The following standards and definitions shall apply to this section. Means of measurement are illustrated in the figures in Appendix A to this chapter. Typical sign types are illustrated in Appendix A.
(A) Measurement of sign area. The area of the largest single face of the sign within the perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame which is an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports, uprights or solid base upon which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or modules, all areas will be totaled. Any irregularly shaped sign’s area shall be computed using the actual sign face surface. Signs with solid bases must comply with sight visibility requirements.
(B) Measurement of freestanding sign height. Freestanding signs shall be measured from the point where the sign is placed in the ground to the uppermost extremity of the sign.
(C) Measurement of business frontage. Business frontage is the lineal footage of a lot, facing the public right-of-way, owned or rented by a person, business or enterprise, and intended for business usage.
(D) Definitions. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign erected on property in conjunction with a particular use which has been discontinued for a period of 120 days or more, or a sign the content of which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies.
ADDRESS SIGN. Any sign which sets forth the house or building address.
AREA OF SIGN. The area of the largest single face of the sign within a perimeter which forms the outside shape, including any frame which is an integral part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports, or uprights, or solid base on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled. Any irregular shaped sign’s area shall be computed using the actual sign face surface.
AWNING. A temporary shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building and composed of non-rigid materials except for the supporting framework.
BANNER. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a building at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered BANNERS.
BEACON. Any light with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
BUILDING SIGN. Any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding sign.
CANOPY. A permanently-roofed shelter covering a sidewalk, driveway or other similar area, which may be wholly supported by a building or may be wholly or partially supported by columns, poles or braces extended from the ground.
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. A marquee is not a CANOPY.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. Any sign announcing the name of architects, engineers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with the subdivision of a property or the construction, alteration or repair of a building (but not including any product) or announcing the character of the subdivision or building enterprise or the purpose for which the subdivision or building is intended.
DIRECTORY SIGN. Any sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building is given. This shall include office buildings and church directories.
FEATHER FLAG SIGN. A free standing temporary sign typically constructed of a single plastic or metal shaft driven in the ground with an attached pennant that is vertically elongated and attached to the shaft.
FLAG. Any fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision or other public or corporate entity.
FREESTANDING 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.
FREEWAY-ORIENTED SIGN. Any sign identifying premises where food, lodging or places of business are located that engage in supplying goods and services essential to normal operation of motor vehicles, and where the businesses are directly dependent upon the adjacent freeway for business.
HOLIDAY SIGNS. Signs or displays which contain or depict a message pertaining to a national, state, community or religious holiday, and no other matters.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. Any sign which is limited to the name, address and number of a building, institution or person and to the activity carried on in the building or institution, or the occupancy of the person.
INTEGRAL SIGN. Any memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials mounted on the face of a building.
MARQUEE. A permanent roof-like structure projecting over an entrance to a building.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign erected or displayed prior to the effective date of this chapter or subsequent amendments thereto which does not conform with the provisions of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign that advertises goods, products, services or facilities or directs persons to a different location from where the sign is installed.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products or services located on the premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN (OAS). Any sign which advertises goods, products or services not necessarily sold on the premises on which the sign is located. May be one of three main types:
(a) Poster panels or bulletins normally mounted on a building wall or freestanding structure with advertising copy in the form of pasted paper or other material;
(b) Multi-prism signs. Same as above, and alternating advertising messages on the display area; or
(c) Painted bulletins, where the advertiser’s message is painted directly on the background of a wall-mounted or freestanding display area.
PENNANT. Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material suspended from a rope, wire or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign not attached to the ground or other permanent structure designed to be transported, including, but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; sign converted to A- or T-frames; sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; and umbrellas used for advertising.
PROJECTING SIGNS. Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than six inches beyond the surface of the building or wall.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. Any sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the property upon which the sign is placed.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the highest portion of the roof.
ROOF SIGN, INTEGRAL. Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, so that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and so that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches.
SHOPPING CENTER SIGN. Any sign which serves as identification for a recognized and identifiable shopping center complex in the commercial or industrial zones. May include the center name, graphic logo, names of individual establishments within the complex and other promotional information.
SIGN. Any device, fixture, placard or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol or writing to advertise, announce the purpose of, or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign intended to be erected or displayed for a limited period of time.
UNDERGROUND PUBLIC UTILITY WARNING SIGN. Standard types of warning signs marking the routes of underground public utility pipes, conduits and cables.
VEHICLE SIGN. Signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached parallel to, but within six inches of, a wall, painted on the wall surface of, or erected and confined within the limits of an outside wall of any building or structure, which is supported by the wall or building, and which displays only one sign surface.
WAYFINDING SIGN. An off-premise sign, erected by a governmental entity, that is part of a village-sponsored and coordinated program for the purpose of aiding visitors in navigating within the village and surrounding areas as designated and recognized by the village's Wayfinding Sign Program. These signs may include directional indicators to guide visitors to special areas (shopping areas or business parks), specific locations (including libraries, governmental centers, and parks), or to major thoroughfares. These signs may be freestanding or attached, and typically are of a uniform design.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign, pictures, symbol or combination, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
(Ord. passed 7-23-2002; Ord. 17-09-02, passed 9-26-2017; Ord. 22-11-04, passed 11-22-2022)