For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVERTISING SIGN or BILLBOARD. An off-site sign which directs attention to an object as described in the definition of “sign” below; however, such advertising sign shall not be associated with the primary use, business activity, or service conducted on the premises.
APARTMENT/MULTI-FAMILY IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Signs identifying a multi-family dwelling complex by name and/or address.
AWNING. A roof-like mechanism, which may or may not be retractable in operation, which projects from the wall of a building.
BANNERS; COMMERCIAL. Flags and pennants generally made of a flexible material, displayed for business promotion purposes.
BARBER POLES. Rotating or stationary cylindrical poles of the traditional red, white, and blue spiral striped design, identifying the premises as a barber shop.
CHANGE OF COPY. Changing of the face or letters on a sign. CHANGE OF A COPY shall not constitute a change of use. Permits shall automatically be granted where not in conflict with this chapter.
CHANGEABLE COPYSIGNS. Signs designed to be used with removable graphics which will allow changing of copy.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SIGNS. Signs associated with a religious, charitable, cultural, civic, or educational organization.
CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT SIGNS. Signs placed on property upon which construction is to take place, or is taking place, which contain information regarding the individuals and firms directly connected with the construction project, including the name of the contractor, the subcontractors, the real estate licensee, and the possible future tenants.
DIRECTORY SIGNS. A sign or set of similarly designed individual signs, placed, or displayed in sequence, to list all or part of the business within a building or business center.
FREE-STANDING BUSINESS CENTER IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Free-standing signs which identify a business center, and not the individual businesses located therein.
FREE-STANDING INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Free-standing signs which identify a building, business, professional center, or industry not located within a business center.
FREE-STANDING SIGN. Any sign attached to a self-supporting sign structure standing on the ground, which is essentially unattached to any other-structure. Signs mounted on architecturally integrated extensions of buildings are not considered FREE-STANDING.
GASOLINE PRICE SIGNS. On-premises signs identifying the brand and/or type and price of gasoline sold.
GOVERNMENTAL or OTHER SIGNS REQUIRED BY LAW. Signs placed in any area of the city by a governmental entity or private individual or business as required by federal, state, or local law.
HEIGHT. Generally refers to free-standing signs. The distance measured from the average surface grade surrounding the base of a sign or the average surface grade of the road bed nearest the base of the sign, whichever is higher, to the top of the highest element of the sign.
ILLUMINATED SIGNS. Signs or individual letters in which an artificial source of light is used in order to make the message readable. This definition shall include internally and externally lighted signs, and reflectorized, glowing, or radiating signs.
INCIDENTAL SIGN. A nameplate, temporary sign, or sign relating to the lot or use thereof and designating accessory uses, direction, identification, information, or real estate for sale, rent, or lease.
INSTITUTIONAL SIGNS. Signs identifying the premises of, or announcing the activities conducted by a church, school, hospital, rest home, or similar institutional facility.
MANAGER OR OFFICE OF MANAGER SIGNS. Signs which identify the location of the manager or the office of the manager of property.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNS. Signs identifying a business activity, property, or product at some location other than where the sign is displayed.
ON-BUILDING IDENTIFICATION SIGNS. Permanent signs mounted on the building which identify the building and/or which identify the business or profession or industry, or combination thereof conducted on the premises.
PARKING LOT SIGNS. Signs placed or displayed in parking lots to supply information to people using such lots, including information with respect to liability as well as entry, exit, and directional information, handicapped parking requirements, and other information to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles served by the parking area.
PLACED or DISPLACED. Erected, constructed, posted, painted, printed, tacked, glued, carved, or otherwise fastened, affixed, or made visible in any manner whatsoever.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign that is not permanently affixed to a building, structure, or the ground, inclusive of signs on movable objects, except signs on vehicles which are moving or parked only temporarily, incidental to their principal use for transportation; a temporary sign designed to be moved from place to place. A sign not permitted by the requirements of this subchapter, but may be permitted by the Board in accordance with the requirements of § 153.067.
PROJECTING SIGNS. A sign characterized by its attachment at an angle with the face of the building as opposed to being mounted flat on the surface of a building.
REAL ESTATE SIGNS FOR PROPERTY OF LESS THAN ONE ACRE. Signs offering developed or undeveloped real property of less than one acre of land for sale, lease, or rent.
REAL ESTATE SIGNS FOR PROPERTY OF ONE ACRE OR LARGER. Signs offering developed or undeveloped property of one acre or more for sale, lease, or rent.
ROOFLINE. A horizontal plane projected parallel to the primary plane of a building floor and touching the primary roof plane on the building.
SIGN. A physical embodiment of a visual communication which is intended to be viewed from outdoor public areas. In addition, it shall include all parts, portions, units, and materials composing the same, together with the illumination, frame, background, structure, and support anchorage thereof. This definition shall not apply to the official flag, emblem, or insignia of the government or religious group or agency.
SIGN AREA. The surface area of a sign face is the entire area measured within a single continuous perimeter enclosing all elements of the sign which form an integral part of the sign and which are organized, related, and composed to form a single unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner without organized relationship of elements, or where there is reasonable doubt about the relationship of elements, each element shall be considered to be a single sign.
SIGN FACING. The surface of the sign on, against, or through which the message of the sign is exhibited.
SIGN PROGRAM. A coordinated design plan of one or more signs for an individual business establishment or a business center.
SIGN STRUCTURE. The supports, uprights, bracing, and framework for the sign. In the case of a SIGN STRUCTURE consisting of two or more sides where the angle formed between any of the sides (or the projection thereof) exceeds 15 degrees, each side shall be considered a separate SIGN STRUCTURE.
SUBDIVISION AND SUBDIVISION MODEL HOME SIGNS. Signs identifying subdivision developments or model homes in a subdivision or land development project.
TIME AND TEMPERATURE SIGNS. Signs displaying the time or the temperature, or both.
UNDER CANOPY SIGNS. Signs suspended no lower than eight feet above the public right-of-way or above, or under a canopy or awning of a building, which identifies a building, profession, or industry conducted on the premises.
WINDOW SIGNS. Temporary window signs constructed of paper, cloth, or similar expendable material, provided the total area of such signs is not to exceed 50% of the window area.
(Ord. passed - -1996)