Words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined in the zoning ordinance of the city shall be given the meanings set forth in such chapter. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
ABANDONED. Any sign which no longer gives correct directions to, location of, description of a business, service or activity performed, or product sold or a sign not being properly maintained. Any such sign which is related to a business, service, activity or product which has not been operating, performed, or sold for a period of ninety (90) days, or which the business activity has relocated, shall be considered an abandoned sign. A sign associated with a vacant business or property which is advertised and marketed for sale or lease shall not be considered abandoned.
ADMINISTRATOR. The Zoning Administrator or his/her designated representative.
BILLBOARD. A permanent free-standing sign to which is attached a sign face at least two hundred (200) square feet in area, containing a message relating to an activity or product that is foreign to the site on which the sign is located or an advertising device erected by a company or individual for the purpose of selling advertising messages for profit.
BUILDING. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls for the shelter or enclosure of persons or property.
CANOPY SIGN. Any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window, or outdoor service area.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN/BULLETIN BOARD. A sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a “time and temperature” portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for purposes of this chapter.
ERECT. To construct, reconstruct, build, relocate, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or establish; but it shall not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of message or routine maintenance.
FREE-STANDING SIGN. Any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
GROUND-MOUNTED SIGN. A free-standing sign with a solid base.
ILLEGAL SIGN. A sign which was not in compliance with this, or the applicable chapter when it was erected, installed, altered or displayed.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. A sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as “no parking”, “entrance”, “loading only”, “telephone”, “hours of operation” and other similar directives. No commercial message may exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of such sign.
INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS UNIT. A business which is located in a structurally independent building which has its own entrance and exit.
LOT. Any piece or parcel of land or a portion of a subdivision thereof, the boundaries of which have been established by some legal instrument of record, that is recognized and intended as a unit for the purpose of transfer of ownership and having its principle frontage on an officially approved street or place.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN. A sign lawfully erected and legally existing on the effective date of this chapter, or of amendments thereto, but which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business, service or product offered not located on the same lot where the sign is displayed.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business, service or product offered on the same lot where the sign is displayed.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; balloons used as signs; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way whose primary purpose is advertising.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING. The building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is located. Lots with multiple principal uses may have multiple principal buildings, but storage buildings, garages, and other clearly accessory uses shall not be considered principal buildings.
PUBLIC SERVICE SIGN. Noncommercial signs necessary to promote health, safety and welfare and other regulatory, statutory, traffic control or directional signs erected on public property with permission as appropriate from the State of Kentucky, the United States or the city of Madisonville. Signs which indicate scenic or historical points of interest and identify public property are public service signs. Off-premise signs placed by a public agency for the purpose of guiding persons to emergency centers or places of public interest are also included.
SIGN. Any writing, pictorial presentation, number, illustration or decoration, flag, banner or pennant or other device which is used to announce, direct attention to, identify, advertise or otherwise make anything known.
SIGN FACE. That part of a sign that is or may be used for copy.
SIGN FACE AREA. The total area contained within a single continuous perimeter enclosing all parts of such sign but excluding any structural elements outside the limits of the sign which are required for the supporting of such sign.
STREET FRONTAGE. The distance along which a lot line adjoins a public street right- of-way from one lot line intersecting the street to the furthest distant lot line intersecting the
same street. For purposes of this chapter, a development project containing more than one lot along a street shall be considered to have only one street frontage on that street. Corner lots have at least two (2) street fronts.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected with a fixed location on the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground. Among other things, structures include buildings, walls, fences and signs.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign including, but not limited to, paper, cardboard and fabric signs, which is used for a limited period of time and is not permanently mounted.
WALL SIGN. A sign painted or attached to a wall of a building and is parallel to the wall.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign that is placed inside a window, or applied or attached to window panes or glass, and which is visible from the exterior of the window and is not painted or otherwise permanently affixed to the window. Signs that are painted or otherwise permanently affixed to the window shall be considered wall signs.
(Ord. 99-06, passed 6-7-99)