Words and phrases in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section. Words and phrases not defined in this section but defined elsewhere in the Zoning Ordinance of the Village shall be given the meanings set forth in the Zoning Ordinance. Methods for computing sign height and sign area are contained in this chapter. All other words and phrases shall be given their common, ordinary meaning unless the context describes otherwise.
(a) “Animated Sign” means any such sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
(b) “Banner” means any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is temporarily mounted to a pole or building by a temporary frame at one or more edges. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners. Banners shall not be hung across any public right-of-way.
(c) “Billboard”means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the lot or premises on which the sign is located.
(d) “Building Marker” means any sign indicating the name of a building and date and incidental information about its construction in which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material.
(e) “Building Sign” means any sign attached to any part of a building, as contrasted to a freestanding sign. (See also Wall Sign.)
(f) “Central Commercial District Sidewalk Signs” are temporary sidewalk signs which may be located on the sidewalk or tree lawn in front of a business establishment in the central commercial district which shall be inclusive of the area between Second & Fourth Street (south to north) and Sugar to Grant (west to east).
(g) “Changeable Copy Sign” means a sign or portion thereof with characters, letters, or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the surface of the sign. A sign on which the message changes more than three times per day shall be considered an animated sign and not a changeable copy sign for the purpose of this chapter. A sign on which the only copy that changes is an electronic or mechanical indication of time or temperature shall be considered a “time and temperature” portion of a sign and not a changeable copy sign for the purpose of this chapter. Freestanding changeable copy signs shall be prohibited, however, hanging changeable copy signs upon the same pole as the business sign are permitted.
(h) “Colors” not more than four colors, including black and white, can be used in any sign.
(i) “Commercial Message” means any sign working, logo, or other representation that directly names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
(j) “Flag” means any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other entity.
(k) “Incidental Sign” means a sign, generally informational, that has a purpose secondary to the use of the zone lot on which it is located, such as “no parking”, “entrance”, “loading only”, “telephone”, and other similar directives. No sign with a commercial message legible from a position off the zone lot on which the sign is located shall be considered incidental.
(l) “Free Standing Sign” means any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
(m) “Lettering”. There shall not be more than two styles (fonts) of lettering and more than three sizes used included characters and trademarks.
(n) “Lighting”. Internally illuminated signs shall be constructed to allow the illumination of only letters, numbers or other identifying symbols on the surface. External illumination shall be installed so that the light source is not visible. The external light source shall be directed at the sign only. Light trespass is prohibited.
(o) “Marquee” means any permanent roof like structure projecting beyond a building or extending along the projecting beyond the wall of a building, generally designed and constructed to provide from the weather. (See also Canopy or Awning.)
(p) “Nonconforming Signs” means any sign that does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(q) “Off Premise Outdoor Signs” means a sign, including the supporting sign structure, which is visible from a street or highway and advertises goods or services not usually located on the premise and/or property upon which the sign is located. Any sign shall be a minimum of one hundred and fifty feet (150’) from any R District.
(r) “On Premise Sign” a sign which advertises the primary goods or services sold or taking place upon the premise on which the sign is located.
(s) “Pennant” means any lightweight plastic, fabric, or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.
(t) “Portable Sign” means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent legal structure, or sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to: signs designed to be transported by the means of wheels; signs converted to A or T frames; menu and sandwich boards signs used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless such vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day operations of the business. The portable sign shall be considered a temporary sign for the purpose of this chapter. All portable signs shall be approved by the Safety-Service Director and the Clerk shall keep plans on file. (See Central Commercial District Sidewalk Signs.)
(u) “Projecting Sign”. Projecting signs from buildings or structures shall not project beyond a point within six feet of a line drawn perpendicularly upward from the curb line, and no projecting sign shall, at the lowest point, be less than twelve feet above sidewalk level. The supports and attachments on projecting signs shall be securely attached to a building or structure by metal bolts, anchors, supports, chains, wire ropes, or steel rods. No steel or nails shall be used to secure any projecting sign to any building or structure. Wind loads and sign supports shall be the responsibility of the Owner. Village of Ottawa may require a hold harmless clause in certain instances depending on proximity on the public right-of-way.
(v) “Residential Sign” means any sign located in a residential area that contains no commercial message except advertising for goods or services legally offered on the premises where the sign is located, if offering such service at such location conforms with all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. A residential sign can be displayed for two weeks, one time per year. (Example: garage sale sign.)
(w) “Sign”. A sign shall include any writing (including any work or numeral); pictorial representation (including illustration and decoration); emblem (including device, symbol or trademark); flag (including banner or pennant); or any other figures or characters which:
a. Is a structure or any part thereof, or is attached to, painted on, or any other manner represented on a building or other structure, and
b. Is used to announce, direct attention to, or advertise; and
c. Is visible from outside a building. A sign shall not include writing representation or other figures of similar character within a building.
(1) Real Estate – a sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises on which it is maintained, including a subdivision sign. May be moved at the discretion of the Village of Ottawa’s Chief of Police, Street Commissioner, Safety-Service Director or by letter from the Village Clerk. (See Section 1171.05 (g)).
(2) Instructional – a sign conveying instructions with respect to the premises on which it is maintained, such as a sign designating the entrance to or exit from a parking area, a trespassing sign, a danger sign, and similar signs.
(3) Professional – a sign indicating the name and occupation of a professional person or group of associated professional persons.
(4) Identification – a sign other than a bulletin board sign indicating the name of a permitted use, the name or address of a building, or the name of the management thereof.
(5) Nameplate – a sign indicating the name and address of an occupant.
(6) Announcement – a sign of temporary character indicating the names of persons associated with, or events conducted upon, the premises upon which the sign is maintained.
(7) Business – a sign directing attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered upon the same premise.
(8) Wall – a sign erected against the wall of any building with the exposed face thereof in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall, and which sign is mounted at a distance, measured perpendicular to such wall, no greater than eighteen inches. A wall shall include a sign suspended from the ceiling of a marquee, canopy or vestibule where such sign does not project into the street right- of-way.
(9) Projecting Yard – a sign erected approximately perpendicular to the wall of a building, including a sign erected at the corner of a building and projecting into an open space or yard but not projecting into the right-of-way of any street, sidewalk, alley or other public thoroughfare.
(10) Ground – a detached sign erected upon or supported by the ground.
(11) Canopy or Awning – a sign other than a projecting sign designated on a canopy or awning and identifying the name or address of a building or an establishment contained herein.
(12) Flashing – signs, lights, beacons, or displays that flash, revolve, or otherwise move or change, more than twelve times per minute, or that by their color, brilliance, operations, or other characteristics startle, confuse or distract operators of motor vehicles while driving.
(x) “Temporary Sign” means any sign that is used only temporarily and is not permanently mounted.
(y) “Traffic Visibility” no signs shall be erected in any manner as to interfere with vehicle and/or pedestrian safety.
(z) “Window Sign” means a sign or signs erected on or against an exterior window provided that it is not offensive, inflammatory or obscene. Shall not take up more than twenty-five percent (25%) of available window space.
(Ord. 03-21. Passed 12-8-03.)