As used in this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the meaning herein:
(a) Sign” means any device for visual communication which is designed, intended, or used to convey a message, advertise, inform or otherwise direct attention to a person, institution, organization, activity, business, place, object or product.
(b) Other Definitions.
(1) “Animation” means the presentation of pictorials and graphics on signs displayed in a progression of frames which give the illusion of motion, including but not limited to the illusion of moving objects, moving patterns or bands of light, or expanding or contracting shapes.
(2) “Awning” means a shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of nonrigid materials on a supporting framework. An ‘awning sign’ is a sign that is attached to or a part of such structure.
(3) “Banner” means a nonrigid cloth, plastic or canvas sign with no enclosing framework typically related to a special event or promotion. For the purposes of this Article, the term “banner” shall not include official flags of public entities, or civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations.
(4) “Billboard” means an off-premises sign more than two hundred (200) square feet in area, which is owned by a person, corporation or other entity that engages in the business of selling the advertising space on that sign.
(5) “Canopy” means a structure separate from, but associated by use with a principal building. Such structure is supported independently by posts or columns, is open on all sides, and is intended only for shelter or ornamentation. A ‘canopy sign’ is a sign that is attached to or a part of the roof of such a structure.
(6) “Changeable copy sign” means a sign which, in whole or in part, provides for periodic changes in the material or message composing the sign. This definition includes both electronically and manually changeable signs.
(7) “Character” means any letter of the alphabet or numeral.
(8) “Curb Level” means the mean level of the established curb at the frontage of a lot. Where no curb has been established, the City Engineer shall establish such curb level or its equivalent for the purposes of this Code.
(9) “Directional sign” means any sign which indicates the direction of the specific location of an institution, organization or business, which does not include advertising or any information regarding product lines or services offered.
(10) “Flashing Illumination” means a light source or other image which in whole or in part physically changes in light intensity or gives the appearance of such change.
(11) “Freestanding sign” means a sign which is mounted to the ground and is wholly independent of any building for support.
(12) “Ground sign” means a freestanding detached sign whose support structure is embedded in the ground in such a manner that the sign appears to be resting directly on the ground.
(13) “Height, Sign” means the vertical distance measured from the curb level to the highest point of the sign.
(14) “Marquee” means a multisided overhead structure or architectural projections supported by attachments to a building on one or more sides and either cantilevered from such building or also supported by columns at additional points. ‘Marquee sign’ means a sign that is attached, mounted to, or made a part of a marquee.
(15) “Menu board” means a freestanding sign not more than forty (40) square feet in area, which is located so as to be primarily visible by persons in vehicles within the internal circulation driveway or parking area on the site.
(16) “Movement” means physical movement or revolution of a sign or portion of a sign up or down, around or sideways.
(17) “Mural” means a large picture or graphic illustration that is painted or mounted directly to the surface of an existing building, and covers more than thirty percent (30%) of the building face on which it is displayed.
(18) “Nameplate” means a sign, attached flush against a building identifying the name of the building or the name of an occupant thereof.
(19) “Off-premises sign” means any sign that identifies or provides information related to a good, service or event that is not located on the property where such sign is located.
(20) “Pennant” means a triangular shaped banner displaying no image or words.
(21) “Permanent sign” means a sign intended to be erected or used, or in fact which is used for a time period in excess of sixty (60) days.
(22) “Portable sign” means a sign designed or constructed in such a manner that it can be moved or relocated without involving any structural or support changes and shall include trailer and A-frame signs.
(23) “Projecting sign” means a sign which extends outward perpendicular to the building face.
(24) “Public sign post” means a post, pole, or other structure on which a public safely sign or traffic control device is located.
(25) “Roof sign” means a sign mounted on, and supported by, the main roof portion of a building, or above the uppermost edge of a parapet wall of a building and which is wholly or partially supported by such a building.
(26) “Sign” means any object, device, structure or part thereof used to advertise, identify, display or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images.
Signs as defined herein do not include the flag or emblem of any nation, organization of nations, state, city or any fraternal, religious or civic organizations; one corporate flag; works of art which in no way identify a product; temporary holiday decorations; or landscape features which display no words or symbols.
(27) “Sign, Business” means any sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted on the premises.
(28) “Sign, Construction” means a temporary sign erected during the period of construction advertising the construction of improvements on the property.
(29) “Sign Illuminated” means any sign which is directly lighted by any electrical light source, internal or external, except light sources specifically and clearly operated for the purpose of lighting the general area in which the sign is located rather than the sign itself.
(30) “Sign, Real Estate” means a temporary sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the lot or portion thereof on which the sign is located.
(31) “Sign, Revolving or Rotating” means a sign or sign part which rotates or revolves.
(32) “Streamer” means a ribbon or cord-like rope, which may have multiple pennants or ribbons attached, which is stretched between two (2) supports.
(33) “Temporary sign” means a sign intended to be used, or in place used, for a time period of sixty (60) days or less.
(34) “Wall sign” means a sign attached to a building face, with the exposed face in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall. Wall signs including painted murals, messages, graphics and other designs painted along with any letters or numerals mounted directly on buildings.
(35) “Wind Device” means any flag, banner, pennant, streamer or similar device that moves freely in the wind.
(36) “Window sign” means a sign, graphic, poster, symbol or other identification which is physically affixed to or painted on the glass or other structural component of the window.
(Ord. 23-18. Passed 11-26-18.)