(A) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(B) Any word or term not interpreted or defined by this chapter shall be used with a meaning of common or standard utilization. A dictionary may be consulted.
ADVERTISING SIGNS. A sign which directs attention to a business or profession lawfully conducted or to a commodity, service, or entertainment sold or offered.
(a) OFF-PREMISES. An advertising sign which has a message relating to a business, service, commodity, or profession lawfully being conducted, sold, or offered on premises other than that upon which the sign is located. This includes billboard and other signs unrelated to the use of the land on which it is located.
(b) ON-PREMISES. An advertising sign which has a message relating to a business, service, commodity, or profession lawfully being conducted, sold, or offered on the same premises.
AMBIENT LIGHT LEVEL. The amount of illumination that is already present in the area before any additional light is added.
AWNING or CANOPY SIGN. A non-ridged fabric or Plexiglas (or similar material) structure, which is attached to a building by supporting framework, which includes a business identification message symbol and/or logo.
BEACON LIGHTS. A light normally attached to the tip of a pole or other structure intended to attract attention to nearby pedestrians or motorists and not to illuminate a sign message.
BENCH SIGN. A bench or similar device containing either off-premise or on-premise advertising.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD. Signs whose alphabetic, pictographic, or symbolic informational content can be changed or altered on a fixed display screen composed of electrically illuminated segments.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign illuminated by a source of light outside of the sign structure and shielded so that no direct rays are visible from any surrounding areas.
GROUND SIGN. A sign which is mounted permanently in the ground on a masonry base or monument.
INSTITUTIONAL BULLETIN BOARD. A sign located on the site of a religious institution, school, library, community center, service, or civic institution, governmental unit, or similar nonprofit institution and constructed to allow for changeable messages.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign illuminated by a source of light inside of the sign structure and shielded so that no direct rays are visible from any surrounding areas.
MARQUEE SIGNS. An identification sign attached to or a part of a marquee, canopy, or awning projecting from and supported by the building above the sidewalk level.
MOVABLE SIGNS. A sign anchored to a trailer or frame that is capable of being moved from place to place. Such sign must be anchored securely to the ground.
MULTITENANT SIGNS. An identification sign for a commercial site with multiple tenants, displaying the names of each tenant on the site.
OBSOLETE SIGNS. An on-premise sign that advertises an establishment, merchandise, service or entertainment that is no longer sold, produced, manufactured, furnished on the premises or a business that has closed.
POLE SIGNS. A permanently affixed sign which is erected upon or supported by the ground on one or more poles, uprights or braces.
POLITICAL SIGNS. A temporary sign used in connection with local, state, or national elections or ballot issues.
PORTABLE SIGNS. A freestanding sign not permanently anchored to either a building or the ground or to a trailer and shall be displayed only during business hours.
PROJECTING SIGNS. A sign which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building and does not extend beyond the minimum required setback line or into and over street right-of-way, and not less than nine feet, at its lowest point, above sidewalk, or ground level and shall not extend more than six feet from its origin.
REAL ESTATE SIGN/RENTAL SIGNS. An on-premises temporary sign advertising property or structure’s availability for sale or lease.
REAL ESTATE OPEN HOUSE (TEMPORARY) SIGNS. Temporary signs, which advertise and direct the public to an open house for a building, which is available for sale or lease, with the event, held on a specific day.
ROOF SIGN. A sign that extends more than 24 inches above the roofline.
ROOFLINE. The intersection of the plane of the outer surface of the wall and the plane of the outer surface of the roof.
SIGN. A name, identification, description, display, or illustration that is affixed to, painted, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or property for the purpose of attracting attention or conveying information.
STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE. The property which is measured from the centerline of the road using one-half of the road’s right-of-way width (typically extending to one foot on the house side of the sidewalk).
SURFACE DISPLAY AREA. For the purposes of calculating display area, the SURFACE DISPLAY AREA of any sign is defined as the entire area within a single rectangular continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of lettering, representations, emblems, or other figures, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed. Structural members bearing no sign copy shall not be included. Both sides or all faces of a sign shall be included in calculating SURFACE DISPLAY AREA, unless otherwise provided for in this chapter.
TEMPORARY SIGNS. A freestanding sign, moveable, portable sign, banner, or gas filled figures.
(a) TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION SIGNS. Signs located on development and construction projects in any zoning district; provided, that the signs are used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
VARIANCE, DIMENSIONAL. A variance request that requires an exception from a requirement related to dimension or size in this chapter, such as sign area, sign height, and the like.
VARIANCE, NONDIMENSIONAL. A variance request that requires an exception from any requirement that is not a dimension or size.
WALL SIGN. A sign which is attached directly to or painted upon a building wall and which does not extend more than 12 inches from the wall nor above the top of the wall or the beginning of the roof. A canopy sign is considered a WALL SIGN.
WINDOW SIGNS. Signs affixed to, in contact with, or within 12 inches of a window, installed for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. This does not include merchandise located in a window.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. The authorized individual charged with the responsibility of administering this chapter and designated by the Village Manager.
(1984 Code, Ch. 6-03) (Ord. 464, passed 5-11-2021)