Sponsor
Alderman Wiser
Title
Ordinance 04-13
To amend Article X, Division 1 - Generally, of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine, Wisconsin, by adding a new section regarding window signage.
The Common Council of the City of Racine, Wisconsin, do ordain as follows:
Part 1: The following section shall be created in Article X, Division 1 - Generally, of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine to read as follows:
"Sec. 114-1038. - Window Signage
(1) Window signage shall be permitted as follows:
(a) Allowance of window signage is over and above signage allocated for any building (such as wall, freestanding pole, monument, etc). Window signage shall not count against allowable square footage for permanent signage; therefore, a window sign permit is not required.
(b) All signage shall be maintained in good repair by the property owner. Damaged, faded torn, burnt-out, and unkempt signage is not allowed.
(c) Only products or services offered directly within the building or tenant space may be advertised.
(d) No window sign shall advertise any use or substance considered to be unlawful or illegal per the City of Racine code of ordinances, State Statutes, or federal regulations.
(e) Neon colored paint, use of markers, paper, hand drawn lettering, etc. are not to be used in the creation of a window signs.
(f) Window signage may be illuminated; however, the window signage shall not blink, flash, scroll, or produce any other movement, or have the appearance of movement.
(2) Location
(a) Any sign attached to the interior of a window or attached to a product or other device located within 6-feet of the interior of a window shall be considered window signage. This includes displays, cardboard, advertisements, banners, flags, and the like.
(b) Window signage shall not be placed in view of a residential use or residentially zoned property unless authorized by the Plan Commission.
(3) Measuring and Allowable Signage
(a) No more than 15% of a window section may be covered by window signage.
(b) A window section is the area of a window divided by a window frame, architectural feature, or the point where an interior tenant wall separates the interior space of a building. If there is no separation, the window section is the entire window.
(c) To calculate the amount of window signage allowed, measure the size of the window section and multiply by .15. This provides the amount of window signage allowed for that section. (For example, a window 10'x10' is 100 square feet. Multiply 100 by .15, and the allowable signage would be 15 square feet).
(d) "Open/Closed" and "Hours of Operation" signs less than 4 square feet total do not count towards signage allowances. If larger than 4 square feet, the difference shall be counted towards the total window signage allowance.
(e) Sign allocation shall be calculated separately per building elevation. Signage allowances from windows on other building elevations may not be added to increase the amount of signage for any other building windows."
Part 2: Sections 114-1039 - 114-1045 of the Municipal Code of the City of Racine are hereby reserved.
Part 3: This ordinance shall take effect upon passage by a majority vote of the members-elect of the City Common Council and publication or posting as required by law.
Passed by the Common Council:
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Approved:
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Mayor
Attest:
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City Clerk
Fiscal Note: N/A