For the purposes of this Article, signs shall be classified and defined by physical design or structure, and function or purpose as follows:
(A) Definition. A sign is defined as any display, figure, painting, drawing, placard, poster or other device visible from a public way that is designed, intended or used to convey a message, advertise, inform or direct attention to a person, institution, organization, activity, place, object or product. It may be a structure or part thereof printed or attached directly or indirectly on a structure.
(2) Sign Copy. Those letters, numerals, and figures, symbols, logos, and graphic elements comprising the content or message of a sign.
(3) Face of Sign. The area of a sign on which the copy is placed.
(B) Physical Characteristics.
(1) Abandoned Sign. A sign that pertains to a business, lessor, service, owner, or activity no longer conducted on the premises for 90 consecutive days, and/or for which no legal owner or proprietor is found on the premises.
(2) A-Frame Sign. A freestanding portable sign that is readily moveable, not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located and constructed in such a manner as to form an “A” or a tent-like shape, hinged or not hinged at the top; with each angular face held at an appropriate distance by a supporting member. Also known as a sandwich board sign.
(3) Animated Sign. A sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict action or to create a special effect or scene.
(4) Awning Sign. A sign painted on, printed on, or attached to the fascia of an awning, canopy, or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door entrance or window.
(5) Banner Sign. A sign made with fabric, plastic, paper, or similar lightweight material with no frame. National and state flags and the official flag of any organization, institution or business shall not be considered banners.
(6) Building Sign. A sign attached to any part of a building including but not limited to wall, awning, canopy, marquee and projecting signs.
(7) Building Marker. Letters, words, or insignia cut into the building surface, or otherwise permanently mounted on the building, at the time of construction with the name or address of the building, date of construction, or to convey a memorial or similar message.
(8) Changeable Copy Sign. A sign on which the message or graphics is not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background and is designed to be periodically replaced or covered manually or by electronic or mechanical devices. Examples are a bulletin board and announcement board. See also the definition of “electronic message sign.”
(9) Drive-Thru Sign. Any sign located along a drive-thru lane that is oriented toward the customer or user in the drive-thru lane, such as a menu board.
(10) Entrance Sign. A small permanent sign located near driveway access points and/or at the intersection of internal access drives.
(11) Electronic Message Sign. A sign with a fixed or changing display or message composed of a series of lights that may be changed automatically and/or remotely through electronic or mechanical means.
(12) Festoons. A string of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, pinwheels or the like.
(13) Flashing Sign. A sign, other than a changeable copy sign or animated sign, which contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source, used primarily to attract attention.
(14) Freestanding Sign. A sign supported by one or more uprights, posts, columns, or vertical structures or supports affixed to the ground and not attached to any part of the building.
(15) Illuminated Sign. A sign with an artificial light source that internally or externally illuminates the sign.
(16) Inflatable Sign. A sign that is an air inflated object, which may be of various shapes, made of flexible fabric, resting on the ground or a structure, and equipped with a portable blower motor that provides a constant flow of air into the device.
(17) Marquee Sign. A sign attached to or supported by a permanent roof-like structure or canopy of rigid materials supported by and extending from the façade of a building.
(18) Monument Sign. A permanent freestanding sign other than a pole sign, not attached to a building, which is placed upon or supported by the ground independently of any other structure, typically on a monument or pedestal structure.
(19) Nonconforming Sign. Any sign lawfully existing on the effective date of an ordinance, or an amendment thereto, which renders such sign nonconforming because it does not conform to all the standards and regulations of the adopted or amended ordinance.
(20) Pole Sign. A permanent freestanding sign that is affixed, attached, or erected on a pole.
(21) Portable Sign. A sign that is designed to be portable and can be transported on wheels, skids, a bench, runners, brackets or has a frame to which wheels, skids, runners, brackets or similar mechanical devices are or can be attached.
(22) Projecting Sign. A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and projects more than 12 inches from such building.
(23) Roof Sign. A sign erected on, above, or over the roof of a building.
(24) Rotating Sign. A sign, or any portion thereof, which moves in a revolving or similar manner.
(25) Under-canopy Sign. A sign that is affixed perpendicular to and underneath and hanging, or suspended, from a marquee, awning, canopy, or ceiling of a building or structure, which is intended to be viewed by pedestrian traffic.
(26) Wall Sign. A sign fastened to or painted on the exterior wall of a building in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for, or forms the background surface of the sign or erected parallel thereto, which does not extend more than 12 inches therefrom nor project above the roofline or beyond the corner of the building.
(27) Window Sign. A sign that is attached to, affixed to, or painted on the interior or exterior of a window or door, or a sign located within two (2) feet inside of a window or door for the purpose of being visible and read from the outside of the building.
(C) Function.
(1) Commercial Message or Speech. Any sign, wording, logo or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises or calls attention to a business, product, service, or other commercial activity.
(2) Instructional (Incidental) Sign. A sign that instructs employees, customers or users as to specific parking requirements; the location of, or regulations pertaining to, specific activities on the site or in the building; specific services offered; or methods of payments accepted and is not intended or designed to attract attention from off-site.
(3) Noncommercial Message or Speech. Any sign, wording, logo or other representation that, does fall under the definition of “commercial message or speech.”
(4) Permanent Sign. Any sign that does not fall under the definition of “temporary sign.”
(5) Temporary Sign. A sign that is designed to be used only temporarily and is not permanently, or intended to be permanently, attached to a building, structure or on the ground.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)