ABANDONED SIGNS: | Signs permitted as a sign (other than a Temporary Sign or Billboard) which is attached to a building or lease space which has become vacant, or a sign which exists on a lot or parcel having no building with a valid Certificate of Occupancy for a period of 120 consecutive days. |
ATTENTION ATTRACTING DEVICE: | Temporary, non-structural signs, objects or devices which move, flicker, flap flash, gyrate or make noise through the utilization of air, wind, electricity, or other means, the primary function and purpose of which is to attract the attention of the public. The following signs are examples of attention attracting devices: |
a. Air dancers. | |
b. Temporary Flags, including streamers, pendants, feathers, tear drop, bow flags, pin flags, fin flags or similar devices, either tethered to or placed upon or in the ground, earth, or pavement (does not include flags intended for residential or household use, or permanent flag pole). | |
c. Signs with a revolving beam, beacon of light and/or search lights. | |
d. Signs with light resembling an emergency vehicle. | |
e. Other signs or devices as determined by the Community Development Director or designee. | |
AVAILABLE WALL AREA: | The continuous portion of a building between two terminating corners not including doors/windows. |
BILLBOARD: | A ground-mounted sign which exceeds the maximum height and size allowed for a monument sign and which typically displays other characteristics not authorized in this code for permanent signage. |
BLINKING: | A form of flashing where a pattern of sudden illumination changes occur with more than two on-off cycles per second. |
BUILDING MOUNTED SIGNS: | a. Awning Signs: Lettering that is placed upon a roof like cover extending over or in front of a door or window as a decorative shelter. |
b. Canopy Signs: Signs that are structurally part of a canopy or the skin of a canopy. It differs from an awning in that its aim is not to provide shelter. | |
c. Hanging Signs: See “Projecting Signs”. | |
d. Mural: An image or series of images or characters constituting artwork, which is painted or affixed directly to a wall, ceiling, or window. | |
e. Painted Wall Signs: Signs not meeting the definition of a wall sign or mural that are painted directly to the exterior surface of a building. | |
f. Projecting Signs: Signs with at least eight feet of vertical clearance which are attached to any side of a building and which project outward or hang from the building or structure so that the main body or area of the sign is physically separate from the structure to which it is attached. Also includes “hanging signs”. | |
g. Roof Signs: Signs erected, constructed, or maintained upon a roof, or which projects above the roofline of a building. Signs mounted on mansard, facades, eaves, and architectural projections such as canopies and marquees shall not be considered roof signs. | |
h. Wall Signs: Signs attached to or displayed on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface, and not projecting more than 12 inches from such surface. | |
i. Window Signs: Signs affixed to, painted upon, or etched into the surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from, the public way or an adjacent property. | |
CHANGEABLE SIGNS: | a. Electronic Message Center (EMC): A sign that uses computer-generated messages or some other means of changing the words. These signs also include lamps, LEDs, LCDs, or flipper matrix. |
b. Message Center: A panel consisting of a durable plastic or metal backing on which moveable characters may be arranged to create a message. | |
c. Marquee Signs: Marquee signs may include the following: | |
1. Signs mounted on a permanent canopy. | |
2. A traditional industry term for the variable-message section of a canopy sign. | |
3. Integral signs and permanent canopy. | |
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS: | Any sign that is designed and erected for the principal purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The following are examples of directional signs: |
a. Traffic Signs: Official signs erected as required by government for public safety purposes. | |
b. Drive Entrance/Exit Signs: Signs placed on private property at entrance points or along internal circulation routes. Generally not exceeding 30 inches in height. | |
c. Wayfinding Signs: A type of sign that allows users to find their way, using information provided along the travel path. | |
DOUBLE FACED SIGNS: | Signs with two faces, back to back or in the shape of a “V”, with identical messages and images. |
ENTRYWAY SIGNS: | Signs used to identify the entrance to a development or subdivision. |
FACADE: | The continuous portion of a building between two terminating corners including doors/windows. |
FLAG (Permanent Pole): | A piece of cloth or similar material, typically rectangular or square, attachable along no more than one side at two or more points to a permanent flag pole by means of a durable rope or cord and providing a minimum of eight feet of clearance from the ground to the lowest point of the flag while at rest. A permanent flag pole shall be attached to the ground by means of permanent footing, or to the roof or sides of a building. |
a. For flags designed to be attached on more than one edge, including changeable or seasonal flags mounted on light poles or standards, see “Banner”. | |
b. For flags not mounted to permanent flag poles see “Attention-Attracting Device.” | |
FLASHING SIGNS: | Signs with an intermittent flashing light source. Generally, a message is continuously repeated with the sign used as an attention-getting device. |
FREESTANDING SIGNS: | Signs principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground, and not supported by a building, including pole signs, monument signs, and ground signs. |
a. Monument Signs: A ground sign with low overall height of no more than five feet. | |
b. Pole/Pylon Signs: A freestanding sign with visible pole support. | |
FRONTAGE, STREET: | The length of the property line(s) of a single premise along a public or private right-of-way. |
HEIGHT OF SIGNS: | Height of signs shall be measured from the grade at the base of the sign to its maximum height not including any devices or attachments such as solar panels, antennas, or lighting rods. |
ILLEGAL SIGNS: | A sign that fails to meet the current codes and regulations when erected. It differs from a non-conforming sign, which is legal when created, but as laws and ordinances change, it no longer conforms to the codes. |
MANSARD: | A type of roof that includes two slopes on each of its sides. |
MARQUEE: | A permanent canopy often of metal projecting over an entrance. Often including a changeable message. |
NONCONFORMING SIGNS: | Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date hereof, which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter, and/or would otherwise not be authorized under this chapter. |
OFF PREMISES SIGNS: | A sign that is not located on the property of the business which it is advertising. Also known as a third-party sign or outdoor advertising. |
OFFICIAL SIGNS: | Signs erected or required by a governmental entity. |
PORTABLE SIGNS: | Any non-illuminated sign or advertising device that rests on the ground and is not designed to be permanently attached to a building or permanently anchored to the ground. |
a. A-FRAME SIGNS: A double-faced portable sign with an A-shaped frame, no greater than four feet in height and seven square feet per sign face, composed of two sign boards attached at the top and separated at the bottom, and not supported by a structure in the ground. | |
b. LAWN SIGNS: A small sign approximately 24" by 24" in size that sticks into an unpaved surface with a single or double post. | |
c. STANDARD PORTABLE SIGNS: A small movable sign no greater than four feet in height and seven square feet per sign face, used for a temporary period of time. | |
PROHIBITED SIGNS: | Signs not specifically allowed by this chapter. |
ROOFLINE: | 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. |
SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS: | See “A-Frame Sign”. |
SIGN: | Any device, structure, fixture, painting, or visual image using words, graphics, symbols, numbers, or letters designed for the purpose of conveying information or attracting attention. |
SIGN AREA/FACE: | The area of a sign on which words and images are placed. |
TEMPORARY SIGNS: | Signs intended to be used for 90 days or less, not for a permanent installation. Not including portable signs. |
a. Banner: A sign composed of lightweight material that is firmly attached to a building at four or more points; often used in a non-permanent setting, such as to announce a grand opening, sale or special event. | |
b. Attention attracting devices as defined in this chapter. (Ord. 619, 4-13-2021) | |