For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms and words are hereby defined.
ANIMATION. The movement of any object or light used in conjunction with a sign such as blinking, flashing, traveling, scrolling, or changing degree of intensity of any light movement other than burning continuously.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. Any sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters and numerals or by electronic switching of lamps, light emitting devices, or illuminated tubes. This includes public message displays or any sign which features automatic switching such as time and temperature signs.
COMMERCIAL SIGN. Any sign which serves to advertise and/or identify a product, service, or activity conducted on or off the premises on which the sign is located.
ELECTRIC SIGN. Any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source not an integral part of the sign.
ELECTRONIC CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign containing a computer or digital software generated message or other automated or remote method of changing copy.
ERECTED. Attached, altered, built, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, or moved and shall include the painting of wall signs.
FACADE. The portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending vertically from the grade to the top parapet wall or eaves and horizontally across the building in one plane of elevation. A FACADE may extend above the roof line.
FADE. A transition from one message to another by means of varying light intensity, where the first message gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible and/or gradually increases intensity to become legible.
FLASHING/BLINKING/PULSATING SIGN. The interior or exterior of a sign which contains flashing lights or exhibits noticeable changes in light intensity with a basic on-off of the same light source or display pattern or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, or an externally-mounted intermittent light source.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign supported by structures or supports that are anchored in the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
HEIGHT OF A SIGN. The distance between the lowest grade level within two feet of either side of a sign, and the highest part of the sign or its support; except that if the property was lower than the adjacent roadway, then the height of the sign is to be calculated from the street grade at a 90 degree angle from the sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which is directly lighted by any electrical light source, internal or external, regardless of technology. This definition shall not include signs which are illuminated by street lights or other light sources owned by any public agency or light sources which are specifically operated for the purpose of lighting the area in which the sign is located rather than the sign itself.
MARQUEE (CANOPY or AWNING). A protective shelter or overhang which projects more than 24 inches from the face of a building that is otherwise permitted by code or ordinance.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign attached to the face or on top or below a marquee.
MOBILE SIGN. A sign designed and constructed to be transported by its own wheels. When placed, a MOBILE SIGN must be supported by at least four integral metal supports which raise the wheels off the ground. Such sign shall not exceed ten feet in height.
MONUMENT SIGN. Any freestanding sign in which the top edge of the sign is six feet or less above grade.
MURAL. An artistic image or design painted or affixed to the exterior surface of a structure that does not contain a commercial text message, graphic, or image.
NIT. A unit of luminance equal to one candela (one candle) per square meter.
NONCOMMERCIAL SIGN. Any sign that is not a commercial sign.
NONSTRUCTURAL TRIM. The molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts, or ladders and walkways which are attached to the sign structure.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign which serves to advertise a product, service, or activity not conducted on the premises on which the sign is located or within 300 lineal feet thereof.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. Any sign which serves to advertise and/or identify a product, service, or activity conducted on the premises on which the sign is located, or identifies said premises or a use thereof.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind.
POLE SIGN. Any freestanding sign in which the top edge of the sign is more than ten feet above grade.
PROJECTING SIGN. Any sign other than a wall sign which is attached to and projects at an angle of not less than 45 degrees from a structure or building face.
PROJECTION. The distance by which a sign extends beyond a building or structure.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. Any sign which identifies an offer to sell, rent, or lease of the premises on which the sign is located.
REVEAL. A message transition where portions of the message appear and/or disappear sequentially.
ROOF LINE. The uppermost exterior surface of the roof of a building.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign mounted on the main roof portion of a building or on the top most edge of a parapet wall of a building; and which is wholly or partially supported by such building. For the purpose of this chapter, signs mounted on mansard facades, penthouse eaves, facades, and architectural projections, such as canopies or marquees shall not be considered to be ROOF SIGNS. Signs mounted on an ornamental attachment not used for shelter or protection of persons or property, such as cupolas, shall be considered ROOF SIGNS.
SCROLL or TRAVEL. A message transition where the message that is leaving or appearing appears to move vertically or horizontally across the display surface.
SIGN. Any structure, fixture, graphics, illustration, statue, or other device visible from off the premises designed or intended to advertise, to identify, to attract attention to, or to convey information regarding any goods, product, service, business, location, institution, activity, person, solicitation, issue, or campaign, with the exception of merchandise window displays, national, state or other state governmental subdivision flags, and sculpture. For purposes of removal, SIGN shall also include any sign structure.
SIGN STRUCTURE. Any structure which is designed or used to support any sign as defined in this chapter. A SIGN STRUCTURE may be a single pole and may or may not be an integral part of the building.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any outdoor sign or device, including but not limited to banners, pennants, flags, or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time and which is not permanently affixed; provided, that TEMPORARY SIGNS shall not include mobile signs.
WALL SIGN. Any sign painted on or attached to the wall or facade of a building with the display surface parallel to or at an angle to which it is attached, and which projects no more than 24 inches from the wall surface. No WALL SIGN shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the building facade from which the sign is attached. A WALL SIGN may project into a right-of-way. A WALL SIGN may be located at any height on a parapet or facade. A WALL SIGN may be mounted on a mansard facade or penthouse facade.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign installed inside a window which can be viewed from outside the premises and is six feet or less from the window or is located within a window display area formed by walls or doors that block the view into the main building.