The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in this section:
A-FRAME SIGN: Any sign, structure, or configuration composed of one or two (2) sign faces mounted or attached back-to-back in such a manner as to form a basically triangular vertical cross- section.
ABANDONED SIGN: A sign which no longer correctly directs or influences any person, advertises a current business, lessor, owner, product or activity conducted or available on the premises where such sign is displayed.
ADVERTISING SIGN: A sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity or service either related or not related to the premises on which the sign is located.
ANIMATED SIGN: A sign which involves motion or rotation of any part by mechanical or other means.
AREA OF A SIGN: The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles which enclose the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display illustration, insignia, surface or space of a similar nature, together with any frame or other material, color, or condition which forms an integral part of the display and is used to differentiate such sign from the wall or background against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. If a sign has two (2) or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that only one face of a double faced sign shall be considered in determining the sign area, provided both faces are parallel and the distance between faces does not exceed two feet (2'). Further, where a sign consists only of individual letters, numbers, symbols or other similar components and is painted on or attached flat against the wall of a building, and where such individual components are without integrated background definition and are not within a circumscribed frame area, the total area of the sign shall be the sum of the areas of the squares or rectangles surrounding each individual sign component.
ATTACHED SIGN: Any sign which is fastened, attached, connected or supported in whole or in part by a building or structure other than a sign structure wholly by the ground.
AWNING SIGN: A sign which includes lettering or graphics placed on the vertical valance of an awning and supported by a rigid framework attached to a building.
BANNER SIGN: A sign made of fabric, plastic or a similar lightweight material and hung from a building or framework attached to a building or placed in the ground.
BENCH SIGN: A sign which is affixed or painted to a bench and is placed outside of the main structure on the property. Benches owned and maintained by a public transit authority are exempt from these regulations.
BILLBOARD SIGN: A detached or attached sign designed or intended to direct attention to a business, product, service, event or attraction that is not sold, offered, or existing on the property where the sign is located.
BLADE BANNER SIGN: A vertical banner supported by a durable pole.
BLADE SIGN: A building mounted sign with sign faces projecting from and perpendicular to the building fascia.
BUSINESS SIGN: A sign which directs attention to a use conducted, product or commodity sold, or service performed upon the premises.
CANOPY SIGN: A sign attached to a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN: A sign or portion of a sign with characters, letters, graphics, or other copy that can be changed or modified by mechanical, electrical, or manual means, not including digital, electronic messaging or electronic message signs.
COMMUNITY SIGN: A temporary on or off-premises sign generally made of a woven material or durable synthetic material which is primarily attached to or hung in a vertical fashion from light poles or buildings, of a solely decorative, festive, and/or informative nature announcing activities, promotions, events, seasonal or traditional themes which are sponsored or supported by Murray City.
DETACHED SIGN: Any sign not supported in whole or in part by a building, or structure other than by a sign structure which is supported wholly by the ground.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: A permanent sign located on private property at or near the public right-of-way, directing or guiding vehicular traffic onto the property and/or toward parking or other identified locations on the property.
DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN: Any sign designed to provide artificial light directly or through transparent material from a source of light within or on such sign, including, but not limited to, neon and incandescent lamp signs.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN: A sign with two (2) parallel identical faces, or two (2) identical sign faces that are not parallel but diverge from a common edge at an angle no greater than fifteen degrees (15°).
ELECTRIC AWNING SIGN: A fireproof space frame structure with translucent flexible reinforced vinyl covering designed in awning form, but whose principal purpose and use is as a sign. These signs are internally illuminated by fluorescent or other light sources in fixtures approved under the Electrical Code.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER SIGN: A sign that utilizes computer- generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.
FLAG SIGN, COMMERCIAL: A sign which is made of cloth or similar lightweight material that expresses messages which are primarily commercial in nature.
FLAG SIGN, NON-COMMERCIAL: A sign which is made of cloth or similar lightweight material that expresses messages which are not primarily commercial. Such flags may include flags of governmental entities, flags identifying the person, institution, organization or corporation occupying a property.
FLASHING SIGN: An illuminated sign which exhibits changing light or color effect by blinking or any similar means to provide a non-constant illumination. Any display must remain lighted for a minimum of two (2) seconds.
FLAT SIGN: A sign erected or attached parallel to the outside of a wall of a building with messages or graphics on the face side only.
FLOODLIGHTED SIGN: A sign made legible in the absence of daylight by devices which reflect or project light upon it.
FREEWAY: A highway, in respect to which the owners of abutting lands have no right or easement of access to or from their abutting lands, or in respect to which such owners have only limited or restricted right or easement of access, the precise route for which has been determined and designed as a freeway by an authorized agency of the state or a political subdivision thereof. This term includes the main traveled portion of the trafficway, all land situated within the right of way, and all ramps and appurtenant land and structures.
GRAFFITI: Any form of unauthorized printing, writing, spraying, scratching, affixing, etching, or inscribing on the property of another regardless of the content or nature of the material used in the commission of the act.
GROUND SIGN: A sign that has its own supporting structure and is not attached to or supported by a building. Types of ground signs include pedestal, pylon, monument, and shared monument signs.
GROUP IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A sign allowing for two (2) or more properties or uses that may share common frontage, access points, off-street parking, or loading areas.
HANGING SIGN: A building mounted sign suspended from the underside of a roof, overhang or recessed area or other similar architectural features of a building.
HEIGHT OF SIGN: The vertical distance measured from the adjacent street grade or upper surface of the nearest curb of a street other than an elevated roadway, whichever permits the greatest height, to the highest point of the sign.
HOME OCCUPATION SIGN: A sign associated with a valid home business existing on the premises.
ILLEGAL OFF PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN: An off premises advertising sign that does not conform or comply with the requirements, including, without limitation, height restrictions, of the version of this Sign Code in effect when the sign was originally erected.
INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign the illumination of which is derived entirely from an external artificial source which is arranged so that no direct rays of light are projected from such artificial source into residences or streets.
INFLATED SIGNS: A sign that is supported by heated or forced air or lighter than air gases.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING OFF PREMISES SIGN: An off premises advertising sign that conformed and complied with the requirements of the version of this Sign Code in effect when the sign was originally erected but no longer conforms or complies with an amended version of this Sign Code.
MARQUEE SIGN: A sign designed to have changeable copy, either manually or electronically. Marquee signs may be a principal identification sign, freestanding sign, a wall sign, or attached to a canopy.
MENU BOARD SIGN: A sign located at a drive-in or drive-up window restaurant.
MONUMENT SIGN: A freestanding on site sign that is attached to the ground or a foundation in the ground and does not include poles, braces, or other visible means of support.
MONUMENT SIGN, SHARED: A freestanding on site sign for two (2) or more uses that is attached to the ground or a foundation in the ground and does not include poles, braces, or other visible means of support.
MOVING SIGN: Any sign or device which has any visible moving part, visible revolving part, or visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or kinetic means, including intermittent electrical pulsations, or by actions of wind currents.
NAMEPLATE SIGN: A sign which designates the name and address of a person or persons occupying the premises upon which it is located. A nameplate is not an identification sign.
NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A permanent sign located at the entrance of a neighborhood, tract, or subdivision.
NONCONFORMING SIGN: A sign legally existing at the time of the effective date hereof which does not currently conform to the provisions of this chapter.
NONILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign not illuminated either directly or indirectly.
NON-INTERSTATE STREET OR HIGHWAY: A state, county or municipal road within the City, excluding I-15 or I-215.
NON-INTERSTATE ORIENTED SIGN: Any sign located on a parcel of land adjacent to a street or highway that is not an interstate, and oriented toward the street or highway or otherwise designed to be viewed from the non-interstate street or highway.
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN: A commercial sign that directs attention of the public to a business activity conducted or product sold or offered at a location not on the same premises where the commercial sign is located. For purposes of this section, easements and other appurtenances and noncontiguous parcels under the same ownership are considered off the premises of the parcel of land on which the business or activity is located or conducted. The definition of off premises advertising sign includes, without limitation, billboards, poster panels, marquees, painted bulletins and other similar advertising displays. Signs that are no more than twelve (12) square feet in area and no more than five feet (5') above uniform ground surface grade and which provide only directions to a business or establishment are excluded from the definition of off premises advertising sign. The definition of off premises advertising sign does not include mass transit bus stop bench and shelter and light and commuter rail station advertising displays.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN: An advertising sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity, or service not related to the premises on which it is erected.
ON-PREMISES SIGN: An advertising sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity, or service which is sold, offered or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located.
PAINTED WINDOW SIGN: A sign painted on windows or doors with markers, paints, or any other type of substance used to display messages.
PARK OR TRAIL SIGN: A sign at a park, trail, or other open space.
PEDESTAL SIGN: A freestanding one- or two-sided ground sign that includes two (2) or more vertical structural supports extending from the sign face to the ground.
PLANNED CENTER: An area of minimum contiguous size, as specified by ordinance, to be planned, developed, operated, and maintained containing one or more structures to accommodate commercial, manufacturing, or business park areas and other uses incidental to the primary uses. Planned centers are designed as an integrated complex or leasable or individually owned spaces in a single building, group of buildings, or parcels.
PLANNED CENTER ON-PREMISES PYLON SIGN: A pylon sign which advertises or directs attention to a use, establishment, product, or service that is located in a planned center.
POLE SIGN: A freestanding sign supported by a single pole mounted permanently in the ground.
PORTABLE SIGN: Any sign not permanently affixed to the ground or a structure on the premises it is intended to occupy.
PROJECTING SIGN: A building mounted sign with the sign faces projecting from and perpendicular to the building fascia.
PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT: Residential property being developed for the sale or lease of multiple lots or structures within a subdivision, and may have one temporary sign as outlined in this chapter.
PROPERTY SIGN: A sign related to the property upon which it is located.
PUBLIC NECESSITY SIGN: A sign informing the public of any danger or hazard existing on or adjacent to the premises.
PYLON SIGN: A freestanding ground sign that includes only one vertical structural support connecting the face of the sign to the ground.
RESIDENTIAL ENTRY FEATURE SIGN: A permanent sign located at a primary residential development entrance intended to facilitate public safety and community identity.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE: Residential property, including individual lots or parcels, actively listed for sale or lease.
RESIDENTIAL SIGN: A temporary, non-commercial sign posted on residential property by the property owner. Residential signs included in other sign categories as defined in this chapter shall be governed by the provisions pertaining to those sign categories.
ROOF SIGN: A sign erected upon a roof or parapet of a building or structure.
ROTATING SIGN: Any sign or portion thereof which physically revolves about an axis.
SIGN: Any writing, pictorial representation, symbol, banner or any other figure of similar character of whatever material which is used to identify, announce, direct attention to or advertise, which is placed on the ground, on any bush, tree, rock, wall, post, fence, building, structure, vehicle, or any place whatsoever and which is visible from outside a building. The term "placed" shall include constructing, erecting, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, stringing, or otherwise fastening, affixing or making visible in any manner whatsoever.
SIGNAGE PLAN: A signage plan consists of one or more scaled drawings showing the location, type, size and design of all existing and proposed signs on site.
SNIPE SIGN: A sign for which a permit is required and has not been obtained and which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to the ground, trees, poles, stakes, fences, or other objects with the message appearing thereon.
SPECIAL EVENTS: A specific time period during which there are "special events", including but not limited to community events, presentations, sales, and so forth.
TEMPORARY SIGNS: Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials with or without frame installed for a limited period of time.
TENANT LISTING SIGN: A wall sign on a building containing multiple tenants or uses, located near the entrance and designed in such a manner as to accommodate multiple sign plates.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN: Standard regulatory signs installed by public agencies, including stop and yield signs, speed limit signs, etc.
TRAILER SIGN: Any sign affixed to, applied, set upon, or printed on a trailer.
TRESPASSING SIGN: Any sign which warns against the trespassing onto a parcel of property or structure.
VEHICLE SIGN: Any sign that is mounted upon, painted upon, or otherwise erected on trucks, cars, boats, trailers, or other motorized vehicles or equipment.
WALL SIGN: A sign erected or attached parallel to the outside of a wall of a building with messages or graphics on the face side only.
WAYFINDING SIGN: A directional sign that guides the traveling public to key civic, visitor, or recreational destinations within a specific region.
WIND SIGN: Any sign or portion thereof or series of signs, banners, flags or other objects designed and fastened in such a manner as to move freely upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze.
WINDOW SIGN: A sign that is attached to, or suspended directly behind or in front of a window.
(Ord. 19-42 § 2: Ord. 19-14)