For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign structure that has ceased to be used, and the owner intends no longer to have used, for the display of sign copy or as otherwise defined by state law.
ANIMATED SIGN. A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion. ANIMATED SIGNS, which are differentiated from changeable signs, as defined and regulated by this code, include the following types.
(1) ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED. Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical or electro-mechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below.
(a) ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVATED. Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes or other natural environmental input, includes: spinners; pinwheels; pennant strings; and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
(b) MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED. Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
(2) FLASHING.
(a) Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of non-illumination.
(b) For the purposes of this chapter,
FLASHING will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds four seconds.
(3) PATTERNED ILLUSIONARY MOVEMENT. Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation of various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTION.
(1) Any projection that is not intended for occupancy and that extends beyond the face of an exterior wall of a building, but that does not include signs as defined herein.
(2) See also
AWNING; BACKLIT AWNING; and CANOPY, ATTACHED AND FREESTANDING.
AWNING. An architectural projection or shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building and composed of a covering of rigid or non-rigid materials and/or fabric on a supporting framework that may be either permanent or retractable, including such structures that are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources.
AWNING SIGN. A sign displayed on, or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of, an awning. See also WALL OR FASCIA SIGN.
BACKLIT AWNING. An awning with a translucent covering material and a source of illumination contained within its framework.
BANNER. A flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.
BANNER SIGN. A sign utilizing a banner as its display surface.
BILLBOARD. See OFF-PREMISES SIGN and OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN.
BUILDING ELEVATION. The entire side of a building, from ground level to the roofline, as viewed perpendicular to the walls on that side of the building.
CANOPY (ATTACHED).
(1) A multi-sided overhead structure or architectural projection supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points.
(2) The surface(s) and/or soffit of an attached
CANOPY may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light.
(3) See also
MARQUEE.
CANOPY (FREE-STANDING).
(1) A multi-sided overhead structure supported by columns, but not enclosed by walls.
(2) The surface(s) and or soffit of a free-standing canopy may be illuminated by means of internal or external sources of light.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign affixed to the visible surface(s) of an attached or free-standing canopy. For reference, see § 152.03 of this chapter.
CHANGEABLE SIGN. A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual or remote input, including signs which are:
(1) ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combinations of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices, or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. See also ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN OR CENTER; or
(2) MANUALLY ACTIVATED. Changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually.
COMBINATION SIGN. A sign that is supported partly by a pole and partly by a building structure.
COPY. Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, excluding numerals identifying a street address only.
DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX SIGN. A freestanding sign identifying a multiple-occupancy development, such as a shopping center or planned industrial park, which is controlled by a single owner or landlord, approved in accordance with § 152.51 of this chapter.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. A sign with two faces, back to back.
ELECTRIC SIGN. Any sign activated or illuminated by means of electrical energy.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN OR CENTER. An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed.
EXTERIOR SIGN. Any sign placed outside a building.
FASCIA SIGN. See WALL OR FASCIA SIGN.
FLASHING SIGN. See ANIMATED SIGN, ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED.
FREE-STANDING SIGN. A sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground, and not supported by a building, including signs supported by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground. For visual reference, see § 152.03 of this chapter.
FRONTAGE (BUILDING). The length of an exterior building wall or structure of a single premises orientated to the public way or other properties that it faces.
FRONTAGE (PROPERTY). The length of the property line(s) of any single premises along either a public way or other properties on which it borders.
GROUND SIGN. See FREE-STANDING SIGN.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as “no parking”, “entrance”, “loading only”, “telephone” and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered INCIDENTAL.
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).
INTERIOR SIGN. Any sign placed within a building, but not including “window signs”, as defined by this chapter. INTERIOR SIGNS, with the exception of window signs as defined, are not regulated by this chapter.
MANSARD. An inclined decorative roof-like projection that is attached to an exterior building facade.
MARQUEE. See CANOPY (ATTACHED).
MARQUEE SIGN. See CANOPY SIGN.
MENU BOARD. A free-standing sign orientated to the drive-through lane for a restaurant that advertises the menu items available from the drive-through window, and which has no more than 20% of the total area for such a sign utilized for business identification.
MULTIPLE-FACED SIGN. A sign containing three or more faces.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. See OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of messages appurtenant to the use of, products sold on or the sale or lease of the property on which it is displayed.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN. A permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or non-commercial messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on or the sale or lease of the property on which it is displayed.
PARAPET. The extension of a building facade above the line of the structural roof.
POLE SIGN. See FREE-STANDING SIGN.
POLITICAL SIGN. A temporary sign intended to advance a political statement, cause or candidate for office. A legally permitted outdoor advertising sign shall not be considered to be a POLITICAL SIGN.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building or building surface.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign other than a wall sign that is attached to or projects more than 18 inches (457 mm) from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign. For visual reference, see § 152.03 of this chapter.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A temporary sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises upon which it is located.
REVOLVING SIGN. A sign that revolves 360 degrees (6.28 rad) about an axis. See also ANIMATED SIGN, MECHANICALLY ACTIVATED.
ROOF LINE. The top edge of a peaked roof or, in the case of an extended facade or parapet, the uppermost point of said facade or parapet.
ROOF SIGN. A sign mounted on, and supported by, the main roof portion of a building, or above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such a building. Signs mounted on mansard facades, pent eaves and architectural projections such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be ROOF SIGNS. For a visual reference, and a comparison of differences between roof and fascia signs, see § 152.03 of this chapter.
SIGN. Any device visible from a public place that displays either commercial or non-commercial messages by means of graphic presentation of alphabetic or pictorial symbols or representations. Non- commercial flags or any flags displayed from flagpoles or staffs will not be considered to be SIGNS.
SIGN AREA. The area of the smallest geometric figure, or the sum of the combination of regular geometric figures, which comprise the sign face. The area of any double-sided or “V” shaped sign shall be the area of the largest single face only. The area of a sphere shall be computed as the AREA of a circle. The AREA of all other multiple-sided signs shall be computed as 50% of the sum of the area of all faces of the sign.
SIGN COPY. Those letters, numerals, figures, symbols, logos and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign, exclusive of numerals identifying a street address only.
SIGN FACE.
(1) The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural features of a building or sign structure, non-structural or decorative trim, or any areas that are separated from the background surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such as a reveal or border.
(2) In the case of panel or cabinet type signs, the
SIGN FACE shall include the entire area of the sign panel, cabinet or face substrate upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, but not open space between separate panels or cabinets.
(3) In the case of sign structures with routed areas of sign copy, the
SIGN FACE shall include the entire area of the surface that is routed, except where interrupted by a reveal, border or a contrasting surface or color.
(4) In the case of signs painted on a building, or individual letters or graphic elements affixed to a building or structure, the
SIGN FACE shall comprise the sum of the geometric figures or combination of regular geometric figures drawn closest to the edge of the letters or separate graphic elements comprising the sign copy, but not the open space between separate groupings of sign copy on the same building or structure.
(5) In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated border, or displayed on a background contrasting in color with the color of the building or structure, the
SIGN FACE shall comprise the area within the contrasting background, or within the painted or illuminated border.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure supporting a sign.
SPONSORSHIP SIGN. Any sign displayed on a zone lot owned by an institution such as a fairground, school, park district or similar organization sold to individual or business sponsors of that organization.
TEMPORARY SIGN.
(1) A sign intended to display either commercial or non-commercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature.
(2) Portable signs or any sign not permanently embedded in the ground, or not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure that is permanently embedded in the ground, are considered
TEMPORARY SIGNS.
UNDER CANOPY SIGN or UNDER MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to the underside of a canopy or marquee.
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 90 (1.57 rad) degrees with the distance between the sign faces not exceeding five feet (1,524 mm) at their closest point.
WALL OR FASCIA SIGN.
(1) A sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure and that projects not more than 18 inches (457 mm) from the building or structure wall, including signs affixed to architectural projections from a building; provided, the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building facade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection to which it is affixed.
(2) For a visual reference and a comparison of differences between
WALL OR FASCIA SIGNS and roof signs, see § 152.03 of this chapter.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign affixed to the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from the public way or from adjacent property.
(Ord. 3006, passed 4-9-2013)