The following are definitions of specialized terms and phrases used in this chapter. The definitions are organized in alphabetical order.
Abandoned Sign. Any sign which no longer advertises a business, lessor, owner, product, service or activity on the premises where the sign is displayed.
Animated or Moving Sign. Any sign which uses movement, lighting, or special materials to depict action or create a special effect to imitate movement.
Awning Sign. Any copy or logo attached to or painted on an awning.
Banner, Flag, or Pennant. Any cloth, bunting, plastic, paper, or similar non-rigid material attached to any structure, staff, pole, line, framing, or vehicle, including streamers, but not including official flags of the United States, the state of California, and other states of the nation, counties, municipalities, official flags of foreign nations and nationally or internationally recognized organizations.
Bench Sign. Copy attached or painted on any portion of a bench.
Billboard. A legally constructed on-site or off-site structure of any kind or character other than the main business identification signs erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any poster, bill, printing, painting, or other advertisement may be placed, including on a static or digital display using digital message technology capable of changing the static message on the sign electronically, including statuary for advertising purposes.
Building Frontage. That building elevation which fronts on a public street, pubic parking lot, private parking lot available to the general public, or pedestrian walk where customer access to a structure is available.
Business Identification Sign. A sign which serves to identify only the name, address, and lawful use of the premises upon which it is located and provides no other advertisements or product identification.
Cabinet Sign (Can Sign). A sign which contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated.
Changeable Copy Sign. A sign designed to allow the changing of copy through manual, mechanical, or electrical means including time and temperature.
Commercial Sign. Any sign advertising any business or for profit enterprise, whether on-site or off-site.
Construction Sign. A sign which states the name of the developer and contractor(s) working on the site and any related engineering, architectural or financial firms involved with the project.
Convenience Sign. A sign that conveys information (e.g., restrooms, no parking, entrance) or minor business identification for the purposes of directing vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic within a project, and is designed to be viewed on-site by pedestrians and/or motorists.
Copy. Words, letters, numbers, figures, designs, or other symbolic representations incorporated into a sign.
Digital Display. A sign with a fixed or changing display/message composed of a series of lights, but not including time and temperature displays.
Double-faced Sign. A sign constructed to display its message on the outer surfaces to identical and/or opposite parallel planes.
Flashing Sign. A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source.
Freeway Sign. A sign allowed on parcels which are located adjacent to or within 150 of freeway right of way.
Future Tenant Sign. A temporary commercial sign that identifies the names of future businesses that will occupy a site or structure.
Internally Illuminated Sign. A sign whose light source is located in the interior of the sign so that the rays go through the face of the sign, or light source which is âttached to the face of the sign and is perceived as a design element of the sign.
Marquee (Canopy) Sign. A sign which is attached to or otherwise made a part of a permanent roof-like structure which projects beyond the building wall in the form of a large canopy to provide protection from the weather.
Monument Sign. An independent, freestanding structure supported on the ground having a solid base as opposed to being supported by poles or open braces.
Neon. Glass tube lighting in which a gas and phosphors are used in combination to create a colored light.
Noncommercial Sign. Any sign other than a commercial sign.
Noncommercial Message. A message or image on a sign that directs public attention or advocates an idea or issues of public interest or concern but is not advertising for hire and or does not promote any business product, activity service interest or entertainment.
Non-primary Frontage. The elevation of a building that does not include the primary entrance to a building.
Off-site Sign. Any sign identifying a use, facility, service, or product which is not located, sold, or manufactured on the same premise as the sign or which identifies a use, service, or product by a brand name which although sold or manufactured on the premise, does not constitute the principal item for sale or manufactured on the premise.
Permanent Sign. A sign constructed of durable materials and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises.
Pole Sign. A sign that is displayed on and completely supported by a single support element (pole) that is constructed into the ground, with no part of the sign attached to a building or similar structure.
Portable Sign. A freestanding sign that is not permanently affixed to a structure or the ground; includes wire-frames and grape-stakes signs.
Primary Frontage. The elevation/face/front of a building with the main public entrance and the elevation/face/front of the building visible from an interstate.
Projecting Sign. A sign other than a wall sign suspending from, or supported by, a structure and projecting out-ward.
Pylon Sign. A sign that is displayed on and completely supported by two or more support elements (poles/columns) that are constructed into the ground and are completely enclosed by a solid architectural element(s) so that the supporting elements are not visible.
Real Estate Sign. A sign indicating that a property or any portion thereof is available for inspection, sale, lease, rent, or directing people to a property, but not including subdivision signs.
Relocation Agreement. An agreement between the city and a billboard owner and/or property owner resulting in the removal, relocation, replacement and/or reconstruction of one or more lawfully existing billboards to another parcel of property within the city, or to reconstruct a billboard on the same property, as approved by the city council.
Roof Edge. On a pitched roof, the lowest portion of the fascia board covering the roof rafters, or if no fascia board exists, the lowest point of the roof rafters. On a flat roof, the top of the parapet wall.
Roof Sign. A sign constructed upon or over a roof, or placed so as to extend above the edge of the roof.
Sign. Any structure, device, figure, painting, display, message placard, or other contrivance, or any part thereof situated outdoors or indoors, which is designed, constructed, intended, or used to advertise, or to provide data or information in the nature of advertising, to direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, business, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.
Sign Area. The entire area within a perimeter defined by a continuous line composed of right angles which enclose the extreme limits of lettering, logo, trademark, or other graphic representation, to get her with any frame or structural trim forming an integral part of the display used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed. See Section 16.38.110(B) (Measurement of Sign Area).
Site Directory Sign. A sign for listing the tenants and their suite numbers of a multiple tenant structure or center.
Street Frontage. The portion of a property that is adjacent to a street.
Subdivision Sign. A temporary, free-standing sign designed, erected, and maintained to serve the public by providing directions and information related to new residential project developments and/or community facilities.
Temporary. Any sign intended to be displayed for a limited period of time and capable of being viewed from any public right-of-way, parking area or neighboring property.
Vehicle Sign. A sign which is attached to or painted on a vehicle which is parked on or adjacent to any property for more than forty-eight (48) consecutive hours, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or business located on the property.
Wall Sign. A sign which is attached to or painted on the exterior wall of a structure with the display surface of the sign approximately parallel to the building wall.
Window Area. Window area shall be computed by calculating each window pane or panel. The area shall be separate for each building face, and for each window. A group of window panes or panels may be considered one window if they are adjoining on the building face and are less than six inches apart.
Window Sign. Any sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on any window exposed to public view. Any interior sign which faces any window exposed to public view and is located within three feet of the window.
(Ord. 524 Exhibit A, 2017; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)