Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them
by this section:
ABANDONED SIGN
Sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide
business, lessee, service, owner, product, or activity or for which
no legal owner can be found, or a sign which is in a state of disrepair.
ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign which may be a changeable sign and which provides
information in addition to that included in the definitions for "identification
sign" and for "directory sign."
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign or display having action, motion, flashing lights,
color changes, rotating or moving parts, banners, spinners, flags,
or pennants, except for barber poles.
AWNING SIGN
A fireproof space frame structure with translucent, flexible,
reinforced vinyl covering designed in awning form, but whose principal
purpose and use is signage. Such signs are wholly supported by the
building to which they are attached and may be internally illuminated
by fluorescent or other light sources in fixtures approved under the
National Electrical Code and BOCA Code.
CHANGEABLE SIGN
A sign whose informational content can be changed or altered
by manual, electric, electromechanical, or electronic means.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign containing directional information about public places
owned or operated by federal, state, or local governments or their
agencies or pursuant to government statute, order, or regulation;
publicly or privately owned natural phenomena or historic, cultural,
scientific, educational, and religious sites; and areas of natural
beauty or naturally suited to outdoor recreation; and a sign containing
directional information whose purpose it is to regulate and control
the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to identify sidewalks,
parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits, fire lanes, handicapped
spaces, private parking, and similar areas.
DIRECTORY SIGN
A freestanding sign that lists the occupants or tenants of
a site or building and may cite the building owner or manager and
telephone number.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
One sign with print on both sides or two signs attached to
each other back-to-back. Whenever there is an angle between two or
more faces, each shall be considered as separate signs.
ERECT
To construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach,
create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish,
but not any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident
to the changes of an advertising message or normal maintenance or
repair of a sign or sign structure.
FACADE SIGN
A sign attached to, painted on, or erected against the exterior
wall of a building, with the sign face parallel to such wall, the
highest portion of which sign is not higher than the lowest portion
of the roofline of the building and is not wider than the building.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign, the illumination of which is not kept constant in
intensity at all times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which may be a changeable sign and which is supported
by poles, columns, uprights, or foundations affixed to the ground
but not attached to any part of any building.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign which states the name, address, and/or telephone number
of the occupant(s) therein or identifies a place or development or
the name and profession of a home occupation conducted on the premises.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign which is illuminated either indirectly from an external
artificial source with nonglaring lights or directly by shielded floodlights.
MEMORIAL SIGNS
Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques, building
name, erection date and emblems which do not exceed six square feet
in surface area and which are cut into any masonry and which are constructed
of bronze or other durable material.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
A sign which was erected legally, but which does not comply
with current sign restrictions and regulations.
OUTDOOR DISPLAY STRUCTURE or BILLBOARD
A sign which advertises a product or service or which directs
attention to a business, industry, profession, commodity, service,
organization, or entertainment not sold or offered upon the premises
where the sign is located and any sign unrelated to the premises on
which the sign is erected.
PARAPET
The extension of a false front or wall above a roofline.
PERSON
Any individual, association, partnership, firm or corporation.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign which is attached to a building wall and extends from
the face of such wall.
ROOF SIGN
A sign constructed or supported upon the roof or above the
roofline of any building or structure.
SHOPPING CENTER or OFFICE PLAZA
A collection of more than two stores, businesses, offices,
or separate commercial uses with shared, on-site parking for customers
in one or more connected lots.
SIGN
Any device, structure, fixture, or placard using graphics,
symbols, and written copy for the primary purpose of identifying,
providing directions or advertising any establishment, product, goods,
or services, provided that the display of public notices in connection
with a public entity or the flag, emblem or insignia of a nation or
political unit shall not be considered signs under the provisions
of this article.
SIGN AREA
The entire display space available for print, including decorative
trim, or, in the case of individual box letters, the box dimensions
encompassing all the letters, including decorative trim. If there
is no background, the sign area shall be the smallest rectangular
area required to encompass all lines of lettering, illustration, or
display.
SIGN STRUCTURE
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting
any sign or signs.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A nonilluminated sign which advertises a political election
or a political event, a community or civic project, real estate for
sale or lease, garage or other sale or special event on a temporary
basis and is removed within seven days of completion of the event.