§ 41-6. Miscellaneous signs.

A permit shall be required for the signs covered by the provisions of this section.

(1)

Pedestrian projecting signs.

a.

Each business use shall be permitted one (1) such sign per frontage.

b.

Such signs shall clear sidewalks by at least eight (8) feet six (6) inches.

c.

Such signs shall project no more than four (4) feet from the building.

d.

The maximum sign area shall be twelve (12) square feet.

e.

Such signs shall be pinned away from the wall at least four (4) inches.

f.

The maximum sign height shall be the roofline, fourteen (14) feet above local grade, or the second-story windowsill, whichever is the lowest.

g.

No such sign shall be permitted to overhang the Fox River. The location on a wall to which such sign is attached shall be no less than ten (10) feet from the Fox River horizontally. Such distances shall be measured from the mean waterline, as determined by the city engineer.

h.

In order for a pedestrian projecting sign that is a corner sign to be erected, both frontages shall be separately eligible as a location for such a sign. If such corner sign is erected, no other such sign shall be permitted on either frontage.

i.

Such signs which are over public property shall require a license pursuant to section 41-10(b) hereof, as well as a permit.

(2)

Under-canopy or under-marquee signs.

a.

Such signs shall clear sidewalks by at least eight (8) feet six (6) inches.

b.

Such signs shall not extend beyond the canopy or marquee.

c.

Maximum sign area shall be five (5) square feet.

d.

The face of such signs shall be perpendicular to the building.

e.

Such signs which are over public property shall require a license pursuant to section 41-10(b) hereof, as well as a permit.

(3)

Subdivision signs (residential or industrial).

a.

Such developments may erect permanent entry signs, provided however that the developer, owners' association, or individual owner shall be responsible for maintenance thereof. A permit shall be obtained prior to erection of such sign. Five (5) years after the date of such permit, or the date of buildout of the subdivision, or upon petition from the owner or owners' association, whichever comes first, the permit for such sign shall be reviewed. If an owners' association exists and agrees in writing to maintain such sign, or if a deed covenant provides for the perpetual maintenance of such sign, the permit shall be renewed. If no association exists, or the association does not wish to maintain such sign, or no deed covenant exists, the developer, association or owner of the property where the sign is located, shall remove it.

b.

Such signs attached to landscape walls or fences shall be no higher than the wall or fence.

c.

Such signs attached to landscape walls or fences shall occupy no more than fifteen (15) percent of the wall or fence in residential or office districts, and no more than twenty (20) percent of the wall or fence in other districts.

d.

Such signs not attached to landscape walls or fences shall be set back a distance at least equal to the height of the sign.

e.

Such signs not attached to landscape walls or fences shall be no more than ten (10) feet high in residential or office districts, and no more than fourteen (14) feet high in other districts.

f.

Such signs not attached to landscape walls or fences shall be no more than fifty (50) square feet in area in residential or office districts, and no more than one hundred (100) square feet in area in other districts.

(4)

Attention-getting devices for grand openings.

a.

Such signs shall be permitted only for the grand opening of the business at that particular location.

b.

Permits for such signs shall be limited to thirty (30) days. Such signs shall be removed upon expiration of the permit.

(5)

Attention-getting devices for special events.

a.

Attention-getting devices may be used to promote community activities, holiday celebrations, carnivals, festivals, and parades.

b.

Permits for such devices shall be limited to thirty (30) days prior to and one (1) day after the event being promoted.

c.

Such devices which are over public property shall require a license pursuant to section 41-10(b) hereof, as well as a permit.

(6)

Portable ground signs.

a.

Such signs shall be prohibited along a tollway or any arterial street as shown on the City of Aurora comprehensive plan.

b.

Such signs shall be permitted only for new businesses before permanent signs therefore are erected.

c.

The maximum area of such signs shall be thirty-two (32) square feet.

d.

The maximum height of such signs shall be ten (10) feet.

e.

The minimum setback of such signs shall be fifteen (15) feet from all property lines.

f.

No more than one (1) such signs shall be permitted per business establishment or location.

g.

Permits for such signs shall be limited to thirty (30) days. Such signs shall be removed when the permit expires. Permits shall be attached to the sign.

h.

All such signs shall be constructed according to the strength provisions of this chapter.

(7)

Certain temporary construction signs. For temporary construction signs of sixty (60) square feet in area or more, an annual application is required to renew permits therefore. Such signs which are ground signs and not within two (2) feet of a building, shall be set back from all property lines a distance at least equal to the height of the sign. The maximum duration of a permit for such signs shall be three (3) consecutive years, at which time said signs shall be removed, or a new permit applied for.

(8)

Certain temporary real estate signs. For temporary real estate signs of sixty (60) square feet in area or more, an annual application fee and review are required to renew permits therefore. Such signs shall advertise properties located in the city. Such signs which are ground signs and not within two (2) feet of a building, shall be set back from all property lines a distance at least equal to the height of the sign.

a.

The maximum duration of a permit for such signs advertising nonresidential premises shall be three (3) consecutive years, at which time said signs shall be removed, or a new permit applied for.

b.

Permits for such signs advertising residential premises shall not be annually renewed if the building official determines, in the case of for rent or lease signs, that the initial rental period is over, but in no case longer than two (2) years, or, in the case of for sale signs, that the premises are no longer being actively marketed, having no sales office or model units.

(Ord. No. O03-159, § 1, 12-9-03)