For purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A-Frame Sign: A Freestanding Portable Sign usually hinged at the top, or attached in a similar manner, and widening at the bottom to form a shape similar to the letter "A", and which is readily movable and not permanently attached to the ground or any structure. May also be referred to as a sandwich board sign. Other variations of such signage may also be in the shape of the letter T (inverted) or the letter H.
Abandoned Sign: Any lawfully erected sign, sign structure, advertising structure, or display that is not operated or maintained for a period of two years or longer. The following conditions shall be considered as the failure to operate or maintain a sign: (1) the sign displays advertising for a product of service that is no longer available; (2) the sign displays advertising for a business that is no longer licensed; (3) the sign advertises a business that is no longer doing business on the parcel where the sign is located; (4) the sign has a purpose for which the purpose has lapsed; or (3) the sign is blank. An Abandoned Sign is deemed to be a public nuisance.
Alter; Alteration: Any change in the weight, depth, height, area, thickness, materials, location, or type of display of an existing sign but shall not be construed to prevent normal or periodic maintenance, upkeep, or repair of a sign or change of copy (e.g., repainting).
Awning Sign: Any sign that is painted or applied to the face, valance, or side panel of a projecting structure consisting of a frame and a material covering, attached to and wholly supported by a building wall and installed over and partially in front of doors, windows, or other openings in a building.
Balloon: See "Inflatable Sign."
Banner Sign or Banner: A temporary sign composed of cloth, canvas, plastic, fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material that can be mounted to a structure with cord, rope, cable, or a similar method. This sign type does not include flags (see "Flags").
Bench Sign: A temporary sign message located on the seat or backrest of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
Billboard: See "General Advertising Sign."
Blade Sign: See "Projecting Sign."
Building Façade: An exterior side of a building, generally set facing a street. Refers to the side of a building to which a sign is attached.
Building-Mounted Sign: A sign that is applied or attached to a building. See "Wall Sign."
Business Frontage: See "Frontage, Business."
Cabinet Sign: A type of sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet that is mounted to a wall or other surface. Such sign structures typically use slide-in panels to display the message to the public.
Canopy: A permanent roof-like structure of rigid materials extending from the main entrance of a structure and is typically supported by posts at the corners farthest from where the canopy attaches to the structure. See also "Awning."
Canopy, Service Station: A roof-like structure, typically consisting of supporting columns, at a service station that covers the service islands and surrounding fueling area.
Canopy Sign: A sign that meets any one or more of these criteria: (1) a sign mounted on a permanent canopy; (2) a traditional industry term for the variable message portion of a Canopy Sign; and/or (3) an integral sign and permanent canopy. See Figure 22.08.
Change of Copy: Changing of the face or letters on a sign.
Changeable Copy: Sign copy designed to be used with removable graphics which will allow changing of copy.
Channel Letters. Three-dimensional individual letters or figures, with an open back or front, illuminated or non-illuminated, that are affixed to a building or to a Freestanding Sign structure.
Commercial Message: Message concerning primarily a proposed economic transaction or the economic interests of the sign sponsor or audience.
Commercial Mascot: A person or animal attired or decorated with commercial insignia, images, costumes, masks or symbols, and/or holding signs displaying commercial messages, when the principal purpose is to draw attention to or advertise a commercial enterprise. This definition includes "sign twirlers," "sign clowns," "sign spinners," "sign twirlers" and "human sandwich board" signs. Also known as "living signs" and "human signs." "Scarecrow" like devices, which simulate living persons or animals, are also included in this definition.
Conforming Sign: A sign that is legally installed in accordance with federal, state, and local permit requirements and laws.
Content Neutral Time, Place, and Manner Regulations: Consistently applicable, non- discriminatory sign regulations that specify-without reference to the content of the message- when, how, and where a sign can be displayed, with physical standards such as but not limited to height, size, and location, that allow the sign to be readable.
Contrast: The difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures, such as light and dark areas, colors, or typefaces.
Copy: The message or content of a sign, which may include letters, numbers, figures, and/or images.
Digital Sign: A variable message sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs generally include displays using LEDs (light emitting diodes), CCDs (charge coupled devices), plasma, or functionally equivalent technologies to display a series of still images or full motion, usually remotely programmable and changeable. Also known as "electronic message centers."
Display Area: See "Sign Area."
Display, Digital: The sign area portion of a Digital Sign, as defined in this Chapter.
Display, Static: The sign area portion of a non-digital sign, where there is no electronic means of changing copy.
Double-Sided Sign: A sign constructed to display its message on two parallel opposing (back-to- back) faces.
Driveway/Onsite Traffic Directional Sign: A sign located adjacent to a pedestrian or vehicle travel way that is internal to a site or complex, intended to provide orientation and safety assistance.
Electronic Message Center: See "Digital Sign."
Electric Sign: Any sign containing or using electrical wiring.
Externally Illuminated Sign: A sign that is illuminated by a light source that is located on the exterior of the sign or nearby and directed toward, and shines on the face of a sign.
Eave Line: The bottom of the roof eave or parapet.
Face: The surface area on a sign where advertising copy is displayed.
Feather Sign: A Temporary Sign constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic fabric, or similar lightweight, non-rigid material, typically taller than it is longer, and supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or on a portable structure. This sign type does not include flags (see "Flags").
Flag: A fabric sheet of square, rectangular, or triangular shape that is mounted on a pole. This sign type includes official flags of national, state, or local governments. This sign type does not include feather signs (see "Feather Sign"), Banners (see "Banners"), or Pennants (see "Pennants").
Flashing Sign: A sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source. Generally, the sign's message is constantly repeated, and the sign is most often used as a primary attention-getting device.
Freestanding Sign: A sign that is supported by one or more uprights, braces, poles, or other similar structural components that is not attached to a building or buildings.
Freeway: The Interstate 10 (I-10), Interstate 215 (I-215), Interstate 210 (I-210), State Route 330 (SR- 330), and State Route 259 (SR-259) rights-of-way within the boundaries of the City of San Bernardino.
Freeway-Oriented Sign: Any sign either freestanding or mounted to the primary wall(s) or façade of a building facing the freeway with no other building located in the visibility window between the subject building and the freeway.
Frontage, Building. That portion of a face of a building or length of a lot that is parallel to, or is at a near parallel angle to a public street or public parking area. For a building on a corner lot, the combined lengths of the sides of the building abutting or generally parallel to the front and corner side lot lines. See Also "Frontage, Primary" and "Frontage, Secondary."
Frontage, Primary. That face of a building that is the longest elevation if user is facing the street, and/or the elevation where the principal entrance is located. See Figure 22.05.
Frontage, Secondary. Where a property has two or more street frontages, that face of a building that is not the longest elevation if user is facing the street, and/or the elevation parallel to a public street or parking lot where secondary entrance(s) are located. See Figure 22.05.
Frontage, Business: The width of a building occupied by a single business tenant that fronts on a public street or faces a plaza, courtyard, pedestrian corridor or walkway, parking lot, or alley, where customer access to the building is available. Width is measured as the widest point on an architectural elevation.
Frontage, Lot. That part of a lot or parcel abutting a street. Frontage, Street. The total length of all lot lines abutting streets. Ft. Abbreviation of feet.
General Advertising: The enterprise of advertising or promoting other businesses or causes, in contrast to self-promotion or on-site advertising; also known as "advertising for hire." See "General Advertising Sign."
General Advertising Sign: A Permanent Sign in a fixed position that meets any one or more of these criteria: 1) the sign is routinely used for general advertising for hire; 2) the sign is used to display commercial advertising for a business not located on the same premises as the sign; 3) the sign is a separate economic unit, not an accessory or auxiliary use serving the principal use on the land; and/or 4) the message display area is made available to message sponsors other than the owner. "General Advertising Sign" does not include "Freeway Signs." "General Advertising Sign" may also be referred to as "Billboard" or "Outdoor Advertising Sign" in other Sections of the Municipal Code. See also "Digital Sign."
General Advertising Sign, Mobile: Any sign or device placed on, mounted on, or affixed to a motor vehicle, freight, flatbed or storage trailer, or other conveyance. Mobile General Advertising Signs shall not include signs wrapped on a vehicle actively being used to load, transport or unload persons, goods, or services in the normal course of business.
Height, Sign: The greatest vertical distance measured from the existing grade at the mid-point of the sign support(s) that intersect the ground to the highest element of the sign as described in Section 19.22.030(L)(1), unless otherwise specified in this Chapter.
Iconic Sign: Any sign that has been officially designated as an Iconic Sign pursuant to Section 19.22.060(E), due to its historic or cultural significance.
Illegal Sign: A sign that meets any one or more of these criteria: 1) a sign erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use; 2) a sign which is a danger to the public or is unsafe; 3) a sign which is a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways or by acts of the City or County; and/or 4) a sign that is a public nuisance as defined under Chapter 8.30.
Illuminated: Signs or individual letters in which an artificial source of light is used to make the message readable and includes both internally and externally lit signs.
In: Abbreviation of inches.
Inflatable Sign: A sign that is an air-inflated object such as a balloon, which may be of various shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or a structure, and either filled with or helium gas or equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device.
Internally Illuminated Sign: A sign that is illuminated by a light source contained inside the sign.
LED: Light Emitting Diode.
Legal Nonconforming Sign: A legally established sign which fails to conform to the regulations of this Chapter.
Legibility: The characteristics of letters, numbers, graphics, or symbols that make it possible to differentiate one from the other.
Lifestyle Graphic: An advertising display applied directly onto the exterior surface or window of a building which does not include words but does advertise the products or services located on premise. Painting directly onto the surface is the most common application method; however, a painted or printed vinyl substrate can also be applied to a wall surface, depending on the location.
Logo: An established identifying symbol or mark associated with a business or business entity.
Luminance: The perceived brightness of an illuminated sign, measured in foot-candles above the ambient light level.
Major Neighborhood Entrance: An area proximate to the intersection of two streets, which creates the primary entryway(s) into a neighborhood officially recognized by the City of San Bernardino.
Major Tenant: A shopping center key tenant(s), which serves to attract customers to the center through its size, product line, name, and/or reputation as determined by the center property owner/authorized property management. The term anchor tenant is interchangeable with the term major tenant.
Mansard: A decorative fascia used to hide equipment or articles on the roof or to enhance the storefront appearance.
Marquee: See "Canopy."
Marquee Sign: See "Canopy Sign."
Menu Board: A permanently installed sign with changeable copy (digital or manual) for the purpose of providing product and/or service information for drive-through service at a business where customers remain seated in a vehicle occupying a drive-through service lane.
Message: See "Copy."
Mobile General Advertising Sign: An advertising display that is attached to a vehicle or any other mobile, non-motorized device, conveyance, or bicycle that carries, pulls, or transports a sign or billboard and traverses the public streets or is located in a parking area and is for the primary purpose of advertising or attracting attention.
Monument Sign: A freestanding ground sign with low overall height and the appearance of having a solid base. See "Freestanding Sign."
Mural: A picture or decoration that is applied directly to a wall, does not contain a commercial message (e.g., business logo or images of items for sale), and does not have any electrical or mechanical components. A mural is distinguishable from graffiti (see Chapter 8.69) based on the property owner's permission to paint or affix the mural onto the property.
Neon Sign: A sign illuminated by or utilizing neon tubing, and/or related inert gases, or products that produce the same or similar effect as neon, such as flexible light-emitting diode (LED) neon-like tubing which is visible to the viewer.
Non-commercial Message: Debate or commentary on topics of public concern, for example, politics, religion, philosophy, science, art.
Nonconforming Sign: Any Permanent Sign or Temporary Sign, including its physical structure and supporting elements, which was lawfully erected and maintained in compliance with all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation, but which does not now comply with the provisions of this Chapter 19.22.
Off-Premise Sign: Any sign which advertises or informs in any manner businesses, services, or events at some location other than that upon which the sign is located, including Commercial Mascots.
On-Premise Sign: A communication device whose message and design relates to a business, an event, goods, profession or service being conducted, sold or offered at the location where the sign is erected. All non-commercial signs are considered on- premise signs.
Painted Wall Sign: A sign painted directly on a building surface.
Parapet: A wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof or structure.
Pedestal Sign. See "Pylon Sign."
Pennant: A triangular or irregular piece of fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, commonly attached by strings or strands intended to flap in the wind. This sign type does not include flags (see "Flag").
People Sign: See "Commercial Mascot."
Permanent Sign: A sign constructed of durable materials and attached to a building, structure or the ground in a manner that will resist environmental loads such as wind, and precludes ready removal or movement of the sign, and intended to exist for the duration of time that the use or occupant is located on the premises.
Placed: Erected, constructed, posted, painted, printed, tacked, glued, carved, or otherwise fastened, affixed or made visible in any manner.
Planning Commission: The Planning Commission of the City of San Bernardino.
Pole Sign: An elevated Freestanding Sign that is supported by one or more exposed poles that are permanently attached directly into or upon the ground.
Portable Sign: A sign that is not permanently affixed to a structure or the ground. Portable Signs generally include A-Frame structures or similar low profile signs. This definition does not include Feather Signs.
Projecting Sign: A building-mounted sign with faces projecting from and perpendicular to the building fascia.
Public Property: An area that is accessible to any member of the public. Includes land or other property in which the City of San Bernardino holds a present right of possession and control, city road easements, and all public rights-of-way, regardless of ownership.
Public Nuisance: A sign, sign structure or advertising structure that meets any one or more of these criteria: 1) an attractive nuisance as defined under Municipal Code Section 8.30.015 or a nuisance declared under Section 8.30.020; 2) an abandoned sign as defined in Section 19.22.130; and/or 3) an illegal sign as defined in Section 19.22.130.
Pylon Sign: A Freestanding Sign that is supported and in direct contact with the ground or one or more solid, monumental structures or pylons and which typically has a sign face with a vertical dimension that is greater than its horizontal dimension. See Figure 22.09.
Regional Shopping Center: A shopping center with a gross site area of 20 acres or more. Commercial areas of a regional nature and auto malls may also be considered a regional shopping center for the purposes of this Chapter, subject to approval of a Sign Program.
Responsible Party. The person liable for placement of a sign. The following is a non- exclusive list of facts which when found to exist, shall constitute prima facie evidence that a person is a responsible party:
A. Based on information contained on the sign, and information from other sources, the person is identified as the owner or lessee of property used for the activity or event, and/or is the sponsor or promoter of the activity or event described on the sign.
B. Based on information that appears on the sign, and information from other sources, including but not limited to information establishing the individual or corporate identity of the owner of the sign, it is found that the person placed the sign or caused the sign to be placed.
Review Authority: The individual or official City body (e.g., Economic and Community and Economic Development Director, Planning Commission, City Council) identified by this Chapter as having the responsibility and authority to review, approve, and deny a permit application. May also be referred to as "Responsible Review Authority."
Roof Sign: A sign erected, constructed, or placed upon or over a roof of a building, including a mansard roof, and which is wholly or partly supported by such buildings.
Sign: A structure, device, figure, display, message placard or other contrivance, or any part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is designed, constructed, intended, or used to advertise, provide information in the nature of advertising, provide historical, cultural, archaeological, or social information, or direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, business, product, service, event, policy, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images. The following do not fall within the definition of a sign for the purposes of this Chapter.
A. Architectural or decorative features of buildings (not including lettering, trademarks, or moving parts).
B. Graphic images that are visible only from above, such as those visible only from airplanes or helicopters, but only if not visible from the street surface or public right-of- way.
C. Gravestones and grave markers.
D. Holiday and cultural observance decorations that are on display for not more than 45 calendar days per year (per parcel or use) and which do not include commercial advertising messages.
E. Manufacturers' marks on tangible products that identify the maker, seller, provider, or product and which customarily remain attached to the product even after sale.
F. Murals, painted or otherwise attached or adhered, with images or representation on the exterior of a structure that are visible from a public right- of-way or neighboring property; do not contain commercial advertisement (is noncommercial in nature); and are designed in a manner so as to serve as public art, enhance public space, and provide inspiration.
G. Colored or illuminated elements that contain no lettering, numbers, trademarks, or logos, and are located on a wall or canopy.
H. News racks and newsstands.
I. Merchandise on display and available for immediate purchase.
J. Shopping carts.
K. Symbols embedded in architecture such as symbols of noncommercial organizations or concepts including, but not limited to, religious or political symbols, when such are permanently integrated into the structure of a building; the definition also includes foundation stones and cornerstones.
L. Vehicle and vessel insignia as shown on street-legal vehicles and properly licensed watercraft including, but not limited to, license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business of which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising for hire), and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease, or exchange of the vehicle or vessel.
M. Vending machines that do not display off-site commercial messages or general advertising messages.
Sign Area: See Section 19.22.030(L) (Rules for Sign Measurement), for specific rules for measuring the area of different sign types.
Sign Band: A horizontal area above the entrances to a multiple tenant building, architecturally designed to accommodate signage in a sign-centric manner.
Sign Budget: The total allowable sign area of all signs, including awning/canopy, driveway, monument/pylon, projecting, and wall signs, in a development using a Comprehensive Sign Program. Exempt and temporary signs are not included in the calculation of total allowable sign area.
Sign Copy: All portions of a sign displaying a message, including text and symbols, but not including the supporting structure or base of a sign.
Sign Face: The area of a sign on which copy is intended to be placed.
Sign Program: A coordinated design plan of one or more signs for an individual business, a multiple tenant business center, or other site that specifies the number, size, description, and location of all signs located or to be located on the parcel or business site.
Sign Twirler: See "Commercial Mascot."
Sf: Abbreviation of square feet.
Single Face Sign: A sign with only one face plane.
Statuary Sign: Any sign which is a three-dimensional, sculptured, or molded representation of an animate or inanimate object that identifies, advertises, or otherwise directs attention to a product or business, but not including a three-dimensional sign that is affixed to a building.
Street Banner: A street banner is defined as a banner extended over a public street or other public property, either on an established bridge or independently suspended.
Street Frontage: The portion of the building or property which faces or abuts a street(s).
Support Structure: The structural portion of a sign securing the sign to the ground, a building, or to another structure.
Suspended Sign: A sign that is suspended from the underside of an eave, canopy, awning, arcade, or other covered walkway.
Temporary Sign: A sign that is intended to be displayed for a definite and limited period of time and which is not permanently installed, affixed or maintained on a building or structure.
Trademark: A word or name which, with a distinctive type or letter style, is associated with a business or business entity in the conduct of business.
Visibility: The quality of a letter, number, graphic, or symbol which enables the observer to distinguish it from its surrounds or background.
Wall Sign: A sign painted on or attached to the exterior wall of a building or structure with the display surface of the sign approximately parallel to the building or structure wall.
Wayfinding: Signage that enables a person to find his or her way to a given destination through the use of effective signage.
Width, Sign: The measurement of a sign or base of a sign at its full extent from side to side.
Window Area: The area within the perimeter window frames and glass doors located on a business frontage or street frontage.
Window Sign: Any sign that is applied or attached to a window or located in such a manner that it can be seen from the exterior of the structure.
Yard Sign: Any temporary sign placed in the ground or attached to a supporting structure, posts, or poles, that is not attached to any building, not including banners.
(Ord. MC-1531, 06-03-20)