The following are definitions of specialized terms and phrases used in this Chapter and as may otherwise be appropriate in this Code:
(a) Sign Definitions, General.
(1) Abandoned Sign - A sign that no longer identifies or advertises an ongoing business, product, location, service, or activity.
(2) Alteration - Any change of copy, sign face, color, size, shape, illumination, position, location, construction, or supporting structure of any sign.
(3) Building Frontage - The length of a building or structure along a public street. The building frontage is measured by the linear distance of the building façade.
(4) Channel Letters - Three-dimensional individually cut letters or figures affixed to a structure.
(5) External Illumination - The lighting of a sign from a source outside the sign.
(6) Height, Maximum - Measured from grade to the highest edge of the sign surface or its projecting structure.
(7) Height, Minimum - The distance measured from grade to the lowest edge of the sign surface or its projecting structure.
(8) Internally Illuminated - A sign with the light source located in the interior of the sign so that the rays go through the face of the sign, or has a light source which is attached to the face of the sign and is perceived as a design element of the sign.
(9) Nonconforming Sign - Any sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the effective date of this Chapter, constructed in conformance with the ordinances and other applicable laws in effect on the date of its construction, but by reason of its size, height, location, design, or construction is no longer in conformance with the regulations of this Chapter.
(10) Roof Edge - On a pitched roof, the lowest portion of the fascia board covering the roof rafters, or if no fascia board exists, the lowest point of the roof rafters. On a flat roof, the top of the parapet wall or three (3) feet above the roof deck, whichever is less. See Figure 21. Roof Edge.
(11) Sign - A name, message, identification, image, description, display, logo, or illustration which is affixed to, painted, or otherwise located, set upon, or in, a building, bench, structure or land and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, idea, message, or business and which is visible outdoors. The definition does not include goods orderly displayed in a window.
(12) Window Area - The glass panes area. Found by multiplying the height of the window pane by the length of the window pane. The area must be separate for each window. A group of window panes may be considered one window if they are adjoining on the building face and are less than six (6) inches apart. See Figure 22.
(b) Sign Definitions, Sign Types. The following definitions apply to types of signs based on the characteristics of the sign without respect to the content of the message:
(1) Air-Activated Signs - A sign that is an air inflated object, which may be of various shapes, is made of flexible material, rests on the ground or structure and is equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device. Air-activated signs are often restrained, attached, or held in place by a cord, rope, cable, or similar method.
(2) Animated or Moving Sign - A sign that uses movement, lighting, or special materials to depict action or create a special effect to imitate movement.
(3) Awning Sign - A projecting sign painted or screen printed on the exterior surface of an awning. See Figure 23.
(4) Balloon Sign - A sign that is an air inflated object, which, unlike air-activated signs, retains its shape. A balloon sign is made of flexible material, rests on the ground or structure, and may be equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device. Balloon signs are often restrained, attached, or held in place by a cord, rope, cable, or similar method.
(5) Banner or Pennant - A sign on paper, cloth, fabric or other flexible material of any kind that is attached flat either to a wall or temporarily to a permanent sign face. See Figure 24.
(6) Billboard Sign (Outdoor Advertising Sign) - An off premises outdoor sign advertising goods, services, or ideas, typically attached to a permanent structure near a roadway.
(7) Blade Sign - A small, pedestrian-oriented sign mounted so that the sign face is perpendicular to the face of the building. See Figure 25.
(8) Building Sign - See Wall Sign definition
(9) Canopy Sign - A projecting sign affixed to the side or bottom surface(s) of an attached or freestanding canopy. See Figure 26.
(10) Changeable Copy Sign - A sign or portion thereof on which the copy is manually installed through placement of copy and symbols on a panel mounted in or on a track system.
(11) Directional Sign - A sign that's intended to direct the flow of traffic, transmit parking information, or convey similar information.
(12) Double-faced Sign - A sign having two (2) identical faces of equal size, arranged and/or positioned back-to-back.
(13) Electronic Message Center (EMC) Sign - An electrically activated changeable-copy sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed. EMCs typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as lighting sources.
(14) Feather Sign - A flexible material shaped like a feather or similar shape that is attached on one side to a flexible or rigid pole, which is used for the primary purpose of advertising or attention getting.
(15) Festoons - A string of ribbons, pennants, spinners, streamers, tinsel, small flags, pinwheels, or lights, typically strung overhead.
(16) Flag - A sign on paper, cloth, fabric or other flexible material of any kind that is attached to a pole.
(17) Freestanding Sign - A sign supported by one or more uprights, poles, pylons, monuments, or braces placed in the ground and not attached to any building or other structure. Freestanding signs include, but are not limited to, Pole Signs and Monument Signs.
(18) Incidental Sign - A small sign, usually two (2) square feet or less, designed and located to be read only by people near or within the site and generally not visible or legible from the public right-of-way or adjacent properties. Examples of incidental signs include, but are not limited to, credit card signs, signs indicating hours of business, no smoking signs, signs prohibiting concealed carry weapons, signs used to designate bathrooms, handicapped signs, traffic control signs that conform to the requirements of the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and other signs providing information to be read at close proximity.
(19) Interior Sign - A sign placed within a building, but not including a window sign as defined by this Code, that is not visible from any public street, sidewalk, alley, park or public property.
(20) Joint Identification Sign - A sign which serves as a common or collective identification for two or more uses located within the same building, or which share a common wall, or for two or more buildings located within a jointly used area, provided the buildings are in close proximity to one another.
(21) Monument Sign - A base-mounted, freestanding sign placed in the ground and not attached to any building or other structure. See Figure 27.
(22) Nameplate Sign - A sign that is attached to a door or wall and that shows the name of the person, group, building, or company that lives or works in the premises.
(23) Neon Sign - A glass tube lighting in which a gas and phosphors are used in combination to create a colored light.
(24) People Sign - A portable sign held by a person and displayed for the purposes of expressing a message.
(25) Permanent Sign - A sign constructed of durable materials and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises.
(26) Pole Sign - A type of freestanding sign that is elevated above the ground on poles or braces. See Figure 28.
(27) Projecting Sign - A sign attached to a building or other structure, and extending beyond the attachment surface by more than eighteen (18) inches. A "projecting Sign" is differentiated from a "wall sign" based on the distance the sign projects from the surface of the building. Examples of projecting signs may include "awning signs", "blade signs" and "canopy signs".
(28) Revolving Sign - An animated sign that revolves around an external axis driven by wind or electromechanical devices.
(29) Roof Sign - A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects above the highest point of a building.
(30) Sandwich Board Sign - A portable sign or sign board that is freestanding and not permanently anchored or secured to either a building, structure, or the ground.
(31) Temporary Sign - Any sign capable of being removed after a designated period of time.
(32) Vehicle Sign - A sign that is attached to or painted on a vehicle that is parked on or adjacent to any property, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or business located on the property.
(33) Wall Sign - A sign attached to, painted on, inscribed, or otherwise set upon the exterior wall or surface of any building, which projects eighteen (18) inches or less from the wall. See Figure 29.
(34) Window Sign - A sign that is painted on or attached to a window or glass door. See Figure 30.
(35) Yard Sign - A portable sign or sign board that is freestanding and temporarily anchored or secured to the ground.
(Ord. 2021-057. Passed 6-16-21.)