§ 94-42. Permitted street graphics.

Every sign or other street graphic enumerated below that complies with the indicated requirements may be erected in any zoning district of this municipality without a permit. Except for signs described in subsection 94-42(b) (Directional and informational signs) and subsection 94-42(e) (Governmental or public signs), such signs must be placed outside designated street rights-of-way, trail rights-of-way, or designated easements. Any signs within said rights-of-way or easements shall be removed or relocated immediately as directed by the zoning administrator. The area of said signs/street graphics shall not be debited against the displaying establishment's sign area allowance.

(a)

One construction sign per lot identifying the architects, engineers, contractors, and other individuals or firms involved with the construction, and/or announcing the character or purpose of the building, but not advertising any product. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, shall be confined to the site of the construction, and shall be removed within 14 days after the intended use of the project has begun.

(b)

Directional and informational signs erected for the convenience of the public, such as signs identifying entrances, exits, parking areas, no parking areas, restrooms, public telephones, walkways, and similar features or facilities. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area and shall not exceed three feet in height.

(c)

Flags of any country, state, or unit of local government (Ill. Rev. Stats., Chap. 24, Sec. 11-80-17).

(d)

Garage sale signs advertising a garage or yard sale on private residential property; or on residentially zoned property for non-profit organizations. A maximum of one such signs, not exceeding four square feet in area, may be posted for no longer than three days on the property where the yard sale is conducted. Not more than four off-premises directional signs associated with the sale, four square feet or less each, may be erected on residentially or commercially zoned properties with permission of the property owner(s). Each sale shall not be for more than two consecutive days and a maximum of four sales in any calendar year are permitted. All said signs shall not exceed three feet in total height.

(e)

Governmental or public signs, such as traffic control signs, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, signs indicating the location or underground cables, etc.

(f)

Holiday decorations such as Christmas lights and ornaments, provided that such decorations must be removed within a reasonable time after the holiday.

(g)

House numbers and/or name of occupant signs located on the lot to which the sign pertains. Such signs shall not exceed three square feet in area for single family dwellings nor six square feet for multiple family dwellings.

(h)

Institutional signs for public, charitable, or religious institution. Such signs shall be located on the premises of the institution, shall not obstruct the vision of motorists, and shall not exceed 24 square feet in area. Such signs shall be reviewed for visibility of traffic existing the site.

(i)

Integral signs carved into stone or inlaid so as to become part of the building, and containing such information as date of erection, name of building, and memorial tributes.

(j)

Interior signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, provided such signs are not visible from the exterior of said buildings.

(k)

Political campaign signs, announcing candidates seeking public office and/or political issues and other pertinent information. Such signs shall be confined to private property. In any residential district, political campaign signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area; in other districts, such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Political campaign signs shall be removed within ten days after such election. Not more than one political campaign sign per individual candidate and/or political issue shall be permitted per lot or site area. In no instance shall any political campaign sign be located closer than ten feet from any city road pavement edge or within designated right-of-way or as otherwise prohibited pursuant to county, state or federal law, statute or regulation. Any signs constituting a hazard to traffic safety or the community shall be removed or relocated immediately as directed by the administrator.

(l)

Property regulations signs such as no trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, etc. Such sign shall not exceed three square feet in area.

(m)

Public interest signs publicizing a charitable or nonprofit event of general public interest. In any residential district, such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in area; elsewhere, such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Public interest signs shall be permitted only for 14 days before and seven days after the event.

(n)

Real estate signs indicating the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which they are located and open house signs indicating open house event of the residential premises as follows:

1.

Real estate signs:

a)

Not more than one real estate sign per street front shall be erected on any lot.

b)

Except as provided in subsection 1.e, real estate signs on residential property shall not exceed ten square feet in area and six feet in total height.

c)

Except as provided in subsection 1.e, real estate signs on other property shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and ten feet in height.

d)

Real estate signs shall be removed within seven days after the sale, rental, or lease.

e)

For a period beginning with the adoption of this ordinance and ending September 30, 2014, real estate signs may utilize an additional sign area of six inches tall by 24 inches wide for the purpose of conveying a message relating to Edwardsville's ranking by NerdWallet.com as the #1 city in Illinois for Young Families. So as to be of general community interest said signage shall also include a reference to the City of Edwardsville.

2.

Open house signs.

a)

Not more than one open house sign per street front shall be erected on any lot.

b)

Open house signs are permitted on residential properties only.

c)

Up to six associated off-premises open house directional signs are permitted on residentially or commercially zoned properties with permission of the property owner.

d)

Except as provided in subsection 2.f, each open house sign shall not exceed two square feet in area and three feet in height.

e)

Open house signs and the associated off-premises directional signs may be installed within 48 hours prior to the "open house" event and shall be removed no later than three hours after conclusion of the event.

f)

For a period beginning with the adoption of this ordinance and ending September 30, 2014, open house signs may utilize an additional sign area of six inches tall by 24 inches wide for the purpose of conveying a message relating to Edwardsville's ranking by NerdWallet.com as the #1 city in Illinois for Young Families. So as to be of general community interest said signage shall also include a reference to the City of Edwardsville.

(o)

Residential development identification structures designed to be permanent in nature at major entrances designed to identify a residential subdivision, apartment complex, or planned unit development; containing no commercial advertising; and not exceeding 40 square feet in area.

(p)

Development identification signs or structures at major entrances to apartment complexes or residential-only planned unit developments (PUDs) not exceeding 40 square feet in area are allowed. Information on development identification signs shall be limited to the name of the development, the property address, the primary telephone number of the leasing office and contact person, and the primary website address for the development.

(q)

Street banners advertising a public entertainment or event. Such banners may be placed in locations approved by the council during the period of 14 days before the event and must be removed seven days after the event. (Ill. Rev. Stats., Cha. 24, Sec. 11-80-17)

(r)

Utility company signs that serve as an aid to public safety or that show the location of public telephones, underground cables, etc.

(s)

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.

(t)

Now hiring signs are limited to one sign per lot not to exceed four square feet in size and three feet in height.

(u)

School enrollment signs are limited to one sign per lot displayed during the time period beginning on March 1 and ending on September 30 of a calendar year.

(v)

Accent lighting affixed to the building exterior or around exterior facing windows and doors (whether outside or inside the building). By way of example, this lighting type may include but is not limited to illuminated LED light bands or strips, neon or florescent tubing or banding, and other types of lighting technology that creates a glow. Lighting of this type shall not change color, flash, or appear to move.

(Ord. No. 5764-11-08, § 1440.04.2, 11-18-2008; Ord. No. 5827-12-10, § 2, 12-21-2010; Ord. No. 5912-9-13, § 2, 9-3-2013; Ord. No. 5921-1-14, § 2, 1-7-2014; Ord. No. 5992-10-15, § 3, 10-20-2015)