The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
ABANDONED SIGN: A sign that identifies: a) an establishment which no longer exists, or b) goods or services which are no longer provided or no longer exist, or c) an event or time which has already occurred, or passed, or d) a purpose which no longer exists.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: Member of the city administrative staff designated by the city council to enforce this chapter.
AREA: Total exposed surface devoted to a sign message, including ornamentation, embellishment and symbols, but excluding supporting members. If a sign is double faced, its sign area shall be computed as the area of a single faced sign.
AWNING: A device made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a building when the same is so erected as to either permit its being raised or retracted to a position against the building when not in use, or to provide shade to a window.
BILLBOARD: Any sign that advertises or displays goods, products, services or facilities which are located elsewhere than on the premises upon which the sign is displayed.
CANOPY: A structure, other than an awning, made of cloth, metal or other materials with a frame attached to a building and supported by the ground or sidewalk underneath.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A sign whereupon provision is made for letters or characters to be placed in or upon the surface area either manually or electronically to provide a message or picture.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: Any sign that directs the movement or placement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic without reference to the name of a product sold or service performed.
FREESTANDING SIGN: A detached sign which is supported by one or more columns, uprights or braces extended from the ground or from an object on the ground or a detached sign which is erected on the ground; provided that no part of the sign is attached to any part of any building structure or other sign.
GHOST SIGN: A sign painted on a building that has faded, is not current, and does not constitute effective advertising. Said sign may be of historical significance identifying past businesses or products.
HISTORIC LANDMARK SIGNS: Signs created by the historic preservation commission that are similar in shape and mold to each other and which designate historically significant properties.
HOME OCCUPATION, COTTAGE BUSINESS SIGNS: A sign that identifies the location of a home occupation or cottage business.
ILLEGAL SIGN: A sign failing to conform provisions to the requirements of this chapter.
MAINTAIN: To preserve, keep in repair, or continue.
NAMEPLATE: A sign indicating the name and address of a building or the name of the occupant thereof.
OFF SITE ADVERTISING SIGN: A sign relating to products, services or uses not located on the same lot as the sign.
OWNER: The purchaser of a sign, or of the copy on a sign, including any assignee of the purchaser; the fee titleholder of the real estate upon which the sign is located, including any lessee or assignee, of the fee titleholder.
PERMANENT SIGN: A sign which is permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a structure.
PORTABLE SIGN: A sign which is not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a structure or which is mounted upon, painted upon, or otherwise erected upon a vehicle, van, track, automobile, bus, railroad car or other vehicle in operating condition.
PREMISES: The real estate where a sign exists, defined by a legal description, and including, but not limited to, the primary structure, any parking facilities, and any private roadway thereon.
PROJECTING SIGN: Any sign, other than a wall sign, which projects outward from a wall or building, more than twelve inches (12") and is supported by a wall or building.
ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of a building.
SIGN: Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof situated outdoors 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. The term "sign" includes, but is not limited to, every projecting sign, ground sign, pole sign, window sign, vehicle sign, awning, canopy, marquee, changeable copy sign, illuminated sign, flashing sign, animated sign, temporary sign, portable sign, pennant, banner, streamer or any other attention getting device or other display, whether affixed to a building or separate from a building.
TEMPORARY SIGN: A banner, pennant, poster or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard or other like materials or a sign mounted on a trailer or other moveable device which is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. These signs include, but are not limited to, garage sale signs, political, construction, and special event signs.
WALL SIGN: A sign attached to, painted on or erected against a wall of a building or structure which extends no more than twelve inches (12") from the wall surface upon which it is attached and whose display surface is parallel to the face of the building.
WINDOW SIGN: A sign located indoors and visible through a window of a building or structure. (Ord. C-203, 6-21-1994; amd. Ord. C-354, 11-20-2001)