For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless clearly indicated to the contrary:
AWNING. A structure hung from the surface of a building designed to provide protection from sun, rain, wind and other weather conditions. An AWNING may be composed of fabric, steel, wood, Plexiglas, among other materials.
BANNER. A type of temporary sign that is generally constructed of lightweight plastic, fabric or a similar material, that is over one square foot in size, and that is mounted/tethered to a pole(s), building or other structure at one or more edges, A BANNER typically (but not always) exhibits a text message and/or a symbol(s) for the business located on the property or for a product or service provided by that business. National/state or local governmental flags are not considered BANNERS (see FLAG below).
BILLBOARD. A sign displaying advertising that pertains to a business, organization, activity, person or persons, event, place, service, product or agency not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located. BILLBOARDS may not exceed 672 square feet on a single side, with a maximum sign height of 25 feet and a maximum sign face length of 60 feet. Any sign over 336 square feet per side shall be considered a billboard. Billboard signs and frames may not exceed 35 feet in height.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD). The boundaries are: Groves Street on the north, Highway 19 (Trade Days Blvd.) on the east, Little Street and Wills Point Street on the west and College on the south. The accompanying map (Figure 1) delineates the boundaries of the Central Business District.
Figure 1
CITY. For the purposes of this chapter, the term “city” shall mean the City of Canton, Van Zandt County, Texas.
FEATHER BANNER/S IGN. A sign that is constructed of lightweight material (such as cloth, canvas, or vinyl), affixed to a pole or building which is similar to a flag, except that it is longer than it is wide. A FEATHER BANNER resembles a feather, in that it is tall and narrow, having more surface area vertically than horizontally when fully extended.
FLAG. Any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, words and/or insignia which is used as a symbol for a government, political subdivision, or some other professional religious,
educational or nonprofit corporate entity, provided that such device is displayed for noncommercial (i.e., not-for-profit) purposes.
FLASHING. Includes all signs which alter their illuminated intensity through the use of strobe light, rotating beacons, flashing lights which cause illumination to vary.
GARAGE SALES. Yard sales, rummage sales, estate sales, or sale of anything of value on any premises not considered a retail business establishment and zoned accordingly and/or licensed to do business in the City of Canton and/or the State of Texas.
ILLUMINATED. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines which are illuminated by electrical lights, luminous tubes or any other source of artificial light.
LOGO. Any formalized design, insignia or trademark of a company or product which is commonly used to advertise that company or product.
MARQUEE SIGN. A “theater type” sign in which letters are physically removable to allow for different messages. MARQUEE SIGNS are generally illuminated.
MESSAGE SIGN. Any sign which through the use of independently illuminated light displays the time, day, date, temperature and brief messages, either in a scrolling, flashing or digital manner.
MONUMENT SIGN. A sign permanently affixed to the ground at its base, supported entirely by a base structure and not mounted on a pole or as part of a building.
OBSOLETE SIGN. Any sign which no longer serves a bona fide use or purpose on a lot with or without a structure.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign displaying advertising copy that pertains to a business, person, event, organization, activity, service or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A sign identifying or advertising a business, person or activity and installed and maintained on the same premises as the business, person or activity.
POLE SIGN. A sign that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of poles, posts, uprights or braces from the ground and not supported by a building, fence, vehicle, base structure or other support. Any sign that has a time limit in accordance with this chapter that is supported by stakes, posts, poles, uprights or braces is not a POLE SIGN within the meaning of this chapter.
POLITICAL SIGN. A sign upon which the content is primarily related to notice of or advocacy for an election of a person to public office, a political party, a primary election, a matter to be voted upon at an election called by a public body, or an ongoing issue of public concern.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building which is designed to be easily transported or conveyed to different locations. This term includes, but is not limited to: sandwich boards, signs affixed to trailers or signs on metal stands with skids or wheels.
(1) Any sign on a vehicle which identifies the business by displaying the name, address and/or telephone number of such business and/or identifying the type of product or service offered by the business. The primary use of such vehicle shall be for the delivery of persons, products or services in connection with the business and the vehicle must be currently licensed, inspected and registered with the State of Texas and in operable condition. Such vehicles must be parked in a designated parking space and may not be parked within ten feet of the right-of-way. Any vehicle left over 24 hours and parked in such a way to be used as a portable sign is prohibited.
(2) Any sign on a trailer, back of pick-up truck, flatbed or tractor-trailer rig parked for over 24 hours or parked in such a way to cause visual clutter is considered a portable sign and is prohibited. Sandwich boards and any temporary banners, and A-frame type signs are considered PORTABLE SIGNS and are prohibited.
(3) Menu boards are considered PORTABLE SIGNS. Menu boards not over two feet by two feet used for restaurants, cafes or food service establishments to fist items, dishes, meals or specialties for sale are allowed on private property.
PREMISES. A single lot or unplatted tract, or a combination of contiguous lots or unplatted tracts, if the lot or tract (or combination) is under single ownership and is reflected in the plat or deed records of the county.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign which projects from a building and has one end attached to a building or other permanent structure.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. Land reserved, used or to be used for a street, alley, walkway, drainage facility, utility or other public purpose. RIGHT-OF-WAY includes public easements and public waterways.
ROOF SIGN. A sign that is displayed above the eaves and under the peak of a building. This term includes a sign painted, erected, constructed or maintained on the roof of a building.
SIGN. Every sign, name, number, display, flag identification, description, announcement, declaration, demonstration, device, banner, pennant, illustration, beacon, light or insignia, and structure supporting any of the same affixed directly or indirectly to or upon any building or outdoor structure, or erected or maintained upon a piece of land which is used to inform the public of any object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business, and is visible from the public right-of-way. Any interior illuminated or moving sign or light which is visible from the exterior may be determined as being erected on the exterior of the building or structure.
TEMPORARY (SPECIAL EVENT) SIGN. Signs for specific occasions with a predetermined date, duration and end point. Examples include, but are not limited to: sale, clearance, athletic events, garage sales, yard sales, open house and farmers’ market signs.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached to or painted on a wall or facade of a vertical structure with the sign facing parallel to and not more than 12 inches from the wall surface. A sign attached to or painted upon an awning shall be considered a WALL SIGN.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign, banner or painted message which is displayed from the building interior and is visible through the window of the establishment. This type of sign is one that is intended directly for viewing from the outside and does not include interior signs which may be partially visible from the outside of the establishment.
(Ord. 2016-22, passed 9-11-2012)