For the purposes of these regulations, a sign shall include any structure, or part thereof, any device attached to a structure, or painted, or represented directly or indirectly thereon, or any other device that is intended to announce, direct or advertise. A sign may include banners, lights and other site or building features, and may be represented by words or letters, figures, symbols or characterizations, or other insignia, or devices. The following shall serve as definitions for terms used in this chapter:
(a) Abandoned Sign. Any sign that no longer identifies or advertises a bona fide business, institution, organization, lessor, service, owner, product, or activity and/or for which no legal owner can be found.
(b) Animated Sign. Any sign that uses flashing lights or movement of the entire sign or portion thereof to depict action or create a special effect or scene.
(c) Architectural Feature. Any construction attending to, but not an integral part of the sign, which may consist of landscaping, building or structural forms that enhance the site in general; also, graphic stripes and other architectural painting techniques applied to a structure that serves a functional purpose, or when the stripes or other painting techniques are applied to a building provided such treatment does not include lettering, logos or pictures related to the intended message of the sign.
(d) Banner Sign. Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is attached to a building or structure at one or more edges or mounted on two stakes in the ground. National flags, state or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business shall not be considered banners.
(e) Building Sign. Any sign attached to any part of a building including wall, awning, canopy, and projecting signs.
(f) Building Wall. Any vertical surface of a building or structure (other than a pitched roof) that is integral to, and could reasonably be constructed as a part of, the architecture of the building when signage is not being contemplated. Examples of building walls include, but are not limited to: awnings, canopies, marquees, vertical portions of gable roofs, parapets, mechanical penthouses, etc.
(g) Changeable Copy Sign. A sign, or any portion thereof, with letters, characters or graphics that are not permanently affixed to the structure, framing or background allowing the letters, characters or graphics to be periodically modified, manually, mechanically or electronically, such as a bulletin board or electronic message center.
(h) Commercial Message. Any speech or any expression that does no more than propose a commercial transaction or is related solely to the economic interests of the speaker and its audience.
(i) Electronic Message Center Sign. A sign that is capable of displaying words, symbols, figures, images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means
(j) Entrance Signs. A ground sign located at or near the ingress/egress to a lot from the public right-of-way.
(k) Flag Sign. A temporary portable freestanding sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is mounted in a manner that allows the sign to flutter, rotate or otherwise move in order to draw attention to the message on the sign. Also referred to as a feather or blade sign.
(l) Flag. Any fabric, banner or bunting used as a symbol of government, political subdivision, corporate or commercial entity, or institution, or used to convey any message, or otherwise used in a manner consistent with the definition of a sign.
(m) Flashing Sign. Any sign that contains an intermittent or sequential flashing light source used primarily to attract attention when such movement is not in compliance with this Chapter.
(n) Freestanding Sign. A sign that is supported from the ground or a structure, other than a building.
(1) Ground Sign. A freestanding sign, other than a pole sign, that is placed upon or supported by the ground independently of any other structure, typically on a monument or pedestal structure.
(2) Pole Sign. A freestanding sign, the bottom of which is a minimum of nine (9) feet from the ground.
(o) Historical or Commemorative Markers. A sign solely intended to identify, commemorate or describe a building, place or site of historic significance or a sign on a building or site, or in a place that represents the location of an historic or otherwise locally important event worthy of such identification or commemoration.
(p) Inflatable Sign. Any inflatable shape or figure designed or used to attract attention to a business location or event.
(q) Instructional Sign. Any sign that has a purpose secondary to the use on the lot that is intended to instruct employees, customers or users as to matters of public safety or convenience such as but not limited to: specific parking and circulation requirements, the location of or regulations pertaining to specific activities on the site or in the building, specific services offered or methods of payments accepted; and signs erected by a public authority or utility, to control traffic circulation, direct or inform the public or to inform of needed public services as determined by the rules, regulations and public policy of governmental agencies.
(r) Marquee, Canopy or Awning Sign. A sign attached to the soffit or fascia of a marquee, canopy, roof projection over a walk or permanent awning provided such sign shall not be placed on top or project above the top of such marquee, canopy or similar roof.
(s) Off-Premise Sign. Any sign, permanent or temporary, that is advertising, promoting, or identifying an establishment, merchandise, event, service, or entertainment that is not sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at the property on which the sign is located. Also referred to as a billboard.
(t) Permanent Sign. A sign that does not satisfy the definition of a temporary sign.
(u) Portable Sign. A sign which is designed to be moved and is not permanently, or intended to be permanently, attached to a building, structure or the ground, including any sign that is designed to be transported on wheels, skids, a bench, runners, brackets or has a frame to which wheels, skids, runners, brackets or similar mechanical devices are or can be attached. A portable sign also includes mobile signs such as parked vehicles or trailers, when such vehicles are visible from the public right-of-way unless such vehicle is regularly used in the normal daily operations of the attendant business, organization or institution.
(v) Projecting Sign. A sign erected on the outside wall of a building and which projects out at an angle from (i.e., is not parallel to) the building wall or any sign suspended beneath a canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee, intended to be viewed by pedestrians from the sidewalk beneath the canopy, ceiling, roof, or marquee
(w) Roof Sign. A sign erected on, and completely over, the roof of the building, or wall, projecting or marquee sign, part of which extends above the roof or the top of the marquee respectively.
(x) Sidewalk Sign. A portable sign placed/displayed on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the building/tenant to which it is associated.
(y) Signs During Construction. Any temporary sign for a project or facility erected and maintained during the time of construction or renovation.
(a) Sign Face. The space or surface of a sign intended to contain the message.
(aa) Signable Area. That portion of a structure that can accommodate a sign.
(bb) Site Feature. Any construction attendant to, but not an integral part of, the sign (such as walls, fences, sculptures) that enhances the development, does not include lettering, logos or pictures and could reasonably be constructed independently and without any relationship to signs.
(cc) Temporary Sign. A sign that is designed, constructed and erected or installed for the purpose of being displayed only temporarily and is not permanently, or intended to be permanently, attached to a building, structure or window, or permanently installed in the ground.
(dd) Wall Sign. A building sign erected parallel to, or painted on the surface or on the outside wall of any building, and not extending more than eighteen inches therefrom, and which does not project above the roof line or beyond the corner of the building:
(ee) Window Sign. A sign, whether permanent or temporary, that is applied to the interior or exterior of a window or door, or a sign located on the inside of a building near a window for the purpose of being visible and read from the outside of the building. This term does not include signs that are in the building more than three (3) feet from the window if the sign is either not legible or not intended to be viewed from outside the building. (Ord. 2020-21. Passed 2-18-20.)