For purposes of this chapter, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms are defined:
1. “Awning sign” means any sign affixed directly on or attached to an awning.
2. “Canopy sign” means any sign mounted on or supported by a canopy.
3. “Developer” means the legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land included in a proposed development including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other persons having enforceable proprietary interests in such land.
4. “Freestanding sign” means any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and that are independent from any building or other structure.
5. “Ground sign” means any sign supported by one or more uprights or braces placed upon or set into the ground.
6. “Illuminated sign” means any sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs or outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as a part of the sign.
7. “Marquee sign” means any sign mounted on or supported by a marquee.
8. “Off premises” describes and pertains to any sign not located at the site of that which is advertised or identified.
9. “On premises” describes and pertains to any sign located at the site of that which is advertised or identified.
10. “Projecting sign” means any sign other than a “wall sign” which is attached to a building and extends beyond the line of the building.
11. “Residential subdivision entrance sign” means any freestanding, on premises, permanent, ground sign designating the name of a residential subdivision.
12. “Roof sign” means any sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or over the roof of any building.
13. “Sign height” means the vertical distance between finished grade of the ground nearest the sign structure and the uppermost point of the sign structure for residential subdivision entrance signs.
14. “Sign structure” means an element or group of elements which are intended to support or are capable of supporting a sign. A sign structure may be free-standing, attached to a building, made an integral part of the building, or be any combination thereof.
15. “Sign” means any advertising device or surface out-of-doors, on or off premises, which conveys information or identification.
16. “Structural member” means any component part of a structural system required to carry the primary supportive stresses of the building to the ground, as opposed to members carrying little or no supportive stress other than their own weight, and functioning as an infill or nonstructural enclosure.
17. “Subdivision development sign” means any temporary sign identifying a new or developing residential housing subdivision by name.
18. “Temporary and/or portable sign” means any sign, banner, pennant, or valance to be displayed for a limited time only, or any sign set upon the ground unsecured. A portable sign shall be defined as any sign set up or affixed to any device or ground with wheels or skids or framing so as to afford portability by persons or auxiliary devices.
19. “Wall sign” means any sign, impressed or painted on, or attached to a wall with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.