As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or
any device attached, painted, or represented directly or indirectly
on a structure intended to attract the attention of those outside
in the public right-of-way, that displays or includes any letter,
word, insignia, flag, object, device, or representation used as an
advertisement or announcement. Signs may be of the following types:
A.
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign permanently supported by upright or uprights which are permanently anchored into the ground. This may have two display sides.
B.
WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to the face of a building or wall, which does not project above the eaves of the structure and is not more than 12 inches from the plane or facade of the building or wall.
C.
WINDOW SIGNA sign permanently affixed to a storefront window containing only the name of the establishment and the type of establishment. A storefront window shall be defined as and limited to a ground floor or first-story window which is located in the main door to an establishment or on the same side of the building where the main door to the establishment is located, or in the side of a building which faces a public street, right-of-way, or public parking lot.
D.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign advertising a group of establishments occupying one property, with the name of the property and the names of the individual establishments located within the property or building.
E.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign that is dependent on a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from the building, including an awning sign. Whenever a canopy or awning is affixed with any lettering, design, symbol, or made from any special material, which is intended to be or by its nature is an identification of a business, the applicable measurable area of the awning or canopy is a projecting sign. The lowest edge of a projecting sign shall not be less than 7 1/2 feet above the sidewalk or ground level elevation. A projecting sign shall not project above the eave of a structure. Any nonparallel wall sign is a projecting sign.
F.
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign used, or intended to be used, for a short period of time and which is not affixed to a location on a building, structure or the ground. A portable sign includes, but is not limited to, sandwich boards, signs on wheels, buntings, and A-frame signs.
G.
ANNOUNCEMENT BOARDA sign on which the message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters, numerals, or graphics or through the use of electronic switching of lamps or other illuminated devices. This includes public service information, such as time and temperature displays, or any sign that features automatic or manual switching or changing of its message content, except animated signs that involve motion, flashing lights, or color changes requiring electrical energy or electronic or manufactured sources of supply.
H.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC)A sign, or portion thereof, that displays animated images, moving video images, graphics, or scrolling messages, electronic images, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without textual information. EMCs are capable of change or alteration by electronic means on a fixed display screen composed of a series of lights including light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), digital light processing (DLPs), plasma, fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the area where the message is displayed. EMCs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. EMCs include signs that utilize technology not listed in this definition and shall include similar technology which may be developed in the future, or the use of which may become widespread in the future.
[Added 1-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02]
[Amended 8-8-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
Off-premises signs are prohibited except as
set forth in this section.
A. An off-premises sign is any sign designed for identifying
or advertising a specific establishment, merchandise, service, product,
or entertainment, which exists or is sold, produced, manufactured,
and/or furnished at a place other than on the property on which the
sign is located.
B. Off-premises signs are permitted only upon special
exception approval in accordance with this section and all other applicable
provisions of this chapter.
C. Off-premises signs are permitted as the single principal
use of a lot, and shall not be located on a lot with any other principal
use. Only one off-premises sign shall be permitted on a single lot.
D. Off-premises signs are only permitted on properties
with frontage on U.S. Route 202. Such signs must be located within
200 feet of the U.S. Route 202 legal right-of-way.
E. Off-premises signs shall not be erected upon or within
any protected natural resource.
F. The total area of any off-premises sign shall not
exceed 150 square feet, including border and trim but excluding supports.
G. The maximum height of any off-premises sign measured
from the average grade around the sign base shall not exceed 20 feet.
H. All off-premises signs shall be permanent freestanding
signs erected upon the ground. No off-premises sign shall be erected
upon, painted on, applied to, attached to and/or supported by a building,
vehicle or other structure.
I. Off-premises signs shall not be illuminated. Off-premises
signs shall not flash, rotate, revolve, oscillate, be animated or
have any type of internally generated character, message or symbol.
J. Off-premises signs shall not be electronic messaging center type signs, as defined in §
275-48 of this chapter.
[Added 1-16-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-02]
The following regulations shall apply to signs
legally existing at the time of passage of this chapter that do not
conform in use, location, type, illumination, height or size with
the regulations of the district in which the sign is located.
A. Any sign existing at the time of the passage of this
chapter that does not conform in use, location, illumination, height
or size with the regulations of the district in which the sign is
located shall be considered a nonconforming sign and may continue
in such use in its present location, subject to the following caveats:
(1) If a new use or occupancy is established, all new
signs or replacement signs must comply with this chapter in terms
of quality, type, and dimensional requirements.
(2) A sign not complying with this chapter may continue
if a building or structure is renovated. If a building or structure
is demolished and rebuilt, all signs must be made to conform to this
chapter in terms of quality, type, and dimensional requirements.