For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign that advertises or announces a business or service that has been closed for 180 days or more, or the structural supports of a sign with the advertising face or copy removed for 180 days or more.
ANIMATED SIGN. Any sign that uses mechanical movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
ATTACHED/BUILDING SIGN. Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding/detached sign.
BANNER. A sign intended to be hung either with or without frames, made of paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, and which may possess colors, characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations. Flags of governmental jurisdictions and flags carrying the emblem of a business or institution are not to be considered a BANNER for the purposes of this chapter.
COMMUNITY SERVICE (PUBLIC SERVICE). A sign which solicits support for or advertises a non-profit community use, public use or social institution. Such signs may include, but shall not be limited to, seasonal holidays such as Christmas or Easter, school activities, charitable programs, religious activities or events of community interest.
CONTROLLED INGRESS/EGRESS. Clearly defined access lanes directing traffic into or out of a non-residential parking lot onto the public streets at specific points. This is accomplished by striping and directional arrows, curbing, barriers and the like in such a way as to preclude ingress/egress from any other point.
DAMAGED SIGN. A sign which is unsafe, unsecured, disfigured or broken.
DETACHED SIGN/FREESTANDING SIGN/POLE SIGN. Any sign connected to the ground which is not an attached sign, inclusive of signs on movable objects, except signs on vehicles which are moving or are parked only temporarily, incidental to their principal use for transportation.
FLASHING SIGN. A sign with flashing, blinking or moving lights, regardless of wattage, whether directly or indirectly illuminated, except for time and temperature signs. This shall include a sign which makes use of traveling lights or traveling lighted messages or flashing lights.
GARAGE SALE. A private sale of personal property used to dispose of personal household possessions; not for the use of any commercial venture.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN. Any sign existing on the date of the adoption of the applicable ordinance from which this section was derived or amended and that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
SIGHT TRIANGLE. The area of unobstructed view required at every street intersection and at the intersection of driveways or alleys and streets. The SIGHT TRIANGLE is defined by the intersection of the curb lines at a traffic intersection with the hypotenuse connecting at points 20 feet therefrom.
SIGN. An outdoor structure, sign, display, light device, figure, plaque, poster, mural or other thing that is designed, intended or used to advertise or inform.
STREAMER. Any light weight plastic, fabric or other material suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
STREET BANNER. Any temporary sign hung over or across a city street or other public right-of- way.
TEMPORARY SIGN/PORTABLE SIGN. A detached sign designed or constructed to be easily moved from one location to another, including signs mounted upon or designed to be mounted upon a trailer, wheeled carrier or other non-motorized mobile structure; signs converted to A-frames or T-frames; sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs or inflated signs; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. A PORTABLE SIGN which has its wheels removed shall still be considered a portable sign under this chapter. TEMPORARY SIGNS which are mounted on poles or other supporting structures shall still be classified as temporary.
(2012 Code, § 18-202)