Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AREA OF SIGNThe entire geometric area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the actual surface of a single-faced sign. It does not include any structural elements outside the limits of such signs and not forming an integral part of the sign face.
AWNINGAn architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton structure over which a covering, such as heavy canvas, is attached.
AWNING SIGNAny wall sign integrally attached or imprinted on the face or valance of an awning.
BACK-LIT LETTERA channel letter, with an open or translucent back, that is illuminated. Light is directed against a surface behind the letter, producing a halo effect. Also known as a silhouette or halo lighted.
BOX SIGNA sign which contains all of the advertising copy within an enclosed cabinet (typically a standard geometric shape such as a rectangle) and is mounted to a wall. Box signs have a translucent or opaque back-lit panel with sign copy enclosed within a frame or a cabinet. A business logo sign shall not constitute a box sign.
BUILDING FRONTAGEThe linear length of the outside building wall facing the public right-of-way or, in the case of a multitenant building, the linear length of the outside building wall of the individual tenant unit facing the parking area which serves as the primary access for the multitenant building or multistory building.
BUILDING SIGNAny sign affixed to a building that directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to a commodity, service or entertainment sold, offered, or manufactured, upon the premises where such sign is located or to which it is affixed.
BUILDING WALLThe wall area in one plane or elevation of a building.
BUSINESS LOGO SIGNA wall sign that may be constructed as an enclosed cabinet in which the extent of the area of the sign is limited to a business logo. This sign shall have dimensional surface and may be internally illuminated.
BUSINESS SIGNAny sign which directs attention to a business or profession conducted, or to a commodity, service, or entertainment sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is located.
CANOPYAn overhead roof structure that has open sides. Canopies can be constructed out of rigid or nonrigid materials. Canopies are typically intended to provide shelter from the rain or sun, but may also be for decorative purposes, or to give emphasis to a route or part of a building. A canopy may be freestanding or attached to a building and may or may not be ground-mounted.
CANOPY SIGNA wall sign which is permanently affixed to a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNA sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters and numerals that are changed manually.
CHANNEL LETTER SIGNA wall sign made of self-contained letters that are affixed to an electrical raceway or affixed directly to the face of a building that does not project above the top of the parapet wall, does not project above any portion of the roofline, does not project beyond the sidewall of the building and which does not project above or below a marquee. Channel letters may or may not be internally illuminated.
COPY AREAThe area in square feet of the smallest geometric figure that can be described so as to enclose the actual copy/letters and logo of a sign. The background color of a dimensional surface sign is included within the measurement of sign copy area for wall signs unless otherwise considered an architectural feature by the Planning and Zoning Department. The copy area of a projecting/blade sign or freestanding ground-mounted sign is calculated on one face of the sign only.
DEVELOPMENT SIGNA permanently ground-mounted identification sign of residential, commercial, or industrial developments.
DIMENSIONAL SURFACE SIGNA wall sign consisting of three-dimensional letterforms applied to or raised from a separate, solid, flat background. The message may be in relief or depressed by means of carving, etching, routing, and positive or negative cutout. The graphic design of the sign face shall ensure that each letter shall receive a structural outline element that causes a visual break with each letter, numeral, character or logo bordering to either side. A dimensional surface sign may not be constructed as a box sign.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign designed and erected solely for the purpose of traffic or pedestrian direction and placed on the property where the public is directed, provided such sign shall contain no advertising copy.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign listing the names and locations of various businesses or activities conducted within a building or group of buildings on the premises where such sign is attached.
DUAL POST SIGNA type of freestanding ground-mounted sign that utilizes two posts or columns that are used to mount the sign in the ground.
DYNAMIC DIGITAL SIGNA large screen or series of screens that display a message, image, or series of images.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGNA changeable information display that is electrically activated, such as with light bulbs, video display, or mechanical flip discs, to convey information through changing letters, numbers, figures or similar depictions, provided such information. An electronic message sign is not a dynamic display sign. Time-and-temperature signs and gas station price signs shall not be considered electronic message signs. Athletic scoreboards on public property shall not be considered electronic message signs.
FACE OF SIGNThe entire area of a sign where copy could be placed.
FLASHING SIGNAny directly or indirectly illuminated sign which exhibits changing natural or artificial light or color effects by any means whatsoever. Time-and-temperature signs shall not be considered flashing signs.
GRADE, NATURALThe preconstruction elevation at the level of the street closest to the sign to which the sign is oriented, measured at the street's center line. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sign is located more than 75 feet from the right-of-way, "grade" shall mean the average ground elevation of the lot on which the sign is located.
GROUND-MOUNTED SIGNA sign which is attached to the ground and may be completely or principally supported by a single base, one or more posts or other support structure.
HEIGHT OF SIGNThe vertical distance measured from the average natural grade at the foot of the sign to the highest point on the sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGNA sign that is illuminated either by means of exposed tubing or lamps on its surface, on the ground, or by means of illumination transmitted through the sign letters or faces.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN (GRANDFATHERED SIGN)Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to such time as it became subject to the requirements of this chapter, and any amendments thereto, and which fails to conform to all the applicable regulations and restrictions of this chapter.
MONUMENT SIGNA freestanding ground-mounted sign where the support base of the sign is solid with no gaps.
NAMEPLATEA wall sign which does not exceed two square feet in size and is mounted to the principal building or mailbox.
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGNAny advertising device, billboard, poster, notice or display which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business that is not located on the property where the sign is located, but not including a temporary sign or a sign advertising the activity being conducted upon the property upon which it is located.
OFF-STREET PARKINGA public or private parking area designed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
POLE SIGNA freestanding sign, usually double-faced, mounted on a round pole, square tube, or other fabricated members without any type of secondary support.
PORTABLE SIGNA portable sign is one type of temporary sign not permanently attached to the ground, building, or to any other structure, typically installed for a short time period.
PROJECTING/BLADE SIGNAny sign other than a wall sign which is attached to, and extends from the face of the wall of the building to which it is affixed. Projecting signs are oriented horizontally and blade signs are oriented vertically. No guylines, braces or secondary supports shall be used. Any angle iron or main support shall be enclosed in a wood, plastic or metal form, such that the angle iron or main support for the sign is not visible. A projecting/blade sign is not/may not be constructed as a box sign.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYA strip of land on which infrastructure such as roads, railroads or power lines is built. The right-of-way is owned by a public jurisdiction.
PUBLIC SERVICE SIGNA sign posted on public or quasi-public property, the function of which is to promote items of general interest to the community.
PYLON SIGNA freestanding sign with a support structure similar to pole signs, but enclosed by a cover. The defining feature of a pylon sign is typically its rigid face, supported by either one or two metal poles.
RACEWAYAn electrical enclosure that can also be used to attach a sign to the structure.
ROOF SIGNA building-mounted sign erected upon and completely over the roof of the building.
SIGNA name, identification, description, display or illustration which is affixed to or painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, pole or other surface or piece of land, including pennants, which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business; provided, however, "sign" shall not include any display of official court or public office notices or any other notices required by statute or Village ordinance, nor shall it include a flag, emblem or insignia of a nation, political unit, school or religious group. "Sign" shall not include a sign located completely within an enclosed building unless the content is readily visible from a street or other public place.
SIGN FACEThe entire area within a 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. The sign face area includes the sign copy area plus the non-copy area background. The area of a sign face shall be determined by calculating the area within a single continuous perimeter encompassing the entire advertising copy or art designed to attract attention. The area within the single continuous perimeter shall be calculated by determining the area of the smallest measurable square, circle, rectangle, or triangle within the single continuous perimeter. For ground signs with multiple faces: when two identical ground sign faces are placed back to back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time, and when such sign faces are part of the same sign structure, the sign face area shall be the area of one side of the sign. In all other circumstances, the sign face area of a ground sign shall be the total sign face area of all sign faces on the ground sign.
SIGN STRUCTUREA structure that supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including a decorative cover. No guy wire, braces, or secondary supports are to be used. Any angle iron or main support is to be enclosed in a wood, plastic, or metal form, such that the angle iron or main support is not visible.
TEMPORARY BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGNA business sign that is used for:
(a) A newly opened or relocated business prior to the arrival of its permanent signage; or
A temporary business that is housed in a brick-and-mortar building.
TEMPORARY EVENT SIGNA sign advertising the existence of an event of a temporary nature for a limited period of time.
TEMPORARY SIGNA sign, banner, pennant, valance, inflatable device, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, which is not permanently installed or affixed to any sign structure.
UNLAWFUL SIGNA sign which contravenes this chapter or which the Village may declare as unlawful if it becomes dangerous to public safety by reason of dilapidation or disrepair or a nonconforming sign for which a permit required under this chapter has not been obtained.
VEHICLE SIGNAny sign painted on, attached to, or mounted upon any operable or inoperable motor vehicle.
WALL SIGNA sign which is affixed to the face of the wall of the building, and which does not extend beyond the horizontal width or vertical height of such building. A wall sign shall only be a building sign or a business sign as designated herein.
WINDOW SIGNA sign installed inside a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. This term does not include merchandise located in a window.
