For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPEARANCE. The outward aspect visible to the public.
ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT. The basic aesthetic idea of buildings or structures, including the site and landscape development which produces the architectural character.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE. The characteristic form and detail, such as buildings of a particular historic period.
AWNING. A roof-like cover structure that is temporary or removable in nature, generally made of cloth, plastic or other pliable material, and that projects from part of a wall of a building in such a manner that the structure may or may not be raised or retracted to a position against the building. Such a structure may be installed for the purpose of providing shade or shielding a doorway or window from the elements.
BALLOON and/or BALLOON SIGN. See SIGN, INFLATABLE.
BILLBOARD. See SIGN, OFF-SITE.
BUILDING COMMISSIONER. As used in this chapter, the BUILDING COMMISSIONER shall be that member of Village Staff assigned as the head of the Building Department, irrespective of his or her formal title and any other assigned duties or positions within the hierarchy of the village Staff.
BUILDING DECORATION. The painting or affixing of a pattern, stripe, series of stripes, or other design on a building in such a manner, including the use of color, so as to create a contrast to the general character of the building’s architectural style or to highlight or frame a signable wall area. Such a BUILDING DECORATION shall be deemed a wall sign, and its surface area calculated upon the entirety of the decoration if, and only if, the decoration meets the definition of a GRAPHIC.
BUILDING FRONT. That portion of a building where the primary building entrance is located. Where more than one primary building entrance is provided, the BUILDING FRONT shall be that portion of the building facing toward the street to which the legal address has been assigned. Corner lots shall have only one BUILDING FRONT. For the purposes of this definition, the terms BUILDING FRONT and building facade shall be deemed synonymous.
BULLETIN BOARD. A sign which identifies an institution or organization and which is located on the premises of the institution or organization, which contains the name and address of the institution or organization, the names of individuals connected with it, and general announcements of events or activities occurring on the premises, or similar messages. Such a sign may contain a changeable copy board within the structure of the sign provided that the board is enclosed behind a glass case or door.
CANOPY. A structure, other than an awning, permanent in nature, of hood or roof-like construction typically made of metal, wood or other non-pliable material which may be free-standing or attached to a building, which is either supported by frames which are attached to a wall of a building, or by frames affixed to the ground, or both, for the purpose of providing shade, shelter or protection from the elements.
COMPATIBLE/COMPATIBILITY. Harmony in the appearance of a majority of external design features, including form, colors, materials, textures, scale, size, height and landscaping in the same vicinity.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The Village of Winthrop Harbor Comprehensive Plan.
DECORATIVE FACADE. A projection of the facade above the roof line of a building wherein the projection serves no structural purpose or is not required for structural support of any portion of the building. A parapet fire break shall not be deemed a DECORATIVE FACADE.
ESTABLISHMENT. Any institution, organization, business, commercial, retail, office, service or industrial activity that is the sole occupant of one or more buildings; or any institution, organization, business, commercial, retail, office, service or industrial activity that occupies a portion of a building such that the activity is a separate and distinct business from the other activities within the building.
FLAG, ADVERTISING. Any sign typically constructed of, or printed or painted on cloth, plastic, canvas, paper or other light material which contains any or all of the following features, including but not limited to: distinctive patterns, shapes, slogans, symbolic devices, or colors (solid or mixed), which is typically designed to move when subject to pressure by the wind, and used for attracting the attention of the public. See also SIGN, PENNANT.
FLAG, ANCILLARY/CORPORATE. Any sign typically printed, painted or woven on cloth, canvas, paper or other light material depicting any corporation or institution through symbols, characters, colors, designs, letters, logos or trademarks, typically designed to move when subject to pressure by the wind, and which may be hung without a frame, or flown from a staff or flagpole.
FLAG, OFFICIAL. Any sign typically printed, painted or woven on cloth, canvas, paper or other light material depicting any nation, state, county, municipality or other political subdivision, taxing body or unit of government duly created by law, or any organization or activity officially designated by such unit of government, through symbols, characters, colors, designs or letters and numbers, typically designed to move when subject to pressure by the wind, and which may be hung without a frame, or flown from a staff or flagpole.
GRADE. Established or finished grade or elevation measured at the level of the adjacent street.
GRAND OPENING. An event or occasion marking the opening of a new retail or service operation. A GRAND OPENING must occur at or near the beginning of an operation and can only occur once during the lifetime of the operation. For the purposes of this definition, however, if a change of ownership or of general management of an operation occurs, an “under new ownership” or “under new management” event or occasion, respectively, shall be deemed to be equivalent to a GRAND OPENING.
GRACE PERIOD. The period of time between the effective date of this chapter and the date(s) upon which compliance with the provisions hereof is/are required. This term shall further include any period of time between the adoption of this chapter and its effective date if necessary to give context to any clause or provision herein.
GRAPHIC. One or more pictures or words intended to convey a recognizable image of or to invite an inquiry into or purchase of a product or service. Does not include mere stylized painting or other abstract decoration of a building or other structure.
GROUND CLEARANCE. The measurement from the bottom portion of a sign face to grade. If the subject sign is built over or upon a planter, GROUND CLEARANCE shall still be measured to the surrounding grade.
LANDSCAPING. Plant materials, topography and other natural physical elements combined in relation to one another and to man-made structures.
LOGOGRAPH. A sign which consists of symbols, words, pictures, letters, colors or other graphic elements arranged in a generally recognizable fashion used to represent a particular trade, corporation, organization, profession or business; including but not limited to corporate emblems, trademarks, logos and barber poles. Any words or letters included in a LOGOGRAPH shall be incidental to the graphic elements.
LOT. A designated parcel of land identifiable as a single separate tract which is generally established as part of a subdivision, the plat of which has been approved by the village and recorded or registered with the appropriate county office, or the deed to which has been recorded or registered with the appropriate county office, which is intended to be used, developed or built upon as a unit, having its principal frontage upon a street or upon an official approved place, and which is occupied or intended for occupancy by a use permitted in this code. For the purposes of this definition, the terms lot of record and zoning lot shall be deemed synonymous.
LOT, CORNER. A lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection or junction.
LOT, INTERIOR. A lot other than a corner lot, or a reversed corner lot.
LOT LINE. A recorded property boundary line of any single lot which divides one lot from another lot or from a right-of-way, street or any public place. For the purposes of this definition, the term property line shall be deemed synonymous.
LOT LINE, FRONT. In the case of an interior lot abutting upon only one street, the line separating such lot from such street; in the case of a double frontage lot, each line separating from a street shall be considered a front lot line; in the case of a corner lot, the shorter lot line separating such lot from a street shall be considered to be the FRONT LOT LINE.
LOT LINE, REAR. That lot line which is parallel to and most distant from the front lot line of the lot; provided, however, that in the case of an irregular, triangular or pie-shaped lot, a line ten feet in length, entirely within the lot, parallel to and at the maximum possible distance from the front lot line shall be considered to be the REAR LOT LINE.
LOT LINE, SIDE. Any lot line other than a front or a rear lot line.
LOT LINE, THROUGH. Any interior lot which has a pair of lot lines along two substantially parallel streets.
MARQUEE. A structure, other than an awning, permanent in nature, of roof-like construction made of metal, wood or other non-pliable material attached to and extending from part of a wall of a building, but not supported by a frame affixed to the ground.
MONUMENT SIGN. See SIGN, GROUND.
MULTIPLE BUSINESS CENTER. A development containing two or more indoor, individual establishments or offices developed under one ownership, with an integrated building and site arrangement and overall architectural concept, which is primarily devoted to the provision of services, research or other non-retail uses.
OUTLOT. A lot of record located adjacent to or as part of a shopping center where the primary means of access to the lot is provided through the ingress/egress aisles of the shopping center parking facilities.
PERSON. Any natural individual, firm, trust, estate, partnership, association, joint stock company, joint venture, organization, corporation (public or private) or a receiver, trustee, conservator or other representative appointed by order of any court.
PLANTER. Any structure, object, or container constructed of brick, masonry, wood, stones or other material set upon the ground and located at the base of a sign or sign support pole(s) or pylon(s), designed for the purpose of holding flowers, shrubs or other landscape materials.
POLE. A post, pole, brace, standard or other upright member, usually made of metal, used singly or in combination to structurally support a free-standing sign. As modified by an adjective (e.g. flagpole, light pole), the term POLE shall refer to the upright member used to support or display the object so described.
PREMISES. Within the boundaries of all property lines of a lot or outlot, or within the confines of an establishment.
PROPORTION. Balanced relationship of parts of a building, sign, landscape or structure to each other and to the architectural concept as a whole.
PUD. A planned unit development or planned development, as defined in the Zoning Code.
PYLON. A column used singly or in combination to structurally support a free-standing sign that is substantially wider than a pole, and which consists of a pole that has been “boxed in” with a metal pole cover or completely concealed by surrounding masonry, stone or other secure, permanent material, or a masonry or stone column.
RACEWAY (ELECTRICAL). A boxed container, usually of metal, placed behind the lettering of a sign which houses electrical wiring for the illumination of the sign, and to which the sign or sign letters may be affixed.
ROOF LINE. The top of the parapet of a building with a flat roof, the top line of a building with a mansard roof, or the eave line of a building with a gable, gambrel or hip roof.
SCALE. The proportional relationship of the size of parts to one another and to the human figure using a standard form of measurement.
SETBACK. The horizontal distance between the building or structure or sign (as may apply) and the property line.
SHOPPING CENTER. A development containing two or more indoor, individual establishments developed under one ownership, with an integrated building and site arrangement and overall architectural concept, which is primarily devoted to the sale of retail goods or provision of personal services directly to the consumer. See also MULTIPLE BUSINESS CENTER.
SIGHT TRIANGLE. A triangular area established at the intersection of two streets or a street and a driveway in which nothing is erected, planted, placed or allowed to grow so as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists. Such a triangle shall have legs of 25 feet along the rights-of-way when two streets intersect and ten feet along the right-of-way and driveway when a street and driveway intersect, measured along each curb or equivalent of the intersecting streets or driveways and from the point where the curb lines or extension thereto intersect.
SIGN and/or SIGNAGE. Any surface, object, device, display, structure, fabric or advertising symbol which may or may not contain words, figures, letters, printing, pictures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, projected images, forms shaped to resemble any human, animal, product or object, or combinations thereof, which is calculated by any means to direct or attract the attention of the public and used to advertise, announce, identify or display an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location, which may be constructed from material of any kind or character whatsoever, and placed on the ground or on any pole, building, structure, wall or thing whatsoever. The term “placed,” as used in this definition, shall include erecting, locating, constructing, posting, painting, printing, nailing, tying, gluing, carving, molding, weaving or other fastening, attaching, affixing or making visible in any manner whatsoever. For the purposes of this definition, the use of terms including, but not limited to, attach, affix, place, locate, display, erect and construct shall be deemed to be synonymous. A SIGN shall be deemed to be an accessory use to a principal use.
SIGN, A-FRAME. Any sign of a structural framework with steeply angled sides meeting at the top like the sides of the letter A. Such signs may also be known as sandwich board signs.
SIGN, AWNING. Any sign that is painted, printed, woven or otherwise placed on the outer surface of an awning in such a manner that the awning forms the background surface of the sign.
SIGN, BACKLIT AWNING/CANOPY/MARQUEE. Any awning, canopy or marquee that is constructed substantially of transparent or translucent material and directly illuminated artificially from the interior side of the material in such a manner that the awning, canopy or marquee is made visible or luminous.
SIGN, BANNER. Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, paper or canvas and used for attracting the attention of the public. All BANNER SIGNS shall be deemed to be temporary signs.
SIGN, BEACON LIGHT. An apparatus containing a light and/or reflector for projecting a strong, far reaching beam of light in any direction, which is designed so that the beam of light may generally move in an arc pattern. Such a sign is used in the nature of advertisement, announcement or directions calculated to attract the attention of the public located some distance away from the location of the beacon. Such an apparatus may also be known as a beam or as a searchlight.
SIGN, CANOPY. Any sign that is fastened, affixed, painted, printed or otherwise attached to the outer surface of a canopy in such a manner that the canopy becomes the supporting structure or forms the background surface of the sign, and which does not project more than six inches from the canopy surface.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY. Any permanent sign that is predominantly or entirely designed or used in such a manner that characters, letters or symbols can be manually changed or re-arranged without altering the surface of the sign. The term changeable copy board shall mean a changeable copy portion of a sign subordinate in surface area and position to the principal surface area and characteristics of the sign. For the purposes of this definition, the terms reader board and attraction panel shall be deemed synonymous. See also SIGN, PORTABLE. A CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN is not a bulletin board.
SIGN, DIMENSIONAL. A type of wall sign which consists of three-dimensional letter forms individually applied directly to a building or raceway.
SIGN, DIRECTIONAL. See SIGN, INSTRUCTIONAL.
SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER. Any sign which uses changing (also known as traveling) lights or the electronic data display commonly known as pixels to form a sign message or messages, or symbols or characters or pictures in motion or animation, wherein the sequence of messages, characters and symbols and the rate of change is electronically, electrically, or automatically programmed and may be modified by electronic, electric, or automatic processes. For the purposes of this chapter, a time and temperature sign shall not be defined as an ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER SIGN.
SIGN, ENTRANCE/EXIT. Any sign which is located on the premises that denotes an entrance to or exit from parking facilities.
SIGN, EXTERIOR. Any sign that is attached to an exterior wall or otherwise located on the outside of a structure, or placed in a yard or upon vacant land.
SIGN, FLASHING. Any illuminated sign on or in which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times, and shall include blinking, strobing, flashing, animated, scintillating, alternating, fading-in-and-out and other similar operations of lights or light sources. For the purposes of this definition, a blinking warning light(s) on an antenna as required by law shall not be deemed a FLASHING SIGN. For the purposes of this chapter, a time and temperature sign or a beacon light sign shall not be defined as FLASHING SIGNS.
SIGN, FREE-STANDING. Any permanent sign not attached to a building; primarily ground signs, pole signs and pylon signs.
SIGN, GARAGE/YARD SALE—OFFSITE. Any sign used to advertise the sale of used, unwanted household goods originating from the owners or occupants of the specific residence where the sale occurs, other than a sign located on such premises.
SIGN, GARAGE/YARD SALE—ONSITE. Any sign used in residential zoning districts to advertise the sale of used, unwanted household goods originating from the specific residence where the sale occurs.
SIGN, GRAND OPENING. Any sign used for a grand opening. All GRAND OPENING SIGNS shall be deemed to be temporary signs.
SIGN, GROUND. Any sign not supported by visible posts, poles, pylons, uprights, braces, standards or other supports designed to raise the sign face above the ground; where the bottom side of the sign is set completely on the ground or mounted on a base that is permanently set on the ground that is at least as wide as the bottom side of the sign. GROUND SIGNS are also commonly known as monument signs.
SIGN, ILLUMINATED. Any sign which is lit by artificial (usually electric) lighting or luminous devices, whether by lights or devices on or within the sign or directed toward the sign, including such chemical or physical properties which cause or effect a reflection. This definition shall include exterior strings of lights or exposed light bulbs. Signs which are made visible due to ambient conditions arising from the use of adjacent artificial lighting, such as general lighting from fixtures used primarily to illuminate parking facilities, shall not be considered as ILLUMINATED SIGNS.
SIGN, INFLATABLE. Any sign or inflatable device of more than two cubic feet in capacity designed to be filled with air or a gas lighter than air, used singly or in clusters, displayed to attract the attention of the public. This definition shall include balloons and balloon signs.
SIGN, INSTRUCTIONAL. Any sign which provides instructions to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including but not limited to those signs stating that a business or establishment is open or closed; identifying restrooms, public telephones, public walkways and other similar facilities; and to provide directions or warnings, including but not limited to towing, no trespassing, no dumping, no parking and no stopping or standing signs. Such signs may also be known as directional signs.
SIGN, INTERIOR. Any sign which is fully located within the interior of a building and which is not readily or obviously visible from the exterior.
SIGN, LEGAL NON-CONFORMING. Any sign lawfully existing on the effective date of an ordinance, or an amendment thereto, which renders such sign non-conforming because it does not conform to all the standards and regulations of the adopted or amended ordinance.
SIGN, MARQUEE. Any sign that is fastened, affixed, painted, printed or otherwise attached to the outer surface of a marquee in such a manner that the marquee becomes the supporting structure or forms the background surface of the sign, and which does not project more than six inches from the marquee surface.
SIGN, MENU BOARD. Any sign which directs attention to a restaurant menu as an accessory structure to the restaurant with drive-through facilities. Such a sign may be illuminated and freestanding, and contain a two-way communication system for the purpose of food ordering only.
SIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE. Any sign painted on or otherwise attached to a motor vehicle (whether operable or inoperable), or on a trailer or similar movable unit designed to be transported by a motor vehicle which is parked or stored on a public right-of-way, public property or private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way for the primary purpose of displaying the sign in order to advertise a product or service, or to attract the attention of the public to a business or activity located on the property or off-site.
SIGN, MOVING. Any sign that has any external or visible part or parts that move, rotate, spin, swing or assume a non-stationary position by electrical or mechanical means, or under normal wind currents. Flags shall not be deemed MOVING SIGNS.
SIGN, NEW DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION. Any temporary sign which advertises a new development or new subdivision within the corporate limits of the village that has received approval to begin construction or is under active construction.
SIGN, NON-CONFORMING. Any existing sign which does not conform to all the standards and regulations of this chapter.
SIGN, OBSOLETE. Any sign which identifies an occupant or advertises a business conducted, product sold or service rendered which is no longer bonafide or operational. An OBSOLETE SIGN shall be deemed to be abandoned.
SIGN, OFF-SITE. Any general outdoor advertising sign, which is designed to advertise or direct attention to a business or activity conducted or a product, commodity, service, real property, entertainment or facilities offered or sold elsewhere than on the same lot or within the same building upon which the sign is located or to which it is affixed, or which directs persons to a location different from where the sign is installed. The term billboard shall be included in this definition.
SIGN, OUTLOT. Any free-standing sign located on the premises of an outlot or any wall sign located upon an outlot building.
SIGN, PENNANT. Any sign printed or painted on cloth, plastic, paper, canvas or other light material with distinctive colors, patterns or symbolic devices, typically designed to move when subject to pressure by the wind, and used for attracting the attention of the public. A PENNANT SIGN is usually, but not limited to being long, narrow and triangular in shape. For the purposes of this chapter, the term and concept of PENNANT SIGNS shall include, but not be limited to such devices as spinners, propellers, ribbons, streamers, garlands, bunting and the like, which are mounted singly or in a chain-like series and/or fastened or hung extended in such a manner that the device moves, rotates or spins when subjected to pressure by the wind.
SIGN, PERMANENT. Any pole, pylon, or ground sign which is substantially anchored to the ground with concrete piers or foundations or the equivalent, or any wall sign substantially attached to a building with bolts, rivets or the equivalent which is of more than nominal value, or any awning, canopy, marquee or under-canopy sign, or any other sign which by its definition and application in this chapter is designed, constructed and intended to be so located or affixed for an indefinite time into the future. Any banner, beacon light, garage/yard sale, grand opening, inflatable, motor vehicle, pennant, political, portable, real estate and special event sign shall not be considered as a permanent sign, as well as any other sign which by its definition and application in this chapter is designated as a temporary sign.
SIGN, POLE. Any free-standing sign supported by one or more poles, which pole(s) extend(s) from the ground or from an object on or in the ground.
SIGN, POLITICAL. Any sign displayed in conjunction with an official election or referendum, used on behalf of candidates for elected public office or to advocate a position on referenda.
SIGN, PORTABLE. Any sign designed to be moved from place to place which is not securely attached to the ground or any other structure, such as a sign mounted on a trailer or on a frame with wheels attached. Any such sign which has had any features removed (such as wheels, frame hitch or other devices that enable it to be moved) in order to attach it to the ground or any other structure shall still be deemed to be a PORTABLE SIGN. Such signs may also be known as movable signs. Although PORTABLE SIGNS often share features of changeable copy signs, for the purposes of this chapter, this definition of PORTABLE SIGN shall govern.
SIGN, PROJECTING. Any sign other than a wall sign that is fastened, affixed or attached directly to an outside wall of any building, generally but not always perpendicular to the plane of the wall, which projects outward eight inches or more from the face of the wall.
SIGN, PUBLIC. Any sign required and erected by governmental bodies or specifically authorized for a public purpose by any law, statute, ordinance or other official action. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to: traffic control signs; parking control signs; legal notices; railroad crossing signs; warning, danger and temporary emergency signs; street name signs; identification of public sites and facilities or of institutions; announcements of community events as designated by the governmental body; and the like.
SIGN, PYLON. Any free-standing sign supported by a single pylon, the width of which is greater than 33.3% of the width of the bottom side of the sign face, or supported by a maximum of two pylons, the combined width of which is greater than 33.3% of the width of the bottom side of the sign face, and which pylon(s) extend(s) from the ground or from an object on or in the ground.
SIGN, REAL ESTATE. Any temporary sign used to offer the sale, lease, sublease or rental of real property. A residential REAL ESTATE SIGN shall specifically mean a real estate sign used for property located in a residential zoning district. A commercial REAL ESTATE SIGN shall specifically mean a real estate sign used for property located in non-residential zoning districts.
SIGN, ROOF. Any sign erected, constructed or maintained wholly or partially upon or above the roof line or over the roof of any building in any fashion. This definition shall include signs upon penthouses or upon screening devices for mechanical and HVAC equipment. In addition, the direct artificial illumination of a roof or portion of a roof shall be deemed to transform the roof into a roof sign. Any sign attached to a mansard roof shall be deemed to be a wall sign.
SIGN, SPECIAL EVENT. Any temporary sign used to promote a special event. For the purposes of this definition, a SPECIAL EVENT SIGN shall be applicable to the activities of a non-profit organization, and a special promotion sign shall be applicable to the activities of a for-profit organization, although in intent these two terms shall be deemed to be interchangeable.
SIGN, SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION. Any permanent sign designed to identify a parcel consisting of multiple lots, buildings or dwelling units. A residential SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION SIGN is used for the stated purpose in residential zoning districts. A non-residential SUBDIVISION IDENTIFICATION SIGN is used for the stated purpose in non-residential zoning districts.
SIGN, TEMPORARY. Any sign designed, constructed or erected for display for a limited and usually fixed duration of time. Such signs include but are not limited to: banner, beacon light, garage/yard sale, grand opening, inflatable, political, portable, real estate and special event signs, as well as any other sign which by its definition and application in this chapter is designated as a TEMPORARY SIGN.
SIGN, TIME AND TEMPERATURE. Any sign or portion of a sign designed specifically to display only the current time and/or temperature at that location, employing a panel of changing light bulbs or visible elements to display numerals as well as Fahrenheit, Centigrade, a.m., p.m. and degree symbols in combination with the numerals as applicable.
SIGN, UNDER-CANOPY. Any sign that is attached to the bottom side of the roof portion of a canopy that is attached to a building, and positioned between the building wall and the outermost edge of the canopy, designed solely for pedestrian visibility and use.
SIGN, VENDING MACHINE. Any permanent, non-flashing sign or signage on vending machines, gasoline pumps, ice containers, automatic teller machines and other similar machines.
SIGN, WALL. Any sign which is attached directly to the building wall and which does not extend out more than eight inches from the face of the wall. This definition shall include any architectural feature or design that includes all or part of an exterior wall where the WALL SIGN is affixed, but only to the extent that the same constitutes a graphic. See BUILDING DECORATION.
SIGN, WINDOW. Any sign that is applied upon, attached to, painted upon the interior or exterior of, or located within 12 inches of the interior side of a window or glass door, and/or is located within a building such that the sign is intended to be viewed from the exterior of such building. Such signs shall not be illuminated unless otherwise provided for.
SIGN FACE. The surface or surfaces used for the display of a sign message as seen from any one direction, including the area of copy and all borders, but not the supports. Within this meaning, a single-face sign shall not have any copy on its reverse side, or its reverse side is not visible; a double-faced sign shall have the faces placed back-to-back; and a multi-faced sign has more than two visible faces, or is erected in a V-shape or is otherwise deemed to be irregular.
SIGN FRIEZE. The signable wall area delineated by a clearly defined portion of a building facade designed or designated for the placement of signage. The terms sign course, sign board, sign panel and the like shall be considered as synonymous.
SIGNABLE WALL AREA. The entire area within a square or rectangle which encompasses a single continuous portion of a building facade, unbroken by windows, doors, arches, gables, stripes or other major architectural interruptions or extensions of the building surface. SIGNABLE WALL AREAS shall not extend above the roof line of the building or beyond the premises or frontage of a particular establishment.
SPECIAL EVENT. An event, activity, sale or service or other occasion that is temporary or seasonal in nature, is limited in duration and is not regularly repeated within the same calendar year. For the purposes of this definition, a special promotion or other similar occasion shall be deemed to be synonymous. A slogan (e.g. the store with the best bargains) shall not be deemed a SPECIAL EVENT.
STANDARDS OF CONSISTENCY. The underlying characteristics of a common signage plan which relates the building design to a unified color scheme; use of materials; lettering or graphic style; consistent location of each sign on the building; and consistent proportions, surface area and other measurements; as well as which relates the design to a multiple-user development.
SURFACE AREA OF A SIGN. The entire area within a single continuous square or rectangular perimeter enclosing the extreme limit of a sign, but in no case shall this perimeter pass through or between any adjacent elements of the same. See also SIGN FACE.
WALL. Any of the exterior sides of a building or structure upon which the roof rests.
WINDOW. An opening in the wall of a building for admission of light, containing transparent or translucent material such as glass.
WINDOW SURFACE AREA. The area of a building facade which is occupied by a window(s) or glass door(s).
ZONING DISTRICT, NON-RESIDENTIAL. Any current or newly-created non-residential zoning district or any newly-created district predominantly established for non-residential uses, as defined in the Zoning Code.
ZONING DISTRICT, RESIDENTIAL. Any current or newly-created residential zoning district as defined in the Zoning Code.
(Ord. 2010-O-1, passed 1-5-10; Ord. 2013-O-2, passed 3-19-13)