Words used in this article have their broad dictionary definition
unless they are described otherwise.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTION
A projection, not including a sign as defined in this section,
that extends beyond the face of a building's exterior wall.
ATTACHED SIGN
A permanent sign directly affixed to or primarily supported
by a building. Includes awning signs, canopy signs, projecting signs,
roof signs and wall signs.
AWNING SIGN
An attached sign on a fixed or retractable architectural
projection made of rigid or nonrigid materials that is anchored to
and supported by a building, which may be illuminated by means of
internal or external sources of light. See illustration below.
BANNER
A temporary sign constructed of fabric, pliable plastic or
other nonrigid material of any shape, in which more than one edge
or surface is secured to another structure or support to prevent movement.
BILLBOARD
A wall or freestanding sign displaying either a static or
digital electronic message that attracts attention to a business,
product, service, entertainment, or activity conducted, sold, or offered
at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
Also referred to as "off-premises advertising sign."
CANOPY SIGN
An attached sign on a freestanding architectural projection
that is anchored by columns or cantilevers, and that may be illuminated
by means of internal or external sources of light. See illustrations
below.
CONFORMING SIGN
A sign that is legally installed in accordance with all prevailing
jurisdictional laws and ordinances.
DEVELOPMENT AREA
A lot or combination of adjoining lots that comprise a minimum
land area of two acres, containing a mix of land uses, and typically
developed with more than one principal building under unified ownership
or control. Development areas include, but are not limited to, lots,
buildings and site improvements located in planned unit developments
and planned development districts.
DISSOLVE or FADE
A mode of message transition on an electronic message center
sign in which the first message gradually appears to dissipate and
lose legibility with the gradual appearance and legibility of the
second message.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER SIGN or EMU
An on-premises sign on which the message is changed by electronic
process. Messages displayed include, but are not limited to, copy,
art, graphics, time and temperature, public service announcements,
and advertising of products or services.
FACADE
That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
vertically from normal grade to the top of a parapet wall or eaves,
and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation.
FLAG SIGN
A sign, constructed of fabric, pliable plastic or other nonrigid
material and typically oblong or rectangular in shape, which is attached
by one edge to a mast arm, staff or vertical pole. Noncommercial flags
are not considered signs.
FLASHING
A visual effect on a directly or indirectly illuminated sign
in which artificial light intensity and color is not maintained stationary
and constant at all times when in use.
FOOTCANDLE
A measure of illuminance in which #0.1 footcandle equals
one lumen per square foot.
FRAME
A complete, static display screen on an electronic message
center sign.
FRAME EFFECT (DYNAMIC)
A visual effect on a frame in which the illusion of motion
and/or animation is used on an electronic message center sign or a
digital multiple message sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by a structure affixed to the ground, as
opposed to being affixed to a building. Also referred to as "ground
sign," "monument sign," "pole sign" or "pylon sign." See illustrations
below.
ILLUMINANCE
The amount of light falling upon a real or imaginary surface.
Expressed in English units as footcandles and in SI (metric) units
as lux. Also referred to as "light level" or "illumination."
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, including:
A.
Externally or indirectly illuminated sign: emits light from
a source(s) located outside of the actual sign.
B.
Internally or directly illuminated sign: emits artificial light
directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source
located within or on the sign. This includes electronic message center
signs.
INFLATABLE SIGN
Any sign constructed of fabric or other flexible material
that takes on a three-dimensional shape when filled with air.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light from an artificial source that intrudes into an area
where it is not wanted or does not belong.
LUMINANCE
The light that is emitted by or reflected from a surface,
measured in units of luminous intensity (candelas) per unit area.
Expressed in English units as foot lamberts and in SI units as cd/m2. Also referred to as "nits."
LUX
The SI unit for illuminance, in which one lux equals 0.093
footcandle.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally installed under all municipal sign
regulations and ordinances in effect at that time, but which may no
longer comply with subsequently enacted regulations and ordinances
having jurisdiction over the sign.
NORMAL GRADE
A measure of the ground elevation of a lot, being the lower
of the existing grade prior to construction or the newly established
grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, landscaping or
mounding done solely for the purpose of installing a sign structure.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign constructed, maintained and operated in the outdoor
environment for the purpose of displaying messages appurtenant to
the use of, or products sold at, the property on which it is displayed.
PARAPET
The portion of a building facade that extends vertically
above the structural roofline.
PERMANENT SIGN
An attached or freestanding sign constructed, maintained and operated in a manner to remain in a fixed place over its useful life. Permanent signs are designed and constructed to receive dead loads and withstand wind pressures as required in Chapter
220 of the Town of Grand Chute Municipal Code or other regulations, and are constructed of durable materials capable of withstanding year-round exposure to the outdoor environment.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign used to announce or support political candidates
or issues in any local, state or national election or political event.
PROJECTING SIGN
An attached sign that projects more than 18 inches from the
facade of a wall or building. Also referred to as "blade sign." See
illustration below.
READER BOARD
A sign on which the message is manually changed on a display
surface.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
Any sign used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property
on which it is placed.
ROOF SIGN
An attached sign mounted on, or extending above the uppermost
edge of, a wall or parapet of a building. See illustration below.
SCROLL
A mode of message transition on an electronic message center
sign in which the message appears to move vertically across the display
surface.
SIGN
Any device used to attract attention beyond the boundaries
of the lot on which it is located, and whose purpose is to convey
a message to represent any person, entity or thing by means of lettering,
numerals, words, figures, emblems, devices, structures, designs, trade
names, trademarks or other alphabetic or pictorial imagery. Any sign(s)
affixed to a nonmotorized vehicle (i.e., trailer) not being actively
used for the delivery of commercial goods is defined as a sign and
is subject to the provisions of this article.
SIGN AREA
The size of a sign, calculated as the entire area within
the periphery of a regular geometric form or combinations of regular
geometric forms on which all elements of a message(s) are displayed.
In the case of double-face signs, where both faces advertise a single
facility, product, or service, only one face is used to calculate
sign area.
SIGN COPY
The actual physical sign message, including any lettering,
numerals, words, figures, emblems, designs, trade names, trademarks
or other alphabetic or pictorial imagery applied to any background.
Sign copy is expressed as the sum of the geometric shape(s) encompassing
separate individual letters, words or graphic elements on a background.
SIGN DISTRICTS
Geographic locations within the Town of Grand Chute for which
sign regulations are enforced based on types and intensities of land
use and prevailing zoning district classifications, to include:
A.
Rural Area: All lots zoned AED Exclusive Agricultural District
and AGD General Agricultural District.
B.
Suburban Area: All lots with residential uses zoned RSF Single-Family
Residential District; RTF Two-Family Residential District; R-2 Two-Family
Residence District; and R-3 Single-Family Attached Residence District.
C.
Neighborhood Center: Locations characterized as:
(1)
All lots with nonresidential uses zoned RSF Single-Family Residential
District; RTF Two-Family Residential District; R-2 Two-Family Residence
District; and R-3 Single-Family Attached Residence District.
(2)
All lots zoned R-4 Multifamily Residence District; R-5 Multifamily
Residence District; RMF Multifamily Residential District; and C-1
Neighborhood Commercial District.
D.
Community Center: All lots zoned C-2 Office Commercial District;
CL Local Commercial District; CR Regional Commercial District; CP
Planned Commercial District; and IND Industrial District.
E.
Sign regulations for lots zoned PDD Planned Development District
are prescribed in each project approval resolution approved by the
Town of Grand Chute.
SIGN FACE
The surface of a sign upon or through which the copy of the
sign is displayed.
SIGN HEIGHT
A measure of the vertical distance from normal grade to the
highest attached component of the sign structure, calculated as follows:
A.
The height of an attached sign is the vertical distance measured
from the base of the facade of a wall or building at normal grade
to the highest point of any sign face.
B.
The height of a freestanding sign on a lot with an elevation
equal to or higher than the center line of the street it abuts is
calculated as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade
to the top of the highest attached component of the sign structure.
C.
The height of a freestanding sign on a lot with an elevation
lower than the center line of the street it abuts is calculated as
being equal to the distance from the street center line elevation
(at a point perpendicular to the sign) to the top of the highest attached
component of the sign structure.
SIGN STRUCTURE
The area of all sign faces, structural supports, decorative
trim and architectural features of the complete sign entity.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign constructed, maintained and operated in a manner to
be temporarily placed either in the ground or on a building. Temporary
signs may include, but are not limited to reader boards, construction
signs, development signs, political signs, real estate signs, sale
signs, electronic message center signs and special event signs.
TRANSITION
A visual effect used on an electronic message center sign
to change from one message to another. Transition effects include,
but are not limited to, fading, flashing, dissolving, traveling and
scrolling.
TRAVEL
A mode of transition on an electronic message center sign
in which the message appears to move horizontally across the display
surface.
VEHICLE SIGN
A sign(s) permanently painted or affixed on the surface of
a licensed, motorized vehicle that is used on a day-to-day basis to
transport goods and/or provide services.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached parallel to and extending less than 18 inches
from the facade of a wall, building or architectural projection. Also
referred to as "fascia sign." See illustration below.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign affixed to or etched on the interior side of any building
window that displays a message intended to be visible on the exterior
side.