Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
[Added 4-10-2019 by Ord.
No. 2019-04]
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign which has not identified or advertised a current business,
service, owner, product or activity for a period of at least 180 days,
in the case of off-premises signs, or at least 360 days in the case
of on-premises signs.
ADDRESS SIGN
A sign that designates the street number and/or street name
for identification purposes, as designated by the United States Postal
Service (also known as "nameplate sign").
ADVISORY INFORMATION
Information on a changeable copy sign presented in a manner
that can be read and comprehended in one second or less time, including,
but not limited to, the time, temperature and date.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign depicting action, motion, or light or color changes
through electrical or mechanical means.
AWNING
Any sign painted on, or applied to, an awning.
BALLOON SIGN
A lighter-than-air, gas-filled balloon, tethered in a fixed
location, which contains an advertisement message on its surface or
attached to the balloon in any manner.
BANNER
Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar nonrigid material
attached to any structure, staff, pole, rope, wire or framing which
is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners. Banners are
temporary in nature and do not include flags.
BEACON LIGHTING
Any source of electric light, whether portable or fixed,
the primary purpose of which is to cast a concentrated beam of light
generally skyward as a means of attracting attention to its location
rather than to illuminate any particular sign, structure, or other
object.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The maximum linear width of a building measured in a single
straight line parallel, or essentially parallel, with the abutting
public street or parking lot.
CANOPY
A structure other than an awning made of fabric, metal, or
other material that is supported by columns or posts affixed to the
ground and may also be connected to a building.
CANOPY SIGN
Any sign that is part of, or attached to, a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols change
either automatically through electrical or electronic means or manually
through placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted in or on
a track system. The two types of changeable copy signs are manual
changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs, which
include message center signs, digital displays and trivision boards.
CHANNEL LETTER SIGN
A sign consisting of fabricated or formed three-dimensional
letters, individually applied to a wall, which may accommodate a light
source.
CLEARANCE
The distance above the walkway, or other surface if specified,
to the bottom edge of a sign. This term can also refer to a horizontal
distance between two objects.
DIGITAL DISPLAY
The portion of a sign message made up of internally, illuminated
components capable of changing the message periodically. Digital displays
may include but are not limited to LCD, LED, or plasma displays.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular
traffic into and out of, or within, a site.
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION
Artificial light, located away from the sign, which lights
the sign, the source of which may or may not be visible to persons
viewing the sign from any street, sidewalk or adjacent property.
FESTOON LIGHTING
A type of illumination comprised of either:
(1)
A group of incandescent light bulbs hung or strung overhead
or on a building or other structure; or
(2)
Light bulbs not shaded or hooded or otherwise screened to prevent
direct rays of light from shining on adjacent properties or rights-of-way.
FLAG
Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, or
other like material with distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols
attached to a pole or staff and anchored along only one edge or supported
or anchored on only two corners.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign whose artificial illumination is not kept constant
in intensity at all times when in use and which exhibits changes in
light, color, direction or animation. This definition does not include
electronic message center signs or digital displays that meet the
requirements set forth herein.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign supported by structures or supports that are placed
on, or anchored in, the ground, and that is independent and detached
from any building or other structure. The following are subtypes of
freestanding signs:
(1)
GROUND SIGNA sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or attached to any part of a building (also known as "monument sign").
(2)
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of one or more poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or a base structure.
GOVERNMENT/REGULATORY SIGN
Any sign for the control of traffic or for identification
purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs, and
signs of public service companies indicating danger or construction,
which are erected by or at the order of a public officer, employee
or agent thereof, in the discharge of official duties.
HALO ILLUMINATION
A sign using a three-dimensional message, logo, etc., which
is lit in such a way as to produce a halo effect (also known as "backlit
illumination").
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Signs or displays, including lighting, which are a nonpermanent
installation celebrating national, state and local holidays, religious
or cultural holidays, or other holiday seasons (also known as "seasonal
decorations").
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign with electrical equipment installed for illumination,
either internally illuminated through its sign face by a light source
contained inside the sign or externally illuminated by a light source
aimed at its surface.
ILLUMINATION
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in, or indirectly from, an artificial
source.
INCIDENTAL SIGN
A sign that displays general site information, instructions,
directives or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians
and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public
street. These signs shall not contain any commercial advertising.
INCIDENTAL WINDOW SIGN
Signs displayed in the window displaying information such
as the business' hours of operation, credit institutions accepted,
commercial and civic affiliations, and similar information. These
signs shall be informational only and shall not contain a commercial
message.
INFLATABLE SIGN
A sign that is an air-inflated object, which may be of various
shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or structure
and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant
flow of air into the device.
INTERACTIVE SIGN
An electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior
or electronic signals of motor vehicle drivers.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION
A light source that is concealed or contained within the
sign and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface.
Message center signs, digital displays, and signs incorporating neon
lighting shall not be considered internal illumination for the purposes
of this section.
LEGIBILITY
The physical attributes of a sign that allow for an observer's
differentiation of its letters, words, numbers, or graphics.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a lighting installation which extends beyond
the boundaries of the property on which the installation is sited.
LIMITED DURATION SIGN
A nonpermanent sign that is displayed on private property
for more than 30 days, but not intended to be displayed for an indefinite
period.
LUMINANCE
An objective measurement of the brightness of illumination,
including illumination emitted by an electronic sign, measured in
candles per square foot (cd/ft2).
MANUAL CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
A sign or portion thereof on which the copy or symbols are
changed manually through placement or drawing of letters or symbols
on a sign face.
MECHANICAL MOVEMENT SIGN
A sign having parts that physically move rather than merely
appear to move as might be found in a digital display. The physical
movement may be activated electronically or by another means, but
shall not include wind-activated movement such as used for banners
or flags. Mechanical movement signs do not include digital signs that
have changeable, programmable displays.
MEMORIAL SIGN
A memorial plaque or tablet, including grave markers or other
remembrances of persons or events, which is not used for a commercial
message.
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN
A type of illuminated, changeable copy sign that consists
of electronically changing alphanumeric text often used for gas price
display signs and athletic scoreboards.
MURAL (or MURAL SIGN)
A large picture/image (including but not limited to painted
art) which is painted, constructed, or affixed directly onto a vertical
building wall, which may or may not contain text, logos, and/or symbols.
NEON SIGN
A sign illuminated by a neon tube, or other visible light-emanating
gas tube, that is bent or shaped to form letters, symbols, or other
graphics.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign that was legally erected and maintained at the effective
date of this section, or amendment thereto, that does not currently
comply with sign regulations of the district in which it is located.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
An outdoor sign whose message directs attention to a specific
business, product, service, event or activity, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity, or contains a noncommercial message about
something that is not sold, produced, manufactured, furnished, or
conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located (also known
as "third-party sign," "billboard" or "outdoor advertising").
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message and design relate to an individual business,
profession, product, service, event, point of view, or other commercial
or noncommercial activity sold, offered, or conducted on the same
property where the sign is located.
PENNANT
A triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material,
commonly attached in strings or strands, or supported on small poles
intended to flap in the wind.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign attached or affixed to a building, window or structure,
or to the ground in manner that enables the sign to resist environmental
loads, such as wind, and that precludes ready removal or movement
of the sign and whose intended use appears to be indefinite.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign designed to be transported or moved and not permanently
attached to the ground, a building or other structure.
(1)
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNA type of freestanding, portable, temporary sign consisting of two faces connected and hinged at the top and whose message is targeted to pedestrians (also known as "A-frame sign").
(2)
VEHICULAR SIGNA sign affixed to a vehicle in such a manner that the sign is used primarily as a stationary advertisement for the business on which the vehicle sits or is otherwise not incidental to the vehicle's primary purpose.
PROJECTING SIGN
A building-mounted, double-sided sign with the two faces
generally perpendicular to the building wall, not to include signs
located on a canopy or awning (also known as "blade sign").
PUBLIC SIGN
A sign containing any material or device which has the effect
of intensifying reflected light.
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign which revolves in a circular motion, rather than remaining
stationary on its supporting structure.
ROOF SIGN
A building-mounted sign erected upon, against, or over the
roof of a building.
SCOREBOARD
A sign contained within an athletic venue and intended solely
to provide information to the attendees of an athletic event.
SECURITY SIGN
An on-premises sign regulating the use of the premises, such
as a "no trespassing" or "no hunting" or "no soliciting" sign (also
known as "warning sign").
SHIELDED
The description of a luminaire from which no direct glare
is visible at normal viewing angles, by virtue of its being properly
aimed, oriented, and located and properly fitted with such devices
as shields, barn doors, baffles, louvres, skirts or visors.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, painting, emblem, or visual
that uses words, graphics, colors, illuminations, symbols, numbers,
or letters for the purpose of communicating a message. "Sign" includes
the sign faces as well as any sign-supporting structure.
SIGN AREA
The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display information,
messages, advertising, logos or symbols.
SIGN FACE
The part of the sign that is or can be used for the sign
area. The sign area could be smaller than the sign face.
SNIPE SIGN
A sign tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise
attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences, public benches, streetlights,
or other objects, or place on any public property or in the public
right-of-way or on any private property without the permission of
the property owner (also known as "bandit sign").
STOREFRONT
The exterior facade of a building housing a commercial use
visible from a street, sidewalk or other pedestrian way accessible
to the public and containing the primary entrance to the commercial
establishment.
STREAMERS
A display made of lightweight, flexible materials, containing
long, narrow, wavy strips hung individually or in a series, with or
without a logo or advertising message printed or painted on them,
and typically designed to move in the wind.
STREET FRONTAGE
The side or sides of a lot abutting on a public street or
right-of-way.
STREET POLE BANNER
A banner suspended above a public sidewalk and attached to
a single street pole. These signs shall not contain any commercial
advertising.
TRIVISION BOARDS
An outdoor unit with a slatted face that allows three different
copy messages to revolve at intermittent intervals.
WALL SIGN
A building-mounted sign which is either attached to, displayed
on, or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall
surface. A sign installed on a false or mansard roof is also considered
a wall sign (also known as "facial sign," "parallel wall sign" or
"band sign").
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign that is applied, painted or affixed to a window,
or placed inside a window, within three feet of the glass, facing
the outside of the building and easily seen from the outside. Customary
displays of merchandise or objects and material without lettering
behind a store window are not considered signs.