinance provisions for the zone in which it is located shall, nevertheless, comply with all provisions of this chapter for the conforming zone. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 93-28, I, II, 5-18-93; Ord. No. 95-62, I, 12-5-95; Ord. No. 99-64, I--IX, 12-7-99; Ord. No. 2003-48, I, II, 8-19-03) Sec. 19-4. Temporary signs. Except as stated in subsections (1) and (7) of this section, the following signs shall be permitted anywhere in the village, and shall not, unless otherwise noted, require a permit, but shall require notification to the enforcement officer prior to the placement of the sign, and the name of the individual responsible for such sign. Temporary signs shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this chapter. (1) Construction signs. Signs which identify architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals and firms involved with the construction, but not including any advertisement of any product or service, and not including any other informational signs which indicate the intended purpose of the building, sale or leasing information. Construction signs shall not exceed 32 square feet of area per side and shall be confined to a construction site. Such signs shall be removed within seven days of the date when the building is turned over to the owner or the date when the construction is completed, whichever shall occur first. A sign permit is required (see section 19-9).
(2) Garage sale signs (also yard sale or any other similar sale). Not to exceed three square feet in area, located only on the premises where the sale is being held, for a period of seven days. Signs shall be immediately removed the day the sale ends. Directional signs guiding persons to the sale must not be placed on any public right-of-way and must be removed the day the sale ends. Such directional signs may be placed off the premises where a sale would be conducted; however, they can only be placed on a private property and with express permission of the property owner, whose name and phone number shall be given to an enforcement officer upon request. If this information is not available, such signs will be summarily removed. (3) Real estate signs. a. Signs advertising a premises for sale, rental or lease shall not exceed six square feet in area per side. Such signs shall not be placed in any public right-of-way, and all such signs shall be removed from the premises within seven days after the sale, rental or lease has been completed. Not more than two such signs shall be allowed on any one premises. Such signs shall only be placed on premises to which they refer. b. Real estate "open house" signs shall be allowed to be placed on neighbors properties at street intersections only and only with the property owner prior permission. Such signs shall be allowed to be displayed on Wednesdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. The information provided on such signs shall be limited to the company identification, the words "open house" and a directional arrow. Not more than one such sign shall be allowed on any one premises. (4) Banners, pennants and other attraction devices. Written application shall be made to the building commissioner, stating the type, size, material, attachments and specific location of all such attraction devices. A public entertainment or specific event message may not be displayed more than 14 days before the event and shall be removed within seven days after the event. Any commercial grand opening activity, sale or any other information message, and any other private, nonprofit organization informational message, excluding that of a governmental agency, shall be limited to one 30-day period per year per establishment. Banners shall be limited to 50 square feet in area and all attraction devices shall not obstruct the passage of pedestrians or motor vehicles in any way, at any time. Searchlights and portable signs shall not be permitted. Except for public bodies, all attraction devices shall be confined to the private property and the premises being advertised. No attraction devices shall be erected, installed or placed without written permission of the building commissioner. (5) Political and public-issue signs. Signs announcing candidates seeking public political office, public issues, or other political announcements are permitted subject to the following: a. Political and public-issue signs shall not be displayed longer than 30 calendar days prior to an election and shall be removed within seven days following an election. b. The area of political or public-issue signs shall not exceed six square feet. c. The height of political and public-issue signs shall not exceed four feet above grade. It is unlawful to place signs near the intersection of two streets or driveways that obstruct the vision of drivers from safely maneuvering their motor vehicle.
d. Political and public-issue signs are prohibited within all public and private rights-ofway, including islands and medians. Signs placed within the public right-of-way will be summarily removed and discarded. e. Political and public-issue signs shall be confined to private property and common property held by a legally recorded homeowners associations, only. f. Political and public-issue signs shall not be placed on any property without the consent of the property owner. g. Political and public-issue signs shall be self-supporting and shall not be affixed to any structure, building, pole, tree, mailbox, or fence. h. Political and public-issue signs shall not be displayed within 100 feet of the front door of any polling place. (6) Window signs. a. Signs in a window display of merchandise, when incorporated with such displays. b. Signs painted on the interior of the window with easily removable paint, not to exceed 20 percent of the window area. c. Signs constructed of paper, cloth or other like material, and attached to the interior side of the window or so displayed from the interior in order to direct attention of persons outside of the building to a sale of merchandise within, or to a change in the status of the business. d. Signs either temporary or permanent in nature and either painted on the window surface or hung so that they are visible through the window and identifying the nature of the establishment's business, names of professionals, hours of operations, etc., not to exceed six square feet in total area and four square feet for individual signs. e. Interior neon signs are permitted in retail centers only and only when they meet all of the requirements of subsection (6)d. of this section. (7) Developer's signs. Signs advertising the intended use, sale, lease, rental or development of land and/or buildings on any particular premises, or directing attention to the location and/or opening of a residential subdivision, commercial, industrial or institutional development. a. Such signs may be single-faced, double-faced or V-type (90-degree maximum interior angle). Multiple-faced signs shall be considered a single structure. If illuminated, such signs shall comply with section 19-8. b. Such signs shall comply with subsection 19-3(c)(8), on design standards. c. Such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet of area per sign face and shall not exceed eight feet in height above the centerline of the abutting street, except that the first three feet of sign support, if exposed posts or beams, shall not be counted into the allowable square foot area of a sign face. d. One such sign is permitted for each development of less than ten acres and two such signs are permitted for each development of more than ten acres. e. No such sign shall be located or erected within ten feet of any public right-of-way and/or lot lines. f. All signs erected under the provisions of this section shall be confined to the private property of the premises being advertised. g. Any sign described under this section and subsection shall be subject to the provisions of section 19-9, on permit fees.
h. No such sign may be maintained in any development for a period in excess of three years after issuance of initial permits, without securing renewal permits. (8) Seasonal signs and decorations in commercial districts. Signs intended for seasonal messages, such as Christmas or other national holidays or events, shall be approved by the building commissioner and shall be limited to 50 square feet in area and only for the locations approved by the building commissioner. Strings of lights, religious scenes and symbols, and other similar decorations and ornaments shall not be included in computation of the sign area. Such seasonal signs and decorations shall be removed within 30 days after the event. (9) Seasonal signs and decorations in residential districts. Signs intended for seasonal messages, such as Christmas or other national or religious holidays or events, shall be permitted in residential districts. Seasonal signs, strings of lights, and other similar decorations and ornaments shall be removed within 30 days after the event. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 96-66, I, 12-3-96; Ord. No. 99-64, X, XI, 12-7-99; Ord. No. 2005-52, I, 8-2-05) Sec. 19-5. Exemptions. The following signs shall comply with construction and safety requirements of this chapter, but shall be exempt from other requirements of this chapter, except as to notification or permit requirements where applicable: (1) Public signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or on the order of the village board of trustees or a public officer in the performance of his lawful duty. Examples include: safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, village-sponsored farmer's market, Summer Celebration, Holiday Light Show, and the like. (2) Integral. Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tables and the like, when carved into stone, concrete, or similar material, or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type metal materials, and made an integral part of the structure. (3) Private traffic direction. Signs directing traffic movement into a premises, or within a premises, not exceeding three square feet in area for each sign. Illumination of these signs is permitted in accordance with section 19-8. Such signs shall direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to a specific area of a lot or parcel and shall not include names and/or identity of any establishment. Horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards. This provision does not apply to real estate open house signs. (4) Small signs. Signs not exceeding two square feet in area, attached flat against the building and not illuminated, announcing only the name and occupation of building tenant. (5) Rental. Signs on the premises announcing rooms for rent, table board, apartment or house for rent, and not exceeding six square feet in area, permitted in residential zones only. (6) Flags and flag poles, commercial, industrial and rental sites. Flag poles shall be limited in height to a maximum of five feet above the height of the building where the pole is erected but in no event higher than 40 feet above grade. There shall be no more than three flag poles on any one parcel. All flag poles must be ground-mounted. Multi-
flag poles must be grouped in an appropriate setting. No more than one flag may be displayed on any one flag pole except that any federally approved flag such as the POW/MIA or the state flag may be displayed below the United States flag on the same flag pole. Neither state flags, corporate flags nor any other type of flag, banner or emblem may be displayed without displaying the flag of the United States. Corporate flags, banners or emblems shall be smaller in size than the flag of the United States; however, no flag shall exceed 50 square feet in area. (7) Ground-mounted wood signs. Schools, places of worship, the Vernon Hills Park District, and government entities may install an externally illuminated sand-blasted, routed, or carved-wood ground-mounted sign supported between wooden posts provided the location, size, height, and content of the sign comply with the provisions of this chapter. Permit required. (8) Ground-mounted automatic changing copy signs. Public schools, the Vernon Hills Park District, and government entities may install ground-mounted automatic changing copy signs provided the location, size, construction, and height of the sign comply with the provisions of this chapter or are otherwise approved by the village board of trustees. Permit required. (9) Ground-mounted manual changing copy signs. Public schools, the Vernon Hills Park District, houses of worship, and government entities may install ground-mounted manual changing copy signs provided the location, size, construction, and height of the sign comply with the provisions of this chapter or are otherwise approved by the village board of trustees. Permit required. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 2002-59, I, 10-1-02; Ord. No. 2004-68, II, 7-6-04; Ord. No. 2005-15, II, III, 3-1-05) Sec. 19-6. Nonconforming signs. (a) Existing signs which do not conform to this chapter but which were constructed in compliance with previous regulations shall be regarded as nonconforming signs which may be continued for a period of five years from the date of their construction or three years from November 30, 1979, whichever is longer, are properly repaired and maintained as provided in this chapter and continue to be in compliance with other ordinances of this chapter. At the end of the period they shall be removed by the owner, agent, or person having beneficial use of the structure or land on which the signs are located. (b) Any sign existing in violation of section 19-7 on prohibited signs shall be removed, altered or repaired in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (c) Nonconforming signs which are structurally altered, relocated or replaced, shall immediately comply with all provisions of this chapter. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92) Sec. 19-7. Prohibited signs. The following listed signs, of whatsoever type or size, illuminated or not, are prohibited: (1) Contain statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character, which will offend public morals and decency. (2) Contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal, or contain the words "Stop," "Go Slow," "Caution," "Danger," "Warning," or similar words.
(3) Are of a size, shape, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control device, or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal. (4) Advertise an activity, business, product or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located. (5) Moving signs, as defined. (6) Contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, string of light bulbs, spinners, balloons or other similar devices. These devices when not part of any sign are similarly prohibited unless they are specifically permitted by other legislation or by other sections of this chapter. (7) May swing or otherwise noticeably move due to wind or appear to be moving or flickering as a result of optical illusion. (8) Are located within 1,000 feet of an official traffic signal, sign or device or intersecting, merging or approaching traffic so as to obscure or interfere with the view of these by a motorist or a pedestrian. (9) Except as provided in section 19-5, changing copy signs (manual and automatic) where different copies are shown conveying messages other than the time and temperature. (10) Direct attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the same lot where such sign is displayed. Such signs shall include outdoor advertising signs on which space is leased or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purpose of conveying a commercial or a noncommercial message. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 2005-15, IV, V, 3-1-05) Sec. 19-8. Illumination. (a) The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be objectionable to surrounding areas. (b) Signs relating to businesses in any residential district shall be illuminated only during those hours when the establishment is open for business. (c) No sign shall have blinking, flashing or fluttering lights or other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, color or brightness. Beacon lights are prohibited. (d) No colored light shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as, traffic-control devices. (e) Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public and private thoroughfares. (f) No exposed reflective type bulbs or incandescent lamp which exceed 15 watts shall be used on the exterior surface of any signs so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street or adjacent property. (g) No strobe lights shall be permitted on any signs or to light any sign. Spotlights and floodlights directed toward any sign that may reflect off such sign toward public ways are prohibited. (h) No exposed gas-filled discharge tubing (neon or similar) shall be used on the exterior surface of any sign or be visible through a sign face. All internally illuminated gas-filled discharge tubing signs shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing lab.
(i) Within the limitations imposed above, signs may be directly illuminated by providing artificial light either through exposed lighting on the sign face, or through transparent or translucent material from a light source within the sign. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 2003-48, III, 8-19-03) Sec. 19-9. Permits and fees. (a) Permit requirements. No sign shall be erected, altered or relocated without a permit issued by the enforcement officer, except as otherwise provided herein. Where electrical permits are required they shall be obtained before or at the same time as the sign permit. (b) Applications. The permit application shall be on the form provided by the enforcement officer and shall contain the location of the sign structure, name and address of the sign owner, name and address of the sign erector, written consent of the property owner, if different from the applicant, drawings showing the design and location and the color scheme of the sign and such other pertinent information as the enforcement officer may require to ensure compliance with the ordinances of the village. (c) Fees. Fees for signs permits shall be computed as specified in Chapter 25, Comprehensive Fees and Penalties. Exception. The Vernon Hills Park District shall be exempt from paying fees for sign permits provided a sign permit is obtained prior to the installation of a sign. (d) Nullification. A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which the permit was issued has not been completed within a period of three months after the date of the permit. (e) Permit exceptions. (1) Replacing copy. The changing of the advertising copy or message on an approved painted or printed sign which is specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy. Replacement of a face of a wall sign does not fall under this category. (2) Maintenance. Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or sign structure, unless a structural change is made, in any event the building department shall be informed of the nature of the work to be done in order to determine whether a permit would be required. (3) Temporary and exempt signs. Except as provided in sections 19-4 and 19-5, temporary and exempt signs are exempt from permit requirements. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92; Ord. No. 2002-59, II, 10-1-02; Ord. No. 2004-68, I, 7-6-04) Cross references: Licenses, permits and miscellaneous business regulations, ch. 10. Sec. 19-10. Inspection, removal, safety. (a) Inspection. Signs for which a permit is required may be inspected periodically by the enforcement officer or his agents, for compliance with this chapter and other codes of the village. (b) Tagging. All temporary signs requiring permits shall display, in a place conspicuous to inspectors, a tag supplied by the enforcement officer, containing such data as he may designate. (c) Maintenance. All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. (d) Removal of signs.
(1) The enforcement officer may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this chapter. He shall prepare a notice which shall describe the sign and specify the violation involved, and which shall state that if the sign is not removed or the violation not corrected within 15 days, the sign shall be removed by the village. Such notice may be mailed by certified mail, or hand delivered, with a return receipt required in either case. Any time period provided in this section shall commence on the date of receipt of the notice, as attested by the date of the return receipt. All costs incurred by the village in removing such a sign shall be paid by the sign owner. (2) Garage sale signs, real estate signs, political and public issue signs, and any other signs not requiring a permit, erected in any public right-of-way, in violation of this chapter, shall be considered public property and shall be summarily removed and disposed of. Such signs erected or maintained on private property in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a three-day notice to remove, under the procedure described in this subsection (d)(1) above. (e) Emergency. The enforcement officer may remove a sign immediately and without notice when, in his opinion, the condition of the sign or structure is defective or dangerous or the placement of the sign is dangerous so as to present an immediate threat to the safety of the public. Any sign removed shall be at the expense of the owner of the sign or the owner of the property, and shall become the property of the village, and may be disposed of in any manner deemed appropriate and authorized by state statute. (f) Abandoned signs. Abandoned signs shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located within ten days from the date on which it is determined to be such an abandoned sign. If the owner or lessee fails to remove the sign, the enforcement officer shall proceed as set forth in subsection (d) of this section. Failure to remove the sign after service of the written notice as in subsection (d) of this section shall be just cause for the enforcement officer to act as provided in subsection (e) of this section. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92) Sec. 19-11. Administration. (a) Enforcement. The building commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter and is designated as the enforcement officer. Upon presentation of proper credentials, the enforcement officer or his duly authorized agents may enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the village to perform any duty imposed upon him by this chapter. (b) Interpretation. When there is any ambiguity or dispute concerning the interpretation of this chapter, the decision of the enforcement officer shall prevail, subject to the right of appeal as provided herein. (c) Appeal from decision of enforcement officer. Any person aggrieved by a decision or interpretation of the building commissioner made under the provisions of this chapter may take an appeal of such decision to the zoning board of appeals based upon the same procedure and requirements as set forth in section 21.4 of the village zoning ordinance. The board of trustees shall have the right to sustain, overrule or modify the decision or interpretation as made by the building commissioner upon the recommendation of the zoning board of appeals.
(d) Variations. In cases where there are practical difficulties or particular hardship in carrying out the regulations of this chapter the board of trustees upon referral of the zoning board of appeals may vary the application of the regulations contained in this chapter. A procedure for applying for a variation shall be the same as set forth in section 21.5 of the village zoning ordinance. (Ord. No. 92-62, I, 10-6-92) Sec. 19-12. Penalties. Any person guilty of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be fined as specified in Chapter 25, Comprehensive Fees and Penalties. Each separate day upon which each violation exists shall continue a separate offense.