(a) “Sign” means any device, structure, fixture, painting or visual image designed to be seen from an outdoor location and using graphics, symbols, letters or numbers for the purpose of conveying a message or advertising or identifying any establishment, product, good or service.
(b) “Sign Panel” means a structural object or portion of a structural object designed to form a distinct background area or frame for the display of a sign’s information, including all non-opaque surface area of an internally illuminated canopy or wall panel-displaying image.
(c) “Unit of Building” means a space occupying a portion of the ground floor of a building, containing an entrance from the building exterior, and separated from other such spaces by a party wall or walls.
(d) “Freeway” means a limited access or controlled access public highway characterized by entrance and exit ramps and an absence of traffic signals and stop signs along the main road.
(e) “Plain Wall Surface” means any exterior wall of a commercial building, which is made up of common building materials and contains no building openings, or ornamental detailing.
(f) Signs by use type:
(1) “Billboard” means a sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment activity or other commercial activity offered, sold or conducted elsewhere than upon the lot on which the sign is located. Also referred to as an “Off-Premise Sign”
(2) “Bulletin Board” means a sign which is primarily intended to direct attention to an announcement or direct attention to and is located on the lot or premises of a public or semipublic institution and which may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, contain non-commercial messages.
(3) “Business Sign” means a sign which is primarily intended to advertise the name of the business or establishment, the goods or commodities sold and/or brand names thereof, or services rendered on the lot or premises which the sign is located and which may, subject to the provisions of this chapter, contain non-commercial messages. The terms “advertising” and “brand names” distinguish business signs from identification signs. Also referred to as an “On-Premises Sign”.
(4) “Changeable Copy Sign” means a sign or portion thereof where the message or graphic is not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background and may be periodically replaced or covered over, manually or by electronic or mechanical devices.
(5) “Development Sign” means a temporary sign directing attention to a development to be located on the subject property and identifying the firms or individuals participating in the development process.
(6) “Directional Sign” means a sign indicating a direction or location to which pedestrian or vehicular traffic is requested to move.
(7) “Identification Sign “ means a sign which is primarily intended to indicate the name, owner, manager and/or address of an existing building or business and which may, subject to the provision of this chapter, contain non-commercial messages.
(8) “Information Sign” means a sign which presents miscellaneous information or instructions intended to serve the public rather than to promote a business, product or issue not containing information included in the definition of any other sign.
(9) “Nameplate” means a sign indicating the name, address and/or profession of a person or persons occupying all or part of a building.
(10) “Political Sign” means a temporary sign advocating action on a public issue, indicating a candidate for public office, or expressing an opinion or belief.
(11) “Real Estate Sign” means a temporary sign directing attention to the promotion, development, construction, rental, sale or lease of a property on which it is located.
(12) “Temporary Sign” means a sign of any type to announce special events of sales, to announce the sale, lease or rental of property and designed to be used for a period of time up to thirty days.
(g) Signs by Structural type:
(1) “Awning Sign” means a sign painted, attached, embossed, or affixed to a fixed or retractable awning.
(2) “Banner” means a temporary sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or building.
(3) “Canopy Sign” means a sign, attached to the underside of a canopy at a ninety-degree angle to the street, intended for pedestrian visibility.
(4) “Ground Sign” means a freestanding sign which has a supporting base designed as an integral part of the sign resting totally or primarily on the ground.
(5) “Portable Sign” means a sign which is designed to be portable and is not permanently attached to any part of the building.
(6) “Pole Sign” means a sign which is supported wholly by a pole or poles and designed so as to permit pedestrian or vehicular traffic thereunder.
(7) “Projecting Sign” means a sign erected on the outside wall of a building and which projects out at an angle therefrom.
(8) “Roof Sign” means a sign erected upon and positioned completely or partially over the roof of any building.
(9) “Wall Sign” means a sign attached to or displayed or painted on an exterior wall in a manner parallel with the wall surface and not projecting more than twelve (12) inches from the wall surface.
(10) “Window Sign” means a sign painted on, attached to, or suspended directly behind window or the glass portion of a door intended to be viewed from the outside of the building.
(Ord. 1-2003. Passed 1-6-03.)