§ 74-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Aggregate sign area means the area of all signs on a parcel, excluding the area of one face of all double-faced signs.

Animated sign means a sign with action, motion, or changing colors that requires electrical energy. The term "animated sign" does not include signs that indicate only time, temperature, date, or any combination thereof.

Area of a sign or sign area means the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle, or combination thereof, which encompasses one face of the entire sign, inclusive of any border and trim, but excluding the base, apron, supports, and other structural members.

Awning sign means a sign located on a roof-like cover extending before a place as a shelter and which may be used in lieu of a wall sign.

Banner means a piece of fabric or similar material that is attached to a pole, enclosed in a frame, or mounted as a temporary sign device.

Billboard sign means a type of ground sign which is permitted in certain zoning districts as provided by this article, and which shall be a maximum of 35 feet in height and 240 square feet in sign face area, and which is greater than 100 square feet in sign face area. Billboards may be double-faced, and may include embellishments not exceeding an additional 50 square feet.

Directional sign means a sign dedicated to providing traffic direction such as enter, exit, drive through, etc. Limited to three feet in height and no larger than four square feet in sign area.

Double-faced sign means a sign which has two display areas placed back to back against each other or where the interior angle formed by the display areas is 60 degrees or less, where one face is designed to be seen from one direction and the other face from another direction.

Freestanding sign means a sign securely affixed to a support structure which is permanently attached to the ground and wholly independent of any building for support.

Hanging/shingle-type signs means a sign no larger than six square feet in area, with a clearance of seven feet eight inches above the sidewalk or ground. Such a sign shall be attached firmly and perpendicular to a building. Such a sign may be double-faced but may not be more than four inches thick.

Illuminated sign means a sign that has light cast upon the sign from a source either internal to the sign or from an external light source directed primarily toward such sign.

Monument sign means a permanent monument sign designed so that the base of the sign face is flush with the supporting base, and the supporting base is flush with the ground and extends the full width of the sign face and shall not exceed six feet in height, and 60 square feet in total area which shall include sign and structure.

Nonconforming sign means any sign that does not conform to the provisions of this article that was legal at the time of its erection.

Parcel means a separate tax unit of real property on county real estate records.

Portable signs means a mobile/temporary electric or non-electric sign that is mounted on a trailer or trailer-type frame with wheels or skids or a portable wood or metal frame and is not permanently attached to the ground or to any building or other structure. The definition of portable sign does not include messages painted directly upon or attached by sticker or magnetic backing to a motor vehicle or placed within a motor vehicle such that it may be viewed from outside the vehicle through windows.

Roof sign means a sign attached to or supported by the roof of a building that extends above the immediately adjacent roofline of the building.

Shopping center means a commercial area apart from the central business district consisting of two or more businesses in one or more buildings in any linear or other arrangement and providing not less than 75 off-street parking spaces.

Sign means a device or representation for visual communication that is used for the purpose of bringing the subject thereof to the attention of others.

Streamers means a sign consisting of narrow strips of plastic, cloth, or similar material used to direct attention to a building, sign, or physical location on a temporary or permanent basis.

Strip center means a commercial area apart from the central business district consisting of two or more businesses in one or more buildings in any linear or other arrangement and providing at least 25 off-street parking spaces.

Temporary sign means a sign of a nonpermanent nature.

Wall sign means a sign fastened, placed or painted upon or parallel to the exterior wall of the structure itself, and may be located on multiple walls provided each sign faces a street or parking lot.

Window sign means a sign installed flush with or on a window and intended to be viewed from the outside, and cannot exceed 30 percent of the available window space. Window signs shall not count towards the maximum aggregate sign area.

(Code 1986, § 5-172; Ord. No. O-05-08-19, 8-18-2005; Ord. No. O-2015-9, Exh. A, 6-18-2015)