For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED SIGN
“Abandoned sign” means a sign on which is advertised a business that is no longer licensed, no longer has a certificate of occupancy, or is no longer doing business at that location and such circumstances have continued for a period of more than 90 consecutive days.
ANIMATED or MOVING SIGN
Any sign or part of a sign which changes physical position by any movement or rotation or which gives visual impression of such movement or rotation.
AWNING
A roof-like cover that is temporary or permanent in nature and that projects from the wall of a building for the purpose of shielding an area of a structure and constructed of a rigid supporting framework with a canvas, vinyl or fabric covering.
AWNING SIGN
A permanent sign that is mounted or painted on or attached to a seasonal or permanent awning structure.
BUILDING FRONTAGE
The maximum horizontal width of the ground floor of a building that approximately parallels and faces an adjacent public right-of-way.
CANOPY
A freestanding permanent roof-like shelter not attached to or requiring support from an adjacent structure.
CANOPY SIGN
Any permanent sign attached to or constructed in or on a canopy.
CHANGE OF COPY
Any modification to a sign that consists only of replacing a sign panel
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN
Permanent or temporary sign on which copy is changed manually in the field.
COPY
The wording or message on a sign surface in either permanent of removable form.
CODE
DIRECTIONAL SIGN
A non-official sign designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
EARTHEN MOUND
A mound or berm formed as a result of manmade grading and/or excavation.
ELECTRONIC COPY SIGN
A permanent sign where different copy changes are shown on the same lamp bank.
EXEMPT SIGN
Signs exempted from normal permit requirements.
FLASHING SIGN
Any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or which includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation or any externally mounted intermittent light source.
GROUND SIGN
Any permanent or temporary sign six feet in height or less placed upon the ground or attached to a supporting structure not attached to any building.
GOVERNMENTAL SIGN
A sign erected and maintained pursuant to and in discharge of any governmental functions, or required by law, ordinance or other governmental regulation.
HEIGHT OF SIGN
The vertical distance to top of sign structure measured from the adjacent street grade or upper surface of the nearest street curb excluding any elevated roadway. In cases where the site is elevated above an adjacent roadway on natural topography, sign height shall be determined from the lowest ground elevation point where sign is mounted, to top of sign structure. If sign is located on man-made earthen mound, mounding shall be considered part of sign height. If the earthen mound is mandated by the city for the purpose of screening or landscaping and meets or exceeds the district height requirement, a sign may be erected on top of such earthen mound with height of sign not to exceed two feet. Any visible material whose major function is providing structural support for the sign shall be considered part of the overall sign height. (See Appendix A: SIGN FIGURES AND TABLES).
ILLEGAL SIGN
Any sign which is contrary to the requirements of this code and which does not satisfy the nonconforming specifications stated in this code.
ILLUMINATED SIGN
A sign lighted by or exposed to artificial lighting either by lights on or in the sign or directed toward the sign.
INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENT
A separate and distinct operation.
MARQUEE
Any permanent structure which projects from a wall of a building over a walkway or entrance way to a shopping center and plaza generally ten feet or more above a walkway.
MARQUEE SIGN
Any permanent sign attached to or constructed in or on a marquee.
MENU BOARD
A sign located on the premises of businesses which offer drive-through service listing products available and prices for such items.
NEON SIGN
A sign formed from neon lamps containing neon gas.
NONCONFORMING SIGN
Any sign lawfully existing on the effective date of an Ordinance which does not conform to all the standards and regulations of the current ordinance.
ORDER POINT
The point at which drivers place an order for products available inside an adjacent building.
PARCEL
A distinct portion or tract of land as is recorded and distinguished in the Montgomery County Auditor's Property Tax Records.
PERMANENT SIGN
A sign permitted by this code to be located on a premises for an unlimited period of time.
PREMISE
A building together with its ground or other appurtenances.
PYLON SIGN
A permanent sign that is mounted on a free-standing pole or other support in which the sign exceeds six feet in height.
PORTABLE SIGN
A sign intended to be movable and not permanently affixed to a building, structure, vehicle or the ground.
PROJECTING SIGN
A sign that is wholly or partly dependent upon a building for support and which projects more than 18 inches from the face of the building at right angles.
ROOF SIGN
A sign that is mounted on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support and which projects above the eave line of a building.
SIGN
Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof situated outdoors or adjacent to the interior of a window or doorway 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, pictures, logos, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images.
SIGN AREA
The entire display area of a sign including the advertising surface located on one or more sign faces and any framing, trim and molding, but not including the supporting structure. The area of individual elements of a sign placed against a non-localized background (such as letters placed against an awning, canopy, wall or window) shall be measured by calculating the area of the smallest single rectangle which would completely enclose all elements of the sign.
SIGN CODE
This subchapter sometimes referred to as the sign code or the code.
SIGN SETBACK
The distance between the edge of the street right-of-way and the nearest edge of a ground sign or pylon sign. All ground signs shall be setback at least a minimum of five feet unless otherwise indicated.
STREET FRONTAGE
The maximum horizontal width of a parcel of land that parallels and abuts an adjacent right-of-way.
TEMPORARY SIGN
A sign permitted by this sign code to be located on premises for a limited period of time.
UNDER MARQUEE SIGN
Any sign attached to the underside of a marquee.
WALL SIGN
A sign fastened to or painted on the wall of a building or structure in such a manner that the wall becomes the supporting structure for or forms the background surface of the sign and which does not project more than 18 inches from such building or structure.
WINDOW SIGN
A sign that is applied or attached to the interior or exterior of a window or located in such manner within a building that it conveys a message through a window to the exterior of the structure.
(Ord. 45-08. Passed 12-15-08.)