As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates:
(a) Awning - A projection from a building wall intended primarily for shelter or ornamentation and which can be retracted, folded or collapsed against the face of the supporting building.
(b) Billboard - A permanent sign on which the sign copy is not directly associated with a permitted main use of the land on which such sign is located or any permanent sign situated on a lot where no permitted main use exists.
(c) Building unit - A space occupying a portion of the ground floor of a building, containing an exclusive entrance from the building exterior and separated from all other ground floor spaces by a party wall or walls. For the purposes of this chapter regulations referring to a building shall apply to a building unit if such building is divided into units.
(d) Canopy - Any structure, other than an awning, intended primarily for shelter or ornamentation with a metal frame attached to a building and carried by a frame supported by the ground, foundation or the building to which it is attached.
(e) Changeable copy - That portion of a permanent sign on which copy is not permanently affixed to the sign allowing the copy to be periodically changed manually.
(f) Copy - The letters, words, symbols or artwork displayed on a sign.
(g) Electronic message center (EMC) - A freestanding sign containing a computerized, programmable electronic visual communications device capable of storing and displaying multiple messages in multiple formats and at varying intervals that are electronically changed by remote or automatic means.
(h) Erect - To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend or affix and also includes the painting of wall signs.
(i) Facing and surface - A surface of the sign upon, against or through which the message is displayed or illustrated on the sign.
(j) Foot-candle - A unit of measure of the intensity of light falling on a surface equal to one lumen per square foot and originally defined with reference to a standardized candle burning at one foot from a given surface.
(k) Freestanding sign - Any sign supported by one or more uprights, posts, columns, or vertical structures or supports affixed in the ground and not attached to any part of a building.
(l) Illuminated sign - Any sign illuminated by any source as an integral component of the sign, or by external light directed primarily toward the sign.
(m) Incidental sign - Any wall sign one square foot or less in area or a freestanding sign three square feet or less in area and four feet or less in height.
(n) Multi-tenant building - A nonresidential building served by a common entrance that contains multiple uses.
(o) Nonconforming sign - Any sign lawfully erected and maintained prior to the initial passage of this chapter which does not conform to one or more of the requirements of this chapter. Temporary signs shall not be considered legal, nonconforming signs.
(p) Permanent sign - A sign that is accessory to a permitted main use and permanently affixed or attached to the ground, a building or a structure and which cannot be removed without special handling such as removing or dismantling a foundation, fasteners, adhesives, or similar materials providing support or structural integrity for the sign.
(q) Portable sign - Any sign made of durable materials and not a temporary sign, which is capable of moving or being moved.
(r) Projecting sign - Any sign which is attached to a building or other structure and projecting out from a building face or wall, generally at right angles from the building.
(s) Roof sign - Any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof or parapet wall of any building with the principal supports on the roof structure.
(t) Sign - Any visual communication including but not limited to any writing, pictorial representation, mural illustration, emblem, symbol, design, drawing, banner, flag, placard, pennant, poster or other similar device is used for purpose of advertisement, announcement, declaration, demonstration, identification or expression or which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution or business.
(u) Sign structure - Any sign face, walls, foundations, poles, brackets and other materials supporting the sign face and any materials or equipment associated with the illumination of the sign.
(v) Temporary sign - Any sign constructed of wood, metal, cloth, paper, plastic or fabric of any kind that is not intended to be permanently installed in the ground nor permanently affixed to a building or structure and is intended for use for a limited period of time.
(w) Wall sign - Any sign painted on, attached to, or erected against the wall of a building or structure with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall. Wall signs shall also include signs on awning or canopy.
(x) Window sign - Any sign that is attached or affixed to, painted on, or located within two feet inside of a window or door of a building and exposed to public view.
(Ord. 16-19. Passed 9-16-19.)