Definitions. For the purpose of this article, the
terms used herein are defined as follows:
ANIMATED SIGN
A sign with action or motion, flashing, color changes requiring
electrical energy or electronic manufactured sources of supply, but
not including wind-actuated elements such as flags, banners or specialty
items.
AWNING
A structure, as of canvas, stretched over a frame as a shelter
from weather.
BANNER SIGN
Any sign intended to be hung either with or without frames,
possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied
to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, but a single United States
national flag of reasonable size shall not be considered a banner
for the purpose of this article unless its use or purpose is that
of advertising the location of the business at which it is flown.
BEACON LIGHT
Any light with one or more beams, capable of being directed
in any direction or directions or capable of being revolved automatically.
CHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN
A sign that changes its display by programmable electronic
or mechanical processes, automatically or by remote control, and displays
a message or image by means of an electronic image, illuminated segments,
a series of grid lights or video (including, but not limited to, a
television screen, plasma screen, digital screen, LED screen, video
board, or holographic display).
[Added 8-5-2009 by Ord. No. 1775; amended 5-21-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-1851]
CORNICE
The cornice directly over a window in the ground floor of
a building.
CURBLINE
The established line and grade for the upper and outer edge
of a curb.
DIRECTORY SIGN
A group of small signs advertising a group of professional,
commercial or industrial individuals, companies, businesses or industries.
Such signs may be erected in the manner of a freestanding sign or
may be attached to a building or wall.
ERECT
To put in place and fasten to a building or elsewhere any
sign or structure regulated by this article.
FESTOON LIGHTING
A directly illuminated sign comprised of either:
(1)
A group of incandescent light bulbs hung or
strung overhead or on a building or structure.
(2)
Light bulbs not shaded or hooded or otherwise
screened to prevent direct rays of light from shining on adjacent
properties or rights-of-way.
FLASHING SIGN
An illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not
maintained stationary and constant in intensity and/or color at all
times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A sign which is not supported by attachment to a building
or a wall.
HEIGHT
When applied to signs, the distance overall from top to bottom
as erected in a vertical line.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign which does not comply with the applicable sign provisions
in a zoning ordinance or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted,
where such sign was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of
such ordinance or amendment or prior to the application of such ordinance
or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to
an activity not on the same lot.
PERSON
The owner or person in possession of the premises and the
erector of the sign, and shall include all individuals, partnerships,
corporations and unincorporated associations.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign mounted to a wall or other vertical building surface
other than a wall sign.
REBUILD
In connection with signs and structures, to make changes,
additions or repairs which necessitate their temporary removal from
their fastening.
RELOCATE
The removal of a sign from one building or location to another
from its existing location to another location on the same building
or property.
ROOF SIGN
A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet wall of a
building and which is wholly or partly supported by said building.
SIGN
An identification, description, illustration or device, illuminated
or nonilluminated, which is visible from any public place and draws
attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution,
business or solicitation, or any emblem, painting, banner, pennant,
placard or temporary display designed to advertise, identify or convey
information, with the exception of national flags of reasonable size.
SIGN AREA
The area of all lettering, wording and accompanying designs
and symbols, together with the background on which they are displayed.
"Sign area" excludes any supporting framework and bracing, provided
that it does not contain any lettering, wording, designs or symbols.
Where the sign consists of a double face, only one side shall be considered
for the purpose of calculating total sign area. Where both sides are
not identical, all sides shall be considered in calculating total
sign area.
[Added 8-5-2009 by Ord. No. 1775]
STREET BANNER SIGN
Any banner sign which is stretched across and hung over a
public right-of-way.
STREET LINE
The line of dedication in the case of a dedicated street
and a line 25 feet on each side of the center line in the case of
an alley, driveway or private road.
STRUCTURE
A marquee or steel framework supporting the roof sign.
THICKNESS
The distance between the outer surfaces of the two main spaces
which are separated for construction purposes.
TRAILER SIGN
Any sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels,
rollers or similar devices facilitating movement and is capable of
being moved from one location to another.
WALL SIGN
A sign which is painted on a wall, glass surface or building
or which consists of letters or symbols fastened either directly to
a wall or a building or fastened to a panel which in turn is fastened
to a wall or building, and which does not project more than six inches
from the building or structure.
WAYFINDING SIGN
A sign and related equipment owned or operated by (or on
behalf of) the Borough of Lansdale for the benefit of visitors, residents
and businesses in the Borough of Lansdale to identify and help direct
individuals to businesses, cultural institutions, recreation areas,
public facilities, destinations of interest and other attractions
located in the Borough of Lansdale.
[Added 5-21-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-1851]
WIDTH
The overall distance by a horizontal line from one side of
the sign to the other as the sign is erected and installed.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign which in any manner is affixed to the exterior or
interior of a glass surface where such glass surface comprises any
portion of the building front on a public street.
ZONING OFFICER
The person regularly assigned to that office or anyone temporarily
performing the duties of the office or any other official to whom
the duties of the office may be assigned by the Council or Borough
Manager.