The definitions noted below apply uniquely to this chapter and supersede any conflicting definitions found in the zoning ordinance. Many of these definitions are graphically depicted in the diagrams included in this section.
ANIMATED SIGN: Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
AWNING: A structure made of cloth, metal or other material affixed to a building in such a manner that the structure may be permanently affixed or affixed in such a manner that it may be raised or retracted to a position against the building.
AWNING SIGN: Any sign that is painted, printed or otherwise placed on the outer surface of an awning in such a manner that the awning forms the background surface of the sign.
BANNER SIGN: Any temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is attached to a pole or building and secured on at least two (2) sides. National flags, state or municipal flags, shall not be considered banners.
CANOPY AND MARQUEE SIGNS: A sign that is mounted or painted on, or attached to, a canopy or marquee.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged. A sign on which the message changes more than eight (8) times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a "time and temperature" portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN, ELECTRONIC: A type of sign or portion thereof that is capable of displaying words, symbols or alphanumeric characters which are defined by a small number of matrix elements using different combinations of light emitting diodes (LEDs), fiber optics, light bulbs or other illumination devices that can be electronically or automatically programmed and may be changed by remote or automatic means. The following terms for such electronic changeable copy signs shall be defined as follows:
A. Dissolve: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign accomplished by varying the light intensity or pattern, where one message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneous to the gradual appearance and legibility of a subsequent message.
B. Fade: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign accomplished by varying the light intensity, where one message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and a subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
C. Nits: A luminance unit equal to one candle per square meter measured perpendicular to the rays from the source.
D. Scroll: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign where the message is changed by the apparent vertical movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
E. Static: Graphics on an electronic changeable copy sign having no motion or movement of any type.
F. Travel: A mode of message transition on an electronic changeable copy sign where the message is changed by the apparent horizontal movement of the letters or graphic elements of the message.
G. Transition: A visual effect used on an electronic changeable copy sign to change from one message to a subsequent message.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE: Any sign wording, logo, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN: A sign plan approved by the plan commission indicating the size and location of all signs to be located in a unified business center.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN: A sign announcing the impending construction of a project, limited to displaying the name of the project, the developer, the financial institution providing the finance, the designer(s), the general contractor, a phone number where more information may be obtained, and a date announcing the planned completion of the project.
ERECT: To build, construct, attach, hang, rehang, place, affix, or relocate and includes the painting or lettering of a sign.
EXTERNAL ILLUMINATION: Illumination of a sign which is produced by an artificial source of light which is not contained within the sign itself.
FACADE: Any side, surface or wall below the roof of a building which is parallel or within forty five degrees (45°) of parallel with a parcel's frontage on a public thoroughfare, which faces toward and relates to that public thoroughfare. If a building has a complex shape, then all walls or surfaces facing in the same direction, or nearly the same direction, are part of a single facade.
FLAG: Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity.
FLASHING SIGN: A directly or indirectly illuminated sign where the source of illumination is not maintained constant or stationary in the intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use.
FOR SALE/FOR LEASE/FOR RENT SIGNS: A sign which directs attention to a housing, office, or retail development with space for sale, lease or rent.
FREESTANDING SIGN: Any sign not attached to a building; primarily ground signs, pole signs, pylon signs, and portable signs.
GARAGE/YARD SALE SIGN: Any sign used in residential zoning districts to advertise the sale of used, unwanted household goods.
GASOLINE STATION: A premises where motor fuels are sold for direct use by motor vehicles.
GRADE: Established or finished elevation measured at the center line of the adjacent street.
GROUND SIGN: Any detached sign which has its bottom portion erected upon or mounted on a base that is permanently set on the ground that is at least as wide as the bottom side of the sign. Ground signs are also commonly known as monument signs.
HISTORIC SIGN: A sign at least thirty (30) years old and which, by reason of unique design, size configuration, or its product's/company's long association with the village, is of extraordinary local significance, makes a contribution to the cultural, historic, or aesthetic quality of the village's streetscape.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A sign where the text gives the name and address of a building, business, development, or establishment. Such a sign may also be wholly or partly devoted to a readily recognized symbol.
ILLUMINATED SIGN: Any sign which is lit by an artificial (usually electric) light source.
INFLATABLE SIGN: Any sign or inflatable device of more than two (2) cubic feet in capacity designed to be filled with air or a gas lighter than air, displayed to attract the attention of the public. This definition shall include balloons and balloon signs.
INSTRUCTIONAL SIGN: A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as "no parking", "entrance", "loading only", and other similar directives.
INTERNAL ILLUMINATION: The illumination of a sign which is produced by an artificial source of light concealed or contained within the sign itself, and which becomes visible in darkness through the translucent portion of the sign face.
MARQUEE: Any hood or roof-like structure of permanent construction supported entirely by the building, and projecting from the building's wall.
MOVIE OR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THEATER: A fully enclosed building with fixed or movable seats arranged in an auditorium fashion, where motion pictures or live entertainment acts are presented.
NONCONFORMING SIGN: Any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this title.
OFF-SITE SIGN: Any general outdoor advertising sign, which is designed to advertise or direct attention to a business or activity conducted or a product, commodity, service, real property, entertainment, or facilities offered or sold elsewhere than on the same lot or within the same building upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed, or which directs persons to a location different from where the sign is installed. The term "billboard" shall be included in this definition.
OFFICER: The building inspector of the village of Broadview.
PERSON: Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization, or partnership, singular or plural, of any kind.
POLE SIGN: A sign mounted on one or more freestanding pole(s) or pylons.
POLITICAL SIGN: Any sign displayed in conjunction with an official election or referendum, used on behalf of candidates for elected public office or to advocate a position on referenda.
PORTABLE SIGNS: Any sign attached to or mounted upon a frame intended to be moved from place to place.
PROJECTING SIGN: A sign wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support, and which projects more than twelve inches (12") in a perpendicular fashion from such building.
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SIGN: A sign used to advertise the sale, lease or rent of an individual home, apartment or property located in a residential zoning district.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN: Any sign located in a district zoned for residential uses that contains no commercial message except advertising for goods or services legally offered on the premises where the sign is located.
ROOF SIGN: A sign mounted on the roof of a building.
SIGN: A name, identification, description, display, message, or illustration which is affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or piece of land, and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.
SIGN CONTRACTOR: A person or entity who performs work for compensation in connection with the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, improvement, maintenance, conversion or manufacture of any sign.
SIGN STRUCTURE: The sign and all parts associated with its mounting.
SIGN SUPPORTS: All structural features by which a sign is held up, including, for example, poles, braces, guys, and anchors.
SIGN SURFACE AREA: The total exposed surface within a continuous perimeter composed of a single rectangle enclosing the extreme limits of characters, lettering, illustrations, ornamentations, or other figures, together with any material, or color used as an integral part of the display or to differentiate the sign from the background on which it is placed.
SUSPENDED SIGN: A sign that is suspended from the underside of a horizontal plane surface and is supported by such surface.
TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign designed, constructed, or erected to display a message for a limited duration of time. Such signs include, but are not limited to: banner, beacon or searchlight, garage/yard sale, grand opening, political, portable, real estate, and special event signs, as well as any other sign which by its definition and application in this chapter is designated as a temporary sign.
UNIFIED BUSINESS CENTER: Premises containing three (3) or more individual offices or businesses sharing a common building.
VILLAGE: The village of Broadview, Cook County, Illinois.
VILLAGE BOARD: The mayor and trustees of the village of Broadview.
WALL SIGN: Any sign attached parallel to and supported by a wall or building, and within six inches (6") of such wall, or painted on the wall surface of any building.
WINDOW AREA: Any transparent area on a facade through which the interior of a premises may be viewed from outside.
WINDOW SIGN: Any sign which is affixed or placed so that its message or image is read as a part of the total composition of a window area.
ZONING LOT OR LOTS: A single tract of land which is designated by its owner or developer as a tract to be used, developed or built upon as a single unit, under single control or ownership. It may be a single parcel separately described in a deed or plat which is recorded in the office of the county recorder of deeds, or it may include parts of or a combination of such parcels when adjacent to one another and used as one lot.
(Ord. 2001-08A, 4-2-2001; amd. Ord. 13-02, 1-22-2013)