For the purposes of these regulations, a sign shall include any identification, description, illustration or device which is affixed to or integrated into a building, structure or land, or otherwise situated on a lot and which is intended to direct or attract attention to, or announce or promote a product, place, activity, person, institution or business by means of letters, words, designs, colors, symbols, flags, banners, fixtures, images or illuminations. Signs shall be further classified by physical design or structure, and function or purpose based on the following:
(a) Physical Characteristics.
(1) Awning Sign: A sign located on the face of the awning.
(2) Canopy Sign: A sign hung perpendicular to the store front under a canopy, ceiling or entry, intended for pedestrian visibility.
(3) Changeable Copy Sign: A sign, such as a bulletin board or announcement board, where the message or graphics is not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background and may be periodically replaced or covered over manually or by electronic or mechanical devices.
(4) Electronic Message Sign: A sign display comprised of small internally illuminated components that enable the display to change periodically.
(5) Freestanding Sign: A sign which is supported from the ground or a structure other than a building.
A. Monument Sign - A freestanding sign shall have 50 percent or more of the bottom of the sign in contact with the ground or supporting structure;
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B. Pole Sign - A freestanding sign supported by a pole, post or other structure and having more than 50 percent of the bottom of the sign separated from the ground by air.
(6) Internally Illuminated Sign: A sign that is illuminated from a light source located within the sign structure. An electronic message sign shall be considered to be internally illuminated.
(7) Wall Sign: A sign erected parallel to or affixed on the outside wall of any building, and not extending more than 12 inches there from, and which does not project above the roof line or beyond the corner of the building.
(8) Window Sign: A sign on the inside of a building affixed to, or near, a window for the purposes of being visible to and read from the outside of the building.
(b) Function.
(1) Community Directional Sign: A sign located at or near the public right-of- way to provide directions to public and quasi-public facilities in the City.
(2) Construction Sign: A temporary sign identifying the name of a subdivision, building or public works project or facility during the time of construction. Such signs may include a description of the project, and may list the project's professional firms (such as architects, engineers, developers and contractors).
(3) Directional Sign: A sign located on private property, at or near the public right-of-way to direct traffic onto private property, usually indicating the entrance and exit to a parking lot.
(4) Identification Sign: A sign intended to identify the principal use of a lot, building or building unit according the following:
A. Business Identification Sign: A sign indicating the business name or logo of a commercial or industrial enterprise and limited to identification purposes.
B. Institution Identification Sign: A sign displaying the name and/or organization occupying the premises of a public or quasi-public use restricted to: church or other place of religious worship; hospital; nursing home; public or non-profit corporation owned and operated recreational facilities; governmentally owned and/or operated facilities; schools and cemeteries.
C. Residential Identification Sign: A sign identifying the name and address of a completed residential subdivision, a cluster development with 12 or more dwelling units, or a multi-family development.
(5) Instructional Sign: A sign that has a purpose secondary to the use on the lot that is intended to instruct employees, customers or users as to specific parking requirements; the location or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building; specific services offered, or methods of payments accepted. Examples of instructional signs include "Honk Horn for Service", "Restrooms Inside", "Parking for Customers Only", "Parking for Residents Only", menu boards, drive-up tellers, "self-serve."
(6) Memorial Sign: A sign indicating the name of a building, the date of construction and/or incidental information about its construction or historical significance, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other permanent material, and mounted at the time the building was constructed or affixed subsequent to a structure being designated as a historical landmark.
(7) Nameplate: A sign attached to the wall of the principal building indicating only the name and address of the person or business occupying the lot or building.
(8) Political Sign: A temporary sign advocating the action on a public issue, promotion of a candidate for public office, or other ballot-oriented objectives.
(9) Product and Service Sign: A sign which advertises the services, products, merchandise or prices of commodities produced, stocked or sold on the premises.
(10) Real Estate Sales Sign: A temporary sign which directs attention to the rental, sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located.
(11) Required Public Purpose/Safety Sign: A sign erected by a public authority, utility, public service organization or private industry upon the public right- of-way or on private property which is required by law or otherwise intended to control traffic, direct, identify or inform the public, or provide needed public service as determined by the rules and regulations of governmental agencies or through public policy. Public purpose/safety signs include "No Parking Fire Lane."
(12) Temporary Promotional Sign: A temporary sign of any type (other than a construction, real estate or political sign) intended to announce special events, promotions or sales, including garage sales in residential districts.
(13) Temporary Sign: A sign that is used only for a limited time and is not permanently mounted.
(14) Unified Directory Sign: A wall sign erected to identify each business or tenant located within the building.
(Ord. 2007-222. Passed 1-10-08.)