As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ABANDONED SIGN
A sign that no longer identifies or advertises a location,
product or activity conducted on the premises on which the sign is
located.
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.
Environmentally activated. Animated 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.
B.
Mechanically activated. Animated signs characterized by repetitive
motion and/or rotation, activated by a mechanical system powered by
electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
C.
Electrically activated. Animated 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)
Flashing. Animated 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 movement. Animated 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.
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 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.
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 whose covering material exhibits the characteristics
of luminosity obtained by means of 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 "commercial outdoor advertising
sign."
BUILDING FACADE
That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending
vertically from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and
horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation.
CANOPY (ATTACHED)
A multisided structure or architectural projection supported
by attachment 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. Similar to a "marquee."
CANOPY (FREESTANDING)
A multisided structure supported by columns. 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 with the capability of content change by means of
manual or remote input, includes the following types:
A.
MANUALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface.
B.
ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATEDChangeable 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."
COMMERCIAL OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN
A permanent off-premises sign erected, maintained or used
in the outdoor environment for the purpose of providing copy area
for commercial or noncommercial messages.
COPY
The graphic content or message of a sign.
COPY AREA OF SIGN
The actual area of the sign copy as applied to any background.
Copy area on any individual background may be expressed as the sum
of the geometrically computed area(s) encompassing separate individual
letters, words or graphic elements on that background.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
Any sign that is designated 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 one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground. Refer also to §
350-2 herein for visual reference examples.
FRONTAGE (BUILDING)
The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a
single premises along either a 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).
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
A roof-like facade comparable to an exterior building wall.
MARQUEE
See "canopy (attached)." Definition is similar.
MARQUEE SIGN
See "canopy sign (attached)." Definition is similar.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message content may not necessarily bear any
relationship to the activities conducted on the premises on which
it is located, or to the expression of commercial or noncommercial
speech by the owner or bona-fide user of the premises on which it
is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign whose message content bears a direct relationship
to the activities conducted on the premises on which it is located,
or to the expression of any commercial or noncommercial speech by
the owner of bona-fide user of the premises on which it is located.
PARAPET
The extension of a building facade above the line of the
structural roof.
POLITICAL SIGN
A temporary sign intended to express a personal belief or
to advance a political statement, cause or candidate for office.
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 from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign. Refer also to §
350-2 herein for visual reference examples.
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° about an axis. See also "animated
sign, mechanically activated."
ROOFLINE
The uppermost line of the roof of a building or, in the case
of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade
or parapet.
ROOF SIGN
A sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the topmost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves, and architectural projections, such as canopies or marquees, shall not be considered to be roof signs. Refer also to §
350-2 herein for visual reference example of roof sign and comparison of differences between roof and fascia signs.
SIGN
A sign containing two faces of equal size, positioned at
an interior angle subtending less than 179° at the point of juncture
of the individual faces.
SIGN
Any device visible from a public place whose essential purpose
and design is to convey 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.
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.
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 from the building or structure wall. Also includes signs affixed to architectural projections that project 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. Refer also to §
350-2 herein for visual reference examples and comparison examples of differences between wall or fascia signs and roof signs.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message
intended to be visible to the exterior environment.
The following are visual reference examples for general sign
types:
No sign shall be illuminated by other than electrical means.
Electrical devices, components and wiring shall be installed and maintained
in accordance with the requirements of the electrical code as adopted
by the City of DuBois and in accordance with all Uniform Construction
Code (Act 45) requirements. In no case shall an open spark or flame
be used for display purposes.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code revisions (see Ch. 1,
General Provisions, Art. II)]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this chapter or any permit schedule or other rules and regulations
established pursuant thereto shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced
to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of
payment, be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90
days. Each date of violation shall be considered a separate violation
subject to imposition of a separate penalty.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
This chapter shall become effective on date of final passage.