§ 24-2. Definitions.
[The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:]
Accessory sign means a small sign that is not part of the total allowable square footage permitted for the building.
Alley sign means a sign used to identify the alley entrance to a building or business.
Apartment/condominium/mobile home park identification sign means an attached sign or a freestanding sign with permanent foundation or moorings, designed for identification of a multi-family residential project or a mobile home park project, and where adequate provision is made for permanent maintenance hereunder.
Architectural features means an ornamentation or decorative features attached to or protruding from or otherwise accentuating an exterior wall.
Area identification sign means a freestanding or wall sign with permanent foundation or moorings, designed for identification of subdivisions of ten to 50 acres, or identification of a distinct area within a subdivision, and where adequate provision is made for maintenance hereunder.
Attached sign means a sign attached to or applied on and totally supported by a part of a building.
Awning sign means a rigid roof-like cover extending out from the wall of a building to provide cover over windows or doors, that is supported by the exterior wall of the building, and that may include a type that can be retracted, folded, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building. A sign placed directly on top of the awning.
Banner means a temporary sign, either attached or freestanding, with or without characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations, applied to cloth, paper, flexible plastic or fabric of any kind, attached to the exterior of the structure or free standing on the site with temporary fastening devices such as rope, string, wire, twine, or similar materials, which is in addition to the permitted permanent signs, announcing a special event for a business, i.e., business openings, grand openings, sales or promotion events.
Bed and breakfast inn facility sign means a sign that identifies a bed and breakfast inn facility.
Changeable electronic variable message sign (CEVMS) means a sign which permits light to be turned on or off intermittently or which is operated in a way whereby light is turned on or off intermittently, including any illuminated sign on which such illumination is not kept stationary or constant in intensity and color at all times when such sign is in use, including an LED (light emitting diode) or digital sign, and which varies in intensity or color. A CEVMS sign does not include a sign located within the right-of-way that functions as a traffic control device and that is described and identified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) approved by the Federal Highway Administrator as the National Standard.
Canopy means any non-rigid material such as fabric or flexible plastic, that is supported by or stretched over a frame, that is attached to an exterior wall, and that may include a type that can be retracted, folder, or collapsed against the face of a supporting building.
Canopy sign means a sign that is an integral part of the canopy, which is painted on or applied to the canopy.
Commercial sign means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing.
Development sign means a sign announcing a proposed subdivision or a proposed building project.
Directional traffic control sign means a sign utilized as a traffic control device in off-street parking or access areas.
Facade means the portion of any exterior elevation on the building extending from the grade to parquet, wall, or eaves, and the entire width of the building elevation which are adjacent to the front on any right-of-way.
Facade, primary means the facade with the main entrance.
Flag/pennant means a piece of fabric of distinctive design that is used as a symbol (as of a nation), identification, as a signaling device or as a decoration.
Freestanding commercial sign means a sign supported by one or more columns, poles or bars extended from the ground or from an object on the ground, or that is erected on the ground; the term includes all signs which are not substantially supported by a building or part thereof, or which are substantially supported by a building or part thereof, when the sole significant purpose of the building or part thereof, is to support or constitute the sign.
Frieze means a flat area surrounded by architectural features dedicated to sign placement.
Fuel price sign means a sign used to advertise the current price of fuel at locations where fuel is sold.
Hanging sign means a sign attached to underneath the canopy or awning.
Home occupation sign means a sign used to identify the name and occupation of a person with a legal home occupation.
Individual letters, numbers and/or symbols used to create signage or identification of a building or business.
Low profile sign means a sign with a permanent foundation that is not attached to a building, but is a stand-alone sign and which does not exceed 60 square feet. in area and four feet in height.
Mailbox type structure means a small frame structure that resembles a mailbox support to which a swinging sign is attached and is located on the applicant's property.
Mural means artwork applied to the wall of a building that covers all or substantially all of the wall and depicts a scene or event of natural, social, cultural, or historic significance. Excludes any commercial message.
Non-commercial sign means a work of art or message which is political, religious, or pertaining to a point of view, expression, opinion, or idea that contains no reference to the endorsement, advertising of, or promotion of patronage, of a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction that is sold, offered, or existing.
Off-premise commercial sign means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is displayed. This definition includes but is not limited to freestanding and billboard signs.
On-premise commercial sign means a sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, entertainment, or attraction sold, offered, or existing upon the premises where such sign is displayed. This definition does not include non-commercial signs.
Permanent sign means a sign constructed of durable materials which is affixed or attached to real property by poles, stakes or other members which are placed into the ground, or upon some other type of permanent foundation and is intended for long-term use. A permanent sign excludes a sign attached to a building or other permanent structural members with rope, string, wire, twine, or similar material.
Political sign means any sign which promotes a candidate for any public office or which advocates a position on any social issue as its primary purpose. Political signs shall be considered in the category of non-commercial signs except where there are regulations pertaining to their removal after an election.
Portable sign means a sign which is not affixed or attached to real property by poles, stakes or other members which are placed into the ground, or upon some other type of permanent foundation; trailer signs, any sign with wheels or skids, and any sign which is constructed so as to sit upon the surface of the ground, without subsurface attachment or extension.
Premises means an area of land planned and designed as a single comprehensive project, considered from the time the plan is first submitted to the planning department either at plat stage or site plan stage.
Primary sign means the most dominate sign on the building. This may be a single sign or a combination of signs providing that the total square footage of the primary sign or signs does not exceed the total allowable square footage permitted for the building.
Projection sign means a sign which is supported by an exterior corner of a building.
Real estate, finance and construction sign means an attached or freestanding sign erected upon a lot or parcel of land for the purpose of advertising same for sale or lease, or advertising the furnishing of interim or permanent financing for a project, or for the furnishing of labor, materials or the practice of crafts on the job site.
Roof sign means an outdoor advertising display sign erected, constructed, or maintained on the roof of a building or which is wholly dependent upon a building for support, and which projects above the point of a building with a flat roof, six feet above the eave line of a building with a shed, gambrel, gable or hip roof, or the deck line of a building with a mansard roof. See illustrations at the end of this chapter.
Sandwich/sidewalk sign means a movable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located.
Secondary sign means a sign that is intended to supplement or complement the primary sign, and is subordinate to the primary sign, which is included in the total allowable square footage permitted for the building.
Sign means any written or graphic representation, decoration, form, emblem, trademark, flag, banner, or other feature or device of similar character that is used for the communication of commercial information, or communication of ideas or subjects of political significance, and which:
(1)
Is a structure or any part thereof, including the roof or wall of a building, or a free standing wall or fence;
(2)
Is written, printed, projected, painted, constructed or otherwise placed or displayed upon or designed into a building, board, plate, canopy, awning or vehicle, or upon any material, object or device whatsoever; and
(3)
By reason of its form, color, wording, symbol design, illumination or motion attracts or is designed to attract attention to the subject thereof, or is used as a means of identification, advertisement or announcement.
(4)
A sign shall be considered to be a single display surface, a double-faced display surface, or display device containing elements clearly organized, related and composed to form a unit. Where matter is displayed in a random manner without organized relationship of elements or where there is reasonable doubt about the relationship of elements, each element shall be considered to be a single sign; provided, however, that the display of merchandise through glass windows in any zone where such merchandise may be sold in the ordinary course of business shall not constitute a sign or signs.
Subdivision identification sign means a freestanding or wall sign with permanent concrete foundation or moorings, designed for permanent identification of a subdivision of greater than 50 acres, and where adequate provision is made for permanent maintenance hereunder.
Swinging sign means a sign which is no more than two feet by three feet, which is either a freestanding or an attached sign that swings and is attached to a mailbox-type frame or structure, or to the ceiling under a front porch. The freestanding sign can be no more than four feet in height.
Temporary use directional sign means a sign pertaining to the sale of a house or building used in compliance with this chapter.
Wall sign. See attached sign.
Window sign means a sign affixed to the interior or exterior of a window or placed immediately behind a windowpane.
(Ord. No. 2003-42, § 2.0, 11-13-2003; Ord. No. 2007-18, § 2(2.0), 6-26-2007; Ord. No. 2008-14, § 1.0(3(2.0)), 5-8-2008; Ord. No. 2008-20, § 2.0, 7-8-2008; Ord. No. 2008-26, § 2(2.0), 8-26-2008)