As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABANDONED SIGNA sign structure that has ceased to be used, for a period of at least three months, for the display of sign copy. See §
436-35.
An automobile, truck, motorcycle or other wheeled means of conveyance that is inoperable or without current inspection and/or registration.
ANIMATED SIGNA sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. Animated sign motion may be electrically, environmentally or mechanically activated.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONAny projection that extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building that is not intended for occupancy but does not include signs as defined herein.
AWNINGAn architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid or nonrigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable, to include such structures that are internally illuminated. See §
436-60.
A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of an awing. See "wall or fascia or sign," §
436-77 and Table 436-76(1).
An awning with a translucent covering material and a source of illumination contained within its framework.
BANNERA flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.
BANNER SIGNA sign utilizing a banner as its display surface regardless of its location.
BUILDING ELEVATIONThe entire side of a building, from ground level to the roofline, as viewed perpendicular to the walls on that side of the building. The area of the building elevation is computed by multiplying the building height times the building width.
BUILDING SIGNAny sign permanently attached to any part of a building. See Figure 436-25(1).
CANOPY (ATTACHED)A multisided overhead structure or architectural projection supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points. The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached canopy may be internally or externally illuminated.
CANOPY (FREESTANDING)A multisided overhead structure supported by columns, but not enclosed by walls. The surface(s) and or soffit of a freestanding canopy may be internally or externally illuminated.
CANOPY SIGNA sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or freestanding canopy. See §
436-77 and Table 436-76(1).
A sign with the ability to change content or message copy by means of manual or remote input to include:
A. ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See "electronic message sign or center" and §
436-40.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLEA triangle formed by the street lines and a straight line joining said street lines at points which are 30 feet distant from the point of intersection.
CODE OFFICIALThe official who is charged with the administration and enforcement of the ordinance or any duly authorized representative thereof.
COMBINATION SIGNA sign that is supported partly by a pole and partly by a building structure. Considered a freestanding sign.
COPYThose letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals identifying a street address only. See "sign copy."
DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX SIGNA freestanding sign identifying a multiple-occupancy development, such as a shopping center or planned industrial park, which is controlled by a single owner or landlord.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAny sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. See §
436-69 and Table 436-62(1).
Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical energy.
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign principally supported by a structure or supporting element affixed to the ground, and not supported by a building, including signs supported by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground. See Figure 436-25(1).
FRONTAGE (BUILDING)The length of an exterior building wall or structure of any single premises oriented to the public way.
FRONTAGE (PROPERTY)The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along a public way.
HOME OCCUPATIONA use carried on entirely within a dwelling unit that is consistent with the provisions set forth Chapter
550, Zoning.
A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated); or reflecting off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).
INCIDENTAL SIGNA sign, generally informational and without commercial message, that has a purpose secondary to the principle use of the premises. Signs with directives such as "NO PARKING", "ENTRANCE", and "TELEPHONE" are examples. See §
436-69 and Table 436-62(1).
Any sign placed within a building, but not including window signs as defined by this chapter. Interior signs are not regulated by this chapter.
MANSARDAn inclined decorative roof-like projection that is attached to an exterior building facade.
MENU BOARDA freestanding sign oriented to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window, and which has no more than 20% of the total area for such a sign utilized for business identification. See §
436-81.
Any sign legally existing at the time of the adoption of this chapter that does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.
NOVELTY SIGNAny sign or sign structure which includes, but is not limited to, such objects as tires, automobiles, motorcycles, food products, appliances, tools, animal or plant figures or simulations thereof.
NUISANCE SIGNAny sign or sign structure which emits smoke, visible vapors, particles, sounds, odors or produces movement.
OBSOLETE SIGNAny on-premises or off-premises sign that no longer advertises or identifies a use conducted on said premises.
OCCUPANCYThe purpose (commercial, manufacturing, educational, institutional, residential, etc.) for which a building or portion thereof is used or occupied.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNA permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or noncommercial messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale or lease of, the property on which it is displayed. See §
436-42.
A sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of messages appurtenant to the use of, products sold on or the sale or lease of, the property on which it is displayed.
PARAPETThe extension of a building facade above the line of the structural roof.
PERSONAn individual, corporation, partnership or any other group acting as a unit.
POLITICAL SIGNA temporary sign intended to advance a political statement, cause or candidate for office. A legally permitted outdoor advertising sign shall not be considered to be a political sign. See §
436-71 and Table 436-62(1).
Any sign or sign structure not permanently attached to the ground or to a building or building surface. See §
436-48 and Table 436-62(1).
A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects more than 18 inches from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign. A projecting sign is considered a building sign. See Figure 436-25(1), §
436-79 and Table 436-76(1).
A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises upon which it is located. See §
436-70 and Table 436-62(1).
Any person who erects, installs, places, alters, enlarges, removes or maintains a sign, or any person who uses the property upon which the sign is located, or any person who owns or leases the property upon which the sign is located.
REVEALA border consisting of a line, groove, decorative feature or contrasting surface which serves to delineate the sign face from the remaining portions of a sign.
REVOLVING SIGNA sign that revolves 360° about an axis. See also "animated sign."
ROOF LINEThe top edge of a peaked roof or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
ROOF SIGNA sign mounted on, and supported by, the main roof portion of a building, or above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such a building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be roof signs. See Figure 436-25(1), §
436-80 and Table 436-76(1).
Any device visible from a public place that displays either commercial or noncommercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations. Flags of a governmental body shall not be considered a sign.
SIGN AREASThe area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of the combination of regular geometric figures, which comprise the sign face. The area of any double-sided or V-shaped sign shall be the area of the largest single face only. The area of a sphere shall be computed as the area of a circle. The area of an oval shall be computed as 80% of the area of a rectangle with the equivalent height and width. See Article
VIII.
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, exclusive of numerals identifying a street address only.
SIGN FACEThe surface upon, against or through which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, not including structural support, architectural features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural or decorative trim, or any areas that are separated from the background surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such as a reveal or border. See Figure 436-25(1).
A. For panel or cabinet type signs, the sign face shall include the entire area of the sign panel, cabinet or face substrate upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, and the open space between the separate panels or cabinets.
For sign structures with routed areas of sign copy, the sign face shall include the entire area of the surface that is routed, except where interrupted by a reveal, border or a contrasting surface or color.
For signs painted on a building or for individual letters or graphic elements affixed to a building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the sum of the geometric figures or combination of regular geometric figures drawn closest to the edge of the letters or separate graphic elements comprising the sign copy to include the open space between the separate groupings of sign copy on the same building or structure.
For sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated border or for sign copy displayed on a background contrasting in color with the color of the building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the area within the contrasting background or within the painted or illuminated border.
SUSPENDED SIGNA sign attached to the underside of a canopy or marquee. See Table 436-76(1).
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable and lightweight plastic banner signs shall be considered temporary signs unless set in a permanent frame. See §
436-55.
Signs containing two faces of approximately equal size, erected upon common or separate structures, and positioned in a "V" shape with an interior angle between faces of not more than 45° with the distance between the sign faces not exceeding three feet at their closest point. See §
436-27A.
A sign that is, in any manner, affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure and that projects not more than 18 inches from the building or structure wall, to include signs affixed to the architectural projections of a building, provided the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection to which the sign is affixed. See Figure 436-25(1), §
436-28 and Table 436-76(1).
A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from the public way or from adjacent property. See Table 436-76(1).
WORKMANLIKEExecuted in a skilled manner with the use of proper tools, methods and materials.