Any sign that does not display any advertisement, copy or message or any sign which identifies or advertises a business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, which is no longer available at the indicated location or no longer available on the premises or for which no legal owner can be found.
A sign inscribed onto a fence, archway, earthen berm, or similar permitted accessory structure that is not erected for the sole purpose of mounting a sign.
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The project or subdivision has continuous construction efforts underway to complete the project.
The process through which nonconformities are required to come into compliance with applicable regulations over a prescribed period of time.
A sign that is affixed to a building (including a building component, such as a column, marquee or canopy) and that uses the building as its primary support.
The “grade plane” as established in the applicable Building Code.
A roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a building to shield a doorway, walkway, or window from inclement weather or the sun, and that is not supported by posts or columns. Awnings are often made of fabric or flexible plastic supported by a rigid frame and may be retracted into the face of the building.
A sign that is painted, stenciled or attached to the surface of an awning.
Any strip of cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar lightweight material, attached to the wall of a building. This definition does not include flags, pennants or streamers.
See off-premises sign.
A box-like frame or external structure that encloses the various functional elements of the sign design, whether electrical or dimensional components.
A permanent roof-like shelter extending at least 12 inches from part or all of a building face and constructed of a durable material such as masonry, metal, or glass.
A sign attached to, embossed, inscribed, painted, or constructed on the surface of or hanging beneath a canopy.
Characters, letters, numbers, or illustrations that can be manually replaced or altered through the placement of letters or symbols on a panel mounted or track system.
See “manual changeable copy sign.”
A fabricated or formed three-dimensional letter.
The smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including framework and embellishments, but excluding sign supports.
Locations where the principle use of the property is not classified as residential or multifamily.
Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs or other symbolic representations incorporated into a sign.
An imaginary line drawn along the outermost part of back of the curb and gutter on either side of a public street, or, if there is no curb and gutter, along the outermost portion of the paved roadway, or if there is no paved roadway, along the edge of the traveled portion of the roadway.
An on-premises sign that protects traffic flow and promotes traffic safety by giving directions or instructions relating to traffic movements - e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs.
The overhang at the lower edge of a roof or the line formed by the intersection of the planes of the roof and wall.
See “sign area.”
A sign containing electrical wiring, connections, or fixtures, or utilizing electric current, but not including a sign illuminated by an exterior light source.
A display, or device that changes its message or copy by programmable electronic or mechanical processes.
All building wall elevations, including any vertical extension of the building wall (parapet), but not including any part of the building roof.
A banner in the shape of a feather, quill, sail, blade, or teardrop, and mounted on a solid or flexible pole or cord. These are sometimes referred to as “quill signs” or “sail banners.” A feather sign is considered a “sign” regardless of whether it contains text or logos.
A chain, string, or wire of banners, flags, ribbons, lights, or other materials hung as a decoration.
A piece of fabric or other flexible material customarily mounted on a pole or similar freestanding structure.
To change colors intermittently in order to achieve a flashing, fluttering, scrolling, undulating, or rolling affect (i.e. LED displays). Scrolling of text in a single color is not considered to be flashing.
A unit of illumination produced on a surface, all points of which are 1 foot from a uniform point source of 1 candle.
Any sign placed upon or supported by the ground independent of any other structure, such as a monument sign.
A boundary line separating public right-of-way from the lot for any lot or parcel. For a planned development district, special sign district, or a multi-tenant site consisting of multiple lots or parcels (hereinafter “combined development”), the frontage is the combined frontage for all lots or parcels within the combined development and that are subject to a legally binding condition of approval that subordinates the frontage allowance for signs on each lot or parcel to the frontage assigned to the combined development.
A sign installed, maintained, or used:
By the City, County, State or its subdivisions (such as the school district or community colleges), or the federal government, required or specifically authorized for the public purpose pursuant to regulations promulgated by the State or Federal Government;
By the City for a public purpose; or
By any government agency for regulation of traffic within public right-of-way.
The “grade plane” as defined in the applicable Building Code.
A sign painted, drawn, etched, stenciled, marked (with ink, chalk, dye or similar substances), or scratched onto or into the surface of any building, structure, fixture, improvement or the ground without the express consent of the owner or occupant of that building, fixture, improvement or parcel. Graffiti is not considered a wall sign or a mural.
A sign illuminated by concealing the light source behind three-dimensional opaque letters, numbers, or other characters of a sign, resulting in the night time perception of a halo around the silhouette of each sign character. This is also referred to as “reverse channel” or “reverse lit” illumination. A halo lit sign is not considered an internally illuminated sign.
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The vertical distance between the finished grade before the sign or grade of the adjacent street curb, whichever is greater, measured to the highest point of the sign.
A sign as defined by this section which is held or attached to a human for the purpose of advertising any goods, services, functions or specific business locations.
Any source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly from a source of light incorporated in or indirectly from an artificial source.
Lighting projected onto a sign from a source external to, or attached to the exterior of, the sign structure. External illumination consists of lights mounted on the ground attached to the top of the sign focused downward directly on the sign.
Illumination by light sources enclosed entirely within the sign cabinet and not directly visible from outside the sign. Includes “internally illuminated.”
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A sign with copy located on a panel and mounted on a pole or a wall or similar structure, with or without a structural frame that is normally incidental to the allowed use of the property, but can contain any message or content. Examples of incidental signs include directional signs, menu boards, property or tenant identification names or numbers, names of occupants, , signs posted on private property relating to private parking, or signs warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.
Any balloon or other device which is inflated by air or other gas and displayed outdoors. Inflatable structures primarily designed for recreational use shall not be considered to be a sign as, for example: slides, swimming pools or space walks.
The person or company who constructs or places a sign on behalf of an applicant.
A sign that violates the provisions of this chapter but may remain and be maintained in its existing location subject to certain restrictions, as defined in section 13.05.003(a), nonconforming and nuisance signs.
A banner mounted onto a functional and operational light pole, and attached with the longest vertical dimension adjoining or directly attached to the light pole.
Brightening of the night sky caused by street lights and other man-made sources, which has a disruptive effect on natural cycles and inhibits the observation of stars and planets.
See division 11.10.02 [sic], general definitions.
A sign in which at least 25% of the sign face consists of changeable copy. Typical uses include notices of meetings, activities, and other notices of interest to neighborhood association, government entities (typically in government buildings), churches (limited to places of worship only), advertising by businesses for short-term sales or events (such as movie theaters, restaurants with daily specials, etc.), and neighborhood associations that facilitate communication within the community served by those entities.
A sign where the frame of the sign face is set at grade with the ground as a monument or in an earthen berm. There is no clearance between the ground and the sign face.
Locations that contain three (3) or more attached units designed for residential use including town homes and condominiums.
A building with two (2) or more retail, wholesale, business, industrial, nonprofit or professional tenants or occupants (not necessarily under single ownership).
A sign located on the same lot or parcel with two (2) or more retail, wholesale, business, industrial, or professional uses (not necessarily under single ownership), and using common facilities including off-street parking, access, or landscaping. The sign is used by at least two (2) tenants or occupants of the lot or parcel.
A hand produced or machined graphic applied or affixed to the exterior of a building wall through the application of paint, canvas, tile, metal panels, applied sheet graphic or other medium generally so that the wall becomes the background surface or platform for the graphic, generally for the purpose of decoration or artistic expression, including but not limited to, painting, fresco or mosaic. A mural is a type of wall sign that requires a permit. Graffiti is not considered a Mural. A message sprayed onto the side of a building without a permit is a violation of the chapter and can be abated.
For purposes of this article, one neighborhood association shall develop and maintain bylaws and be governed by a board of representatives that shall represent the entire subdivision or recorded section or village, consisting of 50 homes or more. It shall contain members that consist of at least 30 percent of the residential households within the subdivision. Representatives of the neighborhood association shall be chosen through a majority election by its members and any dues, bylaws, etc. must be decided by popular vote of the membership. Membership must be open to all residents. Member restriction must be in accordance with the bylaws of the association.
A sign that violates the provisions of this chapter, as defined in section 13.05.003(a), nonconforming and nuisance signs.
A sign that is declared to be obsolete or substandard as a hazard to the public health and safety pursuant to section 13.05.003(b), nuisance abatement.
A sign located on property other than where the business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product that it identifies or advertises is located.
A sign located on the same property where the business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product that it identifies or advertises is located.
The extension of a false front or wall above a roof line.
An area of land that does not meet the definition of a “lot,” and that is defined by a legal description and recorded or registered with the County Clerk.
A sign that is mounted on one or more freestanding poles or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is not in direct contact with a solid base or the ground.
Signs not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported by wheels including, but not limited to signs which are mounted on skids, trailers, wheels; signs converted to A- or T-frames; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising.
An area of land occupied by the buildings or other physical uses which are an integral part of the activity conducted upon the land.
The owner of the property on which a sign is located and/or the owner, operator, or manager of the business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product the sign identifies or advertises.
Small traffic directional signs indicating interior circulation of parking areas on site, warn of obstacles or overhead clearance, or designate permissible parking.
A sign supported by and extending at least 18 inches from a building wall.
A sign located within 25 feet of the edge of the street right-of-way abutting the driveway entrance.
Freestanding signs that are supported by a structure extending from and permanently attached to the ground by a foundation or footing, with a clearance between the ground and the sign face. Pylon signs are not considered monument signs. Pylon signs differ from pole signs in that they are supported by a structure with internal clearance rather than a pole.
Any and all portions of an electronically controlled changeable-copy sign containing light emitting diodes (LED) or other electronic lighting device intended to generate text, graphics, numerals or background lighting.
Locations where the principal use of the property is for one- and two-family dwelling units.
Any sign installed over or on the roof of a building.
A portable sign that is ordinarily in the shape of an “A” with back to back sign faces, an easel, or a similar configuration.
A group of retail stores planned and designed for the site on which it is built, functioning as a unit, with off-street parking, landscaped areas, and pedestrian malls or plazas provided on the property as an integral part of the unit. A shopping center differs from a multitenant building in that it is limited to retail uses, and includes a series of pedestrian malls or plazas connecting those uses and common areas such as parking facilities.
Any structure, display, light device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing that is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform. The term “sign” includes the supporting structure of the sign.
The individual responsible for administering the provisions of this Chapter 13, Sign Regulations, who is the Director of Development Services, or a designee, or as appointed by the City Manager.
Includes all lettering, wording, logos, design, symbols, framing, roofing, and cabinets, or modules, calculated according to the provisions established in this article.
Signs that are securely affixed to a building or structure (even if wall signs are not permitted in the district or for the use), which do not exceed one square foot in sign area. See section 13.05.001(g)(4).
The part of the sign that contains sign copy and is distinguished from other parts of the sign, including another sign face, by borders or decorative trim. The term does not include a lighting fixture, apron, or catwalk unless it displays a part of the advertising or information contents of the sign.
Lighting deriving from an artificial source that is visible from outside of a lot, parcel or site in the night sky.
A temporary sign that does not exceed six (6) square feet in area with a base/stake commonly made of metal, wood or other similar material with an end for driving into the ground.
For purposes of this article, the subdivision in its entirety, including all phases, sections, villages, or units under a common development plan.
A sign typically made of lightweight or insubstantial material that can be easily or quickly mounted or removed (such as cloth, canvas, vinyl, cardboard, wallboard, or other light temporary materials), with or without a structural frame, intended for a temporary period of display. Common examples include inflatable signs, real estate signs, political signs, opinion signs, placards, construction signs, or signs that advertise a grand opening or special event. This paragraph is provided to clarify the regulations and does not limit the content of temporary signs.
The 183A Toll Road.
One or more unique conditions related to the restricted area, shape, topography or other physical feature of a property that will prevent any reasonable opportunity to provide adequate on-site signage provided that the conditions creating the hardship have not been created by the applicant’s or property owner’s own actions, are not a matter of convenience and are not solely based on financial considerations.
A sign attached to the facade of a building and that:
A sign posted, painted, placed, etched, engraved, or affixed to a window and inside a building or integral to the windowpane, but clearly visible from outside the building. Signs placed on the exterior of a window are not permitted.
A temporary sign made of wood, metal or a similar material.
(Ordinance CO27-17-03-09-H5 adopted 3/9/17)