A. “Animated sign” means any sign that flashes or simulates motion with an electronic or manufactured source of supply or contains wind-actuated motion (except for flags and banners). An animated sign may also be a sign that meets the definition of “changing message center” or “revolving sign.”

B. “Banner” means a temporary sign constructed of fabric, vinyl, or other durable material; which is not the primary identification for the organization, event or product advertised; and which is primarily promotional in nature.

C. “Billboard” means a large outdoor advertising sign containing a message, commercial or otherwise, unrelated to the use or activity on the property on which the sign is located and/or to any use or activity in the immediate area (such as is the case with an off-premises sign) and which is customarily leased for commercial purposes. The approximate sizes of the billboard faces range from 12 to 14 feet in height and 24 to 48 feet in width.

D. “Changing message center” means an electronically controlled message center that displays different copy changes on the same lamp bank.

E. “Directional sign” means a sign which is located to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to parking entrances, exits, and service areas, and may not exceed six square feet in area or 10 feet in height. For projects that have parking lots in excess of 500 spaces, the sign area may be 10 square feet and the sign height 15 feet.

F. “Double-faced sign” means a sign with two faces.

G. “Electrical sign” means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, and/or fixtures are used as part of the sign proper.

H. “Facade” means the entire building front, or street wall face, including grade to the top of the parapet or eaves, and the entire width of the building elevation.

I. “Flashing sign” means an electrical sign or a portion thereof which changes light intensity in a sudden transitory burst, or which switches on and off in a constant pattern in which more than one-third of the nonconstant light source is off at any one time.

J. “Freestanding sign” means a sign that meets the definition of “ground sign” (also commonly referred to as a monument sign) or “pole sign.” Signs attached to fences or other structures that are not defined as buildings will be considered freestanding signs.

K. “Frontage” means the measurement, in linear feet, of the length of the property line for a single-tenant building or length of leased building frontage for multitenant buildings or multibuilding complexes.

L. “Grade” means the relative existing ground level in the immediate vicinity of the sign.

M. “Ground sign” means a sign attached to the ground and supported by the ground or a built-up landscaped area such that the sign appears solid with the ground. The height of a ground sign shall be measured from the surrounding grade. Also commonly referred to as a monument sign.

N. “Identification sign” means a sign containing the name of the business establishment, occupant of the building or tenant space and/or address of the premises.

O. “Incidental sign” means a sign that is generally informational and of a noncommercial nature intended primarily for the convenience of the public and having a maximum area of two square feet. Incidental signs include, but are not limited to: signs designating restrooms, hours of operation, entrances and exits to buildings and parking lots, help wanted, public telephones, etc. Also included are property control and warning signs such as “no trespassing,” “no dumping,” etc., and plaques, tablets or inscriptions which are an integral part of a building.

P. “Mansard roof” means a sloped roof or roof-like facade architecturally able to be treated as a building wall.

Q. “Marquee” means a permanent structure attached to, supported by, and projecting from a building and providing protection from the weather elements. For the purpose of this chapter, a freestanding, permanent roof-like structure providing protection from the elements, such as a service station gas pump canopy, will also be considered a marquee. The term “marquee” also includes canopy.

R. “Marquee sign” means any sign which forms part of or is integrated into a marquee and which does not extend horizontally beyond the limits of such marquee. For the purpose of this chapter, a marquee sign will be considered as a wall sign.

S. “Median sign” means a sign that is placed within the median of a public street.

T. “Multiple-building complex” means a group of commercial or industrial structures, developed as a group either simultaneously or in phases, with more than one building per parcel.

U. “Multiple-tenant building” means a single structure housing more than one retail business, office or commercial venture but not including residential apartment buildings, which share the same lot, access and/or parking facilities.

V. “On-premises sign” means a sign which carries advertisements incidental to a lawful use of the premises on which it is located, including signs indicating the business transacted, services rendered, goods sold or produced on the premises, name of the person, firm or corporation occupying the premises.

W. “Off-premises sign” means any sign which advertises an establishment, merchandise, service, goods, or entertainment which is sold, produced, and manufactured or furnished at a place other than on the property on which said sign is located.

X. “Parapet” means a false front or wall extension above the roofline.

Y. “Perimeter” means a square or rectangle required to enclose the sign area.

Z. “Portable sign” means any sign made of any material, including paper, cardboard, wood or metal, which is capable of being moved easily and is not permanently affixed to the ground, structure or building. This also includes sidewalk or sandwich board signs, except those worn by a person.

AA. “Premises” means the real estate as a unit, which is involved by the sign or signs mentioned in this chapter.

BB. “Projecting sign” means a sign which is attached to a structure or building wall in such a manner that the leading edge extends more than 16 inches beyond the surface of said structure or wall but does not extend more than five feet beyond the property line, extends no more than six inches above any roofline, and meets all standards for ground clearance. Signs that meet the definition of “marquee sign” or “suspended sign” will not be considered a “projecting sign.”

CC. “Real estate sign” means a portable sign erected by the owner, or the owner’s agent, advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located for rent, lease or sale.

DD. “Revolving sign” means any sign that rotates or turns in motion by electrical or mechanical means in a circular pattern.

EE. “Roof sign” means a sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a building or structure. Mansard roof signs shall be considered as wall signs. Roof signs may not extend more than five feet in height above the roof.

FF. “Sign” means any visual communication device, structure, or fixture which is visible from any right-of-way intended to aid a land use in promoting the sale or identification of a product, good or service using graphics, symbols, or written copy. For the purpose of this chapter, a sign shall not be considered to be building or structural design. It shall be restricted solely to graphics, symbols, or written copy that is meant to be used in the aforementioned way. This definition shall include inflatable signs, balloons or other similar devices.

GG. “Sign area” means:

HH. “Sign height” means the vertical distance measured from the adjacent grade to the highest point of the sign.

II. “Sign structure” means any structure that supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole or may or may not be an integral part of the building or structure.

JJ. “Single-tenant building” means a commercial building or structure that contains one enterprise or occupant. Buildings within a multibuilding complex may not be considered a single-tenant building.

KK. “Special event signage” means temporary signs including posters, flags, pennants, and inflatable materials; which are not the primary identification for the organization, event or product advertised; and which are primarily intended for very short-term promotional periods.

LL. “Suspended sign” means a sign that is attached to and suspended from a marquee or canopy, and subject to right-of-way and clearance regulations.

MM. “Temporary sign” means any sign or advertising display constructed of wood, vinyl, cloth, canvas, light fabric, paper, cardboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited time only. This definition shall include inflatable signs.

NN. “Traffic hazard” means any sign which does not meet city standards for clear zone or sight distance or which does not meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

OO. “Wall sign” means a sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than 16 inches from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported through its entire length, with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. “Window signs” which do not meet the definition of a “temporary sign” shall be considered as wall signs.

PP. “Window sign” means a sign located inside or affixed to windows of a building, whether temporary or permanent, lighted or unlighted, which may be viewed from the exterior of the building. (Ord. 6591 § 4, 2016; Ord. 6501 § 4, 2014; Ord. 5993 § 1, 2006; Ord. 4705 § 2, 1994; Ord. 4229 § 2, 1987.)