§ 26-84-020. Definitions.

As used in this article:

Appurtenant sign means any sign which directs attention to an occupancy, business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered only from the premises where the sign is maintained.

Area of sign means the entire area within a single continuous perimeter or geometric form or sphere enclosing the extreme limits of writing, representation, emblem or any figure or similar character excluding the necessary supports or uprights on which such sign is placed. Where a sign has two (2) or more faces, except where two such faces are placed back to back and are at no point more than two feet (2′) from one another, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of a sign. When only one (1) face of the sign is to be used for area calculations, the area of the sign shall be taken as the area of one (1) face if the two (2) faces are of equal area, or as the area of the larger face if two (2) faces are of unequal area.

Attached sign means any sign attached to, made a part of, or included on any building surface (also known as a wall sign).

Detached sign means any sign which is not an attached sign and which is supported primarily by one or more columns, uprights or braces placed in or upon the ground.

Directional sign means any structure for the purpose of furnishing direction to uses which are designated to accommodate tourists or other travelers, or a use which is of general public interest but excluding onsite information signs and real estate signs. Such signs shall indicate a point of change in travel, and shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

Directly illuminated sign means any sign designed to give forth artificial light directly or through transparent or translucent material from a source of light visible from the street, or abutting from property, including but not limited to exposed tubing neon signs.

Height of sign means the vertical distance from the uppermost point and used in measuring the area of a sign to the ground immediately below such point or to the level of the upper surface of the nearest curb of a street or alley (other than a structurally elevated roadway) whichever measurement permits the greater elevation of the sign.

Identification sign means any sign other than a bulletin board which serves to tell only the name, address and lawful uses of the premises upon which the sign is located and shall include name plates.

Indirectly illuminated sign means any sign whose illumination is reflected from its source by the sign display surface to the viewer's eye, the source of light not being visible from the street or from abutting property.

Off-site real estate sign means any sign advertising the sale, rental, lease or exchange of, and directions to, property other than that on which the sign is maintained.

On-site real estate sign means any sign advertising the sale, rental, lease or exchange of the premises on which the sign is maintained, including new development and subdivision signs.

Outdoor advertising sign means any off-site card, cloth, paper, metal, painted or wooden sign of any character (excluding appurtenant and directional signs) placed for outdoor advertising purposes, on the ground or onto any tree, wall, bush, rock, post, fence, building, structure or thing. The term "placed," as used in this definition, includes erecting, constructing, maintaining, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving or otherwise fastening, affixing to, or making visible in any manner.

Outdoor advertising structure means an off-site structure of any kind or character erected or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any poster, bill, printing, painting or other advertisement of any kind whatsoever may be placed for advertising purposes. The term "placed," as used in this definition, includes erecting, constructing, maintaining, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving, or otherwise fastening, affixing to or making visible in any manner.

Portable sign means any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including, but not limited to, signs equipped with wheels, casters or rollers. Advertising displays affixed to, or being supported by, a vehicle are portable signs.

Reader board means any sign of permanent character, but with movable letters, words or numerals indicating the names of persons associated with, or events conducted upon, or products or services offered upon the premises upon which such sign is maintained. For purposes of this chapter, a reader board is considered an appurtenant sign.

Sign means any visual announcement, declaration, demonstration, display, illustration or insignia used to advertise, identify or promote the interest of any person, product or place of business when the same is placed out of doors in view of the general public.

Viticultural area sign means a sign to identify one or more wineries within an area recognized as an American Viticultural Area by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF).

(Ord. No. 4876 § 1, 1995; Ord. No. 4643, 1993.)