(a) The following definitions are used in this Article (Note: Not all types of signs defined herein are permitted under this Article):
(1) Abandoned Sign. A sign which no longer correctly advertises a bona fide business, owner, landlord/tenant, product or activity conducted, or product available on the premises where the sign is displayed or elsewhere.
(2) Animated Sign. Any sign or part of a sign which changes physical position by movement or rotation, or gives the illusion of such change of physical position.
(3) Area of Copy. The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles which encloses the extreme limits of an advertising message, announcement, or decoration.
(4) Area of Sign. The area is the perimeter which forms the outside shape, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed unless they are designed as part of the sign. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled. The area of an irregularly shaped sign shall be computed using the actual sign face surface. The area of the irregularly shaped sign shall be the entire area within a single continuous rectilinear perimeter of not more than eight (8) straight lines.
(5) Awning. A movable hood or cover which projects from the wall of the building, which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of a supporting structure. For purposes of this Article, an "awning sign" is any awning. Decorative awnings without lettering or imagery are not considered signs.
(6) Banner. A banner sign is generally constructed of a flexible non-rigid material (i.e. canvas, cloth, plastic, etc.) upon which goods, events or advertising has been placed, mounted to a pole or a building by a permanent frame at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
(7) Billboard. A flat surface, as of a panel, wall or fence on which signs are posted advertising goods, products, facilities, or services not necessarily on the premises vv where the sign is located or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
(8) Blanketing. The unreasonable obstruction of view of a sign caused by the placement of another sign.
(9) Building Front. The horizontal, linear dimension of that side of a building which faces a street, a parking area, a mall, or other circulation area open to the general public; and having either a main window display of the enterprise or a public entrance to the building. (In industrial districts a building side with an entrance open to industrial employees also shall qualify as a building front.)
(10) Bulletin Board. A sign used for the purpose of notification to the public of an event or occurrence of public interest, such as a church service, political rally, civic meeting or other similar event.
(11) Canopy. Any structure of canvas, other fabric, plastic, metal or wood or other material, which is permanently attached to any exterior building wall in any manner, intended to shield any wall, window, door, sidewalk or roadway from sun, rain or any other element, and which is not retractable such as an awning.
(12) Canopy Sign. Any sign attached to or constructed in, on or under a canopy for the purpose of this Article, canopy signs shall be controlled by the rules governing projecting signs.
(13) Changeable Message Sign. A sign such as a manual, electronic or electric controlled time and temperature sign message center, or reader board, whether electronic or manual, where copy changes. Any sign may be, or include as part of it, a changeable message sign.
(14) Copy Area. The geometric area in square feet that encloses the actual copy message of the sign.
(15) Directional Sign. Any sign that directs the movement or placement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a lot and does not contain any advertising copy.
(16) Directly Illuminated Sign. Any sign designed to give any artificial light directly through any transparent or translucent material from a source of light originating within or on such sign.
(17) Directory Sign. Any sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include offices and church directories. Directory signs shall be encouraged for use with advertising of multiple-occupied commercial and industrial buildings.
(18) Display Surface or Face. The display surface is the area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising message, or which is intended to draw attention to the advertising message.
(19) Distance of Sign Projection. The distance from the exterior wall surface of the building to the outer extremity of a sign attached to a building.
(20) Electric Sign. Any sign containing internal electrical wiring which is attached, or intended to be attached, to an electrical energy source.
(21) Electronic Message Unit Sign. Any sign whose message may be changed by electronic process, including such messages as copy, art, graphics, time, date, temperature, weather or information concerning civic, charitable or the advertising of products or services for sale on the premises. This also includes traveling or segmented message displays.
(22) Flashing Sign. Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color at all times when in use.
(23) Flat Sign/Flush Mounted. See definition for "Wall Signs."
(24) Freestanding (Ground and/or Pylon Sign). Any sign which is supported by struc- tures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of support from any building.
(25) Grade. The elevation or level of the sidewalk closest to the sign to which reference is made. If no sidewalk is present, then grade shall be defined as the elevation or level of the street at the same point, measured at the street's centerline.
(26) Gross Area. The area of a sign determined by using the outside perimeter dimensions of the sign. If the sign consists of more than one module or section, their areas will be totaled. If the modules are formed in the shape of letters or symbols, the rules for Area of Copy apply.
(27) Ground Sign. A sign supported by poles, uprights or braces extending from the ground or an object on the ground but not attached to any part of any building. Also known as a "freestanding sign."
(28) Height of Sign. The vertical distance measured from the mean centerline street grade to the highest point of the sign. If sign and sidewalk are not in essentially parallel planes, then measured vertically at the horizontal midpoint of the sign.
(29) Identification Sign. Any sign which carries only the name of the firm, major enterprise, institution or principal products offered for sale on the premises or combination of these.
(30) Illuminated Awning. An internally illuminated awning fabricated from a translucent material, or one which is backlighted as to appear to illuminate the awning sign. An illuminated awning may be used for an awning sign when other requirements are met.
(31) Illuminated Canopy. An internally illuminated canopy, or one which is backlighted as to appear to illuminate the canopy sign.
(32) Illuminated Sign. A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either by lights on or in the sign or directed toward the sign.
(33) Indirectly Illuminated Sign. A sign that is illuminated from a source outside of the actual sign.
(34) Joint Identification Sign. A sign which serves a common or collective identification for two (2) or more businesses or industrial uses on the same lot. Such sign may contain a directory to said uses as an integral part thereof.
(35) Legal Non-Conforming Sign. Any sign which was already in existence and displayed on the effective date of this Article, which met code requirements when originally installed, but not meeting the requirements and limitations of this Article.
(36) Marquee. A permanent roof-like structure projecting beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against weather.
(37) Marquee Sign. Any sign attached to or constructed in a marquee.
(38) Nonconforming Sign. Any sign which does not conform to the regulations of this Article.
(39) Off-Premises Third Party Sign. Any sign, device or display which advertises goods other than that commonly available or services other than that commonly performed on the premises on which the sign is located.
(40) On-Premises Sign. A sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products or services located on a premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
(41) Painted Wall Signs. Signs painted directly onto a building wall.
(42) Political Sign. Any sign displaying a candidate for an election, or a current referendum's or election's subject matter.
(43) Portable Sign/Message Boards. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building which is designed to be easily moved from one location to another.
(44) Projecting Sign. A sign other than a wall sign extending more than eighteen (18) inches, but less than four (4) feet from the face of a wall or building; such sign may not extend more than three (3) feet into the right-of-way. (See "Wall Sign".)
(45) Pylon Sign. Any freestanding sign mounted on a pole or other pylon. Also called a "pole sign."
(46) Real Estate Sign. Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
(47) Roof Line. The highest point on any building where an exterior wall encloses usable floor area including roof area provided for housing mechanical equipment.
(48) Roof Sign. A sign erected upon or above the roof line or parapet of the building or structure.
(49) Sandwich Sign. A hinged or unhinged A-frame portable sign which is generally temporary in nature and placed near the roadway.
(50) Sign. Any object or device or part thereof situated outdoors or indoors which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, motion, illumination or projected images.
(51) Sign Contractor. Any person, partnership or corporation engaged in whole or in part, in the business of erection or maintenance of signs, excluding the business which the sign advertises.
(52) Sign Inspector. That person charged with the responsibility to see that signage in the community is installed and maintained in compliance with this Article. In the Village of Edgar, the Sign Inspector will be the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector.
(53) Sign Permit. A building permit issued for the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, moving, improvement, removal, conversion or demolition of any sign, issued pursuant to this Article and the Building Code of the Village of Edgar.
(54) Sign Structure. Any supports, uprights, braces and framework of the sign which does not include any portion of the sign message.
(55) Subdivision Identification Sign. A sign identifying a subdivision wherein only the name of the subdivision is specified.
(56) Swinging Sign. A sign installed on an arm or mast or spar that is not, in addition, permanently fastened to an adjacent wall or upright pole to limit or prevent free swinging.
(57) Temporary Sign. Any sign which is erected or displayed for a limited period of time not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days or which is displayed only during regular business hours and removed for storage at other times. A temporary sign shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area. Examples of temporary signs include banners and decorative-type displays. For purposes of this Article, a portable sign is not a temporary sign.
(58) Time and Temperature Sign. An electrically controlled sign displaying time and temperature for public service information and may be incorporated into a business identification sign.
(59) Third Party Sign. Any sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, commodity, service or activity conducted, sold or offered elsewhere than on the lot on which said sign is located.
(60) Wall Sign. Any sign attached parallel to, erected on or painted on the wall of a building or structure and projecting not more than sixteen (16) inches from such wall.
(61) Window Sign. Any sign located completely within an enclosed building and visible from a public way. For purposes of this Article a window sign shall not include any sign permanently attached in the window or directly painted on the glass.