2007-382
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-382
An ordinance amending the City's sign code to allow 75 square foot monument style signs in Sign
District D and to allow electronic message signs in Sign District D if a conditional sign permit is
approved by the Plan Commission with a penalty and injunctive relief for violations thereof as set
forth in Janesville's General Ordinance Chapter 14.48.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 14.20.080. of the Code of General Ordinances of thc City of J anesville is hereby
amended to read as follows:
14.20.080 On-premises ground signs.
A. In addition to all other limitations specified in this title, an on-premises ground sign
may be displayed only if:
l. It is at least thirty feet from any other ground sign;
2. There is no projecting or roof sign located on the same parcel, except if
otherwise specifically permitted in this title.
B. I. The message portion and message portion framework of the on-premises
ground sign shall have not less than a ten (10) foot minimum clearance above grade.
2. The message portion and message portion framework of an on-premises
ground sign may possess less than a ten (10) foot minimum clearance above grade only if:
(a) The ground sign is located where otherwise permitted by this chapter
but in no event less than two (2) feet from a parking lot, driveway,
highway, other right-of-way, sidewalk, or property line and in no
event within a vision triangle as defined in Section 18.32.020 A. for
uncontrolled intersections, which shall be applied to the following
areas of the property:
i. All property corners located at street intersections and along
all side property lines; and
ii. At all intersections of driveways and sidewalks leading from
the site to the adjoining property line or right-of-way lines.
For these locations, the outside pavement, curb or sidewalk
edges shall be used as the interior leg of the vision triangle and
the intersecting property line as the other; and
(b) The ground sign shall not exceed seventy-five (75) square feet of total
area including the sign base except for parcels located within Sign
District A, B or C and having 600 lineal feet or more of parcel frontage
on public streets, in which case the ground sign area may not exceed one
hundred and twenty-five (125) square feet including the sign base ef
CJccopt in Sign District D, ""horo tho sign area shall not exceed thirty five
(35) sql,wre foet including the sign base. For any site with less than 600
lineal feet of frontage, the surface area of the sign base shall be calculated
based on the total perimeter boundary of the base from ground plane to
the top of the sign area and from outside edge to outside edge ofthe
vertical sides. Any openings in the base shall be included within the area
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-382
PAGE 2
calculation. For any site within Sign District A, 8 or C with more than
600 lineal feet of frontage, a sign area of greater than 75 square feet in
area and no copy lower than 10 feet above ground plane, the first 10 feet
of the sign from ground plane shall be exempt. The surface area of such
sign shall be calculated based on the perimeter boundary from outside
edge to outside edge from 10 feet above ground plane to the top of the
sign. Any openings in the base shall be included within the area
calculation.
Section II. Section 14.20.120. of the Code of General Ordinances of the City ofJanesville is hereby
amended to read as follows:
14.20.120 Electronic Message Signs.
A. No illuminated flashing signs shall be permitted. Flashing signs are those which
change their appearance more than once every four seconds. Chasing lights shall not be permitted.
B. Electronic message signs may be allowed in Sign Districts A, 8,alli! C and D upon
the review and approval of a conditional sign permit by the Plan Commission as
provided in Section 14.48.015 of this chapter. The Plan Commission, in its review,
shall consider the following:
(1) Such signs shall comprise no more than 30% of the face of the ground sign
area.
(2) No sign shall interfere with the visibility of any traffic signal.
(3) No such sign shall be illuminated to a degree or brightness that is greater than
necessary for adequate visibility. Signs found to be too bright shall be adjusted in accordance with
the instructions of the City.
(4) No such signs shall be higher than 20 feet above the curb elevation in sign
District C or D, no higher than 25 feet above the curb elevation for Sign District 8 and no higher
than 40 feet above the curb elevation in Sign District A.
(5) Routine messages shall not repeat in intervals of less than 4 seconds nor last
longer than 10 seconds. Single phrase messages may last longer than 10 seconds.
(6) No traveling message signs shall be permitted.
(7) The Plan Commission must find that the character of the sign is compatible
with the general area, and that limited visual impacts will occur to nearby residential areas prior to
approving such signs.
C. Time and temperature signs are allowed in all sign districts without approval of a
conditional sign permit subject to compliance with criteria (1)-(5) listed in Section 14.20.1208.
D. Illuminated price or rate panels for hotel/motel and motor fuel which change no more
than once daily are allowed in all sign districts without approval of a conditional sign permit subject
to compliance with criteria (1)-(3) in Section 14.20.1208.
E. Rotating signs shall be limited to a maximum of eight revolutions per minute and
shall not flash or have traveling bulb effects.
F. Multiple message signs or tri-vision signs whose message are on triangular louvered
facings and are changed by electronic rotation of the louvers are permitted for off-premise signs
provided that the time the message remains in a fixed position shall be six seconds or more.
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-382
PAGE 3
ADOPTED: October 8, 2007 Motion by: Williams
Second by: Steeber
APPROVED: Council member Aye Nay Pass Absent
_dL/A, S .d~./1- Brunner X
DeGarmo X
Steven E. Sheiffer, City Manag r Loasching X
Steeber X
ATTEST: Truman X
Wellnitz X
Williams X
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/A/~ W-
City Attorney
Proposed by: Janesville Performing Arts Center
Prepared by: Community Development