The following definitions shall be used by this chapter to assist
in the establishment of clear-cut signage regulations. In general,
"sign types" refers to the style of the sign. "Sign purposes" refer
to where or how a sign is used. "Sign measurement" explains how the
dimensions of a sign are determined.
CANOPY SIGN
A type of projecting, on-building sign consisting of a fabric
or fabric-like sheathing material.
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. Such signs are also referred to as "electronic message
boards" or "time and temperature devises." A changeable copy sign
can be a wall sign, projecting sign or freestanding sign.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION SIGN
A sign that may have changeable copy and that is limited
to the display of information of interest to the general community
regarding scheduled public events and public activities.
DIRECTIONAL OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that indicates only the name, direction, and/or distance
of a governmental facility. This definition does not pertain to off-premises
advertising signs.
DIRECTIONAL ON-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that indicates only the name, logo, and or direction
of a pedestrian or traffic facility, or a particular building within
a complex of structures, on the property on which said facility or
building is located.
FREESTANDING SIGN
A self-supporting sign resting on or supported by means of
a base on the ground. Only monument signs and ground signs shall be
permitted. The base and support(s) of any and all freestanding signs
shall be concealed and shall comply with the State Building Code.
GASOLINE PRICING SIGN
Wisconsin Statutes require that all sellers and distributors
of motor fuel shall post in a conspicuous place and on every pump
the net selling price per gallon of such motor fuel. The price display
on a motor fuel sign is exempt from the size limitations on a freestanding
or wall sign. The exemption shall apply only to fuel prices, and not
to brand names and logos, or to special sales of not-fuel products.
The exempt area on any pricing sign shall be limited to no more than
32 square feet.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN
A sign indicating the name and/or address of the project,
property owner, tenant and/or manager of the property, address, and
name and phone number of the property manager.
MARQUEE SIGN
A type of projecting, on-building sign sheltering the entrance
and/or entrance approaches of a theater, auditorium, fairground, museum
or other use, which advertises present and scheduled events.
MONUMENT SIGN
A type of freestanding sign whose bottom edge is located
within one foot of a ground-mounted pedestal and whose top edge does
not exceed the height limit set forth in Attachment 380-1 to this
chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN
A sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service,
or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the
premises where the sign is displayed. Advertising signs include billboards.
No new off-premises advertising signs shall be permitted within the
City.
PROJECTING SIGN
A type of on-building sign, other than a wall sign that is
attached to and projects more than one foot, generally perpendicular
from a structure or building face.
SIGN
Any object, device, display, structure, or part thereof,
which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention
to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product,
service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters,
figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected
images. Signs do not include the flag or emblem of any nation, organization
of nations, state, city, religious, fraternal, or civic organization;
also merchandise and pictures or models of products or services incorporated
in a window display, works of art which in no way identify a product,
or scoreboards located on athletic fields. Definitions of particular
functional, locational, and structural types of signs are listed in
this section. (Traffic control and other public agency signs located
within a right-of-way are not included within this definition and
are not regulated by the provisions of this chapter.)
SIGN AREA
A.
The total exterior surface of a sign having one exposed display
surface or 1/2 of such total for a sign having more than one display
surface, including structural members which frame the display surface,
but not the supporting members.
B.
For characters individually mounted on a building wall and painted
display signs integrated into decorative wall graphics, the area within
a line circumscribed closely around each word of the display.
SIGN, HEIGHT OF
The distance from the grade at the base of a detached sign
to the highest point on the sign or its supporting structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign or advertising display (including festoons, pennants,
banners, pin wheels and similar devices) intended to be displayed
for a specific period of time. Included in the definition of "temporary
signs" are retailers' signs temporarily displayed for the purpose
of informing the public of a "sale" or other special/limited time
offer.
VISION CLEARANCE TRIANGLES
The area formed by measured along the property line on corner
lots for a distance of 15 feet in each direction along each right-of-way
line and connected by a hypotenuse to form a triangle. No sign(s)
shall be allowed within the vision clearance triangle area.
WALL SIGN
A type of on-building sign mounted parallel to a building
facade or other vertical building surface.
WINDOW SIGN
Any sign placed inside or upon an interior window surface,
or painted directly upon a window, and which is usually intended to
be seen from the exterior.
Attachment 380-1 is attached to and hereby made part of this
chapter. Signs shall conform to the limitations on size, area and
number set forth in the table for each zoning district and shall be
prohibited where so designated.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who violates the provisions of any approval granted under this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of §
1-4 of this Code. Each day a violation exists constitutes a separate violation and is punishable as such.