For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMATED SIGN. Any sign that includes action and/or motion, not including flashing or changing signs.
BANNER SIGN. A temporary sign composed of cloth, canvas, or other lightweight material that may or may not be enclosed in a frame.
BENCH SIGN. Any sign on or attached to any structure or device intended for exterior public seating.
BUSINESS SIGN. A lawfully operating enterprise or use licensed as a business by the city.
CHANGING SIGN. A sign, such as an electronic sign, temperature or date sign, message center, or reader board, on which content changes at timed intervals.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A temporary sign stating the names of those persons directly connected with the construction of a project and may include address and telephone information.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign, the sole purpose of which is to direct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, indicate entrances or exits, transmit parking information, or convey similar information,
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. A sign with two distinct faces of equal size, generally back-to-back, supported on the same structure and designed so that each face is viewed from a different direction.
FLASHING SIGN. A sign on which illumination flashes intermittently, in whole or in part, or which gives the perception of intermittent or flashing light by another means.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign erected on a freestanding frame, mast, or pole and not attached to any other structure.
HEIGHT. As applied to a sign means the vertical distance measured from the lowest ground level directly beneath the sign to the highest point at the top of the sign. The ground level shall be the lowest of natural grade or finished grade.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign, the sole purpose of which is to identify the site or the building, use, or persons occupying the site on which the sign is located.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign having its own immediate source of internal or external lighting.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign incorporating information regarding governmental, quasi-governmental, educational, charitable, or religious institutions.
NAMEPLATE SIGN. A sign identifying only the name, address, and/or occupation or profession of the occupant of the premises on which the sign is located.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign with content unrelated to the premises on which the sign is located.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN. An off-premises sign.
POLITICAL SIGN.
(1) A sign designed to influence the action of voters whether for the passage or defeat of a measure appearing on the ballot in any federal, state, or local election. The election or defeat of a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, or for the support of any political party, not exceeding eight square feet in sign area. Excluded from this definition is signage identifying a political headquarters or office of a political party or candidate.
(2) Signs shall be secured by wire frame; or shall have the option of employing faring strips for support, if wire framing is not available. No POLITICAL SIGNS shall be attached or placed upon any abandoned building within any zoning classification of the city. The earliest date that a POLITICAL SIGN can be installed or placed is October 1 or April l of any year that a federal, state, or local election is held. Any political sign shall be removed not later than seven days following the election to which it relates. Exception: The provisions of this section shall not apply to lawful commercial outdoor advertising structures licensed under this subchapter.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign intended to be moved or capable of being moved, whether or not on wheels or other special supports, including but not limited to A-frame signs and placards.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign, other than a wall sign, suspended from or supported by a building or wall, projecting from 12 inches to 30 inches from the building or wall.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign intended to convey information regarding the availability of the property on which the sign is located for sale, lease, or rent and removed within seven days of the sale, lease, or rental of the property.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected on or extending above the roofline or parapet of any building or structure.
SIGN. Any device, fixture, structure, construction, cloth, or other material that conveys a message in pictorial, symbolic, or word form, placed for display to the outdoor public. The term SIGN shall not include time and temperature devices, church windows, religious symbols, noncommercial flags, barber poles, or similar devices if there is no identification or advertising thereon.
SIGN AREA. The entire area within a single, continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of a sign and not passing between or through any elements of the sign. The perimeter shall include all elements and ornamentation forming an integral part of the design of the sign. Directional signs and signs identifying or indicating restrooms, telephones, and similar convenience areas shall not be included in calculating SIGN AREA.
SPECIAL EVENT SIGN. A temporary sign pertaining to events of civic, community, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations, which are not conducted in connection with the operation of a commercial enterprise.
UNLAWFUL SIGN. A sign in violation of any term of this municipal code.
WALL SIGN. A sign attached or erected against the wall of a building or structure with the sign face parallel to and less than 12 inches from the wall of the building or structure and not extending above the building face or parapet.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign placed inside a window for purposes of viewing from outside the window.
(Prior Code, § 156.356) (Ord. 0-01-0024, passed 9-10-2001; Ord. 0-03-0010, passed 2-10-2003)