The definitions contained in this section shall be applied in the interpretation of all sections within this subchapter, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise. Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense, singular number shall include the plural, and plural include the singular.
ABANDONED SIGN. Signage that has been neglected and fallen into disrepair.
ATTRACTION BOARD. Copy is changed manually or electronically on a regular basis.
AWNING SIGN. Applied directly to the surface of an awning; defined as a shelter supported entirely on a wall and made of non-rigid material supported by a frame.
BANNER SIGN. Made of non-rigid material with no enclosing framework.
BILLBOARD. Signage intended for lease to a variety of businesses, organizations, and/or individuals. In such case, the sign itself shall be the income generator and the primary commercial use of the property.
BULLETIN BOARD. Allows the manual or electronic change of copy and is used to notify the public of noncommercial events or occurrences such as church services, political rallies, civic meetings, or similar events.
CANOPY SIGN. Applied directly to the surface of a canopy; defined as a permanently roofed shelter covering a sidewalk, driveway, or similar area. CANOPIES may be supported by a building, columns, poles, braces, or a combination of both.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN. Two faces either set parallel or up to a 45 degree angle. Any two sign faces set at an angle greater than 45 degrees shall be considered two separate signs.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM. Copy which uses rotating reflective discs, direct illumination, rotating veins, light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal diodes (LCDs), or other digital devices and is changed by a central computer.
FARM. A tract of at least ten contiguous acres used for the production of agricultural or horticultural crops. AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL CROPS shall be defined as, but not limited to, livestock, livestock products, poultry, poultry products, grain, hay, pastures, soybeans, tobacco, timber, orchard fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, vineyards, and wineries.
FLASHING OR BLINKING. Intermittent or sequential illumination for the purpose of attracting attention to the sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Attached to the ground by columns, poles, braces, or other means and not attached to any building.
GOVERNMENT SIGN. Temporary or permanent, erected by government employees or officers in the performance of their professional/elected duties.
HANDBILL. Printed or written material, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, or booklet designed for distribution on vehicles or other property, excluding postal distribution, which advertises merchandise, commodities, or services.
ILLEGAL SIGN. Does not meet the requirements of this subchapter and has not been identified as a legal, nonconforming sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Emits or reflects artificial light from any source.
(1) DIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. Lighted by an unshielded light source (including neon tubing) which is visible as a part of the sign and where light travels directly from the source to the viewer’s eye.
(2) INDIRECTLY ILLUMINATED. Light source projects light onto the exterior of the sign surface or onto the building where the sign is located.
(3) INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED. Light source is within the sign, with a transparent or translucent background or cover which silhouettes letters or designs.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. Not exceeding two square feet in area.
INTERSTATE SIGN. Sign that is designed to be seen from an interstate highway.
MARQUEE SIGN. Used in conjunction with a theater, is attached to the building, and projects from the building.
MENU BOARD. Freestanding signs placed at properties where there is a drive-thru lane, walk-up window or drive-up curbside.
MOBILE SIGN. Affixed to a frame having wheels or capable of being moved. MOBILE SIGNS do not have a permanent foundation and cannot withstand the wind-load stress requirements of the adopted building code as they are designed to stand free from a building. The removal of wheels from such a sign or temporarily securing a sign of this type shall not prevent it from being classified as a mobile sign within this definition. This includes signage placed in a truck bed or on a trailer designed to be pulled behind a vehicle.
MONUMENT SIGN. Attached to a permanent foundation or decorative base and not attached to or dependent for support from any building, pole, post, or similar upright.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. Legally erected but does not comply with the current regulations for the zone in which it is located.
NON-ILLUMINATED SIGN. Does not emit or reflect artificial light from any source.
PORTABLE SIGN. Small sign, easily transported by hand, placed outside during business hours and brought into the business after hours, usually tent style or A-frame.
PROJECTING SIGN. Attached to a building, extends more than 24 inches.
ROOF SIGN. Projects above the cornice of a flat roof or the ridgeline of a gabled or hipped roof. In determining the top edge of the roof, calculation shall not include cupolas, pylons, chimneys, or other projections above the roofline.
ROTATING OR MOVING SIGN. Any portion of which moves by mechanical means or the wind; does not refer to changing copy with an electronic message display system.
SIGN. Any copy, including material used to differentiate the copy from the background, which is applied to a surface as a means of identifying, advertising, announcing, or illustrating products, services, and/or events.
SIGN CLEARANCE. The vertical distance between the lowest point of any sign and the grade at the base of the sign.
SIGN COPY. Any word, figure, number, symbol, or emblem affixed to a sign.
SIGN HEIGHT. The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign, including the frame and any embellishments, to the bottom of the base of the sign.
SIGN SETBACK. The horizontal distance between any street right-of-way and a sign. The measurement shall be taken at the closest point between the right-of-way and any part of the sign.
SIGN SURFACE. That part of the sign on which the message is displayed.
SQUARE FOOT. A unit of area equal to one foot by one foot square.
STREET FRONTAGE. Property line that lies adjacent to street right-of-way.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A banner, pennant, poster, or advertising display constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard, wallboard, plywood, or other like materials and that appears to be intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. They are intended to be displayed for not more than 14 continuous days or more than eight times per calendar year.
VEHICLE SIGNAGE. Signage painted directly on a vehicle or attached magnetically.
WALL SIGN. Attached directly to a building; includes mansards, canopies, awnings, and signs attached to a roof which do not project above the roofline.
WINDOW DISPLAY. Merchandise or other objects placed inside a building to be viewed from outside the building.
WINDOW SIGN. Attached to or located within three feet of the interior of a window and which can be seen through the window from the exterior of the structure.
(Ord. 872-23, passed 6-26-2023)