5. Osceola Sign Ordinance
Village of Osceola, WI
Monday, June 29, 2015
Chapter 219. ZONING
Article IV. Signs
§ 219-21. Purpose; authority.
A.
The purpose of these sign regulations is to establish minimum standards; to encourage the
effective use of signs as a means of communication in the Village; to maintain and enhance
the aesthetic environment and the Village's ability to attract sources of economic
development and growth; to improve pedestrian and traffic safety; to minimize the possible
adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property; and to enable the fair and
consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.
B.
The sign ordinance codified in this article is adopted under the zoning authority of the Village.
§ 219-22. Scope.
This article shall be binding upon the owner of any property upon which a sign is placed,
upon any lessee of such property and upon any person who constructs or maintains signs
within the Village. This article governs all signs currently in use and those hereinafter
installed in the Village.
§ 219-23. Conformity required; effect of article.
A.
A sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the Village
only in conformity with the standards, procedures, exemptions and other requirements of this
article.
B.
The effect of this article as more specifically set forth is to:
(1)
Establish a permanent system to allow a variety of types of signs in commercial and
industrial zones and a limited variety of signs in residential zones, subject to the standards
and permit procedures of this article.
(2)
Allow certain signs that are small, unobtrusive and incidental to the principal use of
respective lots on which they are located, subject to the substantive requirements of this
article but without the requirements for a permit.
(3)
Provide for small, temporary signs without commercial messages in limited circumstances in
the public right-of-way.
(4)
Prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this article.
(5)
Establish reasonable fees.
(6)
Provide for the enforcement of the provisions of this article.
C.
Permit required. A sign permit is required prior to the improvement, erection, construction,
enlargement, alteration or repair of any sign unless exempt by this chapter.
[Added 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
§ 219-24. Interpretation and definitions.
A.
Words and phrases used in this article shall have the meaning set forth in Subsection C.
Words and phrases not defined in this article but defined in other ordinances of the Village
shall be given the meaning set forth in such ordinances. All other words and phrases shall be
given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
B.
Article and section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be
used in the interpretation of this article.
C.
Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their
derivations shall have the meaning given in this subsection:
ANIMATED SIGN
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting, either natural or artificial, to
depict action or create a special effect or scene. For purposes of this article, a
sign which consists of an electronic or mechanical indication of time or
temperature shall be considered a time and temperature sign and not an
animated sign. For purposes of this article, a sign which consists of an
electronic or mechanical written message, including such messages as copy,
art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather or information concerning civic
or charitable events or the advertising of products or services for sale on the
premises shall be considered an electronic message unit sign and not an
animated sign.
Editor's Note: The definition of "area identification sign," which immediately followed this
definition, was repealed 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
[Amended 1-12-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01]
BANNER
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a
building at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags or the
official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered a banner.
BEACON
A stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects illumination, single color
or multicolored, in any manner which is intended to attract or divert attention;
except, however, that this term in not intended to include any kind of lighting
device which is required or necessary under the safety regulations described by
the Federal Aviation Administration or similar agencies.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
An agent of the Village of Osceola authorized to permit, inspect, approve or
deny construction within the Village and the authorized government
representative on sign issues.
BUILDING MARKER
Any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information
about its construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of
bronze or other permanent material.
Editor's Note: The definitions of "building sign" and "bulletin board," which
immediately followed this definition, were repealed 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric,
plastic or structural protective cover over a door entrance, window or outdoor
service area. A marquee is not a canopy.
CHANGEABLE-COPY SIGN/READER BOARD
A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters or illustrations that can be
changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A
sign on which the message changes more than eight times per day shall be
considered an animated sign and not a changeable-copy sign for purposes of
this article.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE
Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names,
advertises or calls attention to a business, product, service, sale or sales event
or other commercial activity.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
Any sign which alerts persons of construction or demolition activities for a
project or which describes the project or the contractors involved.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign of a noncommercial nature which directs the reader to the location of
public or educational institutions or to the location of historical structures or
areas or to the location of public parks or buildings.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA
The net geometric area enclosed by the display surface of the sign, including
the outer extremities of all letters, characters and delineations; provided,
however, that "display surface area" shall not include the structural supports for
freestanding signs.
DISTRICT or ZONING DISTRICT
A section or sections of the incorporated area of the Village of Osceola for
which the then-effective zoning ordinance governing the use of buildings and
land is uniform for each class of use permitted therein.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix.
FLAG
Any fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols,
used as a symbol of government, political subdivision or other entity.
FLASHING SIGN
An illuminated sign on which artificial or reflected light is not maintained
stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is attached to or a part of a completely self-supporting structure.
The supporting structure shall be set firmly in or below the ground surface and
shall not be attached to any building or any other structure, whether portable or
stationary.
GARAGE/YARD SALE SIGN
Any sign which advertises a private sale of personal property used to dispose of
personal household possessions, not for the use of any commercial venture.
IDENTIFICATION AND INFORMATION SIGN
A sign of an identification or informational nature bearing no advertising.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated
directly or indirectly by electric lights or luminous tube.
[Amended 1-12-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01]
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the
lot on which it is located, such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only,"
"telephone" and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message
legible from a position off the lot on which the sign is located shall be
considered incidental.
JOINT IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign which serves as common or collective identification for a group of
persons or businesses operating on the same zone lot (e.g., shopping center,
office complex, etc.). Such sign may name the persons or businesses included
but carry no other advertising matter.
LEASE
An agreement by which a property owner conveys, usually for a specified rent,
to other persons permission to erect and maintain an advertising sign upon his
or her property.
LOT
Any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision, the boundaries of
which have been established by some legal instrument of record, that is
recognized and intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer of ownership.
LOW-SLOPE ROOF
Any roof with a pitch less than three inches rise per 12 inches horizontal.
Editor's Note: The definition of "mall," which immediately followed this definition,
was repealed 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
MANSARD ROOF
Any roof that has an angle greater than 45º and which derives part of its support
from the building wall and is attached to (but not necessarily a part of) a low-
slope roof and which extends along the full length of the front building wall or
3/4 of the length of a side building wall.
Editor's Note: The definitions of "marquee" and "marquee sign," which immediately
followed this definition, were repealed 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign existing at the effective date of the adoption of the ordinance codified in
this article which could not be built under the terms of this article.
Editor's Note: The definitions of "off-premises sign," "on-premises sign" and
"outdoor menu board," which immediately followed this definition, were repealed 4-
11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
PENNANT
Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material designed to move in the wind,
whether containing a message or not.
[Amended 1-12-1999 by Ord. No. 99-01]
PERSON
Includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or
organization, singular or plural, of any kind.
Editor's Note: The definitions of "portable sign," "portable swinger sign and A-frame
or sandwich sign" and "portable temporary attraction sign board," which immediately
followed this definition, were repealed 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING
The building in which is conducted the principal use of the zone lot on which it is
located. Zone lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal
buildings, but storage buildings, garages and other clearly accessory uses shall
not be considered principal buildings.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign that shall be affixed at an angle or perpendicularly to the wall of any
building in such a manner to read perpendicularly or at an angle to the wall on
which it is mounted.
PUBLIC EVENT
Any event that is authorized by the Village of Osceola, whether funded in part,
total or not at all.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign placed upon property for the purpose of advertising to the
public the sale or lease of said property.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN
Any sign located in a district zoned for residential uses that contains no
commercial message except advertising for goods or services legally offered on
the premises where the sign is located, if offering such service at such location
conforms to the requirements of the Village of Osceola.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building,
supported by the roof structure and extending vertically above the highest
portion of the roof.
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL
Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a
normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends
vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign
is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
SETBACK
The distance from the property line to the nearest part of the applicable building,
structure or sign, measured perpendicularly to the property line.
SHOPPING CENTER
A cohesive unit of stores or other commercial businesses arranged and
constructed according to a plan and contained within a separate parcel of land.
SIGN
Includes every device, frame, letter, figure, character, mark, plane, point,
design, picture, logo, stroke, stripe, trademark or reading matter which is used
or intended to be used to attract attention or convey information, when the same
is placed out of doors in view of the general public, and, in addition, any of the
above which is not placed out of doors but which is illuminated with artificial or
reflected light, and also the above when near the inside surface of a window in
such a way as to be in view of the general public and used or intended to be
used to attract attention or convey information to motorists.
SPOTLIGHT ILLUMINATION
Illumination which comes from lamps, lenses or devices designed to focus or
concentrate the light rays of the source.
STREET and SIDEWALK
A strip of land or accessway subject to vehicular traffic and/or pedestrian traffic
that provides direct or indirect access to property, including but not limited to
alleys, avenues, boulevards, courts, drives, highways, lanes, places, roads,
sidewalks, terraces, trails or other thoroughfares.
STREET FRONTAGE
The distance for which a lot line of a zone lot adjoins a public street, from one
lot line intersecting said street to the furthest distant lot line intersecting the
same street.
SUSPENDED SIGN
A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is
supported by such surface.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign intended to be displayed for a period of not more than 60 days in a
twelve-month period or until construction or sale of property is completed,
including real estate, political or construction site signs and banners, decorative-
type displays or anything similar to the aforementioned.
WALL SIGN
Any sign that shall be affixed parallel to the wall or printed on the wall of any
building in such a manner as to read parallel to the wall on which it is mounted;
provided, however, that said wall sign shall not project above the top of the wall
or beyond the end of the building. For the purpose of this article, any sign
display surface that is affixed flat against the sloping surface of a mansard roof
shall be considered a wall sign. Any sign that is affixed to the building marquee,
building awning or a building canopy shall be considered a wall sign.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof designed to communicate
information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service that is
placed inside a window or upon the window.
YARD CARD
Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination thereof designed to be temporarily
placed in a residential or commercial lot for purposes of commemorating a
personal event, such as a birthday, graduation or anniversary.
ZONE LOT
A parcel of land in single ownership that is of sufficient size to meet minimum
zoning requirements for area, coverage and use and that can provide such
yards and other open spaces as required by the zoning regulations.
§ 219-25. Administration and enforcement.
[Amended 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 10-09]
The Building Inspector shall have the following powers and duties. The Police Department
shall assist the Building Inspector in matters of noncompliance. The Building Inspector shall:
A.
Interpret this article with guidance and policy direction from the Plan Commission.
B.
Issue or deny permits.
C.
Assist persons desiring such assistance with permit application, interpretation and
compliance.
D.
Receive and file all applications for variances or appeals.
E.
Maintain records relevant to this Code.
F.
Issue notices of noncompliance with this Code.
G.
Remove dangerous or abandoned signs in accordance with this article.
H.
Enforce this article.
§ 219-26. Prohibited signs.
The following signs shall not be permitted:
A.
Signs painted on, attached to or supported by a tree, stone, cliff or other natural object.
B.
Spotlights or beacons.
C.
Signs placed upon metal light poles, stop signs or traffic signs.
D.
Flashing, blinking or animated signs.
E.
Signs in the public right-of-way, except signs erected by a governmental agency, a franchise
public utility company or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within the public
right-of-way and banners for nonprofit organizations which are approved by the Village
Board, subject to limitations on the type of material, the minimum height and any other
restrictions the Board shall impose.
F.
Revolving, rotating or otherwise moving signs.
G.
Illuminated signs and spotlights which are directed at motorists or adjacent properties.
§ 219-27. Use of vehicle or trailer as a sign.
It shall be unlawful to use a vehicle or trailer as a sign in circumvention of this article.
§ 219-28. Exemptions.
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this article and require no sign permit:
A.
Traffic signs or signals, street signs or railroad signs or any other safety-related signs placed
by a utility or any unit of government.
B.
Christmas or other seasonal decorations on residential lots and with no commercial
message.
C.
Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law,
regulation or ordinance.
D.
Any sign inside a building, not attached to a window or door, that is not legible from a
distance of more than three feet beyond the lot line of the zone lot or parcel on which the
sign is located.
E.
Works of art that do not include any commercial message.
§ 219-29. Signs not requiring a permit.
The following signs shall require no sign permit but must otherwise comply with the
provisions of this article:
A.
Address number.
B.
Residential nameplates.
C.
On-premises commemorative, historical or similar types of signs.
D.
Convenience signs: enter, exit, parking, rest rooms or directional, provided that no
advertising other than a logo or the name of the business is placed upon the sign. Such
signs shall not exceed six square feet in area.
E.
Political signs or posters, provided that they are not posted until 45 days prior to an election
and are removed three days following the election. Persons or committees authorizing the
distribution or posting of campaign materials shall be responsible for compliance with this
article. Such signs shall not be placed in a right-of-way or upon public lands or property.
F.
Real estate signs advertising a property for sale, rent or auction. Such signs shall be
unlighted and shall not exceed nine square feet for single- and two-family residences and 32
square feet for multiple-family residences and nonresidences and shall be removed not more
than 10 days after a transaction is complete.
G.
Construction signs. Such signs shall be unlighted and shall not exceed 16 square feet for
residential lots or 32 square feet for nonresidential lots and shall be removed not more than
10 days after final inspection by the Building Inspector.
H.
Private garage, lawn or rummage sale signs. Such signs shall not exceed five square feet
and are permitted for a period of not more than five consecutive days in residential districts
only.
I.
Banners used for seasonal events, sales and special events, provided that such signs are
displayed for a maximum period of 30 days and are removed within three days following the
event or sale.
J.
The flag, pennant or insignia of any government or any religious or fraternal organization.
Such flag, pennant or insignia shall not exceed 200 square feet.
K.
Temporary open house signs. Such signs shall be in strict compliance with § 219-36 of this
article.
L.
Yard cards, provided that such signs are displayed for a maximum period of five days and
only one such sign is displayed no greater than 60 days in any twelve-month period.
M.
Copy change. Change copy or message on a sign which is designed to have changeable
copy, provided there are no changes to the physical structure or area of the sign (e.g., gas
station price signs).
[Added 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
N.
Signs for charitable, educational, governmental, public, or religious facilities. Bulletin boards
or ground signs or wall signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions not to exceed 32
square feet in area located on the premises. Such signs shall meet the setback requirements
and illumination provisions of the district in which they are located.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 09-09]
§ 219-30. Placing signs on utility poles.
Temporary signs advertising an event or candidate or election information may be posted
upon wooden light or utility poles with permission of the utility, provided that such signs are
secured firmly to the poles and are removed within three days after the event or election.
§ 219-31. Dangerous or abandoned signs.
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is
located when a business which it advertises has not been conducted for a period of six
months or when, in the judgment of the Inspector, such sign is old and dilapidated or has
become so out of repair as to be dangerous or unsafe, whichever occurs first. The Village
Building Inspector shall give the owner and/or lessee written notice specifying the location of
the sign and the reason(s) requiring removal and allowing the owner a period of 30 days in
which to remove it. The Village Building Inspector may remove the sign at the cost of the
owner and assess the costs of such removal against the property.
§ 219-32. Installation.
All signs shall be properly secured, supported and braced and shall be kept in reasonable
structural condition and shall be kept clean and well painted at all times. Bolts or screws shall
not be fastened to window frames. Every sign and its framework, braces, anchors and other
supports shall be constructed of such material and with such workmanship as to meet
standard engineering practice and be safe and satisfactory to the Village Building Inspector.
§ 219-33. Electrical signs.
All wiring, fittings and materials used in the construction, connection and operation of electric
signs shall conform to the National Electric Code as adopted by Village ordinance.
§ 219-34. Charitable, educational, fraternal, governmental, public, or religious facilities.
[Amended 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 09-09]
A.
Without regard to the zoning district in which they are located, charitable, educational,
fraternal, governmental, public, or religious facilities are permitted signs as follows:
(1)
Ground-mounted sign. One on-premises, ground-mounted sign is permitted for each street
frontage where the linear street frontage on corner lots exceeds 175 feet.
(a)
Area: not to exceed 32 square feet per face.
(b)
Height: not to exceed six feet.
(2)
Wall sign. One wall sign is permitted not to exceed 24 square feet. On a multibuilding
campus, one wall sign is permitted per building.
(3)
Illumination. Signs shall comply with the provisions relating to illumination in the zoning
district in which they are located.
B.
Signage totaling 32 square feet or greater is permitted in the Public Institution District when
approved by the Planning Commission as a part of the site plan review process.
§ 219-35. Vision clearance.
No signs are permitted in the triangle formed by the point at the corner of an intersection and
points 15 feet from the corner along each street.
§ 219-36. Nonconforming signs.
A.
Any sign located in the Village on the date of adoption of this code, or located in an area
annexed to the Village hereafter, which does not conform to the provisions of this code is a
nonconforming sign and may be continued, except as provided below:
(1)
The sign is structurally altered in any way except for normal maintenance and repair;
(2)
The sign is structurally altered for purposes of maintenance and repair in such a way that the
sign will be less in compliance with the requirements of this code than it was before
alteration;
(3)
The sign is relocated;
(4)
The sign is replaced;
(5)
The sign fails to conform to the code regarding maintenance and repair, construction
standards or dangerous and abandoned signs; or
(6)
There is a change in use or occupancy.
[Amended 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
B.
On the date of the occurrence of any of the above, the sign shall be brought immediately into
compliance with this code and a new permit secured or the sign shall be removed.
C.
The Village Building Inspector shall maintain a record of and notify the owner or lessee of the
property on which a nonconforming sign is located, in writing, of the following:
[Amended 4-11-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02]
(1)
Whether the sign is nonconforming or is prohibited;
(2)
The reasons such sign is nonconforming or prohibited; and
(3)
The remedies for such nonconforming or prohibited status.
§ 219-37. Residential Zones R-1, R-2 and R-3.
A.
Illumination. Directly illuminated signs are prohibited within areas zoned residential.
B.
Permitted signs. In residential areas, only the following signs may be permitted:
(1)
Address numbers.
(2)
Residential nameplates.
(3)
Political signs or posters.
(4)
Temporary open house signs.
(5)
Real estate signs.
(6)
Construction signs.
(7)
Convenience signs under § 219-29D.
(8)
Home occupation signs.
(9)
Any signs exempt from the provisions of this article under § 219-28.
(10)
On-premises commemorative, historical or similar types of signs.
(11)
Private garage, lawn or rummage sale signs.
(12)
The flag or insignia of any government, religious or fraternal organization.
(13)
Yard cards.
(14)
Multifamily unit signs.
(15)
Charitable, educational, fraternal, governmental, public, or religious facilities.
[Added 9-8-2009 by Ord. No. 09-09]
C.
Election signs. Political signs are permitted to be placed on private property, subject to the
following conditions:
(1)
Such sign shall be erected no sooner than 45 days prior to the election and shall be removed
within three days following the election.
(2)
The owner of the property on which the sign is placed shall be responsible for its removal.
(3)
Signs shall be freestanding.
D.
Temporary open house signs.
(1)
Such signs shall not be illuminated and shall not exceed six square feet. Such signs may be
placed at a rate of one per intersection per company and shall only be displayed for a period
from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the day of the open house. No more than four directional
open house signs may be placed within the Village limits for any one house.
(2)
The principal broker of the real estate company shall be responsible for compliance with this
Subsection D. Failure to comply with this Subsection D may be subject to fine or suspension
of privileges in accordance with § 219-45 of this article.
E.
Subdivision signs. In any subdivision, one subdivision identification sign, not illuminated, not
to exceed 32 square feet, may be erected at any principal entrance. (A subdivision shall not
have more than two principal entrances for purposes of this article only.)
F.
Home occupation signs. Home occupation signs are permitted to be placed within residential
zones, subject to the following conditions:
(1)
The home occupation complies with the requirements of § 219-13A(2), B(2) or C(2) of this
code.
(2)
The sign is not greater than two square feet in area and is mounted flat against the building.
G.
Multifamily unit signs. Multifamily units may be allowed one on-premises freestanding sign
for each street frontage where the linear street frontage on corner lots exceeds 175 feet,
subject to the following conditions:
(1)
The sign may not exceed 24 square feet.
(2)
The sign may not exceed six feet in height.
(3)
The sign must be set back at least 10 feet from any street right-of-way line.
(4)
The sign may not be placed in the vision clearance triangle.
§ 219-38. Agricultural zones.
A.
Permitted signs. In agricultural zones, only the following signs may be permitted:
(1)
Signs permissible for residential zones under § 219-37A of this article.
(2)
Two signs not to exceed eight square feet per sign and advertising only products produced
on the premises.
B.
Illumination. Directly illuminated signs are prohibited within areas zoned agricultural.
§ 219-39. General provisions for commercial and industrial districts.
A.
Applicability. The rules set out in this section shall apply within all commercial and industrial
districts.
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B.
Prohibited signs. In commercial and industrial districts, the following signs are prohibited: all
signs prohibited by §§ 219-26 and 219-27 of this article.
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C.
Height and setback requirements. Height and setback requirements shall be as follows:
(1)
Signs within the
B-1 District shall
not exceed the
height of the building on which the sign is located or which the sign directs attention to.
(2)
Signs may be permitted within the setback area with approval of the Building Inspector if:
(a)
The sign is less than three feet in height; or
(b)
The sign is pole-mounted and is placed at a height greater than 10 feet and the pole
diameter is less than or equal to 12 inches and neither the pole nor the sign interferes with
reasonable vision clearance.
D.
Wall signs. No wall sign shall extend beyond the building more than 18 inches. No wall sign
shall extend above the second-story windowsill or extend above the roofline, whichever is
lower.
E.
Mansard roof signs. Mansard roof signs are permitted, provided that no wall sign is located
on the facade. No mansard roof sign shall extend above the highest point of the roof.
F.
Canopies and awnings. No canopy or awning shall extend more than 60 inches from the face
of the building or closer to the curb than 24 inches. No canopy or awning shall be less than
District Height (feet) Side (feet) Rear (feet) Front (feet)
B-1 45 None None None
B-2 45 20 20 50
I-1 and I-2 45 25 25 25
eight feet or an average of 10 feet in height from the sidewalk. No sign shall be installed
above or below the canopy. Any lettering or other signage placed on the face of an awning or
canopy shall be counted against the maximum signage area for the parcel on which it is
located.
G.
Column-mounted and multiple-column-mounted signs.
(1)
Number. One column-mounted or one multiple-column-mounted sign shall be allowed for
each parcel of frontage, provided that no projecting sign or ground-mounted sign is on the
parcel frontage.
(2)
Clearance from ground. There shall be a clear, open area of 10 feet from the ground to the
bottommost part of the sign.
H.
Projecting signs.
(1)
Number. One projecting sign may be permitted for each parcel, provided that no ground sign
is located on the property.
(2)
Projection from face of building. No part of any projecting sign shall extend further than 60
inches from the face of the building or closer to the curb than 24 inches.
(3)
Maximum signage area. No projecting sign shall exceed nine square feet in area.
(4)
Illumination. Projecting signs shall not be directly illuminated.
(5)
Minimum clearance. No part of any projecting sign shall be less than 10 feet from the grade
underneath.
(6)
Extension. No projecting sign shall extend above the second-story windowsill or extend
above the roofline, whichever is lower.
I.
Application of maximum signage area. The display surface area of any permitted sign shall
be counted against the maximum signage area for the parcel on which it is located.
J.
Joint occupancy or multiple-use building. A joint occupancy or multiple-use building shall be
a building occupied by a single occupant who engages in more than one activity within the
building or which contains two or more activities engaged in by different occupants. Each
such building shall be allowed one column-mounted sign per parcel and no more. All other
restrictions with regard to multiple-column-mounted, column-mounted, ground-mounted, wall
or projecting signs shall apply as if dealing with a single structure.
§ 219-40. B-1 General Commercial District.
A.
Total signage area. The total signage area for a parcel in the B-1 District shall not exceed in
area, in square feet, three times the linear front footage of the building the sign is attached to
or directs attention to.
B.
Corner lots. Corner establishments are permitted an additional 25% of signage area,
provided that this additional 25% of signage area is not to be located on the front facade of
the building.
§ 219-41. Historic Preservation District.
The Historic Preservation Code, Chapter 130 of the Village of Osceola Code, is hereby
adopted by reference and included.
§ 219-42. B-2 Highway Commercial District.
A.
Total signage area.
(1)
Total signage area in the B-2 District shall not exceed in area, in square fleet, three times the
linear front footage of the building the sign is attached to.
(2)
Corner establishments are permitted an additional 25% of this total signage area, provided
that such additional 25% (this 25% may be based on linear footage of building side) of the
total signage area is not located on the front facade of the building.
B.
Column-mounted signs and ground-mounted signs. In addition to the total signage area
above, an establishment not located in the shopping center in the B-2 District may have one
column-mounted or one ground-mounted sign not to exceed a maximum of 60 square feet of
display surface area for a column-mounted sign or 32 square feet of display surface area for
a ground-mounted sign.
C.
Shopping center signs. In addition to the general provisions of this article, the following
regulations shall apply to shopping centers:
(1)
A shopping center is permitted one column-mounted or ground-mounted sign for each street
for which the center has frontage which bears the name of the shopping center only and
which may be erected on the lands occupied by the center. The maximum square footage of
each such sign may not exceed 150 square feet for a single-faced sign or 150 square feet
per face of a double-faced sign.
(2)
Each shopping center shall be allowed one column- or ground-mounted sign for each street
for which the center has frontage which bears the name of the businesses located within the
center. Such sign shall have a maximum square footage of 150 square feet for a single-
faced sign or 150 square feet per face for a double-faced sign.
§ 219-43. I-1 and I-2 Industrial Districts.
A.
Total signage area.
(1)
Total signage area in the industrial districts shall not exceed in area, in square feet, three
times the linear front footage of the building the sign is attached to or directs attention to.
(2)
Corner establishments are permitted an additional 25% of this total signage area, provided
that such signage is not located on the front facade of the building.
B.
Column-mounted or ground-mounted signs. In addition to the total signage area above,
establishments within the industrial districts may have one column-mounted or one ground-
mounted sign, provided that a column-mounted sign shall have a maximum display area of
150 square feet and any ground-mounted sign shall have a maximum display area of 100
square feet.
§ 219-44. Permits.
A.
Permits required. No persons shall erect, relocate or reconstruct, or cause the
aforementioned, within the Village of Osceola, any signs without first having obtained and
having in force and effect a permit therefor from the Village Building Inspector.
B.
Permit application and fees. No permit shall be granted until an application has been filed
with the Village Building Inspector to assure compliance.
(1)
The permit fee shall be as follows: the fee shall be established by resolution.
(2)
The Village Building Inspector may require that the application be accompanied by a plan or
design of the sign showing its weight, dimensions, electrical or gas equipment and details of
its position relative to the building and to all property lines.
C.
Inspection. The applicant shall, upon completion of the installation, relocation or alteration of
the sign, notify the Village Building Inspector, who will assure that the sign complies with the
regulations of this article.
D.
Revocation of permit. The Village Building Inspector may at any time revoke a permit for a
violation of this article. The holder of a revoked permit shall be entitled to an appeal before
the Board of Appeals.
E.
Exceptions. Permits are not required for signs within the exemptions of §§ 219-28 and 219-
29 of this article.
F.
Historic districts. All applications for signs in an historic preservation district shall be denied
until a certificate of appropriateness has been received from the Historic Preservation
Commission as provided for in Chapter 130, Historic Preservation, § 130-5B.
[Added 1-13-1998 by Ord. No. 1-98]
§ 219-45. Violations and penalties.
A.
Written notice of violation of the provisions of this article will be given to the person, firm or
corporation held in violation. If within 30 days of such notification the violation(s) is (are) not
corrected, the violator shall be subject to a fine of $25 per day for each separate violation of
the provisions of this article until such violation(s) is (are) corrected. If the condition(s) of
violation still persists after the aforementioned 30 days of written notice, the Village may
correct the violation at the owner's expense.
B.
Repeated refusal to comply with the provisions of this article shall subject the violator to
suspension of the privileges of this article.
C.
Violation deemed to be a safety hazard may have the correction period shortened from
Subsection A.
§ 219-46. Variances and appeals.
A.
Variances. Variances or exceptions to this article may be granted by the Board of Appeals.
B.
Appeals. The Board of Appeals shall hear appeals from decisions of the Village Building
Inspector.