For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
(1) “A-frame sign.” See “sandwich board sign”.
(2) “Abandoned sign” means a sign that is deteriorated (as defined herein), not authorized in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or is not adequately maintained, repaired, or removed within the specified time as ordered by this chapter.
(3) “Address sign” means any street location identifier.
(4) “Banner (flag)” means a non-freestanding, non-rigid cloth, plastic, paper, or canvas with a design, picture, or writing on it, or a streamer.
(5) “Blade sign.” See “projecting sign”.
(6) “Building mounted sign: (wall sign)” means any sign attached to, mounted, engraved, or erected against the outside wall of a building or structure, with the exposed display surface of the sign in a plane parallel to the building facade. Wall signs include painted murals, messages, graphics and other designs painted along with any letters or numerals mounted directly on buildings and any extensions thereon.
(7) “Changeable copy sign (manual)” means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged by manual means without altering the face or surface of the sign.
(8) “Changeable copy sign (mechanical/electrical)” means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged by mechanical, or electronic means without altering the face or surface of the sign, but is not an electronic sign.
(9) “City/municipality” means the City of Columbiana, Ohio.
(10) “Class A temporary signs” means a sign constructed, in whole or substantial part, of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood, or other like materials that is not protected from exposure to the natural elements, but is made of weather-resistant materials that last for more than 7 days but less than 60 days without significant loss through exposure to the elements or wear and tear.
(11) “Class B temporary sign” means a sign that, in whole or substantial part, is not made of weather-resistant material and not adequately protected from the natural elements.
(12) “Commission” means the Planning Commission of the City of Columbiana.
(13) “Deteriorated” means showing signs of weathering, rust, corrosion, exposed wiring, chipped paint or faces, cracked, broken, torn, or missing faces, or loose materials, or other evidence of disrepair
(14) “Electronic sign” means any sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not include text. This definition includes television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, LED screens, video boards, holographic displays, and other similar media.
(15) “Flag.” See “banner”.
(16) “Free-standing sign (ground sign, monument sign)” means a sign supported by or suspended from posts, pillars, columns, or other structures which are not a building or portion thereof.
(17) “Frontage (lot)” means the linear measurement of the border of a lot that directly abuts a public right-of-way.
(18) “Garage sale sign” means a sign advertising the sale of personal property by individuals from residential property, which is characterized as a “garage sale”, “yard sale”, “lawn sale” or any other such casual sale of personal property.
(19) “Gas-inflatable sign/device” means any device which is capable of being expanded by any gas and used on a temporary basis. This definition includes both hot and cold-air balloons tethered or otherwise anchored to the ground.
(20) “Government sign” means a sign erected, owned and maintained by the city, state or federal (United States of America) government.
(21) “Ground sign.” See “free-standing sign”.
(22) “Height (sign structure)” is the maximum vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the sign structure. Sign height may not be artificially increased by the use of mounding.
(23) “Human sign (or human billboard)” means a sign that is held or worn by a person, including but not limited to a human directional, sign walkers/wavers/twirlers, and “sandwich persons.” “Human sign” does not include text or images that are displayed on a traditional article of clothing such as a jacket, shirt, pants, or hat.
(24) “Illumination, external” means a constant (non-flashing) source of light directed towards signs so that the beam falls upon the exterior surface of the sign and so arranged that no direct rays of light project from such artificial source into residences or streets.
(25) “Illumination, internal” means a source of illumination enclosed entirely within the sign and not directly visible from outside the sign.
(26) “Lot (parcel, property, premises)” means a platted parcel or other tract of land separately identified with a unique parcel identification in the County Auditor's records.
(27) “Message area (sign face area)” means the entire area within a continuous perimeter that surrounds, but is not limited to each word, graphic, symbol, number, and illustration.
(28) “Monument sign.” See “free-standing sign”.
(29) “Mural” means a hand-painted, hand-tiled, or other similarly created or digitally printed image on the exterior wall of a building.
(30) “Nonconforming sign” means a pre-existing legal sign which does not conform to the standards set forth in this chapter.
(31) “Parcel.” See “lot”.
(32) “Permanent sign” means a sign for which a permit has been granted as a permanent sign, and is a sign constructed of materials to be protected from exposure to the natural elements for more than one year or is made of materials that are weather-resistant for multiple years without significant deterioration from exposure to the elements or wear and tear.
(33) “Pole sign.” See “ground sign”.
(34) “Portable sign” means a sign constructed of metal, wood, nylon, or other weather-resistant materials designed to withstand exposure from the natural elements for more than 60 days without significant loss through exposure to the elements or wear and tear, and for which a permanent sign permit has not been obtained.
(35) “Premises.” See “lot”.
(36) “Projecting sign (blade sign)” means a sign projecting from the face of the building that is oriented so the sign face is perpendicular to the building facade.
(37) “Property.” See “lot”.
(38) “Refacing” means any alteration to the face of a sign involving the replacement of materials or pans. Refacing does not refer to replacing the entire sign structure or the removal of the sign.
(39) “Right-of-way line” is the line, as platted or otherwise appearing upon the maps of the City of Columbiana, between a public street, road, highway, alley or sidewalk and the adjacent private property (lot/parcel), including, but not limited to, the paved or otherwise improved portion of such public street, road, highway, alley or sidewalk.
(40) “Sandwich board sign (a-frame sign, sidewalk sign)” means a sign with two hinged boards or faces which can be placed on the ground, or a rigid sign that is worn on the front and back of a person, that is used on a temporary basis.
(41) “Sidewalk sign.” See “sandwich board sign”.
(42) “Sign” means text, illustrations, or shapes which are affixed to, portrayed, or depicted directly or indirectly upon any surface for outdoor public view. This definition includes all signs visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property.
(43) “Sign face area.” See “message area”.
(44) “Sign structure” means the supporting unit of a sign face, including but not limited to frames, braces and poles. If the sign structure has a communicative element to it, the sign structure is included in the message area.
(45) “State” means the State of Ohio.
(46) “Streamer” means any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, usually suspended in series. A streamer may have pennants and/or banners attached.
(47) “Temporary sign” means a Class A-temporary sign, a Class B-temporary sign or a portable sign.
(48) “Variance (sign).” A variance may be granted allowing deviations from regulations established by this chapter for: height and width of the sign area, height and width of the message area, setback, lighting, or time, place, and manner restrictions, where practical difficulties unique to the property in question prevent full compliance with such provisions.
(49) “Vehicle sign” means a sign painted on, placed in or upon or otherwise attached to a motor vehicle, railroad car or a trailer attached thereto which is lawfully traveling over or upon an alley, street, highway or railroad track within the city, or lawfully parked within the city.
(50) “Wall sign.” See “building mounted sign”.
(51) “Width (sign structure)” means the maximum horizontal or semi-horizontal distance between the two points of a sign structure.
(52) “Window sign” means any signs, posters, symbols and other types of identification, directly attached to the window of a building or erected on the inside of the building and visible from any public right-of-way or adjacent property.
(53) “Zoning officials” means the City Manager who is the Building Officer and Zoning Inspector of the city and the Assistant Zoning Inspector of the city appointed by the City Manager.
(Ord. 16-O-2895, passed 1-3-2017)