(a) Sign Defined. The word "sign," as used in this chapter, means any object, device, display or structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images.
(b) Classification by Use Types. Signs shall be classified by use type as follows:
(1) "Permanent sign" means a sign designed for use for an indefinite period of time and shall include the following:
A. "Bulletin board" means an announcement sign which directs attention to and is located on the lot of a public or semipublic institution.
B. "Directional sign" means a sign indicating only the direction of pedestrian and vehicular circulation routes on the lot on which the sign is located. No advertising shall be permitted on directional signs.
C. "Identification sign" means a sign indicating the name and address of a building, development, public or semipublic facility, business, office or industrial establishment. For business uses, such sign may also include the principal type of goods sold or services rendered. However, the listing of numerous goods or services, prices, and sale items shall not be permitted.
D. "Informational sign" means a sign which presents miscellaneous information to the public and does not promote a business, office, industry, product or issue. Typical informational signs present scheduled events, travel information, vehicle service, weather, time and historic and scenic data.
E. "Organizational sign" means a sign devoted exclusively to the identification of national, State and local service clubs and the location and meeting dates of such clubs. The number, location and design of organizational signs shall be approved by the Building Commissioner.
F. "Nameplate" means a sign indicating the name, address or profession of the person or persons occupying a building or unit of a building.
G. "Changeable copy sign" means a sign, or any portion thereof, where the message or graphics are not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background and may be periodically replaced or covered over, manually or by electronic or mechanical devices.
(2) "Temporary sign" means a sign designed for use for a limited period of time to announce special events or sales and the sale, lease or rental of property. Temporary signs need not meet the structural type criteria listed in paragraph (c)(2)A. hereof, shall be no larger than thirty-two square feet and shall not be more than six feet high. The time limits for expiration of the approval or the criteria for extension of that time period (if necessary) shall be part of the approval by the Building Commissioner. Temporary signs shall include the following:
A. "Political sign" means a sign advocating action on a public issue and/or identifying a candidate for public office.
B. "Project sign" means a sign which directs attention to the promotion, development and construction of the property on which it is located and which identifies the owner, architect, engineer, contractor and other individual or firm involved with the construction.
C. "Real estate sign" means a sign advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is displayed.
The expiration date of a temporary sign, as approved by the Building Commissioner, shall appear on each temporary sign.
(c) Classification by Structural Types. Signs shall be classified by structural type as follows (see also Illustration G):
(1) "Building sign" means the following:
A. "Canopy sign" means a sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy, covered entrance or walkway, or to a permanent awning or marquee, and not projecting beyond the edges of the same.
B. "Projecting sign" means a sign attached to an outside building wall and which projects at a ninety-degree angle therefrom.
C. "Roof sign", no longer permitted, and considered to be nonconforming, means a sign which is mounted on the rooftop deck of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects above the point of a building with a flat roof.
D. "Wall or panel sign" means a sign integral with the face of an exterior building wall or mansard roof (when used as an architectural feature, canopy or covered walkway) or attached to and parallel with the wall or roof.
E. "Window sign" means a sign painted, attached or affixed to the interior surface of windows or doors of a building.
(2) "Free-standing sign" means the following:
A. "Monument sign" means a sign not exceeding seven feet in height, which may have a supporting base as an integral part of the sign, resting totally on the ground or on two or more short poles or columns not exceeding twenty-five percent of the total sign height. The basic outline would be that the sign would be at least as wide as it is high and landscaped.
B. "Pole sign", no longer permitted, and considered to be nonconforming, is a sign which is supported by or suspended from a free-standing column or columns and more than seven feet high.
(3) "Portable sign" means a sign which is designed to be moved and is not permanently attached to any part of a building or to the ground.
(Ord. 48-2001. Passed 9-24-01.)