For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY SIGN. A sign which is necessary for the use of the property, contains no advertising information, does not exceed 6 square feet in area, and is used for matters pertaining to directions, parking, emergencies, and matters of a similar nature. Examples include but are not limited to identification and informational signs.
BANDED AREA. That portion of a building generally located along the front which is constructed for purposes of attaching building signs in a consistent and coordinated manner.
BANNER. A temporary sign attached to and not projecting more than 18 inches from the exterior wall of a building.
BENCH SIGN. A sign attached to or part of a sitting bench.
BUILDING SIGN. A business sign attached to any face of a building.
BUSINESS SIGN. An exterior sign attached to any face of a building which identifies the business or profession conducted on the premises. This sign pertains to the major functions or the name of the business and the trade names of primary products or goods manufactured or sold on the premises.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign printed on a fabric hood or cover which projects from the wall of a building and may or may not be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of the building.
CHANGEABLE COPY. A sign or portion of a sign with separate inset letters and/or symbols which can easily be removed and are periodically changed.
CONSTRUCTION/DEVELOPMENT SIGN. A sign used temporarily at the construction site identifying the developer, contractor, and/or builder.
DOUBLE FACED SIGN. A sign displaying identical information on opposite sides with the angle between the 2 sides no greater than 30 degrees.
DYNAMIC DISPLAY. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign structure itself, or any other component of the sign. This includes a display that incorporates a technology or method allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or mechanically replace the sign face or its components. This also includes any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, blinking or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, "digital ink" or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays.
FLASHING SIGN. Any illuminated sign on which the artificial light is not stationary, constant in intensity, or constant in color at all times when the sign is in use. A sign providing public service information such as time, temperature, or similar information shall not be considered a flashing sign.
GRADE OF ELEVATION. The lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving, or sidewalk within the area between the sign and 10 feet from the sign.
GROUND SIGN. A free-standing sign erected upon or supported by the ground and not attached to any building.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign which bears the name and/or address of the occupant of the building.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, design, or outline illuminated by electric lights or illuminous tubes as part of the sign proper.
INFORMATIONAL/DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign erected upon private property to provide locational directions or building functions and is attached to the building. These signs may indicate parking areas, wash bays, drive-up windows, and the like.
JOINT IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign which identifies the name of a commercial or industrial complex consisting of 2 or more separate businesses. The sign may include a listing of businesses.
MARQUEE SIGN. A permanent structure not made of cloth fabric that projects over the entrance to a building and is often equipped with a sign board.
MENU BOARD. A sign listing drive-up food items in conjunction with a restaurant.
MONUMENT SIGN. A ground sign intended to permanently identify by name a residential development.
MOVING DEVICE. A device which moves or rotates to attract attention for advertising purposes.
MULTI-OCCUPANCY BUILDING. A building designed to be occupied by 2 or more separate businesses.
NON-COMMERCIAL PUBLIC USE. Properties owned by the City of North Mankato, religious organizations, or public or private schools not created with the intent to earn a profit.
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or offered elsewhere than on the premises.
PENNANT. A small flag used for decorative purposes or to attract attention.
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGN. A sign posted by a bonafide candidate for political office or by a person or group promoting a political issue or political candidate.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign so designed as to be movable from one location to another and not permanently attached to the ground or to any immobile structure. A portable sign may consist of a mobile structure such as a semi truck trailer or other device whose primary function during a specific time period is to serve as a sign.
PROMOTIONAL SIGN. A temporary sign which shall not exist for more than 30 days which promotes civic events or promotions, limited to city celebrations, firemen’s functions and special school events.
PYLON SIGN. A ground sign erected upon a single post or posts that converge at a common base with the posts not more than 15 feet apart with the display portion mounted on top thereof. Clearance between the ground and bottom of the sign must be at least 12 feet.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign intended to aid with the sale, rental, or lease of real property.
ROOF LINE. That line at which an exterior wall surface of a building departs from the vertical plane.
REVOLVING SIGN. A sign which rotates at a constant rate of revolutions per minute.
SIGN. A name, identification, description, display, illustration, structure, or device which is fixed to or painted or represented directly or indirectly upon a building or other outdoor surface or piece of land which directs the attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.
SIGN HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the grade elevation to the highest point of the sign.
SIGN SETBACK. The shortest distance between a property or public right-of-way line and the surface of a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign which is erected for a limited time and/or special purpose, including but not limited to banners, portable, and movable signs.
(Ord. 90, passed 9-21-1987; Am. Ord. 17, 4th series, passed 1-17-2008; Am. Ord. 117, 4th series, passed 8-19-2019)