Definitions
As used in this section, unless otherwise expressly stated in this ordinance, the following definitions shall apply:
A. Sign. The term "sign" shall mean any permanent or temporary device, reproduction, material or structure which is: Freestanding, attached to a building or structure or erected, painted, represented or reproduced inside or outside any building, structure or natural object, including window display areas, which displays, reproduces or includes any lettered or pictorial matter, which is used to identify the premises or occupant or owner of the premises; to advertise any product or item; to advertise the sale, rental or use of all or part of any premises or item, including that upon which it is displayed; to direct vehicular or pedestrian traffic other than public highway markers; and shall also include any announcement, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise or promote the interests of any persons or business when the same is placed in view of the general public. In no event shall the word "sign" be construed to mean any sign in the interior of any structure, not visible from the outside, unless specifically set forth in this ordinance. Excluded from this definition also are pavement markings or driveway directional arrows painted on the ground, which contain no advertising.
B. Sign, illuminated. A sign designed to give forth artificial light from an artificial source in such a manner as to be an integral part of the construction of the sign, including neon signs and signs illuminated from within.
C. Sign, indirectly illuminated. A sign illuminated with an artificial light directed primarily toward such sign from an exterior source.
D. Sign, wall-mounted. A sign erected against, painted on or attached to the wall of any building or structure (except a freestanding sign support) including signs affixed to fences, screens and freestanding walls.
E. Sign, roof-mounted. A sign placed upon the roof of any building or portion thereof, or erected on a vertical framework supported by the roof of a building, except such signs which are an integral part of the construction or architecture of a building.
F. Sign, freestanding. A sign supported by a pole, uprights, braces or frame on the ground and not supported by any wall, building or similar structure.
G. Sign accessory. Any sign related to a business or profession conducted, or a commodity or service sold or offered upon the premises where such a sign is located.
H. Sign trailer. A sign which is mounted or designed for mounting on wheels, or which is mounted or designed for mounting on a self-propelled or towed vehicle. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, mobile advertising signs attached to a truck, chassis, detachable vehicular trailer or other such mobile signs, but shall not include signs painted or otherwise inscribed on a self-propelled vehicle or towed vehicle which identify the product, service or any activity for which the vehicle is used, unless the principal use of such vehicle is for advertising purposes.
I. Sign, portable. Any sign not attached to a building or structure or attached to the ground and which is capable of being placed upon various locations on a lot. Such signs shall include, but are not limited to, A-frame signs, gasoline price per gallon signs, temporary announcement signs, trailers signs and the like.
J. Sign, projecting. A sign erected so as to project approximately perpendicular from the exterior of any building or wall.
K. Sign, off-site directional. Any sign giving directions to the location of any use or activity not located upon the property upon which the sign is erected, and which may contain only the name of the use and necessary information giving directions to the use; provided, however, that no advertising shall be contained in such sign.
L. Sign, off-premises. Any sign or advertising device, including a billboard, which advertises a use or activity not located on, or a product not sold nor manufactured on, the lot on which the sign or device is located.
M. Sign, plaza. A grouping of signs in a common location, having a uniform size and materials and regulated by the Town of Exeter in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.
N. Sign, temporary promotional. A display, banner or advertising device constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, plywood or other light temporary material, with or without a structure frame, intended to promote special sales, free gifts, openings or campaigns.
O. Sign, area. Measured in square feet, the entire area within a square, rectangle, circle, triangle or any other polygon enclosing the extreme limits or graphic, writing or similar representation, emblem or any fixture of similar character, together with any frame or other material or color forming an integral part of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the background against which it is placed, excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign, except that the two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet from one another, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of the one face if the two faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if the two faces are of unequal area.
P. Sign, height. Measured in feet, the overall height of a sign is measured from the grade directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or any of its supports.
Q. Sign, setback. Measured in feet from the outermost edge of the sign to the public right-of-way.
R. Sign projection over public right-of-way. Measured in feet, perpendicular to the property line, from the property line to the outermost edge of the sign, over any public right-of-way.