For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A-FRAME SIGN. A ground sign which resembles the shape of a letter "A" in profile view. Sometimes designated as "sandwich board", "sidewalk board" or "curb sign".
ABANDONED/OBSOLETE SIGN. Any sign or sign structure, whether permitted or not or required to
be permitted or not under this chapter, which advertises or pertains to a business, product, service, event, activity, purpose which is no longer conducted or that has not been in use for 180 days. Any sign structure that no longer displays any sign copy or wording shall be deemed to be an obsolete or abandoned sign.
ANIMATION. Any visible mechanical or electronic movement in any sign or apparent movement achieved by electrical pulsations or by other means, such as sequential light phasing and include the following types:
(1) Electrically activated: Animated sign producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both classifications noted below:
(a) Flashing: Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of no illumination. For the purposes of this ordinance, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on/off phases of illumination exceeds seven seconds.
(b) Patterned illusionary movement: Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS. Any projection, excluding signs, which is not intended for
occupancy and which extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building, including, but not limited to, roof overhangs, wing walls, mansards, unenclosed exterior balconies, marquees, canopies, pilasters, fascia boards, and awnings.
AREA. The surface space of a sign, measured by its maximum projection or angle of interference with sight within a single continuous perimeter containing the sign message together with any frame, material, or color forming an integral part of the display, not including support structures.
BANNER, FLAG, OR PENNANT. Any nonrigid material used for advertising purposes attached to any structure, pole, staff, wire or rope line, or framing (not including official flags of officially recognized governments or religious organizations).
CABINET SIGN. A sign structure comprised of a frame and face or faces.
CANOPY. A permanently roofed shelter covering a sidewalk, driveway or other similar area, which is supported by the building to which it is attached.
CITY BUILDING INSPECTOR. The city manager is the person charged with the administration
and enforcement of this chapter and he/she may designate certain persons as city inspection officials to carry out such duties.
COPY. The wording or message of a sign, including the surface upon which the wording or message is attached.
DAYS. Consecutive calendar days including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
DIGITAL. Digital shall mean and include any electronic, pixel based, or similar technology used to display and/or change the image and/or copy on a sign by electronic, digital, LED, video or similar technology.
DISPLAY FACE. See "Sign Side."
DISTRICT. A zoning district established in Chapter 158 of this code of ordinances, the boundaries
of which are determined by reference to the zoning map.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER AND DISPLAY SCREEN. Any on premises sign or portion of a sign that uses changing lights to display an electronic image, video, or text messages. The rate of change of the messages or images is electronically programmed and can be modified by an electronic process. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, flat screens, LED screens, LCD screens, video boards and holographic displays.
ERECT. To build, construct, alter, repair, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix or maintain any sign, and shall also include the painting of exterior wall signs.
EXPRESSWAY. N.W. 39th Street Expressway.
FACADE. The side of a building below the eaves.
FLASHING. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is always not maintained stationary or constant in intensity and color when such sign is in use. For the purpose of this Code any moving illuminated sign, except digital billboards, must be considered a flashing sign.
FREESTANDING. A sign erected and maintained on a freestanding frame, mast or pole not attached to any building, and not including ground mounted signs.
FRONTAGE, BUILDING. The horizontal, linear dimension of that side of a building which abuts a street, a parking area, mall, other circulation area open to the general public and having either a main window display of the enterprise, or a public entrance to the building.
FRONTAGE, STREET. The lineal frontage or frontages of a lot or parcel abutting on a private or public street which provides principal access to, or visibility of, the premises.
GOVERNMENT SIGN. A government sign is a sign that is constructed, placed, or maintained by the federal, state or local government, or a sign that is required to be constructed, placed or maintained by the federal, state or local government either directly or to enforce a property owner's rights.
GROUND MOUNTED. A sign which extends from the ground or has support which places the bottom edge of the sign less than two feet from the ground.
HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the ground level to the top of a sign, inclusive of berms and embankments.
HISTORIC WORDS OR SYMBOLS. Any sign painted, engraved or carved into a building and that no longer relates to the use or occupant of the building and has been in place for greater than 50 years.
INTEGRAL. A sign that is embedded, extruded or carved into the material of a building façade. A sign made of bronze, brushed stainless steel or aluminum, or similar material attached to the building facade.
LARGE-SCALE TENANT. Large-scale tenant means any commercial or industrial use that exceeds 50,000 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA).
LOT. A portion or parcel of land, whether part of a platted subdivision or otherwise, occupied or intended to be occupied by a building or use and its accessories, together with such yards as are required under the provisions of the zoning ordinance.
LOT STREET FRONTAGE. The length of the property line(s) or lot line(s) bordering a public road. For corner lots, each street side property line shall be a separate street frontage.
MARQUEE. A canopy or covering structure bearing a signboard or copy projecting from and attached to a building.
MAINTENANCE. The replacing, repairing or repainting of a sign structure made necessary by ordinary wear and tear, weather or accident. All such work shall be performed to conform to all applicable Code provisions.
MAJOR TENANT. A tenant that's use (1) exceeds 4,000 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) and (2) if part of a multiple tenant building, the use is the largest tenant, in terms of GLA, in the building that it occupies.
MINOR TENANT. A tenant that's use (1) contains gross leasable area (GLA) equal to or less than four thousand (4,000) square feet and (2) if part of a multiple tenant building, the use is not the largest tenant, in terms of GLA, in the building that it occupies.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign in noncompliance with applicable number, area, height, setback, code or specification regulations but which lawfully existed on August 6, 2019.
OWNER. That person who owns a sign and who either owns the property on which the sign is located or is the owner of the business being conducted on the premises to which the sign pertains.
ORIGINAL ART DISPLAY. A hand-painted work of visual art that is either affixed to or painted directly on the exterior wall of a structure with the permission of the property owner. An original art display does not include mechanically produced or computer-generated prints or images, including but not limited to digitally printed vinyl; electrical or mechanical components; or changing image art display.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING. A sign which advertises goods, products or services which are not sold, manufactured or distributed on or from the premises or facilities on which the sign is located.
PERSON. Any person, tenant, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, institution or organization of any kind public or private.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any structure without a permanent foundation or otherwise permanently attached to a fixed location, which can be carried, towed, hauled or driven and is primarily designed to be moved rather than be limited to a fixed location regardless of modifications that limit its movability.
PROPERTY LINE. The line marking the boundary between any street and the lots or property abutting thereon as determined by the legal description of the property and the records of the Oklahoma County Clerk.
PROJECTING. A sign, other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building or structure.
PUBLIC ENTRANCE. An entrance to a building or premises which is customarily used or intended for use by the general public. Fire exits, special employee entrances, loading dock entrances not generally used by the public, and the like shall not be considered as public entrances.
ROOF. The cover of any building, including the eaves and similar projections. The term "roof line" shall also include the highest point on any parapet wall, providing said parapet wall extends around the entire perimeter of the building.
ROOF SIGN. A sign located on or above the roof of any building, not including false mansard roof, canopy, or other fascia.
SETBACK. The minimum allowable horizontal distance from a given point of line of reference, such as a street right-of-way, to the nearest vertical wall or other element of a building or structure.
SHOPPING CENTER OR SHOPPING MALLS. A concentration of three or more primarily retail stores and service establishments under one ownership or management, including, but not limited to, retail shops, department stores, restaurants, and other related or similar business establishments. The term "shopping center" also includes shopping malls.
SIGHT TRIANGLE. The area designated as corner visibility. (See exhibit below)
SIGN. A name, identification, description, display or illustration, which is affixed to, painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, or other outdoor surface which directs attention to or is designed or intended to direct attention to the sign face or to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business. Signs located completely within an enclosed building, and not exposed to view from a street, must not be considered a sign. Each display surface of a sign or sign face must be defined as a sign.
TYPES OF SIGNS:
BENCH SIGNS, COURTESY. Any bench or seat placed for the convenience of the public and containing advertising matter.
BILLBOARD OR OFF PREMISE SIGN. A sign or advertising device which directs attention to or advertises products, services or activities unrelated to where the sign is located.
CANOPY SIGN. Sign attached to or constructed in or on a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (MANUAL). A sign on which copy, or sign panels may be changed manually in the field, such as boards with changeable letters or changeable pictorial panels.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign guiding or directing vehicular or pedestrian traffic within a development. Directory signs shall not be deemed to be freestanding, ground or wall signs.
FREESTANDING/GROUND SIGN. A sign not attached to buildings on the lot.
(a) Monument: Any sign, other than a pole sign, placed upon or supported by the ground independent of any other structure. Monument signs are typically mounted on a masonry base. As distinguished from a pole sign, the sign base of any monument sign must be a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the width of the sign face that is to be situated on the base. If less than seventy-five percent (75%), it is considered a pole sign.
(b) Pole: A sign erected and maintained on one or more freestanding mast(s) or pole(s) and not attached to any building or to any public sidewalk.
GRAND OPENING SIGN. Any temporary sign which calls attention to a new business and shall be removed within 90 days.
ILLUMINATED AWNING SIGN. A frame structure with translucent, flexible, reinforced vinyl covering designed in awning form, but whose principal purpose and use is signage. Such signs are internally illuminated by LED, fluorescent, LCD, or other light sources in fixtures approved under national and local electrical codes.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign placed on premises of an institution containing the name of and/or information relating to such uses. Uses allowed: public facilities, schools, religious assembly, hospitals or government owned facilities.
JOINT IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign which serves as common or collective identification for two or more commercial or industrial uses on the same lot.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign depicted upon, attached to or supported by a marquee A permanently roofed structure attached to and supported by a building and projecting from the building).
MESSAGE CENTER SIGN. Any electronic communication display device utilizing lights, light emitting diodes, or similar illumination to create letters, numerals or graphic presentations, capable of one or more of such various functions or operating modes as steady, scrolling, travelling, alternating or flashing copy.
MENU BOARD SIGN. A sign which is designed and utilized for the purpose of disclosing the availability and cost of products sold on the premises on which it is situated, which products are delivered directly to the stall or place where the menu board is installed or which are delivered at some point in a lane of travel in which the menu board sign is part.
MULTIPLE-TENANT SIGN. An on premises sign identifying individual businesses within a commercial building or buildings where the uses share the same lot, access and/or parking facilities or a coordinated site plan.
MURAL. A work of graphic art painted or applied to building wall(s) which contains no advertising or logos and may contain the artist identification or logo.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign, including a billboard or general outdoor advertising device, which advertises or directs attention to a business, commodity, service or activity conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the same lot or within the same building upon which such sign is located.
OPEN HOUSE SIGN. Any temporary sign that calls attention to a home for sale or rent, which is temporarily open to the public and shall be removed within ten days of sale or rent.
POLITICAL SIGN. A sign concerning candidate for any political office or involving any ballot issue.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign designed to be transported from one location to another and is not permanently mounted.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign attached to a building or extending in whole or in part 15 inches or more horizontally beyond the surface of the building to which the sign is attached and where the face of the sign is not in a plane parallel to the wall to which it is attached, but not including a "marquee sign," as herein defined.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign indicating the availability for sale, rent or lease of the specific lot, building or portion of a building upon which the sign is erected or displayed and shall be removed within ten days of sale, rent, or lease.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ENTRANCE SIGN. A sign on a gateway at the entrance of a residential complex or development denoting the name and/or address of the complex or development. See SIGHT TRIANGLE.
ROOF SIGN. A sign erected upon or over the roof or parapet of any building and supported in whole or in part by the building.
SUBDIVISION ENTRY SIGN. A sign integrated into the entrance treatment (i.e., entrance wall) with the name of the subdivision or planned unit development on one or both sides of each principal entrance. Subdivision entry signs shall not obstruct any public right-of-way or easement.
SUSPENDED SIGN. A sign suspended from the ceiling of an arcade, marquee, canopy or other architectural projection, as herein defined.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A banner, pennant, poster or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood or other like materials and that appears to be intended or is determined by the code inspection official to be displayed for a limited period of time.
TIME-TEMPERATURE-DATE SIGN. A sign which displays the time, outdoor temperature and/or date of the month.
V-TYPE SIGN. A sign consisting of multiple sign facings placed at angles to each other, oriented in different directions and not exceeding ten feet apart at any point.
VEHICLE-MOUNTED SIGN. A sign mounted or displayed upon a trailer, van, truck, automobile, bus, railroad car, tractor, semitrailer or other vehicle, whether or not such vehicle is in operating condition and is not currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets and not actively used as a vehicle.
WALL/BUILDING MOUNTED SIGN. A sign attached flat to any wall of an enclosed building, where the exposed face of the sign is in a plane parallel to the plane of said wall and extends not more than 15 inches horizontally from the face of said wall. A sign erected upon or against the side of a roof having an angle of 45 degrees or less from the vertical shall be considered to be a wall sign and shall be regulated as such. Also, a sign painted directly on the surface of the building.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign which is painted on, applied or attached to, or located within one foot of the interior of a window, which sign can be seen through the window from the exterior of the structure. Merchandise which is included in a window display shall not be included.
SIGN AREA. The space enclosed within the extreme edges of the sign for each sign face, not including the supporting structure or where attached directly to a building wall or surface, the space within the outline enclosing all the characters of the words, numbers or design.
SIGN COPY. The wording and/or logo on a sign surface.
SIGN FACE. The entire display surface area of a sign upon, against or through which copy is placed.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any part of a sign, including the base, supporting columns or braces, display surface or any appendage thereto.
SITE PLAN. An accurately scaled development plan that illustrates the existing conditions on a land parcel as well as depicting details of a proposed development. Among the features generally required on a site plan are the property boundaries and lot lines, existing streets and impervious surfaces, existing buildings and other structures, major features of the landscape, proposed street and utility networks and planned access points.
WIND SIGN. Wind sign means a sign consisting of one or more banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers or captive balloons, or other objects or material fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze.
(Prior Code, § 13-401) (Ord. 1473, passed 8-6-91; Am. Ord. 1974, passed 8-6-19)