As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure or part thereof, or
any device attached, painted, or represented directly or indirectly
on a structure or vehicle intended to attract the attention of those
outside in the public right-of-way, that displays or includes any
letter, word, insignia, flag, object, device, or representation used
as an advertisement or announcement. Signs may be of the following
types:
A.
ANNOUNCEMENT BOARDA sign on which the message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters, numerals, or graphics or through the use of electronic switching of lamps or other illuminated devices. This includes public service information, such as time and temperature displays, or any sign that features automatic or manual switching or changing of its message content, except animated signs that involve motion, flashing lights, or color changes requiring electrical energy or electronic or manufactured sources of supply.
B.
AWNINGAn architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity signage or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached.
(1)
An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid noncombustible
frame with covering material and shall be either fixed, retractable,
folding or collapsible, designed and located.
(2)
In accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.
C.
CANOPYAn architectural projection that provides weather protection; identity.
(1)
Signage or decoration and is supported by the building to which
it is attached and at the outer end by not less than one stanchion.
A canopy is comprised of a rigid noncombustible frame with covering
material and shall be designed and located in accordance with the
Uniform Construction Code. This shall include freestanding structures
like those over fuel dispersing islands.
D.
DIRECTORY SIGNA sign advertising a group of establishments occupying one property, with the name of the property and the names of the individual establishments located within the property or building.
E.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER (EMC)A sign, or portion thereof, that displays animated images, moving video images, graphics, or scrolling messages, electronic images, static images, static graphics or static pictures, with or without textual information. EMCs are capable of change or alteration by electronic means on a fixed display screen composed of a series of lights, including light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), digital light processing (DLPs), plasma, fiber optics, light bulbs, or other illumination devices within the area where the message is displayed. EMCs include computer programmable, microprocessor controlled electronic or digital displays. EMCs include signs that utilize technology not listed in this definition and shall include similar technology which may be developed in the future, or the use of which may become widespread in the future.
F.
FREESTANDING SIGNA sign and supporting structure which is secured on the principal lot in the ground and independent of any building, fence or other support. For the purpose of this definition, "freestanding signs" may consist of the following:
(1)
PYLON SIGNA permanent sign(s) permanently by upright or uprights which are permanently anchored into the ground. This may have two displayed sides.
(2)
GROUND SIGNA sign permanently located on the principal lot independent of any building designed to be viewed at eye level or below within the immediate vicinity and which is intended to be designed and viewed as an architecturally unified and proportional element. Ground signs shall be constructed so that the maximum height from mean grade to the lowest area of the sign face does not exceed a maximum height of eight feet except that it shall comply with §
260-157.
G.
POLITICAL SIGNWithin the following time and manner limitations, any sign or poster which displays or advertises the name, photograph, image or likeness of, or which is intended to promote the election of any candidate for public office.
H.
PORTABLE SIGNAny sign used, or intended to be used, for a short period of time and which is not affixed to a location on a building, structure or the ground. A portable sign includes, but is not limited to, sandwich boards, signs on wheels, buntings, A-frame signs, wire frame signs and the like.
I.
PROJECTING SIGNA sign that is dependent on a building for support and which projects more than 12 inches from the building, including an awning or canopy sign. Whenever a canopy or awning is affixed with any lettering, design, symbol, or made from any special material, which is intended to be or by its nature is an identification of a business, the applicable measurable area of the awning or canopy is a projecting sign. The lowest edge of a projecting sign shall not be less than 7 1/2 feet above the sidewalk or ground level elevation. A projecting sign shall not project above the eave of a structure. Any nonparallel wall sign is a projecting sign.
J.
WALL SIGNA sign mounted parallel to the face of a building or wall, which does not project above the eaves of the structure and is not more than 12 inches from the plane or facade of the building or wall.
K.
WINDOW SIGN, PERMANENTA sign permanently affixed to a building storefront window containing only the name of the establishment and the type of establishment. A storefront window shall be defined as and limited to a ground floor or first story window which is located in the main door to an establishment or on the same side of the building where the main door to the establishment is located, or in the side of a building which faces a public street, right-of-way, or public parking lot. An exterior mounted permanent window sign shall have a rigid frame with weatherproofing cover.
The following signs are prohibited:
A. Any sign that states that a property may be used for a nonpermitted
use.
B. Any sign that flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates. This does
not include electronic message centers.
C. Any animated signs, movable message signs or signs with internally
generated messages or symbols; no sign shall consist of any moving,
rotating, or otherwise animated part or message. This does not include
electronic message centers.
D. Any roofed sign structure attached to and supported by the building
placed above the roofline of a flat roof or the lowest point of eaves
of a sloping or mansard roof.
E. Any portable sign of any kind, other than a portable menu sign three
square feet or less placed at the entrance to a restaurant, is prohibited,
including any signs on wheels or advertising banners.
F. Any vehicle or trailer which is parked on public or private property
so as to be visible from a public right-of-way, which has attached
thereto or located thereon any sign or advertising device for the
basic purpose of providing advertisement of products or directing
people to a business or activity located on the same or on another
property.
G. Any sign nailed or in any way attached to a tree, utility pole, streetlight
pole, street identification sign, another sign, mailbox, fence, rock
or natural features, traffic signal device, or other regulatory device,
such as stop signs, yield signs, etc.
H. Signs erected within any public right away or near the intersections
of any streets in such a manner as to materially obstruct free and
clear vision.
I. Signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in a dilapidated
or hazardous condition so as to violate the purpose, intent and objective
of this chapter are required to be repaired or removed.
K. Pylon signs, except as noted in §
260-180.
The following regulations shall apply to signs legally existing
at the time of passage of this chapter that do not conform in use,
location, type, illumination, height or size with the regulations
of the district in which the sign is located.
A. Any sign existing at the time of the passage of this chapter that
does not conform in use, location, illumination, height or size with
the regulations of the district in which the sign is located shall
be considered a nonconforming sign and may continue in such use in
its present location, subject to the following caveats:
(1)
If a new use or occupancy is established, all new signs or replacement
signs must comply with this chapter in terms of quality, type, and
dimensional requirements.
(2)
A sign not complying with this chapter may continue if a building
or structure is renovated. If a building or structure is demolished
and rebuilt, all signs must be made to conform to this chapter in
terms of quality, type, and dimensional requirements.
(3)
If a new business certificate is issued, all signs must be made
to conform to this chapter in terms of quality, type and dimensional
requirements.