For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. Any business sign or sign structure now or hereafter existing which advertises a business conducted or product sold, which no longer exists or is no longer in business on the premises on which the sign is located. Such sign shall be considered ABANDONED and shall, within 30 days after such abandonment, be removed or modified so as to no longer advertise the previous use, by the sign owner, owner of the property where the sign is located, or other party having control over such sign.
ADVERTISING SIGN. A structure, symbol, display, device, figure, statue, painting, drawing, written or projected message or similar device located outdoors or inside a window directed to the outdoors for the purpose of advertising services or products which are produced, assembled, stored, distributed, leased, sold or serviced upon or from the premises upon which the same is located.
AIR/GAS FILLED BALLOON SIGN. A sign composed of a non-porous bag of material filled with air or gas.
BANNER SIGN. A portable sign of fabric, plastic or other non-rigid material without an enclosing structural framework.
BILLBOARD. A sign located within 500 feet of the right-of-way of U.S. 131 which advertises an establishment, product, service or activity not available or not conducted on the lot on which the sign is located.
BULLETIN BOARD SIGN. A form of “advertising sign” or “institution sign” consisting of a stationary structure used to display information which may be frequently changed in content.
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE BOARD. A sign in which any portion of the informational content of the sign is capable of being changed on a frequent basis, either automatically or by means of electronically displayed text or manually by physically removable letters attached to the surface of the sign, including LED signs.
COMMUNITY EVENT POSTER SIGN. A sign advertising a special community event open to the general public sponsored by a public, municipal or non-profit organization.
DEVELOPMENT SIGN. A sign located on the site of a construction project while the project is under active construction identifying the name of the project and developers, contractors, engineers, architects, brokers and/or financial or governmental institutions involved. To be removed within 30 days of project completion.
DIRECTIONAL AND PARKING SIGN. A structure or symbol containing no advertising text designating an entrance, exit, parking area or direction.
ELECTION SIGN. A sign promoting or opposing candidates or propositions at any general, primary, special, state, school or local public election.
GARAGE, YARD, BASEMENT AND MULTIPLE HOUSEHOLD GOODS SALE SIGNS. A sign which identifies a private, personal sale of surplus household goods of an owner at a residential location by the owner or occupant of the residence and, if desired, by neighbors, which sale complies with the provisions of the township ordinance pertaining to such sales.
HUMAN SIGN. A sign carried or displayed by a person, a person wearing clothing containing an advertising message, or a person wearing a costume for advertising purposes. A HUMAN SIGN is subject to the restrictions and provisions contained elsewhere in this subchapter.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign exclusively designed to identify the name of the owner or occupant and/or address or other similar identification of the premises on which the same is located provided no advertising is included. The foregoing shall not include a franchise or chain-operated business name or logo.
INSTITUTION SIGN. A sign used to identify an institution or organization established for the benefit or use of a public body. For purposes of this definition, this shall be deemed to include, but is not limited to, schools, hospitals for treatment of humans only, churches, libraries, golf courses, cemeteries, fire stations, parks or charitable institutions.
MEMORIAL SIGN. A sign, tablet or plaque memorializing a person, event, structure or site.
NIT. A unit of visible light intensity or luminance commonly used to specify the brightness of digital displays and LCD boards and monitors. One NIT is equivalent to one candela per square meter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign structure advertising a service, establishment, merchandise or entertainment which is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which said sign is located. Where permitted, each parcel shall be allowed to have one off-premises sign. Such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign structure advertising an establishment, service, merchandise or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which said sign is located.
PLACARD. A sign not exceeding two square feet which provides notices of a public nature, such as “No Trespassing”, “No Hunting” signs or “Gas Main” signs.
POLE SIGN. A freestanding sign which is supported by a structure, poles or braces which are less than 50% of the width of the sign.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign which is designed to be moved from one location to another.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign which is affixed to any building or structure including a marquee and which projects in such a way that the message is not parallel to the wall to which it is attached.
READER BOARD. A portion of a sign on which copy is changed manually.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign which advertises the sale, rental or lease of properties on which it is located and includes the name, location and/or telephone number of the business office of the owner, agent or agency involved and which is removed immediately upon the confirmation of the sale, rental or lease.
RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION SIGN. A sign identifying or recognizing a platted subdivision, site condominium, multi-family or other residential development.
ROOF LINE. The top of a roof or parapet wall, whichever is higher, but excluding any cupolas, chimneys or other minor projections.
ROOF SIGN. A sign erected above the roof line of a building and attached to the building.
SIGN. A device, structure, fixture or placard which may or may not use graphics, symbols and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising or identifying an establishment, product, service or activity or otherwise intended or used to advise or inform.
SIGN AREA. The area of a sign, for the purposes of this subchapter, shall be computed around the perimeter of its frame or border where such exists or around the perimeter of its symbols or letters or other display elements where no border or frame exists. Signs facing in opposite directions on a single frame not more than two feet apart shall only be measured for area on one side of the same. The area of all other signs facing in more than one direction shall be the total area of each side measured collectively. The AREA OF A SIGN shall not include the area of its supporting structure if the supporting structure contains no advertising or surface display lighting and is substantially less in area than the advertising display lighting and is substantially less in area than the advertising display surface of the sign. Decals or wording on a sign identifying the regional or national affiliation of a business or facility shall be included in computing the AREA OF THE SIGN.
SIGN STRUCTURE. The assembled components which make up an outdoor sign display, including, but not limited to, uprights, supports, facings and trim.
STRING LIGHTS. Exterior string lights used in connection with a commercial premises, other than holiday decorations, which shall be removed within 15 days after the holiday.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign, poster, banner, structure or symbol designed and intended for limited advertising, promotional information or identification purposes.
TRI-VISION SIGN. A sign composed of a series of three-sided panels lined up beside each other, which, when turned together, allow three individual sign images to be displayed.
UNSAFE SIGN. Any sign which is structurally or electronically unsafe.
UTILITY POLE MOUNTED SIGN. Any sign erected on a utility pole or directional sign post.
VEHICLE SIGN. Signs displayed on any vehicle or trailer when the subject vehicle or trailer is parked in such a manner that the obvious intent is to attract attention to a business, service or commodity on the premises.
WALL SIGN. A sign which is attached to or painted upon a building wall or other structure having a different primary purpose than a sign (such as a fence, awning, water tower or storage tank) and which does not project more than 18 inches there from. The exposed face of the sign must be in a plane parallel to the wall or structure and the sign must not extend above the height of the wall or structure.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.
(Prior Code, Ch. XV, § 12.12.02) (Ord. 1977-1, passed 10-10-1977)