For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A-FRAME, SANDWICH SIGN and SWINGER SIGN. A portable sign or an advertising device which is ordinarily in the shape of an “A” or some variation thereof, located on the ground, but not otherwise attached thereto and which is usually two-sided.
ACCESSORY SIGN. Any advertising device which identifies or displays information concerning the proprietor or the business conducted on the premises.
AGGREGATE USE. A group or primary uses integrated in a single development, not separated by an open public street, under common ownership and sharing private parking facilities and/or having other services in common.
AREA. The total perpendicular overall dimensions in the two widest parts of the sign shall be used. This AREA shall be considered solid with no openings deducted therefrom.
BANNER. Any pennant, streamer, flag, sign, picture, figure or other object, regardless of the material of which it is made, which is suspended or otherwise designed for decoration or advertisement, or to attract the attention of passers-by; excepting, however, official warning devices, public service facilities, street lights and similar safety devices.
BILLBOARD.
(1) Includes poster and panel types; and
(2) A non-accessory sign or sign structure upon which advertising may be posted, painted or affixed, and which is primarily designed for the rental or lease of the sign space for advertising, not related to the use of the property upon which the sign is located.
BLOCK. All of the lots or parcels abutting the same side of a dedicated street between the two nearest intersecting dedicated streets.
BULLETIN BOARD. A directional and informational sign of single or double surface, which displays a name or title, announcements and/or other pertinent information pertaining to a public or semi- public use located on the same piece of property.
CANOPY or AWNING. A fixed shelter of any material and of any length, projecting from a building and supported by columns or posts from the ground, or a freestanding shelter supported by columns or posts from the ground.
CANOPY SIGN. An accessory sign painted on, or attached to, the vertical side of, or erected on the roof surface of, a canopy.
COMBINATION SIGN. Any single accessory sign incorporating any combination of the features of the projecting parapet wall, canopy, marquee, wall or fascia signs.
COMMERCIAL SIGN. A freestanding accessory sign intended to identify an aggregate commercial or industrial use of property, or a primary use which is not a part of an apparent aggregate use.
CONTROLLED ACCESS EXPRESSWAY. A divided roadway with center median or barrier providing grade separation structures above or below intersecting cross traffic, providing controlled access or providing access to abutting properties by mean of frontage roads, or specific on and off ramps or both.
DECORATION. An illustration, symbol, flag, streamer, bunting, wreath, figure, insignia or other devices employed to express and illustrate a message or patriotic, holiday or seasonal character and shall not be considered as a sign for the purposes of this chapter.
DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATION SIGNS, NON-ACCESSORY.
(1) Signs which direct attention to the location of a facility or group of facilities on the same property on which the sign is located or display brand name information as herein provided. The signs may include entrance and exit signs, rest room signs, license or permit information signs, and other similar groups.
(2) This shall also include the following specific signs: telephone booth or service signs, brand name on petroleum products pumps or other dispensing apparatus located outside of buildings, identification and informational signs on public utility apparatus, and U.S. Post Office sign on postal apparatus.
DISPLAY SURFACE. The surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated.
DISPLAY SURFACE AREA. The net geometrical area enclosed by the display surface of the sign, including the outer extremities of all letters, figures, characters and delineations. DISPLAY SURFACE AREA shall not include the structural supports for freestanding signs if the structural supports are so arranged as not to become a part of the attention-attracting aspect of the sign. Unless specifically provided in this chapter, the DISPLAY SURFACE AREA to be computed shall be based on the following standards:
(1) For signs of irregular design, the DISPLAY SURFACE AREA shall be determined by computing the area formed by an envelope of rectangles and triangles which shall be formed by drawing straight lines which connect the adjacent panels, figures, characters or delineations.
(2) Where a sign has two faces which are joined in a “V” shape forming an angle not to exceed 60 degrees, or where the sign contains three or more faces which are joined to form a polygon shape when viewed from above, the total DISPLAY SURFACE AREA of the sign may be increased to 150% of the allowable maximums as outlined in this section. No one side of the sign exceeds 75% of the normal maximum size, as set forth herein.
(3) The space between modules in a module sign, as defined herein, shall not be counted.
(4) The DISPLAY SURFACE AREA of the fascia sign shall be calculated by adding together the individual display surface areas of the front and the larger side of the fascia sign.
FASCIA. A continuous, translucent panel, illuminated from within, which may extend around one or more corners, and is attached to, and designed as a part of, a building.
FASCIA SIGN. A wall, canopy, marquee or parapet wall sign attached to or printed on a fascia surface. Unless specifically provided in this chapter, a FASCIA SIGN shall be subject to the standards covering the sign it represents.
FLASHING SIGN. An illuminated sign on which the artificial or reflected light is not maintained stationary and constant in light intensity and color at all times when in use.
FREESTANDING SIGN or GROUND SIGN. A sign which is attached to, or a part of, a completely self-supporting structure. The supporting structure shall not be attached to any building or any other structure, and shall be attached firmly to or below the ground surface.
GRADE LEVEL. The average level of the finished or natural surface of the ground area adjacent to the exterior walls of a building or adjacent to the supports of a sign structure. In this instance, adjacent shall be limited to a radius of 25 feet from the center of the sign structure.
IDENTIFICATION NAMEPLATE. An accessory sign, as permitted herein, which is attached to, and flat against, the wall of a building.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. An accessory sign, as permitted herein, which is freestanding or not attached to a building.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes, whether the sources of illumination are a part of the sign or not.
ILLUMINATION, DIRECT. Illumination which is performed by electrical apparatus from within the sign structure or which is otherwise a part of the sign structure.
ILLUMINATION, INDIRECT. Illumination which is performed by spotlights or other lighting devices and which is not a part of the sign proper.
MARQUEE. A permanent, fixed roof attached to, wholly supported by, and projecting from, a building.
MARQUEE SIGN. An accessory sign painted on, or attached to, the vertical side of, or erected on the roof surface of, a marquee.
MODULE.
(1) A separate unit of a sign which consists of an individual letter or an individual metal, plastic, masonry or wood unit upon which no more than one letter or message, as permitted in the definition of “MODULE SIGN”, is mounted or printed.
(2) MODULES shall be open on three sides or mounted on a building with no visible interconnections between modules.
MODULE SIGN.
(1) Any accessory sign other than an identification sign or identification nameplate which is formed of individual modules which spell out only the name or nature of a business or the occupant of the premises. A MODULE SIGN shall be erected so that there is a space between modules, and no more than one module shall contain information relating to the use of the property, other than the spelling out of the business or occupant.
(2) This sign shall be governed by the regulations applicable to the type accessory sign which the MODULE SIGN represents.
(3) Any sign not meeting this definition shall be subject to the regular accessory sign regulations.
NON-ACCESSORY SIGN. A sign or advertising device which directs attention to an activity, service or product sold or offered elsewhere than on the premises on which the sign is located.
PARAPET WALL. The part of any wall which extends through or above the roof line.
PART WALL SIGN. Any accessory sign erected on the top surface of a parapet.
PORTABLE SIGN.
(1) A transportable sign with or without wheels designed for temporary or permanent use; and
(2) Typically, the signs are less than six feet in height; are mounted on a wheeled undercarriage or temporary base and is intended to be easily moved or transported, and contains a display area designed to allow rapid revision of the letters, numbers and other characters in the advertising message.
PRIMARY USE. The single dominant use of any piece of property or lot.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any accessory sign which projects from, has one end attached to a building and does not employ ground support in any manner.
ROOF SIGN. An accessory sign erected on a vertical framework supported by, and located immediately and entirely over, the roof of a building.
(1) TYPE A ROOF SIGN. An accessory sign designed to permit, but not necessarily be limited to the erection of a shield, symbol or similar trademark or brand name. The sign shall be located immediately and entirely over the roof of a building and attached to a wall or pylon or similar physical support that is a part of the physical and architectural design of the building. The definition shall apply only to a building which is less than 50 feet in height.
(2) TYPE B ROOF SIGN. An accessory sign erected on a vertical framework supported by, and located immediately and entirely over, the roof of a building which is 50 feet or more in height.
SIGN. Any structure or part thereof or any device, permanently or temporarily attached to, painted on, supported by or represented on a building, fence, post or other structure, which is used or intended to be used to attract attention. SIGN shall not include a flag pennant or insignia of any nation, association of nations, state, city or other political unit, any decoration or advertising device attached to any motor vehicle or on a public, coin-operated telephone facility including its customary identification emblems, legends and structural accessories.
TEMPORARY SIGNS. Any sign or advertising device constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wall board, wood or other light materials, with or without frames, which is intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only.
USED. Designed or intended to be used.
WALL SIGN. An accessory sign painted on, or attached to, the wall or surface of a building or fence with a display surface which is parallel to the supporting surface.
WINDOW SIGN. Any accessory sign located on the interior of, or flashing through, a display window.
(2002 Code, § 155.06) (Ord. 348, passed 4-8-1996)