Air Activated Device: Any pennant, streamers, balloon, blimp, or “pinwheel / whirly-gig” including displays which are inducted with forced air from a fan or other source, or movement caused by ambient or compressed air.
Animated Sign. A sign employing actual motion or the illusion of motion, or flashing.
Awning Sign. A sign displayed on or attached flat against the surface or surfaces of an awning.
Banner. A flexible substrate on which copy or graphics may be displayed.
Billboard. A permanent sign erected, maintained or used in the outdoor environment for the purpose of the display of commercial or noncommercial messages not appurtenant to the use of, products sold on, or the sale of or lease of, the property on which it is displayed.
Building or Structure Murals. Any decorative pictorial that is painted on a wall surface of a building or structure.
Cabinet Sign. A sign that contains all the text and/or logo symbols within a single enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated.
Changeable Sign. A sign with the capability of content change by means of manual input.
Development Complex Sign. A freestanding sign identifying a multiple-occupancy development, such as a shopping center or planned industrial park, which is controlled by a single owner or landlord.
Development Sign. A sign indicating such things as the names of the architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors and similar individuals or firms having a role or interest with respect to the development, structure or project.
Directional Sign. Any sign that is designed and erected for the purpose of providing direction and/or orientation for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Double-Faced Sign. A sign with two faces, back to back, or with 2 faces, which cannot be viewed from one point simultaneously.
Downtown Design Review District: Boundaries: Sandusky Bay on the north; Hancock Street on the east; Washington Street on the south; and Decatur Street on the west. All properties within such boundaries and all properties fronting on the opposite side of Washington, Hancock and Decatur Streets are subject to the regulations of this district.
Electronic Message Sign or Center. An electrically activated changeable sign whose variable message capability can be electronically programmed.
FreeStanding Sign. A sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground, and not supported by a building, including signs supported by one or more columns, poles or braces placed in or upon the ground.
Illuminated Sign. A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) or reflecting off its surface(s).
Marquee. A multi-sided or rounded overhead structure or architectural projection supported by attachments to a building. Text may be mounted on the structure.
Mass Factor. A multiplication factor to be multiplied by the building frontage, to equal allowable square footage for signage.
Monument Sign: A freestanding sign which is less than 8½ feet above grade at the highest horizontal member.
Multiple-Faced Sign. A sign containing three or more faces.
Political Sign. A temporary sign intended to advance a political statement, cause or candidate for office.
Portable Sign. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or to a building or building surface but usually anchored or secured to a trailer, vehicle (where primary purpose is to advertise) or frame capable of being moved from place to place and constructed to weather the elements.
Projecting Sign. A sign, other than a wall sign, that is attached to or projects more than 12 inches from a building face or wall or from a structure whose primary purpose is other than the support of a sign.
Pylon Sign. A freestanding sign where the lowest horizontal member is more than 8½ feet above grade.
Real Estate Sign. A sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the property or premises upon which it is located.
Roof Sign. A sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a building or structure.
Sign. Any writing, pictorial representation, illustration, emblem, symbol, design, or other figure or similar character that is a structure or a part thereof, or is attached to or in any manner represented on a building, vehicle, or other structure, and is visible from any public right-of-way or any other lot or parcel, and is used for purposes of advertisement, announcement, declaration, demonstration, identification or expression.
Sign Area/Face. The surface upon, against or through which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, not including structural supports, architectural features of a building or sign structure, nonstructural or decorative trim, or any areas that are separated from the background surface upon which the sign copy is displayed by a distinct delineation, such as a reveal or border. For double or multiple faced signs, the area shall be the largest area visible at any one time.
• In the case of panel or cabinet type signs, the sign face shall include the entire area of the sign panel, cabinet or face substrate upon which the sign copy is displayed or illustrated, but not open space between separate panels or cabinets.
• In the case of sign structures with routed areas of sign copy, the sign face shall include the entire area of the surface that is routed, except where interrupted by a reveal, border, or a contrasting surface or color.
• In the case of signs painted on a building, or individual letters or graphic elements affixed to a building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the sum of the geometric figures or combination of regular geometric figures drawn closest to the edge of the letters or separate graphic elements comprising the sign copy, but not the open space between separate groupings of sign copy on the same building or structure.
• In the case of sign copy enclosed within a painted or illuminated border, or displayed on a background contrasting in color with the color of the building or structure, the sign face shall comprise the area within the contrasting background, or within the painted or illuminated border.
Sign Structure: Any structure supporting a sign.
Temporary Sign. Any sign, banner, flag, pennant, or other display of cloth, canvas, wallboard, board, plastic or other such material, designed to be displayed for a limited period of time and not constructed to weather the elements.
Vehicular Sign. Any sign attached, painted or applied to a vehicle of any type, which is strategically located to primarily identify, advertise or promote a business. This definition excludes ordinary work vehicles with the name or logo of the business displayed.
Wall Sign. A sign that is in any manner affixed to any exterior wall of a building or structure that projects not more than 12 inches from the building or structure wall, including signs affixed to architectural projections from a building provided the copy area of such signs remains on a parallel plane to the face of the building façade or to the face or faces of the architectural projection to which it is affixed.
Window Sign. A sign affixed to the surface of a window either internally or externally or located internally within 24” of a window surface.
(Ord. 03-112. Passed 7-14-03.)