For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A-FRAME SIGN. A sign which is designed with two sign faces constructed in a manner representing a triangular formation such as “A”.
ANIMATED SIGN. Any sign which, has any visible moving parts, flashing lights, visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by any means.
BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign on which copy is limited to the name and address of a building or institution.
BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN. An on-site sign which serves to identify only the name, address and lawful use of individual businesses and sets forth no other advertisement.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Speech that proposes a commercial transaction, identifies a person or entity with whom a commercial transaction is offered, or identifies a place or location at which a commercial transaction is offered.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A temporary sign which identifies the future occupant, purpose for which the building is proposed, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of those individuals or businesses directly participating in construction on the property on which the sign is located.
CONVENIENCE SIGN. A sign which conveys information, such as “no parking”, “entrance”, “exit”, “restrooms”, “open”, “closed”, “business hours” and the like, but does not contain brands, trade or business identification and is designed to be viewed on-site or adjacent to the site by pedestrians and/or motorists.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. An on-site sign designed to guide or direct pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic and which is non-advertising in nature.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign for which an artificial source of light is used in order to make the sign’s message readable, including internally and externally lighted signs and reflectorized, glowing or radiating signs.
NEON SIGN. A sign with tubing that is internally illuminated by neon or other electrically charged gas.
NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH. Speech that does not propose a commercial transaction.
ON-SITE ADVERTISING DISPLAY. Any structure, housing, sign, device, figure, statuary, painting, display, message placard or other contrivance, or any part thereof which has been designed, constructed, created, intended or engineered to have a useful life of 15 years or more, and is intended or used to advertise, or to provide data or information in the nature of advertising, for any of the following purposes:
(1) To designate, identify or indicate the name of the business of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the advertising display is located; or
(2) To advertise the business conducted, services available or rendered, or the goods produced, sold or available for sale upon the property where the advertising display has been lawfully erected.
PERMANENT SIGN. A sign that, when installed, is intended for permanent use. Where it is not otherwise specified by this subchapter, any sign with an intended use in excess of one year from the date of installation shall be deemed a PERMANENT SIGN.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign which is capable of being carried or readily moved from one location to another and which is not permanent in nature. Such signs include, but are not limited to, A-frame signs, sandwich board signs, signs on wheels or signs which lean onto a stationary object, building or structure.
SAFETY SIGNS. A sign which warns of a dangerous condition in or about the area posted or states an operational limitation in effect for such area, such as “no wake”, “slow zone”, “hazardous area” and the like.
SIGN. An object or device which is designed, intended, used or located so as to be visible by the public from outdoors for the purpose of advertising the property, establishment or enterprise, including goods and services, upon which the sign is located, or to convey a non-commercial message. This definition shall include all parts, portions, frame, background, structure, support and anchorage thereof.
SIGN AREA. The entire area within a single continuous perimeter which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement, display, logo, picture or any figure of a similar nature, together with any frame, background area of sign, structural trim or other material, color or condition which forms an integral part of the display excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed.
SIGN COPY. Any words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, logos or other symbolic representation incorporated into a sign.
SIGNS, ELECTRIC. The terms “electric sign” and “illuminated sign” shall apply to any sign with electric wiring and lighting therein or used in conjunction with the sign, including the use of neon tubing.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any edifice or framework which supports or is capable of supporting a sign.
SNIPE SIGN. A sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to trees, poles, stakes or fences, or to other objects with the message appearing thereon not applicable to the present use of the premises or structures upon which the sign is located.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign which is not a permanent sign and is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time, typically less than one year.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. Any device used to regulate traffic flow and described and identified in the Manual or Uniform Traffic Control Devices approved by the Federal Highway Administration as the national standard and as may be revised from time to time.
VEHICLE SIGN. Any sign placed, maintained, displayed or carried on a truck, automobile, trailer or other vehicle for the purpose of on-site advertising. This does not include signs affixed to vehicles for identification purposes as required by licensing regulations of governmental entities.
WALL SIGN. A single-faced sign attached to and parallel with the building facade.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign which is attached or painted, either permanently or temporarily, on the interior or exterior of a window or which is placed within 12 inches of the face of such window and is intended to be viewed from the outside.
(Ord. 1-90, passed 1-31-1991; Ord. 01-2021, passed 5-27-2021)