Certain terms are defined for the purposes of
this chapter as follows:
A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide
business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity and/or for
which no legal owner can be found.
The Code Enforcement Officer or his designated representative.
Any sign which uses movement or change of lighting to depict
action or to create a special effect or scene (compare "flashing sign").
See "sign, area of."
A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall
of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework
(compare "marquee").
A sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the
surface of an awning.
A sign made of fabric or any nonrigid material with no enclosing
framework.
A sign on which the copy changes automatically on a lampbank
or through mechanical means, limited to electrical or electronic time
and temperature signs in business and industrial districts only.
A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field, e.g.,
readerboards with changeable letters.
Unless the context clearly discloses a contrary intent, the
word "City" shall mean the City of Norwich, New York.
The smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent
street or street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including
framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.
Public or private institutions of higher learning authorized
to grant academic degrees or associate degrees and requiring for admission
at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training.
[Added 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
A temporary sign, including pertinent information regarding
the construction on the property on which the sign is located.
The wording on a sign surface in either permanent or removable
letter form.
An on-premises sign giving directions, instructions, or facility
information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment
but no advertising copy, e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs.
See "changeable copy sign, automatic."
The entire building front, including parapet.
The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.
A sign which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing
light source used primarily to attract attention. Does not include
changeable copy signs, animated signs, or signs which, through reflection
or other means, create an illusion of flashing of intermittent light
(compare "animated sign" and "changeable copy sign").
A sign supported upon the ground by poles or braces and not
attached to any building, includes ground signs.
The length of the property line of any one premises along
a public right-of-way on which it borders.
The length of an outside building wall on a public right-of-way.
Includes city, county, state or federal governments.
[Added 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
Any temporary or permanent sign erected and maintained by
the City, county, state, or federal government for traffic direction
or for designation of or direction to any school, hospital, historical
site, or public service, property, or facility.
A sign placed on or supported by the ground independently
of any other structure, with a maximum height of four feet.
The vertical distance measured from the highest point of
the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the
adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is
less (compare "clearance").
A sign whose copy is limited to the name and address of a
building, institution, or person and/or to the activity or occupation
being identified on the premises, one business phone number and/or
a business email address or business website address where the sign
is located.
[Amended 9-19-2017 by Ord. No. 1-2017]
A sign which does not meet the requirements of this chapter
and which has not received legal nonconforming status.
A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally
or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
A small sign, emblem, or decal informing the public of goods,
facilities, or services available on the premises, e.g., a credit
card sign or a sign indicating hours of business.
A piece of land having fixed legal boundaries.
The cleaning, painting, repair, or replacement of defective
parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design,
or structure of the sign.
A permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials
supported by and extending from the facade of a building (compare
"awning").
Any sign attached to or supported by a marquee structure.
A sign or tablet memorializing a person, event, structure
or the like.
A nonelectric on-premises identification sign giving only
the name, address, and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.
A corporation formed or existing under the Not-for-Profit
Corporation Law of New York State.
[Added 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
The portion of a building or premises owned, leased, rented,
or otherwise occupied for a given use.
A sign which pertains to the use of the premises on which
it is located.
Any sign/banner erected over a street or highway, which has
the approval of the New York State Department of Transportation and
also must meet the NYSDOT height requirements, shall be considered
temporary for the purpose of fee calculations. The maximum allowable
time a sign/banner may be in place, per event, is two weeks (14 days);
this time must be consecutive days.
[Added 1-19-2010 by Ord. No. 1-2010]
A person recorded as such on official records. For the purpose
of this chapter, the owner of property on which a sign is located
is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary
are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the
Administrator, e.g., a sign leased from a sign company.
The extension of a false front or wall above a roof line.
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership,
or similarly defined interest.
Advertising of a retail item accompanying its display, e.g.,
an advertisement on a product dispenser.
A temporary sign used in connection with a local, state,
or national election or referendum.
Any sign designed to be moved easily and not permanently
affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.
A parcel of land with its appurtenances and buildings which,
because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest conveyable
unit of real estate.
A sign, other than a flat wall sign, which is attached to
and projects from a building wall or other structure not specifically
designed to support the sign.
Any sign which is used to offer sale, lease, or rental of
the property upon which the sign is placed.
Includes tax exempt churches, temples, synagogues, convents,
seminary and retreat houses which are open to the public.
[Added 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
Public kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools below
university grade; and private, denominational and/or sectarian schools
having a curriculum equivalent to and substantially the same as public
elementary and secondary schools.
[Added 3-19-2002 by Ord. No. 1-2002]
The required distance for sign placement, measured from the
curbline.
Any device, structure, fixture, or placard using graphics,
symbols, and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose
of advertising or identifying any establishment, product, goods or
services.
Projecting, freestanding and multifaced signs.
The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed
by adding together the area of all sign faces visible from any one
point. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that
both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when
such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more
than 42 inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement
of one of the faces.
Wall signs. The area shall be within a single,
continuous perimeter composed of any straight line geometric figure
which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message.
A temporary sign used to direct attention to private events,
such as bingo games, fairs, parades, carnivals, garage sales or similar
events.
A sign not constructed or intended for long-term use.
[Amended 2-15-2000 by Ord. No. 1-2000]
The purpose for which a building, lot, sign, or structure
is intended, designed, occupied, or maintained.
Any sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to
the face of, or erected and confined within the limits of, the outside
wall of any building and supported by such wall or building and which
displays only one advertising surface.
Any sign placed inside or upon a window facing the outside
and which is intended to be seen from the exterior. Window signs may
not cover more than 20% of total window area.
Includes residential districts, business districts and industrial districts as defined and used pursuant to Chapter 575, Zoning, of the Code of the City of Norwich, as it may from time to time be amended and modified.
