The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Awning or canopy sign means a sign that is attached to, or made a part of, an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover, such as over a door, window, or other opening to a building or over a gas pump. An awning or canopy sign is a type of wall sign when calculating wall sign area.
Banner sign means any nonrigid linear or rope-like sign (usually made of cloth, plastic, or canvas and has no enclosing framework) that is mounted or attached to a building, object, or the ground. A pennant is a triangular-shaped banner that might be blank or might display images or words. A ribbon is a rectangular-shaped banner [that] might be blank or might display images or words. A streamer may have multiple banners, pennants, and/or ribbons attached and is stretched or hung between two or more points. National or state flags or the official flag of any institution shall not be considered banners.
Billboard sign means an off-site sign that advertises an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment that is not sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property on which said sign is located. Also known as an outdoor advertising sign.
Building marker means a cornerstone, a historical marker, or similar sign with letters, words, or insignia cut into the building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building, which convey a memorial, the name of the building, address or date of construction, or similar noncommercial message.
Business identification sign means a freestanding or wall sign that is intended to announce or promote the use, activity, service, or business on the premises of any retail or service business, shopping center, manufacturing establishment, industrial park, or similar. Such a sign may include a directory of occupants. This does not include any sign that includes any additional information such as an arrow, map, phone number, for sale or for rent, or development amenities.
Changeable copy sign means a freestanding or wall sign or portion of a sign that permits computer-driven or manually-changeable copy that provides non-moving messages and does not change messages more than four times per day.
Construction site sign means a temporary sign identifying the name of a subdivision, building, and/or public works project or facility and/or an architect, engineer, contractor, developer, subcontractor, material supplier, and/or similar occupations participating during the time of construction. Also known as a project construction site sign.
Directional sign means a sign located at or near the public right-of-way, private street, or public road easement that directs or guides traffic and parking from the street onto a property.
Directory sign means a freestanding or wall sign that lists the tenants of a business property or lists informational items for an institutional land use.
Flag means the colors and/or emblem of a government body, association, group, business, or corporation. A string of flags is a streamer and is not included in this definition.
Freestanding sign means a sign that is permanently embedded and/or anchored in the ground, in concrete, or similar. This includes a sign that has a decorative foundation or base, such as brick and/or stone. A freestanding sign is also known as a ground sign, ground-mounted sign, monument sign, or pole sign.
Ground sign means a sign that is attached to two or more poles that are permanently embedded and/or anchored in a decorative foundation or base, such as brick and/or stone. A ground sign is also known as a ground-mounted sign.
Illuminated sign means a sign with an artificial light source for the purpose of illuminating the sign. An externally-illuminated sign is illuminated by an external source that reflects light off the surface of a sign face. An internally-illuminated sign has internal light source that emits light through the sign face.
Instructional sign means a sign whose purpose is secondary to the use on the lot and is intended to instruct employees, customers, and/or users as to specific parking requirements, the location or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building, specific services offered, and/or methods of payments accepted.
Menu board means a sign whose purpose is to show menu selections and prices to drive-through window customers and is usually associated with the remote order-taking system. A preorder board is a variation of a menu board and is usually located prior to the remote order-taking system.
Monument sign means a sign that is not attached to poles and uses decorative materials, such as brick and/or stone, to frame or to hold the sign.
Nonconforming sign means a sign that was erected legally but does not comply with these sign regulations.
Nameplate means a sign on the building that indicates only the name and/or address of the person, business, home occupation, profession, or activity occupying the lot. A separate nameplate is allowed for each such entity. A nameplate may be used as part of the operation or maintenance of any equipment that is on site.
Outdoor advertising sign means an off-site sign that advertises an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment that is not sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at the property on which said sign is located. Also known as a billboard sign.
Pole sign means a sign that is attached to one or two poles that are permanently embedded and/or anchored in the ground, in concrete, or similar. A pole sign does not have a decorative foundation or base, such as brick and/or stone.
Project construction sign means a temporary sign identifying the name of a subdivision, building, and/or public works project or facility and/or an architect, engineer, contractor, developer, subcontractor, material supplier, and/or similar occupations participating during the time of construction. Also known as a construction site sign.
Public purpose or safety sign means a sign erected by a public authority, utility, public service organization, or private industry upon the public right-of-way or easement or, when required by law, on private property that is intended to control traffic; to direct, identify or inform the public; or to provide a needed public service, as determined by the rules and regulations of governmental agencies or through public policy. Such signs include "no parking" or "fire lane" signs.
Projecting sign means a sign attached to a wall or facade where the exposed face of the sign is perpendicular to the plane of that wall or facade or forms a V angle of 45 degrees or more. A projecting sign extends more than 12 inches from the wall or facade and does not project above the roofline.
Residential development identification sign means a freestanding or wall sign identifying the only the name and/or address of a residential subdivision or multifamily development. This does not include any sign that includes any additional information, such as an arrow, map, phone number, home prices or apartment rents, or development amenities.
Residential district means any zoning district primarily intended for residential land uses, currently including agricultural-residential (A-R), residential-mobile home park (R-MPH), resort residential (RR), A-R/R-40, A-R/R-40/20, R-10, R-20, R-40, or the residential portion of a planned unit development (PUD) plus any of these that are associated with a special use district (SUD) or a watershed protection district (WSPD).
Roof sign means a sign erected on or over the roof of a building or a sign that is affixed to a wall or facade where any part of the sign extends above that wall or facade.
Sign shall include any device that is intended and/or designed to announce, inform, direct, and/or advertise and may be represented by words or letters, figures, symbols or characterizations, and/or other graphics.
Sign, commercial message means a sign that conveys a message of a commercial nature including commercial activity, content, commodity, service, entertainment, product, transaction, use, or advertising for any business.
Sign, non-commercial message means a sign which has no commercial content, but instead involves only the expression of ideals, opinions, or beliefs.
Streamer means a length of material that contains multiple banners, pennants, and/or ribbons attached and is stretched or hung between two or more points.
Temporary commercial sign means a temporary sign that is designed to be used for a time period of one month or less; is intended for commercial use or expression; and is not permanently attached to a structure or the ground. Such signs include corrugated and plastic core signs on metal or plastic legs or spikes, "daily special" signs, sale signs for merchandise such as a Presidents' Day sale, political signs, trailer signs, A-frame and sandwich board signs, air-activated attraction devices such as balloons and inflated figures, and frame signs as are used in residential real estate.
Under-canopy sign means a sign suspended beneath an awning, canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee and is intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk.
Wall sign means a sign attached to, or painted on, a building face, with the exposed face of the sign being in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall or forms a V angle of less then 45 degrees. Also included is a sign that is a part of, attached to, or painted on an awning or canopy. A wall sign does not extend more than 12 inches from building face and does not project above the roofline or beyond any corner of the building. A ghost sign, the remaining image of a previous sign that is still visible, is considered to be a wall sign.
Window sign means a sign that is physically affixed to, or painted on, the glass or other structural component of the window or is placed behind the glass and can be read by people outside of the building. By definition, a sign includes a poster, graphics, symbols, or other identification.
Yard sign means a temporary sign intended for non-commercial use or expression. Such signs include baby and birthday celebration signs, garage or yard sale signs, and political signs.
(Ord. of 7-10-2000, §§ 11.2, 11.3; Amend. of 9-5-2006; Amend. of - - )
Cross reference—Definitions generally, § 1-2.