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- A new sign with electronic reader board at the Dairy Queen on West Main Street.
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- The new shopping center sign for a center on Randall Road includes a message board for Colonial Cafe.
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- The Kane County Fairgrounds has deployed a message board to convey time/temperature and event information to passing motorists.
With the adoption of an updated Zoning Ordinance in 2006, the City of St. Charles granted additional flexibility to businesses to utilize new technologies to inform and educate existing and potential patrons. Electronic reader board signs have become popular throughout St. Charles for their ability to effectively convey information and to be changed efficiently.
To date, over 15 of these signs have been installed in a variety of locations from East Main Street to Randall Road and Red Gate Road to Lincoln Highway (IL Route 38). Costs for the signs vary, but average $25,000 to $30,000 each for purchase and installation.
While the signs are permitted, there are regulations that businesses must follow to ensure that the signs are not a nuisance to nearby property owners or a distraction to motorists.
As an example, no sign shall have lights that flash, flicker, or vary in intensity or color. In addition, the electronic reader boards may change copy provided that it is no more frequent than once per minute and the change is of a duration of one second or less. In other words, messages may change every 60 seconds, but must do so quickly (no more than 1 second).
You can view a copy of the sign ordinance here.
If you have any questions regarding these signs, or would like further information, please feel free to contact the Building & Code Enforcement Division of the Community Development Department at 630-377-4406 or bvann@stcharlesil.gov