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 Ordinance. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings or captions are for reference purposes only and shall not be used in the interpretation of these regulations.
(1) Abandoned Sign. A sign which for a period of at least one (1) year no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner, product or activity conducted on the subject premises, and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
(2) Alteration. Any change in copy, color, size or shape, which changes appearance of a sign, or a change in position, location, construction or supporting structure of a sign, except that a copy change on a sign is not an alteration.
(3) Animated Sign. A sign employing actual motion, the illusion of motion, or light and/or color changes achieved through mechanical, electrical, or electronic means. Animated signs, which are differentiated from changeable signs as defined and regulated by this Code, include the following types:
A. Environmentally Activated: Animated signs or devices motivated by wind, thermal changes, or other natural environmental input. Includes spinners, pinwheels, pennant strings, and/or other devices or displays that respond to naturally occurring external motivation.
B. Mechanically Activated: Animated signs characterized by repetitive motion and/or rotation activated by a mechanical system powered by electric motors or other mechanically induced means.
C. Electrically Activated: Animated signs producing the illusion of movement by means of electronic, electrical, or electromechanical input and/or illumination capable of simulating movement through employment of the characteristics of one or both of the classifications noted below:
i. Flashing: Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by a repetitive cycle in which the period of illumination is either the same as or less than the period of non illumination. For the purposes of this ordinance, flashing will not be defined as occurring if the cyclical period between on-off phases of illumination exceeds four (4) seconds.
ii. Patterned Illusionary Movement: Animated signs or animated portions of signs whose illumination is characterized by simulated movement through alternate or sequential activation by various illuminated elements for the purpose of producing repetitive light patterns designed to appear in some form of constant motion.
(4) Awning. A shelter projecting from and supported by the exterior wall of a building constructed of non-rigid materials on a supporting framework. (Compare marquee.)
(5) Awning Sign. A sign painted on, printed on or attached to the surface of an awning and does not project vertically above or horizontally beyond the physical dimensions of the awning.
(6) Balloon Sign. A lighter than air gas filled balloon, tethered in a fixed location temporarily, that has a sign with a message on its surface or attached in any manner to the balloon.
(7) Banner Sign. A temporary, lightweight sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, that deforms under light pressure, excluding flags, emblems and insignia or political, professional, religious, education or corporate organizations providing that such flags, emblems and insignia are displayed for noncommercial purposes.
(8) Bench Sign. Advertising or business signs painted on or affixed to a bench, chair, seat or other structure or device designed or used for sitting purposes.
(9) Billboard. An off-premise sign.
(10) Building Code. The Building Code as adopted by the City of Milford.
(11) Building Identification Sign. Any sign located at or near an entrance to or within an industrial, office, or residential development containing the name or address of a building and may include hours of operation and emergency information.
(12) Building/Zoning Inspector. The Chief Building Official for the City of Milford or his designated representative.
(13) Building Sign. See wall sign.
(14) Bulletin Board. A sign erected by a charitable, educational, religious institution, or a public body, which is erected upon the same property as such institution, for purposes of announcing events which are held on the premises, and contain no commercial message.
(15) Canopy (Attached). A structure other than an awning made of cloth, metal or other material with frames affixed to a building and carried by a frame which is supported by the ground.
(16) Canopy (Freestanding). A multi-sided overhead structure supported by columns, but not enclosed by walls.
(17) Canopy Sign. A permanent sign that is a part of or attached to a canopy.
(18) Changeable Copy Sign. A sign with the capability of content changed by means of manual or remote input, includes the following types:
A. Manually Activated. A changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed manually on a display surface.
B. Electrically Activated. A changeable sign whose message copy or content can be changed by means of remote electrically energized on-off switching combination of alphabetic or pictographic components arranged on a display surface. Illumination may be integral to the components, such as characterized by lamps or other light-emitting devices; or it may be from an external light source designed to reflect off the changeable component display. (See also Electronic Message Center)
(19) City. Means the City of Milford.
(20) Clearance. (of a sign). The smallest vertical distance between the grade of the adjacent street or street curb and the lowest point of any sign, including the framework and embellishments, extending over that grade.
(21) Commercial message. Any sign wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business, product, service or other commercial activity.
(22) Construction sign. A temporary sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction, wrecking, financing or development when placed upon the premises where work is under construction.
(23) Directional/informational sign. A sign, providing no advertising of any kind except name of business, which provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including but not specifically limited to those signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas and other similar facilities.
(24) Display Time. The amount of time a message and/or graphic is displayed on an Electronic Message Center.
(25) Dissolve. A mode of message transition on an Electronic Message Center sign accomplished by varying the light intensity or pattern, in which the first message gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility with the gradual appearance and legibility of the second message.
(26) Dynamic Frame Effect. An Electronic Message Center sign frame effect in which the illusion of motion and/or animation is used.
(27) Electronic Message Center. An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message and/or graphic presentation capability can be electronically programmed by computer from a remote location. Also known as an EMC. EMC's typically use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a lighting source. (See also the following terms associated with Electronic Message Centers: Display Time, Dissolve, Dynamic Frame Effect, Fade, Frame, Frame Effect, Scroll, Transition, Travel)
(28) External illumination. Illumination of a sign which is affected by an artificial source of light which is not contained within the sign itself.
(29) Façade. That portion of an enclosed building facing the street or that wall of a building through which there is primary access for customers. Where more than one business occupies the same building the façade for each business shall be that portion of the building occupied by the business which faces the street or which provides the primary access.
(30) Fade. A mode of message transition on an Electronic Message Center sign accomplished by varying the light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and the subsequent message gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
(31) Flashing Sign. See Animated Sign.
(32) Footcandle. An English unit of measurement of the amount of light falling upon a surface (illuminance). One foot candle is equal to one lumen per square foot.
(33) Frame Effect. A visual effect on an Electronic Message Center sign applied to a single frame. (See also Dynamic Frame Effect)
(34) Freestanding Sign. A permanent sign supported upon the ground by poles or braces and not attached to any building. (Also known as a pylon or monument sign)
(35) Frontage, Street/Lot. The length of the property line of any one premise along a public right-of way on which it borders.
(36) Frontage, Building. Total lineal feet of enclosed building length along the façade that fronts the principal dedicated street, or the façade that contains the main entrance to the building.
(37) Governmental Sign. Any sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental function, or required by any law, ordinance or governmental regulation.
(38) Grade. The average level of the finished surface of the ground adjacent to a sign or the exterior wall of the building to which a sign is affixed.
(39) Ground sign. (See freestanding sign.)
(40) Height. (of a sign) The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, excluding decorative embellishments, to the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less. (compare "clearance") When base of the sign structure is below grade of street, measure height from grade of street. When base of the sign structure is above grade level of street, measure height from ground grade.
(41) Historical Marker. A type of memorial sign limited in content to the identification of an historical building or structure or the site of an historical event.
(42) Holiday Decorations. Signs or displays including lighting which are a nonpermanent installation celebrating national, state, and local holidays or holiday seasons.
(43) Illegal sign. Any sign placed without proper approval or permits as required by the Code at the time of sign placement. Illegal sign shall also mean a sign which does not meet the requirements of this code and which has not received legal nonconforming status.
(44) Illuminated Sign. Any sign for which an artificial source of light is used in order to make readable the sign's message, including internally and externally lighted signs and reflectorized, glowing or radiating signs.
(45) Logo. A business trademark or symbol.
(46) Maintenance. The cleaning, painting, repair or replacement of defective parts of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design or structure of the sign.
(47) Marquee. A permanent roof-like structure extending from part of the wall of a building but not supported by the ground, and constructed of durable material such as metal or glass. (compare "awning" and "canopy")
(48) Marquee sign. Any sign painted on or attached to or supported by a marquee.
(49) Multitenant sign. A sign which serves as common or collective identification for a group of businesses operating on the same building lot.
(50) Mural. A picture on an exterior surface of a structure. A mural is a sign only if it is related by language, logo, or pictorial depiction to the advertisement of any product or service or the identification of any business.
(51) Nameplate. A non electric on premise identification sign giving only the name, address and/or occupation of an occupant or group of occupants.
(52) Nonconforming sign. Means:
A. A sign which was validly installed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but which is in conflict with the current provisions of this Ordinance.
B. A sign which does not conform to the sign code requirements but for which a special permit has been issued.
(53) Off Premise Sign. A sign which directs attention to a business, profession, activity, commodity, service or entertainment other than one conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located or within the building to which such sign is affixed. The term "off premise sign" includes (an outdoor advertising sign on which space is leased or rented by the owner thereof to others for the purpose of conveying a commercial or noncommercial message.
(54) On Premise Sign. Any sign used for promoting a business, individual, products, or service available on the premises where the sign is located.
(55) Owner. A person recorded as such on official records. For the purposes of this chapter, 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/Zoning Inspector, such as a sign leased from a sign company.
(56) Pennant. Any lightweight plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from any rope, wire or string, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
(57) Person. Includes any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization, singular or plural, of any kind.
(58) Placard Sign. (See projecting sign.)
(59) Pole Sign. (See freestanding sign.)
(60) Political Sign. A temporary sign identifying a political candidate, issue or party.
(61) Portable Sign. A sign not permanently affixed to the ground, a building or other structure, which may be moved from place to place, including, but not limited to, signs designed to be transported by means of wheels, menu and sandwich board signs and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the day to-day operations of the business.
(62) Projecting Sign. A sign that is perpendicular and affixed to a building or wall that extends more than twelve (12) inches beyond the line of such building or wall or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or wall to which it is affixed.
(63) Real Estate Sign. A temporary sign located on premises containing land or buildings for sale, lease or rent.
(64) Revolving or Rotating Sign. (See animated sign.)
(65) Roof Sign. A sign erected or maintained in whole or in part upon, against or directly above the roof or parapet line of a building.
(66) Scroll. A mode of message transition on an Electronic Message Center sign in which the message appears to move vertically across the display surface.
(67) Shopping Center. A commercial development under unified control consisting of three or more separate commercial establishments sharing a common building, entrance way or parking area.
(68) Sign. Any fabricated sign or outdoor display structure, including its structure, consisting of any letter, figure, character, mark, point, plane, marquee sign, design, poster, pictorial, picture, stroke, stripe, line, trademark, reading matter or illuminating device, which is constructed, attached, erected, fastened or manufactured in any manner whatsoever so that the same shall be used for the attraction of the public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public performance, article, machine or merchandise whatsoever, and displayed in any manner out of doors for recognized advertising purposes.
(69) Sign Face. An exterior display surface of a sign including nonstructural trim exclusive of the supporting structure.
(70) Snipe sign. A sign for which a permit has not been obtained which is attached to a public utility pole, light pole, service pole, or sign supports.
(71) Special Event Sign. Any temporary or non-permanent sign advertising or pertaining to any civic, patriotic or special event of general public interest.
(72) Surface Display Area. All solid surface areas of a sign, excluding air space. Structural members bearing no sign copy shall not be included.
(73) Temporary Sign. A nonpermanent sign erected, affixed and maintained on a premises for a short, usually fixed, period of time. Includes: banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, moving devices, strings of light, air activated graphics, and balloons.
(74) Transition. A visual effect used on an Electric Message Center sign to change from one message to another.
(75) Travel. A mode of message transition on an Electronic Message sign in which the message appears to move horizontally across the display surface.
(76) Vehicle Sign. (See Portable Sign.)
(77) Wall Sign. A sign attached directly to an exterior wall of a building (or dependent upon a building for support) with the exposed face of the sign located in a place substantially parallel to such exterior building wall to which the sign is attached or supported by.
(78) Window, Area of. The area of a single window includes all of the window panes in an area that is separated by mullions, muntins, or other dividers which are less than 4 inches wide.
(79) Window Sign. A sign attached to, placed upon or painted on the window or door of a building which is intended for viewing from the exterior of such building.
(80) Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Milford.
(Ord. 99-1966. Passed 5-4-99.)