The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Building.A structure which has a roof supported by columns or walls for the shelter, support, or enclosure of persons, animals or chattel.
Dilapidated.Any surface element, background, panels, or support of any sign that has finished materials that are missing, broken, bent, cracked, decayed, dented, harmful, hazardous, illegible, leaning, splintered, ripped, torn, twisted, or unsightly.
Effective area, attached sign.The sum of the areas of the minimum imaginary rectangles enclosing each word attached to any particular facade. Effective area shall also be referred to as size.
Effective area, monument sign.The area enclosed by drawing a rectangle of horizontal and vertical lines which fully contain all extremities of the sign location above the ground including the sign base. The measurement is to be calculated from a viewpoint which gives the largest rectangle of that kind. The effective area shall also be referred to as size.
Effective area, other sign.Signs that do not meet the definition of attached signs or monument signs shall be referred to as other signs. The effective area of other signs shall be calculated by drawing a rectangle of horizontal and vertical lines which fully contain all extremities of the sign exclusive of its supports. Effective area shall also be referred to as size.
Electronic billboard.An off-premises sign for the purpose of display of commercial or noncommercial digital messages, which includes any of its support, frame, or other appurtenances.
Facade.Any separate face of a building, including parapet walls and omitted wall line, or any part of a building which encloses or covers usable space. Where separate faces are oriented in the same direction, or in the directions within forty-five degrees of one another, they are to be considered as a part of a single facade.
Graffiti.Any rude inscription, design, motto, or pictograph, scratched, drawn, painted, or in any way marked on the surface of any wall, fence, rock, escarpment, or any other exposed surface of any public or private property.
Model home.A single-family dwelling structure that is open for inspection by the general public and is not used as a dwelling.
Premises.A lot or unplatted tract, or a combination of contiguous lots or unplatted tracts if the lot or tract, or combination, is under single ownership and is reflected in the plat records of the city.
Sign.Any form of publicity or advertising which directs attention to an individual, business, commodity, service, activity, or product, by means of words, lettering, parts of letters, figures, numerals, phrases, sentences, emblems, devices, trade names, or trademarks, or other pictorial matters designed to convey such information and displayed by means of print, bills, posters, panels, or other devices on an open framework, or attached or otherwise applied to stakes, posts, poles, buildings, or other structures or supports.
Sign, abandoned sign.An on-premises sign, attached or detached, advertising a business that has closed or ceased operation for a period of 30 calendar days, or where the operations permit has been revoked or expired.
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, awning.A permanent sign that is directly applied, attached or painted onto an awning, which is a retractable or non-retractable projection, shelter or structure of rigid or non-rigid canvas, metal, wood, or other similar approved material approved [sic].
Sign, billboard.An off-premises sign for the purpose of display of commercial messages or noncommercial messages. The term includes any of its supports, frame, or other appurtenances.
Sign, detached.Any sign connected to the ground which is not an attached sign, inclusive of signs on movable objects, except signs on vehicles which are moving or are parked only temporarily, incidental to their principal use for transportation.
Sign, monument.A freestanding sign set on a ground monument base. Monument signs shall include pedestal signs.
Sign, movement control.A sign which directs vehicular or pedestrian movement within or on the premises such as, but not limited to, entrance, exit, or overhead clearance, and which does not advertise the name of the establishment.
Sign, off-premises.A sign that identifies or advertises a business, person, activity, goods, products, entertainment or services at a location other than where the sign is located.
Sign, on-premises.Any sign which identifies or advertises a business, person, activity, goods, products, entertainment or services primarily sold, offered, or conducted, for sale on the premises where the sign is located, installed, maintained, or to which it is affixed, when such premises are used for business purposes.
Sign, political.Any type of sign which refers only to the issues or candidates involved in a political election.
Sign, portable.Any sign designed or intended to be relocated from time to time, whether or not it is permanently attached to a structure, or is located on the ground.
Sign, projecting.A sign attached and projecting out from a building face or wall, generally at a right angle to the building a maximum of 18 inches.
Sign, protective.Any sign which is commonly associated with safeguarding the permitted uses of the occupancy, including, but not limited to, “bad dog,” “no trespassing,” and “no solicitors.”
Sign, pylon.A freestanding sign permanently affixed to the ground by supports, but not having the appearance of a solid base.
Sign, subdivision entry.A sign mounted to a screening wall or engraved into a masonry block which identifies a development, either residential or nonresidential, and generally refers to the platted name of the subdivision.
Sign support.Any pole, post, strut, cable, or other structural fixture or framework necessary to hold and secure a sign, providing that said fixture or framework is not imprinted with any picture, symbol or word using characters in excess of one (1) inch in height, nor is internally or decoratively illuminated.
Sign, temporary.Any sign that is not intended for permanent use and that is typically utilized for advertisement of seasonal specials or special events. Temporary signs include, but are not limited to, banners, inflatable devices, and wind flags, etc.
Sign, vehicular.Any sign on or in a moving vehicle or on any vehicle parked temporarily, incidental to its principal use for transportation. This definition shall not include signs or lettering on company vehicles that advertises only the company name, address, and phone number. This definition exempts magnetic signs on the sides and rears of cars.
Sign, wall.A sign erected against an exterior wall, erected parallel to a wall or painted directly onto a wall.
Sign, window.A sign either attached on a window (by painting or other adhesive) or hanging within the window that generically advertises a commodity, service, activity, or product by means of words, lettering.
Zoning district, business.Any zoning district designated by the zoning ordinance of the city as C-1, C-2, or I, and any PD district with the previous listed zoning prefix is also included in this list, unless specifically excluded by its provisions.
(Ordinance 03112019 4-B adopted 3/11/2019)