[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
The purpose of this Section is to regulate all exterior signs
erected or installed after the effective date of this Chapter so as
to protect the property values as well as the character of the various
zoning districts in the City, to protect health, safety and morals
and to promote the public welfare. It is the intention of this Article
to regulate the design, construction, location and maintenance of
all signs, both for appearance and safety, and to provide for the
removal of unsafe, unsightly and unlawful signs.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have these
prescribed meanings:
ADVERTISING SIGN
Any sign that advertises, promotes or gives information on
products, events or businesses not conducted within the premises or
location upon which the sign is located.
APPLICANT
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership
and the like, singular or plural.
APPROVED COMBUSTIBLE PLASTICS
Those plastics which, when tested in accordance with American
Society for Testing Materials standard methods for test for flammability
of plastics over 0.050 inch in thickness (D635-44), burn no faster
than 2.5 inches per minute in sheets of 0.060 inch thickness.
AREA
The entire area within a continuous perimeter, enclosing
the extreme limits of sign display, including any frame or border.
Curved, spherical or any other shaped sign face shall be computed
on the basis of actual surface area. The computation for signs composed
of individual letters, numerals or other devices shall be the sum
of the area of the smallest rectangle or other geometric figure encompassing
each of said letter or devices. The calculation for a double-faced
sign shall be the area of one (1) face only. Double-faced signs shall
be so constructed that the perimeter of both faces coincide and are
parallel and not more than twenty-four (24) inches apart.
ATTENTION-ATTRACTING DEVICES
Any flasher, blinker, animation, banner, clock or other object
designed or intended to attract the attention of the public to an
establishment or sign.
AWNING
A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall
of a building constructed of non-rigid materials on a supporting framework.
BUILDING SIGN
Any sign attached to or projecting from a building at a ninety
degree (90%) angle and is made an integral part of the building.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
Any panel which is characterized by changeable copy illuminated
or non-illuminated regardless of method of attachment. Changeable
copy signs shall be permitted in accordance with the requirements
for the same type primary sign.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The City Inspector or his agent, who is charged with the
administration and enforcement of the sign ordinance.
COMBINATION SIGN
Any sign which combines the characteristics of two (2) or
more types of signs. Combination signs shall conform to all requirements
for all types of signs comprising the combination sign.
DETACHED SIGN TYPE "C"
A monument type identification sign which rises from the
ground, is either illuminated or non-illuminated, and generally has
no clearance under it.
ELECTRICAL SIGN
Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs,
faces, backgrounds of outlines illuminated by incandescent, neon or
fluorescent lamps or luminous parts of the sign proper, these light
sources being either external or internal, or any sign which uses
electrical/mechanical equipment or devices in its operation.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hand, place, suspend or affix
and shall also include the painting of signs on the exterior of a
building or structure.
FACADE
The front or main face of any building or structure on which
the street or frontage road has been established as a permanent address
as listed in the City directory.
FREE-STANDING SIGN
Any sign supported by uprights, braces, poles or other vertical
members in or upon the ground and not attached to a building.
HAZARDOUS SIGN
A sign which, because of its construction or state of disrepair,
may fall or cause possible injury to passersby, as determined by the
City; a sign which, because of its location, color, illumination or
animation, interferes with, obstructs the view of or is confused with
any authorized traffic sign, signal or device; or a sign which makes
use of the words "stop", "go", "slow", "caution", "drive-in", "danger"
or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a way as to
interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign giving the name and address of a building, business,
development or establishment. Such signs may be wholly or partly devoted
to a readily recognized symbol.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
1.
Semi-illuminated sign. Any sign which is uniformly
illuminated internally over its entire area, including the area of
the sign, by use of electricity or other artificial light.
2.
Indirectly illuminated sign. Any sign which
is partially or completely illuminated at any time by an external
light source which is so shielded as to not be visible at eye level.
3.
Fully illuminated sign. Any sign which is illuminated
by an external or internal light source which is visible.
LETTER DISPLAY
Individual letters mounted on a facade or parapet wall.
LOCATION
A lot, premise, building, wall, property or any place whatsoever
upon which a sign is located.
MANSARD ROOF
A roof which appears to be a part of the facade (wall), usually
constructed for appearance only.
MARQUEE or CANOPY
A covering structure projecting from and attached to a building
or self supporting.
PAINTED WALL SIGN
A sign which is painted directly on a building or structure.
Painted wall signs will be permitted subject to the same restrictions
as wall signs.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign which is not permanently affixed to one (1) location
and has the capability of being moved from one site to the next without
disassembly.
ROOF LEVEL
Where the eaves of the roof connect to the top of the wall,
except where a mansard roof is used. Mansard roof level shall be the
uppermost elevation of the roof.
ROOF LINE
That part of the roof or parapet which covers the major area
of the building.
ROOF SIGN
A sign any part of which extends above the high point of
a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially
supported by said building.
SIGN
Shall mean and include every sign, name, number, identification,
description, announcement, declaration, demonstration, device, display,
flag, banner, pennant, illustration, beacon, light or insignia and
structure supporting any of the same, affixed directly or indirectly
to or upon any building or outdoor structure or erected or maintained
upon a piece of land and which directs attention to an object, product,
service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business.
SNIPE SIGN
A temporary sign or poster affixed to a utility pole, tree,
fence or similar object not designed for the purpose of supporting
a sign.
STRUCTURE
The supports, uprights, bracing and framework for the sign,
including foundations where applicable.
SUBDIVISION AMENITY SIGN
A sign directing traffic to amenities such as a clubhouse
or swimming pool within the subdivision.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign of non-combustible or combustible materials, with
or without a frame, which is usually attached to the outside of a
building on a wall or storefront, fence, tree, utility pole or temporary
structure for a limited period of time; or a sign which is not permanently
attached to the ground, building or other load-bearing structure.
Temporary signs are intended to be displayed for a short period of
time not to exceed thirty (30) days.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to or erected against an exterior wall of
a building or structure, which projects not more than twelve (12)
inches from a wall and presents only one (1) face of advertising copy
to the public.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof designed
to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity,
event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the
window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
This does not apply to window signs announcing civic, community, educational,
social or charitable events.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
The applicant, the owner of the sign, the owner of the land
or structure and the person in charge of erecting the sign or structure
are all subject to the provisions of this Article and therefore subject
to the penalty hereinafter provided.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
Any applicant, person, firm, corporation or other entity violating
the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not less than
twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Each day such violation is committed or permitted to continue shall
constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such hereunder.