For the purposes of this title, terms already defined in section 9-2-3 of the Riverwoods zoning ordinance shall continue to have the same meanings when used in this title, and the following additional definitions shall apply in construing the meanings of the regulations imposed by this title:
AREA OF COPY: The entire area within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles which encloses the extreme limits of the advertising message, announcement or decoration of a sign.
AREA OF SIGN: Restrictions as to the maximum square footage of the face of a sign refers to the area of the sign within a perimeter, which forms the outside shape, including any part of the display, but excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which the sign may be placed. If the sign consists of more than one section or module, all areas will be totaled, including spaces between each module. In the case of a double sided sign, the gross area shall be the square footage of the largest exposed face of the sign. An irregular shaped sign area will be computed using the actual sign face surface. In the case of an open wall sign, the area of the sign is the area of copy.
AWNING: A retractable, rooflike cover, temporary in nature, which projects from the wall of a building and is intended to provide shade and shelter from the weather. An awning may have an on premises sign as part of the fabric, which shall be considered either as a projecting or wall sign.
BANNER: A sign intended to be hung either with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations or ornamentations applied to paper, plastic or fabric of any kind, secured or mounted so as to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere.
CHANGING SIGN: A sign such as an electronic or electric controlled time and temperature sign, message center or reader board, whether electronic, electric or manual, where copy changes, but in any event not more frequently than six (6) times per minute.
CONSTRUCTION SIGN: A temporary ground sign erected on a lot during the period that a village building permit or site development permit has been applied for or issued, indicating only the names of the owner, general contractor, subcontractors, architect and engineer's name, hours of work, telephone number, and safety information as required by village ordinances.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: Any sign which serves solely to designate location or direction.
FLAG: Any fabric containing distinctive patterns or symbols (as in a national or state flag, or as in a flag for the promotion of an on premises business or other nonresidential use) mounted on a pole.
GROUND SIGN: A sign mounted on freestanding pylons, pipes, piers, posts, or other self-supporting structures not attached to a building.
HEIGHT OF SIGN: The vertical distance measured from the grade at the adjacent street right of way line nearest to where the sign is located to the highest point of the sign.
IDENTIFICATION SIGN: A sign containing only the name and address of the occupant or business establishment.
ILLUMINATED OR ELECTRICAL SIGN: Any sign which has characters, letters, figures, or outlines illuminated by electrical lights, luminous tubes, or any other means of internal or external illumination.
MANSARD ROOF: An architectural designation of a roof/wall design which exhibits a vertical or nearly vertical face. For the purposes of this title, the vertical or nearly vertical face shall be considered a wall.
MARQUEE OR CANOPY: A rooflike structure projecting from a wall and erected to provide shelter from the weather or architectural enhancement.
OFF PREMISES SIGN: A sign which advertises goods, products, facilities or services not necessarily on the premises where the sign is located or which directs persons to a premises at a different location under different ownership from where the sign is located.
ON PREMISES SIGN: A sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, products or services located on a premises where the sign is installed and maintained.
OPEN WALL SIGN: A wall sign that consists of formed or shaped letters, numerals, or trademarks that are attached to a wall and between which the wall is exposed.
PARAPET WALL: That portion of a wall which projects above the roofline intersecting it.
PENNANT: Any plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wiring or string, usually in a series, designed to move in the wind.
PERMANENT: A permanent sign is a sign affixed to a building or structure or to the ground and made of materials such as wood, stone, metal, polycarbonate panels and the like, and is not movable without tools or construction.
PROJECTING SIGN: Any sign, normally double faced, which projects or is suspended at a lateral angle of fifteen degrees (15°) or more in relation to the facade of a building and may be attached to a structure, building facade, canopy or marquee.
PUBLIC SIGN: Any sign for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, warning signs, railroad crossing signs and other signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety which are erected by, or at the order of, a public officer or employee in the performance of official duties.
ROOF SIGN: Any sign erected, constructed and maintained upon or over the roof or top of the wall, wall tower or turret or any building with the principal support on the roof structure.
TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign that can be easily transported or relocated, usually constructed of plastic, paper, cardboard, cloth, or other like material. Examples of temporary ground signs include signs with noncommercial messages such as announcing support for candidates or political referenda, signs with commercial messages calling attention to a special, unique or limited activity, service, product or sale of limited duration, as well as signs showing a property is for sale or lease or that an open house or garage sale will be held.
WALL SIGN: Any sign attached or applied flush to the exterior wall of any building or on a canopy or marquee with the face at a lateral angle of less than fifteen degrees (15°) to the plane of the building wall.
WINDOW SIGN: Any sign painted on the interior of a window or constructed of paper, cloth, or other like material and attached to the interior side of a window in order to direct attention of persons outside the building to a sale of merchandise or a change in the status of the business. (Ord. 08-12-14, 12-2-2008)