For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign which no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity; or a sign, the contents of which pertains to a place, time event, or purpose which no longer exists, applies, or which has occurred.
ANIMATED SIGN. Any sign or object used to attract attention that uses or incorporates flashing, blinking, or strobe lighting; reflective materials or devices, sound; moving parts or components that provide the sign motion or give the illusion of motion or movement.
ATTACHED SIGN. Any sign that is permanently attached to an existing building. ATTACHED SIGNS include wall signs, projected signs, banners, or window signs.
BANNER. Any sign that is made of non-rigid material with no enclosing framework such as, but not limited to, cloth, fabric, plastic, or paper. These would be for temporary display of special events, activities, or celebrations and only available for limited periods of time.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. Any sign designed so that the letters or numbers attached to the sign can be periodically changed to indicate a different message.
EXEMPT SIGN. Any sign which is specifically listed as exempt from certain provisions of this chapter.
FLAG. A piece of cloth or flexible material varying in size, color, and/or design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem.
FREESTANDING SIGN. The general term for any sign, which is supported from the ground and not attached to a building or other structure.
NONCONFORMING SIGN.
(1) A sign that was erected and is placed prior to the adoption of this chapter and which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, is declared a nonconforming sign.
(2) A sign that is erected and that is in place and which conforms to the provisions of this chapter at the time it is erected, but which does not conform to an amendment to this chapter enacted subsequent to the erection of the sign, is declared a nonconforming sign.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign used for the purpose of displaying, advertising, identifying or directing attention to a product, business, service, activity, or place, including products or services sold or offered for sale on premises other than on the premise where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISE ADVERTISING SIGN. Any sign advertising or identifying a product, service, business, or activity sold, located or conducted on the premises where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISE DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL SIGN. An on-premise sign which provides directions or information for persons on the premises including, but not limited to, entrance and exit signs, parking information, and handicapped access.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign used for the purpose of displaying, advertising, identifying, or directing attention to a business, product, operation, service, or activity sold or offered for sale, or to other information offered on the premises where the sign is located.
PORTABLE (MOBILE) SIGN. A sign with a permanent frame and display area for changeable copy or non-changeable copy, designed or intended to be relocated and not permanently affixed to the ground or a structure. This shall include signs on wheels, trailers, or any other device, which can be moved, or is intended to be moved, from one location to another.
PREMISES. A tract of real property in single ownership, which is not divided by a public street or right-of-way.
PROHIBITED SIGN. Any sign, or element of a sign, which is specifically listed as prohibited shall not be permitted within the jurisdiction of this chapter.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign that projects more than 6 inches from its mounting surface.
ROOFLINE. The highest continuous line on a roof, excluding any mansards, cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or minor projection. On a sloping roof, the ROOFLINE is a principal ridgeline, or the highest line common to 1 or more principal slopes of a roof. On a flat roof, the ROOFLINE is the highest continuous line of the roof or parapet, whichever is higher.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected or attached to the roof of a building, or any sign which is attached to or supported by a building, and extends vertically above the roofline.
SIGN. Any display of letters, words, numbers, figures, devices, emblems, pictures, logos, flashing lights and/or other means whereby the same are made visible for the purpose of making anything known, whether the display be made on, or attached to, or as a part of a structure, surface, or any other object whether natural or manmade. The term SIGN shall include the structure to which it is attached.
SIGN, DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. A sign designed to give forth artificial light directly (or through transparent or translucent material) from a light source within or attached to the sign. A cabinet or box sign is an example of a directly illuminated sign, whether or not the sign is actually illuminated.
SIGN HEIGHT. The distance from the ground directly below the center of the sign or from the grade of the closest point in the traveled way of the street where the sign is located, whichever is higher, to the uppermost point of the sign or sign structure.
SIGN, INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. A sign designed to have illumination from a detached light source, shielded so that no direct rays from the light source are visible elsewhere than on the lot where the illumination occurs.
SIGN, NON-ILLUMINATED. A sign that has neither direct nor indirect illumination.
SUSPENDED SIGN. A sign that is suspended from a marquee, canopy, or other overhead support.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign with or without a structural frame, not permanently attached to a building, structure, or ground, that may be mobile and is intended for a limited period of display.
TRAVELED WAY. That portion of any alley, road, street, or highway upon which vehicles normally travel and which is marked by gravel, asphalt, concrete, or packed dirt.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached to a building facade. The sign may be painted on a wall of a building, attached flush with a building wall, or may be attached to project from a wall of a building. WALL SIGNS include WINDOW SIGNS and BANNER SIGNS.
WINDBLOWN SIGN. Any sign, part of a sign or series of signs, designed or erected to move when subjected to wind. This definition shall include banners, pennants, and similar devices made from lightweight fabric, plastic, or similar material that are attached to a structure. WINDBLOWN SIGNS may or may not contain a message, symbol, or logo.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign which is applied to, attached to, painted on, or suspended behind the glassed area of a building and located such that the message, symbol, insignia, visual representation, logo, or other material which communicates information can be read from off the property. For the purposes of this chapter, WINDOW SIGNS shall be considered a WALL SIGN.
YARD SALE SIGN. A temporary sign which advertises the location, date, and/or time of an individual or civic yard or garage sale at a residence, place of worship, or civic facility. YARD SALE SIGNS shall not include advertisements or announcements for commercial sales or flea markets.
(Ord. passed 10-19-2004; Am. Ord. passed - -)