Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED SIGNS
A permitted sign which was erected on property in conjunction
with a particular use, which use has been discontinued for a period
of 12 consecutive months or for a total of 24 months in a three-year
period or a permitted temporary sign for which the permit has expired.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign using new technologies and/or digital technology that
may or may not move, that advertises a business, service or items.
BACK-TO-BACK SIGNS
A sign constructed on a single set of supports with messages
visible on any side, provided that double message boards are physically
contiguous. These signs are not portable. It is counted as one sign.
(See "sign" for more information.)
BALLOON SIGN FOR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES
An inflated sign that reaches an intended size by the addition
of air normally provided by a blower. The blower may be powered by
electricity, gasoline engine and/or battery.
BANNER
A sign normally made of flexible fabric or paper that is
temporary (up to eight weeks) in nature, advertising a business, service,
future event or sending a message.
BILLBOARD SIGNS
(1)
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
service, commodity or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere
then upon the same lot as the sign.
(2)
Any freestanding commercial sign located on a plot or parcel,
or projecting above a structure, other than where the advertised business
is conducted; also known as an "off-premises or nonaccessory billboard."
BUSINESS SIGN
A sign which directs attention to a business, industry, profession,
service, commodity or entertainment sold or offered upon the same
lot upon which it is displayed, including "for sale" or "rent" signs.
CANOPY SIGN
A sign which is suspended from, attached to, supported from
or forms a part of a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign on which message copy is changed manually or digitally,
in the field or remotely, through the utilization of attachable letters,
number, symbols and other similar characters or changeable pictorial
panels. A change no more than once every 30 seconds. (See "illuminated
sign.")
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign listing only the names and/or use or location of more
than one business, activity or professional office conducted within
a building, group of buildings or commercial center.
FEATHER BANNER
Normally a tall, thin sign resembling a feather that is made
of fabric or cloth normally mounted on a metal pole, these signs are
meant to move in the wind.
FLAG OR CLOTH SIGN
Usually a rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design
that is used as a symbol, signaling device or decoration.
FLASHING SIGN
Any lighted or electrical sign which emits light and sudden
transitory bursts.
FLAT SIGN
A sign erected parallel to and extending not more than 12
inches from the facade of any building to which it is attached and
supported through its entire length by the facade of the building
and not extending above the building.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by a sign structure secured in the ground
and which is wholly independent of any building, fence, vehicle or
other support.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
Signs concerning governmental entities and are exempt from
signage review.
ILLUMINATED SIGN, EXTERNAL
Any sign which is directly lighted by an external source no more than once every 30 seconds or can be constant. This excludes any flashing lights. Examples are LED, digital and advanced technology that involves illumination of a sign. [See illuminated standards, Subsection
F(4).]
INGRESS/EGRESS SIGN
A sign which designates only the direction of ingress or
egress of a parking area or driveway, such as "in," "out," "one-way,"
"do not enter," or "no exit." They are exempt from the total signage
requirements, but these signs would be no larger than six square feet.
LED SIGN
(See "illuminated signs internal or external.")
MARKETING/AD SIGN
Any sign marketing services or products of a specific nature
that can be found within a business of a general purpose.
MARQUE SIGN
A sign that projects normally at an angle that is most generally
part of the architecture (such as a theater) and is lit and often
has moving or flashing lights. This includes but is not limited to
curved LED screens, plasma screens and newer technology.
MOVING MESSAGE BOARD
Any electrical sign having a continuous message flow across
its face by utilization of lights or other electrical impulses forming
various words or designs, such as but not limited to time and temperature
sign, including but not limited to LED or plasma signage, using electronics
or LED lighting that may flash or live stream with natural or animated
images.
MULTIFACED OR SIDED SIGNS
Signs of triple-faced or multisided signs advertising product
or services, for the purpose of square footage each side measure should
be taken into account. All sides counted towards allowed areas.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which has a valid permit, or was erected or displayed,
prior to the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendment
thereto and does not conform with any provisions of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
Any sign located or proposed to be located at any place other
than within the same platted parcel of land on which the specific
business or activity being promoted on such sign is itself located
or conducted. For purposes of this chapter, easement and other appurtenances
shall be considered to be outside such platted parcel of land and
any signs located or proposed to be located in an easement or other
appurtenances shall be considered an off-premises sign. Signs identifying
public service, religious or civic organizations not to exceed four
square feet as approved by the Planning Board are exceptions to this
definition.
PENNANT SIGNS
A triangular flag that may or may not have a school emblem,
often strung together to form a continuous line.
PORTABLE SIGNS
Any sign which is not permanently affixed to a building,
structure or the ground.
PROJECT SIGN
Any sign erected and maintained on the premises temporarily
while undergoing construction by an architect, contractor, developer,
finance organization, subcontractor or materials vendor upon which
property such individual is furnishing labor, services or material
with signs being removed no later than 30 days after project completion.
PROJECTING SIGNS
A sign that projects out from a structure advertising a business
or service.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Temporary sign erected by the owner, or his agent, advertising
the real property upon which the signs located for rent, for lease
or for sale.
ROOF SIGN (FLAT SIGN)
A sign erected over or on, and wholly or partially dependent
upon, the roof of any building for support, or attached to the roof
in any way.
SIDEWALK OR SANDWICH SIGNS
A sign that is normally temporary in nature and normally
a sandwich board design that would be placed on a sidewalk or in front
of a building temporarily. This also includes signs that are carried.
SIGN
Any structure or part thereof or device attached thereto,
or painted or represented thereon, which shall display or include
any letter, work, model, banner, pennant, insignia, device or representation
used as, or which is in the nature of, an announcement or advertisement
or direction.
SIGN AREA
The area of a sign is measured by the following criteria:
(1)
When such sign is on a plaque or framed or outlined, all of
the area of such plaque with the area enclosed by such frame or outline
shall be included.
(2)
When such sign consists only of letters, designs or fixtures
engraved, painted, projected or in any manner affixed on a wall structure,
the total area of such sign shall be deemed the area of the smallest
triangle, rectangle, polygon or circle within which all of the matter
of which sign consists may be inscribed.
(3)
For double-faced signs, the area for only one side shall be
used to determine the area.
SIGN DIRECTORY
A wall sign or freestanding sign that gives location of offices,
businesses, etc.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, glued or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes or fences, or to other objects, or
pushed into the ground and the advertising matter appearing thereon
is not applicable to the present use of the premises upon which such
sign is located.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN
Sign which carries a message regarding a special event or
function which is of general interest to the community.
TEMPORARY SPECIAL ACTIVITY SIGNS FOR NONPROFIT OR COMMUNITY
EVENT
A sign of short time duration such as, but not limited to,
barbecue, book sale, plant sale, farmers market, festival or blood
drive sponsored by a nonprofit or recognized community group and needs
to be reviewed by the Code Officer. It is expected such signs are
to be removed at the conclusion of the event and not longer than eight
weeks in duration.
TIME AND TEMPERATURE SIGN
An electrical sign utilizing lights going on and off periodically
to display the current time and/or temperature in the community.
VEHICLE SIGN (STATIONARY)
A permanent or temporary sign affixed, painted on or placed
in (such as in the bed of a truck) or upon any parked vehicle, parked
trailer or other parked device capable of being towed, which is displayed
in public view under such circumstances as to location on the premises,
time of day, duration, availability of other parking space on the
premises, and the proximity of the vehicle to the area on the premises
where it is located, unloaded or otherwise carries out its principal
function which circumstances indicate that the primary purpose of
said display is to attract the attention of the public rather than
to serve the business of the owner thereof in any manner which is
customary for such vehicle. Employees' work vehicles, provided
by their employers, necessary to their occupation are excluded.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign which is painted on, applied to, attached to or
projected upon or within the exterior or interior of a building glass
area, including doors, or at a location within 15 feet of the interior
of a building glass area including doors, whose identification, message,
symbol, insignia, visual representation, logotype, or any other form
which communicates information, can be read from off-premises contiguous
property or public.
YARD OR GARAGE SALE SIGNS
A temporary sign normally in a residential area advertising
an item or items for sale and placed temporarily in place.
YARD SIGN
A sign in a residential yard advertising a product or service
or an event.