For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVERTISING FLAG. A flag intended to advertise a business, product, service or event, including a flag with a corporate mark or graphic symbol, with or without words.
ALTERATION OF SIGN. The moving or modification, in any manner, of a sign including, but not limited to, changes to the sign structure, height, size, area, shape, or foundation, but excluding the exchange, replacement, or repainting of the sign faces of cabinet-type signs where there are no changes to the original cabinet. The changing of movable parts or components of a sign that is designed for such changes, or the changing of copy, display and/or graphic matter, or the content of any sign shall not be deemed an alteration.
ANIMATED SIGN. A sign or display, other than an electronic message center (EMC), manifesting either kinetic or illusionary motion occasioned by natural, manual, mechanical, electrical, or other means.
AWNING. An architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity, or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton over which a covering is attached.
BANNER. A temporary sign, printed on a flexible surface, mounted either horizontally or vertically, and used for special occasions or events.
BEACON. Any light source with one or more beams directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same lot as the light source; also any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
BLIGHT. The state or result of being deteriorated or ruined: urban blight.
BUILDING FACADE. That portion of any exterior elevation of a building extending from grade to the top of the parapet wall or eaves for the entire width of the building elevation or that portion comprising the exterior elevation of one business located in a multiple tenant structure.
BUILDING GRAPHICS. A mosaic, mural, painting, graphic art technique or combination or grouping thereof, applied or implanted directly onto a building wall or fence.
BUSINESS. An individual business enterprise or operation in a wholly-owned, leased, or rented space providing product(s) and/or service(s) to customers on premise.
CANOPY. A roofed structure that covers an area, especially one that shelters a passageway between two buildings.
COPY. The graphic content of a sign surface in either permanent or removable letter, pictographic, symbolic, or alphabetic form.
DILAPIDATED. A sign on which:
(1) The lettering or background material or any part of the sign has flaked, broken off, or changed color;
(2) Structural supports or frame members are visibly corroded, stained, bent, broken, or dented; or
(3) Sign supports are twisted, leaning or at angles other than those at which the sign was originally erected.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN. A sign erected solely to direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGN. A sign that contains name and information for a multi-residential or multi-tenant development.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER or EMC. A sign that is capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically changed by remote or automatic means.
FLASHING. A pattern of sudden alternation between a fully-illuminated frame and a frame without illumination, or a frame where the copy color and the background color alternate or reverse color schemes rapidly (less than every three seconds).
FRAME EFFECTS. A visual effect applied to a message to transition from one message to the next. Transition methods include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) DISSOLVE. A frame effect accomplished by varying the light intensity or pattern, where the first frame gradually appears to dissipate and lose legibility simultaneously with the gradual appearance and legibility of the second frame.
(2) FADE. A frame effect accomplished by varying the light intensity, where the first frame gradually reduces intensity to the point of not being legible (i.e. fading to black) and the subsequent frame gradually increases intensity to the point of legibility.
(3) SCROLL. A frame effect where the frame appears to move vertically across the display surface (usually used to describe a frame effect where the message is too large to ever be seen on the display surface at once).
(4) TRAVEL. A frame effect where the message appears to move horizontally across the display surface (usually used to describe a frame effect where the message is too large to ever be seen on the display surface at once).
FREESTANDING SIGN. A sign not attached to any building and which is supported by one or more uprights set in a fixed position in the ground.
GROUND SIGN. A sign mounted directly on the surface of the ground or on a suitable foundation thereon.
HEIGHT OF SIGN. The vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign to the adjacent street grade or surface beneath the sign.
HISTORIC SIGN. A sign which has historical or cultural significance to the city as determined by the Historic Preservation Commission or which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
INTERSTATE 40 (I-40) OVERLAY. That portion of a strip of land 2,200 feet in width, whose center line coincides with that of Interstate 40 within the city limits, and which is zoned as Central Business District or Highway Commercial District.
LEADING EDGE. The portion of a sign that is closest, in any direction, to the adjacent property line or right-of-way line.
MANUAL READER BOARD (MRB). A board whose display can be changed manually but not electronically.
MARQUEE. A projecting structure over the entrance to a building or structure, especially a theater or hotel.
MONUMENT SIGN. A lower profile sign where the base is on the ground and the maximum height can be eight feet and maximum length can be ten feet. This type of sign can only be installed in lieu of a freestanding sign.
OBSCENE SIGN. A sign that contains offensive language, is hate based, is discriminatory, or on which the dominant theme of material taken as a whole appeals to a prurient interest in sex, or is patently offensive because it affronts community standards relating to the description or representation of sexual matters, and is utterly without redeeming social value.
PHOTOMETRIC. The measurement of the intensity of light or of relative illuminating power.
PROPERTY FRONTAGE. A side of a property that borders on a public street.
ROOF SIGN. A sign that is placed on a roof or extends above a parapet or wall.
SANDWICH-BOARD SIGN also known as A-FRAME SIGN. A portable advertising sign usually comprising two top-hinged panels, maximum size two feet by three feet.
SECONDARY FRONTAGE. A side of a property that a faces a parkway (alleyway) or an interior park.
SIGN. The means by which anything is made visibly known or used to identify, advertise or promote an individual, firm, association, corporation, professional business, commodity, service or product, that can be viewed from the public right-of-way. For the purposes of removal, SIGN shall also include all sign structures.
SIGN AREA. The surface area of a sign usually measured in square feet and meant to represent the surface area of only one side of any two-sided sign (for irregular shapes, the area of the smallest rectangle, square, circle or triangle that encompasses the sign).
SIGN WALKER. A person who wears, holds or otherwise carries a sign for commercial purposes, or who wears a costume intended for commercial advertising purposes.
SKYLIGHTS AND SEARCHLIGHTS. Lights used to illuminate the sky for the purpose of drawing attention to a business or event.
TEMPORARY SIGN. A sign or banner primarily intended to announce special functions or occasions and not for permanent use (restricted to three consecutive days per event).
WALL SIGN. A sign painted on or attached flush to the exterior surface of a building. When attached directly to the surface of the building it can project no more than eight inches from the building surface and not above the wall.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign mounted on the interior surface of a window.
(Ord. 939, passed 3-27-2014)