(a) "Sign" means any display, figure, word, number, symbol, geometric shape, model, painting, drawing, placard, letter, poster, pennant, insignia, device or other structure or representation or combinations thereof visible from a public way which is designed, intended or used to convey a message, advertise, inform or direct attention to a person, institution, organization, business activity, place, object or product.
(b) Classification by Functional Type.
(1) "Abandoned sign" means a sign which no longer directs or exhorts, advertises a bonafide business, lessor, lessee, owner, product or activity conducted or available on the premises where the sign is located. Abandoned signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(2) "Billboard" means a sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment or any other activity sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than upon the same lot on which the sign is located. Billboard signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(3) "Bulletin board" means an announcement sign which directs attention to and which is located on the lot of a public or semi-public institution, or of a charitable or religious facility.
(4) "Business sign" (general advertising) means a sign advertising the name of the business or establishment, the goods or commodities sold and/or brand names thereof, or services rendered on the lot which the sign is located. (The terms "advertising" and "brand names" distinguish business signs from identification signs)
(5) "Development sign" means a sign directing attention to the promotion, development or construction of a building or subdivision or property on the parcel of land on which the sign is located and which bears the name, address, subplot number or other identifier of the contractor or the name, owner or manager of the development.
(6) "Directional sign" means a sign intending to direct the safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and includes "enter", "exit" and arrow signs. Standard traffic devices may be used if approved by the Chief of Police.
(7) "Flashing signs" means any illuminated sign which exhibits changing lights or color effects and includes electronically controlled message centers or readerboards but does not include public service signs displaying date, time and temperature. Flashing signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(8) "Identification sign" means a sign, other than a nameplate, indicating the name, owner, manager and/or address of an existing building or business. (The term "name" may include the type of goods sold or services rendered, but not brand names. )
(9) “Illuminated sign" means a sign that has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as part of the sign proper, or which is illuminated by the reflector method.
(10) "Informational sign" means a sign which is designed to give general information to the public concerning areas of natural scenic beauty or outdoor recreation facilities and similar information, or indicating a condition on the property which requires the exercise of ordinary care, or which provides public safety information or other public information.
(11) "Integral sign" means a sign indicating the name of a building, date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure.
(12) "Memorial sign" means a sign designed, intended or used to preserve the memory of a person, place or event, including landmark and historical plaques.
(13) "Mural or pictorial signs" means an artistic scene or picture devoid of any advertising or commercial aspects, slogans, words, letters, script, numbers, diagrams or text, which is printed or painted upon any wall of a building or structure.
(14) "Nameplates” means a sign indicating the name, address or profession of the person or persons occupying the lot or building or part of a building.
(15) "Permanent sign" means a sign which is designed or intended to be used indefinitely, or used indefinitely without change in its state or place.
(16) "Political sign" means a sign promoting or opposing any candidate seeking any elective office, promoting or opposing any ballot measure to be voted upon by the electors of the City and any sign expressing an opinion or advocating or urging action on any public issue. A “Political Sign” shall not be construed to mean or include any other functional type of sign as defined in this subsection.
(17) “Real estate sign" means a sign directing attention to the promotion, development, construction, rental, sale or lease of property on which it is located.
(18) "Security sign" means a sign indicating that the property is protected by a security surveillance system of any nature.
(19) "Temporary sign - civic" means a sign of any type to announce charitable, educational, religious, civic or community affairs, event or function of a public or semipublic nature and design and intended for use for a limited period of time. Such a sign may be suspended over or on public property or any other location only by permission of the Director of Public Service and Development. Such signs may be a banner, pennant or poster constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, or wallboard and may be displayed twenty-one days prior to and three days after the affair, event or function.
(20) "Temporary sign - commercial" means either a sign constructed of paper, cloth or another durable material announcing sales, new products, special business events or being decorative/seasonal in nature, attached or affixed to the interior or exterior surfaces of a window or door of a building providing that such signs shall not cover more than 25% of the total surface area to which they are affixed and displayed for a period of time not to exceed thirty days or a sign constructed of durable material announcing the opening of a new business or the reopening of an existing business for use in a General Business District erected, placed or located not less than five feet from a lot line, not to exceed twenty square feet in area per side and six feet in height above natural grade, which is limited to no more than two colors, and displayed for a period of time not to exceed thirty days.
(c) Classification by Structural Type.
(1) “Banner sign” means a sign constructed of fabric or any non-rigid material with no enclosing framework.
(2) "Canopy sign" means a sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy or of a covered entrance or walkway, or attached to or displayed and applied on an awning, canopy or marquee.
(3) "Monument sign" means a freestanding sign which has a supporting base designed as an integral part of the sign and resting totally or primarily on the ground.
(4) "Pole sign" means a sign which is supported wholly by a pole or poles, posts or braces upon the ground and not attached to any building. Pole signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(5) "Portable sign" means a sign which is designed to be portable and is not permanently attached to any part of a building or permanently anchored to the ground. Portable signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(6) "Projection sign" means a sign, other than a wall sign, erected on the outside wall of a building and which projects out at an angle therefrom, extending more than fifteen inches from the face of the wall of the building, wall or other structure and is supported thereby.
(7) "Roof sign" means a sign erected upon and completely over the roof of any building or a sign constructed or wholly maintained upon or over the roof or parapet wall with the principal support on the roof. Roof signs are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(8) "Wall sign" means a sign integral with the exterior face of an exterior wall of a building, or attached to the wall or parallel with the wall and extending no higher than the ridge lines on the top of the parapet wall and projecting not more than twelve inches from the wall. Wall signs shall be a single faced cabinet or individual channel type letters.
(9) "Window sign" means a sign attached or affixed to the interior or exterior surface of windows or doors of a building, or other than merchandise, that which is located within three feet of the interior surface of the glass.
(10) "Attraction devices" refers to anything that attracts via mechanical contrivance that causes animation, revolution, movement up-and-down or sideways, inflatable devices and windblown devices such as ribbons, spinners and streamers whether part of a sign or not. Attraction devices are prohibited in the City of Fairview Park.
(d) Any sign classified pursuant to subsection (b) hereof as a "billboard", "bulletin board", "business sign", "identification sign" or "informational sign" may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, contain noncommercial messages.
(Ord. 03-37. Passed 11-3-03.)