Sign definitions
(a) Building frontage. The maximum width of a building measured in a straight line parallel with the abutting street, or in cases of buildings perpendicular to the street frontage, the frontage shall be measured where the primary entrance(s) to the building(s) are located. All determinations of building frontage shall be made by the zoning officer.
(b) Canopy. Any sign that is part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door entrance, window, or outdoor service area. The lowest portion of any canopy shall be not less than eight feet above the level of a sidewalk or public right-of-way. No canopy shall extend beyond a point five feet inside the curb line. There shall be no advertising on any canopy, except that the business name and street number may appear on the vertical portion of the street apron which is geometrically parallel to the building front, provided that the maximum amount of permitted signage is not exceeded. A canopy sign shall provide at least eight feet clearance to grade from the bottom edge of the canopy.
(c) Digital sign. This type of sign is a component of either a freestanding, pylon or monument sign that features static images that may change over a period of time not to exceed one message change per ten seconds and are used to advertise to consumers in a public place(s), including in private automobiles.
Digital menu boards associated with a permitted drive through operation shall be exempt from the sign regulations for use purposes only. A digital menu board associated with a permitted drive through shall comply with all other sign requirements.
A digital sign and an electronic message center shall be considered synonymous terms.
(d) Directional/informational sign. An on-premises sign giving directions, instructions, or facility information and which may contain the name or logo of an establishment but no advertising copy (e.g., parking or exit and entrance signs). The logo may not be more than 20 percent of the total sign area.
(e) Monument sign. A monument sign is a freestanding sign for which the sign face is supported by a continuous and solid monolithic base which extends the full length of the sign face or within one foot of the ground and whose bottom is permanently attached to the ground. One monument sign shall be allowed per lot in lieu of a freestanding sign and shall have a maximum area of 50 square feet, shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from all property lines, and the maximum sign height shall be eight feet.
(f) Freestanding sign. A sign that is attached to, erected on, or supported by some structure (such as a pole, mast, frame or other structure), that is not an integral part of, or attached to a building, also called a pylon sign. All permanently installed freestanding signs shall be protected from vehicular circulation and parking areas. Such signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height from grade. No freestanding sign or display shall be erected so as to block or obstruct the sight line of automobiles exiting from the premises. For drive-in uses requiring a menu board, one such sign may be permitted in addition to a permitted freestanding sign, said sign shall not be larger than any permitted freestanding sign for such use.
(g) Projecting sign. Projecting signs means a sign erected so as to project approximately perpendicular from the exterior of a building, ceiling or wall. These signs shall be restricted to one per business. Such signs shall have a clear height of eight feet above the sidewalk or other traveled way and be erected and secured in such a manner as to preclude their becoming a safety hazard to the public. Projecting signs may not project over a public sidewalk more than three feet from the building wall.
(h) Sign structure. The support or supports, uprights, bracing and framework which supports the sign face. In the case of a sign structure consisting of two or more sign faces or projections thereof, each side shall be considered a separate sign.
(i) Sign area. The entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing all elements of a sign which are intended to be part of the visual image of the sign including spaces between letters and/or pictorial images, but not including supporting structure provided it does not contain advertising text or images. When a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the sign area.
(j) Sign height. No portion of any freestanding on-premises sign shall be more than 20 feet above the highest elevation of the grade immediately adjacent to the sign, grade as being defined by this chapter.
(k) Wall sign. A wall sign is defined as a sign attached parallel to, or painted on, the vertical wall of a building exterior.
(l) Credit card signs and customary business signs. Credit card signs and customary business signs (e.g., open, closed) not exceeding 1.5 square feet in area may be affixed to the building or window and may not be counted towards the calculation of window signage.
(m) Window sign. A window sign is any sign affixed to, in contact with, or within 12 inches of a window thereof. Window signs include paper affixed to window, painted, etched on glass, or some other materials hung inside a window. Window signs permanently erected or maintained in the window of any building shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the window area of a structure, and/or 25 percent of the window area for each individual tenant in a multitenant structure in the C-3, C-4 or C-5 zoning district, or shall not occupy more than ten percent of the window area of a structure, and/or ten percent of the window area for each individual tenant in a multitenant structure in the C-1, and C-2 zoning districts. Normal displays of merchandise in store windows shall not be considered signs.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-442; Ch. 506, § XIII, 7-20-10; Ch. 642, § XV, 3-15-16; Ch. 823, § II, 11-16-21)