For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions for words, terms and phrases used in the Sign Code shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. The figures in Appendix A are intended to be illustrative in nature and, in the event of conflict between a figure and the wording of this chapter, the wording shall govern.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign is considered abandoned if a business advertised on that sign no longer maintains a valid business tax receipt, or no longer has a certificate of occupancy, or is no longer doing business at that location; or it is more than seven days after the event with which a temporary sign was associated. Noncommercial signs that do not relate to an event or timeframe shall not be considered abandoned unless the current tenant, occupant or property owner affirms that such signs are no longer communicating a message on their behalf.
ABANDONED SIGN STRUCTURE. A structure designed for displaying signs and missing all of its copy for a period of three weeks, or an empty sign frame.
ADDRESS SIGN. A sign which is non-illuminated and less than three square feet in sign area, with letter height limited to six inches, required to be located at and used to identify any premises.
ADVERTISING MESSAGE. The message displayed on a commercial sign.
A-FRAME SIGN. A temporary sign that is supported by its own frame forming the cross-sectional shape of an A and oriented for pedestrians. See Figures 1 and 2 in Appendix A as illustrative examples.
ANIMATED SIGN. A sign visible from a public right-of-way with action or motion including, but not limited to, swinging, rotating, revolving, flashing, blinking, twinkling, chasing, or scintillating. Any sign which has alterations or variations in color, motion, copy, characters, illumination, illumination intensity, or any other image change more frequently than once every 12 seconds. The action or motion may be caused by electrical energy, electronic or manufactured sources of supply, or wind actuated elements. The sign may be exterior signs or interior signs.
ATTENTION-GAINING DEVICES. Any device, structure, fixture or object without lettering used to attract the attention of the public to a specific location for the purpose of identifying or advertising any establishment, product, goods or service. This definition shall include, but not be limited to, spotlights, spinning and/or whirling devices; devices that emit sound, smoke or bubbles; mannequins, pennants, streamers, rotating or fluttering devices; and balloons and other air-filled or gas-filled figures or shapes.
BANNER. A temporary sign which is made of or applied to cloth, paper, vinyl, balloons or other air-filled or gas-filled figure or shape, or fabric of any kind with only material for foundation.
BILLBOARDS and GENERAL ADVERTISING SIGNS. An off-premise commercial sign, or a sign or framework installed for the purpose of advertising merchandise, services, or entertainment, for hire that is sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at a place other than the location of the sign or framework.
BLADE SIGN. A projecting sign which is suspended from a mounting attached directly to the building wall, and hangs perpendicular to the building wall.
BUILDING. Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals, or chattel.
BUILDING FACADE. That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves and the entire width of the business establishment frontage. See Figure 3 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
CABINET SIGN. A flat sign not permitted in Residential or Commercial Districts that contains all the text and symbols within a single enclosed box and may or may not be illuminated. See Figure 4 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
CASE SIGN. A wall mounted, manual changeable copy flat sign at a nonresidential premises whose placement is at a height and copy is of a size to convey a message to an adjacent pedestrian.
CANOPY SIGN. Any sign painted, stamped, perforated, or stitched on the surface area of any canopy, awning, roller curtain, or umbrella, or is mounted on top of or directly under a horizontal canopy, parallel to a pedestrian pathway or sidewalk.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN, MANUAL. A sign on which copy is changed manually in the field through the use of attached letters, numbers, symbols, or similar characters, or changeable pictorial panels.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN, AUTOMATIC. A sign permitted in nonresidential districts on which copy is changed through an automatic and/or remotely controlled process and that shall not change copy more frequently than every 12 seconds (five changes per minute) and shall not be operated as an animated sign.
CHANNEL LETTER SIGN. A flat sign comprising individual letters that are independently mounted to a wall or other surface with a covered face, which may be internally illuminated.
COMMERCIAL FLAG. A piece of fabric with a color or pattern or copy that represents a commercial idea.
COMMERCIAL SIGN. Any sign which identifies or directs attention to a commercial product, place, activity, persons, institution, business, service, or other entertainment.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. A sign with two faces which are parallel to each other and back to back.
FLAG. A piece of fabric with a color or pattern or copy that represents a non-commercial idea or institution, such as a government or civic club.
FLASHING SIGN. Any sign visible from the public right-of-way, used for identification, directional, advertising, or promotional purposes, that includes approved lighting fixtures which flash, blink, cut on and off intermittently, whether exterior or interior.
FLAT SIGN. A sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of, or erected or painted on the outside wall of a building and supported throughout its length by the wall or building or any sign in any way applied flat against a wall. May also be referred to as a wall sign. See Figure 10 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
FREE-STANDING SIGN. A sign supported by one or more columns, uprights, or braces in or on the ground, independent of any building for support.
GRANDFATHERED SIGN. A sign which does not comply with the standards of this chapter, but which is not required to be removed or brought into compliance with the standards of this chapter pursuant to the requirements of § 156.17(E).
ITEM OF INFORMATION. A word, an initial, a logo, an abbreviation, a number, a symbol or a geometric shape.
LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGN. Any sign or sign structure for which a permit was issued prior to the effective date of this chapter, or any amendment to this chapter.
LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. A major traffic thoroughfare or part thereof for which owners, tenants, or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such street or highway. Such highways have been identified as the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 95.
LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY SIGN. A free-standing pole sign facing a limited access highway which is permitted for properties abutting a limited access highway.
LOGO. A graphic representation or symbol used to identify a company name, trademark, entity, product or service, uniquely designed for ready recognition.
MARQUEE. A permanent structure other than a roof, attached to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from the elements. Includes a free-standing, permanent, roof-like structure providing protection from the elements, such as a vehicular use canopy.
MARQUEE SIGN. Any sign attached to or supported from or on a marquee and does not extend above a roof line or parapet. In the AOD and DPOD districts, marquee signs may extend above the roof line or parapet, and shall not be treated as a prohibited roof sign.
MODULE. A separate portion of unit of a sign that is clearly separable from other sign units by virtue of expression of a complete commercial or non-commercial message, including text and logos.
MONUMENT SIGN. A ground mounted free-standing sign where the supporting structure of the sign face is architecturally and aesthetically integrated into the overall design of the sign. The base of the supporting structure is embellished to conceal all structural or support members. The perimeter of said sign is landscaped to enhance the area adjacent to the sign. See Figure 22 of Appendix A as an illustrative example.
(1) HORIZONTAL MONUMENT SIGN. A monument sign whose width is greater than its height.
(2) VERTICAL MONUMENT SIGN. A monument sign whose height is greater than its width.
NEW BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT HOLDER.
(1) A business which has legally changed the name or ownership of the business operating at the location; or
(2) A business which is a new operation at the location. This does not include ancillary operations within an existing business; or
(3) Newly constructed buildings, shopping centers and similar principal structures.
NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN. Any sign other than a sign containing a commercial message. Non-commercial signs include but are not limited to any required sign, any public interest sign, any residential name plate identification sign, any residential development directional sign, any election signs, and any political or ideological sign. Any NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN shall be deemed to be an on-premises sign and shall not constitute an off-premises sign.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, or of a future amendment to this chapter, but did comply at the time of its installation.
OCCUPANT. A person or persons residing in a residential building or portion thereof.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. A sign advertising an establishment, merchandise, service, or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured, or furnished at a place other than on the property on which the sign is located (commonly called billboards).
ON-PREMISE SIGN. A sign that is not an off-premise sign.
PAINTED SIGN. A flat sign which is painted directly onto a wall.
PARAPET. A false front or wall extending above the roof line.
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY. A hard-surfaced, all-weather way designed for pedestrians which is located on private property and are not intended for use by the general public. Pedestrian walkways which are dedicated to public use are considered to be SIDEWALKS.
PERIMETER FENCE OR PERIMETER WALL SIGN. A flat sign attached to and erected parallel to the face of, or erected or painted on a perimeter fence or perimeter wall, and supported throughout its length by the fence or wall; or any sign in any way applied flat against a perimeter fence or perimeter wall. See Figure 9 in Appendix A as an illustrative example. For purposes of this definition, a perimeter fence or perimeter wall is a free-standing fence or wall located on or near the property line or setback of a premises adjacent to a public right-of-way.
PERMIT TAG. A tag affixed to each sign which includes the address of the property on which the sign is located, permit number, date installed, and name of the installation company.
PERSON. An individual, firm, association, joint venture, partnership, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, fiduciary, corporation, or other similar entity.
POLE SIGN. A free-standing permanent sign, usually double faced, mounted to a round pole, square tube or other fabricated member without any type of secondary support. The pole or similar support structure is less than 50% of the width of the sign face. See Figure 14 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign made of any material which is capable of being moved easily and that is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a structure or building.
PREMISES. An area of land with its appurtenances and buildings which, because of its unity of use, may be regarded as the smallest unit of real estate that can be conveyed.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign attached to a building and projecting at any angle from the face of the building at least 12 inches, that does not swing. No angle irons, guy wires, or braces shall be visible from where the sign is normally viewed.
PYLON SIGN. A free-standing sign with a visible support structure which is at least 50% of the width of the sign face, and which support structure may or may not be enclosed by a pole cover. See Figure 15 as an illustrative example.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A temporary sign erected by the owner, or his agent, advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located as being for rent, lease, or sale, or announcing the real property is no longer available.
REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTER. A shopping center which typically ranges from approximately 300,000 square feet to 1,000,000 square feet or more of gross leasable area and provides a full range of shopping goods, general merchandise, apparel, furniture and home furnishings. Such center is usually built around a full-line department store as the major drawing power. Regional shopping centers are approximately 30 acres in size or larger and generally require a minimum market support population in excess of 150,000 people and a trade area extending 10 to 15 miles or more modified by such factors as competitive facilities and travel time over access highways. Some Regional Shopping Centers may have master sign programs approved prior to 2012, which are authorized to have signage as regulated by this chapter; however, new signage is regulated only by the current Sign Code.
ROOF LINE. The top edge of the roof or the top of the parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette.
ROOF SIGN. A sign or sign structure, installed, constructed, or maintained on or above the roof line or parapet of any building. See Figure 12 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
SCINTILLATING SIGN. A sign with moving parts or lights creating chasing action, or scintillating action. Chasing action is the action of a row of lights commonly used to create the appearance of motion, the effect of which is obtained by turning a sequence of lights off at timed intervals so that a group of shadows appear to flow in one direction. Scintillating action is that effect which gives the appearance of twinkling lights with the lights blinking on and off in a random manner.
SIDEWALK. A hard-surfaced, all-weather way, within a right-of-way which is located between the curb line or the lateral line of a street and the adjacent property line and which is intended for use by pedestrians. SIDEWALK also includes pedestrian walkways dedicated to public use.
SIGHT VISIBILITY TRIANGLE. As described and measured in § 155.5101.G.9.
SIGN. Any device or representation for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of others, or identifying an establishment, product or service, that is projected onto any surface or into the sky, and that is affixed or attached to premises, real property, fixtures on real property, or a vehicle. A sign that is not visible from any nearby public property, including without limitation a public right-of-way, is not a sign subject to regulation under this chapter. Any device, structure, or fixture using graphics, symbols, or written copy intended to aid, directly or indirectly, in the sale, use or promotion of a product, commodity, service, activity, entertainment, or real or personal property. This definition shall refer to the area upon which the message is displayed and shall not include architectural embellishments, poles, pole covers, or any structure or portion of a building supporting the sign.
SIGN AREA.
(1) Projecting and free-standing. The area of a free-standing or projecting sign shall have only one face (the largest one) of any double-faced sign counted in calculating its area. The area of the sign shall be measured as follows.
(a) The area around and enclosing the perimeter of each module shall be summed and then totaled to determine total area. The perimeter of measurable area shall not include architectural embellishments such as pole covers, framing, decorative roofing, and the like, provided that there is no text on the architectural embellishments. See Figure 17 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
(b) If the sign is composed of more than two sign modules, the area enclosing the entire perimeter of all modules within a single, continuous geometric figure shall be the area of the sign. Pole covers and other embellishments shall not be included in the area of sign measurements if the pole cover, and the like, do not have text. See Figure 18 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
(2) Flat. On a flat sign that is applied directly to a wall, within one module, or a marquee sign, the area shall be within a single continuous perimeter composed of any straight line geometric figure(s) which encloses the extreme limits of the message. Where a sign is composed of individual letters, characters or symbols applied directly to a building, canopy, marquee, mansard, fascia, facade, parapet, or awning the area of the sign shall be the smallest continuous geometric shape which will enclose all of the letters, characters or symbols. See Figures 19, 20 and 21 in Appendix A as illustrative examples.
SIGN BAND. A horizontal area above a multi-tenant building's entrance, architecturally designed to accommodate signage.
SIGN FACE. The part of a sign, including trim and background, which contains the message or informative content.
SIGN, HEIGHT. The height shall be measured from the existing average finished grade level of the premises where the sign is located to the highest point of the sign structure.
SIGN CODE COMPLIANCE PERMIT. A Development Order required before the construction, erection, installation, placement, posting, painting, display, alteration, or repair of any sign, certifying that such sign complies with the sign standards in this chapter.
SNIPE SIGN. A sign of any material that is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued, or otherwise attached to trees, utility poles, traffic control devices or equipment, stakes, fences, or free-standing walls, or other objects or structures that are not designed or intended to display a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign that may be moveable and may not be permanently affixed or attached to the ground in the manner required by this chapter for permanent signs. Where not otherwise specified in this chapter, the maximum time for which a temporary sign may be displayed is 90 days.
TEMPORARY SIGN FOR PARCEL WITH ACTIVE BUILDING PERMIT. A temporary on-premise sign on land which is under development or construction and is the subject of an active building permit. See Figure 5 in Appendix A as an illustrative example.
TEMPORARY WINDOW SIGN. Any temporary sign attached to, printed on or made of paper, cloth, fabric or similar material and located behind the glass area.
TENANT. A business or other nonresidential entity occupying land or property.
TRADEMARK. A word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods of one party from those of others, legally recognized under state or federal law.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. Any sign, signal, marking or other device consistent with the Uniform Manual for Traffic Control Devices and other national standards that is used to regulate, warn or guide traffic placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway, pedestrian facility or shared use path by authority of the city or other public body having jurisdiction.
TRAFFIC HAZARD SIGN. Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of its size, location, content, coloring, or method of illumination, or by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any traffic control device which diverts or tends to divert the attention of drivers of motor vehicles from traffic movements on streets, roads, intersections, or access facilities. Any sign erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians. Any sign using words such as stop, slow, danger, or any other word, phrase, symbol, or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic. Any sign which simulates emergency lights on emergency vehicles, which simulates traffic-control signals or devices, or which simulates directional, informational, or warning signs erected by a government, railroad, public utility or similar entity or agency.
UNPERMITTED ACTIVITY SIGN. A sign advertising services, products, use or activities that are not permitted at that location pursuant to a valid zoning use certificate and/or a valid business tax receipt.
USE. The purpose for which a building, lot, sign, or other structure is arranged, intended, designed, occupied, or maintained.
VEHICLE. For the purpose of this chapter, VEHICLE shall include automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, boats, campers, trailers, buses and similar motorized vehicles.
VEHICULAR ADVERTISING SIGN. A sign affixed to or painted on a vehicle or trailer for the purpose of advertising anything other than the vehicle or its contents.
WARNING SIGN. A non-illuminated sign used to prevent trespassing, illegal dumping or other unlawful activity on private property, provided the sign does not exceed three square feet in sign area.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign installed or maintained inside a window or glass door located within 18 inches of the window surface or a sign attached to, printed on or affixed by any method directly to the interior or exterior of the glass of any door or window oriented to viewing from a dedicated right-of-way.
('58 Code, § 50.304) (Ord. 81-13, passed 12-2-80; Am. Ord. 83-24, passed 1-25-83; Am. Ord. 89-42, passed 2-21-89; Am. Ord. 91-53, passed 6-11-91; Am. Ord. 92-36, passed 4-14-92; Am. Ord. 92-46, passed 6-9-92; Am. Ord. 93-77, passed 9-28-93; Am. Ord. 95-64, passed 5-9-95; Am. Ord. 95-85, passed 7-25-95; Am. Ord. 97-14, passed 11-12-96; Am. Ord. 98-31, passed 3-10-98; Am. Ord. 2004-19, passed 1-27-04; Am. Ord. 2005-56, passed 5-24-05; Am. Ord. 2007-57, passed 7-10-07; Am. Ord. 2011-29, passed 3-8-11; Am. Ord. 2013-31, passed 12-11-12; Am. Ord. 2014- 11, passed 12-10-13; Am. Ord. 2017-29, passed 2-28-17; Am. Ord. 2019-110, passed 9-24-19; Am. Ord. 2020-71, passed 9-22-20)