For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED CITY OFFICIAL. The Citation Officer or other person(s) appointed by the Chief Executive of the jurisdiction having zoning authority.
AWNING. A roof-like cover constructed of cloth, metal or other material designed and intended for protection from the weather and/or as a decorative embellishment, and which is supported by and projects from a wall of a structure over a window, walk, door or the like.
AWNING SIGN. A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the surface of an awning.
BUSINESS SIGN. Commonly known as an “on premises sign” is a sign used to identify a business, profession, trade or occupation on the site and/or the generic or brand name products or services available at the site, and shall include an attached sign, freestanding sign, projecting sign and freestanding directional sign.
CANOPY. A roof-like cover constructed of cloth, metal or other materials designed and intended for protection of the entrance way of a building from the weather, which is supported by a building at 1 or more points or extremities and when structurally needed by columns or posts affixed to the ground at other points or extremities.
CANOPY SIGN. A sign painted on, printed on or attached flat against the surface of the canopy.
CLUB IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign used to identify a club, lodge, fraternity or sorority.
COMMUNITY FACILITY IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign identifying a church, school or other institution of learning, library, museum, community center or similar institution on site.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN. A sign used to identify the persons or businesses engaged in the construction of a building on site.
EXCEPTIONAL RESIDENTIAL USE SIGN. A sign used to identify a residence on site for persons sharing a common status, disability or condition.
ILLUMINATED AWNING SIGN. An internally illuminated awning with translucent covering and with graphics or copy applied to the visible surface of the awning.
ILLUMINATED CANOPY SIGN. An internally illuminated canopy with translucent covering and with graphics or copy applied to the visible surface of the canopy.
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign used to identify a multi- family development on site.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter or which does not conform to the city sign ordinance in effect at the time of the erection of the sign.
(1) Nonconforming signs, other than temporary or portable signs, lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter may be continued.
(2) No nonconforming sign may be enlarged or altered in any way which would increase its nonconformity.
(3) Should any nonconforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than 25% of its replacement cost at the time of damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
OFFICE BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGN. A sign used to identify an office building on site, or, where allowed, the occupants thereof.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. Including a sign commonly known as a “billboard,” is a sign used to display, advertise or otherwise direct attention to any business enterprise, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.
READER BOARD SIGN. A business sign or part thereof that is designed so that characters, letters or illustrations can be easily changed or rearranged without altering the face or surface of the sign.
RENT/SALE SIGN. A sign used to advertise the premises on site or a portion thereof for sale or lease.
SIGN. Any writing, device, pictorial representation, illustration, emblem, symbol, design or other figure of similar character which is a structure or a part thereof, or is attached to or in any manner represented on a building or other structure, and is placed out of doors in view of the general public and is used for purposes of advertisement, announcement, declaration, demonstration, display identification or expression, except for the following:
(1) Non-illuminated names of buildings, dates of erection, monument citations, commemorative tablets and the like when carved into stone, concrete, metal or any other permanent type of construction and made an integral part of an allowed structure or made flush to the ground;
(2) Signs required by law or signs of a duly constituted government body;
(3) Signs placed by a public utility for the safety, welfare or convenience of the public, including but not limited to signs identifying high voltage, public telephone or underground cables;
(4) Signs upon a vehicle, provided that any such vehicle with a sign face of over 1 square foot is not conspicuously parked so as to constitute a sign; nothing herein prevents such a vehicle from being used for bona fide delivery and other vehicular purposes;
(5) Temporary holiday decorations;
(6) Non-illuminated numerals displayed on and denoting the address of a building or property which are not part of an otherwise existing attached or freestanding sign; and
(7) Signs placed within the interior of a building which are attached to and/or visible through windows or doors provided the sign occupies no more than 1/4 the total square footage of the window or door.
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANT SIGN. A sign used to identify the individual or individuals occupying a single-family residence.
SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION. A sign used to identify a subdivision on site.