HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 810 02/13/1962
ORDINANCE NO. 810
AI ORDDUNCE REGULATING SIGNS AND AWNINGS, AMENDING ART. III,
CHP. 9 of the MUNICIPAL CODE of MOUNT PROSPECT, and REPEALING
SECS. 61, 62-68 INCLUSIVE OF CHAP. VI of the MOUNT PROSPECT
BUILDING CODE and ORDINANCE 342.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the President and Board of
Trustees of the Village of Mount Prospect, Cook County, Illinois:
SECTION 1. That Sections 9.301 to Section 9.308 inclusive of
Article lIt, Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code of Mount Prospect and
Sections 61-68 inclusive of Chapter VI of the Mount Prospect Building
Code or 1957 and Ordinance 342 are hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. That Article III, Chapter 9 of the Municipal Code of
Mount Prospect is hereby amended by adding the following:
"9.301. Permits Required.
, ~,
(A) Requirements. No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter
erect, construct, relocate, structurally alter or maintain any
sign, billboard or other advertising device, as defined herein,
within the Village of Mount Prospect, without having obtained a
permit as provided in this Article. The provisions or this
Article shall not apply to signs not exceeding 10 square feet
in surface area which advertise the sale or lease of the
premises on which they are located, nor shall they apply to
luminous window signs or borders or portable signs whicm are
erected for less than 6 days.
(B) No person, firm or corporation shall hereafter erect, construct,
relocate, structurally alter or maintain any sign, billboard
or advertising device, as defined herein, on or over public
property without first having obtained prior permission from
the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Mount
Prospect, except as provided in this Article.
(C) Application tor Erection Permit. Applbation for erection permits
under this Article shall be made upon torms provided by the Superintendent
and shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:
- 2
1. Name, address and telephone number or the owner
or the premises and sign.
2. Location or building, structure, or lot to whie h
or upon which the sign or other advertising device
is to be attached or erected.
3. A photograph or accurate scale drawings of the
property involved and adjoining property on each
side in which the sign will be within 15 feet or
the side lot line, and showing accurate placement
thereon of the proposed sign.
4. Blueprint or ink drawing of the plans and specifi-
cations and method of construction and attachment
to the building or in the ground.
5. Copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the
structure is designed for dead load and wind pressure
in any direction in the amount required by this
Article.
6. Name of person, firm or corporation erecting structure.
7. Evidence of lease or other written consent of the
owner ot the building, structure or land to which
or on which structure is to be erected.
8. Any electrical permit required and issued for said
sign.
9. A bond as required by Section 9.306.
10. Such other information as the Superintendent shall
require to show full compliance with this and all
other laws and ordinances of the Village.
"
I
II
II
I
I
I
I
I
11. An agreement signed by the owner as to the provisions
set forth in sub paragraph G hereof.
(D) Permit Fees Eve~ applicant before being granted an original
permit hereunder shall pay to the Village the following permit fee for
each sign structure:
1. Non-illuminated signs - - $10.00 plus lOt per square foot
of sign surface area of the proposed sign.
2. Illuminated signs - - $15.00 plus 10~ per square foot of
sign surface area or the proposed sign.
3. Retractable awnings - - $3.00.
4. No permit fee shall be charged for portable or temporary
signs or for nameplates or other non-illuminated identifi-
cation signs permitted to be placed in Residential Use
Districts in this Article.
(E) Permit Issued if Application in Order: It shall be the duty of
the Superintendent, upon the filing of an application for a sign erection
permit, to have examined such application, and it all requirements as set
- 3
forth in this Article and other Village Ordinances are complied with,
to forward the same to the Architectural Committee of the Village for
review and comment. Thereupon said permit shall be issued if in the
opinion of the Superintendent the application is in good form and all
ordinances have been complied with. It the work authorized under said
permit has not been completed within one year after date of issuance the
said permit shall be null and void.
(F) Annual Inspection Fees: The Superintendent shall inspect
annually or at such other times as he deems necessa~, each sign or other
advertising structure regulated by this Article and for which a permit
is required, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the same is secure
or insecure and whether it is in need of removal or repair. To meet the
expense of such inspection the permittee thereof shall pay to the Village
the sum of one-halt of the then required permit fee for said sign. No
inspection fee as required by this paragraph shall be charged during the
calendar year in which the sign or other advertising structure is erected.
(G) Unsafe and Unlawful Signs: If the Superintendent shall find
that any sign or other advertising structure regulated herein is unsafe
or insecure or has been erected or is being maintained in violation of
the provisions of this Article, he shall give written notice to the
permittee thereof. It the permittee fails to remove, relocate or alter
the structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within
10 days after such notice, such sign or other advertising structure may
be removed, or altered to comply, by the Superintendent at the expense
of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located.
"9.302. Definitions
As used in this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise indicates:
(A) "Sign" shall mean any device, including exterior clocks,
temperature indicators, marquees, canopies, placards or
other representations containing words, printing, pictures
designs or combinations thereof used in the nature of advertisement,
announcement, or directions calculated to attract the attention
of the public.
- 4
(B) RAdvertising Sign" (Billboard) shall mean any sign which
directs attention to a business, commodity, service or
activity not necessarily conducted, sold or offered upon
the premises where such sign is located.
(C) "Business Sign" shall mean any sign which directs attention
to a business or professinn or to a commodity, service or
entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such
sign is located.
(D) "Flashing Sign" shall mean any illuminated sign on which such
illumination is not kept stationa~ or constant in intensity
and color at all times. Illuminated signs which indicate the
time, temperature, weather or other similar information shall
not be considered "flashing signs".
(E) "Ground Sign" shall mean any sign supported by posts, uprights,
braces or other supports placed upon the ground, and not
attached to any building.
(F) "Illuminated Sign" shall mean any sign ..rp.r~_.~p~
wpYi~_~.~~.. which is illuminated by electric lights or
luminous tubes as part of the sign proper.
(G) "Illuminated Traffic Signal" shall mean any official traffic
control device or sign which is illuminated by electric lights
or luminous tubes.
(H) "Lot" shall mean any property, improved or unimproved.
(I) "Unimproved Lot". An unimproved lot shall mean any platted
lot or tract of land used as a whole which is completed unoccupied
by a building or structure and upon which no building or
structure has been commenced.
(J) "Moving SignR shall mean any sign that has any external or
visible part or parts that move, rotate or spin.
(I) "Premise" shall mean any property, improved or unimproved.
- 5
(L) "Permittee" shall mean any person, firm or corporation holding
a permit pursuant to this Article.
(M) "Person" shall mean any person, firm, partnership, association,
corporation or organization of any type or kind.
(N) "Portable Sign" shall mean any sign designed to be moved from
place to place and not exceeding 10 sq. ft. in area.
(0) "Projecting Sign" shall mean any sign which is attached directly
to the building wall and which extends more than 18 inches from
the face ot the wall.
(p) "Roof Sign" shall mean any sign erected, constructed or
maintained wholly or partially upon or over the roof of any
building with the principal support on the roof of the building.
(Q) "Surface Area of Sign" shall mean the entire area within a single
continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual
sign surface. It does not include any structural elements outside
the limits of such sign and not forming an integral part of the
display. Only one side of a double-faced sign structure shall
be used in computing total surface area.
(R) "Standard Sign" shall mean any ground business sign erected,
constructed or maintained on any single pole, post, pylon
or standard.
(S) "Superintendent" shall mean the Superintendent of Building
Construction of the Village of Mount Prospect.
(T) "Temporary Sign" shall mean any sign constructed of cloth or
other light ~mporary material, with or without a structural
frame, intended for a limited period of display.
(U) WWall Sign" shall mean any sign which is painted on or attached
directly to the building wall and which does not extend more
than 18 inches from the face of the wall.
(V) "Zoning Ordinance" shall mean the Zoning Ordinance of the
Village of Mount Prospect.
- 6
(w) .Car Sign shall mean, when used in this ordinance, any sign
attached to an automobile which is permanently parked for the
purpose of displaying same.
(x) "The use in this Article of the phrase "any sign or other ad-
vertising device" or a similar phrase shall mean all of the
signs and devices above defined in this Section. The word
"shall" is mandator" and not discretionar,y.
(Y) The term .property line" when used herein shall not reter to
a property line adjacent to a street or alley.
"9.303 Permitted Signs
Signs shall be classified and permitted in accordance with the
regulations set forth in this Article, and only those signs specifically
permitted by the text of this Ordinance shall be permitted and none
others. The classitication for signs hereinafter set forth shall be in
accordance with the various use districts designated now or hereafter
established in the Zoning Ordinance.
(A) Signs in Residential Use Districts
Signs in Residential Use District - no sign, business sign,
or advertising sign shall be erected except the following non-
flashing, non-illuminated signs:
1. A name sign identifying the owner or occupant ot a
building or dwelling unit provided the surface area
does not exceed two (2) square feet.
2. A sign pertaining to the lease or sale of a building
or property provided such sign shall not exceed 10
square feet in surtace area.
3. Tempora~ signs, for one year, advertising a new sub-
division development, provided such sign or signs do
not exceed 200 square feet in surface area, are no more
than 15 feet nor less than three (3) feet above ground,
advertise only the development in which they are erected
only at dedicated street entrances. Authorization of
such tempora~ sign or signs shall be obtained from the
Superintendent, who shall require and the applicant shall
deposit the sum of $100.00 for each such sign to
guarantee the removal of same; said deposit to be
returned to the applicant upon the removal of the sign.
Such signs shall be reviewed from year to year by the
Superintendent or shall be terminated by him upon sale
of the last lot or dwelling property or abandonment of
- 7 -
new construction and removed upon 30 days written
notice ~ the Superintendent. Failure to commence
new construction within six months shall be deemed
abandonment.
4. One sign identitying an engineer, architect or
contractor engaged in the construction of a building,
provided such sign shall not exceed 12 square feet
in surface area, is no more than 10 feet or less
than 3 teet above ground and is removed within 30 days
following occupancy or the building.
5. One identification sign, not to exceed 30 square feet
in area, tor the following uses: Church, school,
hospital, home tor aged or similar institution. Such
sign shall be solely tor the purpose at displaying
the name of the institution and its activities or
services.
6. Permitted signs in Residential Use Districts may be
located in any required yard but not less than tive (5)
feet from a~ property line nor less than fitteen (15)
feet from the front lot line.
7. Advertising signs (billboards) and illuminated signs
shall not be permitted in Residential Districts.
(B) Signs in Golf Club Districts
1. In Golf Club Districts, only one (1) sign may be
erected on the property used as a golf course, which
sign shall not exceed 128 square feet in surface area,
and shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height with
a clearance of tour (4) feet from the ground to the
bot tom of the sign.
2. Signs shall be set back fifty (50) feet from the
lot line.
3. Advertising signs shall not be erected in Golf
Districts.
(0) Signs in B-1 Business Districts
In the 13-1 Business District the following signs shall be
permitted to be erected under the conditions specitied and none other:
1. Wall Signs, provided the same do not exceed 3 square teet
for each lineal foot of store frontage. Any portion
ot a store fronting or tacing toward a street shall be
considered in computing store frontage.
2. Standard signs advertising a shopping center as a
whole provided the said sign does not exceed 18 feet
in height and maintains a c1earnace of 10 feet trom
the ground to the bottom of the sign.
(a) Are placed not closer than 300 feet apart.
(b) Observe a setback ot 5 teet from a~ portion
of a~ street or road and be placed not closer
than 10 feet from any property line.
- 8
(c) Does not exceed 96 sq. ft. in area.
3. 10 advertising sign or billboard shall be painted
upon any wall in a shopping center.
4. Painted signs on water reservoirs are permitted.
5. Advertising signs are permitted on unillproved lots
only, the requirements regulating same being the
same as provided in paragraph E-5 and E-6 hereof.
6. Temporar.y ground signs advertising the construction
and opening of a shopping center are permitted and
shall be subject to the same restrietions as pertain
to advertising signs.
(D) Signs in the B-2 Business Districts
In the B-2 Business District only the following signs shall
be permitted to be erected under the conditions hereinafter specified:
1. Signs as permited and regulated in paragraph (A) above.
2. Wall signs for business and professional buildings
not exceeding in surface area 50 square feet or 10%
of the wall area upon which it is placed, whichever
is greater, and indicating only the name and address
of the building, occupants or management, may be
displayed. For corner lots, two such signs - - one
tacing each street, shall be permitted.
3. Advertising signs may be permitted on unimproved lots
o~ and in accordance with the regulations for same
in paragraph E-5~ and E-6 hereof.
(E) Signs in B-3 Business_Distri~~~_
In the B-3 Business District only the following signs shall
be permitted to be erected under the conditions hereinafter specified:
(see also General Restrictions):
1. Business signs except as specifically prohibited,
providing a total surface area of all business
signs on a lot shall not exceed the sum of 5 square
feet for each lineal foot of lot frontage.
2. Wall signs as permitted in the B-1 Business District.
3. Projecting signs exclusive of projecting advertising
signs, provided the same shall not extend more than
48 inches from the building.
4. Standard Signs. Not more than one standard sign shall
be erected upon any premises except on corner lots,
in which case one facing each street is allowed:
(a) No standard sign shall exceed 96 square feet
in area.
- 9
~ (b) All standard signs shall maintain a clearance
or 10 feet froll. the ground to the bottom. or
the sign and shall in no case exceed a total
height of 18 feet from the ground to the top
or the sign.
5. Advertising signs shall be permitted on unimproved lots
only in which case they shall be limited to not more
than one tor a lot of 75 foot frontage or less and to
only one additional for 75 feet or less of additional
lot frontage. Advertising signs shall be limited to
25 feet in length and 300 square feet in surface area
and no advertising sign shall contain over two signs
per facing. Vo advertising signs shall be erected
within 50 feet or adjoining residential use district,
if designed to face into and be visible from such district.
6. All advertising signs shall set back 10 feet from any
road and be placed not closer than 5 feet from any
property line.
(F) Signs in Parking District
.
In all parking districts the only signs which shall be permitted
are signs which designate the area for parking and which identify the owner
or priJla.~ lessee of said lot. said signs may have to total square footage
not to exceed one square foot for each lineal foot of lot frontage and be
placed not closer than 5 feet from a~ property line.
(G) Signs in Industrial District
Within the I-I Industrial District and the 1-2 Railroad District
signs are permitted subject to the following regulations:
1. The total surface ot all business signs on a lot
shall not exceed 4 square feet for each lineal foot
of building frontage in the I-I Industrial District,
and 2 square feet for each lineal foot ot building
frontage in the 1-2 Railroad District.
2. Advertising signs shall be permitted only upon un-
improved lots in the I-I district and shall not be
permitted in the 1-2 district. Advertising signs
in the I-I district shall be as regulated in the B-3
Business District.
3. Projecting signs provided the same do not project more
than 36 inches froll any building.
4. The height provisions of the B-3 business district
shall apply to the Industrial District.
-9.304. General Provisions and Restrictions Applying to All Districts
(A) Illuminated Signs
1. Illuminated signs with revolving or rotating beams
or beacons shall not be permitted in any district.
- 10 -
2. All illuminated signs shall be wired in accordance
with regulations as prescribed by the Rational
Electrical Code currently in force. Gooseneck
reflectors and lights shall be permitted on ground
signs and wall signs, provided, however, that any
lights be installed only in such manner that the
direct rays of such lights be concentrated on the
sign and be prevented from causing a glare on, or
striking, the street or nearby property or the
reflector shall be provided with proper glass lenses
concentrating the illumination upon the area of
the sign so as to prevent glare on the street or
nearby property.
3. Illuminated signs located on a lot adjacent to,
across the street from or in the next use district
to any residential district or apartment district,
shall be turned off and not operated between the
hours of 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. unless the premises
on which or for which the sign is specifically
operating is engaged in the operation of its business.
In which event, the sign shall not be operated past
the hour of I:OO A. M.
4. No illuminated sign shall be placed within one
hundred feet of an illuminated traffic signal if,
in the opinion or the Chiet of Police, the salle shall
interfere with, confuse or distract driver compliance
with said illuminated traffic signal. Appeals fro.
the rulings or the Chief of Police may be made to
the President and Board of Trustees.
(B) Business signs painted on a building shall be governed by the
square footage limitations specified in the appropriate zoning district;
shall be repainted when required to be kept in good condition or shall be
removed (painted out) qy order of the Superintendent or the Board of Trustees
if not so maintained.
(c) 10 sign shall be permitted to obstruct any window, door, fire
escape, stairway or opening intended to provide light, air, ingress or egress
for any building or structure.
(n) All signs shall be so constructed, erected and maintained that
all danger to persons or property shall be eliminated, and no sign shall be
erected or maintained so as to obstruct traffic sight lines or traffic
control signals at street intersections, or traffic sight lines or signals
at railroad grade crossings. Signs visible from a street shall not contain
an arrow or the words .stop. or Rdanger" or otherwise resemble or simulate
official traffic control signs.
- 11
(E) No roof sign shall be permitted to be erected in the Village.
(F) Projecting signs shall be constructed or metal, in combustible
materials or materials approved for signs by the National Electrical Code
currently in torce in the Village.
(G) The post or standard supporting a standard sign shall be concrete
or aetal and must be securely anchored to a concrete base.
(H) All signs shall be constructed to withstand a wind pressure of
30 pounds per square toot, except where the requirements set forth herein
are different.
(I) Every sign shall be plainly marked with the name of the person,
firm or corporation erecting and maintaining same; such person, firm or
corporation and/or the owner or the premises on which the sign is located
shall be the responsible party for the purpose of receiving notice under
any section ot this Article.
(J) Car signs as defined herein are prohibited.
(K) No sign shall exceed 26 ft. in height or 6 tt. above the height
of any building on same lot.
(L) Retractable awnings may be permitted provided the lowest portion
thereof shall be not less than seven (7) feet above the level of the side-
walk or public thoroughfare. No awning shall be permitted to extend
beyond a point 60 inches from the building. An awning shall beno larger
than is necessary to protect and cover the window or the entrance over which
it is erected. Awnings shall be constructed of fire-resistant cloth or
metal, provided, however, that all frames and supports shall be of metal.
Every awning shall be securely attached to and supported by the building.
Posts or columns beyond the building line shall not be permitted for
awnings. No awnings shall be attached to wood jambs, frames or other
wooden members of a building (frame buildings excepted). The only advertising
that may be permitted on any awning shall be a business sign identifying
the owner or occupant of the business or indust~ connected with the
premises, which may be painted or otherwise permanently placed in a
- 12
space not exceeding 6 inches in height on the front and side portions
thereof.
"9.305 - Inspectbn and Removal of Certain Signs.
(A.) If the Superintendent shall tind that arrr sign or other adver-
tising structure regulated herein is unsafe or insecure, or has been
constructed or erected in violation of the provisions of this Article, he
shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee tails
to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standards herein
set forth within 10 d~s after such notice, such sign or other advertising
structure may be removed or altered to comply by the Superintendent at the
expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located.
The Superintendent shall refuse to issue a permit to any permittee or
owner who refuses to pay costs so assessed. The Superintendent may cause
any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to
persons or property to be removed. summarily and without notice.
(B) Any sign now or hereafter existing which has been abandoned,
fallen into disuse, or which no longer advertises a bona fide business
conducted, product sold or service rendered, shall be removed by the owner,
agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or lot
upon which such sign is located within 10 days after written notification
from the Superintendent, and, upon failure to comply with such notice within
the time specified in such order, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to
cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid
I by the owner of the building, structure or lot upon which such sign is
located.
"9.306 - Bond Requirements.
A person engaged in the business of constructing and erecting bill-
boards or signboards shall file with the Superintendent of Building a bond
in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars, with a responsible surety company
as surety thereon, said bond to be approved as to form by the Village
attorney. Said bond shall indemnify the Village or Mount Prospect and its
- 13
otficials, for the full period of time provided for by the Statutes or
Limitations of the State of Illinois, for any and all loss, cost, expense
or liability of a~ kind or nature whatsoever, which said Village or its
ofticials may suffer or be put to, or which may be recovered from it or
them by reason or the issuance of such permit.
-9.307 - Variations
All requests for variations in requirements herein set forth or
appeals from any rulings of any officer of the Village shall be directed
to the President and Board of Trustees of the Village.
"9.308 - Penalty
Any person, firm or corporation viilating any provision or failing
to comply with any provision of this Article shall be fined not less than
$5.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense, and a separate offense shall
be deemed committed on each day, commencing from date of official notifi-
cation, during or on which a violation or failure to comply occurs or
continues.
-9.309. lon-Conforming Signs
Any sign lawfully existing or under construction on the adoption
date of this Ordinance which does not conform. to the provisions contained
herein, may be continued or maintained, but may not b e replaced, structurally:
altered, re-established (if discontinued) or continued it destroyed or
damaged to the extent of 50 per cent or more of its value.
"9.310 - Separability
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of
this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate,
distinct and independent provision and sucp holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions.
"9.311 - Ordinances Repealed
All other ordinances, or parts of ordinances heretoCore enacted
by the Village of Mount Prospect in conflict with this ordinance are
hereby repealed.
- 14 -
SECTION 3
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from
and after its passage, approval and publication according
to law.
PASSED this THIRTEENTH day of FEBRUARY, 1962.
APPROVED this THIRTEDlTH day of FEBRUARY, 1962.
~twY~Q ~ ~~~
Pres ident ------
~L~, I~)~~..,_J
Village Clerk
SEAL
Published in the Mount Prospect Herald this 22nd day of
February, 1962.