The following words or terms as used in this article, unless indicated otherwise, are defined as follows and, in the event of conflict, the Building Official's interpretation shall be dispositive:
Alter.To change the size, shape or outline; type of material; or type of sign; or to change the electrical lighting, except for the replacement of lamps not brighter than the original or the replacement of a surface panel with an identical or as nearly similar as available surface panel.
Animation.Any type of mechanical movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.
Attach.To stick, tack, bolt, nail or otherwise affix a sign to any object; to paint, stencil, write, or otherwise mark on an object.
Awning.A structure hung from the surface of a building, usually stretched over a frame and designed to provide protection from sun, rain, wind and other climatological conditions or to provide decoration to the building facade. An awning is typically composed of canvas, fabric or other similar lightweight material supported and shaped by a metal or wood frame. An awning shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above any sidewalk/pedestrian travel surface, and fourteen (14) feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface. It shall be engineered and able to withstand the most recent revision of the latest adopted building code for wind speeds.
Banner.A type of portable sign that is generally constructed of lightweight plastic, fabric, or a similar nonrigid material, and that is mounted/tethered to a pole, building or other structure at one or more edges. Banner signs shall not be utilized as permanent wall signs. National/state or local government flags are not considered banners (see "flag").
Billboard.A sign displaying advertising copy that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service and/or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises upon which the sign is located (i.e., off-premises). Billboard signs are prohibited in all zoning districts.
Building line.A line parallel or approximately parallel to the street line and beyond which buildings may not be erected.
Building Official.For the purposes of this article, the Building Official, or other official duly authorized by the city, has the authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this article.
Canopy.A roof-like structure which is supported by freestanding columns or the building to which it is attached, and which is generally open on two or more sides. A canopy shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above any sidewalk/pedestrian travel surface, and fourteen (14) feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface. It shall be engineered and able to withstand the most recent revision of the latest adopted building code for wind speeds.
Commercial message.Any type of copy that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or otherwise calls attention to a business, product, service or other commercial or for-profit activity.
Copy.Letters, characters, illustrations, logos, graphics, symbols, writing or any combination thereof, that is intended to communicate information of any kind, or to advertise, announce or identify a person, entity, business, business product or service, or to advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises.
Copy area.The area of the sign containing any copy, including the area between the separate lines and letters of text and the area between text and any symbol, illustration, logo or graphic.
Dilapidated or deteriorated condition.Any sign where:
(1) Elements of the surface or background can be seen as viewed from the normal viewing distance (intended viewing distance), to have portions of the finished material or paint flaked, broken off, or missing, or otherwise not in harmony with the rest of the surface;
The structural support or frame or sign panels are visibly bent, broken, dented, or torn as to constitute an unsightly, hazardous or harmful condition;
The sign panel is visibly cracked or, in the case of wood and similar products, splintered in such a way as to constitute an unsightly or harmful condition;
The sign, or its elements, are twisted or leaning or at angles other than those at which it was originally erected (such as may result from being blown or the failure of a structural support);
The message or wording can no longer be clearly read by a person under normal viewing conditions;
The sign or its elements are not in compliance with the regulations and requirements of the codes currently adopted by the city.
Easement.An area restricted on private property where the city or a public utility has the right to remove and keep removed all or part of any buildings, fences, trees, shrubs and other improvements or growths which in any way endanger or interfere with the construction, maintenance or efficiency of its respective systems within said easements. The city and public utilities have the right of ingress and egress to and from and upon easements for the purpose of constructing, reconstructing, inspecting, patrolling, maintaining and adding to or removing all or part of their respective systems without the necessity at any time of procuring the permission of anyone.
Electronic message sign.(1) Signs may be illuminated. Signs shall have no flashing copy or lights; revolving beacon lights; chasing, blinking, or stroboscopic lights; or, fluttering, undulating, swinging, or otherwise moving parts.
Electronic message signs are allowed.
A maximum of 70% of the sign face may be devoted to changeable sign copy.
Changeable message copy signs may not be used to display commercial messages relating to products or services that are not offered on the premises.
Any marquee signs that are illuminated by artificial light or projects an electronic message through a changeable copy sign that is within 400 feet of a residence, park, playground, or scenic area as designated by a governmental agency having such authority shall not be lighted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Such signs shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3-footcandles above ambient light. In all zoning districts such signs shall come equipped with automatic dimming technology, which automatically adjusts the sign's brightness based on ambient light.
Erect.To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix, and shall also include the painting of signs on the exterior surface of a building, structure, or sign face.
Facade or elevation.Any separate face of a building, including parapet walls and any other part of a building which encloses or covers usable space that is not classified as the roof. Where separate facades are oriented in the same direction or in directions within 45 degrees of one another, they are to be considered as part of a single facade.
Facing or surface.The surface(s) of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
Flag.A fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, words and/or insignia which is used as a symbol for a government, political subdivision or some other professional, religious, educational or nonprofit entity, provided that such device is displayed for noncommercial (i.e., not-for-profit) purposes.
Flyer.Any advertising circular or piece that is affixed, glued, nailed, stapled or otherwise attached to a pole, fence, building or other structure.
Gaseous tubing.Exposed tubes which contain inert luminescent gases including, but not limited to, neon, argon and krypton.
Illuminated sign.Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, or designs illuminated by electric lights, luminous tubes or other means that are specifically placed to draw attention to, or to provide night time viewing of, the subject matter on the sign face.
Incidental sign.A sign displaying information that is incidental to the operation of the business such as, but not limited to, hours of operation, accepted credit cards and parking information.
Logo.Any design or insignia of a company or product which is commonly used in advertising to identify that company or product.
Lot.Land occupied or to be occupied by a building and its accessory building and including such open spaces as are required under this article and having its principal frontage upon a public street or officially approved place.
Lot lines.The lines defining the limits of a parcel, lot, tract, or ownership.
Municipally owned sign.An official sign which identifies a park, an entrance into the city, a place of interest within the city, a city-sponsored event, or any municipally owned site or facility. A municipally owned sign does not include traffic or street identification/name signs.
Mural.An original painting or other work of art applied directly or indirectly to the exterior face of a building, typically commissioned to enhance the public realm and to reflect the character, culture, heritage, or identity of the neighborhood, community, or region. A mural should not contain a commercial message (such as the name, logo, slogan, service/product, etc., associated with a business). A mural should be designed for a general audience and should not contain imagery or messaging considered offensive to the average person or political in nature.
Neon sign.A sign or advertising device formed from neon (or other gaseous tubing, such as argon) lamps and/or tubing.
Noncombustible material.Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of twelve hundred degrees (1,200°) Fahrenheit and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature, and which would have a flame spread of twenty-five (25) feet or less.
Official sign.A sign erected by a governmental agency within its territorial jurisdiction for the purpose of carrying out an official duty or responsibility, and including, but not limited to, traffic signs and signals, zoning signs and street signs. Special lighting, banners and other promotional signage celebrating seasonal or civic events that are sponsored and/or endorsed by the city council may be classified as "official signs" provided that they are not for commercial (i.e., "for profit") purpose.
Owner.The owner of a sign, piece of land or structure, or the person or entity who is responsible for erecting, altering, replacing, relocating, repairing or otherwise modifying a sign or sign structure.
Person.A person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, entity, company or organization of any kind.
Premises.Any building, lot, parcel of land, or portion of land whether improved or unimproved including adjacent sidewalks and parking area(s).
Private premises.A dwelling, house, building, or other structure designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited/vacant. A private premises shall include any yard, ground, lawn, walk, driveway, porch, steps, or mailbox belonging to appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building, or other structure.
Property line.The line denoting the limits of legal ownership of property. Also called a lot line.
Public place.Any and all streets, boulevards, avenues, lanes, alleys or other public ways, and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings.
Public right-of-way.A dedicated road or street including the easement for that road or street or public utility corridor.
Roof sign.A sign affixed to, applied on, or erected upon or above a roof or parapet or the eave line of a building or structure. Roof signs are prohibited.
Searchlight.An electrical light capable of generating and projecting a concentrated beam or beams of light into the sky which are visible in periods of darkness from distances away from the source of the light.
Setback.The horizontal distance between a sign and the front, rear or side property line, as measured from that part of the sign, including its extremities and supports, nearest to any point on any imaginary vertical plane projecting vertically from the front, rear or side property line.
Sight visibility triangle.The areas of property on both sides of the intersection of an alley or driveway with a public street, or the intersection of two public rights-of-way, where visibility must be maintained. The triangular visibility area is defined as being formed by the intersection of two (2) or more public street rights-of-way with two (2) sides of each triangle being a minimum of twenty-five feet (25') in length from the point of the intersection (as measured along the property line, not the curbline), and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other two (2) sides.
Sign.Any device, flag, banner, light, figure, picture, letter word, message, symbol, plaque, or poster designed to inform or attract the attention of persons, but does not include the structural elements that support the sign such as steel support members or a masonry base or column.
Sign area.The area (i.e., square footage) of a sign made up of letters, words or symbols within a frame shall be determined from the outside edge of the frame itself. The square footage of a sign composed of only letters, words or symbols shall be determined from imaginary straight lines drawn around the entire copy or grouping of such letters, words or symbols. Double-faced signs shall be calculated as the area of one side only. Three-dimensional or multi-faceted signs shall be calculated as the largest area visible from any single direction at any point in time. When a sign is irregularly-shaped, the area shall be calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of the sign and all of its projections by no more than six (6) nonoverlapping triangles and/or rectangles. The sum of all combined areas shall be no greater than the allowable area for that type of sign.
Sign height.The vertical distance of a sign from the average grade of the property where the sign will be located (as measured on a straight line projected between the main building, through the center of the sign, and to the nearest property line) to the highest point of the sign or its structure, whichever is highest.
Sign, advertising.A sign which temporarily or periodically promotes any item, product, commodity, or service being offered on the premises on which such signs are located.
Sign, attached.Any sign attached to, applied on, or supported by, any part of a building (such as a wall, roof, window, canopy, awning, arcade, or marquee) which encloses or covers usable space.
Sign, bandit.A sign that's illegally placed in a restricted area, often for advertising. May also be known as yard signs, lawn signs, and placards.
Sign, canopy.A sign attached to a canopy. A canopy sign may be placed, digitally printed, screen printed or has vinyl applied upon or is an integral part of the face of a canopy. All canopy signs 400 square feet or larger shall have a flame-retardant certificate.
Sign, changeable message.A wall-mounted or freestanding sign (or a portion of a larger sign) whose face is designed and constructed in a manner capable of changing messages through a system of removable characters or panels attached to the face of the sign or changed by electronic means. A changeable message sign with animation, strobe lights, beacon lights, rotating or revolving sign structures are not allowed.
Sign, conforming.A sign that was in existence and in place on the effective date of this article, and which meets all provisions of this article.
Sign, construction.A temporary, accessory sign identifying the property owner, architect, contractor, engineer, landscape architect, decorator and/or mortgagee engaged in the design, construction and/or improvement of the premises upon which the sign is located.
Sign, development.A temporary, accessory sign identifying the name and general nature of the development project that is being constructed on the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs must relate only to the property on which they are located.
Sign, directional.Any on-site sign to direct the public to entrances, exits and services located on the property on which the sign is located.
Sign, directory.A sign listing occupants within shopping centers, industrial, retail, office and commercial developments. Directory sign also means a permanent on-site sign identifying the buildings in the development or providing information on their location. Can be freestanding or wall-mounted.
Sign, freestanding.Any type of sign that is placed on or anchored in the ground, and that is structurally independent of any building or other structure.
Sign, garage sale.Any temporary, promotional sign for the sale of personal household goods in a residential zoning district or on the property of a nonprofit organization.
Sign, human.A sign held by or attached to a human being who stands or walks on the ground, at a business location (on-premises only). A human sign includes a person dressed in costume, for the purposes of advertising or otherwise drawing attention to an individual, business, commodity, service, activity, or product on the premises where the human sign is located.
(2) Signs must remain on premises.
Signs may only be displayed during normal business hours.
Signs shall remain outside of the public roadways and shall refrain from distracting or interfering with traffic on the roadways or pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk(s).
Sign, illegal.A sign that was erected in violation of any regulation applicable at the time of erection of such sign, including lack of a required permit.
Sign, inflatable.Any portable, hollow sign expanded or enlarged by the use of air or gas.
Sign, legal.A sign that, when erected, has met all city codes and ordinances pertaining to signs.
Sign, menu board.An exterior on-site sign that displays a menu and pricing for food services and may include an audible speaker and microphone integral to the sign.
Sign, model home.A sign identifying model homes or a model home park, including home sales offices.
Sign, monument.A freestanding sign having a low profile and made of stone, concrete, decorative metal, brick or similar materials which is designed to complement the architecture of the building or complex on the premises where the sign is located. A monument sign shall be solid from the ground up. All poles and supports shall be concealed.
Sign, nonconforming.A sign and its supporting structure which does not conform to all or part of the provisions of this article:
(1) Was in existence and lawfully erected prior to the effective date of this article;
Was in existence and lawfully located and used in accordance with the provisions of the prior ordinance applicable thereto, or which was considered legally nonconforming there under, and has since been in continuous or regular use; or
Was in existence, located, and used on the premises at the time it was annexed into the city and has since been in regular and continuous use.
Sign, obsolete.A sign which no longer serves a bona fide use or purpose, including but not limited to signs relating to a product or service no longer available for purchase by the public, and all signs relating to a business which has been closed for at least six (6) months or has moved out of the city.
Sign, off-premise.A sign displaying advertising that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the lot on which the sign is located.
Sign, on-premise.A sign identifying or advertising a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service and/or product on the same premises upon which the sign is located.
Sign, permanent.An attached or detached sign affixed to a permanent structure, or placed in a fixed location, that is intended to be displayed for a long period of time which is generally as long as the business, product, service, etc., that the sign advertises is in business, on the site where the sign is located, etc.
Sign, pole/pylon.Any freestanding sign erected on a vertical framework consisting of one (1) or more uprights supported by the ground and having no additional guys, braces, supports, or anchors to the ground or to any other structure, and where there is a physical separation between the base of the sign and the ground.
Sign, political.A temporary sign containing a political message, which is erected only on private property (i.e., not in public rights-of-way or easements) with the property owner's consent, for the sole purpose of advertising a candidate, a political party, or a ballot measure during a period of a public election.
Sign, portable.Any type of sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, and that is designed such that it can be moved from one location to another.
Sign, projecting.Any sign which is attached to and supported by a building or wall and which projects outward from the building or wall, generally at a right angle. Projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet above any sidewalk/pedestrian travel surface, and fourteen (14) feet above any vehicular parking or circulation surface.
Sign, promotional.Any type of sign used for special promotions including, but not limited to, grand openings, anniversary celebrations, sales, and other such events. Promotional signs include, but are not limited to, banners, pennants, streamers, balloons, flags, bunting, inflatable signs and other similar signs.
Sign, real estate.Any on-site temporary sign pertaining to the sale or rental of property and advertising property only for the use for which it is legally zoned. A real estate sign shall be promptly removed when the property is sold or rented (as applicable).
Sign, sandwich board.A self-supporting A-, T-, or V-shaped portable sign with two visible sides that is self-supporting and placed in front of a business, generally on a sidewalk, to attract patrons into the establishment.
Sign, subdivision.Any permanent on-site sign identifying a subdivision located in a residential zoning district.
Sign, temporary.Any type of sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, and that is intended to be displayed for a short period of time only (i.e., changeable) and that must be removed within a specified period of time unless otherwise provided in this article. Includes the following examples: banners, any type of portable sign, real estate signs, garage sale signs, development/construction signs, model home signs, political signs, promotional sinage, and other similar signs.
Sign, vehicular.Any sign on a parked vehicle, incidental to its principal use for transportation. This definition shall not include signs being transported to a site for permanent erection.
Sign, wall.A sign attached to, affixed upon, or painted upon a wall surface with the sign facing parallel to and projecting not more than six (6) inches out from the wall surface, where the wall becomes the supporting structure of the sign, or forms the background surface of the sign.
Sign, window.A sign, any portion of which is painted or affixed to the interior surface of a window and visible from outside of the building (e.g., it is visible from the street or parking lot). Note: The covering of a window for privacy, shading, or security reasons shall not be regulated provided there is no text or other advertising on it.
Vehicle.For the purpose of this article, the term "vehicle" shall mean any automobile, truck, camper, tractor, van, trailer or any other device capable of being transported, and shall be considered a "vehicle" in both moving and stationary modes, irrespective of its state or repair or its physical condition.
Wall.Any exterior surface of a structure that has a slope of sixty degrees (60°) or more.
(Ordinance 2026-16 adopted 2/2/2026)