For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADJACENT. As applied to real property, having a common lot line or located directly across a street or alley.
AREA. The total exposed surface devoted to the street graphic’s message, including all ornamentation, embellishment and symbols, but excluding the supporting structure which does not form part of the sign proper or of the display. The AREA of a street graphic composed of characters or words shall be the smallest rectangle which encloses the whole group. In the case of a free-standing graphic designed with more than one exterior surface containing a message, the AREA shall be computed as including only the maximum single display surface which is visible from any one ground position.
AWNING. Any structure made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a building when the same is so erected as to permit its being raised or retracted to a position against the building when not in use.
BILLBOARD. A single or double faced street graphic, permanently fixed or placed on the premises, which may have “change-copy”, or a street graphic used for the display of messages or advertising not associated with the establishment located on the same premises as the street graphic.
CANOPY. A structure, other than an awning, made of cloth, metal or other material with frames attached to a building, and carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalks.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign whereon provision is made for letters or characters to be placed in or upon the surface area either manually or electronically to provide a message or picture.
ESTABLISHMENT. Any one of the following:
(1) A single-family residential living unit;
(2) A multiple-family building or residential development having a frontage on a public street or roadway;
(3) An institutional, business, commercial or industrial activity that is the sole occupant of one or more buildings having at least one frontage on a public street or roadway; and
(4) An institutional, business, commercial or industrial activity that occupies a portion of a building such that:
(a) The activity is a logical and separate entity from the other activities within the building and not a department of the whole;
(b) The portion of the building that is occupied by the activity has a clearly defined frontage on a public street or roadway or to the common parking area of a commercial center;
(c) The activity has either:
1. A separate entrance from the exterior of the building; or
2. A separate entrance from a common and clearly defined entryway that has direct access from the exterior of the building.
(d) The activity is located on the first or second floor of the building.
EXEMPT GRAPHICS. Street graphics not subject to the regulations of this chapter, as per § 155.011 of this chapter.
FLUSH-MOUNTED GRAPHICS. Any street graphic attached to, erected against or painted on a wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the graphic in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall and not projecting more than 18 inches.
FREE-STANDING GRAPHIC. A street graphic supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground; or a street graphic supported by any structure erected primarily for the display and support of the street graphic.
FRONTAGE. The linear extent of a lot abutting a street or public roadway, or the linear extent of an establishment abutting a public parking area if said establishment has no street frontage.
GRAPHIC. See STREET GRAPHIC.
LOT. A tract of land intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer of ownership or development.
LOT LINE. Any boundary (front, side or rear) of any lot.
MARQUEE. Any hood of permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building but not supported by the ground or sidewalk, serving the purpose of providing shelter and protection from the weather.
MESSAGE. A communication of identification or advertising information visually perceived, which may consist of words, abbreviations, numbers, symbols, pictures, geometric shapes and the like.
MOBILE OR PORTABLE MARQUEE. A term commonly used to mean any street graphic not designed to be permanently attached to a building or anchored to the ground and designed to be moved from place to place. These signs primarily include, but are not limited to, signs attached to wood or metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable; paper, cardboard or canvas signs wrapped around supporting poles. A gasoline service station price-per-gallon sign shall not be considered a MOBILE OR PORTABLE MARQUEE.
NEON TUBE ILLUMINATION. A light source supplied by a neon tube which is bent to form letters, symbols or other shapes.
OFF-PREMISES GRAPHIC. A graphic which contains a message unrelated to the business or activity conducted upon the premises where such graphic is located.
PROJECTING GRAPHIC. Any street graphic, other than a flush-mounted graphic, which is suspended from or supported by a building or wall, and which projects. Any such street graphic suspended under a marquee, porch, walkway covering or similar covering structure, and in a place approximately perpendicular to the wall of the adjoining building, shall not be deemed to be a PROJECTING GRAPHIC.
ROOF LINE. Either the edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette; and, where a building has several roof levels, this roof or parapet shall be the one belonging to that portion of the building on whose wall the street graphic is located.
ROOF-MOUNTED GRAPHIC. Any street graphic erected, maintained or displayed on the roof of any building.
SIGN. A sign is any object, device, display or structure or part thereof situated outdoors which is used to advertise, identify, display or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service or event related to the premises on which the sign is situated, by any means including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, motion, illumination or projected images. The term SIGN includes, but is not limited to, every projecting sign; free-standing sign; window sign; awning, canopy, marquee sign; changeable copy sign; illuminated sign; moving sign; temporary sign; portable sign; pennants, banners, streamers or any other attention-getting device; or other display whether affixed to a building or erected elsewhere on the premises.
STREET BANNER. A street graphic made of cloth, canvas, vinyl or other material placed or hung on a streetlight or other public utility pole.
STREET GRAPHIC. Any on-premises identification or advertising sign and any billboard or off-premises advertising or identification sign, visible from the public right-of-way of any street or roadway or from any parking area used by the general public.
TEMPORARY STREET GRAPHIC. Any street graphic, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials, with or without frames, for use for a limited period of time.
TIME AND TEMPERATURE SIGN. A sign whereon the time and/or temperature is indicated by intermittent lighting and limited to the numerals indicating the time and/or temperature.
UNUSUALLY SHAPED STREET GRAPHICS. Street graphics of unusual shapes such as globes, cylinders or pyramids shall be considered double-faced street graphics and the area of the street graphic shall be computed as one-half of the total of the exposed surfaces.
WINDOW. An opening in the wall of a building containing transparent or translucent material such as glass.
WINDOW GRAPHIC - PERMANENT. Any graphic visible from the exterior of a building or structure which is painted, attached, glued or otherwise affixed to a window or depicted upon a card, paper or other material and placed on, taped on or hung immediately behind the window or displayed from a window for the specific purpose of informing the passer-by of the identity of the proprietor or business, or of the product or service which can be obtained on the premises.
(1960 Code, § 53-1-2) (Ord. 3427, passed 3-7-1977; Ord. 5642, passed 10-21-1996)