For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. All other words contained in this chapter shall have definitions as they appear in the current edition of Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary.
ADDRESS SIGN. A sign denoting the street address number and/or the name of the owner of the property, which sign is located on the same site as the building.
ALTERATIONS. Any change in copy, content, color, size, shape, position, location, construction, or supporting structure.
AREA OF SIGN. The area included within the outer dimensions of a sign, including those portions of the frame or support structure which either border or adjoin the face of the sign, or are of a size, dimension, or configuration which is intended to attract attention or are in excess of that necessary to support the sign. In the case of a multiple-faced sign, each face shall be deemed to be a separate sign for the purposes of determining the area of sign; each face is entitled to the allowable sign area. If a sign is placed on a wall or other surface, or if letters or other portions of the sign are supported individually, without any border, the area shall be computed by enclosing the entire sign within sets of parallel lines. The portion of the sign represented by a logo shall be calculated by enclosing the logo in geometrical figures consisting of right angles only from which the total area may be calculated.
AWNING. A projecting overhang of a rigid frame but otherwise composed of flexible canvas, nylon, or similar material.
BUILDING. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.
BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign displaying the name and/or address of a building, which sign is located on the same site as the building.
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The person who is so designated by the Building Code of the city, or his designated deputy.
BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign displaying the name of the business to which it pertains and/or the names or description of the products or services sold or offered by such business at the site on which the business and sign are located.
CHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN (CEVMS). A sign which permits light to be turned on or off periodically or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off periodically (including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, LED (light emitting diode) sign or digital sign) and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS sign does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the national standard.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A temporary sign stating the names of those individuals or businesses directly connected with a construction project, or with any maintenance or improvement activity on a property including financial institutions, general and subcontractors, architectural, and engineering firms, painting, roofing, and landscaping firms, and all such parties, addresses, and telephone numbers.
FACE OF A BUILDING. The general outer surface, not including cornices, windows, openings, or architectural projections of any kind.
FACE, SIGN FACE, OR FACE OF A SIGN. Any plane or other side of a sign which is painted or stained or lighted or has lettering or is illustrated, separately or in combination, to attract attention. In the case of a side other than a plane, the area thereof shall be computed as including only the minimum single display surface which is visible from any one position from which persons might usually view the same.
FACIA SIGN. Any sign attached to the facia of a building. It shall include any sign attached to a “projecting overhang” as defined in this section.
FREE-STANDING SIGN. A sign which is supported by one or more uprights, braces, pedestals, or other solid foundations in or upon the ground. It may be a multi-face sign and shall also include signs sometimes referred to as post signs, monument signs, pole signs, or ground signs.
GARAGE SALE OR ESTATE SALE SIGNS. Signs advertising the sale by the homeowner of items of personal property and containing only the words “Garage Sale” or “Estate Sale.”
GLASS FRONTAGE. Total area of the front and side of a building: facing or abutting a public street or courtyard or parking area; utilized by a particular business; and, consisting of windows, show windows, or other glass covered space, through which the interior of the building is visible.
GRADE. The level of the public sidewalk at the closest distance to the sign, or ground level at the wall to which a sign may be attached, whichever is higher.
ILLUMINATED SIGN OR LIGHTED SIGN.
Terms which may be used interchangeably and shall refer to any sign which has a source of light, either internal or external, for the purpose of illuminating such sign.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. Any on-premises sign relating to schools, churches, hospitals, universities, or similar institutions.
LICENSED CONTRACTOR. An individual, firm, or corporation duly licensed by the city to perform sign work required by the Standard Building Code.
LOST PET SIGN. A sign indicating the loss of a pet giving a description thereof and the address and phone number of the owner.
MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIRS. All routine work associated with a sign that does not constitute a change in the sign configuration, structure, or size, such as painting, bulb or ballast replacement, replacement of facings, and the like.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY FACILITY DIRECTORY SIGN. Any sign which advises vehicular or pedestrian traffic of proper direction solely to emergency facilities of a hospital or medical clinic.
MONUMENT SIGN. A sign which has, as an integral part of its supporting structure, a message intended to attract attention, and said message may extend to grade. In differentiating from a ground sign, a MONUMENT SIGN has no free clearance between the face of the sign and the ground. Any such sign shall be considered a MONUMENT SIGN.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign that advertises products, goods, services, business entities, or other items, entities, or activities that are not located on the same premises as the sign.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign that advertises products, goods, services, business entities, or other items, entities, or activities that are located on the same premises as the sign.
POLITICAL SIGN. A temporary sign indicating the name and/or picture of an individual seeking election or appointment to a public office, or relating to a forthcoming public election or referendum, or pertaining to the advocating by persons, groups, or parties of political views or policies.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign or other advertising device which is not intended to be permanently affixed to the ground or any supporting structure. Such signs include trailer-mounted signs. The Building Official shall have the authority to determine what signs are portable on a case by case basis.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building with the display surface of the sign in a plane other than a plane parallel to the wall.
PUBLIC ROADWAY. The entire width between property lines of a road, street, way, thoroughfare, or bridge if any part of same is open to the public for vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
PYLON SIGN. A free-standing structure which contains two or more separate business identification signs for entities within a shopping mall, strip center, or similar project.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. (Such as a “for sale” sign, “for lease” sign, “for rent” sign, and the like.) A sign indicating that the premises on which the sign is located, or any portion thereof, is for sale, lease, or rent, and containing any of the following information: a description of the premises offered for sale, lease, or rent. The sign may include information indicating a pending contract or the fact that the property is sold, or the fact that the building is open for public viewing.
ROOF SIGN. A sign located upon and above the roof of any building.
SHINGLE SIGN. A flat, non-electric, wooden or metal sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area, that is attached flat to the wall of a building.
SHOPPING CENTER. Any identifiable area or group of buildings or stores commonly referred to as SHOPPING CENTERS with one or more businesses having their principal or main entrance off and adjacent to parking areas or parking facilities and shall include any area so designated by the Building Official, or any pedestrian arcade, courtyard, promenade, or mall, whether covered by a roof or not, within or between any structures or buildings, upon which the principal or main entrance to one or more retail business therein are located.
SIGN.
(1) Any writing, name, number, figure, character, outline, emblem, graphic, window etching, stained or painted glass, mark, logo, mural, symbol, spectacle, display, delineation, announcement, advertising, billboard, signboard, flag, banner, pennant, bunting, device, appliance, structure erected for the purposes of supporting a sign, or any other thing of similar nature designed to attract attention outdoors, in or on any trace or wall, window, or store front of any building, or on any pole or other form of support or structure and shall include all parts, portions, units, and materials composing the same, together with the frame, background, and support or anchorage thereof.
(2) The following shall not be deemed to be included within the definition of
SIGN:
(a) Signs of a duly constituted governmental body including, but not limited to, traffic or similar regulatory devices required by law, and warnings at railroad crossings.
(b) Signs required to be maintained by law or governmental order, rule, or regulation provided that the total surface area of all such signs on any one lot or parcel does not then exceed ten square feet or as required by state law.
(c) Signs placed by a public utility for the safety, welfare, or convenience of the public, such as signs identifying high voltage, public telephone, or underground cable.
(d) Signs upon a vehicle, trailer, boat, or wagon, provided that any such vehicle, trailer, boat, or wagon with signs thereon is not conspicuously parked or left standing for advertising purposes so as to constitute a device or other type of sign pursuant to the definition of a
SIGN.
(e) Signs not more than two in number and noticing or soliciting the sale, lease, or hire of a vehicle to which such signs are attached if such signs are nine inches by 12 inches or less.
(f) Signs located inside a building or structure provided the sign is not so located as to be visible and readable without intentional and deliberate effort from outside the building or structure.
(g) Barber poles of the traditional type and design not exceeding three feet in height (vertical portion of the pole) and not erected so as to extend more than 12 inches from the front of the building to which it is attached.
(h) Noncommercial decorations in a residential zone commemorating a generally recognized seasonal event or occasion.
(i) Commemorative/historical markers which have been approved by the City Council.
(j) Stained-glass windows in a residence or in a place of worship, as long as no commercial connotation is associated with same.
SITE. All of that contiguous ground area legally assembled into or as part of one building or business location, or one residence.
TEMPORARY SIGN. That type of sign that is not intended to remain in place indefinitely, and has a purpose limited in time.
WALL ART. A mural designed or intended as a decorative or ornamental feature that is painted directly onto a wall that contains no copy, advertising symbols, lettering, trademarks or other references to products, services, good or anything sold on or off premises.
WALL SIGN. A sign which is affixed to (or painted on) an exterior wall of any building or struc-ture with the display surface of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall.
(Ord. 92-19, passed 10-6-92; Am. Ord. 2008-16, passed 5-27-08; Am. Ord. 2021-30, passed 7-27-21)