The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of this chapter:
(a) "Awning/canopy sign" means a sign which is painted or printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning.
(b) "Banner sign" means a sign made of fabric, cloth, paper, or other non-rigid material that is typically not enclosed in a frame.
(c) "Box type sign" means an internally lit sign consisting of a box like framework on or within which is mounted a plastic or acrylic sign panel.
(d) "Cantilevered sign" is a sign which hangs from a horizontal post that is projected from a single vertical support.
(e) "Clear vision triangle" is a triangular area formed at the intersection of any street right-of-way lines by a straight line drawn between the right-of-way lines at a distance along each line of twenty-five (25) feet from their point of intersection. In the case of a driveway intersecting with a street, the triangular area shall be formed at the intersection of the street right-of-way line and the edge of an intersecting driveway at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet from their point of intersection.
(f) "Directional sign" means a sign that is intended to direct the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to, from and within a lot or group of lots that together have coordinated parking, access, or other relevant development features.
(g) "Flag" means an exhibit made of flexible material that is mounted on a pole and which represents or symbolizes an organization, group, cause, event, activity, or unit of government.
(h) "Ground sign" means a freestanding sign supported by vertical posts or braces in or upon the ground, including cantilevered signs.
(i) "Historical marker" means a sign erected to denote a significant or aesthetic historic site, building, or district as designated by the Historic District Commission.
(j) "Historic District Commission" means the Commission established by Chapter 1230 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Franklin.
(k) "Incidental sign" means a small sign, emblem, or decal designed and located to be read only by people within the site and generally not visible or legible from the road right-of-way or adjacent properties. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card signs, signs on ATMs, signs indicating the hours of business, no smoking signs, signs used to designate restrooms, barrier-free signs, and other signs that provide information to be read nearby. The allowable square footage for incidental signs shall not count against total allowable sign area for any other permitted type of sign.
(l) "Interior sign" means any sign which is located completely within an enclosed nonresidential building and which is not visible from the road right-of-way.
(m) "Moving sign" means a sign in which the sign itself or any portion of the sign moves or revolves. A "rotating" sign is a type of moving sign.
(n) "Nameplate sign" means a sign that identifies the occupants of a building.
(o) "Noncommercial message sign" means a sign that is not related to or connected with trade and traffic or commerce in general and includes, but is not limited to, signs expressing opinions or points of view and signs for noncommercial events.
(p) "Obsolete sign" means any sign that no longer identifies a business or other use that is in operation, or that identifies any activity or event that has already occurred.
(q) "Off premise commercial advertising sign" means a sign that contains a message unrelated to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity, service, or activity sold or offered upon the premises where such a sign is located. Such signs include, but are not limited to, billboards, off-premise real estate signs and off- premise development signs.
(r) "On-premise commercial advertising sign" means a sign that contains a message related to a business or profession conducted or to a commodity, service, or activity sold or offered upon the premises where the sign is located. Such signs include, but are not limited to, on-site real estate signs, garage sale signs, and a sign advertising the contractor, developer, engineer, broker, architect, financial institution, or other commercial entity affiliated with a project under development and located on the same premises as the project under development.
(s) "Outline tubing sign" means a sign consisting of glass tubing, filled with a gas such as neon, which glows when electric current is sent through it.
(t) "Outdoor sign" means any letter, symbol, number, or other manmade installation regulated within this chapter, or combination of these, which is visible from the traveled portion of a public road.
(u) "Painted sign" means any sign, which uses paint or other material directly applied upon the exterior surface of structure.
(v) "Parapet" means the extension of a false front or wall above the roof line. Signs mounted on the face of the parapet shall be considered wall signs.
(w) "Personal expression sign" means any sign that expresses an opinion, interest, or position.
(x) "Pole sign" means a type of freestanding sign that is elevated above the ground on a single pole or post.
(y) "Portable sign" means a sign which by its construction is intended to be moved from one location to another.
(z) "Projecting sign" means a sign, other than a flat wall sign, that projects more than fifteen (15) inches from the face of the building or structure upon which it is located.
(aa) "Public sign" means a sign erected in the public interest by or upon orders from a local, state, or federal public official. Examples of "public signs" include but are not limited to, memorial plaques and signs expressing matters of historical interest.
(bb) "Regulatory sign" means a sign required by the Village of Franklin, Michigan Department of Transportation or the Road Commission for Oakland County for the purpose of directing or regulating traffic or identifying streets. Examples include, but are not limited to, legal notices, safety signs, and traffic signs.
(cc) "Roof line" means the top edge of a roof or building parapet, whichever is higher, excluding cupolas, chimneys, and similar minor projections.
(dd) "Roof sign" means a sign that extends above the roof line or is erected or constructed over the surface of the roof.
(ee) "Sandwich board sign" means a temporary advertising sign constructed in such a manner as to form an "A" or tent-line shape, hinged or not hinged at the top.
(ff) "Sign" means any device, structure, fixture, display, or placard, which uses words, numbers, figures, graphic designs, logos or trademarks used for visual communication intended to attract the attention of the public for the purposes of informing or providing direction. Unless otherwise indicated, the definition of "sign" includes interior and exterior signs that are visible from any public street, sidewalk, alley, park, or public property.
(gg) "Sign Board of Appeals" means the Village Zoning Board of Appeals and shall constitute the "Sign Board of Appeals" for the purposes of interpreting and carrying out the provisions of this chapter, except for those matters over which the Village Construction Board of Appeals has jurisdiction.
(hh) "Special display" means a temporary outdoor display intended to be decorative in nature having no direct sales or advertising content, which is larger in area that other signs allowed in the zoning district. A "special display" includes, but is not limited to, holiday displays and promotions for non-profit, civic, public welfare or charitable purposes.
(ii) "Storefront" means the front side of a store or store building facing a street, which shall apply to any non-residential use. In the case of a storefront within a multi-tenant building, storefront shall mean that portion of the facade that is rented, owned, or otherwise under legal control by the occupant of the storefront.
(jj) "Temporary sign" means a sign that is displayed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter for a limited period of time. Examples of "temporary signs" include real estate signs, special displays, sandwich board signs, and signs that announce a community or civic event or other special events.
(kk) "Total surface area of a sign" means, in the case of a double-sided sign, the sum total of both sides of the sign, all lettering, wording and accompanying designs and symbols together with the background whether open or enclosed on which they are displayed computed in square feet. It shall not include any supporting framework, decorative framing or bracing that is incidental to the display itself.
(ll) "Vehicle sign" means a sign on a bus, truck, trailer, or other vehicle while being operated and used for transport in the normal course of business.
(mm) "Wall sign" means any sign attached to, painted upon, or drawn upon an exterior wall of a structurethat projects less than fifteen (15) inches from the face of the building or structure upon which it is located.
(nn) "Window signs" means signs that are located in or on a window and that are intended to be viewed from the outside. Window signs may consist of:
(1) Signs that are applied directly to the inside or outside surface of a window; or
(2) Opaque, translucent or transparent panels which are suspended or supported inside a display window and which are visible from the street.
(Ord. 2008-06. Passed 7-14-08; Ord. 2012-08. Passed 12-10-12; Ord. 2019-01. Passed 1-14-19.)