The purpose of this chapter is to provide definitions for unique
terms used throughout this title that relate to signs.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
means any display or sign remaining in place or not maintained
for a period of 90 days which no longer identifies an ongoing business,
product, or service available on the premises where the display or
sign is located or where the building, business, or establishment
to which the display or sign is related has ceased operation. For
purposes of this definition, abandonment for the applicable period
shall be deemed conclusive evidence of abandonment regardless of the
property, business, or sign owner's intent.
means a roof-like cover that projects from the wall of a
building for the purpose of shielding a doorway or window from the
elements.
See "Undercanopy sign."
means a sign placed on a wall, awning, canopy, parapet, or
a blade bracket. Also see
See Figure 17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached Signs).
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FIGURE 17.150.020-1 PERMANENT BUILDING-ATTACHED SIGNS
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means any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning,
canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover (excluding
a marquee) over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.
See Figure 17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached Signs).
means a sign which contains all the text and/or logo symbols
within a single enclosed cabinet that is mounted to a wall or other
surface. See Figure 17.150.020-2 (Other Sign Types).
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FIGURE 17.150.020-2 OTHER SIGN TYPES
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means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters,
or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged manually without
altering the face or surface of the sign. A sign on which the message
or characters change more than 12 times per day shall be considered
an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this
title. See Figure 17.150.020-2 (Other Sign Types).
means individual letters that are independently mounted to
a wall or other surface and internally illuminated with a covered
face. The "air space" between the letters is not part of the sign
structure but rather of the building facade. A logo may also be considered
a channel letter provided it is clearly distinguishable from other
sign elements. See Figure 17.150.020-2 (Other Sign Types).
means any sign, wording, logo, or other representation that
names or advertises a business, product, service, or other commercial
activity.
means an off-premises sign located on a public street or
public way that is part of a city-sponsored and coordinated program
for the purpose of providing tourists, travelers, and others of the
public ways in the city with information and guidance concerning public
accommodations, facilities, commercial services, and points of scenic,
cultural, historic, educational, recreational, religious interest,
and other local community destinations as designated and recognized
by a city program.
means the words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, or other
symbolic representations incorporated into a sign.
means any sign intended to be permanently affixed and utilized
only for the purpose of indicating the direction of any object, place,
or area.
means a pedestrian-oriented sign that identifies or lists
the names and locations of tenants at a multi-tenant site.
means an electronic sign, typically comprising a liquid crystal
diode (LCD), lightemitting diode (LED), plasma, or other digital illuminated
display that contains one or more messages. An electronic message
sign is different from an illuminated sign in that the illumination
of the display creates the message, rather than an internal or external
light source illuminating the message. See Figure 17.150.020-2 (Other
Sign Types).
means a sign which is not subject to a sign permit.
means a sign made of fabric or other similar non-rigid material
supported or anchored along only one edge or supported or anchored
at only two corners.
means a permanent sign that is self-supporting in a fixed
location and not attached to a building. A freestanding sign can be
connected or attached to a sign structure, fence, or wall that is
not an integral part of a building. Freestanding signs include, but
are not limited to, monument signs, pole signs, and pylon signs. See
Figure 17.150.020-3 (Permanent Freestanding Signs).
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FIGURE 17.150.020-3 PERMANENT FREESTANDING SIGNS
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means a temporary freestanding sign including, but not limited
to, portable signs such as A-frame signs.
means a sign which is not permanently or temporarily attached
to the ground or to a permanent structure, and which is designed to
be transported or carried by an individual.
means a sign with an artificial light source incorporated
internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign;
includes signs made from neon or other gas tube(s) that are bent to
form letters, symbols, or other shapes. An illuminated sign excludes
electronic message signs, which are separately defined.
means a sign consisting of balloons and inflatables made
of metallic and/or cloth material, regardless of the size that is
used, for the purpose of attracting attention.
means the horizontal distance measured along the building
frontage facing the street. In cases where a business has no building
frontage facing a street, the building frontage with the primary business
entrance shall be considered the primary building frontage (e.g.,
an entrance facing a courtyard). For multi-tenant buildings, ground
floor tenants may have their primary frontage determined independently
for the rest of the building based on the aforementioned rules.
means a sign installed in a drive-through facility and oriented
so as to be visible primarily by drive-through customers.
means a freestanding sign no more than eight feet in height
which is detached from a building and having a support structure that
is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent material, such
as concrete block or brick. All other freestanding sign types not
meeting the definition of a monument sign shall be either a pole sign
or a pylon sign. See Figure 17.150.020-3 (Permanent Freestanding Signs).
means a hand-produced work of visual art that is tiled or
painted by hand directly upon or affixed directly to an exterior wall
of a building. Murals are of a noncommercial nature. A mural does
not include the following:
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Mechanically produced or computer-generated prints or images,
including but not limited to digitally printed vinyl;
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Murals containing electrical or mechanical components; or
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Changing image murals.
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means a sign that displays noncommercial speech, e.g., commentary
or advocacy on topics of public debate and concern.
means a sign lawfully erected that does not comply with the
provisions of this title.
means a sign that directs attention to a business, profession,
commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered at
a location other than where the sign is located. This definition shall
include, but is not limited to, billboards, posters, panels, painted
bulletins, and similar advertising displays. An off-site sign meets
any one of the following criteria and includes only commercial messages:
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A permanent structure sign which is used for the display of
off-site commercial messages;
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A permanent structure which constitutes a principal, separate,
or secondary use, as opposed to an accessory use, of the parcel on
which it is located; or
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An outdoor sign used as advertising for hire, e.g., on which
display space is made available to parties other than the owner or
operator of the sign or occupant of the parcel (not including those
who rent space from the sign owner, when such space is on the same
parcel or is the same development as the sign), in exchange for a
rent, fee, or other consideration.
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means a sign which directs attention to a business, profession,
commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered upon
the lot or parcel on which the sign is placed. In the case of multiple-tenant
commercial or industrial development, a sign is considered on-site
whenever it is located anywhere within the development. In the case
of a duly approved uniform sign program, a sign anywhere within the
area controlled by the program may be considered on-site when placed
at any location within the area controlled by the program.
means a sign that comprises only paint applied on a building
or structure.
means a sign designed and located for the primary purpose
of pedestrian viewing and direction (e.g., undercanopy sign, pedestrian
access sign).
means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material,
whether or not containing a message of any kind, attached to a rope,
wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind
and attract attention.
means a sign that is entirely constructed out of durable
materials, is fixed in place, and is intended to exist for more than
120 days.
means a sign attached to and extending outward from the face
of a building. Includes, but is not limited to, a blade sign, bracket
sign, or marquee sign. See Figure 17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached
Signs).
means a sign comprising individual letters that are independently
mounted to a wall or other surface. Such sign may be illuminated by
an external light source, such as pendant lighting. The "air space"
between the letters is not part of the sign structure but rather of
the building facade. See Figure 17.150.020-2 (Other Sign Types).
means a temporary sign advertising the sale or lease of real
property. The sign may include the identification and contact information
of the person and/or company handling such sale, lease, or rent.
means a sign erected, constructed, painted, or placed upon
or over a roof or parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or
partly supported by the building or roof structure.
means any device, structure, fixture, or placard displaying
graphics, symbols, and/or written copy for the primary purpose of
communicating with the public. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
following do not fall within the definition of a "sign":
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Interior signs. Signs or other visual communicative devices
that are located entirely within a building or other enclosed structure
and are not visible from the exterior thereof, or located at least
three feet from the window on the interior of the structure.
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Architectural features. Decorative or architectural features
of buildings (not including lettering, trademarks, or moving parts).
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Symbols embedded in architecture. Symbols of noncommercial organizations
or concepts including, but not limited to, religious or political
symbols, when such are permanently integrated into the structure of
a building; the definition also includes foundation stones and cornerstones.
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Personal appearance. Items or devices of personal apparel, decoration,
or appearance, including, but not limited to, tattoos, makeup, wigs,
costumes, and masks (but not including commercial mascots).
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Manufacturers' marks. Marks on tangible products that identify
the maker, seller, provider, or product and which customarily remain
attached to the product even after sale.
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Fireworks, candles, and artificial lighting. The legal use of
fireworks, candles, and artificial lighting not otherwise regulated
by this title.
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Mass transit graphics. Graphic images mounted on trains or duly
licensed mass transit vehicles that legally pass through the city.
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Vehicle and vessel insignia. As shown 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.
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Gravestones and grave markers.
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News racks and newsstands.
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Shopping carts, golf carts, and horse-drawn carriages.
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Vending machines that do not display off-site commercial messages
or general advertising messages.
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Graphic images that are visible only from above, such as those
visible only from airplanes or helicopters, but only if not visible
from the street surface or public right-of-way.
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Holiday and cultural observance decorations that are on display
for not more than 45 calendar days per year (per parcel or use) and
which do not include commercial advertising messages.
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means that area or portion of a sign on which copy is intended
to be placed.
means a temporary or otherwise limited-term sign for the
purpose of providing direction for vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic
to the new home sale of multiple lots or dwelling units with a single
builder within a master planned community, including both single-family
and multi-family for-sale products. All other home sales signs are
included within the definition of "real estate sign."
means a structure or device used for the public display of
visual messages or images, which is easily installed with or without
common hand tools and which is not intended or suitable for long-term
or permanent display (e.g., less than 90 days), due to lightweight
or flimsy construction materials. Examples include banners, flags,
or similar ground mounted nonpermanent signs made of paper, cloth,
canvas, lightweight fabric, or other non-rigid material, with or without
frames.
means a pedestrian-oriented sign hung from underneath a canopy
roof, awning, porch or extended out from a building facade. See Figure
17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached Signs).
means a sign attached to or erected against the wall of a
building or structure with the exposed face of the sign parallel to
the plane of such wall. See Figure 17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached
Signs).
means any permanent or temporary sign, picture, letter, character,
or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about
an activity, business, commodity, event, sale, or service that is
placed upon and/or inside and/or within three feet of a window for
the purpose of being visible from the exterior of the window. See
Figure 17.150.020-1 (Permanent Building-Attached Signs).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
