Except as specifically defined herein, all words in this chapter shall have their customary dictionary meanings. For the purpose of this chapter, certain words or terms are defined as follows.
Abandoned sign. A sign and its structure that has ceased to be used when the business activity or firm which such sign advertises is no longer in operation, or when the sign no longer displays copy.
Alterations and repairs. Improvements to a sign not exceeding 50% of the replacement value of the same type sign.
Animation. The use of movement or some element thereof, to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
Awning. An architectural projection or shelter, projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid and non-rigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable.
Building facade. The portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending vertically from grade to the top of a parapet wall or eves and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation.
Business park. A development on a tract of land, either subdivided or on a single large lot, containing a number of separate office, commercial, or industrial buildings, supporting uses and open space that are designed, planned, constructed and managed on an integrated and coordinated basis.
Canopy. A permanent structure attached or detached to a building for the purpose of providing shelter to patrons or automobiles or as a decorative feature on a building wall. A Canopy is not a completely enclosed structure.
Clearance. The vertical distance above the driveway, walkway or other surface, if specified, to the bottom edge of a sign. This term can also refer to a horizontal distance between two objects.
Dimensional requirements. Those measurements that identify the area and height requirements for signs.
Flashing. A pattern of changing light illumination where the sign illumination alternates suddenly between fully illuminated and fully non- illuminated for the purpose of drawing attention to the sign.
Footcandle. A measure of illumination equal to one lumen per square foot and equal to .0929 LUX.
Frame effect. A visual effect on an electronic message center applied to a single frame to transition from one message to the next.
Group commercial development. A development consisting of two (2) or more commercial, retail, office or industrial uses or buildings located on two (2) or more parcels, developed with a common plan for the protection, maintenance and improvement of the parcels and storm water facilities, and with access easements and rights in one or more of the parcels and governed by an owner’s association or developed as a horizontal property regime.
Home occupation. Any use of principal and accessory buildings clearly incidental to their uses for dwelling purposes and conducted for compensation by a resident thereof within a residential use area.
Labeled. An identification label applied on a product by the manufacturer that contains the name of the manufacturer, the function and performance characteristics of the product or material and the name and identification of an approved agency, and that indicates that the representative sample of the product or material has been tested and evaluated by an approved agency.
Listed. Equipment, materials, products or services included in a list published by an organization acceptable to the Codes Administrator or his/her designee [recognized testing laboratory designed to assure compliance with applicable American National Standards (ANSI) and or the National Electric Code (NEC)] and concerned with evaluation of products or services that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services and whose listing states either that the equipment, material, product or service meets identified standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
Logo. A business, institution, or use’s trademark or symbol.
Linear frontage. The length of a property abutting a public right-of-way from one side lot line to another.
Mansard roof. A four sided gambrel style hip roof characterized by two (2) slopes on each of its sides which forms a facade that may extend the building facade vertically above the eave line.
Mural. A picture or image (including but not limited to painted art) which is painted constructed, or affixed on an exterior surface of a structure.
Nonconforming sign. A sign which was validly installed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but which is in conflict with the current provisions of this code.
Off-premises sign. A sign that disseminates information and that directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
Official notice. Any notices issued by a court, public agency or officer.
On-premises sign. A sign that disseminates information that directly relates to the use of the property on which it is located.
Parapet. An architectural facade feature which extends the building facade vertically above the eave line.
Planned commercial center. Two or more commercial, retail or office uses planned and developed as a unit on one parcel related in location and size and are reliant on common facilities such as vehicular access roads or drives and storm water facilities.
Public way. A street, alley, parking lot, public access drive or other parcel of land open to the outside air unobstructed from the ground to the sky and leading to a street which may have been deeded, dedicated or otherwise appropriated for public use.
Right-of-way. A legally established area or strip of land, either public or private, on which an irrevocable right of passage has been recorded, and which is occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, utility service, water main, sanitary or storm sewer main, or other similar use.
Roof line. The top edge of any facade, eave line, or in the case of an extended building facade, the uppermost point of said facade.
Setback. The minimum distance by which any sign must be separated from a street right-of-way, edge of road pavement, back of the curb, or lot line as prescribed herein.
Sight triangle. At the intersection of two public streets or a commercial driveway, a triangle formed by measuring from the point of intersection along the edge of pavement a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet in both directions, connecting the points so established to form a sight triangle on the area of the parcel adjacent to the street intersections.
Sign. Any device, structure, fixture, painting or visual image using words, graphics, symbols, numbers or letters designed for the purposes of communicating a message or attracting attention and supporting structure.
Sign copy area. The total dimensions of a sign surface used to display sign copy.
Sign copy. The words, logos, information, advertising, letters, numbers, figures, characters, artwork, symbols, insignia, or integral backgrounds that are used in a sign area excluding a street address.
Sign face. The part of the sign that is or can be used for the sign copy area.
Sign height. A measurement from the highest point on a sign to the base where it touches the ground or surface upon which it is mounted or the road grade to which the sign is oriented, whichever is less.
Sign types.
Analog message center. A sign with the capability to change content manually or automatically by remote input, direct manipulation, electronic means, or mechanical means. Such content is displayed without using a digital display (see Appendix A, Figure 1).
Awning sign. Any sign displayed, applied or painted on an awning (see Appendix A, Figure 2).
Balloon sign. A lighter-than-air gas filled device that is tethered to a fixed location or a device contrived to appear as such.
Banner sign (attached). A temporary sign of cloth, plastic, paper or similar non-rigid material attached to any structure which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners (see Appendix A, Figure 3).
Banner sign (freestanding). A temporary sign of cloth, plastic, paper or similar non-rigid material attached to any staff, pole, rope, wire or framing which is anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners (see Appendix A, Figure 3).
Billboard sign. A permanent, freestanding, off-premises sign (see Appendix A, Figure 5).
Canopy sign. A sign displayed, applied or affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or free-standing canopy (see Appendix A, Figures 6 and 7).
Decorative post sign. A low profile freestanding sign mounted on two poles, posts, or columns placed at the outermost sides of the sign face or mounted on one pole, post or column with the sign suspended from an arm extension. Such signs shall include one or more architectural embellishments such as decorative caps, molding, decorative brackets, columns, base, top, or other feature. The sign face does not extend to the ground. Such a sign is on a premise and is oriented towards a public way (see Appendix A, Figures 8 and 9).
Directional sign (off-premises). An off premise sign, specifically designed to provide directional or destination information.
Directional sign (on-premises). A sign with the purpose of guiding traffic, either vehicular or pedestrian into and/or throughout a site.
Directory sign. A sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building or property within a group commercial development or business park is identified (see Appendix A, Figure 10).
Electronic message center. An on-premises sign capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images on a digital display and is electronically changed by remote or automatic means (see Appendix A, Figure 1).
Exempt sign. An on-premises sign intended for communicating or promoting goods and services provided on site, oriented to persons on the premise, and does not further promote the business’ name by including the business’ logo, insignias, trademarks and the like.
Flag. Any sign on cloth, plastic, or other similar non-rigid material attached to a pole or staff and having a wider than tall (horizontal) orientation whose rotation is determined by the wind direction (see Appendix A, Figure 11).
Freestanding sign. A sign which is permanently affixed to the ground and which is not a part of a building or other structure.
Hours of operation sign. A sign displayed near the entrance or on the entrance door to a premise and displays the days and times said premise is open.
Illuminated sign. A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated); or reflecting off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).
Incidental sign. A sign that displays general site information, instructions, directives, or restrictions that are primarily oriented to pedestrians and motor vehicle operators who have entered a property from a public street.
Indoor sign. Any sign which is erected and/or displayed inside of a structure and which does not qualify as a window sign.
Inflatable sign. A sign that is an air inflated object, made of flexible fabric and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a flow of air into the device (see Appendix A, Figure 13).
Marquee sign. A sign on a permanent structure which projects over the entrance and is attached to and supported by a building (see Appendix A, Figure 14).
Memorial sign/plaque. Any sign displaying the name of buildings and/or other important elements on a site, such as the date of erection, and other elements involved, such as the architect or contractor.
Mobile sign. A sign, including the trailer assembly or other transporting apparatus or any equipment to which the sign is attached, which may be moved from one location to another, is not permanently affixed to the ground, and is differentiated from a “moveable sign” in that it may be equipped for transportation by motor vehicle or other mechanical means. Trailer signs are considered to be mobile signs (see Appendix A, Figure 15).
Monument sign. A freestanding sign whose face is the same width as or greater than the message portion of the sign from the top of the sign to the ground, and is permanently affixed to the ground. Such signs may include a contiguous structural base or planter box as part of the sign face. Such signs are not internally supported by poles or other structural devices (see Appendix A, Figure 16).
Moveable sign. A sign which is movable by a person without aid of a motor vehicle or other mechanical equipment (see Appendix A, Figure 17).
Multiple-faced sign. A sign containing three or more faces (see Appendix A, Figure 18).
Multiple-use identification sign. A sign stating the name of the development and its tenants.
Official government sign. Any sign placed by an official governmental entity such as but not limited to the county or the South Carolina Department of Transportation.
Pennant and streamer sign. A triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material commonly attached in strings or strands intended to flap in the wind, secured to a fixed location (see Appendix A, Figures 19 and 20).
Pole sign. A sign that is supported by an uncovered freestanding pole (see Appendix A, Figure 21).
Premise identification sign. A sign which identifies the premise on which it is located.
Projecting sign. Any sign, other than a “wall sign,” which is supported by a building and projects perpendicular to the applied surface (see Appendix A, Figure 22).
Pylon sign. A sign whose face covers an internal support system which may consist of internal poles or other structural devices and is permanently affixed to the ground and freestanding (see Appendix A, Figure 23).
Roof sign. A sign wholly or partially supported by a structure that is erected, constructed, maintained, or projects above the roof line of that structure (see Appendix A, Figure 24).
Temporary sign (off premises). A non-permanent sign that advertises or references any goods, products, services, or facilities, or that directs persons to a different location from where the sign is located.
Temporary sign (on-premises). A non-permanent sign that advertises or references any goods, products, services, or facilities at the site such goods, products, services, or facilities are offered.
Traffic sign. Official highway route number signs, street name signs, wayfinding signs and other traffic signs erected and maintained on public highways and roads in the interest of public safety or for the regulation of traffic.
Under canopy/awning sign. Any sign suspended or hanging from a canopy or awning which is attached to the associated building for which the sign advertises and is perpendicular to the building front (see Appendix A, Figure 25).
V-sign. Signs containing two faces of approximately equal size, erected upon common or separate structures, positioned in a “V” shape with an interior angle between faces of not more than ninety (90) degrees (1.57 rad) with the distance between the sign faces not exceeding five (5) feet (1524 mm) at their closest point (see Appendix A, Figure 26).
Wall sign. Any sign painted on, attached flat, or attached parallel to the exterior wall or surface of a building or other structure and which may project from that wall or surface (see Appendix A, Figure 27).
Weekend directional sign. An off-premises sign erected after 12 pm on Friday and removed not later than 7:00 am on the following Monday, the purpose of which is to direct to the indicated use.
Windfeather sign. A sign of cloth, plastic, or similar non-rigid material supported by a pole or staff and having a tall, narrow (vertical) orientation whose rotation is determined by the wind direction and is not permanently installed (see Appendix A, Figure 12).
Window sign. A sign that is placed on or attached to a window or is placed within twelve inches of the interior of the window (see Appendix A, Figure 28).
Yard sign. A temporary sign whose sign face is supported by stakes or posts that is placed on a premise and is oriented towards a public way (see Appendix A, Figure 29).
Useable wall area. The area of an exterior wall or surface area of a building or structure that excludes doors and includes building facades such as parapet walls.
Variance. A waiver of the dimensional terms of this chapter or other provisions specifically allowed upon review in this chapter where such variance will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of actions of the applicant, a literal enforcement of the ordinance would result in unnecessary and undue hardship; and does not involve a change in the use of the property.
(Ord. 4926, passed 8-15-2017)