A.Â
The language set forth in this chapter shall be interpreted as follows:
(1)Â
Words used or defined in one tense or form shall include other tenses
or derivative forms.
(2)Â
Words in the singular number shall include the plural number, and
words in the plural number shall include the singular number.
(3)Â
The masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter. The feminine
gender shall include the masculine and neuter. The neuter gender shall
include the masculine and feminine.
(4)Â
The word "person" includes individuals, firms, partnerships, joint
ventures, trusts, trustees, estates, corporations, associations and
any other similar entities.
(5)Â
The word "building" includes the word "structure" and shall be construed
as if followed by the words "or a part thereof."
(6)Â
The word "lot" includes the words "plot," "tract," and "parcel."
(7)Â
The words "shall," "must" and "will" are mandatory in nature and
establish an obligation or duty to comply with the particular provision.
The words "may" and "should" are permissive.
(8)Â
The time within which any act required by this chapter is to be performed
shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last
day. The word "day" shall mean a calendar day, unless otherwise indicated.
(9)Â
Any words not defined in this chapter shall be construed as defined
in standard reference dictionary usage or other applicable City of
Lancaster ordinance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A zoning district as described and delineated by the Zoning
Ordinance[1] of the City of Lancaster.
Any device, structure or material for visual communication
that is used to bring the subject or information to the attention
of the public. Signs include but are not limited to the following:
lettering, pictorial matter, logos, trademarks, borders or other symbols
which are applied to a building, located elsewhere on the premises,
and/or located in the public right-of-way; signs affixed to windows
or glass doors or otherwise internally mounted such that they are
obviously intended to be seen and understood by pedestrian or vehicular
traffic outside the building; off-site signs which may be freestanding
or affixed to a structure and provide information about a business,
organization, activity, or place located elsewhere or to promote a
particular ideology; banners, flags, streamers, pennants, spinners,
reflectors, ribbons, tinsel, and similar materials, and inflatable
objects. Signs do not include the following: architectural features
which may be identified with a particular business; signs within a
building which are obviously intended to be seen primarily from within
the building; display of merchandise either behind store windows or
outdoors; and flags and insignia of governments or government agencies
or of any civic, educational, or religious organization.
The municipal employee assigned the responsibility of administering
and enforcing this chapter, including but not limited to issuance
of permits for signs that are in compliance with this chapter and
any accompanying rules and regulations, providing administrative support
to the Sign Commission, issuing notices of violation for signs installed
improperly or without permits, and participating in enforcement proceedings
as required.
The three-member review body appointed by the Mayor with
approval of City Council and assigned the responsibility of providing
design review comments to the Sign Administrator and for serving as
the appeals board for requests for modifications from the requirements
of this chapter.
Permitted sign structures are defined as follows:
ARCADEA sign which is attached to the underside of the soffit or ceiling of a covered passageway or sidewalk.
AWNINGA sign which is painted on, attached to, or otherwise incorporated into the exterior surface of an awning or canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area and contained entirely within the limits of the awning surface. A marquee is not an awning.
BANNERAny sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is attached at one or more edges to a pole or a building. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution shall not be considered banners; however, flags with advertising, announcements or other messages shall be regulated as banners.
BILLBOARDA large sign constructed with panel board or electronic messaging and with a support frame as an independent structure containing commercial or other advertising regarding commercial activity that takes place off the premises.
FREESTANDINGA sign which possesses its own foundation or structure and is not attached to a building or structure. For the purpose of this chapter, a freestanding sign does not include a billboard, monument or sidewalk sign.
MARQUEEA sign which is painted on, attached to, or otherwise incorporated into the exterior surface of a marquee and contained entirely within the limits of the marquee surface.
MONUMENTA structure having its own foundation, independent of other structures or buildings, designed to display one or more signs.
PROJECTINGA sign which is attached to the wall of a building and which extends from the face of such wall.
ROOFA sign which is erected wholly on or above the roof or above the parapet wall of a building or structure.
SIDEWALKA sign which is placed on the sidewalk area of the public right-of-way and is not attached to any structure, utility pole or tree.
WALLA sign which is attached to the wall of a building, with the face being in a plane parallel to such wall and not extending more than 18 inches from the face of such wall, or a sign painted on a wall. A sign painted on or otherwise affixed to a window or door shall be considered a wall sign. For the purpose of this chapter, "wall sign" does not include billboards.
Any sign which is physically and/or visually changed, except
that signs designed for periodic changes in advertising, such as billboards,
business name channel signs or group identity signs, may change and
shall not be considered altered signs at the time of such change.
A sign permit shall be required for an altered sign.
A sign designed with tracks or channels that hold individual
letters or symbols or a sign with a writable surface.
A sign capable of displaying words, symbols, numbers or images
that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic
means. Illuminated signs which indicate the time, temperature, date
or other similar information shall be considered electronic message
signs.
Any sign which has a preprogrammed, repetitious cycle with
interruption of illumination from one or more sources and varying
in intensity from zero (off) to 100% (on) and which has a period of
illumination (on phase) that is either the same as, less than or greater
than the period of darkness (off phase).
A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or
outlines illuminated by electric lighting or luminous tubes, which
are stationary and constant in intensity, as part of the sign, or
whose illumination is derived from an external source.
A sign exhibiting the illusion of movement by means of a
preprogrammed repetitious sequential switching action in which illuminated
elements of the sign are turned on or off to visually simulate the
impression of motion characteristic of chasing, scrolling, running,
blinking, oscillating, twinkling, scintillating, expanding or contracting
light patterns.
Any sign existing at the time of adoption of this chapter
or amendment thereto that does not conform in placement, location,
area, illumination, type, height or other regulation as set forth
in this chapter or accompanying rules and regulations.
Permitted sign types are defined as follows:
BUSINESS SIGNA sign which directs attention to a business, profession, apartment building or complex, product, service, activity or entertainment sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located, excluding home occupations.
COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGNA sign used for the display of printed or painted advertising matter which directs attention to a business, product, service, activity or entertainment not necessarily conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNA sign or device intended to direct or point toward a place, or object, such as one that indicates the way to a place or object.
NONCOMMERCIAL SIGNA sign containing a noncommercial message constituting a form of personal, political, religious, social or other expression without limit of content, as protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
PUBLIC SIGNA sign erected by a public, semipublic, or private agency or entity to promote general health, safety or welfare or to provide information of public interest.
TEMPORARY SIGNAn advertising or announcement sign intended to inform the general public of special activities, such as sales days, cultural or entertainment events or charitable affairs.
A notification in writing that is mailed by first class mail
specifying a particular action that must occur or an action to be
taken to correct a violation.
