The definitions contained in this section shall be applied in the interpretation of all sections within of this chapter, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense. The singular number shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
“ABANDONED SIGN.” Signage that has been neglected, fallen into disrepair, or displays a vacated business.
“ATTRACTION BOARD.” Signage in which copy is changed manually or electronically on a regular basis.
“AWNING SIGN.” Signage applied directly to the surface of an “AWNING”; defined as a shelter supported entirely on a wall, and made of non-rigid material supported by a frame.
“BANNER SIGN.” Signage made of non-rigid material with no enclosing framework.
“BILLBOARD.” Signage intended for lease to a variety of businesses, organizations, and/or individuals. In such case, the sign itself shall be the income generator and the primary commercial use of the property.
“BULLETIN BOARD.” Signage that allows the manual or electronic change of copy, and is used to notify the public of noncommercial events or occurrences such as church services, political rallies, civic meetings, or similar events.
“CANOPY SIGN.” Signage applied directly to the surface of a “CANOPY”; defined as a permanently roofed shelter covering a sidewalk, driveway, or similar area. Canopies may be supported by a building, columns, poles, braces, or a combination thereof.
“DIGITAL SIGN.” Signage that is an electronic display capable of changing its content through electronic or digital means.
“DOUBLE-FACED SIGN.” Signage with two (2) faces, either set parallel or up to a forty-five (45) degree angle. Any two sign faces set at an angle greater than forty-five (45) degrees shall be considered two (2) separate signs.
“DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL BUILDING EXTERIOR IMPROVE PROGRAM.” The section of North and South Bardstown Road eligible for grant funding incentives defined in Chapter 160 of the code of ordinances.
“ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM.” Signage with copy that uses rotating reflective discs, direct illumination, rotating veins, light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal diodes (LCDs), or other digital devices, and that is changed by a central computer.
“FARM.” A tract of at least ten (10) contiguous acres used for the production of agricultural or horticultural crops. “AGRICULTURAL AND
HORTICULTURAL CROPS” shall be defined as, but not limited to, livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, grain, hay, pastures, soybeans, tobacco, timber, orchard fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, vineyards, and wineries.
“FLASHING” or “BLINKING.” Intermittent or sequential illumination for the purpose of attracting attention to the sign.
“FREESTANDING SIGN.” A sign attached to the ground by columns, poles, braces, or other means, and not attached to any building.
“GOVERNMENT SIGN.” A temporary or permanent sign, erected by government employees or officers in the performance of their professional/official duties.
“HANDBILL.” Printed or written material, a circular, leaflet, pamphlet, or booklet designed for distribution on vehicles or other property, excluding postal distribution, which advertises merchandise, commodities, or services.
“ILLEGAL SIGN.” Signage that does not meet city zoning requirements and has not been identified as a legal nonconforming sign.
“ILLUMINATED SIGN.” Signage that emits or reflects artificial light from any source.
(1) “DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN.” Signage lighted by an unshielded light source (including neon tubing) that is visible as a part of the sign, and where light travels directly from the source to the viewer's eye.
(2) “INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN.” Signage whose light source projects light onto the exterior of the sign surface or onto the building where the sign is located.
(3) “INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN.” Signage whose light source is within the sign, with a transparent or translucent background or cover that silhouettes letters or designs.
“INCIDENTAL SIGN.” Signage, not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, that must be permanently installed to a base.
“LED SIGN.” A sign that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source for display purposes.
“LOT.” An area of land that is subject to certain rules and provisions outlined in the ordinance.
“MENU BOARD.” Signs placed at properties where there is a drive-thru lane, walk-up window, or drive-up curbside.
“MOBILE SIGN.” Signage affixed to a frame having wheels or capable of being moved. “MOBILE SIGNS” do not have a permanent foundation and cannot withstand the wind-load stress requirements of the adopted building code as they are designed to stand free from a building. The removal of wheels from such a sign or temporarily securing it shall not prevent it from being classified as a mobile sign within this definition. This includes signage placed in a truck bed or on a trailer designed to be pulled behind a vehicle.
“MONUMENT SIGN.” A freestanding sign having the appearance of a solid base, constructed of materials such as brick, stonework, textured wood, tile, or textured concrete materials compatible with the materials of the primary structure on the subject property. Monument signs should measure at a minimum eighty percent (80%) of the width of the sign.
“NONCONFORMING SIGN.” Legally erected signage that does not comply with the current regulations.
“NON-ILLUMINATED SIGN.” A sign that does not emit or reflect artificial light from any source.
“OFF-SITE SIGNS.” Signs that advertise products, services, or events that are not directly associated with the property upon which they are located.
“PORTABLE SIGN.” A small sign, easily transported by hand, placed outside during business hours, and brought into the business after hours, usually tent style or A-frame.
“PROJECTING SIGN.” A sign attached to a building that extends more than twenty-four (24) inches. Projecting signs may not extend one third (1/3) over the public sidewalk.
“ROOF SIGN.” A sign that projects above the cornice of a flat roof or the ridgeline of a gabled or hipped roof. In determining the top edge of the roof, calculation shall not include cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or other projections above the roofline.
“ROTATING OR MOVING SIGN.” A sign, any portion of which moves by mechanical means or the wind; does not refer to changing copy with an electronic message display system.
“SIGHT TRIANGLE.” A geometric area or zone designed to ensure safe and unobstructed visibility for drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists at intersections or points where different roads, paths, or transportation routes intersect. The “SIGHT TRIANGLE” typically consists of three (3) sides, with two (2) sides extending from the edge of the road or pathway into the intersection at a specified distance, and the third side connecting these two (2) sides to form a triangular shape.
“SIGN.” Any copy, including material used to differentiate the copy from the background, applied to a surface as a means of identifying, advertising, announcing, or illustrating products, services, and/or events.
“SIGN CLEARANCE.” The vertical distance between the lowest point of any sign and the grade at the base of the sign.
“SIGN COPY.” Any word, figure, number, symbol, or emblem affixed to a sign.
“SIGN HEIGHT.” The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, including the frame and any embellishments, to the bottom of the base of the sign. Any raised landscaping bed or foundation the sign rests upon shall be included in the sign's total height.
“SIGN SETBACK.” The horizontal distance between any street right-of-way and a sign. The measurement shall be taken at the closest point between the right-of-way and any part of the sign.
“SIGN SURFACE.” That part of the sign on which the message is displayed.
“SQUARE FOOT.” A unit of area equal to one (1) foot by one (1) foot.
“STREET FRONTAGE.” The property line that lies adjacent to street right-of-way.
“TEMPORARY SIGN.” A banner, pennant, poster, or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood, or other like materials, and that appears to be intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. They are intended to be displayed for not more than fourteen (14) continuous days or more than eight (8) times per calendar year.
“VEHICLE SIGNAGE.” Signage painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically.
“WALL SIGN.” A sign attached directly to a building, including mansards, canopies and awnings, and a sign attached to a roof that does not project above the roofline.
“WINDOW DISPLAY.” Merchandise or other objects placed inside a building to be viewed from outside the building.
“WINDOW SIGN.” A sign attached to or located within three (3) feet of the interior of a window, and which can be seen through the window from the exterior of the structure.
(Ord. 2023-17, passed 11-13-23)