§ 80.016. Design, construction and maintenance requirements for all signs.
All signs, including exempt signs, signs allowed without a permit, permitted signs in the public right-of-way or on public property, signs requiring a permit, nonconforming signs, and temporary signs (to the extent applicable to signs of a temporary nature), shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following standards:
(a)
Other codes. All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the building codes of the Village of Godfrey, including the electrical code provisions with reference to any illumination or electrical components of a sign, and any other applicable local, state or federal regulation.
(b)
Permanence. Except for temporary signs, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure. All such signs shall be free of any exposed extra bracing, angleiron, guywires, cables, temporary or impermanent anchoring or footings, or similar appurtenances.
(c)
Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained at all times in good structural condition, and shall remain in compliance at all times with all building and electrical codes, and in conformance with the provisions of this Ordinance. Every sign shall be maintained at all times in a neat and attractive condition. All supports for any sign shall be kept painted/treated to prevent rust or deterioration.
(d)
Obstruction. No sign shall be erected so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window, door opening, or wall opening intended as a means of ingress or egress. No sign shall be erected or maintained in any manner which would interfere with, obstruct the view of, or create likely confusion with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device. No sign shall be erected or maintained in a manner which would interfere with line of sight or create any sort of traffic hazard or impediment to the ingress or egress of traffic to and from any public or private street or way within the Village of Godfrey.
(e)
Ventilation interference. No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
(f)
Above ground clearance. All signs shall be located in such a way that they maintain horizontal and vertical clearance from all electrical power lines, communication lines, and other similar utility installations.
(g)
Ground clearance. All signs and their supporting structures shall be maintained with sufficient clearance from surface and underground utilities, conduits, or easements for water, sewage, natural gas, electric or communication equipment. In addition, the placement of signs and their supporting structures shall not interfere with any natural or artificial drainage ways.
(h)
Interference with warning instructional signs. No sign shall be erected so as to interfere with the view of any existing warning or instructional sign.
(i)
Minimum wind loads. All signs shall be constructed in a manner which will withstand minimum wind loads which conform to the provisions of the building code of the Village of Godfrey.
(j)
Line of sight requirements at intersections. In addition, any sign, other than an official governmental or traffic control sign, located at a street intersection shall be placed such that there is a clear view between the heights of three feet and ten feet in a triangle formed by the corner and points on the curb from the intersection or entrance way according to the following sight triangle schedule:
"A" Distance (ft.)
Type of Street
"B" Distance (ft.) Area Service
Local
Collector
Highway
30 Local 30 100 130 100 Collector 30 100 130 130 Area Service
Highway
30 100 130 Street designations are as defined in Ordinance 07-93:
Local: Average Daily Traffic < 1,000
Collector: Average Daily Traffic 1,000—5,000
Area Service Highway: Average Daily Traffic > 5,000
See sight triangle diagram in appendix for illustration regarding measurement method, "A" Distance, and "B" Distance.
(k)
Illumination. No sign shall be illuminated in any manner which creates or causes any nuisance to the public or surrounding properties or which creates any type of traffic hazard. Where applicable, the more specific illumination requirements applicable to particular types of signs or installations shall apply.
(Ord. No. 04-2012, 3-6-2012)