For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and terms are defined in addition to the definitions stated in section 10-1-10 of this title as follows:
CONVERT OR CONVERSION: To change a sign or billboard face from its existing, nondigital surface to a digitally controlled surface. Convert or conversion does not include "maintenance" of the sign.
CURFEW: Between twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight and six o'clock (6:00) A.M. the digital billboard face shall be frozen on one message.
FRONTAGE (SIGNS): The distance between the two (2) side lot lines of a parcel measured along the street or streets of a corner lot which the parcel is allowed access. No state or federal highway to which no access is allowed shall be considered as frontage.
SIGN: Any device for visual communication to the general public to be viewed from out of doors, but not including any flag, badge or ensign of any government or governmental agency.
SIGN, ANIMATED: A sign which involves motion or rotation of any part by mechanical or artificial means or displaying flashing or intermittent lights.
SIGN, AREA: The area of a sign that is used for display purposes, including the minimum frame and supports. In computing sign area, only one side of back to back signs covering the same subject shall be computed when signs are parallel or diverge from a common edge by an angle of not more than forty five degrees (45°). In relation to signs that do not have a frame or separate background, sign area shall be computed on the basis of the least rectangle, triangle or circle large enough to frame the display.
SIGNS, LIGHTED TYPE: A categorical rating given to a sign according to the type of illumination that is permitted to have as follows:
Direct: An illuminated sign, the light source of which is a visible part of the sign or which projects light upon the sign.
Indirect: An illuminated sign, the light source of which is not visible from any angle but which is incorporated in the structure of the sign.
SIGNS, TYPE: A categorical rating given to a sign according to its type of written message as follows:
Advertising: A sign which directs attention to a use, product, commodity or service, not related to the premises.
Business: A sign which directs attention to a use conducted, commodity sold or service performed upon the premises.
Identification: A sign displayed to indicate the name or nature of buildings or use, including home occupations, but not commercial or industrial uses located upon the premises.
Political: A sign displayed to inform the public of a candidate running for public office or an issue to be decided in a legal election by public vote.
Property: A sign related to the property upon which it is located and offering such property for sale or lease, or advertising completed improvement, or announcing the name of the builder, owner, designer or developer of the project, or warning against trespassing.
Service: A sign which is incidental to a use lawfully occupying the property upon which the sign is located and which sign is necessary to provide information to the public, such as direction to parking lot, location of restrooms, sale of agriculture product produced upon the premises and which may bear as an incidental part of the sign the name, address or trademark of persons furnishing such sign to the owner of the premises or such other pertinent facts.
Temporary Subdivision: A sign advertising lots in a subdivision displayed for a specific period of time as indicated by permit, not to exceed two (2) years or the time when all lots or units are sold, whichever comes first. No sign permit shall be issued until preliminary plat approval is given by the planning commission.
STRUCTURAL TYPE: A categorical rating given to a sign according to its structure as follows:
Billboard: Any sign designated or used for the posting of bills or temporary messages.
Flat: A sign erected parallel to and attached to or painted on or pasted on the outside wall of a building and projecting not more than eighteen inches (18") from such wall.
Ground: A sign placed upon the ground or supported by a frame or multiple supports placed in or upon the ground and which has less than four feet (4') clearance between the sign and the ground.
Pole: A sign which is attached to or supported by one or more poles, or a pilaster or similar structure which is supported by the ground, including any such sign which also rests on or overlaps the roof of a building twelve inches (12") or less.
Projecting: A sign attached to a building and extending in whole or in part more than eighteen inches (18") beyond any wall of the building without the aid of any other vertical supports, including any such sign that also rests on or overlaps the roof twelve inches (12") or more.
Roof: A sign erected partially or wholly on or over the roof of a building, but not including pole or projecting signs that rest on or overlap a roof twelve inches (12") or less.
Temporary: A temporary sign as regulated by this title shall include any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or any other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a short period of time only.
Window: A sign erected in, attached to, painted on, or pasted on, a window. (1989 Code § 12-15-002; amd. Ord. 98-1, 1-13-1998; Ord. 99-20, 7-13-1999; Ord. 13-17, 11-12-2013)