Exciting enhancements are coming soon to eCode360! Learn more 🡪
Village of Dane, WI
Dane County
By using eCode360 you agree to be legally bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use, please do not use eCode360.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The purpose of this article is to establish minimum standards to safeguard life and property and promote public welfare and community aesthetics by regulating the appearance, construction, location and maintenance of all signs, awnings, canopies and billboards. The provisions herein contained shall be binding alike upon every owner of a building, every lessee and every person in charge or responsible for or who causes the construction, repair, relocation or alteration of any outdoor sign and other advertising structures in the Village of Dane; painting, posting and general maintenance are excepted.
The following definitions are used in this article:
AREA OF SIGN
The perimeter which forms the outside shape, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed, unless they are designed as part of the sign. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled. The area of an irregularly shaped sign shall be computed using the actual sign face surface. The area of the irregularly shaped sign shall be the entire area within a single continuous rectilinear perimeter of not more than eight straight lines.
AWNING
A temporary hood or cover which projects from the wall of the building, which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting structure.
BILLBOARD
A sign which advertises goods, products or facilities or services not necessarily on the premises where the sign is located or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
BLANKETING
The unreasonable obstruction of view of a sign caused by the placement of another sign.
CANOPY
A shelter, with or without a sign, attached to or connected with a building and extending into a setback or over the public sidewalk.
DAY
A period of time in terms of calendar days.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
Any sign designed to give any artificial light directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or on such sign.
DIRECTORY SIGN
Any sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include offices and church directories. Directory signs shall be encouraged for use with advertising of multiple-occupied commercial and industrial buildings.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE UNIT SIGN
Any sign whose message may be changed by electronic process, including such messages as copy, art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather or information concerning civic or charitable organizations or the advertising of products or services for sale on the premises. This also includes traveling or segmented message displays.[1]
FLASHING SIGN
Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
FREESTANDING (GROUND AND/OR POLE) SIGN
Any sign which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
Any sign which carries only the name of the firm, major enterprise, institution or principal products offered for sale on the premises or combination of these.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign that is illuminated from a source outside of the actual sign.
MARQUEE
A permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against weather.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to and made part of a marquee.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this article.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Any sign, device or display which advertises goods other than that commonly available or services other than that commonly performed on the premises on which the sign is located.
POLITICAL SIGN
Any sign displaying a candidate for an election or a current election's subject matter.
PORTABLE SIGN/MESSAGE BOARD
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground which is designed to be easily moved from one location to another.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign extending more than 18 inches but less than four feet from the face of a wall or building; such sign may not extend more than three feet into the right-of-way.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
ROOF SIGN
Any sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building.
SIGN
Includes anything that promotes, calls attention or invites patronage (or anything similar to the aforementioned) to a business, location or product.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign which is erected or displayed for a limited period of time not to exceed 28 consecutive days or which is displayed only during regular business hours and removed for storage at other times. A temporary sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area. Examples of temporary signs include banners and decorative-type displays. For purposes of this article, a portable sign is not a temporary sign.
WALL SIGN
Any sign attached to, erected on or painted on the wall of a building or structure and projecting not more than six inches from such wall.[2]
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and visible from a public way.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Application. Except for those specified in § 520-62, no signs, billboards, awnings or canopies shall hereafter be located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered without a sign permit and without being in conformity with the provisions of this article. The sign shall also meet all other structural requirements of other applicable codes and ordinances of the Village of Dane. Signs shall not be erected or altered until a permit has been issued by the Building Inspector. "Altered" shall be defined as any modification in the size, height, dimensions, location or mounting of a sign other than routine maintenance.
B. 
Required information. Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Building Inspector which contain the following information about the sign: dimensions, including display surface; materials; illumination; wiring; height above grade; distance from lot lines; and the person, firm or corporation erecting or altering the sign. A permit is not required for a copy change when no change in business name is involved.
C. 
Permit fees. A permit fee as set forth in Chapter A150, Fees, shall be paid to the Building Inspector for each sign permit issued under this article; provided, however, that a fee shall not be charged for putting an existing sign into conformity with this article, or for a copy change when no change in business name is involved.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Insurance. Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of erecting, repairing, maintaining or relocating any sign shall maintain in effect at all times a policy of liability insurance with limits of $300,000 for bodily injury and $1,000,000 aggregate and $100,000 property damage. Proof of insurance shall be presented to the Building Inspector before the sign permit is granted.
E. 
Inspection. The applicant shall, upon completion of the installation, relocation or alteration of the sign, notify the Building Inspector, who will assure the sign complies with the regulations of this article. Every sign shall be inspected and approved by the Building Inspector within 30 days after it is erected or altered.
F. 
Appeals. The Building Inspector may, at any time for a violation of this article, revoke a permit or require changes so the sign conforms with this article. The holder of a revoked permit shall be entitled to an appeal before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by any permit denial or decision by the Building Inspector relative to the provisions of these sign regulations may appeal and seek review of such decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The following signs do not require a sign permit, provided that they are not located over a public road right-of-way or in, on or over public water:
A. 
Commercial, industrial and planned unit development (commercial/industrial) districts:
(1) 
Real estate signs, not to exceed eight square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
(2) 
Name, occupation and warning signs, not to exceed four square feet, located on the premises.
(3) 
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions, not to exceed 35 square feet in area, located on the premises.
(4) 
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against the structure.
(5) 
Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restriction, information and notices.
(6) 
Rummage or garage sale signs not to exceed eight square feet in area, but use of this type of sign shall be limited to 72 hours per sale.
(7) 
Signs designating entrances, exits, service areas, parking areas, rest rooms and other such signs relating to functional operation of the building or premises shall be permitted without limitation other than reasonable size and necessity.
(8) 
Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers or names of occupants of premises.
(9) 
Flags and insignia of any government, except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
(10) 
Legal notices, identification information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies.
(11) 
Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
(12) 
Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property but bearing no advertising matter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 13-1-103(a)(13), pertaining to political signs, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
B. 
Residential, conservancy and agricultural districts:
(1) 
Signs over show windows or doors of a nonconforming business establishment announcing without display or elaboration only the name and occupation of the proprietor and not to exceed four square feet.
(2) 
Real estate signs, not to exceed eight square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which said signs are temporarily located.
(3) 
Nameplate signs, not to exceed three square feet, located on the premises.
(4) 
Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions, not to exceed eight square feet in area, located on the premises.
(5) 
Memorial signs, tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of metal and affixed flat against a structure.
(6) 
Official signs, such as traffic control, parking restrictions, information and notices.
(7) 
Awnings or canopies servicing only a particular single-family dwelling unit, provided the same shall conform to the regulations applicable to the zoning district in which the same are located.
(8) 
House numbers or signs identifying parks or country clubs or official bulletin boards.
(9) 
An approved professional sign shall be a sign not exceeding three square feet in area, stating only the name and business or profession of the home occupant or the character or the use of the premises on which the sign is maintained. It shall not be illuminated and shall not move. Only one such approved professional sign shall be maintained on a premises.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Original Sec. 13-1-103(b)(10), pertaining to political signs, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(10) 
Rummage or garage sale signs or charitable event signs not to exceed eight square feet in area, but use of this type of sign shall be limited to 72 hours per sale.
C. 
Political signs.[3]
(1) 
Signs containing a political message may be posted beginning on the first day for circulation of nomination papers by candidates and must be removed within 10 days after said election.
(2) 
If the Village Board determines that a sign containing a political message as placed on a property is a hazard to traffic or pedestrian safety, the Village Board may direct the property owner or tenant to move the sign so that it is no longer a hazard to traffic or pedestrian safety.
(3) 
No sign containing a political message shall have an electrical, mechanical or audio auxiliary component.
(4) 
No sign containing a political message shall exceed 11 square feet in area, unless said sign is affixed to a permanent structure, does not extend beyond the perimeter of the structure, and does not obstruct a window, door, fire escape, ventilation shaft or other area which is required by an applicable building code to remain unobstructed.
[3]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Permitted signs. The following signs shall require a permit to be issued by the Village of Dane. Such signs are permitted in all commercial, planned unit development (commercial/industrial), and industrial districts subject to the following restrictions:
(1) 
Wall signs placed against the exterior walls of buildings shall not extend more than six inches out from a building's wall surface, shall not exceed 300 square feet in area or 40% of the wall surface (whichever is smaller) per wall for any one premises, and shall not exceed the height of the wall for which it is displayed, depending upon the height of the wall. Said wall signs shall not exceed 45 feet in height in districts fronting Federal Aid Primary (FAP) highways and shall not exceed 30 feet in height in other commercial and industrial districts if the walls in question are greater than the 45 feet and 30 feet, respectively.
(2) 
Projecting signs fastened to, suspended from or supported by structures shall not exceed 100 square feet in area for any one premises, shall not extend more than six feet into any required yard, shall not extend into any public right-of-way, shall not be less than 10 feet from all side lot lines, shall not exceed a height of 20 feet above the mean center-line street grade and shall not be more than 15 feet above a driveway or an alley and not less than 10 feet above a driveway or alley.
(3) 
Freestanding signs in commercial and industrial districts shall not exceed 20 feet in height above the center line of the grade of the street from which access to the premises is obtained. A setback of 10 feet from the property line is required (depending upon the circumstances). Freestanding signs shall not exceed 100 square feet on one side nor 200 square feet on all sides for any one premises.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(4) 
Roof signs are prohibited in the Village.
(5) 
Window signs shall be placed only on the inside of commercial buildings and shall not exceed 25% of the glass area of the pane upon which the sign is displayed.
(6) 
Off-premises signs, displays and devices on or within the adjacent areas of all state, freeway and Federal Aid Primary systems, as defined in § 84.30, Wis. Stats., shall be regulated pursuant to § 84.30, Wis. Stats., and Chapter Trans 201, as revised, of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Off-premises signs shall not be permitted within 100 feet of an occupied residential dwelling unit.
(7) 
Directory signs for shopping centers or industrial parks are permitted as an alternative to ground signs or projecting signs for individual stores in the shopping center or businesses in the industrial park. The top of a directory sign shall not exceed 30 feet in height above the mean center-line street grade, and the bottom of the sign shall not be less than 10 feet above the sidewalk and not more than 15 feet above a driveway or alley. The double supporting pylons shall not be greater than 10 feet apart. That portion of the directory sign which advertises the shopping center or industrial park name shall not exceed 90 square feet for one side and a total of 180 square feet for all sides. That portion of the directory sign which advertises the individual store/business name shall not exceed 15 square feet for one side and a total of 30 square feet for all sides. Directory signs shall meet all yard requirements for the zoning district in which they are located.
(8) 
Other signs. Any sign qualifying as more than one of the above-listed types shall meet the requirements for each type.
(9) 
Bills and posters shall not be posted on the exterior of buildings or windows.
B. 
Additional regulations.
(1) 
Number of signs permitted. No more than one commercial or industrial sign shall be permitted on the front facade of any commercial or industrial building, including any advertisement permanently fastened to show windows or display cases. Only one commercial or industrial sign shall be permitted on each side or rear wall of a commercial or industrial building.
(2) 
Lighting. Commercial and industrial signs may be internally lighted or illuminated by a hooded reflector; provided, however, that such lighting shall be arranged to prevent glare, and no sign shall be lighted by a lighting of intermittent or varying intensity. Animated signs or signs having moving parts or signs which may be mistaken for traffic signal devices or which diminish the visibility or effectiveness of such traffic signal devices are prohibited.
In addition to those permitted signs not requiring a permit pursuant to § 520-62B, the following nonflashing, nonilluminated signs are permitted under the conditions specified in all residential, planned unit development (residential), agricultural and conservancy districts established by this chapter:
A. 
Nameplate and identification signs, subject to the following:
(1) 
Area and content, residential. There shall be not more than one nameplate, not exceeding three square feet in area, for each dwelling unit, indicating the name or address of the occupant or a permitted home occupation. On a corner lot, two such nameplates for each dwelling unit (one facing each street) shall be permitted.
(2) 
Area and content, nonresidential. For agricultural or conservancy buildings, a single identification sign, not exceeding nine square feet in area and indicating only the name and address of the building, may be displayed. On a corner lot, two such signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted.
(3) 
Projection. Such signs shall be affixed flat against the wall of the building.
(4) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than one story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower.
B. 
"For sale" and "to rent" signs, subject to the following:
(1) 
Area and number. There shall be not more than one sign per zoning lot, except that, on a corner zoning lot, two signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted. No sign shall exceed eight square feet in area nor be closer than eight feet to any other zoning lot.
(2) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than one story or 15 feet above curb level, whichever is lower, when attached to a building; detached or freestanding signs shall not be more than seven feet in height, measured from the soil grade to the top of the sign post.
C. 
Signs accessory to parking areas, subject to the following:
(1) 
Area and number. Signs designating parking area entrances or exits are limited to one sign for each such exit or entrance and to a maximum size of two square feet each. One sign per parking area, designating the conditions of use or identity of such parking area and limited to a maximum size of nine square feet, shall be permitted. On a corner lot, two such signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted.
(2) 
Projection. No sign shall project beyond the property line into the public way.
(3) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than seven feet above curb level.
D. 
Signs accessory to roadside stands, subject to the following:
(1) 
Content. The signs shall be only for the purpose of identification of the roadside stand and advertising the agricultural products for sale therein.
(2) 
Area and number. The signs shall be on the same zoning lot (either zoned agricultural or with a conditional use permit) as the roadside stand, and there shall be not more than two signs per lot. No sign shall exceed 12 square feet in area nor be closer than 50 feet to any other zoning lot.
(3) 
Projection. No sign shall project beyond the property line into the public way.
(4) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than 15 feet above curb level.
(5) 
Permit. A sign permit is required for this type of sign.
E. 
Temporary signs accessory to subdivision developments or other permitted improvements in residential districts, subject to the following:
(1) 
Content. The signs shall be only for the purpose of identification of homes for sale or rent in the subdivision under construction or for the identification of other nonresidential uses under construction.
(2) 
Area, number and setback. Such signs shall not exceed two in number for each subdivision nor 50 square feet each in area. They shall observe the street yard requirement of the principal use and shall be located at least 50 feet from all other boundaries of the site.
(3) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than five feet above curb level.
(4) 
Time limitations. The sign or signs shall be removed by the applicant or property owner within two years of the date of the issuance of a sign permit.
(5) 
Permit. A sign permit is required for this type of sign.
F. 
Subdivision identification signs, subject to the following:
(1) 
Content. The signs shall bear only the name of the subdivision or development.
(2) 
Area and number. There shall be not more than one sign located at each entrance to a subdivision. No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.
(3) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than six feet above curb level; the Plan Commission may, however, temporarily authorize a larger sign for a period not to exceed two years.
(4) 
Permit. A sign permit is required for this type of sign. Drawings showing the specific design, appearance and location of the sign shall be submitted to the Building Inspector for approval. The location of any such sign shall be at the discretion of the Building Inspector based upon the character of the area, the type and purpose of the sign and the length of time permitted.
G. 
Nonflashing, illuminated church bulletins, subject to the following:
(1) 
Area and number. There shall be not more than one sign per lot, except that, on a corner lot, two signs (one facing each street) shall be permitted. No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area nor be closer than eight feet to any other zoning lot.
(2) 
Projection. No sign shall project beyond the property line into the public way.
(3) 
Height. No sign shall project higher than one story or 15 feet above the curb level, whichever is lower.
(4) 
Permit. A sign permit is required for this type of sign. Drawings showing the specific design, appearance and location of the sign shall be submitted to the Building Inspector for approval. The location of any such sign shall be at the discretion of the Building Inspector based upon the character of the area, the type and purpose of the sign and the length of time permitted.
Landscape features, such as plant materials, berms, boulders, fencing and similar design elements, unincorporated or in conjunction with the freestanding signs are encouraged and shall not be counted as allowable sign area.
A. 
Traffic interference. Signs shall not resemble, imitate or approximate the shape, size, form or color of railroad or traffic signs or devices. Signs, canopies and awnings shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of railroad or traffic signs, signals or devices or the safe flow of traffic. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign, awning or canopy shall be placed so as to obstruct or interfere with traffic visibility.
B. 
Moving or flashing signs. No sign shall be erected which has any flashing, rotating or brilliant intermittent parts or lights or bare reflecting-type bulbs, except those giving public service information such as time, date, temperature, weather or similar information or where allowed by conditional use permit. No signs, billboards or other advertising media which creates a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular traffic or a nuisance to adjoining residential property shall be permitted in any district.
C. 
Number of signs permitted.
(1) 
No more than two signs of any type shall be located on any premises, except that premises occupied by a shopping center may, as an alternative, have one detached sign plus one flat sign illuminated or otherwise for each place of business located in said shopping center, provided that the aggregate total area of all signs located on any premises so occupied shall not exceed the total area permitted for one detached sign and one flat sign as set forth in this article.
(2) 
Businesses with streets fronting both sides shall be allowed two types of signs for each street frontage; no street frontage buildings shall be allowed two of the same type of sign for that particular business.
D. 
Signs on public rights-of-way. Signs shall not be permitted on public rights-of-way, except for municipal traffic control, parking and directional signs and signs in § 520-62B(10) and as otherwise specified in this chapter, or be located within five feet of a property line.
E. 
Distance between freestanding signs. The distance between freestanding signs shall be a minimum of 75 feet between freestanding signs throughout the street frontage in order to prevent congestion and maintain traffic visibility.
A. 
Removal. All signs 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 30 days or when, in the judgment of the Building Inspector, such sign is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous or unsafe, whichever occurs first. If the owner or lessee fails to remove it, the Building Inspector or Village Board, or a designee, may remove the sign at cost of the owner, following adequate written notice. The owner may appeal the decision of the Building Inspector, Village Board or designee to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
B. 
Alterations. For signs erected before the adoption of this article, said signs shall be rebuilt or relocated to conform to this article if the cost of reconstruction or relocation is 50% or more of its replacement value.
C. 
Violations. All signs constructed or maintained in violation of any of the provisions of this article are hereby declared public nuisances within the meaning of this Code. In addition to the penalty provisions for violations of this article, the Building Inspector, Village Board or designee may bring an action to abate the nuisance in the manner set forth in the Wisconsin Statutes.
Variances or exceptions to these sign regulations may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, following a recommendation from the Building Inspector, pursuant to the standards of this chapter.
A. 
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 be safe and satisfactory to the Building Inspector.
B. 
General requirements.
(1) 
Construction standards. All signs, except flat signs and those signs weighing less than 10 pounds, shall be designed, fastened and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 30 pounds per square foot of area and shall be constructed, attached, fastened or anchored to adequately support the dead load and any anticipated live loads (i.e., ice, snow) of the sign.
(2) 
Illuminated signs. Any illuminated signs shall not interfere with surrounding properties or traffic.
(3) 
Prohibited mounting. No signs shall be painted on, attached to or affixed to any trees, rocks, or other similar organic or inorganic natural matter, including utility poles or apparatus.
(4) 
Blanketing. Blanketing of signs on buildings shall not be allowed.
(5) 
Maintenance. All signs, including supports and attachments, shall be properly maintained and have an appearance that is neat and clean. All signs shall be kept in good structural condition, well painted, and clean at all times, and the immediate premises shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition and kept free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds.
(6) 
Annexed areas. All signs in newly annexed areas shall comply with this article within five years of annexation.
A. 
Electronic message unit signs.
(1) 
Such signs may be used only to advertise activities conducted on the premises or to present public service information.
(2) 
Segmented messages must be displayed for not less than 1/2 second and not more than 10 seconds.
(3) 
Traveling messages may travel no slower than 16 light columns per second and no faster than 32 columns per second.
B. 
Portable signs/message boards.
(1) 
Such signs shall be limited in use to 30 days at a time following approval by the Building Inspector; provided, however, that the Building Inspector shall not give approval for placement of a portable sign/message board if it presents a vision obstruction, and such signs shall not be displayed more frequently than three times per year at any one location.
(2) 
The maximum size shall be 25 square feet on each face, back to back.
A. 
Signs eligible for characterization as legal nonconforming. Any sign located within the Village of Dane limits as of the date of adoption of this article hereafter which does not conform with the provisions of this chapter is eligible for characterization as a legal nonconforming sign and is permitted, provided it meets the following requirements:
(1) 
The sign was covered by a proper sign permit prior to the date of adoption of this article;
(2) 
If no permit was required under the applicable law for the sign in question and the sign was, in all respects, in compliance with applicable law on the date of adoption of this article.
B. 
Loss of legal nonconforming status.
(1) 
A sign loses its nonconforming status if one or more of the following occurs:
(a) 
If said sign is damaged by fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, war, riot or act of God or structurally altered in any way, except for normal maintenance and repair, the sign may be reconstructed and used as before if it is reconstructed within three months after such calamity, unless the damage to the sign is 50% or more of its replacement value, in which case the constructed sign shall comply with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, that the provisions of § 520-50C, Restoration of certain nonconforming structures, shall apply to signs.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(b) 
The sign is relocated.
(c) 
The sign fails to conform to the Village requirements regarding maintenance and repair, abandonment or dangerous or defective signs.
(2) 
On the date of occurrence of any of the above, the sign shall be immediately brought in compliance with this article with a new permit secured therefor or shall be removed.
C. 
Legal nonconforming sign maintenance and repair. Nothing in this article shall relieve the owner or use of a legal nonconforming sign or the owner of the property in which the sign is located from the provisions of this article regarding safety, maintenance and repair of signs.
A. 
Permitted awnings. No awnings shall be erected or maintained, except such awnings as comply with the following requirements, and then only if the permit required hereunder is first obtained and the same conform to the regulations of the zoning district in which the same are to be located:
(1) 
Support. Awnings shall be securely attached to and supported by the building and shall be without posts or columns beyond the setback line.
(2) 
Height. All awnings shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion thereof shall be not less than eight feet above the level of the public sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
(3) 
Setback from curbline. No awning shall extend beyond a point four feet into the right-of-way.
(4) 
Advertising. No advertising shall be placed on any awning, except that the name of the establishment within the building to which the awning is attached may be painted or otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding eight inches in height on the front and side edges.
(5) 
Awning insurance requirements. Every applicant for a permit for an awning which will overhang the public street or sidewalk shall, before the permit is granted, file with the Village Clerk-Treasurer a liability insurance policy with minimum limits of $50,000 for personal injury to any person and $100,000 for property damage, which shall indemnify and save harmless the Village of Dane from any and all damages, judgments, costs or expense which the Village may incur or suffer by reason of the granting of said permit.
B. 
Permitted canopies. No canopies shall be erected or maintained, except such canopies as comply with the following requirements, and then only if the permit required hereunder is first obtained and the same conform to the regulations of the zoning district in which the same are to be located:
(1) 
Support. The structural support of all canopies shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer and approved by the Building Inspector as in compliance with the Building Code of the Village. All frames and supports shall be of metal and designed to withstand a wind pressure as provided in § 520-69 of this chapter. All canopies shall be attached to a building, and no supports shall exist beyond the setback line between the canopy and the sidewalk or ground below.
(2) 
Height above sidewalk. All canopies shall be constructed and erected so that the lowest portion thereof shall not be less than eight feet above the level of the sidewalk or public thoroughfare.
(3) 
Setback from curb. No canopy shall extend beyond a point four feet from the face of a wall or building.
(4) 
Advertising. No advertising shall be placed on any canopy, except that the name of the establishment may be painted or placed in a space not exceeding 24 inches in average height on the front and side edges. Such name may be so painted or placed irrespective of any prohibition otherwise applicable hereunder; provided, however, that if such canopy shall contain more or other than the name of the establishment in letters more than eight inches high on the front and side edges, it shall be considered as a sign and be subject to all the provisions hereof.
(5) 
Canopy insurance requirements. Every applicant for a permit for a canopy which will overhang the public street or sidewalk shall, before the permit is granted, file with the Village Clerk-Treasurer a liability insurance policy with minimum limits of $50,000 for personal injury to any person and $100,000 for any one accident and $10,000 for property damage, which shall indemnify and save harmless the Village of Dane from any and all damages, judgments, costs or expense which said Village may incur or suffer by reason of the granting of said permit.
A. 
Construction without permit. Any person, firm or corporation who begins, erects or completes the erection or construction of any sign, awning or canopy controlled by this article prior to the granting of a sign permit shall pay a penalty double the amount of the permit fee otherwise required.
B. 
Compliance notice.
(1) 
If the Building Inspector finds any sign, awning or canopy regulated herein unsafe or insecure or a menace to the public, he shall give written notice to the sign owner and to the property owner.
(2) 
If such sign, awning or canopy owner fails to remove or alter the sign, awning or canopy so as to comply with the standards herein set forth within five days after such notice, the Building Inspector may cause such sign, awning or canopy to be removed or altered at the expense of the owner of the sign, awning or canopy or the owner of the property upon which it is located so as to comply with the provisions of this article.
C. 
Violations and penalties. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 520-93 of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).