For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(A) FREESTANDING SIGNS.
(1) ANIMATED SIGN.
(a) A sign depicting action, motion, lights, or color change.
(b) An ANIMATED SIGN can also feature graphics and illustrations rather than words.
(2) ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN.
(a) A sign, typically comprised of a liquid crystal diode (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), plasma, or other digital illuminated display that contains one or more messages.
(b) An ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN is different from an illuminated sign in that the illumination of the display creates the message, rather than an internal or external light source illuminating the message.
(c) Diagram example:
(3) ILLUMINATED SIGN.
(a) A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign; includes signs made from neon or other gas tube(s) that are bent to form letters, symbols, or other shapes.
(b) An ILLUMINATED SIGN excludes electronic message signs, which are separately defined.
(4) MOBILE SIGN.
(a) Any sign designed to be readily moved from one location to another and which does not rely on a building or fixed foundation for its structural support.
(b) Any sign mounted on a vehicle, trailer, or boat; or fixed or attached to a device for the purpose of transporting from site to site.
(c) This definition includes all vehicles placed or parked for the purpose of drawing attention to a service, product, object, person, organization, institution, business, event, location, or message.
(d) This definition does not include signs or lettering installed on vehicles, trailers or boats where the principal use of the vehicle is for the transportation of people, goods, or other materials for the business.
(5) MONUMENT SIGN.
(a) A freestanding sign that is detached from a building and has a support structure that is a solid-appearing base constructed of a permanent material, such as aluminum, concrete block, or brick.
(b) All other freestanding sign types not meeting the definition of a MONUMENT SIGN shall be either a pole sign or a pylon sign.
(c) Diagram example:
(6) POLE SIGN.
(a) A freestanding sign in excess of six feet in height that is detached from a building and is supported by one or more structural elements that are either:
1. Architecturally dissimilar to the design of the sign; or
2. Less than one-fourth the width of the sign face.
(b) Diagram example:
(7) PYLON SIGN.
(a) A freestanding sign in excess of eight feet in height that is detached from a building and is supported by one or more structural elements which are architecturally similar to the design of the sign.
(b) Diagram example:
TEMPORARY PROMOTIONAL SIGNS. Any flag displaying a commercial/promotional message, pennant, streamer, banner, beacon, bunting material, or other similar nonpermanent sign made of paper, cloth, canvas, lightweight fabric, or other nonrigid material, with or without frames, whether displayed as freestanding, wall-mounted, pole-mounted, window-mounted, or painted, or any other method of attachment, or beacon, which is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time.
TEMPORARY SIGNS.
(1) A structure or device used for the public display of visual messages or images, which is easily installed with or without common hand tools and which is not intended or suitable for long-term or permanent display (e.g., less than 120 days), due to lightweight or flimsy construction materials.
(2) Examples include, but are not limited to: A-frame signs, banners, pennants, streamers, or similar non-permanent signs made of paper, cloth, canvas, lightweight fabric, or other nonrigid material, with or without frames.
(Ord. passed 4-19-2021)