[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A. The intent of this article is to provide for and regulate the installation,
design, and safe construction of signage within the Village of East
Troy to ensure that signs are compatible with surrounding land uses,
are well maintained, and express the identity of individual proprietors
and the Village as a whole.
B. To that end, this article regulates the location, type, size, and
height of signage to protect and to promote the public health, welfare,
and safety of persons within the community; to aid in the development
and promotion of business and industry; and to ensure the implementation
of the Comprehensive Plan for the Village of East Troy. The adoption
of this article reflects the findings of fact by the Plan Commission
and Board of Trustees of the Village of East Troy that regulation
of signage has an impact on the visual environment which affects the
welfare of the residents and that reasonable control of signage can
preserve and enhance the following interests of the community at large.
(1)
Promote the public health, welfare, and safety of all persons
using the public thoroughfares, and rights of way within the Village
of East Troy.
(2)
Advance the aesthetic goals of the Village of East Troy throughout
the community and ensure flexibility in the creative design of signage
without detriment to adjacent property owners or the general public.
(3)
Reduce the visual clutter caused by advertising signage which
the Village considers a significant factor in obstructing visibility
and creating unsafe traffic conditions.
(4)
Limit the visual impact of strip commercial development of which
signs are a primary contributor in order to be respectful of the rights
of all advertisers and business entities who display advertising in
a particular neighborhood.
C. Nothing in this article is intended to restrict or otherwise regulate
the message displayed on a sign permitted in this article.
The regulations in this article apply to all signs except for
the following, which are exempt:
A. A traffic control sign and other similar signage when located on
public property along a roadway or other travelway when placed by
or authorized by the federal government, the state of Wisconsin, Walworth
County, or a municipal government.
B. A sign inside of a building that does not meet the definition of
a window sign.
C. A legal notice posted on private property as may be required or authorized
by municipal, state, or federal law.
D. A scoreboard associated with an outdoor athletic field, which is to be reviewed as part of a site plan review as described in Article
XVII of this chapter.
E. A sports league sponsor sign (banner or rigid) that is temporarily
affixed to a fence on an outdoor athletic field, which is subject
to other regulations as may be adopted by the Village Board.
F. A civic event banner that is temporarily placed above a public right-of-way,
which is subject to other regulations as may be adopted by the Village
Board.
[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
The following definitions are applicable within this article.
AWNING
A sloped, roof-like feature that projects beyond the face
of an exterior wall. An awning is typically placed above a door or
window to provide protection from the sun and precipitation. An awning
can be constructed of various materials, including metal, fabric,
or plastic. An awning may be nonretractable or retractable so as to
fold up against the building. (Also see "marquee.")
An example of an awning
© Civic Webware
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CANOPY
A permanent structure without walls for the purpose of shielding
driveways, sidewalks, or service areas from elements. A canopy may
be freestanding or attached to a building.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A 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.
FLAG
A pliable material suspended from a pole with the emblem
or symbol of a nation, organization of nations, state, city, or other
political subdivision, or of a religious, fraternal, or civic organization.
MARQUEE
A flat, roof-like feature that projects beyond the face of
an exterior wall. A marquee is typically placed above a door or window
to provide protection from the sun and precipitation. (Also see "awning"
and "canopy.")
An example of a marquee
© Civic Webware
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MONUMENT SIGN
A freestanding sign that is supported by a base extending
from the ground surface to the bottom, or to nearly the bottom, of
the sign face.
MURAL
A painting or other artwork applied to and made integral
with the surface of an exterior wall or other large permanent surface
that depicts a scene or event of natural, social, cultural, or historical
significance as recognized by the Plan Commission.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that at the time of construction or placement conformed
to the then-existing regulations including size, location, and other
dimensional standards, but is now inconsistent with this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign advertising goods, products, facilities, patronage
to a business location, or directs persons to a different location
from where the sign is located.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building, structure,
or to the ground. Portable signs include but are not limited to A-frame
menu and sandwich board signs.
PROJECTING SIGN
A 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.
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building.
SIGN
A sign shall include anything that promotes, calls attention,
or invites patronage (or anything similar to the aforementioned) to
a business, location, or product.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign erected or displayed for a limited period of time,
or displayed only during regular business hours and removed for storage
at other times. Examples include banners and decorative-type displays.
For purposes of this chapter, a portable sign is not a temporary sign.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to, erected, or painted on the wall of a
building or structure, and projecting not more than 16 inches from
such wall, including wall overhangs and canopies that are within 25%
of vertical.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign affixed to a window or placed inside of a building
within 16 inches of an exterior window.
[Amended 6-15-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-02; 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A sign allowed by this article shall comply with the following
general requirements:
A. A sign, except those permitted in §
510-135A(5), shall not face a residential or park district within 100 feet of such district boundary.
B. A sign shall not be placed within a road right-of-way, except those signs specifically authorized in this chapter and subject to §
510-129B.
C. A sign shall not resemble, imitate, or approximate the shape, size,
form, or color of a railroad or traffic control sign, signal, or device.
D. A sign shall not obstruct or interfere with the effectiveness of
railroad or traffic control signs, signals, or devices.
E. A sign shall not interfere with the free ingress to or egress from
a door, window, or fire escape.
F. A sign shall not be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
G. A sign shall not be placed within the clear vision triangle except
as allowed.
H. A sign shall not oscillate or rotate, or move in any other manner.
I. A sign shall not have any moving parts or features.
J. A sign shall not emit an audible sound, odor, or any visible matter.
K. A sign shall not create a hazard or dangerous distraction to vehicular
traffic.
L. A sign shall not create a nuisance to any adjoining residential property.
M. A sign shall not be placed on a telecommunication tower, except as
may be required or specifically permitted.
N. A sign shall be constructed and mounted so as to comply with state
and local building codes as applicable.
O. A sign containing electrical wiring shall be constructed, installed,
and operated so as to comply with state and local electrical codes
as applicable.
P. When a sign is authorized to contain electrical power or when a sign
is illuminated by one or more external light fixtures, the electric
wire providing the electric power to the sign or the light fixture
shall be placed underground from the service disconnect.
[Added 7-18-2016 by Ord.
No. 2016-08]
A. Generally. When a property owner intends to install, reconstruct,
or enlarge a projecting sign, awning, canopy, marquee, or similar
feature that extends into a public right-of-way, the property owner
shall obtain written authorization of the public entity having jurisdiction
over the right-of-way. If such authorization is for a defined period
of time, the Village's approval, if granted, incorporates such time
period whether included in the Village's authorization or not.
B. Sample encroachment easement. The Zoning Administrator, in consultation
with the Village Attorney and others, is authorized to prepare a sample
encroachment easement for Village rights-of-way and make it available
and post it on the Village's website.
Illumination of a sign when allowed by this article shall comply
with the following requirements:
A. Internal or external illumination shall not flash, oscillate, change
intensity, change color, or move or give the appearance of movement,
except for electronic message displays as may be allowed in this article.
B. Lighting for an externally illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded,
and directed away from surrounding properties and vehicular traffic.
C. Lighting shall not cause glare or otherwise impair drivers on a public
roadway.
D. Neon lighting or lighting having the same appearance of neon lighting
may be used.
E. For a sign with internal illumination, the background of the sign
face shall be made of an opaque material to allow internal light to
project only through the lettering and/or logos or a colored translucent
material (i.e., not white, cream, off-white, or other light color)
with either translucent or opaque lettering and/or logos.
F. No sign shall consist of 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
permits.
[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A. Findings. The Village Board makes the following findings regarding
electronic message displays:
(1)
Electronic displays are designed to produce sufficient brightness
to ensure clear legibility during daylight hours. However, daytime
brightness settings are usually inappropriate for night-time viewing.
(2)
Electronic displays that are too bright at night can be offensive
and reduce the legibility of the display copy.
(3)
Technology exists to control lighting levels, with scheduled
dimming based on sunset-sunrise tables or with photocells.
(4)
Appropriate standards are necessary to ensure electronic displays
do not become a nuisance to surrounding property owners or a distraction
to passing motorists.
B. General standards. When allowed by this article, an electronic message
display shall comply with the following standards:
(1)
An electronic message display must be equipped with technology
the sign owner can use to program lighting levels to comply with the
lighting standards in this section.
(2)
If the display is over five square feet, the message shall remain
static at least 10 seconds before the next message appears.
(3)
If the display is over five square feet, no part of the message
shall give the appearance of movement, motion, or animation.
(4)
If the display is over five square feet, there shall be no transition
between messages (i.e., no traveling, scrolling, dissolving, or fading).
(5)
Lighting levels shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient
lighting conditions when measured at the specified distance in the
table below, based on the size of the display. However, lighting levels
shall not exceed 0.1 footcandles over ambient lighting conditions
at the property boundary line of a residential property or 0.2 footcandles
over ambient lighting conditions at the property boundary line of
a commercial, industrial, or institutional property.
|
Sign Area
(square feet)
|
Measurement Distance
(feet)
|
---|
|
10
|
32
|
|
15
|
39
|
|
20
|
45
|
|
25
|
50
|
|
30
|
55
|
|
Note: The sign areas listed in this table are for illustration
only. The Village's sign regulations may not allow the sign areas
listed. For signs areas not listed, the measurement distance is calculated
with the following formula:
|
|
Measurement Distance = √Area of Sign Sq. Ft. x 100
|
(6)
An electronic message display shall be located on no more than
one freestanding sign per road frontage on each parcel if such signage
is otherwise allowed.
[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A. Except for those signs specifically listed in §
510-134, a sign permit shall be obtained as set forth in §
510-141 before:
(1)
A new sign is erected or otherwise installed;
(2)
The face of an existing sign is replaced; and
(3)
An existing sign is modified or converted in any manner (including
new or different lighting, enlargement, relocation, reconstruction
in whole or in part, or structural modifications).
B. If the new signage includes an electronic message display as may be allowed in this chapter, the property owner shall verify in writing that he/she understands all of the standards relating to the use of an electronic message display and that he/she agrees to cooperate with Village officials in verifying compliance with the lighting levels enumerated in §
510-131B.
[Amended 6-15-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-02; 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A. Signage for a property zoned for single-family is allowed without
a permit as follows:
(1)
Maximum sign area: the area of all signs shall not exceed 14
square feet on a single-side sign or 28 feet on a double-sided sign.
(2)
Number permitted: no limitation except by total sign area.
(3)
Type: signage may be temporary or permanent.
(4)
Placement: signage may freestanding or affixed to the house,
except no signage shall placed above the roof eaves or on a gable
end.
(6)
Type of illumination permitted: none except for indirect lighting.
(7)
Type of display permitted: static display.
(8)
Types of signage can include the following:
(a)
Signage for an authorized commercial use of the property (e.g.,
bed-and-breakfast).
(b)
Building marker signage (i.e., signage with the name of the
building or date of construction or both).
(c)
Construction/maintenance signage (i.e., signage that identifies
the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms
involved with construction/maintenance taking plZoning Signage Regulations Single-family
dwellings 510-134»«rtace on the premises).Garage sales Zoning 510-134Glass Zoning 510-134
(d)
Free speech signage, including political and religious messages.
(e)
Historic marker (i.e., signage marking a historic building,
site, landmark, or similar designation by the federal government,
the state of Wisconsin, Walworth County, a local government, or a
nonprofit organization).
(f)
Open house real estate signage (i.e., signage that indicates
that a particular residence that is for sale/lease is or will be open
to the public for viewing).
(g)
Personal greeting and congratulatory sign (i.e., signage related
to a homecoming of a person or group of people or a personal event
or accomplishment).
(h)
Private property protection signage (i.e., signage containing
wording indicating an intent to deny entry to the general public,
such as "no trespassing" or "private property").
(j)
Quasipublic event signage (i.e., signage announcing a noncommercial
event or celebration in the community that is sponsored by a civic,
educational, patriotic, religious, or nonprofit organization).
(k)
Yard sale signage (i.e., signage announcing a yard, rummage,
or garage sale as may be authorized by this chapter).
B. Window sign(s) for a commercial business not located in a residential
zoning district is allowed without a permit as follows:
(1)
Zoning district: Commercial and industrial zoning districts.
(2)
Placement/type: no limitation.Signs Licenses and permits 510-134Signs Zoning 510-134
(4)
Number permitted: no limitation.
(5)
Maximum sign area: 30% of glass area located on the ground floor
level per road frontage.
(6)
Type of illumination permitted: none.
(7)
Type of display permitted: static display and/or one electronic message display per road frontage not to exceed five square feet subject to the requirements in §
510-131.
[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
In addition to those permitted signs not requiring a permit pursuant to §
510-141, the following nonflashing, nonilluminated signs are permitted with a permit under the conditions specified in all residential and planned development (residential) districts established by this chapter:
A. Permanent real estate development signs. A sign may be placed at
the entrance to a residential complex, subdivision, or development
provided the sign is at least five feet from a side or rear lot line.
The Plan Commission may permit a permanent development sign within
a street right-of-way or median after determining that the sign will
not have an adverse impact on public safety. The maximum size shall
not exceed 20 square feet if single-sided, or 20 square feet per side
if double-sided. The applicant shall include a mechanism for maintenance
of the sign as a part of the application (i.e., homeowners' association
or adjacent land owner).
B. Institutional. Those uses delineated as institutional in this chapter are permitted to have the signs described in §
510-135, Permitted nonresidential signs.
Landscape features such as plant materials, berms, boulders,
fencing and similar design elements incorporated or in conjunction
with monument signs are encouraged.
[Amended 7-18-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-08]
A. Search lights. Search lights are prohibited.
B. Inflatable signage. Inflatable signs are prohibited.
C. Off-premises signs. Off-premises signs are prohibited, except official
and Village-approved standardized institutional signs located in areas
designated by the Village Board.
D. Vehicle signage. Vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, trailers,
semitrailers, campers, and buses that contain a sign for which the
apparent purpose is to advertise a product or direct people to a business
or an activity shall not be parked on a public right-of-way or on
private property so as to be seen from a public right-of-way, except
when the vehicle is used in the daily operation of a business for
service calls, deliveries, and the like. A sign on a vehicle indicating
it is for sale is not subject to the standards in this subsection.
E. Roof signs. Roof signs are prohibited.
F. Pole or pylon signs. Pole or pylon signs are prohibited, except for those signs allowed in §
510-134.
An example of an inflatable sign
|
An example of a vehicle sign
|
Balloons may be used with commercial and institutional land
uses subject to the following standards:
A. Maximum height. A balloon shall not be higher than 35 feet above
the surrounding grade.
B. Message. A balloon shall not contain a message of any type (e.g.,
words, letters, figures, emblems, logos, symbols, and the like).
C. Number. There is no limitation on the number of balloons.
[Amended 6-15-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-02; 10-17-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-13; 5-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-04]
A. Generally. Signs lawfully existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this article may be continued, although the size or location does not conform to this article. However, all nonconforming signs shall be deemed nonconforming uses or structures and the provisions of Article
IX shall apply, except as provided in this section. All portable/temporary signs shall conform to this article within 60 calendar days of original adoption of this article. Any legal nonconforming sign hereafter relocated, moved, reconstructed, damaged, enlarged, changed (with the exception of changing the sign face), or modified shall be made to comply with the provisions of this article.
B. Sign maintenance and repair. Nothing in this article shall relieve
the owner or user of a legal nonconforming sign or the owner of the
property on which the sign is located from the provisions of this
article regarding safety, maintenance, and repair of signs.
C. Changing sign face. A nonconforming sign face may be changed with
a sign permit, provided that the structural quality of the existing
sign is determined to be acceptable by the Building Inspector.
D. Change of copy. The copy of a nonconforming sign may be changed.
E. Change in lighting. A nonconforming sign that is not illuminated
may not hereafter be illuminated even though such lighting may be
permitted in the zoning district in which the sign is located. A nonconforming
sign that is illuminated may not hereafter be illuminated in any other
manner even though such lighting may be permitted in the zoning district
in which the sign is located, except to bring the existing lighting
into compliance (e.g., removal of exposed light bulbs).
F. Addition of an electronic message display. An electronic message
display may be added to a nonconforming monument sign provided the
area of the display conforms to all other applicable sections of this
chapter.
G. Reconstruction following damage. A nonconforming sign that is damaged
by violent wind, vandalism, fire, flood, ice, snow, mold, or infestation
on or after March 2, 2006, may be restored to its condition (e.g.,
size, location, and use) prior to the damage, except the sign may
be larger when necessary to comply with state or federal requirements.
[See § 62.23(7)(hc), Wis. Stats.]
H. Loss of nonconforming status. If a property owner or the owner of
the sign modifies a nonconforming sign in any manner that violates
one or more limitations imposed in this chapter, such sign shall thereafter
be made to conform with all applicable standards or be removed within
60 calendar days of the date the Building Inspector makes such determination
in writing, or within a lesser time period specified by the Building
Inspector if he or she determines the sign poses an unacceptable risk
to public health or safety.
[Added 5-1-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-07]
A. Upon written petition, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to
approve one or more temporary freestanding murals, provided the murals
are part of a community-wide promotional effort recognized by the
Village Board and comply with the following requirements:
(1)
The freestanding mural must not be larger than 32 square feet;
(2)
There is no more than one freestanding mural on a premises;
(3)
The freestanding mural is securely anchored to the ground;
(4)
The freestanding mural is not located in a building setback
area;
(5)
The freestanding mural is not illuminated except by ambient
outdoor lighting; and
(6)
The mural must be removed from the premises within four months
of the approval, or sooner as specified in the written approval.
B. The approval authorizing the freestanding mural may include conditions
of approval deemed necessary to ensure public health, safety, and
welfare.