The purpose of this article is to protect the safety and orderly
development of the community through the regulation of signs and sign
structures.
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this
article and as used elsewhere in this chapter, have the meanings shown
herein:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign structure that has ceased to be used, and the owner
intends no longer to have used, for the display of sign copy, or as
otherwise defined by state law.
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion.
Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as
defined and regulated by this chapter, include the following types:
A.
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:
(1)
FLASHINGAnimated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of nonillumination. For the purposes of this chapter, "flashing" will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds four seconds.
(2)
PATTERNED ILLUSIONARY MOVEMENTAnimated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
B.
ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural environmental input; includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
C.
MECHANICALLY ACTIVATEDAnimated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or prorated, activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTION
Any projection that is not intended for occupancy and that
extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building, but that
does not include signs as defined herein. See also "awning," "backlit
awning," and "canopy, attached" and "canopy, freestanding."
AWNING
An 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, including such structures
that are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
AWNING SIGN
A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface
or surfaces of an awning. See also "wall or fascia sign."
BACKLIT AWNING
An awning with a translucent covering material and a source
of illumination contained within its framework.
BANNER
A flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.
BANNER SIGN
A sign utilizing a banner as its display surface.
BILLBOARD
See "off-premises sign" and "outdoor advertising sign."
BUILDING ELEVATION
The entire side of a building, from ground level to the roofline,
as viewed perpendicular to the walls on that side of the building.
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
illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light. See
also "marquee."
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 illuminated by means of internal or external sources
of light.
CANOPY SIGN
A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or
freestanding canopy.
CHANGEABLE SIGN
A sign with the capability of content change by means of
manual or remote input, including signs which are:
A.
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDA changeable 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 also "electronic message sign or center."
COMBINATION SIGN
A sign that is supported partly by a pole and partly by a
building structure.
COPY
Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic
elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals
identifying a street address only.
DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX SIGN
A 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 SIGN
Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of
providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular
traffic.
ELECTRIC SIGN
Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical
energy.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign principally supported by a structure 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.
FRONTAGE (BUILDING)
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a
single premises orientated to the public way or other properties that
it faces.
FRONTAGE (PROPERTY)
The length of the property line(s) of any single premises
along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
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).
[Amended 1-6-2020 by Ord. No. 1-6-2020]
INTERIOR SIGN
Any sign placed within a building, but not including "window
signs," as defined by this chapter. Interior signs, with the exception
of window, signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
MANSARD
An inclined, decorative, roof-like projection that is attached
to an exterior building facade.
MENU BOARD
A freestanding sign orientated 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.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
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.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
A 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.
PARAPET
The extension of a building facade above the line of the
structural roof.
PERSONAL EXPRESSION SIGNS
Noncommercial signs, regardless of whether they contain political, religious or any other noncommercial message, subject to the time, place and manner criteria set forth below in §
500-85.
[Added 10-3-2016 by Ord.
No. 10-3-16-01]
PORTABLE SIGN
Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building
or building surface.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign, other than a wall sign, that is attached to or projects
more than 18 inches (457 mm) from a building face or wall or from
a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign.
REAL ESTATE SIGN
A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of
the property or premises upon which it is located.
REVOLVING SIGN
A sign that revolves 360° (6.28 rad) about an axis. See
also "animated sign, mechanically activated."
ROOF SIGN
A 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.
ROOFLINE
The top edge of a peaked roof or, in the case of an extended
facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
SIGN
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. Noncommercial
flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs will not be
considered to be signs.
SIGN AREA
The area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of
the combination of regular geometric figures, which comprises 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 all other multiple-sided
signs shall be computed as 50% of the sum of the area of all faces
of the sign.
SIGN COPY
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 FACE
The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy
is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, 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.
A.
In the case of 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 but not open
space between separate panels or cabinets.
B.
In the case of 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.
C.
In the case of signs painted on a building, or 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, but not the
open space between separate groupings of sign copy on the same building
or structure.
D.
In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated
border, or 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.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial
messages of a transitory or temporary nature. Portable signs or any
sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed
to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the
ground, are considered temporary signs.
V-SIGN
Signs containing two faces of approximately equal size, erected
upon common or separate structures, positioned in a V shape with an
interior angle between faces of not more than 90° (1.57 rad) with
the distance between the sign faces not exceeding five feet (1,524
mm) at their closest point.
WALL OR FASCIA SIGN
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
(457 mm) from the building or structure wall, including signs affixed
to architectural projections from 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 it is affixed. For a visual reference and a comparison of differences
between wall or fascia signs and roof signs, see Section 1003.
WINDOW SIGN
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.
Sign types and the computation of sign area shall be as depicted
in Figures 1003.1(1) through 1003.1(4) as depicted in the International
Zoning Code 2006, Chapter 10, Sign Regulations, pages 32, 33, 34 and
35.
The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, no sign shall be exempt from §
500-81D:
A. Official notices authorized by a court, public body or public safety
official.
B. Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal,
state or municipal governments.
C. Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones
when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible
material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
D. The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a
school.
E. Religious symbols and seasonal decorations within the appropriate
public holiday season.
F. Works of fine art displayed in conjunction with a commercial enterprise
that does not receive direct commercial gain.
G. Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address
signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six
square feet (0.56 m2) in area.
The following devices and locations shall be specifically prohibited:
A. Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere
with an official traffic sign, signal or device or obstruct or interfere
with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
B. Except as provided for elsewhere in this chapter, signs encroaching
upon or overhanging a public right-of-way. No sign shall be attached
to any utility pole, light standard, street tree or any other public
facility located within the public right-of-way.
C. Signs which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion
that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety
signs and lights or municipal vehicle warnings from a distance.
D. Portable signs, except as allowed for temporary signs.
E. Any sign attached to, or placed on, a vehicle or trailer parked on
public or private property, except for signs meeting the following
conditions:
(1) The primary purpose of such vehicle or trailer is not the display
of signs.
(2) The signs are magnetic, decals or painted upon an integral part of
the vehicle or equipment as originally designed by the manufacturer
and do not break the silhouette of the vehicle.
(3) The vehicle or trailer is in operating condition, currently registered
and licensed to operate on public streets when applicable, and actively
used or available for use in the daily function of the business to
which such signs relate.
F. Vehicles and trailers are not to be used primarily as static displays,
advertising a product or service, nor utilized as storage, shelter
or distribution points for commercial products or services for the
general public.
G. Balloons, streamers or pinwheels, except those temporarily displayed
as part of a special sale, promotion or community event. For the purposes
of this subsection, "temporarily" means no more than 20 days in any
calendar year.