The words used in this title shall be construed to have the meanings ascribed to them in this chapter.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Abandoned sign” or “obsolete sign” means a sign advertising a use, occupancy, or product which no longer exists, in the case of billboards, or which no longer exists on the site where the sign is located, in the case of on-site signs, for a period of 90 days.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Advertising for hire” means the business or enterprise of promotion of the messages of others, usually for a fee or other consideration, in contrast to self-promotion. This term has the same meaning as “general advertising.”
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
An A-frame sign (aka sandwich board sign) is defined as a portable sign capable of standing without support or attachment.
(Ord. 4985 § 1, 2011)
A. 
“Area of freestanding sign” means the area of the display face and other communicative elements of the sign. It does not include embellishments such as the monument base, pole covers, framing or decorative roofing, provided that there is no advertising copy on or attached to such embellishments. If the freestanding sign is double faced, only one face is used to calculate sign area. If the freestanding sign has more than two faces, each face is used to calculate the sign area.
B. 
“Area of wall sign” means the total area of the sign, including all structures framing the sign, such as background embellishments or the area contained within a rectangle or square drawn completely around the display surface, or drawn completely around the individual letters or logos.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Auto mall” means a group of 10 or more commercial uses engaged in the sale and service of motor vehicles, planned and developed in a joint manner covering an area of ninety acres or more.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Banner” means a temporary sign constructed of a strip of cloth, paper, plastic, or other flexible material upon which copy is written and which is supported between poles or sticks or fastened to buildings or other structures.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Banner sign program” means a program administered by the city’s planning and redevelopment department for the placement of streetlight banner signs in downtown Roseville.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Billboard” means a permanent sign in a fixed location which meets any one or more of the following criteria:
A. 
It is used, in whole or in part, for the display of off-site commercial messages;
B. 
It constitutes principal, separate or secondary use, as opposed to an accessory, ancillary or appurtenant use, of the parcel on which it is located;
C. 
An outdoor sign used as advertising for hire or general advertising, i.e., on which display space is made available to parties other than the owner of the sign or the property on which it is placed; or
D. 
An off-site outdoor advertising sign on which space is leased or rented.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Building complex” means a development of four or more commercial buildings, tenants, or uses, intended to function in a joint manner, regardless of sequence of build-out. Characteristics of a building complex may include, but are not limited to, shared parking facilities, reciprocal access, and common building design. A building complex may include multiple tenants or owners, freestanding pad buildings, and may be situated on one or more lots or parcels. Development of a specific plan large lot parcel does not necessarily result in a building complex as herein defined.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Building façade” means the exterior elevation of a building or individual use (whichever is applicable) which has the primary entrance for such building or use. For the purpose of sign regulations limiting sign length, the length of the building façade or tenant space means the length of a single, uninterrupted wall plane occupied by the tenant (see illustrative example below).
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008; Ord. 6661 § 1, 2023)
“City construction projects” means projects financed in whole or in part by the City of Roseville or the redevelopment agency of the City of Roseville, including, but not limited to, construction of public buildings, street improvements, sewer or water lines and electric utilities.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Civic core area” means that area containing parcels fronting on Vernon Street, between Folsom Street and Douglas Boulevard.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Clear vision triangle” means the area created by drawing an imaginary line between points 30 feet back from where the curb lines of the intersection quadrant meet.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Commercial message” means a message that relates primarily to economic interests such as the exchange of goods and services.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Construction sign” means a sign displayed on a parcel where actual physical construction is ongoing, pursuant to a duly issued building permit.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Corporate center” means a 10 to 50 acre site with three or more buildings containing, in the aggregate, more than 100,000 square feet of developed office space. A corporate center shall also contain all of the following:
A. 
Self-contained reciprocal parking;
B. 
Common conference facilities;
C. 
On-site restaurants (or proximity to restaurants);
D. 
Signage and identity for occupants or tenants;
E. 
Exercise facility, showers, and lockers; and
F. 
Cohesive architectural design.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Development project sign” means a temporary sign located on a parcel where development has been approved but actual physical construction has not yet begun.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Directional sign” means an on-site sign designed to guide vehicular or pedestrian traffic that does not promote or advertise a business, property or product.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Director” means the planning and redevelopment director of the city or the director’s successor or designee.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Directory sign” means a sign listing the names and locations of occupants or activities conducted within a building or group of buildings.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Downtown specific plan area” means a 176-acre area encompassing historic old town, Vernon Street, and Royer and Saugstad Parks. This area is further defined in the downtown specific plan
(Ord. 4728 § 1, 2009)
“Establishment” means any nonresidential use of land involving structures, as defined in the building code.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Fascia” means the vertical area above the building wall and below the roof slope or roof line.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Flag” means a piece of cloth or canvas, usually rectangular or triangular in shape, bearing symbolic images.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Freestanding sign” means any sign not affixed to a building including, but not limited to, a “ground mounted sign,” “detached sign,” “pole sign,” or “monument sign.”
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Freeway” means Interstate 80 or Highway 65, or other highway designated as “freeway” by state or federal law.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“General advertising” means the business or enterprise of advertising or promoting the messages of others, usually for a fee or other consideration. General advertising is in contrast to self-promotion. See also: Advertising for hire.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Governmental sign” or “sign required by law” means either a sign installed by a governmental entity or by a private individual or business as required or authorized by federal, state or local law.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Grade” means the elevation of the finished surface of the ground or paving.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Height of freestanding sign” means the actual distance from the grade at the top of curb, or if no curb exists then the edge of the right-of-way along which a sign is placed or oriented, to the highest point of the sign, or any structural or architectural component of the sign. When the grade at the edge of the right-of-way is higher than the site on which the sign is placed, that portion of the sign below the grade at the edge of the right-of-way shall not be included in determining the sign’s overall height.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Home occupation sign” means a sign located at a residence advertising a business, profession, or occupation conducted in the residence or by persons residing in the residence.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Hotel” means an establishment that provides lodging and usually meals and other services for travelers and other paying guests.
(Ord. 4691 § 2, 2008)
“Illuminated sign” means a sign illuminated with artificial light by any means, whether internal or external.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Individual uses” means a nonresidential use of property located in nonresidential zones, but not located in a building complex.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Inflatable sign” means any object enlarged or inflated which floats, is tethered in the air, is activated by air or moving gas, or is located on the ground or on a building with or without copy or other graphic.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Informational sign” means a sign erected for the safety or convenience of the public including but not limited to “restrooms,” “telephone,” “danger,” “No Smoking,” “Manager’s Office,” and other signs of similar nature that do not promote or advertise a business, property or product or relate to debate on topics of public concern.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Major tenant” means a single tenant who occupies at least 40,000 square feet or 50 percent of floor area of a building complex.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Memorial sign” means an informational noncommercial sign erected in remembrance of any historic occasion or occurrence of significance to the general public.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Menu/order board sign” means a sign installed in a drive through facility and oriented to be seen primarily by drive through customers (also commonly known as a “drive-through sign”).
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Mobile billboard” means a sign mounted on a vehicle or trailer that is used for general advertising or advertising for hire. A vehicle which advertises the company of its primary use is not considered a mobile billboard.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Multifamily residential project” means three or more residential units on a single parcel not located in a single family zoning district or three or more residential units on more than a single parcel not located in a single-family zoning district developed as one project (e.g., condominiums).
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Noncommercial sign” means a sign with a message which is not commercial in nature. Such messages typically relate to debatable matters of public concern, such as, by way of example and not limitation, advocacy on politics, religion, arts, science, philosophy, commentary on governmental policy, etc.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Off-site sign” means a sign which advertises any business, product, person, activity, event or service not conducted, sold, manufactured, offered, or located on the premises where the sign is located.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“On-site sign” means a sign which advertises or pertains to any business, product, person, activity, event or service conducted, sold, manufactured, offered, or located on the premises where the sign is located. In the case of a shopping center, shopping mall, or building complex, an establishment or tenant within the complex is “on-site” anywhere within the complex, even if the complex is located on more than one parcel.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Open house directional sign” means a temporary sign, either on-site or off-site, which indicates the location of an open house for a private residence offered for sale.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Parcel” means a legal parcel of land or lot in compliance with the Subdivision Map Act (California Government Code Section 66410 et seq., as it may be amended).
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Pennant” means a piece(s) of cloth, paper, or plastic, intended to be individually supported or attached to each other by means of rope, string or other material, and intended to be hung on a building(s) or other structure(s) or between poles that does not include any company logo or other form of copy.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Premises“ means a tract of real property in a single ownership or in a building complex which is not divided by a public street or right-of-way.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Programmable electronic sign” means a changeable and illuminated wall sign made up of a field of individual electronic elements or mechanical grids that, when programmed and activated, create still or moving images, words, or numbers.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Projecting sign” means a wall sign which protrudes horizontally more than one foot from the wall to which it is attached.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Raceway” means a channel box that holds sign letters in place and houses the electrical wiring of a sign.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Real property for sale sign” or a “real property for rent sign” means an on-site sign advertising the availability for sale or rental of the property on which it is placed.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Roof line” means the line formed by the junction of the roof and the outside wall of any building.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Roof sign” means a sign erected, or projecting or protruding, on or above the roof line of a building or a sign painted on or attached directly to the roof.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Searchlight” means an apparatus containing a light source and a reflector for projecting a high-intensity beam or beams of light into the sky.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
A. 
“Sign” means any device, structure, fixture, or placard displaying graphics, symbols, and/or written copy for the primary purpose of communicating with the public, when such image is visible from any public right-of-way.
B. 
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the following are not within this definition:
1. 
Personal Appearance. Items or devices of personal apparel, decoration or appearance, including tattoos, makeup, wigs, costumes, masks, etc. (but not including commercial mascots);
2. 
Manufacturers’ Marks. Marks on tangible products, which identify the maker, seller, provider or product, and which customarily remain attached to the product even after sale;
3. 
Fireworks. The legal use of fireworks, candles and artificial lighting not otherwise regulated by this title;
4. 
Mass Transit Graphics. Graphic images mounted on trains or duly licensed mass transit vehicles that legally pass through the city;
5. 
Vehicle and Vessel Insignia. On-street legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft: license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business of which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising) and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease or exchange of the vehicle or vessel;
6. 
Grave stones and grave markers;
7. 
Newsracks and newsstands;
8. 
Shopping carts, golf carts, and horse drawn carriages;
9. 
Vending machines which do not display offsite commercial messages or general advertising messages;
10. 
Graphic images which are visible only from above, such as those visible only from airplanes or helicopters, only if not visible from the street surface or public right-of-way; and
11. 
On residential uses, holiday and cultural observance decorations which are on display for not more than 45 calendar days per year (cumulative, per parcel or use) and which do not include commercial advertising messages.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Sign exception” means an approval to deviate from specified criteria of this title due to unique situations, hardships, or physical restrictions on the land or buildings not generally shared by other properties resulting from the strict application of the requirements of this title.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Sign permit” or “permit” means the approval to maintain or erect a sign issued by the director pursuant to this Title 17.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Spandrel” means the area located between the top window or architectural feature of a floor or story and the window or architectural feature on the next higher floor in buildings of more than one story.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Subdivision sign” means an off-site sign directing the public to new residential subdivisions within the city.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Temporary sign” means any sign designed or intended to be displayed for limited periods of time, including, without limitation, all non-permanently affixed signs, flyers, banners, pennants, A-frame signs, inflatable signs, flying signs, or flags.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Theater” means a building or structure used for the purpose of conducting live dramatic, comedic or musical performances, the showing of motion pictures or similar recorded media, or other live performing arts.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Wall sign” means a sign painted on, attached to or erected against the wall of a building, structure, canopy or awning.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)
“Window sign” means any sign placed on the interior of a window, or painted on or otherwise applied to a window such that it can be read from the outside of the building.
(Ord. 4648 § 2, 2008)