The following definitions shall also be used in determining whether signs meet the measurement and type requirements of this subchapter.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign which identifies something that is no longer a bona fide business, lessor, service, owner or product, or advertises an event or activity that is not longer occurring, and/or for which no legal owner can be found. This term shall also include a structural support for a sign if the sign has been removed.
AWNING. A non-illuminated sign painted on or attached to a fabric or vinyl cover on a rigid frame. All or part of the allowed wall sign area may be placed on an AWNING.
BUILDING FACE. The vertical area of a particular side of a building, but not including the area of any slanted roof.
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGN. A sign that is designed to vary from message to message by means of electronic lights, movable panels and/or movable letters.
FLAG. Fabric, banner or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, including a flag that is a symbol of a nation or political subdivision or other entity.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign which is self-supporting upon the ground or which is primarily supported by poles attached to the ground and not primarily supported by a building.
HEIGHT OF SIGN. The vertical distance measured from the average ground level surrounding a sign to the highest point of the sign and its supporting structure. Religious symbols, when not accompanied by lettering, shall not be restricted by the sign heights of this subchapter when attached to a tower or spire of a place of worship.
ILLUMINATED SIGN, INTERNALLY. A sign illuminated by light from within the sign rather than a source adjacent to or outside of the sign. A sign within a display case with lights only shining onto the front of the sign shall be considered to be EXTERNALLY ILLUMINATED.
MARQUEE SIGN. A sign that is attached to a permanent overhang over a sidewalk that extends from the face of a building, and which meets the minimum clearance over a sidewalk established by the Construction Code. All or part of the allowed wall sign area may be placed on a marquee, provided any new marquee shall meet this chapter and the Construction Codes.
MONUMENT SIGN. A type of freestanding sign which has a maximum total height of eight feet and which has a solid bottom attached to the ground, as opposed to be supported by a pole.
NONCONFORMING SIGN. A sign which was lawful when it was installed, but which would not meet current sign regulations of this chapter.
OFF-PREMISES SIGN. A sign which directs attention to an object, product, service, place, activity, person, institution, organization or business that is primarily offered or located at a location other than the lot upon which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES SIGN. A sign that is not an off-premises sign, such as a sign that advertises a business or service offered on the premises.
POLITICAL SIGN. A sign that advertises a candidate for election or an opinion on a current political issue.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign that is not permanently affixed to the ground or to a building, and which is not listed by this subchapter as an allowed temporary sign, and which is attached to a chassis, wheels or legs that allows it to be towed or carried from one location to another.
PROJECTING SIGN. A sign that is attached to a building and that extends perpendicular from the building and which meets requirements of the Construction Code for secure construction and minimum clearance over a sidewalk, and which does not extend over a street.
REAL ESTATE SIGN. A temporary sign advertising the availability of land or building space for sale, lease or auction.
SIGN.
(1) Any physical device for visual communication that is used for the purpose of attracting attention from the public and that is visible from beyond an exterior lot line, including all symbols, words, models, displays, banners, flags, devices or representations.
(2) This shall not include displays that only involve symbols that are clearly and entirely religious in nature, and which do not include advertising.
WALL SIGN. A sign primarily supported by or painted on a wall of a building. A WALL SIGN may also be displayed upon an awning or canopy, provided other requirements of this chapter are met.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign which is readily visible and can be at least partially read from an exterior lot line and which is attached to a window or transparent door or that can be read through a window or transparent door.
(Ord. 126, passed 3-18-2010)