For purposes of this title, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(a) "Abandoned sign." A sign is deemed abandoned when the activity, business, or use to which it related has been discontinued. Also, an abandoned sign for which no legal owner can reasonably be found or otherwise exhibits characteristics of abandonment in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator based on standards such as those contained in Section 1284.07.
(b) "Awning." A retractable or fixed shelter constructed of non-rigid materials on a supporting framework that projects from the exterior wall of a building. An awning is the same as a canopy.
(c) "Awning sign." A sign painted on, printed on, or attached flat against the surface of an awning or canopy (see Figure 1284.01).
(d) "Balloon Sign." See "inflatable sign."
(e) "Banner Sign." A sign made from fabric, plastic, vinyl, or other non-rigid material (see Figure 1284.02). A banner sign will be defined as one of the following:
(1) "Banner Sign, Temporary." A temporary sign of made from fabric, plastic, vinyl, or other non-rigid material without an enclosing structural framework attached to or hung from a pole, rope or to a building or structure.
(2) "Banner Sign, Permanent." Wall signs exclusively made from plastic, vinyl, or other non-rigid materials that are permanently affixed to the wall of a building with fasteners. Permanent banner signs may or may not have a frame surrounding the sign area. All permanent banner signs must be maintained in an orderly manner and replaced as necessary.
(f) "Dangerous Sign." A sign that has fallen into disrepair and is deemed to be structurally unsound and dangerous to the public.
(h) "Festoons." A string of ribbons, tinsel, flags, pennants, or pinwheels.
(i) "Flag." A lightweight piece of cloth, fabric, or other similar material that is attached either to a pole used exclusively for the purpose of flag display or attached to a permanent building using a flag pole bracket (see Figure 1284.03).
(j) "Flashing sign." A sign that contains a rapidly intermittent or changing light source.
(k) "Freestanding sign." A sign not attached to a building or wall that is supported by one or more poles or braces or that rests on the ground or on a foundation resting on the ground.
(l) "Government sign." A sign erected or required to be erected by the City of Ionia, Ionia County, or the state or federal government.
(m) "Illegal sign." A sign that does not meet the requirements of this chapter and that is not entitled to legal nonconforming status.
(n) "Incidental sign." A sign on private property placed in a manner so as to be read by persons within the site, and that is not intended to be visible to persons passing by on streets or other rights-of-way. Incidental signs may convey messages such as "no parking," "entrance," "loading only," "telephone," "handicap," "no hunting," "no trespassing," "pick up," or other interpretive, non-commercial messages.
(o) "Inflatable sign." ("Balloon sign"). Any three-dimensional object, including a tethered balloon, capable of being filled with air or gas depicting a character, figure, product or product trademark, whether or not such object contains a message or lettering.
(p) "Mansard." A sloped roof or roof-like facade architecturally comparable to a building wall.
(q) "Mansard sign." A sign that is mounted, painted on, or attached to a mansard.
(r) "Marquee." A permanent structure constructed of rigid materials that projects from the exterior wall of a building.
(s) "Marquee sign." A sign affixed to the surface of a marquee (see Figure 1284.04).
(t) "Monument sign." A freestanding sign supported by a base that rests directly on the ground, where the width of the base is at least 50 percent of the width of the sign (see Figure 1284.05).
(u) "Nonconforming sign." A sign or portion of a sign lawfully existing at the effective date of the City's zoning regulations or amendments thereto, but which does not conform to the current regulations of the zoning district in which it is located. The burden to establish the pre-existing lawfulness of the sign rests with the property owner.
(v) "Painted wall sign." A sign that is applied with paint or similar substance on the face of a wall or the roof of a building.
(w) "Pole sign." A free-standing sign that is supported by a structure, pole(s), or brace(s) that are less than 50 percent of the width of the sign (see Figure 1284.06).
(x) "Pennant." A flag or cloth that tapers to a point.
(y) "Portable sign." A sign that, by its nature, is intended to be easily moved from one location to another, typically a sign supported on a metal chassis and may include copy that can be changed manually through the use of attachable characters, but not including sidewalk signs, banners, or similar signs as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(z) "Projecting sign." A double-faced sign attached to a building or wall that extends more than 12 inches but not more than 48 inches from the face of the building or wall (see Figure 1284.07). The sign shall not extend vertically beyond the window sill of the second story.
(aa) "Reader board sign." One of the following:
(1) "Manual." A sign on which the letters or pictorials are changed manually or;
(2) "Electronic reader board." A sign with a fixed or changing display or message composed of a series of lights that may be changed through electronic means excluding video signs and flashing signs, but not including a video sign.
(3) "Multi-vision sign." Any sign composed in whole or in part of a series of vertical or horizontal slats or cylinders that are capable of being rotated at intervals so that partial rotation of the group of slats or cylinders produces a different image or images.
(bb) "Roof line." The top of a roof or parapet wall, whichever is higher, but excluding any cupolas, chimneys, or other minor projections.
(cc) "Roof sign." A sign that is attached to or is placed on the roof of a building.
(dd) "Rotating sign." A sign in which the sign itself or any portion of the sign moves in a revolving or similar manner. Such motion does not refer to methods of changeable copy.
(ee) "Sidewalk sign." An A-frame sign that is portable and designed to be placed on the sidewalk in front of the use it advertises (see Figure 1284.08). Also commonly called a "sandwich board sign."
(ff) "Sign." A device, structure, fixture, figure or placard that may or may not use graphics, symbols, emblems, numbers, lights and/or written copy posted in a manner to communicate information to the public. House numbers, addresses, and name plates not exceeding two square feet shall not be considered signs.
(1) "Permanent sign." A sign installed on a support structure, not intended to be moved or removed, but to remain for an indefinite period of time.
(2) "Temporary sign." A sign installed for a limited period of time, intended to be removed within a time period as specified herein. A "portable sign" is considered a type of "temporary sign."
(gg) "Snipe sign." A sign that is attached to a utility pole, tree, fence, or to any object located or situated on public property, or private property without permission.
(hh) "Streamers." A long, narrow strip of material used as a decoration or symbol.
(ii) "Under canopy sign." A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee.
(jj) "Wall sign." A sign painted or attached directly to and parallel to the exterior wall of a building extending no greater than 12 inches from the exterior face of a wall to which it is attached (see Figure 1284.09).
(kk) "Window sign." A sign installed inside a window and intended to be viewed from the outside (see Figure 1284.10).
(ll) "Vehicle sign." A sign painted on, incorporated in, or attached directly to any mode of transportation, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, buses, boats, trailers, semi-trailers or airplanes.
(mm) "Video sign." A sign that displays moving images as on a television.
(nn) "Wire frame sign." A temporary sign made of corrugated plastic, vinyl, cardboard, poster board or similar material that is supported by or attached to a metal frame.
(Ord. 558. Passed 1-4-22.)