For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMATED SIGN. A sign or any part thereof which, by design, changes physical position by any movement or creates the appearance of movement.
APPROVED COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Any material more than one-twentieth of an inch in thickness which burns at a rate of not more than two and one-half inches per minute when subjected to the American Society for Testing Material (ASTM) standard test for flammability in sheets six one-hundredths inches in thickness.
AREA. That area enclosed by one continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. This AREA does not include the main supporting sign structure, but all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links and the like, which are not a part of the main supports of the sign but are to be included in determining sign area. The AREA shall be determined by drawing an imaginary square or rectangular envelope so as to completely enclose each entire symbol, word, phrase, title or name appearing on the sign and computing the sum of all such geometric figures.
ATTENTION-GETTING DEVICE. Any pennant, flag, valance, banner, propeller, spinner, streamer, searchlight or similar device or ornamentation designed for or intended to attract attention to it for the purpose of promotion or advertising.
AWNING. Any structure made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a building which is constructed so as to permit its being raised or retracted to a position against the building when not in use.
AWNING SIGN. A sign attached to or in any way incorporated with the face, valance or underside of the awning.
BANNER SIGN. Any sign intended to be hung, either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind. National flags, flags of political subdivisions and symbolic flags of any institution or business shall not be considered BANNERS for the purposes of this definition.
BARE BULB. Any light emitting device that has a source of illumination that can be directly viewed.
BENCH SIGN (“AD BENCH”). A sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
BILLBOARD (POSTERBOARD or PAINTED WALL). A single- or double-faced sign, permanently affixed to or placed upon the premises, which may have “changeable copy”, which is used for the display of information not associated with the establishment located on the same premises as the sign. These signs include walls of a building that are painted to display information that does not relate to a business or other establishment located in the building.
BUILDING LINE. The line as established by the vertical face of the building or an extension thereof.
BULLETIN BOARD. A changeable copy sign as defined herein to give notice of events for public, charitable or religious institutions.
CANOPY. A structure, other than an awning, made of cloth, metal or other material with frames attached to a building or carried by a frame supported by the ground or sidewalks. A CANOPY will be considered a sign when it contains advertising other than the business logo.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign attached to or in any way incorporated with the face or underside of a canopy or any other similar building projection. See also SHINGLE SIGN.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign upon which letters, words or characters can separately be placed and replaced in or upon the surface area, either manually or electronically, for the purpose of changing the information contained on the sign.
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A sign giving the name or names of principal contractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed, together with other information included thereon.
DIRECTORY SIGN. A sign upon which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include office buildings and church directories.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. The Zoning Officer of the village shall have the duty of enforcing the provisions of this subchapter.
EXTERIOR WALL SURFACE. The most exterior part of a wall, sun screen or any screening or material covering a building.
FESTOON LIGHTING. A group of two or more incandescent light bulbs hung or strung overhead, not on a building or structure, which are visible to persons on a public right-of-way or which are not shaded or hooded so as to prevent the direct rays of light from being visible from beyond the property on which the lights are located.
FLAG. A symbol or a crest of either a nation or an organization of nations, a state, a municipality or a fraternal, religious, civic organization or corporation. The symbol or crest is usually displayed on fabric or flexible material that must be affixed to a pole that is freestanding or attached to another structure.
FLASHING SIGN. Any directly or indirectly illuminated sign which exhibits changing natural or artificial light or color effects by any means whatsoever.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign completely self-supported by posts or other supports, independent of any building or other structure and anchored in or upon the ground.
ILLUMINATED SIGN (EXTERNAL). A sign illuminated by a source of light which is cast upon the surface or face of the sign to illuminate the sign by reflection.
ILLUMINATED SIGN (INTERNAL). A sign, all or part of which is made of incandescent or other types of lamps or a sign with painted, flush or raised letters lighted by an electric lamp or lamps attached thereto or a sign having a border of incandescent or fluorescent lamps attached to it reflecting light on it or a transparent sign whether lighted by electricity or other illuminant.
INCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL. Any material which will not ignite at or below a temperature of 1,200°F and will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.
INFORMATIONAL TRAFFIC SIGN. A sign directing and guiding automotive or pedestrian traffic which bears no advertising matter.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign identifying a public, charitable or religious institution which is located on the premises.
MEMORIAL SIGN. A commemorative sign or tablet cut into masonry or inlaid as a part of a building.
MOVING SIGN. Any sign, which by design, rotates, moves or gives the visual impression of rotation or moving.
NAMEPLATE. A sign which displays only the name and/or address of the occupant and is nonelectrical.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. Any sign which does not conform to the ordinances of the village.
OBSOLETE SIGN. Any billboard or sign structures where the sign and/or sign structure do not provide any information (i.e. blank, illegible or maintained in a manner inconsistent with the regulations of this subchapter).
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a commercial use, business, commodity, service or activity not conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign related solely to a use, business or profession conducted or to a principal commodity, service or entertainment sold, provided or offered upon the premises where the sign is located.
PARKING SIGN. A sign which identifies a parking area for automobiles, trucks, motorcycles or any other motor vehicle.
PENNANT. A series of small flags of triangular or other geometric design tied together by a rope or other means and used as an attention-getting device.
POLE-MOUNTED SHINGLE SIGN. A small (two square feet) shingle sign, usually in the shape of the village crest, mounted on a wood pole or post.
POLITICAL/CAMPAIGN SIGN. A sign or poster identifying or publicizing a candidate seeking public office or identifying or publicizing a public issue or advocating a position with respect to a public issue.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign not designed to be permanently attached to a building or anchored to the ground; any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure or the ground; a sign designed to be moved from place to place. These signs include, but are not limited to, signs attached to wood or metal frames which are designed to be self-supporting and movable and paper, cardboard or canvas signs wrapped around supporting poles.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign, other than a wall sign, affixed to any building or wall which leading edge extends beyond the building or wall but which face is perpendicular to the building.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. The land, or interest therein, acquired for or devoted to any public way for vehicular or pedestrian travel which has been laid out pursuant to any municipal, township, county, state or federal law.
PUBLIC SIGN. A sign or notice erected or which erection was required by a unit of government.
RACEWAY. A portion of a sign structure designed to enclose electrical wires and provide a mounting surface for individual letters and/or graphics that constitute the message portion of the sign.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign erected for purposes of identifying a parcel or building to be available for sale, rental or lease.
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION SIGN (PERMANENT). A sign designed to identify a residential, commercial or industrial subdivision or planned unit development which is located at the entrance to the development.
ROOF LINE. Either the edge of the roof or top of the parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette. Where a building has several levels, the ROOF LINE shall be the roof or parapet of that portion of the building where the sign is located.
ROOF SIGN. A sign erected, constructed or maintained, in whole or in part, upon or over the roof of a building or structure.
SHINGLE SIGN. A sign used to identify a business whose front is under a roof overhang, covered walkway, covered porch or open lattice walkway. See also CANOPY SIGN.
SIGN. Any device designed to inform or attract the attention of person not on the premises on which the sign is located. SIGNS shall mean any surface, fabric, device or display which bears lettered, pictorial or sculptured matter, including forms shaped to resemble any human, animal or product, designed to convey information visually and which is exposed to public view. For purposes of this subchapter, the term SIGN shall include all structural members. A SIGN shall be construed to be a display surface or device containing organized and related elements composed to form a single unit. In cases where matter is displayed in a random or unconnected manner without organized relationship of the components, each component shall be considered to be a single sign. The term SIGN includes, but is not limited to, every type of sign listed in this section.
SIGN STRUCTURE. A structure constructed for the primary purpose of displaying a sign.
STRUCTURAL TRIM. Any molding, batten, capping, nailing strip, lattice or platform which is attached to a sign structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, wood/plywood or other light materials, with or without a frame.
VEHICLE SIGN. Any advertising or business sign attached to a motor vehicle.
WALL SIGN. A sign or individual letters, symbols or combinations thereof painted, mounted or attached to the exterior of a building or structure in a plane parallel to that of the wall on which it is painted, mounted or attached.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign or individual letters, symbols or combinations thereof placed inside or upon a window facing the outside and which is intended to be seen from the exterior.
(Ord. 788, passed 8-17-2005)