Sign terminology.
Architectural detail.
Any projection, relief, cornice, column, change of building
material, window, or door opening on any building.
Architectural, historic, or scenic area.
An area that contains unique architectural, historic, or
scenic characteristics that require special regulations to ensure
that signs displayed within the area enhance its visual character
and are compatible with the area.
Athletic sponsorship sign.
Signs on field fences, at swimming facilities and scoreboards
that are leased by BISD and the Blanco Youth Sports Association. Other
signs of support related to athletic events, such as those put up
by booster clubs, are special event signs as defined by this article.
Awning.
A cloth, plastic, or other nonstructural covering that either
is permanently attached to a building or can be raised or retracted
to a position against the building when not in use. This term does
not include canopies.
Balloon sign.
Any inflatable, three-dimensional sign, with or without letters,
symbols, or numbers, that is either expanded to its full dimensions
or supported by gases contained within the sign at a pressure greater
than atmospheric pressure.
Banner.
A sign composed of a lightweight material (such as cloth,
canvas, or vinyl), that is not permanently affixed to a rigid frame
constructed of wood or metal.
Billboard.
A sign that is freestanding, attached to, or part of a building,
and is an off-premises sign that is designed for a change in copy,
so that the characters, letters or illustrations can be changed or
rearranged within a fixed sign face which advertises a business, organization,
event, person, place or thing.
Business.
The physical location, or storefront, of an enterprise engaged
in by an entity, partnership, or sole proprietor. In the context of
multi-unit complexes, each tenant is a separate business. For an enterprise
with multiple locations within the city limits, for the purposes of
this article, each location is treated as a separate business.
Canopy.
A structure at the entrance to a building made of cloth,
metal, or other material with frames affixed to a building and carried
by a frame that is supported by the ground. This definition also includes
a fuel station canopy, which is a framed structure used to shield
fuel pumps from the rain and/or sun. This definition does not include
awnings.
Changeable copy sign.
A sign on which message copy is changed manually through
the utilization of changeable letters, numbers, symbols, and other
similar characters or pictorial panels.
Community service sign.
A sign that solicits support for or advertises a nonprofit
organization, public service organization, or social institution.
Such signs may include, but shall not be limited to, holidays, school
activities, charitable programs, religious activities, sports boosters,
or events of community interest. Such signs shall be placed only by:
units of local, state, or federal governments, registered nonprofit
organizations, schools, the chamber of commerce, or religious organizations.
Construction/development sign.
A sign placed on a piece of property advertising planned
construction and providing related information, including but not
limited to the name of the contractor, the name of the owner, the
planned date of completion, and information indicating the future
use or occupation of the site (e.g., “Future home of...”).
Copy.
The text, symbols, letters, or numbers used to form the informational
portion of a sign.
Corner lot.
A nonresidential property that has frontage on two streets
(regardless of whether the streets intersect). Frontage on a shared
access driveway is not considered street frontage for purposes of
determining whether a property is included under this term.
Direct illumination.
Light sources that make up the text, symbols, letters, or
number used to form the informational portion of a sign, including
but not limited to: light emitting diodes (LEDs), neon tubes, krypton
tubes, argon tubes, and lightbulbs.
Directory sign.
A type of sign that serves as a directory of individual occupants/tenants
in a multi-unit complex.
Electrical sign.
Any sign for which the text, letters, numbers, pictures,
or symbols forming the informational portion of the sign consists
of flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, including any LED screen
or any other type of video display. This definition does not include
signs that have internal or indirect illumination that is kept stationary
or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is
in use. This definition excludes open/closed signs and any sign located
within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic-control device
and that is described and identified in the Texas Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (TMUTCD).
Feather banner.
A sign that is constructed of lightweight material (such
as cloth, canvas, or vinyl) affixed to a pole or building which is
similar to a flag, except that it is longer than it is wide. A feather
banner resembles a feather, in that it is tall and narrow, having
more surface area vertically than horizontally when fully extended.
Flag.
A piece of cloth, usually rectangular, used as the symbol,
standard, or emblem of a nation, state, or organization, that is typically
flown from a pole.
Flag, government.
An official flag of the United States of America, the State
of Texas, or a political subdivision located in the city limits or
ETJ.
Frontage.
The width of the perimeter of a piece of property measured
along the public street right-of-way.
Governmental entity.
A political subdivision or agency of the United States of
America or the State of Texas. The term specifically includes, but
is not limited to, the city, Blanco County, and BISD.
Hand-held sign.
Any sign, banner, flag, poster, or outfit held, carried,
or worn by a person. This term specifically includes outfits (e.g.,
chicken suit, clown suit, etc.) for the purpose of drawing attention
to a business, but specifically excludes logos, slogans, or trademarks
on clothing that is worn in the ordinary course of business.
Hanging sign.
A sign that is affixed to the underside of a roof, canopy,
awning, or porch.
Height.
(1)
As applied to a sign, height refers to the vertical distance
between the highest attached component of the sign or of its supporting
structure (whichever is higher) and the natural grade of the ground
at the point where the sign is located.
(2)
If a monument sign sits on property that is adjacent to a public
right-of-way, and the natural grade of the property is lower than
the average grade of the public right-of-way, the responsible party
may raise the grade of the property on which the sign is located up
to four (4) feet, in accordance with zoning and all other ordinances,
and height will be measured from the highest attached component of
the sign or of its supporting structure (whichever is higher) and
the increased grade. The responsible party may only increase the grade
an amount equal to the difference between the average grade of the
right-of-way and the natural grade of the property on which the sign
is located.
(3)
If a pole sign sits on property that is adjacent to a public
right-of-way, and the natural grade of the property is lower than
the average grade of the public right-of-way, the responsible party
may erect a sign that is an additional three (3) feet in height with
a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet on the property on which the
sign is located.
Historic district.
The business and residential area designated by the historic
district ordinance.
Home occupation sign.
A sign placed on a residence that is used to identify a business
or enterprise that is conducted out of that residence.
Illumination or lighting.
A source of any artificial or reflected light, either directly
from a source of light incorporated in, or indirectly from an artificial
source, so shielded that no direct illumination from it is visible
elsewhere than on and in the immediate vicinity of the sign.
Indirect illumination.
A light source not seen directly. The term includes a source
of illumination which is not a part of the sign or the sign structure,
that provides light for the sole purpose of making the sign visible
when natural light is not sufficient.
Ingress/egress signs.
Small signs that designate the exit or entrance of a property
that has one (1) or more driveways. This definition includes signs
directing traffic to drive-through service lanes.
Internal illumination.
A light source that is concealed or contained within the
sign and becomes visible in darkness through the sign’s translucent
surface. This definition includes reverse channel letters with a light
source that creates a “halo” effect.
Legal nonconforming sign.
A sign that was lawfully installed prior to the adoption
of this article, and was in compliance with all of the provisions
of this article then in effect, but which does not presently comply
with this article.
Menu board.
A sign adjacent to a drive-through lane displaying the product
choices and prices available for purchase at that location.
Mobile concession stand.
A readily movable structure utilized by mobile food vendors,
which is mounted on wheels, self-propelled, towed, or hauled by another
vehicle, and used for short-term human occupancy, carrying of materials,
goods, or objects, or as a temporary eating establishment.
Mobile service provider sign.
A sign announcing the services offered and operating hours
of a vendor who frequently travels to varied locations within the
city limits or ETJ to provide services on-site temporarily without
establishing an actual place of business. Examples of a mobile service
providers may include (but are not necessarily limited to) massage
therapists, automobile windshield repairers, farmers and gardeners.
Monument sign.
A sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported
entirely by a base structure, and not mounted on a pole or part of
a building.
Multi-unit complex.
A grouping of two (2) or more business establishments that
either share common parking on the lot where they are located, or
that occupy a single structure or separate structures that are physically
or functionally related or attached. This term also includes multi-unit
residential complexes, including apartment complexes, garden homes,
and retirement communities as defined by the zoning ordinance.
Noncompliant sign.
A sign that is placed, constructed, installed, and/or used
in violation of this article, and which was not in place before the
provisions of this article went into effect. This term also refers
to a sign that does not comply with this article and was also in violation
of the city’s previous sign ordinance.
Non-governmental flags.
Flags representing a corporation, or other business entity,
that incorporates a logo and/or trademark belonging to the corporation
or entity. Specifically excluded from this definition are flags that
are purely decorative, or have a noncommercial message.
Occupants.
Proprietors or tenants using or occupying a building or parcel
of land to which a sign or proposed sign refers.
Off-premises sign.
Any sign that advertises a business, person, activity, goods,
products, or services not located on the property where the sign is
installed, or that directs persons to a location other than the property
where the sign is located.
Peak.
The highest point on a roof or the highest point on another
architectural element.
Pole sign.
A sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location
by a single pole, structure of poles, posts, uprights, or braces from
the ground and not supported by a building, fence, vehicle, base structure,
or other support.
Political sign.
A sign upon which the content is primarily related to notice
of or advocacy for an election of a person to public office, a political
party, a primary election, [or] a proposition to be voted upon at
an election called by a public body.
Portable sign.
A sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building,
which is designed to be easily transported or conveyed to different
locations. This term includes, but is not limited to: sandwich boards,
folding A-frame signs, sidewalk signs, signs affixed to trailers,
mannequins, or signs on metal stands with skids or wheels.
Projecting sign.
A sign attached to and projecting from the wall of a building,
and not on the same plane as the wall (i.e., not flush with wall surface).
This includes but is not limited to channel letter signs, flexface
signs with secured [sic] to a return, plaques, shingles and adhesive
signs/lettering.
Property.
A tract of land including its buildings or other appurtenances.
With respect to a tenant in a multi-unit complex, the term “property”
refers only to the leased space.
Real estate sign.
A temporary sign erected by the owner of the real property
on which the sign is located, or his agents, advertising the property
for lease or sale.
Responsible party.
(1)
The owner/operator of the business being identified on the sign;
(2)
The owner of the property upon which the sign or sign structure
is located;
(3)
The owner of the sign or sign structure;
(4)
The person who installs a sign or sign structure, or contracts
with a third party to accomplish the installation; and/or
(5)
The person who retrieves a sign from the impound.
Roof sign.
A sign that is displayed above the eaves and under the peak
of a building. This term includes a sign painted, erected, constructed,
or maintained on the roof of a building.
Signable area.
(1)
An area:
(A)
Enclosed by a box or outline; or
(B)
Within a single continuous perimeter composed of a single rectangle,
circle, triangle, or parallelogram enclosing the extreme limits of
characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentations, or other figures.
(2)
Because projecting signs and awnings have flat surfaces, it
is not necessary to select an area free of architectural detail. Signable
area for wall signs is free of architectural details on the facade
of a building or part of a building, which shall include the entire
area:
(A)
Enclosed by a box or outline; or
(B)
Within a single continuous perimeter composed of a single rectangle,
circle, triangle, or parallelogram enclosing the extreme limits of
characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentations, or other figures.
(3)
When referring to area limitations of monument, pole, and directory
signs, area and signable area refers to an area within a continuous
perimeter that includes the sign structure as well as the lettering,
illustrations, ornamentations, or other figures. Except as regarding
wall signs, area limitations have no relationship to the size of the
building in which the business is located.
Sign structure.
The supports, mounts, poles, braces, or base with or without
a sign thereon, situated upon or attached to the property, upon which
any sign is or is intended to be installed. This definition does not
include a building, fence, wall, or earthen berm.
Special event sign/temporary sign.
Signs for specific occasions with a predetermined date, duration,
and end point. Examples include but are not limited to: sale, clearance,
athletic events, garage sale, yard sale, open house, and farmers’
market signs. This term also includes events hosted by community civic
organizations.
Traffic-control sign.
A sign, other than an ingress/egress sign, that is used to
direct or prohibit pedestrian or vehicle traffic within a parking
lot or private street.
Vehicular sign.
A sign painted on or attached to a motor vehicle, or on a
trailer. This definition includes, but is not limited to, billboard
trucks, billboard trailers, vehicle wraps, and vehicles with logos
or other information related to the identification of a business or
its products or services. This definition does not include bumper
stickers, legally required vehicular inspection or registration information,
or information identifying of the make and model of the vehicle.
Vending machine sign.
Any sign integrated into or placed on a coin, cash, credit
card or debit card operated self-service machine that dispenses such
goods or services as propane cages, ice, DVDs, or cash automated teller
machines (ATMs).
Wall sign.
A sign painted on or otherwise made an integral part of a
wall. Typically a wall sign is on the same plane as the wall (i.e.,
flush with the wall surface). The term does not include a sign that
can be removed from the wall and remain substantially intact (e.g.,
banners or projecting signs as they are defined in this article).
Warning sign.
Signs whose purpose is to limit permissible uses of private
property, including but not limited to signs prohibiting trespassing,
hunting, fishing, or loitering.
Window sign.
Signs that are painted on, etched in, or visible through
a window or transparent door of a building that are oriented in a
manner establishing an intent to be comprehensively viewed off-premises
or from public roadways. This term excludes:
(2)
Signs displayed inside of buildings primarily for patrons on
the premises; and
(3)
Decorative window painting.