§ 80.008. Signs allowed without a permit.

The following signs are permitted in all zoning districts and may be installed without obtaining a permit; provided that, they meet the standards of section 80.008.1:

(a)

Incidental, instructional, directional, or warning signs; provided that, such signs contain no commercial message other than a business logo or name. Such signs shall be erected for the convenience of the public to identify entrances, exits, parking areas, no parking areas, restrooms, public telephones, walkways, and similar features or facilities. Such signs shall include those regulating property such as "no trespassing" and similar signs.

(b)

Flags, emblems or insignia of corporate, political, professional, fraternal, civic, religious, or educational organizations in nonresidential districts or an institutional use permitted in residential districts.

(c)

Temporary signs of the following types (other types of temporary signs may be allowed under the provisions of section 80.015):

(1)

Temporary real estate and construction signs which are removed within seven days of the completion of construction or the sale or lease of property. Construction signs shall be limited to identification of the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of the building or improvement, but not advertising any product. Real estate signs shall be limited to indicating the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located or on private property with the property owner's written permission.

(2)

Temporary yard or garage sale signs which are posted for no longer than three days per sale. Such signs shall be confined to the premises on which the sale is conducted or on private property with the property owner's permission.

(3)

Temporary signs related to political campaigns or elective office or public referenda located on private property with the property owner's permission, provided that the signs are installed no earlier than 45 days prior to the election or political event in zoning district of business, manufacturing and agricultural to which they relate and are removed within seven days following the election or event to which the sign relates; and, further, provided that there shall be no commercial message displayed in connection with such signs. All political campaign signage placed in a residential area may be allowed year-round by 65 ILCS 5/11-13-1, statute requirement as of January 1, 2011.

(4)

Temporary signs in agriculturally zoned districts identifying field crops or seed planted on the property where the sign is located or which advertise the seasonal sale of produce or crops produced on the land where the sign is located during the growing and harvest seasons.

(5)

Temporary "open house" or similar real estate signs which are placed on an occasional basis on private property on-premises other than that being offered for sale, rental or lease; provided that, such signs shall not be displayed for longer than four continuous hours at any single location, shall be of a directional nature, shall only be placed with the express permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is located, and shall not be displayed more than twice within any consecutive seven-day period at the same location.

(d)

Historical or memorial signs.

(e)

Identification signs including, but not limited to:

(1)

Name and address plates located on the building or zone lot to which the sign pertains. Such signs shall be in addition to the numbering of buildings and lots which are regulated under Ordinance No. 16-93 of the Village of Godfrey.

(2)

Directory signs in developments with multiple occupants.

(3)

Building name and address signs for buildings with multiple occupants.

(4)

Building markers, cornerstones, plaques, and/or integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building.

(f)

Signs painted or attached to vending machines, gas pumps, ice machines, or similar devices which indicate the contents of the machine, the name or logo of the supplier, the price, or operating instructions.

(g)

Institutional signs, public interest signs, and information boards for institutional uses (for example, churches, schools or cemeteries) in nonresidential districts and in residential districts where such uses are permitted, listing activities or events taking place on the premises where the sign is located or publicizing a charitable or nonprofit event of general public interest. Public interest signs shall be permitted only for 14 days before and seven days after the event. All such signs shall be located on the premises of the institution and shall not obstruct the vision of motorists. Public interest signs may not contain a commercial message of any type.

(h)

Window signs painted on or attached to a window in a nonresidential district.

(i)

Noncommercial signs located on private property containing no commercial message and consisting of constitutionally protected speech which expresses the political, religious, or personal views or opinions of the property owner or resident.

(Ord. No. 04-2012, 3-6-2012)