The following definitions shall be applicable to the provisions of these sign requirements. The definitions contained in Chapter 1102 of this Code shall apply to all terms not defined in this chapter.
(a) (1) Abandoned Sign. A sign which continues to be in a state of structural, mechanical, and or general disrepair and in violation of the Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 1305 for a period of 60 consecutive days after the City has notified the owner of the sign that the sign is in a state of structural, mechanical, and or general disrepair and in violation of the Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 1305.
(2) Alteration. Any change to a sign that does not constitute repair.
(3) Animated sign. A sign depicting action or motion through electrical or mechanical means.
(4) Architectural detailing. Any construction appertaining to but not being an integral part of the sign, consisting of landscape or structural features that embellish the site in general. Architectural detailing includes, but is not limited to, aesthetic embellishments such as flower plantings, wood carving, wrought or cast iron ornamentation, stone or brick ornamentation, or metal work decoration.
(5) Awning sign. A building sign place on the surface of an awning. (See graphic example below. Source: United States Sign Council)
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(b) (1) Balloon. An inflatable bag filled with gas and displayed in such a way as to attract attention to the premises on which it is located.
(2) Banner. A sign on a strip of flexible material such as cloth, paper or plastic.
(3) Bench Billboard. An off-premise sign on which poster panels, bulletins, and/or copy are mounted and which is designed to function and appear like a bench for seating.
(4) Billboard. An off premises sign on which poster panels or bulletins are mounted.
(5) Building sign. Any sign which is in any way attached to a building or to an appurtenance of a building; excluding signs inside the building and banners.
(c) (1) Canopy sign. A building sign attached to or in any way incorporated with the face or underside of a canopy, marquee, or any other similar building projection. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(2) Common sign. A sign which serves two or more uses. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(3) Construction sign. A sign pertaining to the construction activities performed on a construction site and/or announcing the future use of the structure which is the subject of construction activities.
(d) (1) Development sign. A sign identifying a large scale residential development.
(2) Digital Dynamic Display Sign (Single Color). A sign whose informational content can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed of electrically illuminated or mechanically driven changeable elements. These signs display text and/or graphics in a single color on a black background. These signs may be capable of displaying more than one color, but only display a single color at a time. These signs are illuminated signs.
(3) Digital Dynamic Display Sign (Multi Color). A sign whose informational content can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed of electrically illuminated or mechanically driven changeable elements. These signs display text and/or graphics and utilize multiple colors. These signs are illuminated signs.
(4) Directional sign. A sign exclusively for the purpose of giving directions to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(e) Reserved.
(f) (1) Fascia sign. A single faced building sign that is mounted on exterior wall of a building.
(2) Flag, public. A public flag is any flag displaying the name, insignia, emblem or logo of the United States, the State of Ohio, the City or the flag of any other government.
(3) Free standing sign. A sign which is supported by one or more up rights or braces which are anchored in or on the ground, and which is not attached to any building or wall. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(g) Reserved
(h) (1) Hazardous sign. A sign which, because of its construction or state of disrepair may fall or cause possible injury to passers by, as determined by the Building Official; a sign which because of its location, color, illumination or animation, interferes with, obstructs the view of or is confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device or interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic.
(2) Home Occupation Sign. A fascia sign mounted on a residential building and advertising a home occupation conducted from the lot on which the residential building is located.
(i) (1) Illuminated sign. A sign in which a source of light other than sunlight is used to make the message readable.
(2) Institutional sign. A sign for a religious institution, educational institution, library, community center, civic, cultural or historic institution, nursing home, hospital or similar institution and the announcement of its service or activities.
(3) Integral sign. A sign carved into stone, concrete or other building material, or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent type of construction and made a part of the structure into which it is incorporated.
(j) Reserved
(k) Reserved
(l) (1) Large scale residential development. A residential subdivision consisting of 10 acres or more or a development consisting of more than 29 dwelling units on a separate tract of two acres or more.
(m) (1) Monument sign. There are three different types of monument signs described in this code, as follows:
(2) Monument sign (Traditional): A sign which is mounted on a structure with an open area below the sign face that is less than 50% of the total height of the sign. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(3) Monument sign (Foundation): A sign permanently mounted or appearing to be mounted on a footer in the ground along its full length and is less than 10 feet in height. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(4) Monument sign (Monolith): A sign permanently mounted or appearing to be mounted on a footer in the ground along its full length and is more than 10 feet in height. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(n) (1) Non conforming sign. A sign, other than a prohibited sign, that does not comply with the regulations of the sign district in which it is located by reason of these or any other regulations adopted after the erection of the sign.
(2) Nit. The unit of measurement for the total amount of light emitted, or luminance, from a sign divided by the surface area of the sign (candelas per square meter (cd/m²)). The "International System of Units" unit for luminance is candela per square metre (cd/m2). The common term for the same unit is the "nit". Luminance is used in the video industry to characterize the brightness of displays.
(o) (1) Off premises sign. A sign which directs attention to an off-site use or to products or services sold elsewhere.
(2) On premises sign. A sign which directs attention to a use conducted on the lot on which the sign is located.
(p) (1) Painted sign. A sign painted directly on an exterior surface of a building, other than on a window.
(2) Permitted sign. A sign which is allowed in the sign district in which it is listed, subject to compliance with the requirements of the sign requirements.
(3) Portable sign. A sign that is not designed to be anchored or secured to either a building or the ground.
(4) Prohibited sign. A sign which are forbidden to be erected or displayed.
(5) Projecting Sign. Any sign that is attached to a building wall and that extends away from (i.e., is not parallel to) the building wall, or any sign that is attached to a building wall and is parallel to the building wall but suspended more than six inches from the building wall, or any sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee, intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee. A sign suspended beneath a canopy or a marquee near the traveled portion of the street is also a projecting sign though its message may not be visible to a pedestrian from the sidewalk. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(6) Provisional sign. A sign which is permitted in a sign district under certain circumstances.
(7) Public art. Any work of art exposed to public view from any street right of way for the enjoyment of the public.
(8) Public sign. A sign of a non commercial nature and in the public interest erected by or upon the order or authorization of the City or other public agency. The term "public sign" includes but is not limited to a safety sign, zoning sign, memorial plaque, sign for structures or sites of historical interest.
(q) Reserved.
(r) (1) Real estate sign. A sign pertaining to the sale, the rental or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the sign is located.
(2) Roof. A roof is the outside surface of a building which is constructed at an angle of less than forty-five (45) degrees from the horizontal plane. The outside surface of a building which is constructed at an angle of forty-five (45) degrees or more from the horizontal plane is a wall and not a roof.
(3) Roof sign. A sign erected upon or above a roof of a building and affixed to the roof. (See graphic example below, Source: United States Sign Council)
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(s) (1) Seasonal decoration. A display pertaining to celebration of a religious or cultural holiday or commemoration of a historic event or personage, observed during a particular season of the year. A seasonal decoration is not a sign.
(2) Sign. Any communication, which is visible to the public from a street or public right of way, using graphics, symbols, reading matter, letters, numerals, pictorial representations, emblems, trademarks, inscriptions, color, illumination, geometric or non-geometric shapes or planes. The term "sign" does not include public art, sculptured landscaping, seasonal decorations, public flags, directional symbols on paved surfaces or messages painted on or otherwise permanently attached to the body of a motor vehicle or a trailer designed to transport freight.
(3) Sign face. The surface of the sign upon which is affixed reading material, letters, numerals, pictorial representations, emblems, trademarks, inscriptions and/or patterns.
(4) Sign leg. A sign supporting structure designed to rest upon the ground to support the sign rather than being imbedded in the ground.
(5) Sign wall. The wall of a building upon which a sign is mounted and which has a slope of forty-five (45) degrees or greater from the horizontal plane. See the definition of "roof."
(6) Spinner. A device shaped in a form similar to a propeller and designed to rotate in the wind to attract attention to the premises on which it is located.
(7) Swinging sign. A sign which, because of its design, construction, suspension or attachment is free to swing or move noticeably because of pressure from the wind.
(t) (1) Temporary sign. A nonpermanent sign not permanently affixed to the ground or a building. Banners, portable signs, trailer signs, and other similar nonpermanent signs are regulated as temporary signs.
(2) Trailer Sign. A sign mounted on wheels or sign legs. All trailer signs are temporary signs and are permitted and regulated as temporary signs.
(u) (1) Use. For the purpose of the sign requirements, use shall mean a principal use as defined in this code.
(v) Reserved.
(w) (1) Window sign. A building sign permanently affixed to a window, embedded in a window intended to communicate its message to passersby from the outside. The term "window sign" does not include merchandise or product displays, posters, and other signs located inside the building though visible through a window.
(x) Reserved.
(y) (1) Yard sale sign. A temporary sign for a yard sale or a garage sale.
(z) Reserved.
(Ord. No. 10-242. Passed 8-3-10.)