For the purposes of these regulations, a sign shall include any device that is intended to announce, direct, or advertise, and may be represented by words or letters, figures, symbols or characterizations, or other insignia. As used in this Chapter, signs shall be classified by physical design or structure, and function or purpose based on the following:
(a) Physical Characteristics.
(1) Awning or Canopy Sign. A sign which is attached to or made a part of an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, window or other opening to a building.
(2) Banner Sign. Any non-rigid doth, plastic or canvas sign with no enclosing framework that is mounted to a building at one or more edges. National or state flags, or the official flag of any institution, shall not be considered banners.
(3) Changeable Copy Sign. A sign or portion of a sign that permits computer driven or manually changeable copy that provides nonmoving messages.
(4) Electronic Message Sign. A sign or portion of a sign that permits computer driven messages on a message board having a black background using amber or red letters and whose messages shall be displayed without change for a minimum of at least one minute changed instantaneously to the next message without any special effects. In addition, green letters may only be used in gasoline station price signs as required by law. This definition includes liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diodes (LED) or other similar electro-mechanical display common with gasoline station price signs and drive-thru menu boards.
(5) Flag. An ensign, standard, colors, or emblem of a government body, association, group, business or corporation. Strings of flags are not included in this definition.
(6) Freestanding Sign. A sign attached to the ground or a structure which is intended and designed only to support the sign and which is permanently embedded in the ground or anchored in concrete
(7) Ghost Sign. The remaining image of a previous commercial sign that is still visible.
(8) Ground Sign. Ground signs shall include Pole Signs, Monument Signs, and other types of free standing signs supported by uprights or braces on the ground.
(9) Illuminated Sign. A sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for the purpose of illuminating the sign.
A. Externally illuminated sign. A sign that is illuminated by an external source, which reflects light off the surface of a sign face.
B. Internally illuminated sign. A sign with internal electronic circuitry emitting light through the sign face.
(10) Marquee Sign. A sign attached to or supported by a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the facade of a building.
(11) Nonconforming Sign. A sign that was erected legally but which does not comply with subsequently enacted sign restrictions and regulations.
(12) Off-site or off-premises sign. A sign identifying a use, facility, service, or product that is not located, sold, or manufactured on the same premises as the sign or which identifies a use, service, or product by a brand name which, although sold or manufactured on the premises, does not constitute the principal item for sale or manufactured on the premises.
(13) Pennant. A triangular-shaped banner displaying no images or words.
(14) Pole sign. A sign that is mounted on a free-standing pole or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is eight feet or more above finished grade.
(15) Portable sign. A sign that is not permanently affixed to a building or structure on the ground, designed in such a way to allow it to be moved from one location to another without any change in its structure components or members. Such signs include trailer signs, A-frame signs, self- supporting signs, and air activated attraction devices.
(16) Ribbon. A rectangular-shaped banner displaying no signage.
(17) Roof Sign. A sign erected on or over the roof of a building.
(18) Sandwich sign. A portable rectangular shaped sign limited in size to two (2) feet in width x three (3) feet in height with the top no higher than forty-two (42) inches from the sidewalk surface. Sandwich signs are to be sufficiently secured to prevent tipping, subject to the approval of the Zoning Inspector.
(19) Streamer. A ribbon-shaped or cord-like rope that may have multiple pennants or ribbons attached and which is stretched or hung between two supports.
(20) Under-Canopy Sign. A sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof or marquee.
(21) Wall Sign. A sign attached to or painted on a building face, with the exposed face thereof in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall, and not extending more than 12 inches therefrom, and which does not project above the roofline or beyond the corner of the building.
(22) Window Sign. A sign, graphic, poster, symbol or other identification which is physically affixed to or painted on the glass or other structural component of the window, or placed within two (2) feet of the glass, for the purpose of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
(b) Function.
(1) Building Marker. A cornerstone, historical marker or similar sign with letters, words, or insignia cut into the building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building, which convey a memorial, the name of the building, address or date of construction, or similar message.
(2) Directional Sign. A permanent sign located on private property, at or near the public right-of-way, directing or guiding traffic and parking from the street onto private property.
(3) Identification Sign. A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, development, building or building unit according to the following:
A. Business Identification Sign. A sign intended to announce or promote the use, activity, service or business on the premises of any business, commercial or industrial establishment, and which may include a directory of occupants.
B. Institution Identification Sign. A sign displaying the name and/or organization occupying the premises of a public or quasi-public use such as but not limited to: churches and other places of worship, hospitals, public or semi-public recreational facilities, schools.
C. Development Identification Sign. A freestanding sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision or multi-family development.
(4) Instructional Sign. A sign that has a purpose secondary to the use on the lot that is intended to instruct employees, customers or users as to specific parking requirements, the location or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building, specific services offered or methods of payments accepted.
(5) Nameplate. A sign indicating only the name and address of the person, business, home occupation, profession or activity occupying the lot, building(s) or part of the operation or maintenance of any equipment which is placed on the building or site.
(6) Project Construction Sign. A temporary sign identifying the name of a subdivision, building or public works project or facility or an architect, contractor, subcontractor, and/or material supplier participating during the time of construction.
(7) Public Purpose and Safety Sign. A sign erected by a public authority, utility, public service organization or private industry upon the public right-of-way or, when required by law, on private property and which is intended to control traffic, direct, identify or inform the public or provide needed public service as determined by the rules and regulations of governmental agencies or through public policy. Such signs include "No Parking" or "Fire lane" signs.
(8) Temporary Sign. A sign that is designed to be used only temporarily and is not permanently, or not intended to be permanently, attached to a building or structure, or on the ground, and is in fact used for a time period of one year or less.
(Ord. 5-14. Passed 8-25-14.)