For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall be used specific to Article H. Words used in the present tense include the future; the singular number includes the plural number; and the plural number includes the singular number. The word
SHALL is mandatory and not permissive.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign which is in disrepair or which no longer identifies a bonafide business or current service, owner, product, or activity carried out on or off of the premises upon which the sign is located or whose message is for an event whose time has passed or whose object or subject no longer exist or for which sign the owner cannot be located. It shall also include any sign which no longer supports or contains the medium of communication for which it was designated.
AWNING SIGN. A non-illuminated sign painted on or attached to a fabric or vinyl cover on a rigid frame which is affixed as a projection from or extension of a building or other structure, erected in such a manner as to provide shelter or cover over the approach to the entrance of any building or other structure, or place of assembly. AWNING SIGNS shall contain only the names of businesses, logos, and address, and no other or further information or message.
BANNER. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted to a pole or a building at one or more edges. National flags, state, or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business, shall not be considered a BANNER.
BILLBOARD. An outdoor advertising sign which directs attention to a business, product, service, activity, or solicits patronage of a business not conducted upon or offered on the premises where the sign is located.
BUSINESS SIGN. A sign which directs attention to a business, profession, service, or entertainment sold from or offered upon the premises where such sign is located, which contains no other or further messages.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A manual, electronic sign, or electronic time or temperature sign, or reader board whose message is electronically or mechanically changed.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE. Any message advertising a particular business or identifying goods, services, recreational activities, or other public or private services made available to the public at large.
DISPLAY FACE. The entire surface area of a sign upon which information copy can be placed. DISPLAY FACE shall not be interpreted to include the super structure or supports of a sign outside of the DISPLAY FACE area contained thereupon. One side of a double-faced sign shall be used to determine the surface area of the DISPLAY FACE of that sign.
FLAG SIGN. Devices generally made of flexible materials, such as cloth, paper, or plastic, and supported by a single vertical pole mounted into the ground or on a portable structure. They may or may not contain sign copy.
FLASHING SIGN. An illuminated sign, whose lighting is not constant in intensity or color at all times and whose message is displayed by means of those changes. Illuminated signs that indicate the time, temperature, weather, or similar public service information are not flashing signs.
FREESTANDING SIGN. Any sign which is supported by structures or supports in or upon the ground and independent from any building. FREESTANDING SIGNS include ground signs, pylon signs, and signs less than four feet in height supported by a single pole or post.
GROUND SIGN. A sign that rests upon or is affixed to the grade or is supported by posts or pillars on the sides and/or a structural base.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. Any sign which emanates light by means of exposed or recessed artificial lighting devices. It shall not include a FLASHING SIGN.
JOINT BUSINESS SIGN. A ground sign which serves as a collective means of identifying three or more businesses or occupations operated on the same premises upon which the sign is located including, but not limited to, sign advertising a retail mall, shopping center, or office complex. The messages on such signs shall be limited to the name and telephone number of the business.
MENU BOARD. A permanently mounted sign displaying the foods, products, or services for a drive-through or walk-up facility.
MESSAGE. Communication consisting of numbers, letters, characters, or pictorial descriptions or representations designed to attract the attention of the public.
MONUMENT SIGN. A sign made of brick, masonry, stone, or other materials, the bottom of which is attached directly to and permanently affixed to the ground and physically separated from any other structure located on the same premises as is the sign.
MURAL. A picture painted on an exterior surface of a structure.
NON-COMMERCIAL SIGN. Sign expressing personal, political, religious, or other opinions, and not advertising any product, service, or event.
NON-CONFORMING SIGN. A sign legally in existence and actively in use as of the effective date of this chapter or any amendment thereto which does not comply with all of the requirements of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign which is not related to a product sold, a service offered, or identity of the property on which the sign is located. This definition does not include non-commercial signs that meet all applicable requirements of this chapter.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign identifying or advertising a business, person, activity, goods, or services located upon or doing business from the same premises upon which the sign is located.
PORTABLE SIGN. Any sign including, but not limited to, a reader board sign, not permanently affixed to or attached to the ground that is designed to be easily moved from one location to another, with or without wheels, including, but not limited to, signs in or upon trailers and trucks.
PREMISES. A legally-described and recorded lot, parcel, or other tract of land.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign attached to the wall of a building or any other structure that projects horizontally more than 12 inches from the face of the wall or structure. This definition does not include MARQUEE.
ROOF SIGN. Any sign erected or constructed wholly upon and over the roof of any building or other structure, supported by the roof or other structure and extending vertically above the highest portion of said roof or structure at its highest point above grade.
SHOPPING CENTER. A group of commercial establishments planned, constructed, and managed as a unified entity that share a common on-site parking area for customers and employees, with provision for goods delivery separated from customer access, and with aesthetic considerations and protection from the elements.
SIGN. An object, device, display, placard, or other form of structure or part thereof, displayed out of doors and visible from any street or highway right-of-way, adjoining premises, or navigable water which contains a display face which, in turn, contains a message whose purpose it is to display a message to persons through visual means.
SIGN COPY. The message or advertisement, and any other symbols on the face of a sign.
TEMPORARY SIGN. Any sign which is erected or constructed and is portable including, but not limited to, portable poster-type signs, banners, flags, pennants, and inflatable signs. Said definition shall include, as well, A-FRAME SANDWICH BOARDS and READER BOARD SIGNS.
WALL SIGN. A business sign permanently attached to and constructed of rigid material, erected upon, or painted on or applied to the wall of a building or other structure, projecting not more than eight inches from the wall.
WINDOW SIGN. Any advertising sign affixed to an exterior window of a building or other structure.
(Ord. passed 1-18-2021)