For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A-FRAME SIGN. A two-faced chalkboard sign with supports that are connected at the top and separated at the base, forming an "A" shape. These are also referred to as SANDWICH BOARD SIGNS. They are included in the term PORTABLE SIGN.
ABANDONED SIGN. Any sign associated with a building, structure, or business, where the building or occupation permit or business license has expired and where the sign may be considered abandoned in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
ADVERTISING. Any words, symbol, color, or design used to call attention to a commercial product, service, or activity.
ANIMATED SIGN. A sign or part of a sign that is designed to rotate, move, or appear to rotate or move.
AWNING SIGN. A sign placed directly on the surface of an awning.
BANNER. A temporary sign of flexible material designed to be installed with attachments at each of four corners.
BOX SIGN. A sign contained in a box, transparent on one side, which is not more than four and a half square feet in area and not more than one foot deep.
BUSINESS SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a product, service, or commercial activity available on the premises.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign attached to a canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign or part of a sign that is designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
COMMERCIAL SIGN. A sign that advertises a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN. A plan for the signage of a property that includes multiple tenants or owners with shared parking or other facilities, with special use permit (SUP) from Town Council.
FEATHER SIGN. A lightweight, portable sign mounted along one edge on a single, vertical, flexible pole. The physical structure may resemble a sail, bow, or teardrop.
FLAG. A piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope, and used as a symbol or decoration; this includes PENNANTS.
FLASHING SIGN. A sign that includes lights that flash, blink, or turn on and off intermittently.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A non-portable sign that is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent of any support from any building or wall.
HEIGHT. The maximum vertical distance from the base of the sign including the sign structure at normal grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade shall be construed to be the lower of: existing grade immediately prior to construction of the sign; or the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding, or excavating primarily for the purpose of mounting or elevating the sign.
ILLEGAL SIGN. Any sign erected without a required permit or which otherwise does not comply with any provisions of this subchapter.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign that is backlit, internally lighted, or indirectly lighted, but does not include a neon sign.
INFLATABLE SIGN. Any sign which uses compressed or forced gas to provide support.
MARQUEE. A permanent structure projecting beyond a building wall at an entrance to a building or extending along and projecting beyond the building's wall and generally designed and constructed to provide protection against the weather.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to and made a part of a marquee or any similar projections from a building, with changeable, fixed, or both types of lettering in use.
MONUMENT SIGN. A sign affixed to a structure built on grade in which the sign and the structure are an integral part of one another; not a pole sign.
NEON SIGN. A sign containing exposed tubes filled with light-emitting gas.
NON-RESIDENTIAL USE PROPERTY. A property that at the time is being used for some purpose other than a residence, regardless of the zoning district in which the property is located.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. Any sign which was lawfully erected in compliance with applicable regulations of the town and maintained prior to the effective date of this chapter and which fails to conform to
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign that directs attention to a business, product, service, or activity conducted, sold, or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is erected.
POLE SIGN. A sign that is mounted on one or more freestanding poles.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any temporary sign not affixed to a building, structure, vehicle, or the ground. It does not include a flag or banner.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign, other than a wall, awning, or marquee sign, affixed to a building and supported only by the wall or a bracket on which it is mounted.
PUBLIC AREA. Any public place, public right-of-way, any parking area, or right-of-way open to use by the general public, or any navigable body of water.
RESIDENTIAL-USE PROPERTY. A property that at the time is being used as a residence, regardless of the zoning district in which the property is located.
ROOF SIGN. A sign erected or constructed, in whole or in part, upon or above the highest point of a building with a flat roof, or the lowest portion of a roof for any building with a pitched roof.
SIGN. Any device (writing, letter work or numeral, pictorial presentation, illustration or decoration, emblem, device, symbol or trademark, flag, banner or pennant or any other device, figure, or character) visible to and designed to communicate information to persons in a public area. However, the term SIGN does not include architectural features, except those that identify products or services or advertise a business use. The term SIGN also does not include the display of merchandise for sale on the site of the display.
SIGN FACE. The portion of a sign structure bearing the message.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure required to support the sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign constructed of cloth, canvas, vinyl, paper, fabric, or other lightweight material not well suited to provide a durable substrate or, if made of some other material, is neither permanently installed in the ground nor permanently affixed to a building or structure which is permanently installed in the ground. Duration of installation as per the tables in §§ 157.320 and 157.321.
VEHICLE or TRAILER SIGN. Any sign attached to or displayed on a vehicle, if the vehicle or trailer is used for the primary purpose of advertising a business establishment, product, service, or activity. Any such vehicle or trailer shall, without limitation, be considered to be used for the primary purpose of advertising if it fails to display current license plates, inspection sticker, or municipal decal, if the vehicle is inoperable, if evidence of paid-to-date local taxes cannot be made available, or if the sign alters the standard design of such vehicle or trailer.
WALL SIGN. Any sign attached to a wall or painted on or against a flat vertical surface of a structure.
WATERFRONT SIGN. A sign facing the river on riverfront property.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign visible outside the window and attached to or within 18 inches in front of or behind the surface of a window or door.
YARD SIGN. A temporary sign that is not attached to a structure or improvement.
(1998 Code, § 66-361) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. 2020-06, passed 11-4-2020; Ord. O-2023-12, passed 6-6-2023)