For the purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“BALLAST.” A heavy substance placed in such a way as to improve the stability and control of an object.
“BUILDING, SINGLE-TENANT.” A building in which all space is occupied by one tenant and is not a part of a larger unified development.
“CANOPY.” A roof-like structure extending from a building in order to provide protection from the elements, which is carried by a frame that is supported by the ground.
“CHANGEABLE COPY.” Letters, numerals, or other copy that may be manually or mechanically affixed to and/or removed from a sign. “CHANGEABLE COPY” is only permitted when incorporated into a permanent sign structure as permitted by this subchapter.
“CHANNEL LETTERS.” Three-dimensional individually cut letters or figures, illuminated or not illuminated, affixed to a structure. Open- face “CHANNEL LETTERS” are prohibited.
“CHANNEL LETTERS, OPEN-FACE.” Three dimensional, individually cut letters or figures, illuminated having a clear plastic face allowing for raw neon or like materials to be seen and affixed to a structure. This type of channel letter is prohibited.
“COMMERCIAL MESSAGE.” Any image, logo, or words that advertise a business conducted, service rendered, activity conducted, or goods produced and/or sold.
“COMMUNITY EVENT.” An activity that is open to the general public and sponsored by a public, private not-for-profit, or religious organization that is educational, cultural, or recreational in function. Charitable events sponsored by for-profit organizations are also considered “COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.”
“COPY.” The wording, logo, shapes, and object content of a sign in either permanent or removable letter media.
“CORE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.” The area beginning at the intersection of Clinton Street and 10th Street, running thence south along 10th Street to the intersection with Maple Avenue, running thence west along Maple Avenue to a point where Maple Avenue would intersect with White River, if Maple Avenue were continued upon its western course; running thence north along the meandering thread of White River to the intersection of a line which would represent the extension of Clinton Street to the west to its intersection with White River; thence east to Clinton Street and along Clinton Street to the point of beginning.
“DRIVEWAY, LEADING EDGE.” The edge of the driveway located behind the street right-of-way.
“FACADE.” The main exterior of a building usually characterized by elaboration of stylistic details and containing an entrance.
“FLAG.” A rectangular piece of fabric of distinctive design that is or represents an official symbol of a nation, state, municipality, or the legal entity that occupies the property.
“FRONTAGE.” Property connected directly with a street or highway. For the purpose of determining frontage, an alley is not considered to be a street or highway.
“GARAGE SALE (RUMMAGE, NEIGHBORHOOD, ESTATE AND OTHER SIMILAR ACTIVITIES).” The sale or offering for sale to the general public of personal property on any portion of a lot in any zoning district, either within or outside of a structure on a temporary basis. It includes a single-individual, a group of individuals, and/or a sale conducted by a religious, school, or not-for-profit organization.
“HEIGHT, SIGN.” The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign to the finished grade of the ground immediately beneath the sign. For those instances when the sign is constructed on an artificially constructed earthen berm, the “SIGN HEIGHT” shall be measured from the highest point of the sign to the base of the earthen berm.
“ILLUMINATION.” An artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purposes of illuminating the sign.
“ILLUMINATION, BARE-BULB.” A light source which consists of light bulbs with a 20 watt maximum wattage for each bulb.
“ILLUMINATION, FLOOD.” A light source which shines directly upon the object which it is intended to illuminate.
“ILLUMINATION, HALO-LIT.” Individually mounted opaque, internally backlit letters that illuminate the wall or surface to which they are attached.
“ILLUMINATION, INDIRECT.” A light source which does not directly shine upon the object which it is illuminating.
“ILLUMINATION, INTERNAL.” A light source that is concealed or contained within the object which it is intended to illuminate and becomes visible in darkness through a translucent surface.
“INDIVIDUAL LETTERS.” May include channel letters/figures, sandblasted letters/figures, wood-carved letters/figures or other types as determined by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee.
“INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT.” A development containing three or more stores, service establishments, offices or other permitted uses planned, organized, and managed to function as a unified whole and featuring all or some of the following features in common: (1) driveways, (2) parking, (3) signage plan, (4) landscaping plan, and /or platted as a subdivision that may include outlots for lease or for sale.
“ITEM OF INFORMATION.” A word, an initial, a logo, an abbreviation, a number, a symbol, or a geometric shape.
“MULTI-TENANT BUILDING, EXTERNALLY ACCESSED.” A single building occupied by two or more tenants in which individual business entrances are accessed externally on the ground floor.
“MULTI-TENANT BUILDING, INTERNALLY ACCESSED.” A single building occupied by two or more tenants in which individual business entrances are accessed internally through a single exterior access point or limited exterior access points.
“MURAL, ART.” Original works (i) created by an individual or team that are designed with the intent of producing a creative or aesthetic outcome, (ii) are not used for advertising a business, product, service, or commercial activity, and (iii) is painted, drawn, or similarly applied on the exterior of a structure for artistic expression. The only lettered or numeric messaging includes the artist's name and date of installation.
“RACEWAY.” A long rectangular metal enclosure used to mount individual channel lettering and to conceal related electrical components onto a wall face. “RACEWAYS” may be internal or external to a building.
“RESIDENTIAL AREA.” Any portion of the city in which residential uses are permitted or a legal non-conforming residential use is established.
“REVERSE CHANNEL LETTERS.” See “ILLUMINATION, HALO-LIT.”
“SIGN.” Any name, identification, description, display, or illustration which is affixed to, painted, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building or other outdoor structure or parcel of land, and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, business, person, service, or interest. The following definitions shall be subsets of the definition of “SIGN:”
(1) “AWNING.” A roof-like covering of cloth, plastic or other non-structural material that either is permanently extending from a building or can be raised or retracted to a position against a building when not in use.
(2) “BANNER.” A sign with a message comprised of a logo, text, coloring, and/or design applied to a lightweight material such as cloth, paper, fabric, or plastics and secured or mounted to allow movement caused by the atmosphere or by artificial means of producing the movement of air. These do not include wing banners, feather banners, flying banners, towers, cylindrical banners, wind-up banners, and tear-drop banners.
(3) “BANNER, FEATHER.” A sign with a rigid rib that forms a straight line, curve, or angle at the top on a single or two side and loose fabric on the other edges. Also known as wing banners, feather flags, flying banners, towers, cylindrical banners, wind-up banners, and tear-drop banners.
(4) “BLADE.” A smaller version of a projecting sign oriented to be read from the sidewalk by a pedestrian. These signs shall be located on the ground floor of the buildings and shall be suspended from or supported by the building, an awning, canopy, or marquee.
(5) “CABINET/BOX.” A sign with text and symbols printed on a single-piece of plastic, acrylic, wood, or metal made up of a single-face and back or two faces that are mounted in a cabinet or box that houses the lighting sources and equipment.
(6) “CONSTRUCTION.” A sign located on a property or within a development or subdivision that is actively under construction. That includes property with active building permits or improvement location permits.
(7) “DESIGNATION.” A type of ground sign that identifies an integrated development and may identify one or more establishments within the development.
(8) “DIRECTIONAL.” A sign intending to direct the safe flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that includes “enter,” “exit,” “arrow signs” and other similar information.
(9) “DIRECTORY.” A sign that provides a listing of uses or tenants within a particular building or complex of buildings, intended to facilitate circulation within the development and provide information to patrons by providing either directions to or locations of tenants.
(10) “ELECTRONIC.” A sign capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, or images in a format such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means.
(11) “GATEWAY.” A permanent sign indicating entry into a neighborhood or special district located either on private property or within the right-of-way.
(12) “GROUND.” A freestanding sign supported primarily by an internal structural framework or integrated into landscaping or other solid structure features. If supported by poles, posts, or braces, the maximum clearance between the bottom of the sign and the grade is one foot. The external support structures shall be covered by natural flagstone, brick, rock, stone, and/or river rock with said sign design being of the same architectural style and materials as the main building on the site. Each support covering must be a minimum of 25% of the width of the sign face.
(13) “INCIDENTAL.” A permanent sign which has a purpose that is secondary and incidental to the use of the lot on which it is located, such as “hours of operation,” “loading zone only,” “air,” and “visitor parking” and other similar messages which carries no commercial message that is legible beyond the lot on which the sign is located.
(14) “LIGHTER-THAN-AIR.” A nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated with heated air or gas so as to make it float in the atmosphere and give it shape and is properly anchored to the ground.
(15) “LOT IDENTIFICATION.” A sign that includes the lot number, structure address number, and building permit all laminated and established on a two-foot by four-foot post(s), a minimum of five feet to a maximum of six and one-half feet in height above the ground level.
(16) “MARQUEE.” A permanent structure other than a roof, attached to, supported by, and projecting from a building providing protection from the environment.
(17) “MENU BOARD.” A cabinet sign listing the assortment of food items available and the price of such items offered.
(18) “MODEL HOME/SHOW HOME.” A sign indicating that it is a “MODEL HOME” or “SHOW HOME” and may include the name of the builder/developer, telephone number of the builder/developer, hours open, cost, model/style, and other information relating to that particular home and located on the lot of the “model” or “show” home.
(19) “MURAL.” A sign painted onto the side of a building, wall, ground, or structure. Murals without a commercial message are not regulated by this subchapter. (See also Mural, Art definition.)
(20) “NEIGHBORHOOD.” A sign identifying a subsection of the overall subdivision or development.
(21) “NON-CONFORMING.” A sign legally existing as of the effective date of this subchapter that is not in compliance with this subchapter or any subsequent amendments.
(22) “OFF-PREMISE” or “OFF-SITE.” A sign directing attention to a business, product, service, entertainment and/or any other activity offered, sold or conducted elsewhere than upon the lot where the sign is displayed.
(23) “PARKING LOT IDENTIFICATION.” A sign providing information for the convenience of the public to identify the location of a parking space or lot that only contains the venue name or symbol and the necessary information to identify the parking lot and row.
(24) “PLACARD.” A sign that is attached directly to the face of a residential structure that has been converted into a business in the area shown in Appendix G of the Unified Development Ordinance also known as the Central Core Map.
(25) “POLE.” A freestanding street graphic that is permanently supported in a fixed location by a structure of poles, posts, uprights, or braces from the ground and not supported by a building or base structure.
(26) “PORTABLE.” Any sign that is not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure or a sign designed to be transported including but not limited to signs designed to be transported by wheels; balloons used as signs, umbrellas used for advertising and signs attached to or painted on vehicles which are parked or positioned for the primary purpose of displaying the sign.
(27) “PORTABLE, HUMAN.” Any sign or banner, made of any material which is carried, held, or displayed by any person or persons.
(28) “PROJECTING.” Any double-sided sign suspended from or supported by a building, and extending outward perpendicular to the building face upon which it is attached.
(29) “REAL ESTATE AVAILABILITY.” A sign displayed on property that is listed for sale, lease, or rent on a centralized listing service, website, newspaper advertisement, or other similar media.
(30) “ROOF.” Any sign erected on or above the roof-line of a building.
(31) “SANDBLASTED.” A sign created by placing a rubber stencil over letters and images and etching the background with a high-pressure mixture of sand and air on wood or glass materials.
(32) “SANDWICH BOARD.” A sign constructed in such a manner as to form an “A” or a tent-like shape not permanently attached or secured to the ground or surface upon which it is located specifically for advertising that business.
(33) “SUSPENDED PORCH.” A sign that is suspended from a porch or overhang. This type of sign shall be permitted on residential structures that have been converted to a business in the area shown in Appendix G of the Unified Development Ordinance also known as the Central Core Map.
(34) “TEMPORARY.” A sign or advertising display that is to be displayed for a temporary designated period of time. The following signs are included but are not limited to contractor sign, garage sale sign, community garage sale sign, special event sign, real estate availability sign, lighter-than-air display, lot identification sign, model home/show home sign, open house directional sign, sandwich boards, banners, community pride sign and other signs as determined by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee.
(35) “WALL.” A sign attached to or affixed directly to the wall of a building or structure, parallel to the plane of the building or structure and extending less than 12 inches from the building or structure.
(36) “WINDOW.” A sign painted, etched, or attached either directly onto the inside or outside of a window.
(37) “YARD.” A sign mounted on a stake or metal frame that is used for a limited time without regard to message. Examples include, but are not limited to, campaigns, sales, services, business identification, and promotions.
(38) “YARD CARD (SIGN BOARD).” A durable, double-sided, detailed design advertising a community garage sale event. The card/board may be constructed of PVC or pressure treated wood with a protective coating or other similar materials.
“SIGN AREA.” The entire area of a single continuous perimeter enclosing all elements of the sign which forms an integral part of the sign and which are organized, related and composed to form a single unit. Where copy is displayed in a random manner without organized relationship of items of information or where there is reasonable doubt about the relationship of the items of information, each item of information shall be considered to be a single sign.
“SIGN AREA, GROUND AND PROJECTING SIGN (CALCULATION OF AREA).” The total area of the sign face which is used to display a sign, not including its supporting poles or structures. If a sign has two faces that are parallel and supported by the same poles or structures, the area of the sign shall be considered as one sign. If the sign has two or more faces that are supported by the same or different poles or structures and are not parallel, the sign shall be considered two signs.
“SIGN AREA, WALL SIGN (CALCULATION OF AREA).” The percentage of the signable area of a building or structure which may be used for the wall sign.
“SIGN BACKER.” A background display that is attached to the building or a part of the sign which is typically a geometric shape and usually of a contrasting color to either the building and/or the sign face.
“SIGN PERMIT.” A document signed by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee stating that the sign meets the general provisions of this subchapter and the Unified Development Ordinance.
“SIGNABLE WALL AREA.” The total area of the building face on which the sign is located. Windows, doors, awnings and other architectural details such as decorative molding and secondary building materials are subtracted from the total area. For buildings divided into separate architectural planes, only the architectural plane on which the sign is located is used for calculating “SIGNABLE WALL AREA.” All sign elements shall be located on the same architectural plane.
“SIGNATURE MONUMENT.” An identifying mark, architectural feature, or water feature located at the entrance to a residential development on a roadway identified on the Noblesville Thoroughfare Plan. These include, but are not limited to, a fountain, clock tower, pergola, gazebo, outdoor plaza, ponds, spire, arbor, or waterfalls.
“SPECIAL EVENT.” A noteworthy occasion or activity that is not a part of a regular service or occasion that is conducted by business, religious, civic, educational, community, governmental or similar organizations.
(Ord. 17-5-09, passed 6-9-09; Am. Ord. 23-6-09, passed 6-23-09; Am. Ord. 41-9-09, passed 10-13-09; Am. Ord. 25-7-10, passed 8-24-10; Am. Ord. 30-9-10, passed 9-28-10; Am. Ord. 31-9-10, passed 9-28-10; Am. Ord. 12-2-11, passed 3-15-11; Am. Ord. 22-06-13, passed 7-9-13; Am. Ord. 13-02-14, passed 3-11-14; Am. Ord. 17-04-14, passed 5-13-14; Am. Ord. 37-08-14, passed 9-9-14; Am. Ord. 25-07-17, passed 8-15-17; Am. Ord. 32-07-19, passed 7-23-19)