(a) Sign Defined. "Sign" means any display, figure, word, number, symbol, geometric shape, model, painting, drawing, placard, letter, poster, pennant, insignia, device or other structure or representation, or combination thereof, visible from a public way, which is designed, intended or used to convey a message, advertise, inform or direct attention to a person, institution, organization, business activity, place, object or product.
(b) Classification by Functional Type.
(1) "Abandoned sign" means a sign which no longer directs or exhorts or which no longer advertises a bona fide business, lessor, lessee, owner, product or activity conducted or available on the premises where the sign is located.
(2). "Agricultural sign" means a sign that relates to agricultural products grown within any district.
(3) "Billboard" means a sign directing attention to a specific business, product, service, entertainment or any other activity sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than upon the same lot on which the sign is located.
(4) "Bulletin board" means an announcement sign which directs attention to and which is located on the lot of a public or semi-public institution, or of a charitable or religious facility.
(5) "Business sign" (general advertising) means a sign advertising the name of the business or establishment, the goods or commodities sold and/or brand names thereof, or services rendered on the lot on which the sign is located. (The terms "advertising" and "brand names" distinguish business signs from identification signs.)
(6) "Development sign" means a sign directing attention to the promotion, development or construction of a building, subdivision or property on the parcel of land on which the sign is located and which bears the name, address, sublot number or other identifier of the contractor or the name, owner or manager of the development.
(7) "Directional sign" means a sign intending to direct the safe flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and includes "enter," "exit" and arrow signs. Standard traffic devices may be used if approved by the Safety-Service Director.
(8) "Flashing sign" means any illuminated sign which exhibits changing light or color effects.
(9) "Identification sign" means a sign, other than a nameplate, indicating the name, owner, manager and/or address of an existing building or business. (The term "name" may include the type of goods sold or services rendered, but not brand names.)
(10) "Illuminated sign" means a sign that has characters, letters, figures, designs or an outline illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes as part of the sign proper, or which is illuminated by the reflector method.
(11) "Industrial sign" means a sign directing attention to the name of the business or establishment, the goods or commodities sold and/or services rendered on the lot on which the sign is located.
(12) "Informational sign" means a sign which is designed to give general information to the public concerning areas of natural scenic beauty or outdoor recreation facilities and similar information, or indicating a condition on the property which requires the exercise of ordinary care, or which provides public safety information or other public information.
(13) "Integral sign" means a sign indicating the name of a building, the date of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets and the like, when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or when made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent-type construction and made an integral part of the structure.
(14) "Memorial sign" means a sign designed, intended or used to preserve the memory of a person, place or event, including landmark and historical plaques.
(15) "Mural or pictorial sign" means an artistic scene or picture devoid of any advertising or commercial aspects, slogans, words, letters, script, numbers, diagrams or text, which is printed or painted upon any wall of a building or structure.
(16) "Nameplate" means a sign indicating the name, address or profession of the person or persons occupying the lot, building or part of a building.
(17) "Permanent sign" means a sign which is designed or intended to be used indefinitely or which is used indefinitely without a change in its state or place.
(18) "Political sign" means a sign promoting or opposing any candidate seeking any political office or promoting or opposing any ballot measure to be voted upon by the voters of the Village.
(19) "Real estate sign" means a sign directing attention to the promotion, development, construction, rental, sale or lease of the property on which it is located.
(20) "Security sign" means a sign indicating that the property is protected by a security surveillance system of any nature.
(21) "Temporary sign" means a sign of any type to announce charitable, educational, religious, civic or community affairs of a public or semi-public nature and designed for use for a limited period of time. Such a sign may be suspended over public property or any other location only by permission of the Safety-Service Director. Such a sign may be a banner, pennant or poster constructed of cloth, canvas, plastic sheet, cardboard or wall board and may be displayed twenty-one days prior to and three days after the affair.
(c) Classification by Structural Type.
(1) "Attraction devices" refers to animation, revolution, movement up-and-down or sideways and windblown devices such as ribbons, pennants, spinners and streamers, whether part of a sign or not.
(2) "Canopy sign" means a sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a canopy, to a covered entrance or walkway, or to a permanent awning or marquee.
(3) "Ground sign" means a free-standing sign which has a supporting base designed as an integral part of the sign and resting totally or primarily on the ground.
(4) "Pole sign" means a sign which is supported wholly by a pole or poles, posts or braces upon the ground and which is not attached to any building.
(5) "Portable sign" means a sign which is designed to be portable and is not permanently attached to any part of a building or permanently anchored to the ground.
(6) "Projection sign" means a sign, other than a wall sign, erected on the outside wall of a building and which projects out at an angle therefrom, extending more than fifteen inches from the face of the wall of the building, wall or other structure and supported thereby.
(7) "Roof sign" means a sign erected upon and completely over the roof of any building or a sign constructed or wholly maintained upon or over the roof or parapet wall with the principal support on the roof.
(8) "Temporary sign" means a sign applying to a seasonal or other brief activity, constructed of cloth, paper or fabric of any kind, with or without a frame.
(9) "Wall sign" means a sign integral with the exterior face of an exterior wall of a building, or attached to the wall or parallel with the wall and extending no higher than the ridge lines on the top of the parapet wall and projecting not more than twelve inches from the wall.
(10) "Window sign" means a sign attached or affixed to the interior surface of windows or doors of a building.
(d) Measurement of Sign Area. The surface area of a sign shall be computed as including the entire area within a regular, geometric form, or combinations of regular, geometric forms, comprising all of the display area of the sign and including all of the elements of the matter displayed, together with any material or color used to differentiate the sign from the environment or surroundings in which it is placed. Only one side of any double-faced ground, pole or projecting sign shall be included in calculating surface area, provided that the two display surfaces are joined at an angle not greater than fifteen degrees. Frames and structural members, not being advertising matter, shall not be included in computation of surface area.
(Ord. 95-2-3. Passed 4-4-95.)