For the purposes of these regulations, a sign shall include any device that is intended to announce, direct or advertise, and may be represented by words or letters, figures, symbols or characterizations, or other insignia or devices. Signs shall further be classified by physical characteristics and function or purpose based on the following.
(a) Physical Characteristics.
(1) Abandoned sign: A sign that for 30 days or more has not identified or advertised a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
(2) Banner sign: Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material with no enclosing framework that is mounted to a building at one or more edges.
(3) Building markers: Letters, words, or insignia cut into the building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building at the time the building was constructed to convey a memorial, the name of the building and/or address and the date of construction.
(4) Bulletin board sign: A sign where the message or graphics is not permanently fixed to the structure, framing or background, and in which the copy is periodically changed.
(5) Canopy or awning sign: A sign painted on, printed on or attached to a soffit or fascia of an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover, including gas station canopy.
(6) Face of sign: The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.
(7) Freestanding sign: A sign that is supported from the ground or a structure other than a building.
(8) Marquee sign: A sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a marquee or the roof over a walk or permanent awning. A marquee sign shall be considered a flat or wall sign.
(9) Nonconforming sign: A sign that was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.
(10) Portable sign: A sign designed to be readily transportable on wheels from one premise to another.
(11) Projecting sign: A sign erected on the outside wall of a building and which extends more than 12 inches therefrom.
(12) Roof sign: A sign erected upon or over the roof of any building.
(13) Under-canopy sign: A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee which is located perpendicular to the building façade and is intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee.
(14) Wall sign: A sign erected parallel to, or painted on the surface or on the outside wall, or is integral with the wall of any building, and which does not extend more than 12 inches therefrom.
(15) Window sign: A sign on the inside of a building affixed to or near a window for the purpose of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
(b) Function.
(1) Directional sign: A permanent sign located on private property, at or near the public right-of-way, directing or guiding traffic and parking from the street onto private property
(2) Identification sign: A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, development, building or building unit according to the following:
A. Agricultural sign: A sign intended to identify a farm or roadside stand located on the lot on which the sign is erected.
B. Business identification sign: A sign intended to announce or promote the business, office or industrial use, activity, service or other enterprise on the lot which the sign is located and which may include a directory of occupants.
C. Common business identification sign: A single sign that identifies the name of the nonresidential subdivision.
D. Institution identification sign: A sign displaying the name of the organization, activity or services occupying the premises of a public or quasi-public use, such as but not limited to churches and other places of worship, hospitals, public or semi-public recreational facilities, schools.
E. Residential development identification sign: A sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision, cluster development or multi-family development.
(3) Instructional sign: A sign that has a purpose secondary to the use on the lot that is intended to instruct employees, customers or users as to specific parking requirements, or circulation instructions, the location or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building, specific services offered, or methods of payments accepted.
(4) Model home sign: A temporary sign located on the same parcel as a model home and intended to mark the location of such model home.
(5) Name plate: A sign indicating the name and/or address of the person, business or activity occupying the lot or the building.
(6) Off-site advertising sign: A sign advertising an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment that is not sold, produced, manufactures, or furnished at the property or which the sign is located.
(7) Project construction sign: A temporary sign located on a parcel where construction or remodeling is occurring, and which may identify the site prior to the erection of the permanent sign.
(8) Public regulation and information: A sign erected by a public authority, utility, public service organization or private industry upon the public right-of-way or, when required by law, on private property, and which is intended to control traffic, direct, identify or inform the public, or provide needed public service as determined by the rules and regulations of governmental agencies or through public policy. Such signs include “No Parking Fire Lane.”
(9) Temporary sign: A sign that is designed to be used only temporarily and is not permanently, or intended to be permanently, attached to a building or structure or permanently installed in the ground.
(Ord. 58-01. Passed 5-29-01.)