1145.02 DEFINITIONS.

   (a)    As used in this chapter certain terms are defined as follows:

      (1)   The "area" of a sign is defined as the entire area enclosed within the geometric forms known as a square, rectangle, triangle or circle, or combinations of these geometric forms, comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of matter displayed together with any special or differentiating background.

When elements of a sign are so organized, related and composed as to form a unit and thereby a single sign, but the elements are separated by open space, the surface area shall not be the sum of the surface areas of the elements but shall be the entire area, including open space, within the geometric form or combinations of geometric forms comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of matter displayed together with any special or differentiating background.

The area of a sign or signs permitted for any development, establishment or lot shall be the total area of all the faces of all the signs visible to traffic proceeding in any one direction on any public way.

The poles and other structural members shall be considered as part of a sign but shall not be included in the calculations for area.

      (2)    "Building signs" are classified by mounting and include wall (flat and projecting), marquee and awning signs.

      (3)    "Bulletin board" means an announcement sign located on the lot of a public, charitable or religious institution.

      (4)    "Directional sign" means a sign indicating the direction traffic is intended to flow or any such instructions intended to promote safety around the premises on which such signs are located.

      (5)    "Display surface" means the area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising message.

      (6)    "Fixed canopy" and "fixed awning" means any hood, canopy or awning made of cloth or with metal frames attached to a building, projecting over a public right of way and carried by a frame, supported by the ground or sidewalk.

      (7)    "Retractable canopy" and "retractable awning" means any hood, canopy or awning made of cloth or metal, with metal frames attached to a building, and so erected as to permit its being retracted when not in use.

      (8)    "Flashing" includes revolving or rotating if the effect of flashing or color-changing is produced.

      (9)    "Free-standing sign" means any sign which is neither attached to a building nor an integral part of a building and includes a sign attached to a steel pole, steel beam or steel column or other suitable material approved by the Building Commissioner or attached to or forming an integral part of a structure other than a building. Ground signs, pole and pylon signs fall under this general definition.

      (10)   “Ground sign” means a freestanding sign which has a supporting base designed as an integral part of the sign and resting totally or primarily on the ground.

      (11)    "Illuminated sign" means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as part of the sign proper.

      (12)    "Informal sign" means a sign which is designed to give general information of special interest to the public. Such signs shall be limited to information about the location of places for lodging, eating, vehicle service, natural phenomena, historic sites, areas of natural scenic beauty or outdoor recreation facilities. Such sign, unless erected by the City, shall not be erected without prior authorization from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

      (13)    "Marquee sign" means a sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a marquee, to a roof over an entrance or to a permanent awning.

      (14)    "Mechanical sign" means any sign which is animated, revolving, moves up, down or sideways or vibrates.

      (15)    "Nameplate" means a sign indicating the name of the occupant, address and/or profession and located on the lot of the occupant.

      (16)    "Off-site sign" means a sign referring to goods or services offered at another location such as a billboard.

      (17)    "On-site sign" means a sign which has a direct bearing to the premises on which the sign is located.

      (18)   “Pole sign” means a sign which is supported wholly by a pole or poles and designed so as to permit pedestrian or vehicular traffic thereunder.

      (19)    "Political sign" means a sign for the purpose of endorsement, support advocacy or opposition to a candidate or candidates for political office or cause and/or issue, at any general, primary or special election on all levels of government; or a sign expressing an opinion or belief.

      (20)    "Projecting sign" means any sign which is attached to a building but is either not attached flat against a wall of such building or contains a display surface which is not parallel to the wall to which it is attached.

      (21)   “Pylon sign” means a sign whose sign face area extends from the top of the sign to within one foot of the ground. The support structure shall present one solid face per side and be at least three fourths the width of the sign face. The sign shall be at least five feet in height.

      (22)    "Real estate sign" means a sign pertaining to the rental, sale or lease of property on which the sign is displayed.

      (23)    "Roof sign" means any sign erected, constructed and maintained upon or over the roof of any building with the principal support on the roof structure.

      (24)    "Setback from adjacent property" means the distance from the adjacent side or rear property lines.

      (25)    "Setback from street" means the distance from the street right of way.

      (26)    "Sign" means any permanent or temporary publicly displayed notice, message, symbol, design, insignia, placard, poster or other device designed to be seen from an outdoor location and which by any means is placed, erected or constructed on or otherwise applied or attached to any premises or on any building, structure or surface, or is visibly readable through any transparent portion of a building, which is designed, intended or used to advertise, inform or direct attention to a person, institution, organization, activity, place, object or product.

      (27)    "Sign permit application" means an application signed by both the owner and the contractor.

      (28)   “Subdivision sign” means a temporary sign which identifies the name of a subdivision during the time of construction.

      (29)    "Temporary sign" means any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, plywood fabric, cardboard, wallboard or similar lightweight materials, with or without frames, that is intended to be displayed for a short period of time.

      (30)    "Time and temp device" means a device or sign used to display the time of day and/or temperature.

      (31)    "Wall sign" means a sign erected parallel to and integral with the surface on which it is mounted or integral with the wall of any building.

      (32)   “Window sign” means a sign painted on, attached to, or suspended directly behind or in front of a window or the glass portion of a door.

         (Ord. 5-1995. Passed 5-9-95.)

      (33)   “Digital sign” means a sign usually consisting of (or has a portion comprised of) a computer, programmable display, microprocessor or playback device connected to a large, bright digital screen such as a liquid crystal, light emitting diode, computer, plasma or similar display. This shall include electronic moving message and digital display signs that display electronic text information, electronic changeable copy, still images, graphics or pictures, with or without information.

         (Ord. 7-2014. Passed 5-13-14.)