For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AWNING. Any retractable structure made of cloth, metal or other material attached to a building; erected to permit raising or retracting to a position against the building when not in use.
BULLETIN OR ANNOUNCEMENT SIGN. A sign placed on premises of a non-profit, religious or public organization which provides information related only to the functions and activities of the organization.
CANOPY. A structure designed to cover or shade windows, entries or walkways, other than an awning, made of cloth, vinyl, canvas or other similar material with frames.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD). The area of the city bounded by Park Street, 9th Street, 2nd Avenue East and 2nd Avenue West. The CBD includes only property within the bounding streets and not property outside the boundary, which is adjacent to the street.
DEVELOPMENT SIGNS. Signs which identify the architects, developers, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved with the construction and/or announcing the character or purpose of a building, but not advertising a product. DEVELOPMENT SIGNS shall be removed within 14 days of completion of construction or from the time 80% of the building is occupied, whichever comes first.
EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign illuminated by a source of light which is cast upon the surface or face of the sign to illuminate by reflection only.
FLASHING SIGN. (This term commonly includes those signs known as animated signs.) A sign in which the illumination intermittently flashes off and on in whole or in part.
FREESTANDING SIGN. (This term includes those signs commonly known as a ground mounted sign, monument sign and pole sign.) A sign completely or principally self-supported by post or other supports independent of any building or other structure or anchored in or upon the ground.
HISTORICAL SIGN. Any sign that is historic or historically established for use in relationship to a structure that is exactly or reasonably preserved or restored to the condition of its original historic period.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign, all or any part of, which is made of incandescent, neon or other types of lamps, or a sign with paint, flush or raised letters lighted by an electric lamp or lamps within the sign cabinet, or a transparent sign lighted from within by electricity or other illuminate.
MARQUEE. Any hood of permanent construction projecting from the wall of a building but not supported by the ground or sidewalk serving the purpose of providing shelter and protection from the weather.
MOVING SIGN. Any sign which rotates or moves or gives the visual impression of rotation or moving, including signs mounted or constructed to permit movement by air currents.
MURAL. A hand-produced work of visual art which is painted by hand directly upon an exterior wall of a building or painted on a surface which is then mounted on an exterior wall of a building and which complies with the requirements of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a use, business, commodity, service or activity not conducted, sold or offered upon the premises where the sign is located.
PEDERSON PARK SIGNS.
(1) Signs of a temporary nature affixed to the outfield fences of baseball and softball fields at Pederson Park which comply with the following restrictions:
(a) Signs shall be securely fastened to the outfield fence in a manner approved by the Parks and Recreation Director;
(b) Signs shall be single sided and face the field; and
(c) Signs shall be placed only during the period from April 1 to September 30 in any year.
(2) PEDERSON PARK SIGNS shall be exempt from the requirements of § 153.14.
PERMANENT SIGN. A sign or sign structure which is directly affixed to the ground surface or any part of a building or structure.
PORTABLE SIGN (SANDWICH SIGN). Any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure or the ground. A sign designed to be moved from place to place. These signs primarily include, but are not limited to, signs attached to wood or metal frames designed to be self-supporting and movable; or paper, cardboard or canvas signs wrapped around supporting poles. Any sign on a structure with wheels attached or designed for wheels to be attached is a PORTABLE SIGN.
PROJECTING SIGNS (OVERHANGING SIGN). A sign supported by a building or other structure which projects over any street, sidewalk, alley or public way or public easement or which projects more than 12 inches from the face of the building, structure or supporting wall, excluding canopies, awnings or marquees.
PUBLIC SIGN. Any sign which is owned or maintained by a local, regional or state governmental subdivision.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A sign erected for purposes of advertising a parcel or building available for sale, rental or lease.
ROOF SIGN. A sign erected, constructed or maintained in whole or in part upon or over the roof of a building or structure.
SIGN. Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof 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, motion, illuminations or projected images. The term SIGN includes, but is not limited to, every projecting sign, wall sign, painted sign, roof sign, billboard, posterboard, freestanding sign, ground sign, pole sign, window sign, vehicle sign, awning, canopy, marquee, changeable copy sign, illuminated sign, flashing sign, animated sign, temporary sign, portable sign, pennants, banners, streamers or any other attention getting device or other display, whether affixed to a building or separate from any building.
SIGN STRUCTURE. A structure constructed for the purpose of displaying or supporting a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other light materials with or without frames. TEMPORARY SIGNS shall not be displayed more than 21 days during any 90-day period.
TIME, TEMPERATURE AND INFORMATIONAL SIGN. A sign whereon the time, temperature and/or information is indicated by intermittent lighting.
VEHICLE SIGN. Any advertising or business sign attached to a motor vehicle which is parked and placed in position for the purpose of displaying the same to the public, except signs painted or attached to the original body of the vehicle.
WALL SIGN. A sign mounted, attached to or painted on the exterior wall of a building or structure in a plane parallel to that of the supporting wall.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign visible from the exterior of a building or structure which is painted on a window, depicted upon a card, paper or other material; or placed on, attached to, or hung immediately behind the window, or displayed from a window for the specific purpose of attracting attention to a sale or to promotional items or other products or services.
(Prior Code, § 8-7-6) (Ord. 406, passed 1-20-1992; Ord. 803, passed 5-16-2016; Ord. 842, passed 2-4-2019)