For the purposes of these regulations, a sign shall be classified by physical design or structure and by function or purpose based on the following.
(a) Physical Design or Structure.
(1) Abandoned Sign: A sign that no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
(2) Animated Sign: Any sign that uses flashing lights or movement of the sign or some element thereof, to depict action or create a special affect or scene.
(3) Awning or Canopy Sign: Any sign that is painted on, printed on or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance or window.
(4) 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.
(5) Changeable Copy Sign: A sign such as a bulletin board or announcement board, where the message or graphics is not permanently affixed to the structure, framing, or background allowing the message or graphics to be periodically replaced or covered over manually or by electronic or mechanical devices.
(6) Flashing Sign: A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention.
(7) Freestanding Sign: A sign that is supported from the ground or a structure other than a building.
(8) Illuminated Sign: A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
(9) Projecting Sign: A sign attached to a building wall that extends more than 15 inches beyond the face of the wall.
(10) Roof Sign: Any sign erected, constructed or maintained upon or over the roof or parapet wall of a building.
(11) Under-Canopy Sign: A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee, intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee.
(12) Wall Sign: A sign erected parallel to, or painted on the surface or on the outside wall of a building and not extending more than 15 inches therefrom and which does not project above the roofline or beyond the corner of the building.
(13) Window Sign: A sign that is applied or attached to the interior of a window or located near a window within a building so that it can be seen from the interior for the purpose of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
(b) Function.
(1) Building Marker: A sign or insignia cut into the exterior building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building, indicating the name of the building, address, date of construction, or incidental information about its construction or historical significance.
(2) Directional Sign: A permanent sign located on private property, at or near the public right-of-way, directing or guiding vehicles from the street onto private property.
(3) Identification Sign: A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, development, building, or building unit according to the following:
A. Business Identification Sign: A sign intended to announce or promote the use, activity, service, business or other commercial enterprise on the premises, and which may include a directory of occupants.
B. Institution Identification Sign: A sign displaying the name of the organization, activities or services occupying the premises of a public or semi-public use or institution.
C. Residential Development Identification Sign: A freestanding sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision, planned residential development or multi-family development.
(4) 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, the location or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building, specific services offered, or methods of payments accepted.
(5) Nameplate: A sign indicating only the name and/or address of the person, home occupation, business, or activity occupying the lot or the buildings.
(6) Project Real Estate/Construction Sign: A temporary sign which directs attention to the promotion, development, construction, rental, sale, or lease of non-residential parcels or of residentially zoned parcels, on which the sign is located, and may identify the name of the architect, engineer or contractor involved with the development.
(7) Public Purpose/Safety Sign: 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”.
(8) Temporary Sign: A sign that is designed to be used only temporarily and is not permanently, or not intended to be permanently, attached to a building, attached to a structure or installed in the ground.