For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERED. Refers to nonconforming signs. Any nonconforming sign may have its physical characteristics altered, but only to cause the sign to conform to the provisions of this chapter. For purposes of this definition, a nonconforming sign may have its name, lettering and/or coloring changed by its owner without the change being considered an alteration.
BANNERS. A sign made from flexible, cloth-like material or fabric designed to be attached at opposite ends to the wall of the structure. A banner may not exceed 36 inches in height. In length, a banner may not exceed eight feet or 25% of the length of the wall of the structure upon which it is located, whichever is less.
BILLBOARD. Any sign located on a lot not containing a building, and erected on a framework or on any structure or attached to a post or posts and exceeding 36 square feet in size and used for display of bills, posters or other advertising or informational material; or for the purpose of advertising a business, organization, event, person, place or thing.
COMMERCIAL USE. Any building or part of any building whose primary purpose is to provide the retail sale or rental of goods or services, including hotels and motels, shall be considered a COMMERCIAL USE.
CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SIGNS. Temporary signs which designate the contractor or subcontractor engaged in the construction or repair of the building or buildings on each lot or parcel of property.
DEVELOPMENT SIGNS. Temporary signs used to indicate or to identify a proposed future development upon real property.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN.
(1) Open house. A temporary sign used to direct traffic to home, condominium or townhouse for sale.
(2) Subdivision, condominium or townhouse. Any temporary sign which is designed and erected for the purpose of directing the public to a recorded residential subdivision, condominium or townhouse complex for the sale of homes, condominium or townhouses or lots thereon. These signs may be placed on property other than that to which the public is directed.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The Building Official of the city including any other employee of the city designated by the Building Official to assist in serving as an Enforcement Officer.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign or any part of any sign, regardless of its relationship to a building, that does not conform exactly to the wall sign definition shall be considered a FREESTANDING SIGN. A shingle sign of three square feet is excepted.
GRAND OPENING SIGN. A temporary sign which calls attention to a new business.
HOTEL-MOTEL. Any structure or part of any structure containing five or more dwelling units for lease to the general public for any period less than 30 days.
MAY. The word MAY is permissive.
MENU BOARDS. A sign consisting of two flat rigid board-like materials hinged together at the top with a four-point footing on bottom (an A-frame design) not exceeding 36 inches in width nor 48 inches in height.
MODEL HOME SIGN. A temporary sign identifying a nonoccupied new home, condominium or townhouse used as a demonstrator constructed for the purpose of selling other homes or units. Each model home located on and within a recorded residential subdivision for sale of homes or lots thereon, may have one identification sign not to exceed 15 square feet in area, or two signs if on a corner lot.
MULTI-USE STRUCTURE. Any building containing any combination of residential uses, commercial uses or public uses.
MURAL. A painting applied to and made a part of a wall. It shall have no advertising.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN. Any sign displaying any type of information for any product or service not located on the same premises as the sign.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT USE. Any group of buildings planned and developed as a unit.
POLITICAL. Advocating or opposing the nomination or election of a candidate for public office or a candidate for office of a political party; advocating or opposing a political party; or advocating or opposing a position or vote on any other measure on the ballot of a primary, general or special public election.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any movable sign that is not attached to a permanent support or building, designed to be temporary and mobile.
PUBLIC DISPLAY. Visible and legible to persons situated or traveling in places accessible to the general public within the city limits of the city and attached to real property or to any object attached to real property by any means including but not limited to paint, nails, staples, string, wire, adhesive or gravity.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. All property owned or under the control of the state, the county, the city and all entities existing pursuant to its authority, the Port Isabel Independent School District and the Laguna Madre Water District.
PUBLIC USE. Any building or part of any building whose primary purpose is to provide governmental, institutional, educational or religious services.
RESIDENTIAL USE. With the exception of hotels and motels, any building whose primary purpose is to provide one or more dwelling units regardless of character or ownership.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected or constructed wholly upon and over the roof of any building and supported solely on the roof structure.
SALE, LEASE AND RENT SIGNS. Temporary signs which indicate that some premises or vacant lots are for sale, lease or rent.
SHALL. The word SHALL is mandatory.
SHINGLE SIGN. A sign used to identify a business whose front entrance is under a roof overhang.
SIGN. Any device or creation for visual communication which is used or intended to attract the attention of the public whether illuminated or non-illuminated. Such devices and creations include, but are not limited to, murals, logos, descriptions, illustrations, icons, images, pictures, manufactured objects, sculptures, or ornamental objects and construction features which are affixed to a building, structure, or land and which are designed to attract the attention of the public to a product, place, activity, person, service, institution, business, or establishment. SIGN shall also include any ornamental or unusual construction feature which is not a normal structural or architectural component of a building, but instead designed to attract the attention of the public.
SUBDIVISION SIGNS. Temporary signs erected and maintained in connection with the development of land located within a recorded residential subdivision for sale of any houses or lots thereon.
UTILITY PROPERTY. All property, located on public property or public right-of-way, owned by or under the control of any licensed or franchised business operating within the city limits of the city providing utility services including but not limited to electrical, gas, telephone, cable television, garbage collection, and water and sewer service.
WALL SIGN. Any sign permanently attached to or painted onto a surface of a building, parallel to the plane of the surface not higher than the roof line and with the face of the sign no more than 12 inches from the surface.
WINDOW SIGN. Any sign placed inside or upon a window facing the outside and which is intended to be seen from the exterior. WINDOW SIGNS are allowed only for commercial uses.
(Ord. 455, passed 12-17-1985; Ord. 455C, passed 1-6-1998; Ord. 455D, passed 2-13-2001; Ord. 455E, passed 1-28-2003; Ord. 455-F, passed - -2004)