For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
Architectural Feature. A soffit, column, wing wall, canopy, roof eave, balcony and any other similar element that does not create an interior floor space.
Awning. A permanent or temporary structure attached to, and wholly supported by a wall of, a building, and installed over and partially in front of doors, windows or other openings in a building, and consisting of a frame and a top of canvas or other similar material covering the entire space enclosed between the frame.
Background Canopy Area. The outer surface area of a canopy that is reasonably visible to public view.
Background Wall Area. The largest rectangular opaque portion of each wall segment within which wall signs are displayed.
Backlit Characters. That method of sign illumination, achieved by concealing the light source between the three-dimensional opaque letters, numbers or other characters of a sign, and the solid surface of a building or structure on which the sign characters are mounted, that results in the nighttime perception of a halo around the silhouette of each sign character.
Business Frontage. The portion of a building occupied by a single business tenant, and fronts on a public street, faces a courtyard, pedestrian corridor or walkway, parking lot or alley.
Cabinet Sign. A sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet, and which may or may not be illuminated.
Canopy Depth. The maximum perpendicular distance that a canopy projects away from the building wall to which it is attached.
Canopy, Nonstructural. See Awning.
Canopy Sign. A sign displayed on an awning or a canopy.
Canopy, Structural. An architectural feature that:
A. Projects from, and is totally supported by, the exterior wall of a building;
B. Provides protection from the elements to pedestrians below, or to occupants within the building;
C. Is usually positioned above a window or a door;
D. Is permanent, in that it is not retractable and cannot be removed from the building without altering the building structure.
Canopy Width. The maximum parallel distance that a canopy extends across the building wall to which it is attached.
Changeable Copy Sign. A sign with a message comprised of letters, numbers, or other characters that are manually or mechanically changed to display different messages.
Construction Sign. A temporary sign that identifies the names, addresses and telephone numbers of parties directly involved in the business occupancy, construction, design, or financing of pending or in-progress physical improvements to the premises.
Corporate Flag Sign. A wind-activated flag with a message that is an inherently distinctive logo or trademark for a business.
Decorative Banner and Flag. A festive permanent graphic display that is made of durable cloth, plastic or similar non-rigid material, and that either displays no message or displays only a predominately pictorial message that does not directly identify or advertise a business on the premises.
Directional Sign. A sign that identifies to motorists or pedestrians an entry or exit point to or from an adjacent public right-of-way, or to or from various points of passage on or within private property.
Electronic Message Sign. A sign with a message comprised of letters, numbers, or other characters that are electronically changed to display different messages.
Event Sign. A sign that identifies, advertises or promotes a special or temporary event.
False Mansard. A sloped wall segment that is above or projects down and away from a vertical wall of a building, and that is not a building roof, as defined by the Uniform Building Code.
Freestanding Sign. A sign displayed on, and totally supported by, one or more support elements on the ground, with no part of the sign attached to a building or similar structure.
Holiday Sign. A temporary sign or display placed in remembrance or celebration of any recognized religious, local, State or Federal holiday.
Institutional Flag. A wind-activated flag with a message that is an inherently distinctive symbol for a particular government jurisdiction.
New Business Sign. A temporary sign that displays only the name of a new business or a change in the name of an existing business.
Nonconforming Sign. Any sign that does not comply with this Chapter.
Off-site Sign. Any sign with a message that does not relate directly to an active use of the premises on which it is displayed.
On-site Sign. Any sign with a message that relates directly to an active use of the premises on which it is displayed.
Parapet Wall Sign. A wall sign located below the top of the parapet line of a building, and above the top of the window line of the highest story of the building, and including a sign on a false mansard.
Public Information. A message of potential interest to the general public as a whole that includes no business identification, advertising, or promotional information (e.g., time and temperature information).
Public Information Sign. A sign that displays only a public information message.
Real Estate Sign. A sign that indicates the availability of land or buildings for sale, lease, rent, or other permanent or temporary disposition.
Sign. Any emblem, icon, insignia, logo, replica, symbol or trademark that displays a message in lettered, written, numbered, pictorial or any other visually perceptible form, including the support elements, distinct background area, and decorative embellishments thereof. Does not include murals, paintings or other works of art that are not intended to advertise or identify any business or product.
Sign Copy. All portions of a sign that display a message.
Sign Face Area. The area of a sign that includes copy and distinct background surfaces.
Special Event. A duly licensed and approved activity of limited duration that is not directly related to an established business on the premises where the event is held, such as a carnival or Christmas tree sales on a vacant or unused lot, or a fund-raising activity of a nonprofit organization held on the improved premises of an established business.
Support Element. The structural portion of a sign that secures it to the ground, a building or to another structure.
Temporary Banner Sign. A sign, made of durable cloth, plastic or similar non-rigid material, that displays business identification, advertising or promotional message, and is displayed only for a short period of time, as regulated in this Chapter.
Temporary Event. A duly licensed and approved activity of limited duration, directly related to an established business on the premises where the event is held, such as the outdoor sales of Christmas trees by a supermarket, or a weekend festive promotion for a business staged outdoors and providing complimentary food, music, entertainment or similar attractions to entice public attendance or participation.
Theater Marquee Sign. A sign attached to, or made an integral part of, the structural canopy of a theater.
Vertical Clearance. The distance from the bottom of a sign, but not including the support elements of a freestanding sign, to the average finished grade below, or to, the grade of the nearest point of an adjoining public right-of-way with a higher elevation, if within 5 feet thereof.
Wall Sign. A sign that is displayed on, or is attached to, an exterior wall of a building or structure.
Window Sign. A permanent or temporary sign that is displayed on the surface of any glass or glazed material, or that is displayed inside and close enough to a window to be reasonably visible from outside the window.
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part))