For the purpose of this Zoning Code and other applicable ordinances, certain words and terms are defined as follows.
ABANDONED SIGN. Any sign and/or its supporting sign structure which remains without a message or whose display surface remains blank for a period of six (6) months or more, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer applies, shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Signs applicable to a business temporarily suspended because of a change in ownership or management of the business shall not be deemed abandoned unless the property remains vacant for a period of six (6) months or more. Any sign remaining after demolition of a principal structure shall be deemed to be abandoned. Signs which are present because of being legally established nonconforming signs or signs which have required a conditional use permit or variance shall also be subject to the definition of ABANDONED SIGN.
ADDRESS SIGN. A sign communicating street address only, whether script or in numerical form. Address numbers shall be a minimum of four (4) inches in height.
AREA IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A wall or monument sign which identifies the name of a residential development consisting of ten (10) or more lots, a multiple residential development consisting of two (2) or more primary structures, multi-family dwelling groups of six (6) or more units; a religious or public institution; or, any integrated combination of the above. The sign shall be limited only to the identification of the development or institution.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. Illumination resulting from internal or external artificial light sources, including glare and reflected light by-products of artificial light.
BANNER SIGN. A temporary sign typically made of cloth, plastic or vinyl materials. BANNER SIGNS shall not be considered permanent signage.
BENCH SIGN. A sign affixed to a sitting bench.
BILLBOARD. Any permanent sign that identifies or communicates a commercial or non-commercial message which does not relate in its subject matter to the premises on which it is located. A BILLBOARD shall be considered either a freestanding or pylon sign, shall meet the respective area and height requirements as regulated herein, and shall be limited to two (2) sides.
CANOPY/MARQUEE/AWNING SIGN. Any message or identification affixed to a projection or extension of a building or structure, erected in such a manner as to provide a shelter or cover over the approach to any entrance of a store, building or place of assembly.
COMMERCIAL SPEECH SIGN. Speech or graphics advertising a business, profession, commodity, service or entertainment.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A sign placed at a construction site identifying the project or the name of the architect, engineer, contractor, financier, or other involved parties.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign erected on public or private property which bears the address and/or name of a business, institution, church or other use or activity plus directional arrows or information on location.
DIRECTORY SIGN. An exterior informational wall sign which does not exceed four (4) square feet and identifies the names of businesses served by a common public entrance in a shopping center.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display, and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, “digital ink”, or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A self-supporting sign and sign structure, both of which are not more than twelve (12) feet in height. The sign shall be limited in area to a maximum of thirty-five (35) square feet on each face.
GOVERNMENT SIGN. A sign erected by a unit of government.
GROSS SURFACE AREA OF SIGN. The entire area in square feet within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the complete message of any sign, which limits shall include the surface on which the message is affixed, unless the individual letters of the message re-affixed directly to the surface of a wall, in which case the maximum height and width shall apply. Such permits shall not include any structural elements lying outside the limits of the sign surface which do not form an integral part of the sign message, except where the sign structure is held by the Zoning Administrator to be larger than required for structural strength.
INFORMATIONAL SIGN. Any sign giving information to employees, visitors or delivery vehicles, but containing no advertising or identification.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign or bulletin board which identifies the name or other characteristics of a public, semi-public, or private institution on the site where the sign is located. Institutions shall include churches, schools, city buildings, and other non-profit and charitable organizations.
INTEGRAL SIGN. A sign carrying the name of a building, its date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made bronze, aluminum or other permanent type of construction, and made an integral part of the structure.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF SIGN. The vertical distance measured from the nearest finished grade to the highest limit of such sign.
MINIMUM HEIGHT OF SIGN. The vertical distance measured from the nearest finished grade to the lower limit of such sign.
MONUMENT SIGN. A sign whose base and structure is positioned primarily on the ground and is typically solid from grade to the top of the structure. MONUMENT SIGNS shall not exceed thirty six (36) square feet in area and not more than six (6) feet in height.
NON-COMMERCIAL SPEECH. Dissemination of messages not classified as commercial speech, which include, but are not limited to, messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service and informational topics.
NONCONFORMING SIGN.
(1) LEGAL. A sign which lawfully existed at the time of the passage of this zoning code or amendment thereto, but which does not conform with the regulations of this zoning code.
(2) ILLEGAL. A sign which was constructed after the passage of this zoning code or amendments thereto, and does not conform with the regulations of this zoning code.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A commercial speech sign advertising a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered elsewhere other than upon the property on which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A commercial speech sign advertising a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon the property on which the sign is located.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign so designed as to be movable from one (1) location to another and which is not permanently attached to the ground or structure, such as portable or wheeled signs, or signs on parked vehicles where the sign is the primary use of the vehicle.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign that projects more than twelve (12) inches out over the front edge of the roof structure and/or the face of the building at a perpendicular angle to the building.
PYLON SIGN. A self-supporting sign and sign structure, both of which are not more than thirty-five (35) feet in height. The sign shall be limited in area to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet per face.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. Any sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of land or buildings. Such signs may only be placed upon the land or buildings being advertised for sale, lease or rental.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected, constructed or attached, wholly or in part, upon or over the roof of a building. The sign shall be limited in area to a maximum of fifty (50) square feet per face and a maximum of two (2) sign faces.
SHOPPING CENTER. Any contiguous group of two (2) or more retail stores or service establishments, comprising ten thousand (10,000) or more square feet of floor area, which provides off-street parking utilized in common by patrons.
SHOPPING CENTER IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A monument, freestanding or pylon sign and sign structure adjacent to an arterial street, which is limited to thirty-five (35) feet in height. The sign shall be limited in area to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet.
SIGN. Any letter, word or symbol, poster, picture, statuary, reading matter or representation in the nature of advertisement, announcement, message or visual communication, whether painted, posted, printed, affixed or constructed, including all associated brackets, braces, supports, wires and structures, which is displayed for informational or communicative purposes.
SIGN FACE. The surface of the sign upon, against, or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.
SIGN STRUCTURE. The framework and all associated brackets, braces, supports, wires and structures used to display an advertisement, announcement, message or visual communication.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A non-permanent sign affixed, erected or displayed on a parcel for a limited period of time, not to exceed ninety (90) days per improved parcel.
TOTAL ALLOWABLE SIGN AREA. The maximum allowable gross surface area in square feet of a sign or signs. The maximum number of signs cannot be arranged and integrated as to create a surface area in excess of the requirements.
TRAFFIC SIGN. A sign erected by a governmental unit for the purpose of directing or guiding traffic.
WALL SIGN. A single-faced sign affixed directly to or painted on, or otherwise inscribed on an exterior wall or window of any building, and projecting no more than twelve (12) inches.
WINDOW SIGN. Any building sign, pictures, symbol, or combination thereof, 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. Such sign requires no permit and shall not be counted towards the total allowable sign area.
(Ord. 395, passed 7-6-2010; Am. Ord. 419, passed 12-17-2013; Am. Ord. 452, passed 10-17-2017)