§ 153.07 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   ADDRESS SIGN. A sign communicating street address only, whether written or in numerical form.
   ADVERTISING SIGNS. A billboard, poster panel board or other communication device, which issued to advertise products, goods and/or services which are not exclusively related to the premises which the sign is located.
   AREA IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A freestanding sign which identifies the name of a neighborhood, a residential subdivision, a multiple-residential complex consisting of three or more structures, a shopping center consisting of five or more separate business concerns, an industrial area, an office complex consisting of three or more structures or any combination of the above, located on contiguous property.
   BANNERS and PENNANTS. Attention-getting devices which resemble flags and are of a paper, cloth or plastic-like consistency.
   BUSINESS. Any establishment, occupation, employment or enterprise where merchandise is manufactured, exhibited or sold, or where services are offered for compensation.
   BUSINESS SIGN. Any sign which identifies a business or group of businesses, either retail or wholesale, or any sign which identifies a profession or is used in the identification or promotion of any principal commodity or service, including entertainment, offered or sold upon the premises where such sign is located.
   CANOPY AND MARQUEE SIGNS. Any message or identification which is affixed to a projection or extension of a building or structure, erected in such a manner as to provide a shelter or cover over the approach to any entrance of a store, building or place of assembly.
   CONSTRUCTION SIGN or DEVELOPMENT SIGN. A non-illuminated sign announcing the names of architects, engineers, developers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with the development, construction, alteration or repair of any buildings or property (but not including any advertisement of any product) or announcing the character of the building enterprise, or the purpose for which the construction is intended.
   DISTRICT. Refers to a specific zoning district as defined by Ord. 827.
   DWELLING. A building or portion thereof, designed exclusively for residential occupancy, including one-family, two-family and multiple-family dwellings, but not including hotels, motels and boarding houses.
   FREESTANDING SIGNS. Divided into two classes:
      (1)   GROUND SIGN. A sign affixed directly to the ground; and
      (2)   PYLON SIGN. A sign erected upon a post or posts where no portion of the message area is less than eight feet above the ground. The message area may be contained on more than one panel or display area.
   GOVERNMENTAL SIGNS. A sign which is erected by a governmental unit for the purpose of identification and directing or guiding traffic.
   HOLIDAY SIGNS. Signs or displays which contain or depict message pertaining to a national or state holiday, and not other matter.
   IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Signs in all districts which identify the business or owner, or manager or resident and set forth the address of the property.
   ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which is lighted by an artificial light source either directed upon it or illuminated from an interior source.
   INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY SALE OR RENTAL SIGNS. Any on-premises sign announcing the name of the owner, manager, realtor or other person directly involved in the sale or rental of the property or announcing the purpose for which it is being offered.
   INFORMATIONAL/DIRECTIONAL SIGNS. Any sign giving information to employees, visitors or delivery vehicles, but containing no advertising. May include name of business, but must predominantly represent a directional or informational message.
   INSTITUTIONAL SIGN. A sign or bulletin board which identifies the name and other characteristics of a public, semi-public or private institution on the site where the sign is located. Institutions shall include churches, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and other non-profit and charitable organizations.
   INTEGRAL SIGNS. Names of buildings, date of construction, commemorative tablets and the like, which are of a permanent type of construction and which are an integral part of the building or the structure.
   NON-CONFORMING SIGNS.
      (1)   ILLEGAL. A sign which was constructed after the passage of this chapter or amendments thereto and does not conform with the regulations of this chapter is ILLEGAL.
      (2)   LEGAL. A sign which lawfully existed at the time of the passage of this chapter or amendment thereto, but which does not conform with the regulations of this chapter is LEGAL.
   PARAPET. A low wall which is located perpendicular to (extension of front wall) a roof of a building.
   POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS. Signs or posters announcing the candidate(s) seeking political office and/or political issues, and data pertinent thereto.
   PROJECTING SIGN. A sign, other than a wall sign, which is affixed to a building and which extends perpendicular or at an angle from the building wall.
   PUBLIC SIGN. Signs of a public, non-commercial nature, to include safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques and the like, when signs are erected by or on order of a public officer or employees in the performance of official duty.
   ROOF LINE. The top of the coping; or, when the building has a pitched roof, as the intersection of the outside wall with the roof.
   ROOF SIGN. A sign supported by the roof, or parapet wall of a building or structure. Adequate clearance shall be maintained so as to provide access around or under such signs. The supporting members of such signs shall appear to be free of any extra bracing angle iron, guy wires, cables and the like. The supports shall appear to be an architectural and integral part of the building and sign.
   SHOPPING CENTER. An integrated grouping of commercial stores, under single ownership or control.
   SIGN. The use of any works, numerals, figures, devices or trademarks by which anything is made known such as are used to show an individual, firm, profession or business, and are visible to the general public.
   SIGN AREA. The area within the marginal lines created by the sign surface which bears the advertisement or, in the case of messages, figures or symbols attached directly to the part of a building, which is included in the smallest geometric figure which can be made to circumscribe the message, figure or symbol displayed thereon. Only one side of a double face sign shall be counted as SIGN AREA.
   SIGN STRUCTURE. The supports, foundations, uprights, bracing and framework for a sign, including the sign area.
   STREET FRONTAGE. The proximity of a parcel of land to one or more streets. An interior lot has one STREET FRONTAGE and a corner lot has two frontages.
   TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign which is erected or displayed for a specified period of time.
   WALL SIGN or FACIA SIGN. A sign which is affixed to the exterior wall of a building. A WALL SIGN does not project more than 18 inches from the surface to which it is attached, nor extend beyond top of parapet wall.
(1992 Code, § 330:25)