As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
BANNER SIGN
A sign with its copy on nonrigid material such as cloth,
plastic, fabric or paper, with no supporting framework.
[Added 7-13-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11, approved 7-13-2010]
BOROUGH BUILDING CODE (BOCA BUILDING CODE)
The current edition of the Uniform Building Code (currently
the BOCA Code as adopted by West Conshohocken Borough) shall be utilized
as related to those guidelines with respect to construction standards,
approved materials and projection standards, unless otherwise specified
in this article.
BOROUGH BUILDING CODE (INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE)
The current edition of the Uniform Building Code (currently
the International Building Code as adopted by West Conshohocken Borough)
shall be utilized as related to those guidelines with respect to construction
standards, approved materials and projection standards, unless otherwise
specified in this article.
[Added 10-12-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-14, approved 10-12-2010]
BUILDING FRONTAGE
For the purpose of calculating the allowable total sign area:
(1)
The linear footage of building face which serves as a principal
approach to a building and which building face fronts upon a public
street, a shopping center driveway, parking area or pedestrian mall
or walkway.
(2)
For corner lots, such footage may be calculated separately for
the principal approach and one adjacent face, if such face also fronts
on a public street, a shopping center driveway, public parking area,
pedestrian mall or public walkway. A sign area calculated for each
frontage shall be erected on that frontage only and shall not be increased
by the sign area calculated for another frontage. Signs shall be permitted
on two frontages only.
CHANGEABLE-COPY SIGN
A sign that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations
can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface
of the sign.
GROUND SIGN
A sign erected upon a support sunk into the ground and not
attached to any building.
LOT, CORNER
A lot which abuts on at least two intersecting public streets.
In the case of a shopping center, driveways, public parking areas,
pedestrian malls and public walkways shall be considered public streets
for the purpose of this section. Frontage upon a service driveway
to an unloading area shall not be considered in determining corner
lot status.
OFFENSIVE SIGN
One which displays or contains any lewd, vulgar, indecent
or obscene matter. Matter shall be considered "lewd, vulgar, indecent,
or obscene" if, to the average person, applying contemporary community
standards, the dominant theme taken as a whole appeals to prurient
interest or if it is utterly without redeeming social importance or
if it goes substantially beyond customary limits of candor in description
or representation or if it is characterized by patent offensiveness
or if it is hardcore pornography.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign which advertises or otherwise directs attention to
an activity not on the same lot, which may use a visual communication
technology (VCT), such as light-emitting diodes (LED) or other internal
light sources, to communicate municipal, civic or emergency messaging,
on-premises advertising, and/or commercial off-premises advertising.
[Amended 11-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-03, approved 11-13-2018]
PERSON
Any natural person, partnership, firm, association or corporation.
PROJECTING SIGN
Any sign mounted perpendicular to a wall or other vertical
building surface. "Projecting signs" shall not project more than four
feet from the wall or surface to which they are mounted, or in any
way interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic. (See Illustration
No. 2.)
SIGN
Any permanent or temporary structure, or part thereof, or
any device attached, painted or represented directly or indirectly
on a structure or other surface that shall display or include any
letter, word, insignia, flag or representation used as or which is
in the nature of an advertisement, announcement, visual communication
or direction or which is designated to attract the eye or bring the
subject to the attention of the public.
SIGN AREA
The area of the largest signal face of the sign within a
perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame, and
forms an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary
supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed, subject to the
following:
(1)
For double-faced signs or V-type signs, the interior angle of
which does not exceed 45°, only one face shall be applicable in
computing "sign area."
(2)
For V-type signs, the interior angle of which exceeds 45°,
both faces shall be applicable in computing sign area.
(3)
The area of an irregularly shaped sign, including signs consisting
of separate modules, figures or letters, shall be deemed to be the
total square footage of the smallest rectangle into which all of the
separate modules, figures or letter which comprise the irregularly
shaped and/or modular sign would fit. (See Illustration No. 1.)
TRAILER SIGN
Any sign which is erected upon a structure having wheels,
rollers or similar devices facilitating movement and is capable of
being moved from one location to another.
VISUAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (VCT)
Any type of lighting element that, when operational, is able
to communicate a visual message. A visual communication technology
may include, but is not limited to, the following: dual in-line packaged
light-emitting diodes (LED); surface-mounted diode LED; chip-on-board
LED; fiber-optic LED; internally illuminate Lexan and intense pulsed
light technology.
[Added 11-13-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-03, approved 11-13-2018]
WALL SIGN
Any sign which in any manner is affixed to and parallel to
any exterior wall of the building or structure and which projects
no more than 18 inches from the building or structure wall and which
does not extend above the parapet wall, eaves or building facade on
which it is located. If a building has a canopy or marquee constructed
as an integral part of the building, the front line of the canopy
or marquee shall be interpreted as being the face of the building.
(See Illustration No. 3.)
WINDOW SIGN
A sign mounted, affixed or painted on a window or a sign
inside a building which can be seen outside the building or window
or door. (See Illustration No. 4.)