(A) For the purposes of these regulations, a sign can include any object, device, display, graphic, architectural feature, structure, or part thereof, which is situated indoors or outdoors or is attached to, painted on, or displayed from any premises in order to advocate a person, position or cause, 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, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images. The Zoning Administrator shall determine whether objects, architectural features, or other design features that do not contain written text constitutes signage, including a trademark, service mark, or a logo particular to the business, institution, or organization.
(B) Both permitted and prohibited signs shall further be classified by physical design or structure, and function or purpose based on the following:
(1) ABANDONED SIGN. Any sign or its supporting sign structure, which remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for a period of:
(a) One year or more (for a sign or its supporting sign structure which conforms to this chapter at the time of adoption); or
(b) Any commercial sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies; or
(c) A sign that is deteriorated, or is not adequately maintained, repaired, or removed within the specified time as ordered by this chapter.
(2) ADVERTISING SIGN. Any off-premises sign which directs attention to any business, profession, product, activity, commodity, or service that is offered, sold, or manufactured on property or premises other than that upon which the sign is located.
(3) ANIMATED SIGN. Any sign having a conspicuous and intermittent variation in the physical position of any part of the sign.
(4) AWNING OR CANOPY SIGN. A sign that is painted on or attached to the face of an awning or canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door entrance or window.
(5) ATTENTION-ATTRACTING DEVICE. Any device, such as balloons, searchlights, twirling signs, inflatable objects, and the like, intended to attract the attention of the public to an establishment, location, product or service.
(6) BANNER SIGN. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material with no enclosing framework that is mounted to two or more supports or to a building at one or more edges. National and state flags or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
Figure 1. Banner Sign
(7) BUILDING MARKER/ CORNERSTONE. Letters, words, or insignia cut into the building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building, at the time the building was constructed to convey a memorial, the name of the building, address or date of construction, or similar message.
(8) CHANGEABLE COPY. A variable message sign composed of individual letters, number or symbols panel-mounted in or on a track system.
(9) CHANNEL LETTERS. Three-dimensional, hollow-construction letters or figures with a solid face affixed to a structure.
(10) 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.
(11) COMMERCIAL SIGN. A sign that contains a commercial message.
(12) CORPORATE LIMIT SIGN. Signs established by the city, located on city property, to designate its boundaries to persons traveling into the community. Corporate limit signs may include the signs of nonprofit organizations.
(13) DETERIORATED SIGN. Sign showing signs of weathering, rust, corrosion, exposed wiring, chipped paint or faces, cracked, broken, torn or missing faces, or loose materials, or other evidence of disrepair.
(14) DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE.
(a) PERIMETER. Any sign which serves solely to provide special information such as direction, entrance/exit, or parking located at or near the public right-of-way, to direct or guide traffic from the street onto private property and which does not include business names, brand names, trademarks, logos, or information regarding product lines or service.
(b) INTERIOR. Any sign located within the interior of a lot which is designed solely to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic to the proper destination within the premises and which is not oriented for viewing from the street or adjoining properties.
(15) DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. A sign with two faces back to back.
(16) ELECTRONIC MESSAGE SIGN. A sign with a fixed or changing display/message composed of a series of lights that may be changed through electronic means. Signs whose alpha numeric, pictographic, or symbolic informational content can be changed or altered on a fixed display screen composed of electrically illuminated segments.
(17) FACE OF SIGN. The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.
(18) FLAG. Any fabric or similar lightweight material attached at one end of the material, usually to a staff or pole, so as to allow movement of the material by atmospheric changes and which contains distinctive colors, patterns, symbols, emblems, insignia, or other symbolic devices used to represent a government, political subdivision, and/or any organization, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, but not including a commercial message.
(19) FLASHING SIGN. A sign that 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.
(20) FREE STANDING SIGN. A sign that is supported by one or more columns, or other type of base, in or upon the ground.
(a) GROUND MOUNTED SIGN. A freestanding sign, other than a pole mounted or yard arm sign, independently supported by the ground or mounted on a decorative wall or fence.
Figure 2. Ground Mounted Sign
(b) POLE MOUNTED SIGN. A sign mounted on a ground mounted pole or other similar support so that the height of the sign is more than five feet in height.
(c) YARD ARM SIGN. A sign mounted on a ground mounted pole or other similar support, and is five feet in height or less.
Figure 3. Yard Arm Sign
(21) GOVERNMENT SIGN. Signs designed for control of, or to provide information to, traffic and other regulatory functions, and signs of public utilities and/or common carriers indicating danger and/or location of facilities and/or components, and aids for service or safety which are erected by the order of a public officer in the performance of his/her public duty (see also public sign).
(22) HAND-DECORATED SIGN. A variable message sign composed of individual letters, numbers or symbols hand-written or drawn onto a sign panel, including chalkboard signs.
(23) HAND-HELD SIGN. A sign containing a commercial message that is held, carried, worn, balanced by or otherwise mounted on a person. A hand-held sign shall include a human or animal used as an advertising device for commercial establishments, typically by holding or wearing of insignia, masks, or costumes associated with the commercial establishment.
(24) IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, development, building or building unit according to the following:
(a) BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign intended to announce or promote the use, activity, service or business on the premises of any business or commercial establishment, and which may include a directory of occupants.
(b) DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A ground mounted sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision or multi-family development.
(c) INSTITUTION IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. A sign displaying the name of the organization, activities or services occupying the premises of a public or semi-public use such as but not limited to: churches and other places of worship, community centers, hospitals, public or semi-public recreational facilities, or schools.
(25) ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
(26) INCIDENTAL SIGN. A sign that is located on private property which is generally instructional, contains no commercial message, and has a purpose secondary to the principal use of the site on which it is located. The types of signs included in this category are traffic control signs, hours or operation signs, open/close signs, parking or loading control signs, method of payment accepted, and signs indicating the location of telephones or emergency equipment.
(27) INTERIOR SIGN. Signs located within a structure not intended to be legible from the exterior. Signs affixed to a window or the walls enclosing the display area behind a window, which are obviously intended to be legible from the exterior, shall be considered exterior signs.
(28) LAND SALES SIGN. A ground mounted sign erected in connection with the establishment of a subdivision and the sale of lots.
(29) MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to or supported by a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the façade of a building.
(30) MENU BOARD. A sign used for drive-through facilities in association with a permitted use.
(31) MOBILE SIGNS. Signs which are mounted on or attached to trailers, trucks, or other motor vehicles, or motor vehicles which are painted, decaled, or detailed to be an advertisement for goods or services, or to advertise a person, cause or event.
(32) NAME PLATE. A sign indicating only the name and address of the person, business, or title of the owner, renter, or lessee of the premises or building(s).
(33) NON-COMMERCIAL MESSAGE. A message intended to direct attention to a political candidate, election issue, political, social, religious, community or public service issue or idea, aim, viewpoint, aspiration or purpose and not intended to produce any commercial benefit or tend to encourage a commercial transaction.
(34) NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN. A sign containing a noncommercial message. Any sign that may be displayed under the provisions of this chapter may contain a non-commercial message.
(35) NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign that was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.
(36) OBSCENE SIGN. A sign which contains words or pictures in which the dominant theme, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in sex or is patently offensive because it affronts the contemporary community standard relating to the description or representation of sexual material which is without redeeming social value.
(37) OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign which contains a commercial message unrelated to a business, profession, commodity, service, activity, sold or offered upon the premises where such sign is located. A billboard is a type of off-premise advertising sign.
(38) ON-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign containing a commercial message related to a business or profession conducted, or a commodity or service sold or offered, upon the premises where such sign is located.
(39) OWNER. For the purposes of this section, the owner of the 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 department; for example, a sign leased from a sign company.
(40) PENNANT. Any sign of light-weight plastic, fabric, or other similar material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, which is suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, and which is designed to move in the wind.
(41) PLAQUE. A sign that is attached to a building, identifying such building's upper story occupants or street level occupants with no street frontage.
(42) POLE SIGN. Any freestanding sign which has its supportive structure(s) anchored in the ground and which has a sign face elevated above ground level.
(43) PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure which is typically of an A-frame style, which is designed to be moved or transported, including sandwich board signs.
(44) PROJECT 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.
(45) PROJECTING SIGN. A sign which is suspended from, attached to, or supported by a building or structure and extending away from said building or structure.
Figure 4. Projecting Sign
(46) PUBLIC SIGN. Any sign required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, or ordinance which may be of any type, number, area, height above grade, location, illumination or animation, required by the law, statute, or ordinance under which the signs are erected (see also government sign).
(47) REAL ESTATE SIGN. A temporary sign posted on property that is actively marketed for sale, rental or lease.
(48) RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land taken, dedicated, or otherwise recorded as an irrevocable right-of-passage for use as a public way. In addition to the roadway, it normally incorporates the curbs, lawn strips, sidewalks, water and sewer lines, lighting and drainage facilities, and may include special features (required by the topography or treatment) such as grade separation, landscaped areas, viaducts, and bridges. The right-of-way is presumed to be a distance of 13 feet from the back of curb unless otherwise measured.
(49) ROOF SIGN. A sign erected, constructed, and maintained upon or over the roof or parapet wall of any building, and having its principal support on the roof or walls of the building.
(50) SANDWICH BOARD SIGN. A free standing ground sign composed of two boards which contain a message and are set up in a triangle shape, hinged along the top. Such signs shall not exceed 24 inches in width per face and 36 inches in height, not including 'legs' which can be used to raise the sign off the ground, provided those legs do not exceed six inches in height. Such signs shall be constructed of materials that present a finished appearance. Rough cut plywood and plastic are not acceptable materials. Such signs must have a frame of no less than one inch thick.
(51) SEASONAL OR HOLIDAY DISPLAY. Any temporary display, such as Christmas decorations, used for a holiday and installed for a short, limited period of time.
(52) SIGN. Any object, device, display, or structure, or part thereof, visible from a public place, a public right-of-way, any parking area or right-of-way open to use by the general public, which is designed and used to attract attention to an institution, organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any means involving words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, logos, colors, illumination, or projected images. For clarification, examples of items which typically do not satisfy the necessary elements of this definition include, but are not limited to: works of art; architectural elements incorporated into the style or function of a building; and, flags of any nation, state, political subdivision, other geopolitical entity not related to a commercial business, product or service, and/or any organization, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, but not including a commercial message. For purposes of this definition, a work of art is any item expressing creative skill or imagination in a visual form, such as a painting or sculpture, which is intended to beautify or provide an aesthetic influence to a public area or area which is visible from the public realm and which in no way identifies or specifically relates to a commercial business, product or service.
(53) SIGN AREA. The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of writing or a representation, emblem or any figure of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate such sign from the background against which it is placed. The necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed, not being advertising matter, shall not be included in computation of surface area. The area of a sign having more than one display surface shall be computed as the total of the exposed exterior display surface area.
(54) SIGN FACE. The surface or the sign upon, against or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.
(55) SIGN HEIGHT. The vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of the sign to the average grade.
(56) SIGN STRUCTURE. The supports, uprights, bracing or framework for signs.
(57) SIGN WALKER. An individual carrying a portable sign intended to convey a commercial message to vehicular traffic.
(58) SNIPE SIGN. Any sign that is posted on trees, landscaping, utility poles or structures, streetlights, fences, fire hydrants, bridges, curbs, sidewalks, park benches, parkways, streets, rights-of-way, or other locations on public property.
(59) STREAMER. A ribbon shaped or cord rope which may have pennants or banners attached which is stretched or hung between two or more supports.
(60) 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. Temporary signs are not, nor are intended to be, permanently attached to a building, structure or the ground.
(61) UNDER-CANOPY SIGN. A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee.
(62) WALL SIGN. Any sign painted on, attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, and having the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of such wall. For purposes of calculation area, projecting signs are considered wall signs.
Figure 5. Wall Sign
(63) WINDOW SIGN. A sign containing a commercial message affixed to, displayed from, or installed inside a window for purposes of viewing from outside the premises, and which can include screening, tinting or interior shades designed to project an image or message. Window signs do not include merchandise and other displays located in a window.
Figure 6. Window Sign
(64) 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.
(Ord. 10, 2018, passed 7-11-18; Am. Ord. 2, 2022, passed 4-6-22)