Changes Made to Village's Signage Code

The village board has relaxed some regulations regarding signs in its village code, most notably to allow for possible future advertisements on PACE bus shelters and to allow businesses to post multiple signs of various sizes. 

The board voted in dozens of changes to code at its May 12 meeting. 

PACE advertisements

The village is considering entering into an agreement with PACE that would allow for advertising on bus shelters within Woodridge. To allow this to fit with village code, the village board voted in an amendment that would allow "off-premise" advertising for such shelters, pursuant to government regulations. 

This would mean the advertising would have to be no more than 48 by 24 square feet on a single side, be restricted to one of four sides of the shelter and not block the view into the shelter from the outside. 

There must also be a lease agreement between the village and a corporation formed pursuant to the Regional Transportation Authority Act. 

Size restrictions dropped for multiple signs 

The village formerly required that after one sign is posted, the surface area of each additional sign erected must be reduced by 25 percent. 

According to village documents, this provision was confusing to businesses, some of which preferred single large signs while others preferred mutliple smaller signs. It was also difficult to implement. 

That 25 percent reduction has been eliminated from the village code to allow businesses to have more power in deciding how many, and what size, signs to erect. 

Temporary promotional signage period extended

The village formerly did not require a permit to be obtained to erect temporary promotional signage. The review process was formerly informal, with businesses asked to provide details on the proposed signage in writing for staff review.

A permit is now required for this signage. 

This movement will "standardize the review process, streamline the process for businesses and staff and allow (village) staff to track the amount, duration and type of signage issued more easily," according to village documents.