Definitions. Unless otherwise specifically provided, or unless clearly
required by the context, the words and phrases defined in this section
shall have the meanings indicated when used in this section:
ANIMATED SIGN
Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict
display changes at any interval less than four seconds.
AREA OF SIGN
The area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme
limits of writing, representation, emblem, logo or any figure or similar
character, together with any material or color forming an integral
part of the display or used to differentiate this sign from the background
against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supports, canopy,
or uprights on which this sign is placed. For computing the area of
any sign which consists of individual letters or separate graphic
elements, the area shall be the smallest area that will enclose all
letters and ornamental features.
AREA OF WALL SIGN
The area of the smallest single continuous perimeter that
encompasses the extreme limits of letters, logos, or similar graphics
and any background or color used to differentiate the sign from the
supporting surface (wall, canopy, awning) on which it is placed.
ATTENTION-GETTING DEVICE
Any temporary or permanent device other than signs, official
flags or banners that is used for the purposes of marketing, advertising,
business identification and/or decoration. These include but are not
limited to balloons, inflatable "stick men," strings or pennants or
lights, vehicle-mounted antenna pennants and spotlights.
BANNER SIGN
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole or a building by a permanent frame at one or more
edges. National flags, state or municipal flags shall not be considered
banners.
BILLBOARD
An off-premises sign that consists of advertising space.
CHANGEABLE COPY
Any sign or portion thereof designed or used in such a manner
that characters, letters and/or symbols can be manually or electronically
changed or rearranged not more than once every four seconds without
altering the surface of the sign.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN
A temporary sign used during the construction of new buildings
or reconstruction of or additions to existing buildings, such as those
identifying the project and denoting the owner, architect, engineer,
contractor and/or financing institutions of the project.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any on-premises sign that includes information assisting
in the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. For purposes of the
regulations in this section, standard traffic signs (such as stop
signs or signs designating handicapped accessible parking spaces as
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act) do not constitute
directional signs. Menu board signs as defined in this section are
not directional signs.
FACADE
The front or main part of the building facing a street or
parking lot.
FLAG
Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns
or symbols used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision
or other entity.
FLASHING SIGN
Any sign, the illumination of which is not kept constant
in intensity at all times when in use, or which exhibits sudden or
marked changes in lighting effects at intervals of less than one second
in duration. A changeable copy sign, as defined in this section, is
not considered a flashing sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign that is attached to, erected on, or supported by some
structure, such as a pole, mast, base or frame, that is an integral
part of the sign. It is not attached to a building or other structure
whose principal function is something other than the support of a
sign.
FRONTAGE, BUILDING
For a building, any side of the building that faces a street
and is not separated from the public street by an alley or property
under different ownership.
FRONTAGE, STREET
For a tract of land or lot, the property line along a public
street. Corner lots will have more than one frontage.
GROUND OR MONUMENT SIGN
Any freestanding sign not supported by visible posts, poles,
pylons, uprights, braces, standards or other supports designed to
raise the sign face above the ground, where the sign is permanently
attached to the ground with a base that has a width and length that
are at least as large as the bottom edge of the sign face. The base
and supporting structure of all ground signs shall be constructed
of metal, concrete, brick, stone, split-face masonry block or some
other material of similar quality, as determined by the Building Inspector.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance measured from the adjacent street grade
or upper surface of the nearest street curb (other than an elevated
roadway) to the highest point of the sign.
INSTITUTION
Nonprofit use, such as a religious institution, library,
school, public or private hospital, or government-owned or government-operated
structure or land used for public purpose.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign where the source of the illumination is inside the
sign and light emanates through the message of the sign, rather than
being reflected off the surface of the sign from an external source.
MENU BOARD SIGN
A sign associated with a drive-through facility, where customers
typically stop to decide upon the services or items they will purchase.
Such a sign may or may not include a speaker for communication between
drivers and employees. A freestanding speaker without any copy on
the structure is not considered a sign.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which advertises goods or services not available on
the site upon which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which advertises goods or services available on the
site upon which the sign is located.
POLE/PYLON SIGN
Any freestanding sign supported by one or more visible poles
or pylons, which extend from the ground.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign that is designed to be easily moved and not permanently
attached to a building. Any fabricated sign or outdoor display, including
its structure, consisting of any letter, figure, character, mark,
point, plane, marquee sign, design, poster, pictorial, picture, strike,
stripe, line, trademark, reading matter or illuminating device, which
is constructed, attached, erected, fastened or manufactured in any
manner so that the same shall be used for the attraction of the public
to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance,
article, machine or merchandise and displayed in any manner visible
out of doors for recognized advertising purposes, including the sign
face and trim but not supports.
PROJECTING SIGN
A display sign that is attached directly to the building
wall, either perpendicular to or parallel with the building, which
extends no more than 15 inches from the wall.
PYLON
A column or columns used singly or in combination to structurally
support a freestanding sign that is substantially wider than a pole,
and which consists of a pole that has been "boxed in" or completely
concealed by metal, aluminum, masonry, stone or other structure, permanent
material, or a masonry or stone column.
REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENTAL SIGNAGE
A sign erected by a governmental body or public utility,
including legal notices, identification and informational signs and
traffic and regulatory signs.
SIGN
Any fixture, placard or structure that is visible from any
street, sidewalk or any public or private common open space and that
uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol or writing to
advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify a person or entity,
or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
SIGN FACE
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing
the extreme limits of a sign. However, such perimeter shall not include
any structural elements lying outside the limits of such sign and
not forming an integral part of the display.
SIGN PERMIT
A permit issued by the City Building Inspector that authorizes
the recipient to erect, move, enlarge or substantially alter a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN
Any sign that is used only temporarily and not permanently
mounted. This includes any sign constructed of cloth, canvas, light
fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without
frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time to advertise
a particular event.
WALL SIGN
A sign that is painted on or attached directly to a building
wall that does not extend more than 15 inches from the wall. Signage
permanently affixed to or incorporated into the design of a building
canopy or awning is also considered a wall sign.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign posted, painted, placed or affixed in or on a window
exposed to public view. An interior sign that faces a window exposed
to public view and located within three feet of the window is considered
a window sign.