§ 3-26. Definitions.

The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:

Awning means a structure made of cloth, metal or other material affixed to a building in such a manner that the structure may be raised or retracted to a position against the building.

Banner and streamer means any sign intended to be hung from an existing structure, either with or without frames, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, ornamentation or bright colors, and displayed on fabric or other flexible materials.

Building frontage means the length in feet of that portion of a building which faces a public street.

Building sign means a sign attached to, supported by or painted on a building or other structure, including wall signs, roof signs, awnings, canopy and marquee signs, hanging signs and projecting signs.

Canopy means a structure other than an awning made of cloth, metal or other material with frames affixed to a building or carried by a frame which is supported by the ground.

Construction sign means a sign identifying individuals or companies involved in design, construction, wrecking, financing or development when placed upon the premises where work is under construction during allowable periods.

Directional or instructional sign means a sign, providing no advertising of any kind, which provides direction or instruction to guide persons to facilities intended to serve the public, including but not specifically limited to those signs identifying rest rooms, public telephones, public walkways, parking areas, and other similar facilities.

Ground sign means an on-premises sign that is supported totally or partially by ground.

Lot means a parcel of land under separate ownership from adjoining property. Boundaries of parcels or lots shall be assumed to coincide with those shown on the tax assessment rolls and maps of the city or of the county, unless conclusive evidence to the contrary is presented.

Marquee means a permanent roof-like structure extending from part of the wall of a building, but not supported by the ground, and constructed of durable material such as metal or glass.

Nonconforming sign means a sign which was in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived and which does not comply with all of the terms of this article.

Off-premises sign or billboard means a sign which relates to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation conducted or located on premises other than those on which the sign is located.

On-premises sign means a sign which relates to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation conducted or located on the same premises on which the sign is located.

Permanent sign means an on-premises sign which indicates an intended use as a permanent fixture.

Political sign means a temporary sign identifying a political candidate, issue or party.

Portable or trailer sign means a sign not permanently affixed to the ground, a building or other structure, whether mounted on a frame, chassis, trailer or other movable structure that is not anchored to a permanent foundation or structure. For purposes of this article, a portable or trailer sign is classified as a ground sign.

Projecting sign means a sign which is affixed to a building or wall and which extends beyond the line of such building or wall or beyond the surface of that portion of the building or wall to which it is affixed by more than sixteen (16) inches.

Real estate sign means a sign which is used to offer for sale, lease or rent the premises upon which such sign is placed.

Roof sign means a sign erected or maintained in whole or in part upon, against, or directly above the roof or parapet line of a building or other structure.

Sign means any identification, description, illustration or device, illuminated or nonilluminated, which is visible from any public place or which is located on private property and exposed to the public and which directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, person, institution or solicitation, including any permanently installed or situated merchandise, or any emblem, banner, pennant, painting or placard designed to advertise, identify or convey information visually. For the purpose of removal, signs shall also include all sign structures.

Sign area or size means the total area of the space enclosed by one (1) continuous line, connecting the extreme points or edges of a sign. This does not include the main supporting sign structure, but does include all other ornamental attachments, inner connecting links and general background. Sign area for a double-faced sign shall consist of only the area of one (1) face.

Sign structure means any structure which supports, has supported or is capable of supporting a sign, including decorative cover.

Street frontage means the length in feet of that portion of a lot which borders on a public street or alley and includes the length of frontage of both streets for corner lots.

Temporary sign means a nonpermanent sign which is erected, affixed or maintained on a premises for a specified period of time, usually of relatively short duration.

Wall sign means a sign attached directly to, placed upon, or painted upon an exterior wall of a building or other structure or dependent upon a building or other structure for support with the exposed face of the sign located in a place substantially parallel to such exterior building wall to which the sign is attached or supported by.

Window sign means a sign attached to, placed upon or painted on the interior of a window or door of a building or in close proximity to such a window or door, which is intended for viewing from the exterior of such building.

(Ord. of 11-15-88, § 2)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.