For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(A) SIGN and OWNER.
(1) A SIGN is a structure which includes any object, device, display, graphic, support structure, or other part thereof, which is situated indoors or outdoors or is attached to, painted on, or displayed from any premises in order to direct attention to or announce an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location, by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, logos, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images. Any flag, pennant, streamer, pole, pylon, foundation, or architectural device shall be construed as a "sign" when it is demonstrable that it is intended to draw attention to or announce or identify an enterprise. "Sign support structure" includes any mechanism, framework, or securing system used to support or secure a sign into its permanent location.
(2) OWNER OF SIGN. For the purposes of this section, the owner of property on which a sign is located is presumed to be the owner of the sign unless facts to the contrary are officially recorded or otherwise brought to the attention of the Building Commissioner.
(3) Except for temporary yard signs, and as otherwise permitted in this chapter, no property may contain more than one sign.
(B) Definition of signs according to type of message conveyed.
ADVERTISING SIGN. A sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service, or
entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than upon the premises where the sign is maintained, including a billboard sign.
BULLETIN BOARD SIGN. Any sign or structure of permanent character, but with movable letters, words, or numerals, which is located on the premises of a public educational, institutional, religious, or charitable organization and is used to identify the name of the institution or organization and/or to announce their activities.
BUSINESS SIGN. A sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered upon the same premises as those upon which the sign is maintained.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A sign which is located on a lot where construction is in progress, which indicates the name of the project, architect, engineer, contractor, or other similar information concerning the project.
DEVELOPMENT SIGN. A sign which, by symbol or name, identifies a subdivision, or residential development, a shopping center, or retail development.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN or INFORM- ATIONAL SIGN. Any sign which serves solely to provide special information such as direction, entrance/exit, parking, and which does not include business names, brand names, or information regarding product lines or services.
DIRECTORY SIGN. A secondary sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use of a building or property are identified.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. The primary sign which indicates the name or address of a building, institution, or person, or the permitted use, activity, or occupation pertaining to the premises.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. A secondary sign which conveys information pertinent to the use, activity, or occupation conducted on the premises, such as the hours of operation or credit card information.
MEMORIAL PLAQUE. A plaque designating names of buildings, and/or date of erection and other items such as architect or others involved in the building's creation, cut into or attached to a building's surface.
NAME PLAQUE. A small sign indicating the name, address, or title of the owner, renter, or lessee of the premises on which the sign is located.
PROFESSIONAL SIGN. A sign indicating the name and occupation of a professional person or group of associated professional persons.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. Any sign which advertises or announces the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, paper, cardboard, or other light materials, which is displayed for a limited time only. Residential yard signs and signs painted on window surfaces which are readily removed by washing shall also be considered temporary signs. Temporary signs are not, nor are intended to be, permanently attached to a building, structure or the ground.
TRADEMARK or LOGO SIGN. An identification sign portraying a symbol, or trademark, with or without lettering, of a business or industry, and which symbol or trademark had been used on signs in other locations and in printed advertising.
YARD SIGN. A temporary sign, which is mounted on a stake or a frame structure (often made from wire) that includes one or more stakes.
(C) Definitions of signs according to location or method of attachment.
AWNING or CANOPY SIGN. A sign that is painted on or attached to a canopy or an awning.
BALLOON SIGN. An inflated nonporous object filled with air or other gas used for business identification or advertisement.
BILLBOARD SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business use, service, activity, commodity, or profession which is not conducted, sold, or offered upon the property where such sign is located.
ENTABLATURE SIGN. A sign whose complete visible surface is mounted within the area of an entablature or any place thereof, including the cornice, frieze or architrave.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign which is supported by one or more poles or columns, or other type of base, set in or upon the ground and not attached to any building (see also PYLON SIGN and GROUND SIGN).
GROUND SIGN. A freestanding sign, other than a pylon or pole supported sign placed upon or supported by the ground independently of any other structure.
HANGING SIGN. See PROJECTING STREET AND YARD SIGNS.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. A small sign, emblem, or decal informing the public of business hours, goods, facilities, or services available on the premises.
INTERIOR DISPLAY SIGN. Any sign whose visible surface, entire construction, and support system is mounted within the interior of a building.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to a permanent canopy which is usually of metal and glass, projecting over the entrance to a building.
MOBILE SIGN. Any portable sign whose structure is secured to wheels, runners, casters, or a parked trailer, parked vehicle, or other mobile device.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign relating information about a particular use, building, owner, occupant and/or activity, but which is installed on property other than that to which it refers.
PARAPET. See UPPER WALL SIGN.
PIER, PILASTER, or COLUMN SIGN. A sign whose complete visible surface is mounted within the area of a pier, column, pilaster, or other vertical surface which is part of the facade, with a bottom edge beginning at the facade base, or at grade, and the upper edge ending at an entablature, parapet, lintel, roof, or any upper facade element or the bottom line of an upper wall area.
POLE SIGN. A freestanding, other than a pylon or ground sign, erected and maintained on a mast or pole and not attached to any building.
PROJECTING STREET SIGN. A sign which is suspended from, attached to, or supported by a building or structure and extending away from said building or structure, and which projects into the right-of- way of any street, alley, sidewalk, or other thoroughfare. A PROJECTING SIGN shall also include a sign suspended from the ceiling of a marquee, canopy, or vestibule where such sign is located in the street right- of-way.
PROJECTING YARD SIGN. A sign erected approximately perpendicular to the wall of a building, including a sign erected at the corner of a building and projecting into an open space or yard but not projecting into the right-of-way of any street, sidewalk, alley, or other public thoroughfare.
PYLON SIGN. Any freestanding sign on a pylon: a large structure or structures, such as a gateway, marking an entrance or approach.
REFACED SIGN. Any sign that requires a replacement facing shall be permitted without acquisition of a building permit except for signs located in a historic district.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected, constructed, and maintained upon a roof or one that projects above the highest point of a building with a flat roof, the eave-line of a building with gambrel, gable or hip roof, or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof.
STREAMER, BANNER, or PENNANT SIGN. A long narrow piece of cloth or any nonrigid
material, with no enclosing framework, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations, excluding official flags, which is hung from a staff or stretched or hung between two or more supports.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached to, or erected against the wall or a building or structure, which does not extend more than 12 inches therefrom, nor extends above the roof line, and having the exposed face or the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of such wall.
(a) UPPER WALL SIGN or PARAPET SIGN. A sign whose complete visible surface is mounted within the area of a wall surface which is part of the facade above the first-floor windows, doors, piers, entablature, or any other elements defining the first floor or the pedestrian level or a facade.
(b) WINDOW SIGN. Signs affixed to, in contact with, or within 12 inches of a window; installed for purposes of viewing from outside the premises. This does not include merchandise located in a window.
(D) Definitions of signs according to illumination.
FLASHING SIGN. Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or which includes the illusion of flashing or intermittent light by means of animation or an externally mounted intermittent light source.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign with an artificial light source incorporated for the purpose of illuminating the sign, including the following:
(a) FRONT-LIT SIGN. An illuminated sign in which the lighting source is separate from the sign, and shines onto the face of the sign.
(b) BACK-LIT SIGN. An illuminated sign in which the light source is behind the face of the sign.
1. BACK-LIT LETTER SIGN. A back-lit sign in which only the lettering on the face of the sign is illuminated.
2. FULL BACK-LIT SIGN. A back-lit sign in which the entire face of the sign is illuminated.
3. NEON SIGN. Signs employing the use of neon lighting or luminous tubes in any manner.
(2000 Code, § 151.125) (Ord. O-4-96, passed 3-25-1996; Ord. O-12-06, passed 12-26-2006; Ord. O-3-08, passed 2-25-2008; Ord. O-2-20, passed 2-10-2020)