Definitions.
As used in this Section the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign, including sign face and supporting structure, which
refers to a discontinued business, profession, commodity, service,
or other activity or use formerly occupying the site; or which contains
no sign copy on all sign faces for a continuous period of six (6)
months.
ADVERTISING SIGN
A sign which directs attention to any product, activity,
or service; provided, however, that such sign shall not be related
to or make reference to the primary use, business activity, or service
conducted on the premises.
ARCHITECTURAL CANOPY SIGN
An enclosed, illuminated (backlit awning) or non-illuminated
structure that is attached to the wall of a building with the face
of the sign approximately parallel to the wall and with the sign's
area integrated into its surface.
AUDIBLE SIGN
Any sign that conveys either a written message supported
by an audible noise including music, spoken message, and/or sounds
to attract attention to the sign. Audible signs also include signs
conveying only the audible noise including music, spoken message,
and/or sounds to attract attention.
AWNING, CANOPY OR MARQUEE SIGN
A sign that is mounted, painted, or attached to an awning,
canopy, or marquee that is otherwise permitted by the Zoning Regulations.
BILLBOARD
A free-standing sign that identifies or communicates a commercial
or non-commercial message related to an activity conducted, a service
rendered, or a commodity sold at a location other than where the sign
is located.
BUILDING SIGN
Any sign supported by, painted on or otherwise attached to
any building or structure.
BUSINESS SIGN
An on-site sign which identifies or directs attention to
an object, product, place, activity, business, person or persons,
service or interest situated on the same premises as such sign.
CENTER IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign which identifies a building or group of commercial
buildings in single ownership or control, sharing parking and access.
DESTINATION SIGN
A sign used to inform and direct the public to important
public places and buildings, landmarks, and historical sites in the
most simple, direct, and concise manner possible.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A sign which serves only to designate the location or direction
of any area or place.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign consisting of no more than two (2) parallel or near
parallel faces supported by a single structure. The angle created
by the two (2) faces of a double-faced sign shall not exceed fifteen
degrees (15°).
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SIGNS
On-premises signs which use an array of electronically illuminated
lights, generally controlled by a computer or other electronic programming
device, to display information or supporting graphics. Information
may include news, events or information about businesses or attractions.
ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN (ECMS)
An outdoor advertising sign that changes the message, advertisement,
or copy on the sign face by electronic or mechanical device or process,
either automated or remote, regardless of the process used. Blinking,
flashing, rotating, revolving, spinning, fluttering lighting or animation
is not allowed. Transition between messages is permitted, but such
transitions may only fade, scroll, travel or reveal.
FLASHING SIGN
A sign designed to give an electrical light flash intermittently
or a revolving beacon light.
FREESTANDING SIGN
Any sign supported by uprights or braces placed on or in
the ground, which is used principally for advertising or identification
purposes and is not supported by any building.
FRONTAGIC
The length of a property line of anyone premises abutting
and parallel to a public street, road, highway, or court.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source.
MOVING SIGN
A sign which conveys its message through rotating, changing
or animated elements.
NIT
A unit of luminous intensity equal to one (1) candela per
square meter (1 cd/m2).
NUMERIC DISPLAY SIGNS
On-premise signs which display numeric information only.
Typical examples include time and temperature displays and fuel price
displays. The numeric information may be changed electronically or
manually.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign, display, or device advertising activity conducted
somewhere other than the site where the sign is located. This definition
may also include the definition of billboard when the advertising
message is off premises.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign, display, or device advertising activities conducted
on the property on which such sign is located. This definition may
also include billboards used for on-premises advertising.
OPEN SIGN
A sign attached to or hung from a marquee, canopy, or other
covered structure, projecting from and supported by the building and
extending beyond the building wall, building line, or street lot line.
POLE SIGN
An on-premises sign built on a freestanding frames mast,
or pole(s) with a clearance of greater than three (3) feet.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign, usually of a temporary nature, not securely anchored
to the ground or to a building or structure and which obtains some
or all of its structural stability with respect to wind or other normally
applied forces by means of its geometry or character.
PREMISES
A tract of one (1) or more lots or sites which are contiguous
and under common ownership or control.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign suspended from or attached to a building and extending
outward therefrom.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN
A small detached or attached sign located on residential
premises, conveying a message communicated by the owner of the property.
ROOF SIGN
A sign identifying the name of a business, enterprise, or
the product sold on the premises and erected on the roof of the building.
SIGN AREA
The entire area including the background of a sign on which
copy can be placed but not including the minimal supporting framework
or bracing. The area of individually painted letter signs, individual
letter signs or directly or indirectly illuminated individual letter
signs, shall be calculated on the basis of the smallest geometric
figure that will enclose the entire copy area of the sign. Any such
calculation shall include the areas between the letters and lines,
as well as the areas of any devices, illuminated or non-illuminated.
SIGN FACE
The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the
message of the sign is exhibited.
SIGN SETBACK
The horizontal distance from the property line to the nearest
projection of the existing or proposed sign.
SIGN SURFACE
The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing
all elements of a sign which are intended to be part of the visual
image of the sign.
STREET FACADE
Any separate external face of a building, including parapet
walls and omitted wall lines, oriented to and facing a public street,
road, highway or court (excluding alleys). Separate faces oriented
in the same direction or within forty-five degrees (45°) of one
another are considered a part of the same street facade.
SUBDIVISION SIGN
A sign erected on a subdivision identification lot which
identifies the platted subdivision where the sign is located.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign constructed of cloth, fabric, or other material with
or without a structural frame intended for a limited period of display,
including displays for holidays or public demonstrations. Temporary
signs shall include portable signs as defined in this Section.
VIDEO SIGN
Any on-premises or off-premises sign that conveys either
a commercial or non-commercial message, including a business or organization
name, through means of a television or other video screen.
WALL SIGN
A sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building
with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the wall
of the building and not projecting more than twelve (12) inches from
the face of the building wall and not extending above the parapet
or eave of the building.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign painted, stenciled, or affixed on a window, which
is visible from a right-of-way.